Best Pruning Shears 2026: Felco and Corona Bypass Pruners
WriterPickly Editorial
Updated 2026-10-05
A good pair of pruning shears makes a clean cut that heals fast. A poor pair crushes the stem and tires your hand. Fit matters more than brand: a pruner too big for your hand is hard to close, however sharp it is.
Quick answer
The Felco 2 at $76.90 is the bypass pruner to buy for most gardeners with medium to large hands: forged aluminum handles, a hardened steel blade and every part replaceable. The Felco 6 at $71.90 is the compact version for medium and smaller hands, and the Felco 8 at $71.90 has an angled head and a shape for larger hands. Corona's ClassicCUT BP 3180D at $42.56 is the value pick with a 1-inch cut capacity, and the Corona BP 4250 at $41.02 is its lighter aluminum sibling.
We did not run our own testing on these pruners. Judging them properly takes seasons of cutting and sharpening, and a range of hand sizes, which we do not have for this guide. What we did instead: took blade and handle materials, stated cut capacity and hand-fit guidance from each manufacturer's product page, checked the price of pruners and their spare parts on October 4, 2026, and read owner reviews in volume. We kept only specific complaints that repeat, such as locks that slip, springs that fall out and grips that peel.
🏆 Best overall: The Felco 2 is the classic full-size bypass pruner. Felco lists a hardened steel cutting blade, forged aluminum handles, a riveted anvil blade, a micrometric adjustment system for the cutting head and cushioned shock absorbers.
Top picks ↓Related articles
1★ Best Pick🏆 Best overallFELCO 2 Classic Bypass Pruner
Right-handed. The classic full-size model.
The Felco 2 is the classic full-size bypass pruner. Felco lists a hardened steel cutting blade, forged aluminum handles, a riveted anvil blade, a micrometric adjustment system for the cutting head and cushioned shock absorbers. Every part can be replaced. At $76.90 it is the most expensive pruner here, and its straight, full-size handles are a stretch for small hands.
Pros
- ✓Forged aluminum handles
- ✓Fine blade adjustment
- ✓Fully serviceable
Cons
- ✗$76.90
- ✗Large for small hands
2🤏 Best for smaller handsFELCO 6 Compact Bypass Pruner
Right-handed compact model. Felco sells a separate left-handed compact pruner.
The Felco 6 is a compact pruner with the same hardened steel blade and forged aluminum handles as the larger models. Felco describes it as a medium-hand fit with an angled cutting head that lines up with the hand and wrist. It costs $71.90. The shorter handles give a little less reach into dense shrubs.
Pros
- ✓Compact handles
- ✓Angled cutting head
- ✓Same materials as the Felco 2
Cons
- ✗$71.90
- ✗Less reach than full-size models
3💪 Best for larger handsFELCO 8 Ergonomic Bypass Pruner
Right-handed. The left-handed counterpart has a different model number.
The Felco 8 has an ergonomic shape that Felco designs for larger hands, with an angled cutting head to reduce wrist bend and rubber shock absorbers. Blade and handle materials match the Felco 2. It costs $71.90. If the Felco 2 feels comfortable already, the difference is mainly the angle of the head.
Pros
- ✓Shaped for larger hands
- ✓Angled head eases the wrist
- ✓Shock absorbers
Cons
- ✗$71.90
- ✗Too large for small hands
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4💰 Best valueCorona ClassicCUT Bypass Pruner, 1-Inch Cut Capacity (BP 3180D)
Model BP 3180D, 1-inch cut capacity. A bonus pack with a leather scabbard is sold separately.
The ClassicCUT BP 3180D cuts green or dry stems up to 1 inch in diameter, according to Corona, with a resharpenable forged steel blade and a narrow-profile hook. Corona says it is best suited to larger hands and fits non-slip grips. It costs $42.56, and a replacement blade is listed at $18.87. It is a steel tool, so it is heavier in the hand than the aluminum pruners here.
