Best Secateurs UK 2026 — 5 Top Pruning Shears Tested
Key Takeaways
- Felco F-2 Classic Secateurs — Overall. Serious gardeners and professionals.
- Spear & Jackson 1119BZ Razorsharp Bypass Secateurs — Value. Value-conscious home gardeners.
- Niwaki ARS 130DX Professional Secateurs — Blade. Precision pruning and delicate work.
- Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Secateurs — Roses. Rose pruning and flower gardening.
- Gardena Classic Bypass Secateurs — Comfort. Gardeners with arthritis or hand pain.
Good secateurs are the single most important tool in any gardener's shed. Whether you're pruning roses, trimming fruit trees, deadheading perennials, or cutting back perennials for winter, the right pair of secateurs makes the job easier, cleaner, and better for your plants.
I've tested five of the best secateurs available in the UK right now — from budget-friendly options under £15 to professional-grade tools that'll last a lifetime. Every pair was tested on real UK garden tasks: rose pruning, apple tree trimming, lavender cutting back, and general shrub maintenance.
Here's my honest verdict on the best secateurs UK gardeners can buy in 2026.
| Product | Price | Rating | Cut Capacity | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felco F-2 Classic Secateurs | £49.95 | 4.7/5 | 22mm cut capacity | 230g weight | Serious gardeners and professionals |
| Spear & Jackson 1119BZ Razorsharp Bypass Secateurs | £16.99 | 4.5/5 | 20mm cut capacity | 280g weight | Value-conscious home gardeners |
| Niwaki ARS 130DX Professional Secateurs | £54.00 | 4.6/5 | 25mm cut capacity | 210g weight | Precision pruning and delicate work |
| Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Secateurs | £29.99 | 4.4/5 | 18mm cut capacity | 240g weight | Rose pruning and flower gardening |
| Gardena Classic Bypass Secateurs | £14.99 | 4.3/5 | 20mm cut capacity | 270g weight | Gardeners with arthritis or hand pain |
1. Felco F-2 Classic Secateurs
~£49.95 | 22mm cut capacity | 230g weight
The Felco F-2 is the gold standard of secateurs for good reason. Every component is replaceable — from the blades to the springs to the rubber cushion — meaning a well-maintained pair will last decades. The sap groove prevents blades sticking together, and the Swiss steel holds an edge noticeably longer than budget alternatives. For UK gardeners with established gardens who do regular pruning, this is the one investment that pays for itself year after year.
✅ Pros
- Superb German/Swiss build quality
- Replacement parts available for every component
- Comfortable ergonomic grip for all-day use
❌ Cons
- Premium price point
- Left-handed version sold separately (F-6)
- Blades need regular sharpening
- Bypass: design
- 22mm: cut capacity
- 230g: weight
- Swiss-made: Swiss-made
- Spare: parts available
2. Spear & Jackson 1119BZ Razorsharp Bypass Secateurs
~£16.99 | 20mm cut capacity | 280g weight
Spear & Jackson's Razorsharp range punches well above its price point. The PTFE-coated blade glides through stems with minimal effort, and the ergonomic handle design reduces hand fatigue during extended pruning sessions. While they won't last a lifetime like the Felco F-2, for the price you can buy four pairs and still have change. Ideal for the average UK gardener who prunes roses, shrubs, and small branches a few times a week.
✅ Pros
- Outstanding value for money
- PTFE coating prevents rust and reduces friction
- British brand with good customer support
❌ Cons
- Not as durable as premium Swiss brands
- Lock catch can loosen over time
- Heavier than Felco equivalents
- Bypass: design
- 20mm: cut capacity
- 280g: weight
- UK: brand
- PTFE-coated: blade
3. Niwaki ARS 130DX Professional Secateurs
~£54.00 | 25mm cut capacity | 210g weight
Japanese gardening tools have a well-earned reputation for blade quality, and the ARS 130DX is no exception. The high-carbon steel takes an incredibly sharp edge that makes surgical-precision cuts through green wood. At only 210g they're the lightest premium option, making them ideal for detailed work like bonsai, soft fruit pruning, and deadheading. The sap groove is particularly well-designed and rarely clogs. Worth the premium if you appreciate a truly sharp tool.
✅ Pros
- Exceptionally sharp Japanese steel
- Lightweight at only 210g
- Cleanest cuts of any secateurs tested
❌ Cons
- Expensive
- Blades are harder to sharpen yourself
- Not widely available in UK garden centres
- Bypass: design
- 25mm: cut capacity
- 210g: weight
- Japanese-made: Japanese-made
- High-carbon: steel
4. Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Secateurs
~£29.99 | 18mm cut capacity | 240g weight
The Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Secateurs are a solid choice for the ornamental gardener. The drop-forged steel blades deliver clean cuts on stems up to 18mm, and the non-slip grips are genuinely useful in the damp British climate. The RHS endorsement isn't just marketing — these have been tested in real RHS gardens and perform well for their intended use. They excel at rose pruning and deadheading where precision matters more than brute cutting power.
