Confused About Pruners? These Are the Only 3 Types You Really Need

If you've ever bought an expensive set of kitchen knives, you will have no doubt discovered that there are always a couple that rarely get used. Indeed, most chefs will tell you that there are only three essential blades (though, of course, that didn't stop me getting a block of 6 – and I make a point of using all of them). It's much the same situation with garden pruners.

While there are a few bonus pruning tools you can invest in if you really think you'll use them, most gardeners will mainly just use two or three pairs – and only one of those will be relied upon regularly. While that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy that telescopic pole pruner you've had your eye on if you have a lot of tall trees, you should think twice about where to invest extra in the best-quality tools, and where you can save on occasional-use products.

Here are my recommendations for which types of pruners every gardener needs, plus my top picks of models to buy. Happy snipping!

1. Bypass Pruners

If you only buy one pair of pruners, let it be these. Bypass pruners have a scissor-like cutting action, with a sharp, curved blade that slides past a lower, thicker blade. They’re your everyday workhorse, used for cutting flower and vegetable stems, soft to semi-woody growth, and small branches (usually up to ¾ inch in diameter, but some pairs can cope with an inch).

I’d say bypass pruners are the ones you’ll reach for to tackle over 80% of garden jobs. But don’t get too cocky and use them on thick, woody stems, as you’ll blunt them and possibly damage the blades.

Because they’re your most used pair, this is where to invest in the best quality. Look for:

• Hardened blades – high-carbon steel or Japanese steel for clean cuts.
• True bypass action – blades should pass cleanly like scissors, not crush stems.
• Ergonomic handles – soft grip to reduce hand and wrist fatigue
• Smooth, reliable spring – easy opening without stiffness. Some premium models have dual springs for balanced action.
• Secure one-handed lock – safe and convenient when not in use
• Tension adjustment screw – lets you fine-tune blade tightness.
• Easy to clean and disassemble – for maintenance

Bypass Pruner Picks

2. Anvil Pruners

You may wonder why you need anvil pruners, as at first glance they don’t look that different to bypass pruners. But rather than a scissor-like action, they are designed with a single, sharp blade that closes onto a flat, solid metal base. This gives them more cutting power with less hand strain, making them perfect for dead or woody stems, dry branches, and tough shrubs. They’re also great for gardeners with weaker grip strength. Used correctly, anvil pruners can extend the life of your bypass blades.

However, as the cutting action crushes rather than slices, it can be damaging to soft live plant tissue, so use your bypass pruners for most trimming. Anvils typically handle diameters between 0.6–1 inch.

Alternatively, ratchet pruners are similar to anvil pruners but use a mechanism to cut in stages, making them ideal for gardeners with arthritis or for cutting very thick branches in smaller, manageable steps. You won't need both anvil and ratchet pruners, though.

When buying anvil pruners, look for the following:

• Strong blade and anvil – thick, high-carbon or heat-treated steel cutting edge meets a sturdy flat surface
• Comfortable grips – with soft, non-slip coating is essential to reduce fatigue
• Good cut capacity – aim for ¾ inch to an inch to tackle dead branches
• Smooth spring action – supportive rebound without stiff resistance
• Reliable locking mechanism

Anvil Pruner Picks

3. Loppers

These long-handled pruners are your go-to when cutting thick branches (up to 1½ inches to 2 inches in diameter) and when you need an extended reach. Some loppers even have telescopic handles to extend further. As they require two hands, they enable you to apply greater force than with handheld pruners. They’re perfect for pruning small trees and shrubs, and tackling thicker, older growth.

When buying loppers, look for these qualities:

• Cutting capacity – choose loppers rated for the branch size you typically tackle (commonly 1–2 inches)
• Bypass vs anvil blades – bypass for cleaner cuts on live wood, anvil for dead/dry wood
• Strong, durable blades – heat-treated or high-carbon steel for lasting sharpness
• Long or telescopic handles – for more leverage
• Comfortable grips – ergonomic, non-slip handles reduce fatigue on big jobs
• Lightweight but sturdy frame – aluminum or composite shafts keep weight down without sacrificing strength
• Smooth pivot and spring action – easy cutting with minimal effort

Lopper Picks

Other Pruning Tools You May Need

Sometimes you may need other types of pruning tools in addition to your core pruners. Whether you need to invest depends mainly on whether you're tackling trees and hedges yourself.

• If you need to trim taller trees, it’s a good idea to invest in a telescopic pole tool, like the Fiskars 2-in-1 Extendable Tree Pruner and Pole Saw, which extends 7.9–12 feet.
• For hedges, an electric trimmer makes life a lot easier. However, you may also want to pick up some hedge shears, like these Gonicc Professional Adjustable 33"+ 13" Hedge Shears. 
• A pruning saw – like this Corona Tools saw – is useful for thick branches that are too large for loppers, using a sharp, narrow blade to cut through woody growth cleanly with minimal effort.
• Snips are handy for precise, delicate jobs, making it easy to deadhead flowers, trim herbs, and cut thin stems cleanly without reaching for full-size pruners. Try these Felco F322 Pruning Snips.