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The 11 best secateurs in 2026, as tested by our experts – bypass, anvil and ratchet types

Published: Monday, 2 March 2026 at 4:19 pm

Looking for new secateurs? Browse our pick of the best bypass, ratchet and anvil secateurs, as tested by our reviews experts.

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Secateurs are an indispensable tool, essential for tidying up around the garden. While tools like hedge trimmers and other cordless garden tools are ideal for taking on heavy-duty tasks, secateurs are a simple, hand-held tool used for keeping on top of pruning, dead-heading, cutting back perennials and harvesting fruit, veg and flowers. And, for a vital tool like a pair of secateurs, we know how important it is to find a model that's comfortable and easy to use.

Secateur names can seem a bit baffling, but there are only three types to choose from – bypass, anvil and ratchet – each type designed for a particular job:

Bypass secateurs have two blades that cut like a pair of scissors, with a sharpened blade crossing over a thicker metal platform. They're pointed to help them get in amongst stems and branches and are ideal for cutting stems between 10 and 15mm thick. They're suitable for greener growth and should cut cleanly, so it’s important to keep them sharp. (For more information, read our guide on how to sharpen secateurs.)

Anvil secateurs have one blade that cuts like a knife, with the blade pushing through a stem or branch onto a lower block, in a similar manner to a knife on a chopping board. They're useful for cutting through thicker, woodier stems and dead wood.

Ratchet secateurs have either anvil or bypass blades and feature ratchet springs and mechanisms to ease effort and cut through a stem in a series of stages. This type of tool can make tougher cuts gradually as you repeatedly squeeze and release the handles to get through the growth, and they are particularly useful for gardeners who lack strength.

But if you're not sure which type will suit you, don't worry. We've tested a wide range of secateurs, to find out which ones really are the best for which jobs. So check out our reviews below to get the rundown of the best secateurs to buy in 2026.

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Our best garden secateurs to buy at a glance

Our 2 top-rated garden secateurs

Also recommended: under £30

Also recommended: £30+

Comparison table: best secateurs

ModelRatingRRPTypeCutting CapacityWeightWarrantyOkatsune 1034.8/5£49.84Bypass2.5cm225gLifetimeKent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite4.8/5£34.99Bypass2.4cm280g10 yearsBurgon and Ball Left Handed4.5/5£23.99Bypass2.5cm270g10 yearsDarlac Compound Action Pruner4.3/5£21.95Bypass2cm200gLifetimeAmes Ratchet Anvil Pruner4.3/5£21.99Rachet1.8cm120g15 yearsDarlac Expert Bypass DP1030A4.5/5£33.95Bypass2cm220gLifetimeKent and Stowe Eversharp4.5/5£34.99Bypass2.5cm350g10 yearsFelco 84.5/5£65Bypass2.5cm245gLifetimeFelco 324.5/5£59Anvil2.5cm214.7gLifetimeNiwaki GR Pro4.5/5£90Bypass1.5cm244g2 yearsStihl PG254.3/5£37Anvil1.5cm260g2 years

Our expertise

We tested the different types of secateurs, using them in the garden on a range of different plants and at different times of year, to help you find the right pair for your garden. Each pair has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to handling, cutting, maintenance and value for money.  From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on secateurs that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Every pair in our round-up below has scored a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.

Jump to our best secateurs:

Jump to secateur advice:

Our 2 top-rated garden secateurs

1: Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs

Our best all-round secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £49.84

Our rating: 4.8/5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£56.95) and B&Q (£56.95)

Okatsune 103 Secateurs - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Our best all-round secateurs (bypass): Okatsune 103 Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These simple secateurs have few parts or gimmicks, yet their strong, Japanese steel blades cut cleanly and effortlessly. They're ideal for all pruning tasks, including heavy-duty jobs, cutting consistently well and are well-made, sharp, easy to use, and feel long-lasting. Their red and white handles make them hard to lose in the garden, both day and night.

Although the safety catch, which is at the end of the handle, takes some getting used to, I found it a breeze once mastered. These secateurs are suitable for all gardeners, as they come in three sizes to suit small, medium or large hands. They are at the higher end of the price scale of the various secateurs I tested, but I'd say they're excellent value for money given their good quality and performance. They also have a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

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Read the full Okatsune 103 review

2: Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite Secateurs

Our best secateurs for ease of use (bypass)

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£19.98), B&Q (£35) and Marshalls Garden (£29.99)

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite secateurs

Our best secateurs for ease of use (bypass): Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These aluminium-framed secateurs are packed with valuable features. They're suitable for both right- and left-handed gardeners, and those with smaller hands, thanks to the easy switch on the top that adjusts from 1-2.4cm. They have a 2.4cm cutting capacity, although this feels like more, and despite their slightly chunky appearance, they're light and comfortable with marked rubber handles for extra grip. The safety catch, which is placed by your thumb, is easy to open and close with one hand. The hardened carbon steel blade has a plasma coating, and it feels strong and sharp, easily cutting through green and older wood on shrubs and roses.

