Hand pruners are great for small stuff. But when a branch is thicker than your thumb, you need loppers. The long handles give you leverage. The big blades cut through wood that would break a hand pruner. I tested 10 pairs of loppers over the last 2 years to find the best ones.
Here are my top 6 picks, from budget-friendly to professional-grade. Every pair on this list has been used on real trees and shrubs in my own yard.
How I Tested
I used each pair of loppers to cut at least 50 branches of varying thicknesses. I cut green wood, dry wood, soft maple, and tough oak. I paid attention to cut quality, handle comfort, and how much effort each cut required. I also checked how well each pair held up after several months of use.
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | Loppers | Best For | Max Cut | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiskars PowerGear2 | Best Overall | 2 inches | ~$40 |
| 2 | Corona DualLINK | Best Heavy-Duty | 1.5 inches | ~$45 |
| 3 | Tabor Tools GL18 | Best Budget | 1.25 inches | ~$25 |
| 4 | Felco 200 | Best Professional | 2 inches | ~$90 |
| 5 | Spear & Jackson Razorsharp | Best Telescopic | 1.5 inches | ~$40 |
| 6 | Fiskars PowerGear2 Anvil | Best for Dead Wood | 2 inches | ~$40 |
1. Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper – Best Overall
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The PowerGear2 uses a patented gear mechanism that multiplies your cutting force by 3 times. It is not a gimmick. You can feel the difference the first time you use them. A branch that would make you strain with regular loppers cuts through with one smooth squeeze.
Specs: 32-inch length. Cuts up to 2 inches. Hardened steel blade with non-stick coating. 4 pounds.
What I like: The gear mechanism saves real effort. The non-stick blade coating prevents sap buildup. Shock-absorbing bumpers protect your wrists. The handles are comfortable with soft grips. Great warranty from Fiskars.
What I don’t: At 4 pounds, they get heavy during overhead work. The gear mechanism means you need full strokes – no quick short snips. Plastic gear housing could be a durability concern long-term.
Best for: Homeowners who prune trees and large shrubs and want to make the job easier.
2. Corona DualLINK Bypass Lopper – Best Heavy-Duty
Corona’s DualLINK uses a compound linkage system instead of gears. This gives you extra leverage without the complexity of gears. The build quality is heavier and tougher than the Fiskars. If you are hard on your tools, these will take the abuse.
Specs: 32-inch length. Cuts up to 1.5 inches. Forged steel blades. 3.5 pounds.
What I like: Very solid construction. The compound linkage feels durable. Lighter than the Fiskars PowerGear2. The blades are tough forged steel that holds an edge.
What I don’t: Slightly less cutting power than the geared Fiskars. The grips are firm rubber – not as cushioned as Fiskars soft grips. More expensive than the Fiskars.
Best for: People who need tough, durable loppers for heavy use and do not want plastic gear components.
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3. Tabor Tools GL18 Bypass Lopper – Best Budget Pick
Not everyone needs $45 loppers. If you prune a few branches once or twice a year, the Tabor Tools GL18 gives you solid performance at half the price. The compound action mechanism provides extra leverage without the premium price tag.
Specs: 28-inch length. Cuts up to 1.25 inches. Carbon steel blades. 2.5 pounds.
What I like: Excellent value for money. Lighter than premium options. The compound action does provide real leverage. Comfortable foam grips. The shorter handles are easier to maneuver in tight shrubs.
What I don’t: Shorter handles mean less leverage. Limited to 1.25-inch branches. Blade steel is not as high quality as premium brands. Replacement parts are not available.
Best for: Occasional pruners on a budget who want something better than cheap big-box store loppers.
4. Felco 200 Bypass Lopper – Best Professional Grade
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If you use loppers every day for work, the Felco 200 is the tool you want. Swiss-made with the same quality as their famous pruners. Forged aluminum handles that are lighter than steel but just as strong. All parts are replaceable. These will last a career.
Specs: 28-inch length. Cuts up to 2 inches. Swiss hardened steel blade. Forged aluminum handles. 3.3 pounds.
What I like: Replaceable blade – you can swap in a new one in minutes. Lightweight aluminum handles reduce fatigue. Amazing cut quality. Built to professional standards. Hollow ground blade stays sharp.
What I don’t: Expensive at around $90. Shorter than some loppers at 28 inches. The price is hard to justify for casual use.
