Finest backyard shears to purchase in 2024

For extra assist with pruning, check out our knowledgeable evaluations of the very best secateurs, the very best loppers, finest mini chainsaws, electrical secateurs and the very best hedge trimmers. And for assist clearing up see our assessments of the very best wheelbarrows, the very best shredders and the very best wood-splitting axes.

Hedge shears consumers’ information – video

Observe our tricks to discover the very best hedge shears to your backyard

Edging shears consumers’ information – video

Observe our tricks to discover the very best edging shears to your backyard

Finest backyard shears at a look:

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In each evaluation we award the excellent merchandise our coveted Finest Purchase award. To see these and the others we advocate, browse our decide of the very best backyard shears beneath:

Finest hedge shears

Darlac Light-weight Shear 8″

RRP: £22.99

Our score: 4.75 out of 5

Professionals:

• Glorious efficiency
• Light-weight
• Lifetime Guarantee

Cons:

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase for the very best light-weight shears, these hedge shears give a wonderful lower, slicing cleanly via the branches of each hedge on take a look at. They’re remarkably mild; at simply 820g, they weigh lower than a bag of sugar. This weight makes them very nimble for exact trimming, but additionally a pleasure to make use of when reducing massive hedges and shrubs. They’re made much more snug by their efficient shock absorbers. They arrive with a lifetime guarantee.

Finest Purchase evaluation video – the Darlac light-weight shears

On this in-depth video evaluation Alex David explains why the Darlac light-weight shears have been awarded BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase standing.

Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade Hedge Shears

RRP: £27.42

Our score: 4.5 out of 5

Professionals:

• Clear lower via all hedges
• Nice worth
• Compact
• Include blade cowl and hook to hold

Cons:

• Ineffective shock absorbers
• Could also be small for greater fingers
• Plastic handles really feel a little bit low cost

They may be small, however these hedge shears pack a punch, slicing via each hedge in our take a look at with ease and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase for ease of use.Their wavy blades are unbelievable for gripping branches and leaves with out chewing them up and their measurement makes them nice for gardeners who’re tight on space for storing, plus they’ve a canopy for hanging up and defending them from rust. Nevertheless, the shock absorbers don’t work very effectively, and the plastic handles really feel a little bit low cost. The rubber grips on these handles are simply 13cm lengthy, so they could be uncomfortable when you have bigger fingers.

Finest edging shears

Darlac DP812 Garden Edging Shears

RRP: £42.95

Our score: 5 out of 5

Professionals:

• Adjustable handles
• Light-weight
• Wavy blades for a sharper lower
• Good size blades

Cons:

• Plastic flip locks on handles

A BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase award winner for the very best light-weight edging shears, these garden edging shears have adjustable handles, which regulate from 66cm to 108cm, so you should use them with a straight again no matter your peak and comfortable grips make them snug to deal with too. These edging shears characteristic sturdy, wavy-edged blades that lower effectively, and, at 29cm in size, are fast and environment friendly to get the job accomplished. Additionally they include a lifetime guarantee.

Learn the total Darlac DP812 garden edging shears evaluation

Finest Purchase evaluation video – the Darlac DP812 garden edging shears

On this in-depth video evaluation Cinead McTernan explains why the Darlac DP812 garden edging shears have been awarded BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase standing.

Bulldog Edging Shears

RRP: £39.36

Our score: 4.75 out of 5

Professionals:

• Nice efficiency
• Light-weight
• Thoroughly-balanced

Cons:

• No ergonomics
• Really feel a little bit low cost

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase for efficiency, these edging shears have high-carbon metal blades with an epoxy coating for further safety in opposition to rusting. The handles have rubber grips, however though they are not ergonomic they’re extraordinarily well-balanced and at all times hold parallel to the sting. They’re additionally light-weight and comfy to carry. These shears carried out effectively through the take a look at, reducing via the grass cleanly each time. The complete size of the blade is sharp and efficient, and so they’re skinny sufficient to sit down neatly between the garden and paving stones. Nevertheless, they really feel a little bit low cost, and no substitute blades can be found. The mechanism to open the blades can be a little bit stiff.

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Edging Shears

RRP: £48.99

Our score: 4.5 out of 5

Professionals:

• Nice efficiency
• Comfy handles
• Two sorts of metal blades – better of each varieties

Cons:

• Doesn’t at all times hold parallel to grass
• A little bit lengthy

These are light-weight however sturdy edging shears, with one coated carbon-steel blade and one chrome steel blade, for the very best of each sorts of metal – rust resistance and power. They’re well-balanced, and have ergonomic handles, that are very snug and don’t rub and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase for consolation. It’s straightforward to get these shears into place, and so they simply slice via grass. They’re a great peak, however shorter gardeners may discover them a little bit lengthy. Nevertheless, they haven’t any hook to hold them up with, and though they’re well-balanced, the blade doesn’t at all times hold parallel to the sting. Substitute blades aren’t obtainable for these and the shears don’t totally open for sharpening.