Unfortunately, these secateurs' grey and black appearance makes them hard to spot if dropped in the garden or amongst prunings. They have a handy hole for hanging them up after use, and although the blade will rust slightly if not cared for, if these secateurs are looked after well, they should last you years. They come with a 10-year warranty. Kay Maguire

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Also recommended: under £30

Burgon and Ball Left-Handed Bypass

Our best left-handed secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £23.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£21.58) and On Buy (£36.81)

2048-1365-gw-secateurs-Burgon-and-Ball-Left-Handed-Bypass-Secateurs-2ded46b_NEW

Our best left-handed secateurs (bypass): Burgon and Ball Left-Handed Bypass

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These reverse-design secateurs are ideal for left-handed gardeners and work really well. They have a high-carbon steel blade, which feels strong and cuts well. The 2.5cm cutting diameter means they can easily tackle most pruning jobs, and have a large safety catch that engages smoothly and easily.

Their ergonomic handles have bright orange plastic grips, so there should be no need to go hunting through piles of prunings for these. They’re easy to sharpen and look after and should last a long time. There are replacement blades and springs available, making these Burgon and Ball secateurs a more sustainable choice. And, given the 10-year warranty, I think they're excellent value for money. Kay Maguire

Read the full Burgon and Ball Left Handed Bypass review

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Darlac Compound Action Pruner

Our best secateurs for smaller hands (bypass)

RRP: £21.95

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: B&Q (£19.53), ManoMano (£18.50) and On Buy (25.57)

Our best secateurs for smaller hands (bypass): Darlac Compound Action Pruners

Our best secateurs for smaller hands (bypass): Darlac Compound Action Pruners

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These bypass secateurs have a central lever action, which makes them very easy on the hands when cutting, just like a ratchet secateur. The handles have a soft grip for comfort, and they're surprisingly light – half the weight of some of the other secateurs tested. I found them comfortable to use, and they cut well. The safety catch is on the top of the handle and is easy to switch on or off with a flick of the thumb. A great tool for those with less strength or smaller hands. The lifetime guarantee makes them excellent value for money too. Kay Maguire

Read the full Darlac Compound Action Pruner review

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Ames ratchet anvil pruner

Our best compact and lightweight secateurs (ratchet)

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£17.99)

Best Buy ratchet secateurs for compact and lightweight 2025: Ames ratchet pruner

Best Buy ratchet secateurs for compact and lightweight 2025: Ames ratchet pruner

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Ames ratchet anvil pruner on test

Ames ratchet anvil pruner on test. Image: Jane Moore

These little secateurs are lightweight, pocket-sized and yet capable of cutting above their weight. The blade is SK5 carbon steel, which is resistant to wear and highly durable. Comfortable in the hand, despite their small size, with the four-stage ratchet, these secateurs cut through 1.8cm dead wood relatively easily, leaving a clean cut. Although the catch is a little awkward to use, the compact form factor was much valued in use. I liked the hole in the handle that makes it possible to attach a lanyard to the secateurs. They also have an impressive 15-year warranty. Jane Moore

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Also recommended: £30+

Darlac DP1030A Expert

Our best secateurs for large stems (bypass)

RRP: £33.95

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: B&Q (£25.99) and ManoMano (25.99)

Our best secateurs for large stems (bypass): Darlac DP1030A Expert

Our best secateurs for large stems (bypass): Darlac DP1030A Expert

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These robust secateurs have a comfortable grip, and I found them nice to hold. They're good for cutting stems up to 2cm in diameter. The central safety catch is easy to engage with the thumb and can also be used to reduce the blade aperture (opening width) for light work, which is useful. There is a handy wire-cutting notch on the blade, and the red handles make them easy to find if lost in the garden. As secateurs in the mid-price range, they come with an impressive lifetime warranty, and there are replacement parts available too. Kay Maguire

Read the full Darlac Expert Bypass DP1030A review

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Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs

Our best secateurs for comfort (bypass)

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Crocus (£39.99)

Our best secateurs for comfort (bypass): Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs

Our best secateurs for comfort (bypass): Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These secateurs have an aluminium frame with a sustainably sourced FSC-certified ash insert. This smooth wood is comfortable to hold and offers an excellent grip, even without gardening gloves. They're suitable for both right- and left-handed gardeners, and although the secateurs are lightweight at just 330g, they still feel robust and hard-wearing. When pruning, they cut through almost every material on test with little resistance. Live, green wood was easy to prune, and even hard, dried wood was easy to snip. This is thanks to a carbon steel blade covered in a plasma coating, which Kent and Stowe claim makes these harder than any other blade.

