The 6 Best Tree Loppers

Think of tree loppers as heavy-duty pruning shears on two sticks. It’s those long handles that allow you to reach beyond arm’s length and to cut much larger branches.

Clemson Extension recommends loppers for branches about 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches thick, and heavy-duty models are rated up to about 2 inches. Like hand pruners, loppers are either anvil or bypass, and many add compound or ratcheting action.

There are so many anvil and bypass models with either compound or ratcheting actions, which can make your selection quite overwhelming.

Whatever the style, you can make sure yours are the best tree loppers by taking into account all the important features you would want them to have.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top pick for this roundup are the Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Loppers. These 30-inch compound action anvil loppers cut dry branches up to about 2 inches.

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The Best Tree Loppers Are…

Product	Details
1. Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Loppers	1. Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Loppers Top Pick	- Anvil blade - Hardened carbon steel - 30-inch handles with comfort grip - Compound action system	Check Current Price
2. Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Loppers	2. Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Loppers	- Bypass blade design - Power gear drive action - 32-inch long handles - 2-inch cutting capacity - Low friction coating	Check Current Price
3. Spear & Jackson 8290RS Ratchet Anvil Loppers	3. Spear & Jackson 8290RS Ratchet Anvil Loppers	- SK5 carbon steel blades with PTFE coating - Ratchet action - Lightweight aluminum telescopic handles - Soft-feel handle grips - Locking catch for safe storage	Check Current Price
4. Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Loppers	4. Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Loppers	- 32-inch long handles - Extra-long 8-inch foam grips - Replaceable blade and anvil - 1-1/2-inch cutting capacity - High carbon steel blades with PTFE coating	Check Current Price
5. Kings County Tools Ratcheting Steel Anvil Loppers	5. Kings County Tools Ratcheting Steel Anvil Loppers	- Anvil blade design - Telescopic handles - Contoured rubber grips - Jaw size of 2 inches	Check Current Price
6. Flora Guard 26-Inch Bypass Loppers	6. Flora Guard 26-Inch Bypass Loppers	- High carbon steel blade material - 26-inch long handles - Cutting capacity of up to 1.25 inches - Comfort grips with shock guard	Check Current Price

1. Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Loppers: Best Overall

The Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Loppers use compound action to cut branches up to about 2 inches thick.

Specs

• Anvil blade
• Hardened carbon steel
• 30-inch handles with comfort grip
• Compound action system

The anvil design presses the blade against a flat anvil, which gives strong cutting force on dead, dry wood.

The hardened carbon steel blade has a low friction coating that resists rust and sap.

The 30-inch handles add leverage and reach.

Another good feature is the compound lever system, which has multiple moving parts and pivot points that increase the cutting force applied to the blades.

The nuts holding the anvil can loosen after heavy use, so check them now and then.

Pros

• Produce a strong cutting action, making them ideal for dry branches
• Non-stick, low friction coating helps to prevent rust and corrosion
• Long handles offer more strength and leverage
• Compound lever creates an impressive cutting force
• Ergonomic molded grips allow for consistent hand placement

Cons

• It’s possible for the anvil screws to loosen up
• It’s a little bit pricey compared to similar products

Conclusion

The compound action of these loppers makes quick work of dry branches. For live wood, a bypass lopper leaves a cleaner cut.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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2. Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Loppers: Best Bypass Design

The Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Loppers use the brand’s geared mechanism to multiply leverage.

Specs

• Bypass blade design
• Power gear drive action
• 32-inch long handles
• 2-inch cutting capacity
• Low friction coating

The loppers use bypass blade technology, which is great because the blades cut like scissors and produce very clean and precise cuts when cutting live branches.

The blades of these pruning scissors are made of fully hardened steel with a low friction coating that improves rust and gumming resistance for a smooth cutting experience.

Fiskars says the gear mechanism gives up to three times more cutting power than a standard lopper.

Another good feature is the long handles, which not only help you to maximize leverage, but they’re also equipped with oval shaped grips for unmatched comfort.

All the cutting power comes at a price, though. You have to move the handles a wide distance apart, which can affect maneuverability when cutting higher branches.

