Creating a beautiful landscape begins by owning essential tools; having the right tools by your side can make all the difference in making your outdoor space neater and enjoyable.
A lopper can make the strenuous task of trimming down trees and overgrown hedges so much easier - you'll look forward to pruning away at the unsightly mess of it all.
Unlike hand-held pruners, loppers give you the advantage of reaching up to higher shrubbery, and the long handles can snip through tougher branches, sometimes up to 2 inches cutting diameter.
There are many options available on the market and range in price from about $20 to $200.
Quick glance at the best loppers:
- Corona SL 4264 DualLINK Loppers - Best Overall
- TABOR TOOLS Anvil Lopper with Compound Action - Heavy Duty+
- Fiskars PowerGear2 32 Inch Lopper - Most Versatile
- Corona DualLINK with ComfortGEL Grip - Lightweight
- Spear & Jackson 8290RS - Best Ratcheting Loopers
- Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper - Best Electric Loppers
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Best Loppers Reviewed
- Corona SL 4264 DualLINK Loppers - Best Overall
- TABOR TOOLS Anvil Lopper with Compound Action - Heavy Duty+
- Fiskars PowerGear2 32 Inch Lopper - Most Versatile
- Corona DualLINK with ComfortGEL Grip - Lightweight
- Spear & Jackson 8290RS - Best Ratcheting Loopers
- Felco 200 Bypass Loppers - Most Durable
- Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper - Best Electric Loppers
- How to Choose a Lopper
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Related:
Best Loppers Reviewed
We've done the cumbersome task of researching the best loppers out there for you.
To help you decide which ones are right for you, we've labeled them according to their outstanding features, pros, and cons. So if this matches your ultimate requirement for what you need the lopper for, then you're golden!
Corona SL 4264 DualLINK Loppers - Best Overall
You get a medley of advantages with this lopper. The ergonomic design is robust, featuring a dual-link efficient system that allows you to cut three times faster, and a lightweight feel makes it user-friendly.
It features high-quality trapezoid steel blades and an aluminum handle to ensure it's light enough for even those with sensitive wrists.
A non-stick cutting blade gives you smooth performance, and you're given a plentiful just under 2-inch cutting capacity. It weighs a manageable 3.8 pounds and features a comfortable shock guard gel handle.
Pros
Dual-link system for easy cutting
Manageable weight
Durable, steel blades
Cons
Blades may need to be opened to their full extent to chop. This will require room
TABOR TOOLS Anvil Lopper with Compound Action - Heavy Duty+
This heavy-duty lopper is perfect for those looking for professional landscaping use or anyone who needs to bite through big wads of wood. This anvil lopper can cut through a whole 5 cm worth of branches. Thanks to its carbon steel blade that's promised to stay sharp even after many uses.
Though heavy-duty, Tabor Tools haven't skimped on the gentle effect it has on weak, arthritic wrists. It features a non-stick, coated sharp blade that glides through dry vegetation, and a rubber grip on the handles gives extra leverage.
Pros
Cuts through thick branches
Durable, carbon steel blades
Rubber grip on handles
Cons
May be heavy for some users
Fiskars PowerGear2 32 Inch Lopper - Most Versatile
This clever bypass lopper comes with a gear system that gives the user 3 types of cutting strengths, with the highest gear being able to bite through 2-inch branches and twigs! Because of its versatile design, you can feed it anything that fits around its jaw.
It comes equipped with a steel bypass blade, handy for a lot of classic gardeners. Also, it features a low-friction protective coating to ensure smooth chopping, and the rounded handles with soft rubber grips allow for a more comfortable grip.
Pros
Versatile design with 3 gears
Durable, steel blades
Economical price
Grips on handles
Cons
Blades aren't heat-treated, so they have the potential to break if a wrong turn is taken
At 4 pounds, it may be heavy in weight for some users
The blades need to be opened fully before cutting, so you would need more space around you
Corona DualLINK with ComfortGEL Grip - Lightweight
The ergonomic design of this bypass lopper gives you flexibility by featuring an extendable, lightweight handle made of high-quality trapezoid steel. So, you won't have to strain your wrists any longer.
