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Electric scissors may be one of the lesser-known power tools, but for those who spend a lot of time crafting or sewing, they’re a necessity. Cutting through yards of fabric, thick cardboard, and thin metal sheeting can quickly lead to cramping and aching hands, especially for those who suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Electric scissors make executing these cuts easier on the hands, not to mention faster. In short, replacing a pair of scissors with electric scissors to the crafter or sewing enthusiast is the equivalent of trading out a handsaw for a power saw to a carpenter.
Electric scissors, like standard shears, consist of two blades that slide against each other to slice through various types of materials. Instead of using the manual power of a hand to create this action, they use a small motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. While most models of electric scissors look the same, they vary in performance. Ahead, learn about what factors one should consider when shopping for the best electric scissors and learn why the models below are some of the finest on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
- RUNNER-UP: Keedil Cordless Electric Scissors
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Stalwart 75-PT1022 Cordless Power Scissors
- BEST UTILITY: Worx 1-1/2-in. 3.6 Lithium Ion ZipSnip
- BEST FOR GENERAL USE: POWERAXIS Electric Scissors
- BEST FOR FABRIC: FUJIWARA Electric Scissors
- BEST BATTERY LIFE: JOAVANI Cordless Scissors
- BEST FOR SHEET METAL: DeWalt 20-Gauge Variable Speed Corded Metal Shears
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Electric Scissors
When shopping for a pair of electric scissors it’s vital to consider a few factors, including blade type, power supply, and ergonomics. Ahead, learn more about these and other attributes of electric scissors.
Multi-Use
Most sets of electric scissors are capable of cutting through a variety of materials, ranging from fabric and paper to items that most manual sets of scissors cannot cut through, including thicker leather, plastic, and even light-gauge sheet metal. This makes them a great tool to have not only in the sewing or craft room but also in the workshop as a replacement for other hand tools, such as tin snips.
Blade Types
Most electric scissors come with two different types of blades—type O and type D. Type O blades are designed to cut through thinner materials, such as felt, paper, and fabric. Type D blades are thicker and harder, making them capable of cutting through tougher materials, such as corrugated cardboard, plastic, and thinner-gauge metals. Electric scissor blades can be detached from the scissors and replaced when they become worn out.
Power Supply
Electric scissors come in cordless and corded varieties. Corded devices offer a limitless power source and are more powerful than cordless scissors; however, they are tied to a cord, which means they must be close to a power outlet. The cord can also get in the way of cutting, which can be a nuisance.
For this reason, the majority of electric scissors are cordless. Most corded models are high-powered machines for applications such as cutting tin roofing or wall-to-wall carpeting. Cordless electric scissors use 3.6-volt lithium-ion batteries, which are small enough to keep the overall weight of the scissors manageable while providing a runtime of about 2 hours.
Weight and Comfort
In order for electric scissors to be easy to use, they must be lightweight and compact. A pair of electric scissors should have an ergonomic shape that molds to the contours of the hand with plenty of rubber that makes it comfortable and easy to grip. The scissors should weigh no more than 1 pound and should be less than 9 inches long so as to be manageable enough to manipulate whether cutting through a swath of fabric or wrapping paper.
Our Top Picks
The list below takes into account the above considerations to trim the field of electric scissors to some of the best models on the market. It includes the best scissors for cutting fabric and materials for crafts as well as a few powered scissors designed for more demanding applications.
Best Overall
Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
With its long battery life and ability to cut even the toughest materials, this set of pink electric scissors is one of the best all-around pairs on the market. It includes a special blade for cutting through fabric and wrapping paper, and a second tougher blade can cut through materials that would be difficult if not impossible to cut through with standard scissors including corrugated cardboard, leather, and even plastic, metal, and carpet.
This versatility makes the Pink Power scissors useful for a broad variety of sewing and craft projects. A 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery for power supplies enough juice for up to 2 hours of cutting. Its curved ergonomic handle, rubberized grips, lockable on/off switch, and light weight of just 1 pound make these scissors comfortable to use even for longer crafting sessions.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1 pound
- Blades: Type O and Type D
Pros
- Can cut through leather and even metal
- Weighs just 1 pound
- 2-hour battery capacity
Cons
- Only comes in the color pink
- Slightly heavier than other cordless models
Runner-Up
Keedil Cordless Electric Scissors
With a battery life that beats many other models, this set of cordless electric scissors from Keedil is a great option for those looking to upgrade from a manual pair of scissors. Similar to other electric scissors, this model runs off a 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery. Unlike other electric scissors, it gets up to 3 hours of use on a single charge. To recharge, simply remove the battery and plug it into the charger.
