Our favorite loppers have sharp, precise blades for easy, clean cuts, and quality steel construction that stands up to both the elements and sap exposure. We also like loppers with safety features like shock absorbers that can reduce strain, non-stick coatings to prevent debris buildup, and replaceable blades for easy maintenance.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 1.
We researched both anvil loppers (for soft, living branches) and anvil loppers (for harder branches and dead wood), evaluating each for ease of use, length, cutting capacity, and cleanness of cut. We also looked for options with varying lengths to tackle different types of trees and bushes.
Tree loppers provide the serious cutting power needed to prune thick branches and trim away dead branches. The best loppers are long enough to reach the branches you need to prune , with sharp blades, comfortable grips, and durable materials that can withstand many years of use outdoors.
Best Overall
Fiskars PowerGear2 Lopper
PHOTO: Amazon
View on Amazon
$42 at Walmart
$48 at Home Depot
What We Like
Geared for increased cutting force
2-inch cut capacity
Titanium-coated blades resist rust and sap
Long reach and padded grips
What We Don't Like
The Fiskar PowerGear2 bypass loppers make quick work of branches up to 2 inches in diameter, allowing you to handle just about any backyard pruning project. It's also a good choice for cutting down bamboo, which can quickly grow into a thick grove without occasional maintenance.
We love the PowerGear2 technology, which increases the cutting power by three times (according to the manufacturer), so you don't have to work as hard to squeeze. Plus, the titanium-coated steel blades deliver very smooth cuts while resisting the buildup of tree sap or other gritty materials.
The full length of these loppers is 32 inches. That lets you reach overhead into trees and tall shrubs for pruning without the need for a ladder, but remember that to open the blades to their maximum capacity, you also need to open out the handles to capacity, which can be quite a stretch if your arms aren't long. Still, you aren't likely to need full capacity often, so that may not be an issue for you.
We like the ergonomic, lightly padded handles, which are comfortable even during long gardening sessions. Note that these loppers do not have shock-guard bumpers. However, to reduce the force transmitted to your hands when the blades clamp shut. At 4 pounds, these are a bit heavy, but their sturdy construction should last you through many years of happy gardening.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Alloy Steel&#;Overall Length: 32 inches&#;Weight: 4 pounds&#;Cut Capacity: 2 inches
What Are Bypass Loppers?
Bypass loppers are designed for cutting live wood up to 2 inches in diameter. "Their nimble and sharp blades make clean, precise cuts on living wood, ensuring the health and vitality of your trees and shrubs,&#; says Andrew Hughes, arborist and owner of Urban Loggers.
Best Value
Fiskars Bypass Lopper
PHOTO: Amazon
$27
$20 at Amazon
$20 at Walmart
$20 at Home Depot
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Some garden tools are rather expensive, but that's not the case with these sturdy loppers from Fiskars. Despite their reasonable price, these bypass loppers are no slouch in the garden, easily creating clean, angular cuts without tearing or damaging the branch, twig, or stem.
The 28-inch-long tool has a low-friction, precision-ground blade that can smoothly cut branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter; while that's not the largest cut capacity on our list, it's sufficient for most typical backyard trees and shrubs. We also like that the low-friction coating helps reduce sticky sap residue on the blade and wards off rust.
Thanks to padded grips on the handles, this tool is comfortable to hold for an extended period. And at a little under 3 pounds, it's fairly lightweight (the second lightest bypass option on this list), so it&#;s not too cumbersome when cutting overhead. This lopper also features shock-absorbing bumpers to improve overall comfort. Admittedly, while it works great for more basic gardening and pruning tasks, it&#;s not the best choice for heavy-duty jobs. But it offers a high-quality design and maximum performance.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Alloy Steel&#;Overall Length: 28 inches&#;Weight: 2.9 pounds&#;Cut Capacity: 1.5 inches
Best Upgrade
Felco F 22 Pruning Shear
PHOTO: Amazon
$244 at Amazon
$273 at Home Depot
View on Felco.com
What We Like
What We Don't Like
These loppers represent a significant investment, but we think they're well worth it as a serious upgrade. With Swiss precision from Felco, a company that's been renowned for their professional-quality hand pruners and other garden tools since the s, these loppers provide plenty of cutting power for clean, precise cuts every time.