The cutting width can be adjusted with a simple catch, from 1cm to 2.5cm, so these secateurs can tackle thicker branches as well as more delicate stems, and the safety catch, which is placed by your thumb, is easy to open and close with one hand. They also have a handy hole for hanging them up in a shed or greenhouse after use and a notch on the blade for cutting twine and garden wire. With a fantastic 10-year warranty, these secateurs should last you a long time. However, we found that the grey blade and light brown handles are tricky to spot if you drop them in a border or lose them amongst prunings. Kay Maguire

Read the full Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs review

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Felco Model 8

Our best secateurs for maintenance (bypass)

RRP: £65

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£62.65) and On Buy (£62.65)

Our best secateurs for maintenance (bypass): Felco Model 8

Our best secateurs for maintenance (bypass): Felco Model 8

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These classic secateurs from the world-renowned Swiss brand Felco felt sturdy, and they cut well in a variety of different jobs. They're also easy to maintain and come with the Felco lifetime guarantee. The secateurs feel chunky but light, and the ergonomic handle protects the wrist and hand, making longer pruning jobs less tiring. The red non-slip handle is useful, making them easy to see if lost in the garden. The blade also has a handy wire-cutting notch.

Felco come in at the higher end of the price scale compared to many of the other products I tested, but this reflects the high-quality materials they use, such as the precision-cut steel blades. Ideal for right-handed gardeners with medium to large hands, these secateurs are well-designed and will last you for life. Kay Maguire

Read the full Felco 8 Bypass Secateurs review

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Felco Model 32

Our best all-round secateurs (anvil)

RRP: £59

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£66) and On Buy (£64.61)

Felco Model 32 anvil secateurs BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Our best all-round secateurs (anvil): Felco Model 32 Anvil Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These high-quality anvil secateurs are strong and robust, with a hardened steel blade that cuts cleanly and effortlessly through thick, woody growth. With a wide cutting width, they feel sturdy in use and, although there's no comfort padding on the grip, these cut so smoothly that I felt no strain on my hand or wrist.

The safety catch positioned on the front of the secateurs can only be reached when they are held in the right hand. I found it stiff to move, and I needed to loosen it so it didn't require both my hands to open and close. All parts are replaceable, and they come with a lifetime warranty, making these secateurs good value for money. Kay Maguire

Read the full Felco Model 32 Pruning Shears review

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Niwaki GR Pro

Our best premium secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £90 (right-handed)

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Niwaki (£84)

Our best premium secateurs (bypass): Niwaki GR Pro

Our best premium secateurs (bypass): Niwaki GR Pro

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These robust secateurs from Niwaki feature a hand-forged carbon-steel blade that cuts stems cleanly and smoothly. The safety catch sits at the end of the handles. I found it chunky, but easy to engage once I got used to it. They felt well-balanced and comfortable to use, and cut stems cleanly. They have bright yellow handles, making them easy to spot in the garden.

A replacement spring is included in your purchase, and they come in a choice of sizes, including small, regular and large and for both left- and right-handed gardeners. These are secateurs built to last, and I think they're good value for money. A holster is also available to buy, and they come with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full Niwaki GR Pro review

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Stihl PG25 Anvil

Our best secateurs for strength (anvil)

RRP: £37

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£53) and Mowers Online (£39.02)

Our best secateurs for strength (anvil): Stihl PG25 Anvil

Our best secateurs for strength (anvil): Stihl PG25 Anvil

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These sturdy, compact secateurs cut woodier stems with ease. The carbon steel blade has a non-stick coating and can be easily sharpened or replaced, and their orange handles make them easy to find amongst prunings in the garden. They are among the more expensive anvil secateurs, but they are a robust tool that makes light work of pruning jobs. They come with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full Stihl PG25 Anvil Secateurs review

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy, they still have various features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus

RRP: £25.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£18.99) and B&Q (£28.99)

Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus

Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The secateurs are small and compact and feature a non-stick blade which cuts cleanly. There is an integrated spring closing between plastic handles, which do have a rubber grip, but only on the upper side. We found the safety catch was easy to reach; however, it was quite stiff to operate. Overall, the tool performed well, but it felt quite flimsy compared to more sturdy models. Kay Maguire

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Jardin de France Ratchet Secateur

RRP: £40.00

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Jardin de France (£34.95)

