It’s a beautiful summer day, and your outside on your property line examining your trees. You notice that there are plenty of young branches coming from your hedges, trees, and shrubs lining the perimeter of your home.
It would help if you had a lopper to trim everything back. When you need to cut tree branches that are up to an inch thick, this tool is the best choice for your gardening duties. Loppers provide you with plenty of cutting power, and most models come with long handles for added leverage during a cut.
You get a clean-cut, and the long handles also help you reach the higher branches without the need to get a ladder. Loppers are great for trimming any large bushes or trees that are starting to invade areas and choke out other plants.
Loppers are available in a variety of sizes and styles, from dozens of brands. We took the time to qualify the best loppers into this review, saving you the need to do the research yourself.
Our Top Picks
If you don’t have the time to spend hours researching the best loppers, relax. We did it for you. In this section, we have our top three picks after searching dozens of listings. We have a model to suit your gardening needs and your budget.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Best Pick: Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass Lopper
Gardeners looking for a simple and effective set of loppers will get the best value out of the Fiskars 28-inch loppers. This tool comes with wide jaws, allowing you to cut branches up to 1.5-inches thick. The extended 28-inch handles give your plenty of control over the tool and loads of leverage for a quick, clean cut that seems effortless.With a weatherproof finish and low-friction coating, these loppers won’t rust if you leave them outdoors. - The Premium Pick: Corona DualLINK Bypass Lopper
Gardeners looking for the best premium loppers will love the Duallink Corona model. The innovative design of the jaws on this lopper makes your cuts 35% easier, with a 1¾-inch jaw for cutting the thickest branches.The sturdy steel handles measure 29-inches, with a 135-degree opening for the largest cuts. These loppers are an excellent choice for landscapers that need a semi-industrial tool they can trust on the job site. - The Budget Pick: The iGarden 3-Piece Lopper Set
If you are looking for the most affordable loppers you can find, then check out this model.
The iGarden 3-piece lopper set with shears and pruner is a fantastic choice for the best all-round solution for any small to medium-sized garden. The loppers feature 28-inch handles with soft grips and a jaw capable of cutting branches up to 1.5-inches thick.You also get the garden shears and pruners included in this set, at an affordable price that every gardener will find reasonable.
Best Loppers Reviews
Now that you know our top choices let’s unpack them in further detail. We’ll also have a look at models from a few other brands to give you a few more options.
Fiskars 28 Inch Bypass Lopper – The Best Overall Loppers
The Fiskars 28-inch loppers give you ultimate control over your garden. With razor-sharp bypass blades and long handles for plenty of leverage. These loppers are the perfect choice for your garden work.
- IDEAL BRANCH TRIMMER: 28" Steel blade garden bypass lopper that glides through up to 1.5" thick branches for easy cuts; Works well for trimming tree branches to maintain your yard and garden, and to encourage overall plant health and appearance
- MAXIMUM POWER AND PRECISION: Low-friction blade coating makes smooth cuts, reduces gumming, and enhances rust resistance; Non-slip grip handle allows for more control of clippers
- LONG-LASTING AND RELIABLE: Steel blades stay sharp through heavy use and provide excellent durability for lasting value; Fiskars pruning shears and tools are built to last and backed by a full lifetime warranty
- QUALITY GARDEN TOOLS: Designed to help you cultivate a better garden, Fiskars garden and yard tools are equipped with smart technologies and award-winning, ergonomic features that make it easier and more enjoyable to transform your outdoor space
- INCLUDES: 1 Fiskars Manual Bypass Lopper measuring 28” long; Makes clean cuts on branches up to 1-1/2" in diameter
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These blades hold an edge, featuring design and construction with carbon steel. The specialized non-stick coating prevents tree sap from gumming up the blades during use.
The rubberized handles and rubber stopper behind the blades absorb the cut’s shock, bringing you back to the closed position without damaging your hands. The Fiskars 28-inch loppers win our top choice as the best overall loppers in this review.
- Wide 1.5-inch cutting jaws
- Rubberized handles for operator comfort
- Weatherproof coating
- 28-inch handles for extra leverage
- Traditional jaws might make it harder to cut thicker branches
Corona DualLINK Bypass Lopper – The Best Premium Loppers
For those gardeners that need a premium set of loppers, the Corona SL Dual-link is the top choice. This model wins our award for the best premium model in this review.