It features a bypass blade allowing you to chop through big branches. Also, the unique Corona Dual-link system gives you extra ease in chopping through the wood.
It weighs a mere 3.8 pounds and features a shock guard comfort gel handle with grips, so it gives you satisfaction with every landscaping job you complete.
Pros
Extendable handle allows for flexibility
Shock guard and comfort gel handles
Very lightweight, you won't get that back ache!
Durable, trapezoid steel blades
Cons
May be expensive for some
Spear & Jackson 8290RS - Best Ratcheting Loopers
This telescopic lopper offers a quick-release ratcheting system, giving you multipurpose action while you snip away. It is durable, made with a carbon steel blade and rust-protection coating for smooth cutting.
Additionally, the non-slip, rubberized grip, along with the flexible telescoping lopper handle, give you added maneuverability and ease of use.
It makes it a strong contender if you're on the market for an anvil blade ratcheting lopper that handles thick, dense vegetation and wood due to its excellent performance and cutting force.
Pros
Telescoping lopper handles give manoeuvrability
Multipurpose ratcheting system
Durable, carbon steel sharp blade
Cons
May be expensive
Weights 4.35 pounds, heavier than many other loppers
Felco 200 Bypass Loppers - Most Durable
The Felco 200 Bypass Lopper is perfect for those who prefer bypass blades, which make the lopper easier to use. Though it doesn't feature the strong mechanical cutting that comes with anvil lopper blades, it's catered for all small-scale uses, and the tough steel blades give brilliant smooth choppings.
It comes with a handy micro-metric blade feature that allows you to adjust the blades to the style you wish to cut or the angle that you hold the lopper with. This feature guarantees that you always get your blades aligned so that you can complete every job with precision.
Felco is a leading brand, providing quality tools for the garden, and with the quality comes the price, so this lopper is slightly pricier than others, but you get what you pay for.
Pros
Bypass blades make it easier to use
Comfortable handles
Micrometric adjustable blade
Durable steel blades
Cons
Pricer than other loppers
Not the best for strong mechanical usage (dense vegetation)
Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper - Best Electric Loppers
This lopper stands out from the crowd because it's electric! From the onset, it resembles closely to a chainsaw and has a generous 4.5 amp motorized blade.
The blade acts as a jaw that grabs around wood and clasps onto it as you snip. Naturally, it can take more branches than the regular lopper, allowing about 4 inches in cutting diameter!
Of course, being electric, this lopper has superior cutting power and is hard to compare to other loppers. If you're on the market for something of a professional grade and need to tackle quite a bit of area, then this model would save you time and effort.
Pros
Electric lopper, so it's much easier to cut
Powerful steel blades that won't break
Perfect for very fast and heavy-duty cutting
Cons
Pricer than other loppers
May not be the most user-friendly lopper
How to Choose a Lopper
When it comes to deciding which lopper is for you, there are certain factors that you should bear in mind-knowing how cutting systems work will help you choose which would suit your landscape of question.
Types of Loppers
You may have noticed two keywords being thrown around: Bypass and Anvil. These are the two types of loppers that dominate the market.
Bypass
Bypass loppers tend to be common and classic and resemble a pair of scissors. Having this style gives you clean cuts, but sometimes, the edges can catch or get jammed like regular scissors.
Anvil
Anvil loppers tend to have a single blade along with a cutting block. The blade will cut into the branch as it rests on the anvil or block. These loppers come with a dual-link cutting head, so it gives you more anchorage and control.
They do make a better choice, especially when it comes to a lot of landscaping work. On the other hand, If you're after more precision with trimming, the bypass may be a better choice.
