Whether you’re pruning plants, shaping trees, or cutting flowers you’ll want a pair of scissors that makes getting a straight cut as clean and as easy as possible. That means stop using your kitchen scissors in the garden!
You may think that if you’re looking to buy a stronger blade, you’re going to be looking for a larger tool that costs tons of money. But that doesn’t have to be the case. I’m here to help you get a brand new pair of scissors that fits your needs without wasting money on a heavy tool you’ll never use.
This list is divided into the best garden scissors for cutting flowers, the best electric gardening shears, and the best compact garden scissors. But first, here’s what you need to consider when looking for your next pair of clippers.
What to Consider
Before making a purchase you’ll want to consider what size scissors you’re looking for, what you’re going to be using the scissors for and whether or not you want electric or manual clippers.
The Best Compact Garden Scissors
These are our favorite compact garden scissors for those of you looking for scissors that are lightweight and easy to carry.
Bibury Gardening Hand Pruners
The Bibury 5-in-1 multitool allows you to have a number of tools at your fingertips in one tiny bundle. The five functions of garden scissors are pruners, a knife, a wood saw, a hook, and a bark shovel. Not only are these clippers extremely handy, but we also love the lightweight and durable design. These scissors are small and also folds into itself easy portability and allow you to safely walk around with them. Made out of stainless steel, these scissors even come with a convenient carrying case to put your scissors in. These are great for people with large gardens who need clippers for a number of uses. This tiny tool is only 5.2 inches long when closed and weighs less than 1 pound. But since these scissors are extremely small, they are not meant for larger cuts. We think they work great for weeding, cutting twigs and tending to your bonsai’s.
Pros
- Compact
- Multiple blades for different uses
- Comes with carrying case
Cons
- Not super powerful
- Folding and unfolding takes a little getting used to and is uncomfortable for some
Q-yard Pruning Shear (2-Pack)
These mini gardening scissors are great for shaping small plants, weeds, and bonsais. They come in a pack of two and come with two different blades. These pocket-sized shears are only 5.5 inches long. They’re extremely convenient because they can clip right on to your belt. You can also hang them up on a hook in your garage for easy storage. If most of your gardening is done with indoor plants these compact gardening scissors are perfect for you. Small but mighty these blades are made out of high carbon SK-5 steel making them difficult to break. They also have a plastic coating on their handles making them easy to grip. We like these scissors because they are small and easy to use.
Pros
- Super compact
- Comfortable grip handle
- Works wonders on detailed shaping of plants
Cons
- Not for large plants or bushes
- Too small for people with large hands
VIVOSUN 6.5 Inch Gardening Hand Pruner
These VIVOSUN pruners may not be super compact like the previous two scissors but they are on the smaller side of the market. These are a great smaller option for those people who feel like the super-compact options are not for them. These pruners come out to be 6.5 inches long but are pretty lightweight. They have a 2.1-inch blade and a strong spring making them simple to use. They also have the option to “lock” so the blades are not left open. They have a comfortable non-slip handle that is great for both left-handed and right-handed users. Also, they are great for indoor and outdoor uses and for getting into smaller spaces. The blades come extremely sharp but you may need to sharpen them. We think they’re worth it because of their cheap price. If you’re open to sharpening them after each use these will work great for you.
Pros
- Sharp, narrow, quality blades
- Extremely inexpensive
- Easy locking mechanism
Cons
- May need to sharpen after using them for a while
- Spring is strong and requires more energy to close scissors
The Best Gardening Scissors for Clipping Flowers
These scissors are just powerful enough for the gardeners who are in need of clipping their flowers to decorate their homes.
gonicc 8″ Professional Sharp Bypass Pruning Shears
These scissors are a great middle of the road option for someone looking to trim bushes or use as clippers in their garden. They are comfortable to use and come with a non-slip handle. They have a curved blade making them easy to use to cut through roses or smaller tree branches. They’re easy to hold and have a locking mechanism for safety. They’re great little helpers for cutting flowers and come at a reasonable price. We think these are great because the blades make for a quick and straight cut, keeping the flowers living longer.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Makes straight cuts without tearing flower stems
- Lightweight
Cons
- Shouldn’t be used to cut anything larger than flower stems
- Not for professional gardeners looking to clip acres of flowers
Fiskars Steel Bypass Pruning Shears
These Fiskars shears are great for clipping flowers stems. They’re inexpensive and come with a lifetime warranty. These gardening scissors are recommended to only be used for cutting plants up to 5/8’’ in diameter but many people have found that they can cut branches a little over an inch in diameter. They seem to be made for the gardener looking to cut through flower stems because the blades have a low-friction coating to help the blade glide through wood without rusting. The blade also has a self-cleaning sap groove to keep the blades from sticking together. This is a great perk but you do have to wipe the blades off after using them. These are cheap and reliable scissors that we recommend for the home gardener looking to cut flowers to make themselves some beautiful bouquets.
Pros
- Self-cleaning sap groove
- Lifetime warranty
- Non-slip grip
Cons
- Don’t stay closed easily
- Not for professionals
TABOR TOOLS Pruning Shears
Tabor Tools keeps it simple with these reliable gardening scissors. The long handles are comfortable and easy to use. These have all the great parts of a normal pair of scissors meshed with a sturdy garden pruner. Great to trim your flowers, cut fruits or shape small bonsais. If you’re looking for a pair of scissors to cut straight through your flowers these are for you.
Pros
- Very sharp blades
- Comfortable for both left-handed and right-handed people
- The simple locking mechanism is easy to use
Cons
- Doesn’t cut through thicker stems over 3/4’’
- Blade rusts easily
The Best Electric Gardening Scissors
These clippers are great for people with arthritis and those looking to cut through stems and branches with ease.
KOMOK Electric Pruning Shears
The first pair of electric shears we’re going to be looking at is the KOMOK Recgargeable shears. If you’re looking to cut through thicker branches with a push of a button this electric option may be best for you. These are great for people who have a hard time grabbing scissors. These cost a bit more than other garden scissors but definitely uses a high-quality design. We also love that it comes with a spare blade. Although electric is heavier than manual scissors, these shears are still lightweight and easy to maneuver. Great for the gardener with a lot of land who is going to be spending hours clipping away because the rechargeable battery lasts for about 6-8 hours.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Comes with an extra blade
Cons
- Slow response time
Scotts Outdoor Rechargeable Power Pruner
The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools collection includes this cordless electric clipper. This is cheaper than the electric option above but does not come in a nice set. The electric clipper is compact, has a soft grip and cuts through branches with a click of a button. This clipper is great for maintaining your yard and garden without causing your hands extra pain. Each charge allows you to cut up to 500 branches. These shears are great and seem to come as expected but the charging process is a little bit complicated. This is because if you want the best charging results you’ll need to remove the battery first.
Pros
- Powerful
- Lightweight
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Charging procedure a little complex
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Chainsaw
These Black+Decker gardening shears are the most powerful on our list and can cut branches up to 4-inches in diameter. Because more power means more weight, these shears are a little heavier than the other options coming in at around 6 pounds with the battery attached. Of course, these heavy dude clippers come with a few safety measures including a switch on both sides and a cover over the chain so you don’t get cut. We recommend these clippers to someone who needs scissors to use on acres of land or needs to cut through branches for professional reasons.
Pros
- Cuts through larger branches
- Cordless
- Powerful
Cons
- Heavy
- Takes time to get used to holding these
To Conclude
As you can see there are varying levels of garden scissors on the market. If you’re looking for quick, straight snips make sure you buy a pair with sharp blades. But, if you’re looking for something to cut through bigger branches with less effort you may want to consider one of the more powerful garden scissor options.