Since all of the parts on these loppers are replaceable, you can expect them to last through your entire gardening lifetime. The high-quality hardened steel blade delivers a clean, precise cut, and thanks to the curved shape of the cutting head, it's easy to isolate the branch you want to cut and then clamp down with considerable force.
You can use these loppers to easily prune through branches, stems, or limbs up to 1.77 inches in diameter. The 33-inch total length is ideal for trimming higher branches and taller shrubs, but at 4.4 pounds, (the heaviest pick on this list, aside from our best battery-powered option), they can be fatiguing to hold overhead for long periods.
Some of that effort is mediated by forged aluminum handles with non-slip grips, which makes these loppers comfortable to hold and maneuver. They also have built-in shock absorbers to protect the wrists and arms.
If you are looking for a pair of serious loppers that are the highest quality available, slice cleanly through just about anything you throw their way, and are well-balanced and a pleasure to hold, then it's hard to go wrong with this offering from Felco.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 33.1 inches&#;Weight: 4.4 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 1.77 inches
Best Pole Pruner
Fiskars Tree Pruning Stik
PHOTO: Fiskars
$122
$104 at Amazon
View on Fiskars.com
What We Like
Includes 15-inch tree saw
Easily extends up to 12 feet
Blade head can be angled in any direction
What We Don't Like
To prune branches way up high, you usually have to stand on a ladder, which can be precarious. That won't be a problem with this ingenious bypass lopper from Fiskars, however. It's attached to an aluminum, weather-resistant extension pole that can be adjusted to whatever length you'd like between 7.9 feet and 12 feet, the longest length on our list.
The steel head of the lopper is geared for greatly increased force without increased effort, plus, you can angle the head of the lopper however you need it, and then lock it in place for improved precision. You control the opening and closing of the blades with a sliding grip near the base of the pole.
The maximum cutting capacity of the Tree Pruning Stik is 1.25 inches, but if you need to tackle a larger branch, then you can easily extend the included 15-inch tree saw, which cleanly slices through branches up to 6 inches in diameter. That means you'll be able to handle just about any tree in your yard with this one tool. As with any long tool that's used overhead, it can take some time to get the knack of maneuvering to the specific branch you want to cut. With just a little practice, however, you'll be pruning like a pro with this sturdy, efficient tool from Fiskars.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 7.9 to 12 feet&#;Weight: 4.3 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 1.25 inches (up to 6 inches with included tree saw)
Best Ratcheting
Spear & Jackson Heavy Duty Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Lopper
PHOTO: Amazon
$70
$42 at Amazon
What We Like
Ideal for dead and broken branches
Adjustable handle length
Comfortable nonslip grips
Ratcheting action for forceful cutting
What We Don't Like
These heavy-duty anvil loppers from Spear & Jackson are a great tool for cutting hard and thick branches and are especially useful for tackling dead wood, broken branches, or fallen debris after a storm or high winds. The rugged blades are made from carbon steel and have a ratcheting mechanism that increases the force as you cut through branches up to 2 inches in diameter but reduces the amount of strain on your hands. The blades give a very smooth cut and are coated with Teflon to reduce the buildup of sap and sawdust, as well as ward off rust and corrosion.
The lopper has telescoping handles that can be adjusted from 15.75 inches to 31.5 inches and locked into place with a simple twist. The grips are very comfortable, with a thick padding that reduces impact to your hands while improving your grip, even if your hands get sweaty. At just over 4 pounds, however, these loppers are fairly heavy, and you may experience arm fatigue if you don&#;t give yourself a break. Thanks to a safety lock, these loppers can be stored safely in a closed position.
Type: Anvil&#;Blade Material: Carbon steel&#;Overall Length: 15.75 to 31.5 inches (adjustable)&#;Weight: 4.2 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 2 inches
What Are Anvil Loppers?