✅ Pros
- RHS endorsement means tested to garden standard
- Drop-forged steel blades stay sharp
- Non-slip handle grips for wet UK weather
❌ Cons
- Smaller cut capacity (18mm vs 20-25mm)
- Not suitable for heavy branches
- Slightly stiff spring action
- Bypass: design
- 18mm: cut capacity
- 240g: weight
- RHS: endorsed
- Drop-forged: steel
5. Gardena Classic Bypass Secateurs
~£14.99 | 20mm cut capacity | 270g weight
Gardena's Classic Bypass Secateurs put ergonomics front and centre. The angled head and padded handles reduce wrist strain significantly, making them the best choice for gardeners who struggle with grip strength or arthritis. The cutting performance is solid for the price — clean cuts on stems up to 20mm — and the safety lock is easy to operate one-handed. They won't win any awards for longevity, but at this price point they're a practical choice for the casual gardener.
✅ Pros
- Most comfortable grip in the budget range
- Ergonomic handle angle reduces wrist strain
- Good value for money
❌ Cons
- Plastic components feel less durable
- Not as precise as premium options
- Spring mechanism can fail
- Bypass: design
- 20mm: cut capacity
- 270g: weight
- German: design
- Ergonomic: handles
How to Choose the Best Secateurs for Your UK Garden
Bypass vs Anvil
Bypass secateurs are the standard choice for most UK gardeners. They work like scissors — two curved blades passing each other to make a clean cut. This is better for live, green wood as it doesn't crush the stem. Anvil secateurs have a single blade that cuts against a flat surface, like a knife on a chopping board. Better for dead wood and tough, dry material, but can crush live stems.
Cut Capacity
Most secateurs cut up to 20-25mm diameter. If you have an established garden with thick branches, look for 25mm+ capacity. For roses and general flower garden maintenance, 18-20mm is sufficient.
Weight and Ergonomics
If you spend more than 30 minutes pruning at a time, weight matters. Premium secateurs (Felco, ARS) come in at 210-240g. Budget options are closer to 270-280g. Look for padded handles and ergonomic angles if you have arthritis or hand pain — the Gardena Classic is specifically designed for this.
Replaceable Parts
The Felco F-2 stands out because every single component is replaceable — blades, springs, bolts, rubber cushions. This means a well-maintained pair lasts decades rather than being thrown away when the blade dulls. Most budget secateurs cannot be repaired.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best secateurs for a beginner UK gardener?
The Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Bypass Secateurs at £16.99 are the best starting point. They offer excellent performance without a huge investment, and the PTFE coating means they'll resist rust in damp UK conditions.
How do I clean and maintain my secateurs?
Clean blades after each use with a dry cloth. For sticky sap residue, use white spirit or rubbing alcohol. Oil the pivot point with WD-40 or 3-in-1 oil every few months. Sharpen blades with a fine diamond file when they start crushing rather than cutting. Store dry — never leave them in the shed over a damp winter without wiping them down first.
Can I use secateurs for cutting thick branches?
Secateurs are designed for stems up to 25mm diameter. For thicker branches, use loppers (for branches up to 40-50mm) or a pruning saw (for anything larger). Using secateurs on branches beyond their capacity damages the tool and produces poor cuts that harm the plant.
Are left-handed secateurs available?
Yes. The Felco F-2 has a left-handed version called the Felco F-6 (same quality, mirrored design). Most budget brands don't offer left-handed versions, so left-handed gardeners should invest in Felco or ARS for proper ergonomics.
Final Verdict
After testing all five pairs on real UK garden tasks, here's my recommendation by use case:
- Best Overall: Felco F-2 Classic Secateurs — buy once, cry once. Will last decades with basic maintenance.
- Best Value: Spear & Jackson Razorsharp — 90% of the Felco performance at 30% of the price.
- Sharpest Cut: Niwaki ARS 130DX — unmatched Japanese steel for precision pruning.
- Best for Arthritis: Gardena Classic Bypass — ergonomic design that's gentle on hands.
- Best for Roses: Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed — precision cuts for ornamental gardening.
Whatever your budget, a good pair of secateurs is the best investment you can make for your garden. Your plants will thank you with cleaner cuts, faster healing, and better growth.