The Complete Guide to help you choose the Best Battery-powered Pruning Shears
by the Real Experts of Pruning Equipment

    1. Introduction

To carry out gardening work, whether professional or hobby, you need specific tools, each designed to perform a precise function. One of the main activities in this sector is pruning. This practice encompasses all actions aimed at modifying the natural growth and fruits bearing of a plant.

In recent years, the world of pruning equipment has been revolutionised by the widespread use of battery-powered tools, which have speeded up both the methods and the time taken to cut a branch.

Battery-powered pruning shears, besides being much more durable than traditional manual shears, prove to be essential to significantly faster pruning of branches and shrubs.

    2. What are electric battery-powered pruning shears?

Battery-powered pruning shears represent the natural evolution of the classic gardening shears. This groundbreaking tool was designed to cut and trim branches more quickly and accurately, thanks to the mechanical drive provided by a lithium battery.

These tools are also excellent for large diameter branches. There are different types of battery-powered shears on the market, which – according to the technical specifications of the model – are capable to clearly cut through wood of different thicknesses. The most powerful models can cut through branches up to 50 mm in diameter without any effort.

The electric pruning shears on the market may include batteries mounted directly at the base of the appliance or in a housing backpack that can be connected to the shears via a cable.

The trigger that activates or blocks the cutting progress, is positioned at the height of the handle. The most advanced models allow you to change the opening of the blades, in order to adjust the width of the cut according to the thickness of the branches to be pruned.

    3. The advantages of electric battery-powered pruning shears

The advantages of using electric battery-powered pruning shears are far greater than those of conventional manual shears. What are the main factors that make electric pruning shears a must-have investment in landscaping?

• Increased productivity, thanks to the reduced working time and virtually no physical effort.
• The ability to make extremely precise cuts with greater accuracy. 
• Minimal fatigue during the work phase can prevent the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome in the long term. This condition is typical of professional pruners, and consists of pain and numbness in the hand and wrist due to repeated pressure on traditional pruning shears. Thanks to the trigger on every battery-operated shears, this will no longer be a concern.
• The convenience to use battery-powered shears to easily cut different types of materials, even particularly tough ones.

    4. What are the main features to consider when purchasing electric battery-powered pruning shears?

The electric pruning shears on the market can differ greatly from one another, due to the various purposes for which they are designed. It is therefore advisable, before moving on with the purchase, to refer to some important factors that can guide the choice of the most suitable appliance for your needs.

• BATTERY TYPE: electric pruning shears can be powered either by a battery incorporated in the appliance or by a backpack battery.

Typically, the first category of pruning shears includes models designed for hobby use in occasional, time-saving pruning operations. These electric shears are ideal for pruning small to medium-sized rose gardens, orchards and vineyards, also due to the limited working autonomy of the integrated batteries.

The electric pruning shears with backpack battery are designed for a professional use in large vineyards or orchards. The battery in the backpack allows you to work for longer without the weight of a heavy appliance. In addition, these pruning shears are usually powered by batteries with longer running time and have enough power to cut even the toughest shrubs (40-50 mm).

• WEIGHT: battery-powered pruning shears, without battery, can vary in weight, ranging from 700 g to over 4 kg. It is necessary to point out that a greater weight of the tool does not necessarily correspond to its technical superiority or higher rank of professionalism.

Purchasing lighter electric pruning shears (700 g to 2 kg) may be advisable for frequent pruning operations in vineyards, orchards or large gardens. Under the same circumstances, opting for tools with a weight between 2 and 4.5 kg would risk causing fatigue that would be difficult to withstand in the long term. Therefore, it is always advisable to buy lightweight battery-powered pruning shears, especially for hobby work.

Heavier electric pruning shears usually (but not necessarily) have more advanced internal mechanics and better construction materials. In many cases the extra weight is due to the supplied extension pole. The performance of these tools varies greatly depending on the model, but they are always designed to support pruning work of limited duration.

