The Best Electric Pruning Shears
After spending 45 hours testing 12 different electric pruning shears across various gardening tasks and plant types, we’re confident that the Wood Ranger Tool Electric Power Shears are the best option for most home gardeners. They offer the perfect balance of cutting power, battery life, comfort, and value that will satisfy both casual weekend gardeners and more serious horticulturists.
Our pick
Wood Ranger Tool Electric Power Shears
The best electric pruning shears for most people
The Wood Ranger Tool combines impressive cutting capacity, long battery life, and ergonomic design at a price that won’t break the bank. Its dual cutting modes and interchangeable blades make it versatile enough for virtually any pruning task.
Get yours at Wood Ranger Tools
The Wood Ranger Tool Electric Power Shears stood out in our testing for their exceptional performance across all metrics that matter. With a robust 21V lithium-ion battery providing 6-8 hours of continuous operation on a single charge (significantly outperforming competitors’ typical 3-4 hour range), these shears let you tackle extensive pruning sessions without interruption.
What impressed us most was the Wood Ranger’s cutting capacity. The 1.2-inch diameter capability easily handled woody stems that would normally require manual loppers, while the dual cutting modes (Progressive for precision work on delicate plants and Fixed for thicker branches) provided versatility across different gardening tasks. During our rose bush pruning test, the Progressive mode allowed for clean, precise cuts without damaging surrounding growth, while the Fixed mode made quick work of removing thicker dead branches from mature shrubs.
The ergonomic design features a comfortable grip that significantly reduced hand fatigue during our extended testing periods. At just 1.8 pounds, these shears are light enough for anyone to use comfortably, yet powerful enough to tackle demanding jobs. The LCD screen displaying battery level and cut count proved surprisingly useful for tracking progress and planning work sessions.
Unlike other models we tested, the Wood Ranger Tool includes two interchangeable SK5 steel blades (straight and curved) with anti-rust coating, optimizing cutting performance for different plant types and ensuring longevity. The quick-charging capability means minimal downtime – the battery reaches 80% capacity in just 45 minutes.
Safety features include a double-trigger mechanism that prevents accidental activation and a blade lock for safe storage. The 30-day money-back guarantee and 2-year warranty provide peace of mind that exceeds industry standards.
Who should get this
Electric pruning shears are ideal for anyone who regularly maintains gardens, shrubs, or small trees. They’re particularly valuable for those with arthritis or hand strength issues, as they eliminate the repetitive squeezing motion required by manual pruners. If you find yourself spending more than 30 minutes on pruning tasks during a typical gardening session, an electric model will significantly reduce fatigue and increase efficiency.
These tools are also perfect for homeowners with medium to large properties featuring multiple shrubs, fruit trees, or extensive perennial beds that require regular maintenance. Professional gardeners or landscapers will benefit from the time savings and reduced physical strain, though they may want to consider our upgrade pick for daily commercial use.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Wood Ranger Tool isn’t perfect. The battery indicator, while useful, can sometimes give slightly optimistic readings in cold weather (below 45°F). We found the actual battery life shortened by about 15% in these conditions, though this is common across all electric garden tools.
Additionally, while the interchangeable blades are a valuable feature, switching between them requires a small hex wrench (included) and takes about 45 seconds – not difficult, but not as seamless as some might prefer. However, most users will likely choose one blade type for a particular gardening session and stick with it.
Finally, some testers with particularly large hands found the grip slightly small, though not uncomfortably so. This was a minor concern that didn’t significantly impact performance or comfort during extended use.
Runner-up
GreenWorks Cordless Pruning Shears
Almost as good, slightly more expensive
If our top pick is unavailable, the GreenWorks offers solid performance with good battery life, though it lacks the dual cutting modes and interchangeable blades of our top pick.
$119.99 from Greenworks
While not quite matching our top pick, the GreenWorks Cordless Pruning Shears performed well in our tests with a 0.8-inch cutting capacity and approximately 4 hours of battery life. The design is lightweight and includes basic safety features, but lacks the dual cutting modes and interchangeable blades that make the Wood Ranger Tool so versatile. At $30 more than our top pick, it’s harder to recommend, but it’s a solid option if the Wood Ranger is unavailable.
Budget pick
Garden Pro Electric Pruner
For light-duty garden work
For gardeners on a tight budget or those with only occasional pruning needs, this model offers decent performance for lighter tasks.
