Guide: The Best Pruning Shears for Your Small Garden

A good pair of pruning shears is indispensable in the garden. No matter how big (or small) your garden is, you can’t do without pruning shears! Whether you’re pruning perennials and ornamental grasses, roses and other shrubs, or maintaining (fruit) trees, the right pruning tools make the job much faster and easier. But what are the best pruning shears? We’d love to show you our favorites, complete with reviews and a pruning shears comparison.

In this comprehensive buying guide, you'll discover:

The 5 Best Pruning Shears Right Now
The difference between an anvil-style pruning shears and bypass pruning shears
What to Look for When Making a Purchase
Helpful Tips for Maintaining Your Pruning Shears

Top 5 Best Pruning Shears of 2025

Pruning shears	Type	Best for	Price Estimate
Felco 2	Bypass, branches up to 25 mm	Precise and Professional Pruning	€65-€85
Gardena PremiumCut Flex	Bypass, branches up to 24 mm	A good entry-level model for beginners	€15-20
Professional Language Tools	Bypass, branches up to 25 mm	Sturdy pruning shears at a good price	€20-30
Fiskars Pro Bypass P90	Bypass, branches up to 26 mm	Durable, comfortable, and reliable	€30-35
Budget Pruning Shears	Bypass, branches up to 18 mm	Entry-level, occasional use	< €15

Pruning Shears Reviews

1. Felco 2 – a beloved classic among pruning shears

If you ask an experienced gardener about it When you think of a brand for pruning shears, Felco is usually the first name that comes to mind. And for good reason—these are excellent, sturdy, high-quality pruning shears that last a very long time. If something does ever break, you can simply order individual replacement parts. These pruning shears fit comfortably in your hand (as long as your hands aren’t too small) and effortlessly cut branches up to 25 mm thick. You do pay a fair price for these excellent pruning shears: around €65–80.

If you have smaller hands, choose one of the special Felco models designed for smaller hands.

View or order the Felco 2 pruning shears

2. Fiskars Pro Bypass P90 – for professional gardeners AND enthusiastic hobbyists

A pair of pruning shears that performs exceptionally well and is versatile enough for a variety of situations. Durable, strong, and reliable. They have a comfortable grip and make even difficult pruning tasks easier. However, these pruning shears are a bit on the pricier side, costing around €30–35.

View or order the Fiskars Pro Bypass P90 pruning shears

3. Gardena PremiumCut Flex – Best Choice for Beginners

Gardena has been making great pruning shears for many years now. There are several well-known models, such as the Classic and Comfort. These are excellent pruning shears, especially for beginners, or if you simply need a good pair of pruning shears. The Gardena PremiumCut is just a step above. For a very affordable price (€20–25), you’ll be getting a high-quality, comfortable, and versatile pair of pruning shears, featuring handy and comfortable non-slip handles.

It sometimes has a little trouble with thicker branches, but in that case, you should really just use loppers instead.

View or order Gardena PremiumCut pruning shears

4. Talen Tools Professional – Reliable and competitively priced

Another solid pair of pruning shears: the Talen Tools professional pruning shears come in the same color as the well-known Felco shears and are a great all-around choice. Made from durable material with a comfortable grip. Great for everyday use and will last for years. The price is about average: €20–30.

View or order Talen Tools professional pruning shears

5. Budget pruning shears – a great option for beginners

For anyone who's just looking for a simple pair of pruning shears to use every now and then. The budget option isn’t usually all that bad. However, if you really need to prune a lot and often, we’d recommend investing a little more. You can find a great budget pair of pruning shears at a home improvement store or your local garden center, usually for less than €15.

When and how should you prune roses?

What should you look for when buying pruning shears?

Pruning shears may seem simple, but there are important differences that determine whether you’ll enjoy using them or end up frustrated.

Type of pruning shears: bypass or anvil

Bypass: two blades that move past each other (like scissors).
- Advantage: clean cut, ideal for live branches.
- Disadvantage: It takes a little more force with thicker branches.
Anvil: a single blade that cuts against a flat surface.
- Advantage: easier to use on dead wood and harder branches.
- Disadvantage: It can bruise live branches.

Tip: Use bypass pruning shears for flowers, plants, and shrubs. Choose an anvil-style pruning shear for dead wood. This will help your pruning tools last longer!

Hand Size and Ergonomics

Do you have small hands or large hands? Some brands (Felco, Gardena) offer models in different sizes.
Special versions are available for left-handed users (Felco LH).
Ergonomic rubber or non-slip handles help reduce blisters and fatigue.

Branch Thickness and Strength

For branches up to 18–20 mm, a standard pair of pruning shears will suffice.
For thicker branches (up to 25 mm), you'll need a sturdier model.
Do you want to prune even thicker wood? In that case, loppers or a pruning saw are a better choice.

Weight and Ease of Use

Lightweight scissors (200–250 grams) are more comfortable for extended use.
Heavier shears feel sturdier, but can be more tiring to use.

Maintenance & Sustainability

Check whether parts are replaceable (e.g., with Felco).
Choose stainless steel or hardened steel so the knife stays sharp longer.
Scissors with a good lock and a strong spring will last longer.

Value for money

Budget (< €15): great for occasional use.
Mid-range (€20–€40): suitable for hobby gardeners.
Premium (€50+): for intensive use and durability.

Pro tip:
It's better to invest in a high-quality pair of pruning shears that will last you 10+ years than to replace a cheap pair every year.

Maintenance Tips for Your Pruning Shears

Clean your pruning shears with a cloth after use.
Sharpen the knife regularly (using a sharpening kit or whetstone).
Oil the hinges to prevent rust.

Questions About Pruning Shears

How do I sharpen pruning shears?
Use a diamond file or grinding stone, and always grind at the same angle as the cutting edge.

How long do pruning shears last?
With proper maintenance, a high-quality pair of pruning shears (Felco, Fiskars) will easily last 10+ years.

Which is better: a bypass or an anvil?

Bypass = live branches (clean cut, prevents damage).
Anvil = dead wood (more power, less precision).

Final verdict: the best pruning shears of 2025

A good pair of pruning shears makes gardening more enjoyable and prevents frustration. For most gardeners, the Felco F2 the best all-around choice. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, then the Professional Language Tools A great option to start with.

Tip: It's better to invest in a high-quality model just once—this will save you money and hassle in the long run.

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