Jardin de France Ratchet Secateur

Jardin de France Ratchet Secateur

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These ratchet secateurs feature a coated carbon-steel blade that cuts well through growth. The handles are aluminium and topped with a rubber grip for added comfort. The tool is suitable for left- and right-hand use, and both the blade and spring are replaceable. We found the safety catch could be fiddly, and the three-gear ratchet did occasionally slip. There is a one-year warranty included, and we thought the secateurs were great value for money overall. Kay Maguire

Darlac Super Classic Ratchet

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£14.99), D.T. Brown (£21.95) and Mr Fothergills (£21.95)

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Darlac Super Classic Ratchet Secateurs

Darlac Super Classic Ratchet Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These Darlac ratchet secateurs come with an impressive 25-year warranty. The coated SK5 steel blade cuts smoothly, although the action took longer than other models tested. The tool has a wide cutting width, which is useful on larger stems. However, the handles were also quite large, which made them trickier to handle. Replaceable parts are available. Kay Maguire

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Bulldog Ratchet Pruning Secateurs

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.1/5

A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£14.28), B&Q (£16.60) and Tooled Up (£13.95)

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

These secateurs feel strongly made and robust, and are generally heavy and solid in the hand. The four-ratchet mechanism cuts through 2cm of dead wood easily and cleanly, and the coating on the steel blade protects against corrosion. The soft-grip handle is nicely ridged, offering an excellent grip, and the little oiler pad set into the handle is a nice touch and proved handy when testing. Despite a shorter warranty than some other secateurs on test, these feel like a sturdy and strongly made pair of secateurs. Jane Moore

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Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty

RRP: £25.99

Our rating: 4/5

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£24), B&Q (£28.94) and On Buy (£31.10)

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Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These classic secateurs feel sturdy, capable and long-lasting. They have rubber shock absorbers on the handles to make cutting larger stems comfortable, but the central safety catch often caught halfway through a cut, which was frustrating. Cutting width also needed to be adjusted for different-sized stems. The plastic-coated handles are bright red, so they are easy to spot if mislaid. Replacement blades and springs are available, and they have a 10-year guarantee. Kay Maguire

Read the full Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass Secateur review

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Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil

RRP: £59.99

Our rating: 4/5

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£41.03), B&Q (£49.99) and Tooled Up (£44.95)

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Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil

Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With an integral spring, these large anvil secateurs are comfortable to use. The blade feels sharp and is angled, making accessing difficult cuts much easier. Plastic grips on the aluminium handles make holding them softer and less cold. However, the wrist cord just gets in the way, and larger cuts were a struggle. They're more expensive than some, but they have great features, the blades and springs are replaceable, and they have a long guarantee. Kay Maguire

Read the full Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil Secateurs review

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Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp Ratchet Anvil Secateurs

RRP: £32.49

Our rating: 3.9/5

A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£19.99), B&Q (£23,18) and Tooled Up (£27.95)

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

Well-made and robust with a cast aluminium body, these secateurs offer a cutting width of 2cm, with a ratchet action in four stages. On hard, dead wood, the secateurs cut cleanly and well, although they opened too widely to offer leverage for smaller hands. The blade is coated with PTFE, a non-stick coating that gives a cleaner, smoother cut while also protecting the blade from rust. A finger guard offers protection, while the catch can be closed with one hand and is easily opened by a gentle squeeze action. With a 10-year guarantee, this is a good buy for any keen gardener who deals with a lot of woody winter pruning. Jane Moore

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Burgon & Ball Ratchet Pruner

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 3.5/5

A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Available from: Burgon & Ball (£24.99)

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner in use. Image: Jane Moore

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner in use. Image: Jane Moore

With a wide cutting width of 2.5cm, these secateurs feature a three-stage ratchet and a high-carbon steel blade, offering 2.5 times more cutting power. The handle is nicely moulded with finger protection, although it feels like it is made for larger hands, with the opening width wider than some hands can deal with, reducing the leverage and grip necessary to cut larger branches. The catch is easy to open one-handed, but more difficult to close in this fashion. With a 10-year warranty, these are a good buy for a gardener with larger hands. Jane Moore

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Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to work out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. If you're pruning larger branches, take a look at our reviews of the best electric secateurs, best loppers, best pruning saws and the best mini chainsaws and best wood-splitting axes. For help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows or the best garden shredders.

Choosing the right type of secateurs

Watch Alan Titchmarsh's guide to choosing the right type of secateurs. He helps you identify the difference between bypass, anvil and ratchet secateurs and explains which gardening tasks each type of secateurs is best suited to.

Why do you need to clean secateurs?

Once you’ve bought your secateurs, it’s important to look after them so they last as long as possible.

See our video, where Alan Titchmarsh shows you how to clean your secateurs for help

How we tested secateurs

The secateurs were tested around the garden on perennials, trees and shrubs and at different times of the year. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, take a look at How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

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This review was last updated in May 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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