Top 11 Best Loppers for 2020

Choosing the Best Possible Lopping Shears for Your Needs

There are a number of different things to keep in mind when shopping for the best loppers on the market. Below, we’ll look at some of the most crucial so you can ensure you make a purchase you are happy with.

Cutting Blade Type

In most cases, your loppers are going to either be anvil loppers or bypass loppers. These are best used for different things, so choosing the one that fits your needs is crucial. Bypass loppers are the most common type and have two blades which slide by each other like scissors. They offer a clean cut on live wood so the tree or shrub and heal more easily. However, they may become jammed when using dry or dead branches, which will bend the blade.

An anvil lopper, on the other hand, has a single straight blade that closes onto a flat edge called the anvil. The blade can crush things while cutting, so it is best used on dead wood or trimming live wood before making a cleaner cut with a bypass lopper. These loppers tend to be capable of cutting thicker branches.

Steel Blades of a High Quality 

You are going to find that lopper blades are typically made of steel, the best being blades of a carbon, hardened, or high-quality steel. These are blades that will last and are less likely to bend, nick, or need sharpening on a regular basis. Blades made from steel of a lesser quality may not keep a sharp edge and will make it more difficult to prune branches.

Some blades are coated with a non-stick material that will resist sap and other sticky substances. This can be helpful if you need to prune pine trees or others that have sticky pitch or sap.

When you look at a pair of lopper blades, you want to consider how closely they pass when opening and closing. The closer they get, the better it is for you. Some loppers will let you adjust how tight they are to ensure you keep them at the best distance for your work.

Any blade should be flat without burrs or bends in the metal of the edge or surface. Some of the less expensive blades will bend slightly on larger branches, which can be damaging over time.

Types of Cutting Mechanisms 

Your loppers will either be geared cutting loppers, compound action loppers, or ratcheting loppers. Ratcheting loppers are created where you squeeze them and they latch on so you can make another squeeze. This allows you to cut a branch in several easy steps instead of putting all your might into a single cut.

With a compound action lopper, there are several moving parts and multiple pivot points. In order to get around a branch, the loppers have to be opened further.

Geared loppers are exactly what you might expect. They offer a mechanism of gears at the fulcrum to offer more leverage while doing your cutting. These are often the heaviest loppers since there are additional parts and because of the additional parts, it’s more likely one part will give out.

Choosing Handle Length

There are many loppers on the market and they come in various sizes all the way from 15 inches to over 32 inches. The handle length of your tree loppers will affect how much leverage you have. That means longer loppers are going to offer additional leverage. However, longer handles can be harder to work with and are typically heavier. Choose a length you can easily handle; you don’t want a long lopper that is troublesome to use.

Telescoping Handles 

Loppers that come with telescoping handles let you extend the handle when needed. This lets you use shorter loppers most of the time but gives the benefit of allowing you to cut higher branches when required. They work as a nice compromise for many, but they are often heavier than traditional loppers. The telescoping mechanism should also be considered as some do not keep locked in place at full length.

Type of Grip 

As with handles, the grip of your loppers can vary. Some of them are designed to be ergonomic while others used a soft material to cushion any impact. Foam grips are considered the most comfortable but also tend to damage easily. Contoured grips are comfortable for some but not others. You should also look at the grip size as it can have an effect on how you place your hands on the handles.

Bumper Mechanisms

Some garden loppers come with a bumper or cushioning near the blade which helps prevent the handles smashing into each other than completing a cut. If you go with a lopper with a bumper, check that it keeps your hands from touching when in use. You should also try closing the loppers with force to determine how well it prevents shock.

Replacement Blades and Parts 

Some loppers can easily be taken apart of sharpening and cleaning and others cannot. Many aren’t made to allow you to replace parts that are damaged or worn out. With loppers, it’s not uncommon for the blades to be damaged by poor pruning techniques. If you have a removable bold holding the blades together, it can likely be replaced. Most of the high-quality loppers can be and you will often find you can order replacement parts.

Weight of the Loppers 

Garden lopper weight is another thing to consider and largely related to the handles. Fiberglass and aluminum tend to be lightest while wooden is in the middle and steel are the heaviest. Steel handles are typically on heavy-duty loppers made for larger branches, but the weight can make them hard to use for long periods of time. Aluminum is the common choice with light duty loppers, which are durable enough for use around the home.

Cutting Capacity

The last thing to consider is the cutting capacity of your pruning loppers. Some can handle branches of three or four inches in diameter, but you want to be sure they are comfortable to use, offer plenty of leverage, and will meet your needs. Most people don’t need more than two inches of cutting capacity. When considering cutting capacity, determine how heavy the loppers are in comparison to the power and consider your own fitness level and strength.

Putting It Together

You should have a pretty good idea of what size and kinds of loppers will best fit your need at this point. The 11 options listed here are some of the best and will easily help you get your branches cut without extra effort. Consider all the important features of the loppers and you can be in your yard in a few days with a pair of great loppers cleaning up your shrubs and trees!