"Anvil loppers have a sharp cutting blade that meets a flat surface, creating a crushing, as well as cutting, action, says Noah James, a professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance. "Only the cutting blade moves on an anvil lopper. These loppers excel in their ability to deal with hard or dead wood,"
Best Grip
Corona ComfortGEL Bypass Loppers
PHOTO: Corona
$44
$34 at Amazon
$40 at Walmart
$34 at Home Depot
What We Like
What We Don't Like
As the name suggests, the ComfortGEL grips make these Corona loppers a pleasure to use. Thanks to a comfortably ergonomic, padded grip and a shock-guard bumper system, this tool can help reduce hand fatigue and friction, even if you have a lot of branches to cut. These bypass loppers exert enough force to cut through thick branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter. The steel blades are coated to resist rust, corrosion, tree sap, and sawdust buildup. The lopper head is slightly angled to make it easier to accurately pinpoint the branch that needs cutting.
At 3.2 pounds and a total length of 30 inches, these are fairly lightweight, so you'll be able to reach overhead without getting too tired. While these aren't for the heaviest pruning (thicker or dead branches), they are a great option for any gardener who wants to keep their yard looking tidy without sacrificing comfort.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Alloy steel&#;Overall Length: 30 inches&#;Weight: 3.2 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 1.5 inches
Best Anvil
Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Lopper with Compound Action
PHOTO: Amazon
$68
$57 at Amazon
$54 at Walmart
View on Tabortools.com
What We Like
What We Don't Like
This powerful professional-quality anvil lopper from Tabor Tools cuts through dead or dry branches without much effort, thanks to its compound mechanism (additional pivoting arm right below the blade) that amplifies its cutting force. The manufacturer claims it increases the force by 3 times, which means you don't have to do nearly as much work to cut through limbs up to 2 inches in diameter.
The carbon steel blades are very durable and maintain their sharpness even after heavy use. The blades&#; non-stick coating prevents residue buildup and resists rust and corrosion. Shock-absorbing, ergonomic rubber handles make this tool comfortable to hold and easier to use.
With a 30-inch length, these loppers can reach higher branches and taller shrubs. The longer handles also help create more leverage. At 3.75 pounds, the Tabor loppers can be used overhead with little wrist and arm fatigue for most users. But we do wish the loppers had a shock-absorbing bumper, which would eliminate additional arm stress. Still, this is a great addition to your gardening tools, especially if you often have to deal with fallen branches or your property is wooded.
Type: Anvil&#;Blade Material: Carbon steel&#;Overall Length: 30 inches&#;Weight: &#;3.75 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 2 inches
Best Compact
Fiskars 15-Inch Anvil Lopper
PHOTO: Fiskars
$39
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Garden Loppers Manufacturer.
$24 at Amazon
$24 at Walmart
$18 at Home Depot
What We Like
What We Don't Like
For trimming branches that are within easy reach, and maneuvering through thick branches to reach the one you need to prune, we recommend this compact anvil lopper from Fiskars. With a total length of 15 inches and a weight of a mere 13 ounces, these are the lightest, and most compact loppers on this list, so we think they make a nice upgrade for jobs that basic pruning shears can't handle.
You'll love the way these loppers effectively and cleanly cut through branches up to 1.25 inches in diameter without wearing out your hands or arms. Plus, a geared mechanism further increases the cutting power without requiring more effort from you.
Like all anvil loppers, these are best suited to cutting dry or dead materials; while you can certainly use them to clip through stems, green twigs, and living branches, there's a greater risk of leaving jagged edges or torn greenery. The blades of are titanium-coated steel, which resists the buildup of tree sap and wards off rust and corrosion.
We wish the grips were a little more padded and that there was a shock-reducing bumper, but the shorter length of these loppers helps to naturally reduce the amount of shock when the blades clamp shut, so that may not be an issue for you.
Type: Anvil&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 15 inches&#;Weight: &#;13 ounces&#;Cut capacity: 1.25 inches
Best Battery-Powered
Ryobi Ryobi ONE+ Battery Lopper
PHOTO: Ryobi
$152
$143 at Amazon
$168 at Home Depot
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you suffer from painful hands or reduced mobility, then you might find pruning with manual loppers to be difficult. But there's no need to give up gardening just yet; with this cordless battery-powered bypass lopper from Ryobi, you can still do the gardening you love, but without the strain.
You'll get up to 101 cuts per charge with the included 18-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, and the loppers can handle branches up to 1.25 inches in diameter. Just position the lopper blades around the branch you want to prune, squeeze the tool's trigger, and let it do the rest; you'll love the clean, complete cuts.
