We've got you covered with our selection of the best garden shears to help you tame that neglected greenery. Feel like your rusty old garden shears simply don't cut it anymore? No gardener's tool kit is complete without a trusty set of shears, ready for pruning and making room for new beautiful blooms. Trimming and cutting aren't just great for aesthetics or space-saving; plant health and growth are reliant on a bit of pruning.
So why opt for shears when a powered hedge trimmer could get the job done more quickly? Our gardening expert, Geoff Hodge, tells us, 'A good pair of hedge shears will produce an unbeatable quality finish. No unsightly mangled shoots, no chopped up, damaged leaves – especially on large-leaved plants – which can lead to places where diseases can get a hold.' If you want a high-quality finish and the satisfaction of a job well-done, A good set of shears is a must.
Best garden shears at a glance:
In conjunction with garden shears, you might use tools such as pruning loppers for thicker branches, hand pruners for smaller branches and hedge trimmers for larger hedges. Additionally, you might opt for a power tool, such as a garden multi-tool, for bigger ground maintenance jobs. Remember, always wear gardening gloves and goggles for protection.
Say hello to clean cuts and healthier hedges with a great new set of garden shears. Examples of bushes commonly trimmed with garden shears include boxwood, privet, and yew. These bushes benefit from regular pruning to maintain shape and promote healthy growth. For more guidance, scroll to the FAQs below.
Best garden shears
Best shears for reliability
Amazon/FiskersIf reliable trimming is what you're after, then these solid hedge shears are perfect. Carefully engineered for easy pruning, Fiskars Solid Hedge Shears keep hedges and bountiful bushes in shape. Comfortable, non-slip handles ensure a sturdy grip. These quality shears offer dependable trimming for bushes and hedges, with durable hardened steel blades for long-lasting performance. An optional Diamond file is sold separately in the maintenance kit. Fiskars offers a variety of gardening tools to meet your needs.
Pros
- Hardened steel blades for added strength
- Soft-touch handle for a sturdy and comfortable grip
- Long-lasting durability
Cons
- Not suitable for grass
| Dimensions: | L58.5 x W15cm |
| Weight: | 780g |
Editor's pick
Amazon/Spear & JacksonThese Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic Hedge Shears have lightweight aluminium handles that feature a twist-and-lock mechanism for adjusting the reach. They have shock-absorbing grips, which provide a soft feel and make trimming less tiring. They have won gold awards for their greatness. The Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Garden Cutting range offers Pro, Advance, Advantage, Steel, and Active variants, catering to hobbyists and professionals with loppers, secateurs, shears, and more. The ergonomic designs and quality manufacturing guarantee easy, enjoyable gardening with precise and powerful performance.
Pros
- Soft feel grips give added comfort
- Easy to use twist and lock telescopic mechanism
- Shock absorber makes trimming less tiring
Cons
- A little heavy
| Dimensions: | L68 x W23cm |
| Weight: | 1.33kg |
Best shears for long tasks
Amazon/DavaonPrune your garden with comfort and ease with these precision Davaon Pro Heavy-Duty Gardening Shears. The gearing mechanism allows you to achieve more with less force, making this pair ideal for prolonged tasks. Effortlessly trim hedges, shrubs and plants with the razor-sharp SK5 carbon steel blades, ensuring smooth and uniform cuts and preventing partial nicks. The gearing mechanism reduces effort, which is ideal for prolonged pruning tasks. Lightweight at 820g, these clippers prevent discomfort, crafted with high-quality materials for lasting use. Also, the ergonomic handles ensure a comfortable, secure grip.
Pros
- Precision cutting to prevent partial nicks
- Lightweight for comfort and longer use
- Durable and ergonomic
Cons
- Some customers find handles too short
| Dimensions: | L56 x W7.5cm |
| Weight: | 820g |
Best set of garden cutting tools
Argos/Spear & Jacksonwww.argos.co.uk
Everything you need to cut and prune in one very handy set! Great without compromising on quality, this Spear & Jackson Razorsharp 3 Piece Cutting Set is an amazing bargain for brilliantly sharp and strong blades. It includes hedge shears, secateurs and a telescopic lopper with chrome-plated rust-resistant blades. This handy set is backed by a 10-year guarantee.
Pros
- Cutting set includes anvil loppers, shears and secateurs
- Multiple tools offer good value
- Sharp and sturdy
Cons
- Heavy tools can make work difficult
| Dimensions: | Loppers L64cm; Shears L62cm; Secateurs 20.5cm |
| Weight: | 3.1kg |
Best for durability
Amazon/Flora GuardThe perfect tool for trimming and shaping your shrubs, these durable and precision-cutting Flora Guard 23-inch Heavy Duty Garden Hedge Shears are exquisitely designed and simple to use. This hedge trimmer is perfect for shaping shrubs and topiary plants. Its sharp, hardened SK5 carbon steel blade ensures precise cutting by securely gripping the plant. Coated with Ilaflon, it's durable, rust-resistant and anti-bacterial. Also, the rubberised handles with the shock guard offer comfort and a secure grip.