Better of the remainder

Though some fashions didn’t fairly obtain a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Finest Purchase award, they nonetheless have options that make them value recommending. Browse our decide of the very best of the remainder on take a look at:

Kent and Stowe Basic Objective Hedge Shears 8”

RRP: £19.99

Our score: 4 out of 5

Professionals:

• Nice value
• Clear lower on each leaves and smaller stems
• Gentle
• Properly-balanced

Cons:

• Struggles with woody materials
• Ineffective shock absorbers

On take a look at, we discovered this pair nice for snipping via leaves and thinner stems. They’re mild and well-balanced, and their handles give nice grip with out rubbing. Nevertheless, they wrestle with woodier materials, and the shock absorbers don’t soften the lower in addition to they might.

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Hedge Shears

RRP: £37.99

Our score: 4 out of 5

Professionals:

• Highly effective Compound motion
• Efficient Wavy blade
• Good guarantee

Cons:

• A little bit clumsy for shut work
• No shock absorbers

For reducing a variety of powerful hedging, strive these shears from Burgon and Ball. The wavy blades are chromed and coated for longevity, and so they grip materials effectively however their most essential characteristic is a compound mechanism – a lever that assists with producing further pressure, which implies they slice simply via branches. Nevertheless, they shears aren’t ideally suited for extra delicate duties like trimming conifers and the compound motion additionally signifies that they don’t have shock absorbers, which is a little bit uncomfortable. We love the ten-year guarantee.

Homebase Garden Edging Shears

RRP: £20.00

Our score: 4 out of 5

Professionals:

• Robust and sturdy
• Sharp blades
• Mushy grip on handles

Cons:

• Heavy to carry and use
• Handles are lengthy at 97cm
• Blades are brief at 24cm

These primary edging shears are produced from metal, in order that they’re heavier than the aluminium ones we examined and because the handles aren’t adjustable and 97cm lengthy, it’s value checking they are going to be snug to make use of. They characteristic warmth handled carbon metal blades, which makes them powerful and sturdy, nonetheless, at 24cm, their reducing blade is comparatively brief so it would take longer to edge lawns with these than with the others. They arrive with a two-year guarantee.

How to decide on backyard shears

Before you purchase take into account the next features-

Blades – These are virtually at all times metal; both carbon metal, which is sturdy and powerful however vulnerable to rust, or chrome steel, which is extremely immune to rust however is a little bit weaker. Typically carbon blades are powder coated to guard the metal from rust. Nearly at all times, shears arrive with a skinny coating of oil to each additional shield the blades and lubricate the hinge.

Handles – These might be easy and plain, ergonomically designed or embody grips for consolation, and are often produced from metal, aluminium, wooden or composite plastic. Metal is lengthy lasting however heavy, wooden helps to soak up shock however wants upkeep and care, whereas composite handles cannot be recycled.

Weight – The lighter the shears, the higher. These instruments get hours of use, so it’s finest to keep away from heavy sorts, which can be tiring to your fingers, wrists and arms.

Bumpers – Producing the facility to chop via powerful hedging like leylandii, yew, and hawthorn can put a variety of pressure in your fingers. Good bumpers or shock absorbers will soften the impression and guarantee a snug lower. That is particularly useful for gardeners with mobility or power points with their fingers.

Size – The longer the blades, the extra effectively they are going to carry out the job, the shorter the shears, the extra nimble. If it’s good to deal with a variety of hedging, go for lengthy shears; for small, neater work, go for smaller shears.

What are wavy hedge shears?

Some hedge shears have wavy blades relatively than straight blades. That is to assist them grip the plant stems and cease them slipping when being lower and is helpful for extra open, bigger leaved hedging. Nevertheless, wavy blades might be difficult to sharpen, and since they’re a little bit dearer to fabricate, might be pricier than extra conventional straight-blade shears.

How you can sharpen backyard shears

Sharp shears are safer and work extra effectively than blunt ones so it is value taking care of them and sharpening the blades often. Though some hedging and edging shears could include their very own specialist sharpening software, most ought to come aside simply for sharpening, just by eradicating the central nut and bolt with a spanner. As soon as the 2 blades are separated comply with our easy ideas for straightforward sharpening :

• Clear every blade on either side with a chunk of wire wool.
• Utilizing a sharpening stone or metal, comply with the bevel of the blade, working the stone evenly alongside the sting a number of occasions. Do the identical on the again, holding the stone flat in opposition to the blade and run it throughout the sting. Do that with each blades.
• Oil the blades, rubbing it into teh metallic with a material.
• Reassemble the shears by pushing the bolt again via the 2 blades and screwing on the nut together with your spanner. Take care to not over tighten.

How we examined backyard shears

We examined a spread of each edging and hedge shears, simply as a gardener would use them, on grass between lawns, paving stones and borders and on a wide range of species hedges. They have been assessed in line with the next standards with equal marks attributed to every:

• Blades and deal with. Checked out supplies and size, grip options, effectivity, and power and sharpness of blade, any hardening and protecting options and whether or not replacements components or a restore service can be found.
• Consolation. Centered on consolation, weight, stability, any ergonomic options andd how straightforward they’re to make use of for extended intervals of time.
• Efficiency. Assessed smoothness and precision of lower and the way straightforward they’re to sharpen and preserve.
• Worth for cash. Thought of the entire above plus any particular options, RRP and guarantee.

This evaluation was final up to date in August 2024. We apologise if something has modified in value or availability.