The 7 Best Loppers for Easy Tree Trimming
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
These loppers are a cut above the rest! Check out our list of the best loppers for all your heavy-duty trimming needs.
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When your trees start to look shabby and overgrown, it’s time to pull out your best loppers. Loppers do exactly what you’d think — they lop big branches from trees. Although we appreciate a dependable pair of pruning shears, the hand-held tool is best for small branches and stems. Loppers are like super-sized pruners, with big blades and long handles that offer more leverage and power to cut big branches — usually up to about two inches in diameter.
What to Look for When Buying Loppers
So how do you choose the best loppers? Consider these factors, which we used to select our top picks.
Evaluation Criteria
Style of Cutting
Loppers come in two types of cutting styles: bypass and anvil. Scissor-like bypass blades are especially effective on live, green branches. Anvil blades have a single sharp cutting blade that is perfect for stiff dead branches.
Blade Sharpness
When it comes to trimming tools, durability and sharpness is key. Choose loppers with long-lasting, sharp blades that can be re-sharpened when needed.
Most lopper blades are made of steel, but carbon-hardened steel and alloy steel are the best options. These types of blades stay sharp longer and are less likely to get damaged when cutting though tough branches. Look for blades coated in a non-stick material, which helps loppers stay clean of sticky tree sap.
Size and Handle Comfort
It’s important to take into account the size of loppers that best fit your strength. Most lopper handles are about 15- to 36-inches long. The longer the loppers, the more leverage and power they have for cutting big branches.
You obviously don’t want to purchase loppers that are too big or heavy for you to manage. Handle grip comfort is another factor to consider. Cushioned handles help reduce any hand pain or cramps caused by repetitive cutting action. Consider wearing a pair of garden gloves when working with loppers.
Best Overall Loppers
Corona 31-in. Duallink Bypass Lopper
Corona brand tools are a favorite among experienced landscapers because of their long-lasting durability and replaceable parts. The Corona Duallink Bypass Lopper is no exception. These loppers are powerful yet lightweight, with a shock guard and comfortable gel grips so you can get more work done without wearing out your shoulders and hands. Grab a Corona garden tool sharpener to use when the lopper blades need a quick refresh.
Pros
- Corona is respected by professionals for quality materials and products
- Cuts up to 1 3/4-in. branches
- Comfortable to hold and use, thanks to gel grips
- Limited lifetime warranty and replaceable parts
Cons
- Long length might be hard for some to manage
Best Electric Loppers
Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Battery Lopper
Save yourself the hassle of manual pruning with an electric lopper. The Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Battery Lopper cuts up to 1 1/4-in. branches with ease thanks to its electric bypass cutting action. It also features a hook that neatly removes cut branches.
Pros
- Cordless
- Hook included for easy branch removal
- Reaches tight spaces because there are no handles to spread
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Heavier than manual loppers
Best Value Loppers
Harbor Freight Long Reach Bypass Lopper
For just $15 you can score these Long Reach Bypass Loppers. The snazzy green handles telescope from 18 1/2 to 31 1/8 inches when you need to reach higher branches and limbs. The ratcheting feature opens the loppers wider and allows for more leverage while cutting. And, even at this low price point, the blades are made from quality carbon steel.
Pros
- More affordable than similar loppers
- Extends to reach higher branches
- Carbon steel blades
Cons
- No warranty
- Can’t cut extra-large branches
- Some reviewers had trouble getting the extended handles to lock in place
Best Heavy Duty Loppers
Corona Maxforged Orchard Loppers
For lightweight option with high-cut capacity, look no further than the Corona 32-in. Maxforged Orchard Loppers. The aluminum handles are durable yet easy to carry, and the bypass blades are made of strong, heat-treated forged steel. Whip these babies out when it’s time to trim the big trees. They easily slice through branches up to 2 1/4 inches in diameter!
Pros
- Cuts up to 2 1/4-in. branches
- Forged steel blades
- Lightweight aluminum handles
- Sap groove prevents the blade from sticking
Cons
- Long length might be hard for some to manage
- Handles are not as robust as some models
Best Extendable Bypass Lopper
Fiskars Telescoping Bypass Lopper
Loppers come in several different sizes. Longer lengths help you access those hard-to-reach tree branches, while shorter lengths are easier to maneuver and are perfect for shrubs. With extendable loppers like the Fiskars Telescoping Bypass Lopper you get the best of both worlds!
The telescoping handles stretch from 25 to 37 inches, depending on your needs. Plus, they come with power-lever technology that maximizes cutting power and minimizes effort, making them some of the best telescoping loppers on the market.
Pros
- Telescoping handles
- Rust-resistant blade coating
- Cuts up to 1 3/4-in. diameter
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- At 3.65 pounds, not as lightweight as other models
- Extended handles need to be spread extra wide to cut branches
Best Extendable Anvil Lopper
Thanos A1101 Extendable Anvil Loppers
The Thanos A1101 Extendable Anvil Loppers feature a telescopic rod that extends from 27 inches up to 40 inches, allowing the loppers to reach higher and cut bigger branches (up to two inches in diameter). The retractable handles are made from aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and prevents rust.
Pros
- Telescoping handles extend up to 40-inches in length
- Japanese Teflon-coated blade
- Cuts up to two inches in diameter
- Safety release lock button
Cons
- Some reviewers reported the handles bending after extended use
- Some components are plastic rather than metal
Best Loppers for Carpal Tunnel or Arthritis
Fiskars 15-in. PowerGear Titanium Anvil Lopper
The Fiskars PowerGear Titanium Anvil Lopper makes cutting branches easier on your hands, wrists and muscles. It’s smaller and lighter than similar loppers. It also features a titanium coating that reduces resistance, and its soft-grip handles offer comfort and control. For these reasons, the lopper has been awarded the Ease-of-Use commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.
Pros
- Power-gear technology provides more leverage with less effort
- Titanium blade coating for easy cutting
- Lightweight
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Short handles won’t reach high branches
- Anvil style blade best for dead branches only
FAQs
What is the difference between loppers and pruning shears?
Which is better: anvil or bypass loppers?
Originally Published: September 22, 2022