The Keedil comes with two blades: one for thin materials, such as fabric and paper, and one for thicker metal, leather, and plastic. With its ergonomic shape and an ample rubber grip all around the body, it’s easy to hold and operate.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1 pound
- Blades: Type O and Type D
Pros
- Longer battery life than other cordless scissors
- Ergonomic grip
- More affordable than other models
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other cordless models
Best Bang for the Buck
Stalwart 75-PT1022 Cordless Power Scissors
This cordless set of power scissors offers similar performance to other higher-priced models. It comes with two blades for cutting lighter materials, such as fabric, felt, and cardboard, as well as a larger blade for taking on tougher materials, such as leather and carpet. The two blades are each attached to individual heads that slide on and off the front of the scissors easily. The scissors run via a 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery that provides enough juice for about 2 hours of use. It takes about 3 to 5 hours to recharge. At 9 inches long and weighing just about 1 pound, this model is light enough to wield easily. Unlike other models, the battery is not removable—it charges by plugging a cable into the scissors—so it isn’t possible to purchase multiple batteries to avoid delays for charging.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1 pound
- Blades: Type O and Type D
Pros
- Affordable price
- Two blades included
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Cannot rotate batteries to extend use
Best Utility
Worx 1-1/2-in. 3.6 Lithium Ion ZipSnip
Worx’s take on utility scissors features a variation in design. Instead of oscillating scissor blades, it uses a rotating blade to cut through materials. The result is a set of scissors that functions similar to a rotary tool.
The circular blade has advantages over other electric scissors that use an oscillating blade. As the blade rotates it rubs against an integrated sharpener, ensuring it never gets dull. It can also cut through a broad range of materials, including leather and rubber. It’s also handy for slicing through stubborn packaging. The ZipSnip includes several additional features not found on other electric scissors, such as a lockout switch and a battery indicator that lets you know how much power it has left. Like other cordless scissors, the ZipSnip runs off a 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1 pound
- Blades: Circular self-sharpening blade
Pros
- Self-sharpening design
- Can cut through thicker materials
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Not as precise as standard electric scissors
Best for General Use
POWERAXIS Electric Scissors
With its set of three blades designed to optimize how it cuts through certain materials, this set of cordless shears from Poweraxis is ideal for cutting through a variety of different materials. The Poweraxis comes with two thinner blades for fabrics and paper and two broad-cut blades for cutting through tougher materials, such as leather, plastic, and metal.
At about a pound and measuring just over 10 inches long, this model is comparable in weight to other cordless scissors. The Poweraxis cordless shears can run for about 70 minutes before needing a recharge and comes in three colors—rose, orange, and blue—allowing the user to coordinate it with the decor in their crafts or sewing studio.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1 pound
- Blades: Type O (2) and Type D
Pros
- Includes four cutting blades
- Makes precise cuts through fabric
- Ergonomic handle with easy-to-reach power switch
Cons
- Shorter battery life
- Slightly heavier than other cordless scissors
Best for Fabric
FUJIWARA Electric Scissors
Unlike other sets of cordless electric scissors, this model from Fujiwara focuses on cutting one thing—fabric. As such, its design is ideal for this purpose. Its blade is sharper and finer than those found on other models, making it well suited for executing precise cuts through fabrics.