The razor-sharp carbon steel blades mount to a “Dual-link” cutting jaw system that gives you 3x the cutting power. The long 29-inch handles ensure that you get plenty of leverage, providing effortless cuts on branches up to 1¾-inch.
- Dual Link compound cutting action magnifies input force to reduce work when cutting limbs and branches
- 1-¾" diameter branch cut capacity
- Comfortgel grips provide comfort for multiple cuts throughout the day while reducing hand wear and tear
- Strong, Trapezoid Steel handles provide balance, precision and control and reduced handle opening allows for cutting hard to reach branches
- Shock guard Bumper system reduces shock to arms and shoulders after cutting through branches
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The ComfortGel grips on this model are fantastic, providing ergonomic support to your hands while using the lopper. The lightweight aluminum handles make working overhead easier, reducing fatigue when trimming multiple branches.
- Dual-link jaw design for extra leverage when cutting
- Long 29-inch handles for superior control
- 1¾-inch cutting range
- Shock and bumper guard system prevent feedback through arms
- Premium Price
iGarden 3 Piece Combo Garden Tool Set – The Best Budget Loppers
Gardeners that need pruning shears and garden shears included with their loppers can look at this 3-piece combination set from iGarden.
This model features loppers with ergonomic rubberized handles for better control and comfortable use. You get bypass blades for an accurate and useful cut and PTFE-coated blades for a smooth cutting action.
- 3 Piece Combo Garden Tool Set includes Lopper and Hedge Shear and Soft grip Bypass Pruner.
- This 3 piece set is made with high carbon steel blades and comfort grip rubber handles.
- For smooth, easy cuts on tree branches, comfortable use and lasting value.
- A fully hardened, precision-ground steel blade stays sharp, and a rust-resistant, low-friction coating makes every cut even easier.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The shears are great for trimming hedges, and the pruning shears are fantastic for trimming your bonsais and rose bushes. This set offers excellent value for money, and it wins the top spot for the best budget model in this review.
- An excellent choice as a starter gardening set
- Comes with 28-inch loppers
- Ergonomic handle to reduce operator fatigue
- Weatherproof and corrosion-resistant
- Affordable and excellent value for money
- Not available as a single lopper
Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper
The Corona compound model is an excellent choice if you’re a landscaper looking for a good set of loppers to trim your client’s trees and hedges.
- 1 1/2" CUT CAPACITY: 4 bar compound linkage triples your cutting power.
- 32" DURABLE FIBERGLASS HANDLES: Extra long 8" non-slip foam grips.
- PTFE NON-STICK COATED HIGH-CARBON STEEL ANVIL BLADE: Blade is resharpenable. Blade and anvil are replaceable.
- DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR PROFESSIONAL GRADE APPLICATIONS: Stands up to daily wear and tear, season after season.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model has a more robust and industrial look, with long red 32-inch handles and rubberized grips. This lopper has a 1.5-inch cutting capacity, with PTFE-coated, non-stick carbon steel blades, and anvil.
- Suitable for landscapers and contractors
- Long 32-inch handles to reach tall branches
- Padded ergonomic handles
- 4-bar compound linkage for effortless cutting
- PTFE coated steel for non-stick action
- Durable design for professional use
- Premium Price
Melnor Telescoping Bypass Lopper and Pruner Set
The Melnor professional pruning set is a great choice for gardeners looking for a combination pruning set. You get a set of loppers and pruning shears, featuring bright yellow rubberized ergonomic handles. The bypass cutting head of the loppers looks like a larger version of the pruning shears.
- Power Source Type: Manual
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The telescoping handles extend from 28 to 37-inches, featuring forged steel bypass cutting blades for easy cutting. The no-slip grip is fantastic, giving you full control over the loppers and shears.
- Great combination set for loppers and pruning shears
- Ergonomic handles with bright yellow colors, so you don’t lose it in the garden
- Forged steel blades for superior cutting power
- Loppers have a 1.5-inch jaw capacity
- 28-inch handles for longer reach, extending to 32-inches for higher branches
- An affordable set providing excellent value for money
- Limited lifetime warranty
- You might not need the pruning shears
STEELHEAD Heavy-Duty 27-40″ Adjustable Gear-Bypass Limb & Branch Lopper
This model is for serious landscapers and contractors looking for a professional-grade lopper that lasts a lifetime.
These loppers feature design and construction with SK-5 hardened steel. The telescopic button on the handles allows you to extend the arms from 27-inches to 40-inches, allowing you to reach the tallest branches.
