The 10 Best Loppers for Pruning Tree Branches and Twigs

Last updated on March 31st, 2023 at 03:32 am

Loppers are essential gardening tools for pruning twigs or tree branches in the yard. It looks like scissors or garden shears but with much longer arms and requires two hands to handle properly.

The handles are purposely made long, typically between 12 inches and 36 inches in length, to give enough leverage to cut thick branches.

Some even come equipped with telescopic handles that can be extended further as long as 2 meters to increase leverage and enable the user to reach higher branches on a taller tree.

There are two main types of loppers, which are Bypass and Anvil.

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Fiskars Quantum Bypass Loppers	EZ Kut G2 Rachteting Loppers	THANOS Telescopic Anvil Loppers

Non-Telescopic 31.5 inches length 2.2 inch cut capacity Weighs 1.48 kg	Telescopes 18 inches to 42 inches 3.5 inch cut capacity 1.6 kg	Telescopes 28 inches to 40 inches 2 cut capacity Weighs 1.5 kg
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Bypass loppers

Bypass loppers are very efficient when it comes to pruning tree branches that are 2 inches or less in diameter.
It usually consists of a scissors-like cutting tool with one sharp edge that moves past a rather blunt jaw or hook, which is meant for holding the tree branch while the sharp edge cuts through it.

The scissors-like jaws come in different designs. It might be straight, curved, or one blade curved and the other straight.

Newer or modern designs of bypass loppers are usually equipped with lever systems or gears that help to increase the force applied to the blade to allow it cut through thicker branches efficiently.

Some bypass loppers are also fitted with telescoping arms which makes it possible to reach tall branches with ease.

Anvil Loppers

Anvil loppers have two jaws that don’t slide past each other like the blades of scissors but rather close against each other like an anvil.

One of the jaws (straight or curved) is usually made of hardened carbon steel and sharpened to make the cut, while the other jaw is shaped flat like an anvil, and it’s usually made of a softer metal than the sharp jaw or blade. The sharp jaw closes against the contoured anvil surface of the other jaw to make the cut.

Because anvil loppers have one jaw shaped flat like an anvil, they have the disadvantage of tending to crush the branch instead of cutting it smoothly if the cutting jaw is not sharp enough.

However, they’re ideal for cutting thicker, harder, and more fibrous branches as they have more relative strength than bypass loppers, and it’s also less likely for a branch to deflect the jaws or slide in and jam in between the jaws.

If you’re looking to get a bypass or anvil lopper for your tree pruning projects, here are 10 of the best units to choose from.

1. Fiskars Quantum Bypass Lopper

Tool Specs
Length	32 inches
Cut Capacity	2 inches
Weight	3.25 lbs
Blade Type	Bypass

If you have some thick tree branches to prune in your garden or around your yard, then this 32-inch Fiskers Quantum Lopper is a very good option to go for.

It’s quite expensive compared to the other units reviewed here, but it sure makes up for the price with the ease at which it cuts through branches.

With it, you can cut through thick 2-inch limbs and branches as if they’re not even there. You just need to apply some effort, and it will cut right through.

The premium European steel which makes up the blade is also covered with a rust-resistant coating that helps prevent tree sap from sticking to it. This also prevents it from rusting as you continue to use it.

As for the handle, it is made from durable aluminum alloy with grip pads made from renewable cork, which makes it very easy and comfortable to hold during use.

The renewable cock padded handle also helps to absorb and prevent shocks that usually occur at the end of every cut, ensuring a smooth cutting action all through.

Cutting branches with the Fiskers Quantum loppers requires very little effort due to the gearing mechanism included.

With the Fiskars Quantum lopper, you have a powerful tool you can use to maintain the trees in your property.

2. EZ Kut G2 Telescopic Ratcheting Lopper

Most loppers nowadays are designed to cut up to 2-inch thick branches or even less. This one from EZ Kut is designed to cut up to 3.5-inch branches smoothly.

Although it has a price tag that’s a bit higher than similar units, it surely makes up for it in build quality, cut capacity, reach, and effectiveness.

