Best Lopper UK Reviews and Full Buyer's Guide
Thanks for taking your time to read our article on the best loppers for your garden, that are currently available to buy in the United Kingdom. We think it is worth pointing out at the beginning of this article, that not every home owner will need to own loppers.
You only need these if you need to do a lot of heavier duty pruning of trees, or thicker shrubs. You may have also heard of secateurs, and quite often, many buyers get confused and buy the wrong tool for their pruning needs.
The vast majority of garden loppers have long handles with an anvil type action that does the cutting. Many loppers also have a ratchet or geared action to help do the cutting. The main use of garden loppers is to help trim and prune trees.
To avoid any confusion we have explained the main difference between loppers and secateurs below.
If you don't have time to read this detailed article, you may simply want to know our recommendation. The best loppers on the UK market right now are the Davaon Pro Telescopic Anvil Loppers. These are ideal for pruning thick and thin tree branches. They use a ratchet lopper action, have hardened SK5 carbon steel blades, soft grip handles and they are also telescopic.
Loppers vs Secateurs
Loppers
Loppers will have two long handles and often telescopic handles to help you reach higher branches. They usually have an anvil action.
Bypass Secateurs
These are a small handheld tool, that is used for light pruning of flowers and shrubs and use a scissor action with two blades
Anvil Secateurs
These are a small handheld tool, that is used for heavier pruning of shrubs and have one fixed blade and one moving blade to cut.
So all of the above are used to prune or cut back plants, shrubs. hedges and smaller trees. The loppers are much longer and larger and used for larger and higher up shrub and tree branches.
Different Types of Loppers
There are two main types of loppers which are:
- Anvil Loppers - brings a blade straight down onto a blunter cutting surface (These are the most popular choice)
- Bypass Loppers - passes two blades past each other and behave in a similar way to a pair of scissors.
Many loppers will also make use of a ratchet mechanism or a geared system to do the cutting. This ratchet helps gradually close the blades over the course of a couple of squeezes of the handles.
This ratchet or geared feature is particularly useful if you have small hands or don’t have the strength to squeeze them closed in one push. The ratchet also helps cut through thicker branches. They just make cutting thicker branches a great deal easier.
One other popular feature is that the loppers have a telescopic feature, where the handles can be extended in length to reach higher branches.
Lopper Pre Purchase Advice
Before spending a single penny of your hard earned cash, we would advise reading through the section below, as we have suggested the key features you should know about, and consider, before making your final purchase.
How much do loppers cost?
These vary in price a little. We have seen these available from as little as just £20. At the other end of the price pint, we have seen these as high as £40. There are a few reasons for these slight variations in price.
Firstly it will come down to the number of features such as ratchets, gears etc. Secondly it ultimately will come down to the quality of the cutting blades. After that, the price will vary on the brand name, and the quality of the engineering that has gone into the manufacture of the product.
If you are someone who only needs to do a little pruning, or tends to lose things, then buy cheaper loppers and just be aware that they will need to be replaced.
Which lopper should you buy?
We would recommend a ratchet (or geared) anvil style set of loppers. A good set of loppers should last you for many years. It is worth investing around £30 to own a high quality tool, that gets the job done quickly and effectively. If you have ever had the misfortune to have to use cheap or blunt loppers, then you will understand our advice.
Well engineered loppers will make short work of cutting and last you for years with just a small amount of maintenance. Loppers of this quality are ideal for cutting thicker and harder branches and can easily handle a branch 50 mm (2") in diameter.
Any branches larger than that should be cut using a saw.
What features should your lopper have?
- Ratchets or Gears - The ratchet action provides a mechanical advantage by enhancing the spring loaded cutting blade towards the anvil blade in short steps to complete the cut with a minimum of effort. You simply open the handles to activate the ratchet, then close the handle below the cutting blade until the audible click, open again until the next click and repeat the process. Makes cutting a great deal easier.
- Hand comfort - We all have different sized hands, so make sure that the loppers you purchase feel comfortable and well balanced in your hand. These do come in different sizes for that one reason
- Grip - the grip is important and especially important if you are wearing gloves. Makes sure that you can comfortably grip and squeeze the loppers. Most loppers have soft-feel non-slip grips for comfort and safety during use.
- Telescopic Option - Having telescopic handles extends from a typical size of around 710 mm up to 1030 mm for additional reach when required. These are usually made from something like tubular aluminium
- Blades - Good quality blades should be made from something like SK5 carbon steel. The better blades will also have a PFTE coating which stops them from sticking in wet sap, and also stops the blades from rusting.
- Replacement blades and parts - this is often overlooked at the initial time of purchase. No matter how good your loppers are, at some time the blade will need to be replaced. Good brands will always have replacement parts available in the UK.
Top 10 Buyer Rated Loppers
Just below we have shown our top 10 choices when it comes to buying "loppers." We base these choices on our detailed research. As part of that research, we check the many websites that sell these products. Buyers on those sites take the time to leave a buyer rating, and many also leave a review.
We collect those, analyse them and then summarise what those buyers have to say. That way, you can understand how real life buyers rated their loppers after they had bought and used them.