Best for: Professional landscapers, arborists, and serious gardeners who want the best.
5. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic Lopper – Best for Reach
Sometimes the branch you need to cut is just out of reach. Telescopic loppers solve that problem. The Spear & Jackson extends from 27 to 40 inches. The carbon steel blades are sharp and the telescoping mechanism locks securely at any length.
Specs: 27 to 40 inches adjustable. Cuts up to 1.5 inches. Carbon steel blades with PTFE coating. 3.8 pounds.
What I like: Adjustable length for different jobs. Good blade quality. PTFE coating prevents rust and sap sticking. The locking mechanism is solid. Decent price.
What I don’t: Heavier when fully extended. The telescoping mechanism adds weight. Not as durable as fixed-length loppers long-term.
Best for: Gardeners who need extra reach into tall shrubs and small trees without using a ladder.
6. Fiskars PowerGear2 Anvil Lopper – Best for Dead Wood
The anvil version of the PowerGear2 uses one sharp blade that closes against a flat anvil surface. This design is better for cutting hard, dead wood. The bypass version is better for live wood. If you do a lot of dead branch removal, get the anvil version.
Specs: 32-inch length. Cuts up to 2 inches. Same gear mechanism as the bypass model.
Best for: Gardeners who deal with a lot of dead, dry, or hard branches.
Bypass Loppers vs Anvil Loppers
Bypass loppers have two curved blades that pass each other like scissors. They make clean cuts on live wood. The cut heals faster and looks better. This is what most gardeners need.
Anvil loppers have one sharp blade that closes against a flat metal plate. They crush more than slice. This is fine for dead wood where you do not care about the cut quality. The crushing action actually helps split dry branches. But on live wood, anvil loppers can damage the plant tissue and slow healing.
For 90% of gardeners, bypass loppers are the right choice.
How to Choose the Right Loppers
Handle length: Longer handles (32 inches) give more leverage for thick branches. Shorter handles (24 to 28 inches) are easier to maneuver in dense shrubs. If you cut branches over 1 inch thick, go longer.
Weight: Loppers range from 2.5 to 5 pounds. Lighter is better for overhead work. Heavier usually means more durable. Find your balance.
Cutting mechanism: Geared (Fiskars PowerGear2) gives the most power with least effort. Compound linkage (Corona DualLINK) is simpler and possibly more durable. Standard pivot is the simplest but requires the most strength.
Replacement parts: Felco and Fiskars sell replacement blades. Most budget loppers do not. If you use loppers a lot, buy something with available replacement parts.
My Top Recommendation
For most homeowners, the Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper ($40) is the clear winner. The gear mechanism works. It makes cutting thick branches noticeably easier. The non-stick blade coating keeps things clean. And Fiskars stands behind their tools with a solid warranty.
If you are on a tight budget, the Tabor Tools GL18 ($25) is a capable alternative. You lose some cutting capacity and the build quality is not the same, but it handles most home pruning jobs just fine.
If you prune for a living, invest in the Felco 200 ($90). The replaceable blades and professional build quality will pay for themselves many times over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size loppers do I need?
For most homeowners, 28 to 32 inches is ideal. This gives enough leverage for branches up to 1.5 inches without being too awkward to handle. If you are shorter than 5’4″, 24 to 28-inch loppers might feel more comfortable.
Can loppers cut through roots?
You can use loppers to cut roots up to about 1 inch thick. But hitting dirt and rocks will dull your blades fast. A dedicated root saw or mattock is a better tool for root cutting.
How do I know when to use loppers vs a pruning saw?
Use loppers for branches up to about 2 inches thick. Use a pruning saw for anything thicker. Loppers on branches that are too thick will damage the tool and strain your arms. A pruning saw makes cleaner cuts on thick wood anyway.
Are ratchet loppers better than geared loppers?
Ratchet loppers let you cut in stages – squeeze, release, squeeze again. They are good for very tough wood or weak hands. Geared loppers give continuous cutting power. Both work. Geared loppers are generally faster. Ratchet loppers require more time per cut.
How long should loppers last?
Good quality loppers with proper maintenance should last 5 to 10 years for a home gardener. Professional-grade loppers (Felco, Bahco) with replaceable blades can last a lifetime. Budget loppers typically last 2 to 4 years before the blades dull or the mechanism loosens.
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