- [COMPOUND-RATCHETING GEAR-BYPASS JAW] – Ideal for cutting back large, hard and stubborn shrubs & tress. Get up to 3x the cutting force with the ratcheting gear-bypass fulcrum. Reduces cutting effort, fatigue and shock to hands, wrists, shoulders & arms.
- [TOOL-LESS TELESCOPING ARMS FOR ADDED LEVERAGE] – Easily extend the length of the handles to 40” to cut the toughest of limbs & foliage. Simply unlock the limbs and extended to desired length then lock again.
- [ERGONOMIC DURAGRIP HANDLES] – Easily grip, cut and hold these excellent shears without fatigue. Overmold allows for better grip & leverage. Fits a wide variety of hand sizes, from big to small.
- [FORGED FROM HIGH-CARBON STEEL w/ NON-STICK CORROSION RESISTANT FINSIH] – Crafted for season after season. Prevents plant material, gunk, sap & debris from building up and corroding blades.
- [LIFETIME USA SUPPORT] – Protected by unbeatable lifetime US-based support; right here in Atlanta, Georgia.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The soft handle grips reduce shock from the cut, reducing fatigue in your hands. This lopper features a compound action leverage mechanism allowing you to cut through branches up to 2-inches thick.
- An excellent choice for contractors and landscapers
- Extendable handles up to 40-inches for cutting the tallest branches
- Compound action leverage mechanism
- 2-inch cutting jaws for the thickest branches
- Soft, ergonomic handgrips
- Tempered SK-5 steel blade
- More for Contractors
Loppers Buyer’s Guide
So, what do you need to look for in a pair of garden loppers? In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how lopper’s work, what types of cutting systems you get with the tool, and how to choose the right lopper to suit your yard work.

The Types of Loppers
You get two different types of garden loppers, bypass, and anvil.
Bypass loppers are the most common type found in garden sheds of homeowners around the globe. This design features two short cutting blades, like a pair of scissors. This setup provides a clean-cut, but the edges may stick from time to time, or jam when cutting dry branches.
Anvil types feature one single blade, and a cutting block, known as an anvil. The blade cuts the branch, stopping on the anvil. These loppers typically feature a dual-link cutting head that provides more leverage in the cut.
The anvil model is the better choice for heavy-duty garden work, while the bypass is better for precision trimming and pruning.
Cutting Blades
When selecting your lopper, make sure you check what kind of steel the manufacturer uses in the blades. Hardened carbon steel is the best choice, as it holds an edge, and you won’t have to sharpen the blades as often.
Make sure that you get a model with coated blades. PTFE coatings provide a non-stick surface that helps you keep cutting when sticky sap is leaking over the blades. When sharpening your steel blades, use a fine metal file to restore the edge. If you don’t own a file, drop the loppers off with your local garden center, and they will have them sharpened for you in a few days.
When looking at the blades, it’s important to look at the sturdiness of the cutting surface. Most high-quality loppers feature design and construction with short, thick blades that have a curved component. Many professional loppers provide tension adjustments allowing you more leverage over the blades.
Cutting Heads
When it comes to the cutting action of the lopper, there are three categories.
- Geared loppers
- Ratcheting loppers
- Compound action loppers
A geared lopper uses gears to provide the gardener with more leverage. These tools typically have shorter arms and some work with single-handed use.
A ratcheting loppers latch as you close and release the blades, cutting in stages instead of in one motion. These models are less common, and they usually have larger cutting capacities for branches up to 3-inches in thickness.
A compound action lopper uses different moving systems to open and close the blades. There are extra components in this lopper that require maintenance and tightening between use.

Handle Arrangements
When purchasing your lopper, check out the handles. Loppers come in a range of handle lengths, with fixed and telescopic handles. If you have average height trees in your yard, you can get away with a 28-inch handle for most of your yard work.
However, for taller trees, you get models with handles up to 32-inches. Some feature telescopic handles the reach up to 40-feet in height, allowing you to cut the tallest branches.
Shorter handles make the lopper easier to control, especially in tight spaces. However, the longer the handles, the move leverage you have on the blades. As a result, you can cut through 1.5-inch branches easily.
The longer the handle, the harder it is to maneuver the loppers, and you’ll need to be careful with your cut. The customization of telescopic or extended handles is great, but you can expect to pay more for the functionality.