The loppers are 30 inches long, so you can reach most branches easily. They're quite heavy, (the heaviest we recommend, at nearly 8 pounds), but they work fast enough that you may be able to finish before you ever start feeling fatiqued.
The included 18-volt ONE+ battery and charger are compatible with any other Ryobi 18V ONE+ product, which makes this an especially attractive option if you have other Ryobi ONE+ tools that can use the same battery.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 30 inches&#;Weight: &#;7.8 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 1.25 inches
Best Telescoping
THANOS Extendable Anvil Loppers
PHOTO: THANOS
$47
$32 at Amazon
What We Like
Compound mechanism
Telescoping handle
Lightweight
What We Don't Like
If you need to cut branches up high in a tree or tall shrub, then this anvil lopper from Thanos lets you take care of your gardening tasks without having to get out a ladder. The tool has a handle with a 6-position extension button that lets you set the length from a low of 27 inches to a maximum length of 41 inches; that's 3.5 feet!
While it might take you some practice before you get the hang of wielding the loppers at full extension, you'll soon appreciate their ability to target branches way up high. You'll also like their comfortably padded handles, although we do wish they had shock-reducing bumpers.
The Teflon-coated steel blades can handle branches up to 2 inches in diameter, and thanks to the compound action of the blades, you'll be able to cut even through hard or dry wood with much less effort. These are also useful for clipping away excess fruit in your peach trees or other fruit trees to encourage larger sizes.
The blades are very sharp and make clean cuts without leaving ragged edges. At 3.3 pounds, they are quite lightweight, but they are not intended for the most heavy-duty pruning tasks.
Type: Anvil&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 27 to 41 inches&#;Weight: &#;3.3 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 2 inches
Best for Thick Branches
Corona 32-Inch Orchard Lopper
PHOTO: Corona
$106
$79 at Amazon
$88 at Tractor Supply Co.
View on Coronatoolsusa.com
What We Like
Large cutting capacity
Light
Bumper guards
Sharp, powerful blades
What We Don't Like
Most loppers have cutting capacities between 1 inch and 2 inches, but these bypass loppers from Corona stretch out a little further to a maximum of 2.25 inches of cutting capacity, allowing you to cleanly and completely cut away even fairly thick branches from your tall shrubs, fruit trees, or ornamental trees. They have the largest cutting capacity of any option on this list (aside from our best pole pruner option).
The heat-treated, forged-steel blades have a dual-curve design that greatly reduces the amount of force you need to exert to cut through wood. A sap groove helps prevent the buildup of sticky tree sap and other grunge, and while the blades remain sharp for a long time, once they do begin to dull, you can resharpen them easily.
The loppers measure 32 inches in total length, which is long enough to reach up high, but also means that you'll need to stretch your arms out wide to open the blades fully, so keep that in mind if you have short arms or difficulty with wide arm movements.
There are bumper guards to help absorb shock when the loppers snap closed, and the handles have comfortably padded grips. Even with a larger cutting capacity, these are surprisingly light loppers (the lightest bypass option on this list), weighing less than 3 pounds.
Type: Bypass&#;Blade Material: Steel&#;Overall Length: 32 inches&#;Weight: &#;2.6 pounds&#;Cut capacity: 2.25 inches
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Keeping up a home, homestead, or hunting property requires plenty of work, and having the right tool for the job can make that work easier and faster. You need chainsaws and axes for trees and firewood, hand saws and hatchets for big limbs and smaller trees, and loppers for saplings, overhead branches, overgrown bushes, and more.
Loppers are the right tool for a lot of jobs outside. Saplings growing up through a chain link fence? Loppers. Overhead branches that move when you try a saw? Loppers. Overgrown bush taking over your porch? Loppers. Need something quick, clean, and quiet for clearing lanes in front of your stand or blind? Loppers. Clearing small saplings for a micro food plot? You guessed it, loppers. So, to help you find the right loppers for what you&#;re doing, I put a pile of them to the test to see which ones worked best for a variety of jobs.