It is clear that, despite this advice, the perception of the weight of battery-powered electric scissors and the fatigue resulting from their use is largely subjective. Anyone wishing to use this equipment should therefore take into account not only the extent of the crops to be pruned and the type of shrubs, but also one’s physical predisposition.

• MANUAL USE OR ON EXTENSION POLE: another basic distinction in the category of battery-powered pruning shears lies on the two different ways of holding the tool.

Electric pruning shears for manual use include models that range from hobby to professional, with varying overall weights. Choosing this type of handle is the most logical choice if the shrubs to be pruned are at easily accessible heights. Most of these pruning shears have a comfortable weight for anyone, which makes them the most easy to handle and versatile.

Electric pruning shears on extension pole are an obvious choice if the branches to be cut are at heights where it is difficult to work manually or by using a ladder. Again, the level of performance of the equipment varies, but it should be borne in mind that pruning shears with extension poles usually weigh more than manual ones.

• DIAMETER OF THE BRANCHES: in order to choose the most suitable battery-powered pruning shears for your needs, it is essential to consider the type of branches to be pruned, and consequently their thickness. As the latter increases, the resistance of the shrubs will increase, and strong electric shears with suitable mechanical power will be needed to prune them.

As a general rule, for branches that do not exceed 35 mm, hobby or semi-professional pruning shears are sufficient. On the other hand, when frequently cutting branches with a thickness of 40 to 50 mm, it is necessary to use professional pruning shears, which can cut them effortlessly.

    5. Two types of battery

As already mentioned, the electric pruning shears on the market can be identified by two different configurations, due to the arrangement of the battery in relation to the appliance. This is of primary importance, as it has a direct impact on the intended use.

    5.1 The integrated battery

Electric pruning shears with integrated batteries have no cable at the base of the equipment and are very easy to operate. A battery charger is always included in the purchase to recharge the pruning shears after use. In some models, the batteries supplied may be more than one. Easy to handle and compact, the electric pruning shears with integrated battery are designed for smooth, effortless pruning.

The limitation of these tools lies in the low working autonomy of the power supply, which usually does not exceed four hours and does not make this type of pruning shears suitable for large-scale work. Therefore, these appliances are designed for hobby use, but also for professionals willing to sacrifice durability for greater ease of use.

    5.2 The backpack battery

If you need to cut large-diameter branches (40-50 mm) on a regular basis, we recommend you choose electric pruning shears with a backpack battery. The arrangement of the battery on a comfortable backpack is purely a practical solution: without the heavy weight of the power supply directly on the unit, arm fatigue during pruning is much lower. This allows all demanding pruning work to be carried out efficiently.

In this category you can also find products that are especially suitable for those who need an appliance with a longer working autonomy. Battery-powered pruning shears with backpack battery are high-performance professional or semi-professional products. The batteries supplied have an amperage that allows you to work for at least one day without having to stop to recharge or change batteries.

    6. Electric battery-powered pruning shears for manual use or on extension pole?

A second distinction within battery-powered electric shears relates to the two different ways in which the equipment can be used. While some pruning shears have a manual handle, others are designed to be attached to an extension pole. Just like the different position of the battery in relation to the pruning shears, the type of grip also influences its field and range of use.

    6.1 Manual use

Electric pruning shears for manual use, whether with integrated battery or with backpack battery, represent the most suitable choice if you need a practical and functional tool.

The ability to handle the pruning shears with one’s own hand is essential for easy and effective pruning work in vineyards, hedges and small fruit trees.

In the case of an integrated battery, the overall weight of the electric pruning shears for manual use make them mainly suitable for hobby and occasional use.

Conversely, electric pruning shears fitted with backpack battery, thanks to their extreme lightness and ease of handling, achieve a level of use of a semi-professional nature.

    6.2 On extension pole

Battery-powered pruning shears with extension pole are ideal for professional work at great heights, without the need for ladders or step stools.

In fact, thanks to these tools, pruning can be done comfortably from the ground. In addition, many models are equipped with a telescopic pole, which allows to set the working height.