The EZ Kut G2 is a 6-stage ratcheting action tree pruner with patented oiler bolts that self-lubricate to constantly keep all the critical pivot joints working as they should.
It has telescopic handles that can be extended from 18 inches to 42 inches, which provides more leverage and allows up 10 feet of reach above.

The body is made of high-quality cast aluminum to reduce weight, and the blades are made of high-carbon steel with a non-stick coating to keep it clean and sharp during cuts.

This is a must-have tool you should get whether you’re a gardener, a hunter, a landscaper, a farmer, or even a ranch owner with acres of land to take care of.
Both handles and blades are replaceable.

3. AIRAJ Compound Action Anvil Lopper

The AIRAJ compound action anvil lopper provides you with the capacity to cut 2-inch branches with ease.
It features a labor-saving lever system with four pivot points that multiply the effort applied on the handles to the blade, thus reducing the amount of force you need to apply to cut down a branch.

Loppers need to have long handles to increase leverage, but with longer handles comes the issue of weight. That’s why this unit from AIRAJ feature high-quality aluminum handles instead of steel to increase reach and reduce weight.

As for the blade, it’s an SK5 hardened alloy steel blade coated with Teflon to prevent rust and corrosion. It stays sharp even after several uses, and if it eventually gets blunt, there’s a spare you can swap in.

The telescoping handles can extend from 27 to 40.5 inches, allowing you to reach tall branches, and they are rubberized for easy grip and comfort during use.

4. Wolf-Garten RR900T

Tool Specs
Length	26. 5 ” to 35.6″
Cut Capacity	1.97 inches
Weight	3.86 lbs
Type	Bypass

If you need a quality German construction bypass lopper, the Wolf-Garten RR900T telescoping bypass lopper will fit your mold of expectation.

It’s made with quality german steel blades that will cut through your tree branches and twigs not more than 2 inches thick, like a hot knife through butter.

The dual-pivot cutting head and the telescoping handles increase reach and ensure it cuts through the branches with minimal effort.

It also means you don’t have to stoop so low when cutting branches or twigs that are way below your reach.
The tool weighs just 3.86 lb which is fairly lightweight when compared to other loppers in its size range.

When it comes to quality, the Wolf-Garten RR900T is definitely not lacking as it’s a German-constructed tool. The blades remain sharp even after heavy use.

5. THANOS Telescoping Anvil Loppers

The THANOS(not the villain) extendable anvil loppers are an excellent buy for any farmer, gardener, hunter, or rancher looking for an effective tool to prune tree branches, twigs, and stems in the yard or garden.

Equipped with telescoping handles extending from 28 inches to 40 inches, it is ideal for pruning tall trees beyond the reach of a standard lopper or garden shear.

It can prune branches up to 2 inches thick and remain sharp after several uses. The blade is made with SK5 hardened steel alloy and coated with Teflon to prevent corrosion and rust.

The telescoping aluminum rods are made with high-quality aluminum alloy to reduce weight and prevent rust, while the rubber handles improve grip and user comfort.

If you want to trim fruit trees, tackle some landscaping projects or even cut small branches to make a fire while hunting or camping, the THANOS telescoping anvil lopper is a very good tool you can go for.

6. Spear & Jackson 8290RS Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Loppers

A lopper with a ratchet action blade makes it easier to make cuts, decreasing the effort needed.
That’s why the Spear & Jackson 8290RS telescopic ratchet anvil lopper is one of my favorites. The ratchet action engages when you start cutting, forcing the blade into the branch in a series of short steps, preventing them from going apart until the cut is complete.

It has a cutting capacity of 2 inches, and the telescoping handles extend from 15.75 inches to 31.5 inches to help increase your reach and leverage.

The blade, like a few other loppers is made with SK5 hardened carbon steel alloy and coated to keep it sharp, corrosion, and rust-free.

The serrated anvil prevents the branch from slipping or twisting during a cut.

As for the handles, they’re made of tubular aluminum to keep them as light as possible with all that reach you get, while the soft-grip finish ensures you can hold it comfortably for long periods of pruning.