How I Tested the Best Loppers
All of these loppers were tested on a variety of wood types and thicknesses from ¼ inch to 2 ¼ inches. Anything larger would be best tackled with one of the best mini chainsaws. I did most of the cutting on green wood, but there was some dead wood mixed in. Here&#;s a list of tasks these loppers helped me complete:
- I helped out my new neighbor and cut out about 15 maple saplings that were growing in his chain link fence.
- I trimmed back my Catalpa tree so we could have my daughters party under its shade.
- I pruned low branches on apple trees, so I could mow around them easily.
- I trimmed the maple over my shed and front steps.
- I pruned an overgrown purple rhododendron that had begun to overtake my porch Jumanji style.
- I cleared shooting lanes and made room for new stand locations on everything from pine to oak.
Best Loppers: Reviews and Recommendations
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 2.25 inches
- Overall Length: 32.5 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: Yes, Hard Rubber
- Price: $70
Pros
- Lifetime Warranty
- Comfortable Grips that extend halfway up the arms for different hand positions
- Forged Aluminum arms bolted to High Carbon Steel Blades
- Replaceable Blades
Cons
The Corona XSeries Pro impressed in every way. These have a lifetime warranty that I&#;m sure I will never use because they are built like a tank. The cutting performance was just as impressive as the build quality, and that makes them my top pick.
Corona makes some great hand saws and folding saws, and that same quality transfers over to their Loppers in the XSeries Pro. The XSeries has full-length, forged-aluminum arms that are heavier than the hollow arm loppers, but they feel great in hand. I never had to worry if I was pushing or squeezing these loppers too hard. They felt like they could take anything. Even when cutting at the maximum diameter that I could fit in the blades, I never felt like the tool was stressed.
The rubber grips extend halfway up the arms for a variety of grips for lighter and heavier work. I did put a small nick in the blade when I accidentally hit a chain link fence, but it didn&#;t noticeably affect the cutting performance. The rubber bumpers dissipate some of the shock if you snap shut with force on a harder cut, but other bumpers were better.
Best for Big Branches: Fiskars PowerGear 2 L
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 2 inches
- Overall Length: 32 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: No
- Price: $40
Pros
- PowerGear Technology adds a mechanical advantage to your strength for easier cuts
- Lifetime Warranty
- Lightweight
- Smooth Cuts
Cons
- Arms and Grips feel a little cheap
- Power gear opens arms far and can make tight spaces hard to work in
The Fiskars PowerGear 2 32-inch loppers were amazing on large branches. They claim the PowerGear system gives three times the cutting power, and I believe it. When you get near the limit on most loppers, the force required to cut is astronomically high. On the Fiskars though, there is no need to worry. If the branch or sapling fits in the jaws, you can easily cut it.
The steel gears are made from thick stock and feel very sturdy. The only drawback for the PowerGear 2 is that the arms open nearly 180 degrees, which makes it hard to get into tight spaces if you&#;re cutting a branch close to the max diameter.
You&#;ll mostly forget about the wide arc needed to use these once you cut a few branches that other loppers can&#;t handle. Chomping through thick stuff with these loppers actually brought a smile to my face. As I was using these, it also occurred to me that someone with an injury could benefit from the mechanical advantage the Fiskars PowerGear 2 Loppers offer.
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.25 inches
- Overall Length: 23.75 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: Yes, Soft Rubber
- Price: $76
Pros
- High-quality construction
- All parts are replaceable and serviceable
- Jaw pivot bolt will not loosen thanks to a nut-locking system
- Aluminum arms
Cons
- While the shorter length makes them easy to use and maneuver, it cuts down leverage
- High quality, but high price
For most jobs, the 23.75-inch Felco loppers are everything you need and nothing you don&#;t. They won&#;t handle the biggest branches, but they are well built and cut very smoothly on all branches under their max cutting diameter.
The Felco Loppers ooze quality, and they have nice touches that the others don&#;t. The pivot nut has a ring with gears cut into it that mesh up with a lock gear so it can&#;t loosen once the tension is set. Remove the lock gear if you need to service the pivot or remove the blade. The blades bolt directly into the aluminum arms and are easily removed, unlike many others, which cannot be changed or serviced.