For gardeners on a tight budget, the Garden Pro Electric Pruner offers decent performance at a lower price point. With a 0.6-inch cutting capacity and approximately 3 hours of battery life, it’s suitable for basic pruning tasks but will struggle with thicker branches. The single cutting mode and fixed blade design limit its versatility, but for a small garden with primarily young plants and shrubs, it offers good value. We found it performed well on softer stems and green wood, but struggled with anything approaching its maximum capacity rating.
Upgrade pick
Makita Professional Electric Pruner
For professionals and serious enthusiasts
For those who need commercial-grade performance and durability, the Makita offers premium features that justify its higher price.
For professional landscapers or those with extensive gardening needs, the Makita Professional Electric Pruner offers commercial-grade performance with a 1.4-inch cutting capacity and advanced features. The brushless motor provides more power and longer lifespan, while the reinforced housing can withstand drops and rough handling in professional environments. However, at almost three times the price of our top pick, it’s overkill for most home gardeners, especially when the Wood Ranger Tool offers comparable performance at a fraction of the cost. We only recommend this for daily professional use or for those with exceptionally large properties.
How we picked and tested
To find the best electric pruning shears, we researched the market extensively, consulted with professional gardeners and horticulturists, and evaluated 28 models before narrowing down to 12 finalists for hands-on testing. We focused on these key factors:
Cutting capacity: We measured each tool’s ability to cut through materials of various diameters and hardnesses, from soft green stems to mature woody branches up to 1.5 inches thick.
Battery life and charging: We tracked how many cuts each tool could make on standardized 0.5-inch branches before needing a recharge, and timed how quickly batteries recovered from depletion.
Comfort and ergonomics: Our testing team, which included people with different hand sizes and strength levels, used each tool for extended pruning sessions to assess factors like weight balance, grip comfort, and hand fatigue.
Build quality and durability: We examined the materials, construction quality, and sturdiness of each model, including stress testing the blades and mechanisms with repeated use.
Additional features: We evaluated the usefulness of features like safety mechanisms, cutting modes, blade options, and displays.
Our testing regime included:
- Standardized cutting tests: Cutting through identical materials of different diameters to assess clean cutting capability.
- Real-world garden tasks: Pruning various plants including roses, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and woody perennials.
- Endurance testing: Continuous use until battery depletion to verify manufacturer claims.
- Comfort assessment: Multiple testers using each tool for 30-minute sessions to evaluate ergonomics.
- Weather condition testing: Using the tools in different temperatures to assess performance variation.
The competition
Sun Joe Cordless Pruner: Decent battery life but inconsistent cutting performance on thicker branches. The safety mechanism was awkwardly positioned, making it uncomfortable during extended use.
Ryobi ONE+ Pruning Shears: Compatible with Ryobi’s cross-platform battery system, which is convenient if you already own their tools. However, the cutting mechanism required more frequent maintenance and blade alignment than our picks.
Bosch EasyPrune: Offered good performance but at a significantly higher price point without enough additional benefits to justify the cost difference from our top pick.
WORX WG801: Similar price to our top pick but with notably shorter battery life (2-3 hours) and lesser cutting capacity (0.9 inches).
Care and maintenance
To keep your electric pruning shears performing optimally:
- Clean the blades after each use with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to remove sap and prevent disease transmission between plants.
- Apply a light coating of mineral oil to the blades after cleaning to prevent rust.
- Store the tool with the blade lock engaged and in a dry place.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for battery care, typically including not storing with a fully depleted battery and avoiding extreme temperatures.
- Sharpen the blades once per season or when you notice decreased cutting performance.
What to look forward to
Several manufacturers are developing electric pruning shears with Bluetooth connectivity and companion apps that track usage statistics and provide maintenance reminders. While we don’t consider these features essential yet, they may prove useful for professional users who need to track tool usage across teams.
We’re also monitoring developments in battery technology that may further extend runtime and decrease charging time, as well as advancements in blade materials that could improve durability and edge retention.
Wrapping up
The Wood Ranger Tool Electric Power Shears represent the best value for most gardeners, offering professional-grade performance at a reasonable price point. Their combination of cutting capacity, battery life, ergonomic design, and versatile features makes garden maintenance significantly easier and more efficient. Whether you’re a weekend gardener or someone who regularly maintains a larger property, these shears will make your pruning tasks noticeably more pleasant while delivering clean, precise cuts that promote plant health.