Pros
- Shock guard helps prevent jarring while cutting
- Comfortable grip for easier working
- Durable and sharp
Cons
- Best for thinner hedges
| Dimensions: | L58cm (23") |
| Weight: | Not specified |
Best professional garden shears
Ebay/Stihlwww.ebay.co.uk
The Stihl PH 10 Wooden Hedge Trimmer is designed to tackle a wide range of hedge and shrub types, from soft to extremely tough. With a cutting diameter of up to 30mm, this handy tool can make short work of thicker branches. Featuring specially coated serrated cutters with sap grooves, it's corrosion-resistant and highly effective. The beech wood handle ensures a comfortable grip, while the impact absorber reduces strain on your joints, making your work more comfortable.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant
- Beechwood handle provides a traditional, hardwearing grip
- 30mm cutting diameter
Cons
- Some find wooden handles less comfortable
| Dimensions: | 54 x 25 x 5cm |
| Weight: | 1.06kg |
Best lightweight garden shears
EasyLifewww.easylife.co.uk
These EasyLife Lightweight Hedge Shears are of super quality and are praised by customers. They are perfect for trimming hedges, shrubs and trees – with an extra-long reach that is well-balanced and comfortable to handle. These shears can cut stems up to 1.3cm thick. They measure 67cm in length and weigh just 788g.
Pros
- Extra-long to reach further
- Lightweight for reduced tiredness
Cons
- Not designed for heavy-duty work
| Dimensions: | L67cm |
| Weight: | 788g |
Best heavy-duty garden shears
Amazon/KimuraWith Japanese SK high-carbon steel blades, these shears guarantee precision cutting and long-lasting performance. Kimura® Samurai Garden Shears are suitable for shaping and trimming hedges and shrubs with minimal effort. Ergonomically designed, these shears provide up to 3x more power on every cut, reducing strain on hands and arms during gardening tasks. Also, they come with a lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Popular with professional gardeners in Japan
- Perfect for trimming and shaping hedges
- Tough steel and riveted handles
Cons
- Take care, as the blade is extremely sharp
| Dimensions: | L56cm |
| Weight: | 750g |
How we chose the best Garden Shears
All of these garden shears have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered Spear and Jackson, Fiskars, and Stihl in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching garden shears to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
What to consider when buying garden shears
Use
First and foremost, you need to consider what you'll be using your new garden shears for. Some common uses for shears include:
• Cutting branches and stems
• Shaping and trimming hedge plants
• Cutting up garden waste for easier disposal
• Trimming flowers and plants for display and arrangements
• Trimming and edging lawns
Once you know what you need them for, you'll be able to determine what you need from your shears.
The blade
Depending on what needs pruning in your garden, you'll need to look for a blade that's the right length and shape for the job. Long, flat blades are great for cutting hedges with speed, whilst a shorter curved blade is better for cutting with precision. If the latter is what you need, you'd be better off buying some garden secateurs.
You'll also need your blade to be strong enough to hack through those rogue branches and stems. Carbon steel blades are a great quality material to look for in your shears - it's robust, will retain its sharpness, and provide a smooth cut.
The handle
To be able to control the cutting shears with ease, you'll need the handles to be the appropriate length. Much like with the blade, shears with longer handles are ideal for trimming hedges and lawns for reach, whilst shorter handles give more control.
Other things you may want to consider are a lightweight handle that's easy to manoeuvre, reducing fatigue or arm ache, an angled handle optimised for hedge work, and ergonomic handles with non-slip, comfortable grips.
Features
In order to deliver power and precision in one, many garden shears come with added features to make the task lightwork and enjoyable. Such features can include geared or telescopic mechanisms, rust resistance, shock absorption, and safety locks.
Shears vs. secateurs
Secateurs are commonly used for small tasks, like trimming plants and thin branches, whereas shears take on the bigger jobs.
Garden shears are like the secateurs' big brother, used for trimming hedges and cutting those hard-to-reach branches. It helps that shears are commonly long-handled and telescopic, making them great for reaching higher trees.
Rusty and blunt blades be gone and get ready to meet your shiny new replacements. Check out our top picks of the best garden shears ready to help you get your greenery back in shape.
What to read next:
Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice with a Modern Gardens Membership. Find out more about the benefits of being a Member now.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Modern Gardens, specialising in outdoor furniture, décor, and tools. She's always looking out for inspiration online for stylish and affordable designs, and enjoys spending time in nature.