Pros

• Bypass blades produce clean, precise cuts
• Low friction coating offers superior rust and gum resistance
• Geared action adds cutting power
• Long handles help maximize leverage for easy cutting
• Oval shaped grips provide comfort during extended use

Cons

• Can be challenging to maneuver the handles when cutting higher branches
• Could perform better with a ratcheting system

Conclusion

These are strong, clean-cutting loppers for live branches. Be ready to open the handles wide to get full cutting power.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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3. Spear & Jackson 8290RS Ratchet Anvil Loppers: Best Ratchet Action

The Spear & Jackson 8290RS Ratchet Anvil Loppers use SK5 carbon steel blades and a ratchet to cut thick, dry limbs in stages.

Specs

• SK5 carbon steel blades with PTFE coating
• Ratchet action
• Lightweight aluminum telescopic handles
• Soft-feel handle grips
• Locking catch for safe storage

The Spear & Jackson 8290RS are made of anvil blades that use ratchet action for cutting, which is good because it delivers greater cutting power than a single action system.

The lightweight aluminum telescopic handles extend to about 31 inches for more leverage.

I appreciate the soft-feel easy grip handles on the bottom end, they are molded for comfort and continuous hand placement when you have a lot of pruning to do. The blades are made of SK5 carbon steel and coated with PTFE. So, they offer resistance to rust, reduce friction, and deliver long-lasting sharpness.

Another amazing feature is a locking catch, which ensures the blades are locked when you are not using them for safe storage.

But the thing is, these loppers use a ratchet action system with more parts, and there is more to go wrong with them.

Pros

• SK5 carbon steel blades are razor sharp and precise
• Ratchet action makes deep cuts with each stage
• Telescopic handles extend to about 31 inches for more leverage
• Very comfortable soft-feel easy grips
• Locking catch ensures the blades stay locked during storage

Cons

• May not capable to cut branches that are exactly 2 inches
• Many included parts may end up causing problems

Conclusion

These heavy-duty telescopic ratchet anvil loppers are ideal for cutting thicker branches up to around 1.5 inches in diameter.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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4. Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Loppers: Best Extra-Long Foam Grips

The Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Loppers are designed to withstand wear and tear due to heavy use, season after season.

Specs

• 32-inch long handles
• Extra-long 8-inch foam grips
• Replaceable blade and anvil
• 1-1/2-inch cutting capacity
• High carbon steel blades with PTFE coating

The 32-inch handles provide good leverage and reach.

The loppers are made of high carbon steel blades that are PTFE coated for strength, rust resistance, sharpness, and greater cutting power. The blades have a good cutting capacity of up to 1-1/2-inch for tackling thick branches and limbs. They are also easily replaceable.

Another good thing about this model are the extra-long 8-inch foam grips, which provide you with a larger gripping surface for more control and comfort.

The only problem with it is, to exert a powerful force that will cut thick wood with ease, you have to spread the handles far apart and that can be weird for some people.

Pros

• Longer handles translate to more leverage
• Compound action generates superior cutting power
• Blades are rust and gum resistant
• Easy to tackle thicker branches with a wider gap
• Extra-long foam grips offer more control and comfort

Cons

• Handles have to be widely open to exert a greater cutting power
• May not be a suitable choice for delicate live branches

Conclusion

These loppers are expertly built, fairly priced, and super easy to handle. But they could be better with a ratchet action system.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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5. Kings County Tools Ratcheting Steel Anvil Loppers: Best Double Ratchet System

The Kings County Tools Ratcheting Steel Anvil Loppers are rated for dry hardwood branches up to 2 inches thick.

Specs

• Anvil blade design
• Telescopic handles
• Contoured rubber grips
• Jaw size of 2 inches

This Kings County Tools loppers are made of cutting and anvil blades, which means they generate incredible power for crushing branches. It uses a ratchet action system that allows you to cut branches in stages. So, the cutting blade digs into the branch with each push of the handle.

I appreciate the design of the telescopic handles, which effortlessly extends from 26 to 40 inches and can be locked in six different positions.

The oversized handles are fitted with contoured rubber grips, which allow for precise and consistent hand placement when you’ve got so much pruning to do in your backyard.

But the thing is, too many parts are included in the ratchet action system. So, it is easy for a few parts to wear out.