Blade Quality/Materials
The majority of lopper blades are made of steel, albeit of different types. Some will also come with a special non-stick coating to create smooth cuts and protect the blade.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel resists staining and rust pretty well, but it also tends to be weak and can bend or dent easily if you use it on tough branches. Also, stainless steel blades are pricier and don't give you the flexibility to sharpen them when the blades become blunt.
Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel blades are more robust, and they're best for handling thick branches. However, unlike stainless steel, carbon tools tend to rust quicker, so the blades need to be wiped after every use. Carbon steel blades can easily be sharpened by yourself with a sharpening tool or stone.
Non-Stick Coating
It's important to select blades that have coatings of Teflon, PTFE, or anything similar. This coating ensures a non-stick surface to your blade, so when cutting, sap from branches will not interfere with the blade.
Additionally, coatings provide rust protection, especially important for carbon steel blades that are susceptible to rust. Having a coating makes it easier to clean residue off the blades after usage.
Tip: When it comes to sharpening, the coating won't get removed as it doesn't lay on the blade's edge, so continue sharpening as usual.
Cutting Mechanism
Different loppers come with variable cutting actions. This can be a deciding factor for users as it affects the suitability for tasks.
Traditional Loppers
These are classic scissor-style loppers, perfect for trimming. They have a basic open-close mechanism and two blades. These loppers are ideal for trimming thin branches and vegetation. However, they can leave your hands sore if you try to use them on something tougher, as your strength is dependent on the cutting force expelled.
Ratcheting loppers
These loppers have a multipurpose action as they cut in stages instead of in one go. They latch onto the branch and release the blades. These blades have better cutting capacities for thicker branches, up to about 3 inches, and aren't that common either.
Compound Action Loppers
A compound lopper has different mechanisms as they come with pivoting arms between the cutting blades, which give a powerful cutting force. So, these are perfect for cutting through dense wood, also thanks to their hardened steel.
Tip: A compound lopper will be heavier due to the extra pivots and steel, so you probably can't use it for too long, but you can keep it around for thicker branches. A compound action lopper is handy for gardeners that have variable wood thicknesses and require something more heavy-duty.
Geared Loppers
These loppers use gears to give the user more leverage. They tend to come with short arms or even just feature single-hand use.
Handle & Grip Types
Your choice of a lopper should partially depend on its handles, as they make all the difference when using it. If you're looking to trim trees of average heights, you'll be fine with 28-inch handles to cover all your landscape work.
You can opt for handles of about 32 inches for taller trees, and you may benefit from selecting telescoping lopper handles that reach up to about 40 feet!
Did You know? With longer handles, you're given better leverage in tacking thicker branches, while shorter handles give you better control in small spaces. With longer handles, maneuvering around can be a bit tiresome. Remember to opt for locking features in the arms of your lopper; a single lock will ensure long-lasting usage.
Most loppers come with padded rubber grips that help reduce slips, hand strain, and blisters. Soft foam handles are available too, which give a very comfortable feel in the hands but can wear out quickly, so if you're planning on using your loppers regularly, consider molded rubber grips that'll last longer.
Bumpers
Bumpers are on the handles beside the blades; they're usually a raised area with rubber. When you close the lopper's handles, they make contact with this rubber tip and help reduce the shock through the handles that are felt in your hands when cutting thick branches.
Replacement Parts
You can find replacement parts for your loppers, usually a replacement blade and blade sharpeners for when yours have worn away. It's always good to replace blades over time as blades can dull with constant usage.
If you don't wish to buy new blades, you can always buy a sharpener and sharpen your blades yourself. Alternatively, take it to a garden center and let someone do it for you. When purchasing, check if your model offers replacement parts.
Weight
Shorter handle loppers or your regular garden lopper tend to weigh less, so they're a perfect choice when pruning thin branches or for small-scale trimming.
Longer loppers that are 32 inches and above are great for hard-to-reach areas and have better strength due to their multi-action features. So, they are ideal for tackling thick branches, but they weigh more, about 4 pounds, which can cause arm strain.