Pros
- ✓1-inch cut capacity stated
- ✓Replacement blade available
- ✓$42.56
Cons
- ✗Heavier than aluminum pruners
- ✗Sized for larger hands
Corona ClassicCUT Bypass Pruner, 1-Inch Cut Capacity (BP 3180D)
5🪶 Light budget pickCorona Aluminum Bypass Pruner, 1-Inch Cut Capacity (BP 4250)
Model BP 4250, 1-inch cut capacity, aluminum handles.
The BP 4250 has forged aluminum handles, an angled head and a shock-absorbing bumper, with forged steel bypass blades that Corona lists for stems up to 1 inch. The blades can be sharpened or replaced; a replacement blade is listed at $17.62. At $41.02 it is the cheapest pruner here. Corona does not state a hand size for it.
Pros
- ✓Forged aluminum, angled head
- ✓Replaceable blade
- ✓$41.02
Cons
- ✗No hand-size guidance
- ✗Fewer size options than Felco
Bypass pruners and why all five are that type
A bypass pruner has a sharp blade that slides past a curved hook, like scissors. It makes a clean cut on living stems, which is what roses, shrubs and fruit trees need. An anvil pruner has a blade that closes onto a flat surface. It crushes green stems slightly and is better kept for dead wood.
Because most garden pruning is on live growth, this guide covers bypass pruners only.
The table shows the main differences and the price we saw on October 4, 2026.
| Model | Handles | Hand fit stated | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felco 2 | Forged aluminum | Classic full size | $76.90 |
| Felco 6 | Forged aluminum | Compact, medium hands | $71.90 |
| Felco 8 | Forged aluminum | Larger hands | $71.90 |
| Corona BP 3180D | Steel, non-slip grips | Larger hands | $42.56 |
| Corona BP 4250 | Forged aluminum | Not stated | $41.02 |
Corona lists a cut capacity of up to 1 inch for both of its pruners. For anything thicker, use loppers or a pruning saw. Forcing a pruner through a thick branch twists the blades apart.
Fit: the detail that matters most
Open a pruner fully and check that you can wrap your fingers around both handles without stretching. If the open handles are wider than your grip, each cut starts from a weak position and your hand tires quickly.
Felco sells the same basic tool in several sizes for this reason. The 6 is a compact model with an angled head. The 8 is shaped for larger hands, also with an angled head that keeps the wrist straighter. The 2 is the original straight design.
All of these are right-handed tools. Left-handed gardeners should look for a dedicated left-handed model, which Felco makes, because the blade position and lock are mirrored.
Sharpening, cleaning and spare parts
A pruner you can take apart lasts for decades. Felco and Corona both sell replacement blades and springs. On October 4, 2026 Corona listed a replacement blade for the BP 3180 at $18.87 and for the BP 4250 at $17.62.
Wipe sap off the blade after use and add a drop of oil at the pivot. Sharpen only the beveled side of the cutting blade with a small diamond file, following the existing angle.
When cutting diseased wood, wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol between plants so you do not carry the problem along the row.
How these picks were chosen
We chose bypass pruners with replaceable parts from two makers whose spare blades are easy to buy in the US. Three are Felco models because Felco's range is built around hand size, and that choice matters more than brand. Ratchet pruners, anvil pruners and powered pruners are not covered.
Recommendations are editorial. No brand paid for placement, and the links on this page are affiliate links that may earn Pickly a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bypass and anvil pruners?▼
Which Felco should I buy?▼
Are Felco pruners worth twice the price of Corona?▼
How thick a branch can pruning shears cut?▼
How often should I sharpen them?▼
Can I put pruners in water or the dishwasher?▼
Do these come in left-handed versions?▼
Check the details of the products in this article
- FELCO 2 Classic Bypass Pruner$76.90Reference price
- FELCO 6 Compact Bypass Pruner$71.90Reference price
- FELCO 8 Ergonomic Bypass Pruner$71.90Reference price
- Corona ClassicCUT Bypass Pruner, 1-Inch Cut Capacity (BP 3180D)$42.56Reference price
- Corona Aluminum Bypass Pruner, 1-Inch Cut Capacity (BP 4250)$41.02Reference price
Prices change. Check the retailer for the current price.
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