These loppers are designed to last a lifetime like things used to be. It&#;s like an old car, simple to work on yourself with basic hand tools and designed to be fixed, not replaced. They cut very smoothly and came very sharp. If you appreciate quality, don&#;t need the full-size loppers, but need a little more reach than the compact ones offer, the Swiss Made Felco 211-60&#;s might be just right for you.
Small But Mighty: Fiskars PowerGear 15-inch Super Pruner
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.25 inches
- Overall Length: 15 inches
- Jaw Type: Anvil
- Bumpers: No
- Price: $25
Pros
- PowerGear Technology adds a mechanical advantage to your strength for easier cuts
- Lifetime Warranty
- Ultra Lightweight
- Smooth Cuts
Cons
- Arms, gears, grips, and anvil are all plastic.
- Easy to open too far and pop gears out of mesh
The 15-inch Fiskars feature the same PowerGear Technology as the 32-inch ones, and they easily chomp through bigger branches because of it. They are super lightweight and compact, but pack a big punch.
The Fiskars PowerGear 15-inch Super Pruners work as advertised. They get through branches easier than loppers twice the size, thanks to the PowerGear advantage. They are unbelievably lightweight and compact, and they come with a lifetime warranty for only 25 bucks.
I had no issues when I pushed them past what they were intended for. But, when I really looked at them, I couldn&#;t help but think that they couldn&#;t take it for very long. The handles and gears are all molded from the same fiber-reinforced plastic, and only the cutting blade and pivots are made of steel. There is some wiggle in the pivots and you can open the handles too far and pop the gears out of sync without much effort. They go back in just as easily, but it&#;s not confidence inspiring.
Now, a lifetime warranty comes with these loppers, so maybe that&#;s not a concern for you. I like these Fiskars Loppers a lot in hand and in use, but the materials fall short of others on the list. However, if you want super lightweight loppers that require the least effort and strength to operate, the Fiskars 15-inch PowerGear Super Pruners are the top dog.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Corona 30 inch ComfortGEL SL
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.5 inches
- Overall Length: 30 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: Yes, Silicone/Gel- Softest in the group
- Price: $28
Pros
- Quality look and feel
- Lifetime Warranty
- ComfortGel Grips are both soft and grippy
- Full Aluminum arms
Cons
- Won&#;t handle the biggest branches
The Corona 30-inch ComfortGEL Loppers look, feel, and perform like premium loppers, but they come in at less than half the price of many others.
The one drawback is that they can only cut branches 1.5 inches or smaller. Others in this size range can cut 2-inch branches. Cutting was nice and smooth, and they went through basically anything that fit in the jaws.
The way things are lately, it&#;s actually hard to believe that Corona is putting out a tool of this quality for this price. These had the best bumpers in the test and delivered the least amount of hand shock when you finish the cut, and they snap shut. The rubber grips with the gel overmold were very comfortable and very grippy even with sweaty hands. The blades aren&#;t replaceable, which keeps production cost down, but they are easily sharpened. These loppers come in at a budget price with a much more premium feel. Corona has a lifetime warranty on them which makes the price even more attractive. If you have a champagne taste and a beer budget, grab a Corona 30-inch ComfortGEL Bypass Lopper.
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.75 inches
- Overall Length: 30 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: No
- Price: $50
Pros
- Compound linkage give you more power with less effort
- Steel Arms
- Good grip
Cons
- Linkage is stiff
- No bumpers means more hand shock after a hard cut
The Tabor Tools GG11A loppers performed well for cutting, and were somewhere between regular single pivot designs and the PowerGear system for ease of cutting larger branches. They have a mechanical advantage, just not as much as the PowerGear. The linkage was a bit too tight and gave extra resistance when open and closing, though it did help on cuts overall. With a bit more refinement, these loppers would have done better overall, and perhaps with some more break-in, they would be higher up on the list. Although these cut well and had more power on big branches, I feel that there were tools that were better to use for less money. But if you&#;re looking for extra power and solid construction, the Tabor Tools GG11A loppers are certainly a viable option.