Always look for a locking mechanism in the extendable arms of your lopper. We suggest you get a single-locking model, as opposed to a twisting telescopic lock. The twist locks eventually wear away, reducing the lock on the loppers. You might have one side that locks, and the other doesn’t, reducing the safe use of the lopper, and the accuracy of your cut.
We recommend avoiding telescopic or extendable handles if possible. If you must trim trees high up, it’s best to invest in a ladder for your gardening equipment. Stick to loppers with 28 to 32-inch handles when selecting a heavy-duty lopper for your yard work.
Ergonomic and Non-Slip Grips
When selecting your lopper, the grips are as crucial as the handles. The grips are where you contact the tool, and you need to have total control during the cut. We recommend you look for loppers that feature ergonomic grips. These grips mold to your palms, giving you superior control over the cut. Ergonomic grips also reduce operator fatigue. As a result, you get more trimming with less discomfort in your hands, and less pain later in the evening. Look for silicone grips for the best comfort. Silicone molds to your hands and provides good traction, even when wet.
We like brightly colored grips to help us locate our tools in the garden when we misplace them from time to time. Ensure that the grip uses generous padding to reduce the feedback from the blade into your hands when cutting.
Look for a stopper that absorbs the impact between the blades, close to the tool’s head. This combination of a stopper and rubberized grips will absorb most of the shock from the cutting action.

The Weight in Your Hands
The weight of your lopper is another vital consideration when selecting your ideal model. With lighter loppers, you’re getting a tool that’s easy to maneuver, especially overhead. As a result, you reduce operator fatigue and stop your shoulders from getting sore during your trimming session.
However, lighter loppers are almost always more inferior quality compared to those loppers that feel heavier in your hands. Heavier loppers feel solid and generally offer a smoother cutting action when trimming branches.
Combination Sets or Single Loppers?
Some brands offer combination sets. You have the option of buying a lopper, along with pruning and garden shears. If you don’t have a set of pruning shears, then we recommend you pick up a combination set. Trying to cut smaller branches using loppers is dangerous, and you could end up damaging your shrubs or rose bushes.
It would help if you had smaller pruning shears for this task. Some loppers come with shorter handles for this task, making good choices for pruning small trees. However, if you already own pruning shears or gardening shears, you won’t require all the tools in a combination set.
Loppers FAQ
Are you still struggling with your decision? Check out these frequently asked questions for further information if you’re still scratching your head, trying to decide on the best loppers.
What are the cutting mechanisms you get with loppers?
Most loppers come with your standard cutting mechanism. However, some models come with ratcheted or special-design compound cutting heads. These cutting heads allow more leverage during the cut, letting you cut through thicker branches faster and with better accuracy.
Do I need to oil my lopper?
Loppers are seasonal tools. After the growing season ends, you’ll be packing them away in your tool shed for months or even years.
Therefore, it’s advisable to oil the cutting head and the gears before storing your lopper away for the season. Oiling your lopper is especially crucial if you have a compound lever cutting head with moving parts—oil all the components before storing it away till next season.
How do I ensure my loppers are always working correctly?
Your loppers need sharp blades to cut through branches. Blades dull over time, and if you did plenty of pruning the last season, it’s a good idea to take your loppers into a sharpening garden center. You can also try sharpening your loppers using a file if you have one in your workshop at home.
What do I need to look for in a quality blade for my lopper?
Most durable lopper blades feature design and construction with high-quality carbon steel. The manufacturer toughens the steel, allowing the shears to hold a cutting edge. Look for loppers that have a non-stick coating, such as PTFE, to stop the sap from the branches sticking the blades together during prolonged use.
What is a bumper?
If you look at the handles near the blades, you’ll notice a raised area with a rubberized tip that makes contact when you close the lopper handles. This bumper helps to reduce shock through the lopper handles when cutting large branches.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good idea of the loppers that are the right choice for your gardening needs. Whether you’re a homeowner or a landscaping professional, there’s a set of loppers in this review to handle your gardening requirements.
If you’re still on the fence regarding your purchase decision, why not rely on our top choices?
- The Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass Lopper is an excellent choice for any gardener, with enough cutting power to get through thick branches.
- The Corona Dual-link Bypass Lopper is the best choice if you need something more robust for bigger branches. With dual-link jaws, you get extra leverage on your cuts, allowing you to remove branches up to 1¾-inch in thickness.
- If you’re looking for the best deal on a new set of loppers, check out the iGarden 3-piece set. You get loppers, pruning shears, and gardening shears, all in one set at an affordable price.