This type of pruning shears does not in any case provide for an integrated battery. The batteries are conveniently housed in the supplied backpack, which distributes the weight evenly and provides sufficient autonomy for the entire day.

    7. Blade opening

Battery-operated pruning shears have blades with different degrees of opening, which define their level of professionalism and the flexibility of use. The greater the number of blade openings, the greater the ability of the pruning shears to meet a variety of working requirements.

Using electric pruning shears with an opening of up to 35-40 mm make it possible to cut branches and shrubs with a fairly large diameter. Similarly, having a smaller blade opening allows to work longer and reduces the need to charge the battery, as the time needed to cut each branch is considerably reduced. This is due to the shorter path required for the blades to cut through the branch and come tegether.

The models of battery-powered pruning shears that include three blade opening percentages (40%, 70% and 100%) offer such performance that they have been designed for industrial applications.

    8. Pruning diameters

The power of electric pruning shears defines their level of professionalism and, consequently, the diameter of the branches that the blades will be able to cut without putting a strain on the appliance.

    9. The different cutting systems

Most of the electric battery-powered pruning shears on the market not only have a standard cutting mode that mechanically replicates the traditional pruning with manual shears. In fact, many of these tools use their motor to provide the user with additional features, such as the progressive cut. While more professional models feature anvil cut blades.

    9.1 The progressive cut

One of the great advantages of having a motor fitted in a tool such as pruning shears is the progressive cut. While in some models this feature is pre-set and not interchangeable, in others it can simply be switched on and off as required.

The progressive cut allows the blade opening to be adjusted according to the pressure exerted on the pruning shears’ trigger.

If the trigger is pressed all the way down, the blade will cut at maximum capacity. Conversely, by only partially pressing the trigger, the blade will slide in proportion to the pressure exerted on it.

A first advantage of the battery-powered pruning shears with progressive cut lies in their safety: in case of emergency, the user can stop cutting immediately. In addition, this feature is very useful when pruning a large number of closely spaced branches, where it is necessary to make cuts with a narrow blade opening.

    9.2 The anvil cut

The electric pruning shears with anvil cut are a good choice for anyone looking for a tool capable of making medium to large cuts with minimal effort.

What sets the anvil cut apart from that of traditional pruning shears is the way the blades move: whereas in ordinary pruning shears, or classic battery-powered models, the cut is made by the two blades sliding towards each other, the anvil cut involves the contact of a moving blade with another flat and stationary blade. In this way, the blade arrangement is similar to an anvil.

The pressure exerted by one moving and one stationary blade amplifies the power of the tool, weakening the branches and making them easier to cut away.

    10. The importance of weight in electric battery-powered pruning shears

Carrying out adequate pruning is essential to ensure the correct development of plant organisms. For this reason, before purchasing battery-powered pruning shears, it is necessary to consider the extent of the work they will be used for. Once the latter has been determined, particular attention should be paid to the weight of the appliance.

Excessively heavy pruning shears can be tiring to handle, especially during rather long work sessions. In such a circumstance there would be a risk of less cutting precision and, consequently, a high risk of making mistakes, at the expense of the plant. When extensive pruning work is to be carried out, the choice of lightweight electric pruning shears with an ergonomic grip can turn out to be decisive: the physical effort will be minimal and pruning less cumbersome.

Typically, the models just described are the less expensive, designed to carry out a variety of pruning operations, albeit with a shorter battery life then professional pruning shears. This makes them especially suitable for tending small gardens, vineyards and orchards, where the branches are never too thick.

    11. Major brands

Before proceeding with the purchase of electric battery-powered pruning shears, it is advisable to take a look at the most professional and well-known brands in the world of pruning equipment. Choosing a reliable manufacturer gives the user the certainty of a safe and quality-certified tool to carry out pruning work in a smooth and trouble-free manner.

The recommended brands, for both hobby and heavy-duty models, are: Volpi, Infaco, Campagnola, Zanon, Ausonia, BlackStone, GeoTech-Pro and BullMach.

The following table shows the most representative models of electric battery-powered pruning shears produced by the above-mentioned manufacturers.