The blade is also more exposed with this set of scissors, thanks to a smaller head. This, coupled with the ergonomic angle shape of the scissors, allows the user to eyeball the cut more easily for more accurate cuts. The tip of the blade also flairs upward, ensuring it moves smoothly through the material without getting hung up. Keep in mind that while this blade is ideal for cutting through thinner materials, it isn’t suitable for cutting through thicker items.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1.06 pounds
- Blades: Thin blade for cutting fabric and one for cutting slightly thicker materials
Pros
- Comes with two blades for cutting different materials
- Fine blade ideal for cutting through fabric
- Design allows for more accurate cuts
Cons
- Can only cut through thin materials
- Cannot rotate batteries to extend use
Best Battery Life
JOAVANI Cordless Scissors
One of the problems with cordless electric scissors is their relatively short battery life, which can bring a crafting or sewing project to a halt. Most other models of cordless scissors don’t have removable batteries, forcing the user to wait hours for the battery to recharge before they can continue. Joavani’s cordless scissors eliminate these annoying delays by including an extra battery, allowing the user to swap batteries in and out. Each battery lasts for between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on use.
Similar to other cordless scissors, the Joavani includes two blades for cutting through fabrics as well as rigid materials. An ergonomic handle provides plenty of soft rubber grip for comfort and includes a large on-off switch that’s conveniently located on the top of the unit for easy access.
Product Specs
- Power: 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1.71 pounds
- Blades: Type O (2) and Type D
Pros
- Comes with two rechargeable batteries and a charger
- Includes two cutting blades
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- A little more expensive than similar models
- Heavier than other cordless scissors
Best for Sheet Metal
DeWalt 20-Gauge Variable Speed Corded Metal Shears
With its 5 amps, these corded shears from DeWalt would be overkill for arts and crafts. However, they’re ideal for industrial applications, such as cutting through 24-gauge sheet metal, heavy tin roof panels, or long swaths of carpeting. In addition to a powerful 5-amp motor, these shears boast an 18-gauge swivel head that’s capable of cutting through steel up to 18 gauges thick.
Despite its large size, it’s still nimble with a cutting radius as small as 5½ inches. The tip is curved upward to allow the user to hover over the material to guide the cut. While this power tool is capable of making accurate cuts, keep in mind that it does require some strength to use as it weighs about 5 pounds. It’s also considerably more expensive than a set of electric craft or sewing scissors.
Product Specs
- Power: 5 amps corded
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Blades: Single large blade capable of cutting thicker materials
Pros
- Can cut through 18-gauge steel
- Powerful 5-amp motor
- Ergonomic design for cutting more accurately
Cons
- Quite heavy at 5 pounds
Our Verdict
For its light weight, ample battery life, and blade options, the Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors are well suited for sewing, arts, and crafts. If you’re looking for something that serves a broader range of cutting needs, then consider the Worx ZipSnip.
How We Chose the Best Electric Scissors
As with most power tools that replace hand tools, the point of a pair of electric scissors is to make cutting easier and faster. In the case of electric scissors, they’re also often a solution for those who may struggle with manual scissors due to arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. With those factors in mind, we researched and analyzed a list of more than 25 electric scissors, considering weight, ergonomics, ease of use, and cutting ability.
We only chose models that would be easy for most users to comfortably handle. To make the cut, the scissors needed to be fairly lightweight and had to have ergonomic grips with easily accessible on-off switches. As for cutting ability, we chose mainly models that could cut through thin fabric and paper as well as thicker material, such as leather. While versatility was important, the blades also needed to be thin enough to make precise cuts.
FAQs
If you’re wondering what electric scissors are used for or how to sharpen them, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these devices.
Q. What are electric scissors used for?
Electric scissors are used mainly for sewing and arts and crafts projects, which can demand a significant amount of cutting with shears and scissors. Electric scissors can cut thin materials, such as fabric and wrapping paper, as well as thicker materials, such as leather and carpeting.
Q. Can I sharpen electric scissors?
It is possible to sharpen electric scissors by removing the blades from the head. This requires the user to unscrew them, then use a sharpener to sharpen each of the two blades individually with a whetstone.
Q. How do I put batteries in electric scissors?
Cordless electric scissors use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that may or may not be removable. If the battery is not removable, then the electric scissors will have a charging power cable that plugs directly into the unit. Electric scissors with removable batteries and a separate charger will have a battery pack that slides out the back of the battery-operated scissors.
Q. Are electric scissors good for fabric?
Yes, most electric scissors are designed to work as an electric fabric cutter. They’re excellent tools for quickly making lots of simple fabric cuts. Just keep in mind that they are not as precise as manual fabric-cutting scissors, which are still necessary for making detailed cuts.