Cutting Capacity
Ratcheting-mechanism loppers and long-handled loppers give the user more leverage, allowing for more strength applied on the branches and increased cutting capacity. Also, a lopper with a higher cutting capacity tends to have a heavier weight due to pivots and sturdier frames.
If you're after cutting capacities of 2 to 3-inch diameter branch thicknesses, then long-handled, high-capacity loppers would be a better choice, as opposed to short-handled loppers.
Popular Lopping Brands
Popular lopping brands include Fiskars, Corona, Tabor, and Felco. All of these have reputations for producing quality gardening tools, including loppers, and come with warranty systems and replacement parts, available at most online vendors and home improvement stores.
Corona
A corona lopper is a reliable choice as the company prides itself as a leader in manufacturing professional gardening tools for landscaping or big agricultural projects. It manufactures in the US but distributes globally too.
It has been established for many years, so it has managed to perfect its manufacturing processes and designs to match what customers want.
Felco
Established over 50 years ago in Switzerland, Felco is a big competitor in industrial-grade tools and technology for agricultural use and consumer-grade gardening use.
It has made it their principle to make their tools ergonomic, so you can use them and enjoy the long-lasting durability and extra precision.
Fiskars
A Fiskars lopper is a quality choice, being one of the oldest brands in making tools for gardening, first established in Finland. Fiskars has established itself as an innovative and expressive brand. The brand’s portfolio boasts a leading status in providing functional products in tools required for around the home.
It has also come up with a patented gear technology featured in its geared lopper products to increase leverage and increased capacity in many of its tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most popular questions right now that people have.
Which Is Better Anvil or Bypass Loppers?
Neither is better than the other. It just depends on the branches you're going to be tackling in your area of question. Anvil loppers have more substantial cutting power and are great for thick, hard, and dead branches, making a laborious task easier.
Bypass blade loppers are designed for softer vegetation, plants, and overgrown shrubs. They're helpful when you want to do some quick trimmings of your plants and can be used as hedge shears as well, depending on how wide and big your hedges are.
What Is a Ratchet Lopper?
These are designed to tackle thicker branches and make it easier to trim things as you want. Ratcheting mechanism loppers have better cutting power as the cutting blade will latch into place slightly as you squeeze the handles together while cutting.
Each time you bring the handles together, the mechanism clicks the blades into place, allowing you to cut leisurely rather than all in one go. They are only available with anvil blade loppers.
Why Are Pruning Shears Curved?
A pruning lopper or shear tends to have shorter handles and curved, scissor-cutting blades that criss-cross. These are perfect for the narrow angles of young, soft branches and stems that need precision. The curvature allows easier and precise maneuverability without causing damage to the delicate vegetation.
What Is The Difference Between a Lopper and a Pruner?
A hand pruner tends to be designed for small, soft branches and stems that are about an inch or less in width for single-handed use. Loppers, however, require two hands and are designed for thicker branches and stems too large for hand pruners.
What's the Difference Between Pruners and Secateurs?
Pruners and secateurs don't hold much difference. It's just the terms thrown around, but it essentially depends on where you live. In America, Canada, and a few other countries, the term pruner tends to be used, while in Europe, secateurs is the used term.
Can I Use Scissors for Pruning?
You can use regular kitchen scissors for trimming your plants and general pruning, and it's best to use thin-bladed scissors, so you get a precise cut.
However, it'd be better to purchase a pruning lopper or hand pruner as they are specifically designed for pruning though. They have better angels to help you achieve closer cuts and prevent any damage.
Conclusion
By now, you have a better idea about what kind of loppers would make the perfect choice for your landscaping needs.
It doesn't matter if you're a professional with large areas of land needing continuous maintenance or a regular homeowner with a modest garden. A set of loppers will benefit both ends of the spectrum.
If you're still unsure which to pick, the Corona SL 4264 DualLINK loppers are both affordable and quality-made, which makes them suitable for almost any landscaped area.