7. TABOR TOOLS GG11

Tool Specs
Length	30 inches
Cut Capacity	1 3/4 inches
Weight	3.65 lb
Type	Bypass

The TABOR TOOLS GG11 compound action bypass lopper, as the name implies, uses a compound lever system for making cuts.

The Compound lever system has multiple pivot points, which all work in unison to multiply the user’s effort when cutting with it.
This unit can cut through ¾ inch thick branch without any trouble.

Even after heavy use, the blades remain sharp as they are made with hardened carbon steel. In addition, it’s coated with a non-stick material to prevent tree sap or liquid from sticking to it. This keeps it sharp, allowing you to cut continuously without having to clean it frequently.

A 30-inch long handle makes it easy for you to reach higher branches and twigs and affords you some extra leverage that makes the cuts easier.

The tool’s ergonomics is also on point as the handles are rubberized with soft grip rubbers, making it easy to hold firmly and comfortably.

In terms of quality, it’s well-made with hardened carbon steel blades and it cuts easily within the advertised tree branch sizes. So if you’re looking to get a bypass lopper, this is surely one of the best ones to go for.

8. Corona DualLink Telescoping Bypass Lopper

Tool Specs
Length	27 1/2″ to 37 1/2″
Cut Capacity	1 3/4″
Weight	4.15 lbs
Blade Type	Bypass

The Corona DualLink Bypass Lopper gives you the capacity to cut through limbs as small as 3/4 inches in size and as large as 1 inch in size.

With its extendable or telescoping arms feature, you get to be able to reach far higher branches without overreaching. Just flip open the red lever on the handles to release the telescoping handles and extend them, and flip back to lock down the handles, and you can start using it.

Without extending the handles, they are 27 ½ inches in length, but after extending them, you get a length of 37 ½ inches. That is an extra 10-inch increase in length, affording you more leverage to reach more limbs and branches from your position.

The Corona DualLink features a ShockGuard bumper system which helps reduce the snapping action of the jaws after cutting to reduce user fatigue.

This unit is surely one of the best to go for if you’re looking for something that can afford you more leverage when pruning your tree branches.

9. Jardineer 2 Inch Anvil Loppers

With 30-inch long handles, the Jardineer Anvil lopper gives enough leverage to prune branches as wide as 2 inches.

It’s a heavy-duty tool that is well-built and designed to make your tree-pruning projects go as smoothly as possible.

Apart from the leverage, it also comes equipped with a heavy-duty ratchet jaw that will maximize every force applied to the handles to make cutting through thick branches a breeze.

The handles are made with solid steel to ensure they stand the test of time and are also paired with soft grip holders to ensure user comfort during operation.

You should know, however, that it is a light-duty lopper for branches 2 inches and below, nothing more. So, keep that in mind if you’re going for it.

You can use it for sniping light stems, pruning twigs, fruit trees, and other landscaping projects.
It comes equipped with a non-stick carbon steel blade to preserve plant, and also to preserve the sharpness of the blade even after several cuts.

The Jardineer anvil lopper even comes with a spare blade you can swap in if the first one gets blunt, thus helping you get more work out of the tool before spending money on another lopper or another blade.

10. Fiskars PowerGear

Tool Specs
Length	32 inches
Cut Capacity	2 inches
Weight	2.55 lbs
Type	Bypass

With the Fiskars PowerGear bypass lopper, you get a premium cutting tool that enables you to cut tree branches up to 2 inches in diameter with slick and smooth cutting action.

Fiskars employ their patented PowerGear technology on it, which multiplies your effort 3 times to make it almost effortless to cut through thick branches and twigs.

It comes equipped with 32-inch handles, which gives you more leverage to reach farther tree branches, and also decreases the effort you need to apply to make the cut.

A fully hardened still blade ensures that the blade doesn’t get dull after a few cuts and can withstand heavy use. The blade is also coated to reduce friction when making cuts to prevent it from rusting.

If you need a good bypass lopper to do some serious pruning in your garden, then the Fiskars PowerGear2 is definitely one you should consider.
The handles are rubberized to ensure a good soft grip on the tool during use.