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.5 inches
- Overall Length: 28 inches
- Jaw Type: Bypass
- Bumpers: Yes, hard rubber and plastic
- Price: $29
Pros
- Good performance that won&#;t break the bank
- Lifetime Warranty
- Rubber grips
- Simple Design
Cons
- Bumpers are hard and don&#;t really absorb any shock
- Jaw shape can push larger branches out as the cut begins and may cause you to have to re-adjust
The Fiskars 28-inch Bypass Loppers are about as basic as loppers can get, which means there is very little that can go wrong with them. That also means that they don&#;t have some of the features of other loppers. The bumpers are functional in that they keep your hands from colliding after the cut, but they are made of such hard material that it does almost nothing to soften the shock. With no extra linkage and a basic blade shape, they cut fairly smoothly. Yet they lack some cutting power and require extra pressure so that the branch isn&#;t squeezed out of the front of the blade and jaw. Overall, these loppers are solid and functional, and they are less expensive than others, but some outshined them for nearly the same price.
Photo by Drew Conover
Key Features
- Max Cut Diameter: 1.5 inch
- Overall Length: 18 inches
- Jaw Type: Anvil
- Bumpers: No
- Price: $26
Pros
- SK5 Steel Blade
- Extra power from compound action
- Sturdy Construction
- Replaceable Anvil
Cons
- Stiff yet loose linkage
- Metal Anvil will dull blade quicker
The YRTSH (Yer-Tish?) 18-inch Anvil Loppers cut well, and had the same capacity and cutting power of much longer loppers. The compound action linkage adds power to the cut, and makes smooth cuts with less effort than traditional designs.
These are great for tighter areas where longer loppers won&#;t fit, but you need the power of longer loppers. These cut well, and I was happy with the extra power that is afforded, but they were held back from the top spot by some fit and finish problems. The linkage was stiff to operate, but at the same time a couple of the pivot points had play and slop in them. If something brand new has play in it, it will only acquire more play with use. However, I do prefer the all-metal construction of these over the plastic/polymer of the Fiskars 15 inch. These were a close second to the Fiskars, and narrowly missed first place because they don&#;t have a lifetime warranty and don&#;t have quite the mechanical advantage that the Fiskars had. Overall, the YRTSH 18-inch Loppers are solid and performed well for their size.
How to Choose the Right Loppers
Size
This applies to both the size of the branches you will cut and the size (length) of the loppers. Generally speaking, larger loppers will handle larger branches. And longer handles give you more power and reach. If you&#;re trimming overhead, longer loppers can extend your reach. But, if your jobs are smaller, a more compact set should be all you need. For gardening and pruning bushes, a smaller set should do just fine. However, if you&#;re clearing shot lanes or clearing land to reclaim a yard or build a food plot, a larger set of loppers will be more versatile and handle the bigger limbs and saplings.
Frequency of Use
A professional who uses a tool every day will generally spend more on a tool than someone who might only use it a few times a year. So, if you&#;re planning on using loppers a whole lot, it makes sense to spring for a more expensive pair that will hold up better and be more serviceable. If your loppers only get pulled out a few times a year, you can probably save some money and buy a more budget-friendly set. The $70 Corona XSeries Pro would make a lot of sense for a landscaper or a homesteader who wants them to last forever, whereas the Fiskars 28-inch Bypass loppers will be plenty for the average homeowner at only $29.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Bypass and Anvil Loppers? A: Bypass loppers have a sharpened blade and an unsharpened jaw that will pass by each other while cutting very similar to how a pair of scissors work. Anvil loppers have a sharpened blade that stops on an &#;anvil&#; of a softer material, similar to using a knife and a cutting board. Generally, larger loppers are bypass style, and smaller ones tend to be anvil style. Bypass loppers need bumpers or another means of stopping the handles from coming together, and anvil-style loppers stop when the blade contacts the &#;anvil&#;.
Q: How can I sharpen my loppers? A: It depends on the type. Bypass loppers will only be sharpened on one side, like a pair of scissors. The blades are chisel ground- flat on the side that passes the jaw, and sharpened on the opposite side. They can be sharpened with a flat file or a belt-style sharpener like a WorkSharp Ken Onion. Anvil Style blades are more like a traditional knife blade, and will be sharpened on both sides of the blade. You can use a flat file or diamond stone or a belt-style sharpener like with bypass blades.
Final Thoughts on the Best Loppers
Loppers are great cutting tools that are faster than a saw, and more precise and safer than an axe or hatchet. A good pair will save you time and energy and help you keep your property in top shape.
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