Best Overall Loppers - Spear and Jackson W213 Razorsharp Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Lopper
These have a ratchet action for powerful, progressive cutting. They are also telescopic and they use a twist and lock mechanism to extend the length of the handles. The steel blades are made from C50 carbon which have been hardened and tempered for durability.
The blades are also PTFE coated blade for rust resistance and smooth cutting. The maximum cut is 45 mm and they have non-slip comfort grips. The handles extends 46 cm (18 Inches) - 72 cm (28 Inches).
94% buyer satisfaction based on 3,500+ online buyer reviews
A few reasons why we picked these as our number one choice. The brand is very well known and reliable with good UK customer service, and at times that can be really important. With over 3,000 buyer reviews online these are huge sellers in the UK, and have maintained that high 94% buyer satisfaction rating.
If you remain unconvinced, then these also come with a 10 year guarantee. That should offer really good peace of mind. Finally, these are one of the most affordable loppers currently available on the UK market.
#2
4.7/5
Davaon Pro Telescopic Anvil Loppers
These are designed for pruning thick and thin tree branches. They use a ratchet lopper action that reduces the amount of effort as it allows cuts in several pressure increasing steps rather than one large squeeze. The blades are heat treated and hardened SK5 carbon steel and the top blade is larger to handle cutting through thicker branches.
This pruner works really well on thick, dead and woody branches. These have soft grip handles and a quick twist can quickly extend the handles so as you can reach higher branches. The blades are coated which makes the resistant to rust.
94% buyer satisfaction based on 1,000+ online buyer reviews
Many buyers said that these did away with the need to have to use a step ladder. Many of the buyers were ladies and senior people, and the vast majority of these said these were really easy to use, and really good at thicker branches.
There were a few complaints (around 1% of all buyers) who said the blade broke after a few uses. It is however worth noting that the vast majority (8 out of 10 buyers) said these were the best loppers they had ever used.
#3
4.7/5
Davaon Pro Ratchet Telescopic Anvil Loppers
These are designed for pruning thick and thin tree branches. They use a ratchet lopper action that reduces the amount of effort as it allows cuts in several pressure increasing steps rather than one large squeeze. The blades are heat treated and hardened SK5 carbon steel and the top blade is larger to handle cutting through thicker branches.
This pruner works really well on thick, dead and woody branches. These have soft grip handles and a quick twist can quickly extend the handles so as you can reach higher branches. The blades are coated which makes the resistant to rust.
#4
4.7/5
GRÜNTEK Anvil Pruning Loppers
These anvil style pruners use a gear drive cutting system and act as both secateurs and loppers. Buyers like these as they are small and lightweight which makes the tool suitable for everyone, whether men or women.
The gear design makes easy and clean cuts of green and dry wood: You will experience up to 2.2x higher cutting performance with the same applied force. The upper blade is made from high carbon steel and coated with Teflon which makes the plant not stick to the blade and therefore smoothen the cutting experience even more.
#5 - Best Seller
4.7/5
Spear & Jackson 27-Inch Dual Geared Anvil Loppers
The Spear & Jackson 27" dual Geared Anvil loppers provide more cut for less effort, with S50c carbon steel blades for lasting sharpness and a PTFE coated upper blade for smoother cutting. These have dual gears which give you added force when using the loppers.
The handles are made from lightweight but strong cast aluminium with non-slip soft feel grips for comfort. These are currently the biggest selling loppers on the UK market.
#6 - Best Heavy Duty
4.6/5
Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Advance Heavy Duty Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Lopper
These are a very popular choice and are classed as heavy duty telescopic ratchet anvil loppers They can cut a branch up to 50 mm in diameter. They have a ratchet action and opening the handles activates the ratchet. They have PTFE coated SK5 carbon steel cutting blades which helps keep the loppers sharp and prevents them from rusting.
They have simple twist and lock telescopic handles that can extend from 710 mm to 1030 mm. The handles are finished with soft-feel non-slip grips and a locking catch for safe storage and transportation. They come with a 10 years guarantee.
#7
4.6/5
Fiskars PowerGear Lopper Bypass
These are bypass loppers from the Fiskar's brand. They are ideal for tree branches, shrubs and hedges up to 5 cm in diameter. They are suitable for right and left-handed people. They have lightweight handles made of reinforced fiberglass. The lower cutting blade is curved for optimal catch of the branch being cut and they are PFTE coated.
#8
4.5/5
GRÜNTEK Telescopic ByPass Lopper
This model is a bypass lopper with a telescopic extension is made for cuts up to 3 meters height. It has a lever and gear ratio so as you can achieve a multiple increase in the cutting performance and provides easy cutting of fresh and dry wood and branches. The blades are made of steel and have been coated with an anti-stick covering. They are suitable for right and left handed people.
#9
4.4/5
Spear & Jackson 8071KEW Kew Gardens Dual Compound Telescopic Bypass Loppers
These are classed as dual compound which simply makes cutting easier. The blades are made from SS50C carbon steel and have been covered with PFTE to prevent sticking. The handles are made from lightweight strong aluminium and they are telescopic. These are bypass loppers.
