We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Whether you’re shaping a shrub, harvesting produce, or giving a beloved houseplant some TLC, you’ll want a good pair of pruning shears. We recently put the market’s top pruning shears to the test and fell in love with the Felco 2, a premium pruner built for both casual DIY gardeners and seasoned professionals. We can’t stop raving about it to anyone who’ll listen—here’s why.
Our Favorite Pruning Shear
Photo: Amazon
Of all the various types of pruning shears, bypass shears are the most versatile, and the Felco 2 is the best bypass pruning shear we’ve tested. Premium in both design and price, this cast-aluminum shear is ideal for anyone not keen on settling for a dinky pruner that might fail midway through a gardening session. These are built to last years—maybe even a lifetime—and that’s largely thanks to the unique design. Unlike other pruners meant to be trashed when broken, every part of this shear can be disassembled and fixed or replaced.
We like everything about the Felco 2, from its comfortable, perfectly sized handle to the just-right spring resistance, which provides easy pushback without tiring out the hand. It weighs just half a pound, yet it’s brawny enough to slice through branches almost an inch thick, which is a fair bit thicker than most of its competitors. Thoughtful details help further elevate this one in the rankings—such as the sap groove, a small notch in the blade that prevents that dreaded, sticky tree juice from gunking things up.
Compared to the rest of the pruning shears we tested, the Felco 2 (alongside the left-handed Felco 9) performed best overall in terms of comfort, strength, durability, and ease of use. This pruning shear doesn’t settle for second best, and although its price reflects that, we think it’s worth every penny.
Where to Buy
Photo: Amazon