Pros

• Anvil blade design crushes dry branches with ease
• Ratchet mechanism allows for step by step cutting
• Telescoping handles stretch up to 40 inches for increased leverage
• Wide jaw size allows you to tackle branches of up to 2 inches

Cons

• Design includes too many parts that can easily wear out
• May fail to produce clean cuts with live branches

Conclusion

This is a great tool for the job. It offers a remarkable reach for cutting hard to reach branches by squeezing the handle repeatedly.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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6. Flora Guard 26-Inch Bypass Loppers: Most Comfortable Grip

The Flora Guard 26-Inch Bypass Loppers are light, compact loppers that hold their edge well through a session of pruning.

Specs

• High carbon steel blade material
• 26-inch long handles
• Cutting capacity of up to 1.25 inches
• Comfort grips with shock guard

This product features a bypass design, which is great because it cuts like a pair of scissors to produce precise and clean cuts that will not risk the health of your live plants.

It comes with 26-inch long handles that provide more leverage and strength when cutting hard to reach branches, limbs, and shrubs.

The high carbon steel blade material is coated for rust and gum resistance; while the 1.25-inch cutting capacity allows you to attack small branches with ease.

Another great feature is the rubberized grips with shock guard, which are sufficiently thick and contoured for comfortable handling.

The only issue I had with this tool is its jaw size. The marketed cutting capacity of 1.25 inches was way too small for most of my branches.

Pros

• Produces very clean cuts to promote plant health
• Long handles increase leverage and cutting power
• Rubberized grips allow for comfortable operation
• Locking mechanism ensures the blades stay closed
• Coated blade resists rust and sap

Cons

• Could be better with a larger jaw size
• May not be strong enough for dead branches

Conclusion

The Flora Guard 26-Inch Bypass Loppers are ergonomically engineered for effortless gardening. Not to mention that the bypass blades are the best for pruning small live branches.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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Buying Guide

Here are the things to consider during your selection:

Anvil or Bypass

The basic choice in choosing the best tree loppers is design: bypass or anvil. Bypass loppers have one curved blade sharpened on its outside edge that slips past a thicker unsharpened hook.

They make close, neat cuts when pruning live branches. These loppers are the best for gardening because they help promote the health of your plants. On the other hand, anvil loppers have a blade that closes against an anvil on the lower jaw. The anvil is a softer metal than the blade.

These loppers tend to crush the material that is being cut and are ideal where cleanliness of cuts is not as important as removing a dead branch or limb. Virginia Tech’s hand tool guide likewise recommends bypass blades for live stems and anvil blades for dead wood.

Compound or Ratchet Actions

The next important thing that should linger in your mind is the blades’ opening and locking mechanism. There are two main types of mechanisms you will come across: compound and ratchet action. Compound action loppers are the most popular choice out there. With this system, you have to fully open the handles in order to grab and cut a branch.

Loppers with a compound action system may seem easy to use, but they may become challenging when pruning overhead branches in tight places. I consider the ratchet action system the easier option to use between the two.

It uses a multi-step ratchet that holds the blade’s progress between squeezes.

The cutting blade bites the branch every time you squeeze and release the blades. This makes it easier to cut the toughest branches without the need to fully stretch the handles.

Ergonomic Handles

Most handles have a fixed length, but some loppers have telescoping handles. Fixed handles are simpler and sturdier, while telescoping ones add reach.

Know When to Use Something Else

For branches thicker than about 1-1/2 inches, Clemson Extension recommends a pruning saw instead of forcing loppers. Keep loppers and any pole tools away from power lines, and wear eye protection when cutting overhead.

Final Thoughts

Among all the tools we’ve covered, Tabor Tools GG12A are our overall best tree loppers. This model was made with functionality and comfort in mind, featuring coated blades for long-lasting durability.

The compound action lever multiplies your force, and the anvil blade design suits tough, dry branches.

The tool is extremely reliable with its long handles and ergonomic grips. They allow for repeated hand placement when you have a large pruning job to do in your yard.

Sources

• Principles & Practices for Pruning Trees (HGIC 1003), Clemson Cooperative Extension
• Hand Tools Safety: Lawn Care Training Guide, Virginia Cooperative Extension