#10
4.2/5
Spear and Jackson 4902RSS Razorsharp Steel Telescopic Anvil Lopper
The razorsharp steel telescopic anvil loppers feature carbon steel blades which have been polished and lacquered to provide resistance to rust and allow for smooth cutting. The tubular steel handles have a twist and lock extendable mechanism and are finished with comfortable grips. They come with a 10 years guarantee.
Lopper Full Buying Guide
We always like to include a full buying guide as it helps our readers find all the buying information in one single place. We have covered quite a lot of information already, but in this section we simply go into more detail.
Just below we have found an excellent video that explains the different types of loppers on the market.
The reality is that you really only need to consider buying loppers if you have hedges, certain shrubs or trees in your garden that need controlling. Most smaller shrubs can be pruned using secateurs. The important thing to remember about loppers is that they make pruning hedges and trees a great deal easier.
There are two types of loppers available on the UK market. They are known as:
- Anvil Loppers
- Bypass Loppers
Just below we explain the key differences in those two types.
Anvil Loppers
Anvil loppers are the most popular choice as they can cut larger and thicker branches. An anvil lopper has a fixed blade (known as the anvil). The top blade moves down on top of the anvil to do the actual cutting of the branch.
These can handle branches as thick as 45-50 mm (About 2") Many of these will also have a gear or ratchet system, that makes cutting easier and that is ideal for any gardener. Loppers without a ratchet do require a fair bit of strength to push together and cut. The ratchet style makes this very easy.
Most anvil loppers also have telescopic handles which achieves two things:
- It helps increase the overall leverage
- It allows you to reach higher branches.
Bypass Loppers
Bypass loppers are usually slightly cheaper than anvil loppers and are fine for cutting smaller branches up to about 25 mm thick (1") They are usually lighter than anvil loppers and are a good choice for light cutting and pruning.
The upper blade and the lower blade move, similar to a scissor action, and one blade bypasses the other, cutting the branch in the process. Bypass loppers are better to use on wat is called live wood as they can make very neat cuts.
Just below we have included a very good video that explains the difference between bypass loppers and anvil loppers.
Other Lopper Features
Telescopic Handles
Some loppers will have telescopic handles which are worth your consideration. They do two things which we have already mentioned. They increase your leverage power when extended, and also allow you to reach higher up branches.
These can save you having to use ladders when working higher up.
Ratchets, Compounds and Gears
These are just about being able to cut with less effort. A lopper without these will require a certain amount of strength. The thicker the branch, the more physical effort will be required from you.
Loppers fitted with ratchets, compound mechanisms or gears simply increase their mechanical advantage. They use engineering to increase the strength of the cutting blades. They do make the loppers slightly more expensive, but it does make your life a great deal easier.
Weight
In most cases you will be carrying these around the garden, and in most cases may be working overhead. That means holding these above your head height. That can get sore on the arms, especially if you have to a lot of pruning and cutting.
We would recommend looking for loppers that use strong but hollow aluminium handles to keep them as light as possible.
Grips & Comfort
The majority of tree loppers will have a good quality finger grip. These are grips that you can wrap your fingers around when cutting branches. Ideally you want those to be non-slip and also cater for you wearing gloves. Most manufacturers do a very good job of that.
Blades and Sharpness
Good quality loppers will have steel blades, ideally carbon steel. They will also have some type of coating such as PFTE on the upper blade. This helps prevent corrosion and rust, and also protects the loppers from wet sap.
It is always a good idea to keep blades as sharp as you can. They should also be wiped down and dried after every use. Something like a knife sharpener can be used to keep the blades in good condition.
Lopper Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As part of our research we check the many reviews left online by buyers. When doing that, we always make notes of the most frequently asked questions, that buyers have. Sadly, all too often, buyers discover issues after they have made their purchase. By including that here, it can really help a lot to avoid common buying mistakes.
Anvil loppers are always the best option for thicker branches. They are effective for branches up to about 50 mm (2") Be careful though that you don't use them on very thick branches as this will damage the blades, and also strain any mechanism. If in doubt use a saw to cut thicker branches rather than a lopper.
Pruners are also known as secateurs and these are a hand too that fits into the hand. Those pruners are ideal for trimming flowers, plants, shrubs and smaller twigs and branches. Loppers on the other hand are for thicker branches and those branches that are above head height. Loppers have more leverage and are much better for higher and thicker tree, hedge and shrub branches.
We would always recommend buying an anvil lopper with telescopic handles. They can cut any size of branch up to 50 mm (2") The telescopic handles will also allow you to get more leverage and also reach higher up branches. Ideally the loppers should also be a ratchet, compond or geared option as they give you much more cutting power.
Bypass loppers are good for smaller branches and twigs up to 25mm (1") in diameter. Anvil loppers are better for thicker branches up to 50 mm (2").
Thanks for visiting our UK gardening website which is made to help any beginner gardener. Many people enjoy their garden and our tips and advice are all written to help you get the most out of your outdoor space.
The website team are a group of experienced gardeners who share useful information and we were all beginner gardeners at some point. Enjoy!
- Enda mclarnon