{"id":161,"date":"2025-10-02T11:15:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T08:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=161"},"modified":"2025-10-02T11:15:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T08:15:15","slug":"the-14-best-secateurs-in-2025-as-tested-by-our-experts-bypass-anvil-and-ratchet-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=161","title":{"rendered":"The 14 best secateurs in 2025, as tested by our experts \u2013 bypass, anvil and ratchet types"},"content":{"rendered":"

Secateurs are an indispensable tool, essential for tidying up around the garden. While tools like hedge trimmers <\/a>and other cordless garden tools<\/a> are ideal for taking on heavy duty tasks, secateurs are a simple, hand-held tool used for keeping on top of pruning, dead-heading, cutting back perennials and harvesting fruit, veg and flowers.<\/p>\n

Available as bypass, anvil and ratchet, each type is designed for a particular job:<\/p>\n

Bypass Secateurs<\/strong> have two blades, which cut like a pair of scissors with a sharpened blade crossing over a thicker metal platform. They’re pointed to help them get in amongst stems and branches and are ideal for cutting stems between 10 and 15mm thick. They’re suitable for greener growth and should cut cleanly, so it\u2019s important to keep them sharp. Read our guide on how to sharpen secateurs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anvil secateurs<\/strong> have one blade that cuts like a knife, with the blade pushing through a stem or branch onto a lower block, in a similar manner to a knife on a chopping board. They’re useful for cutting through thicker, woodier stems and dead wood.<\/p>\n

Ratchet secateurs<\/strong> have either anvil or bypass blades and feature ratchet springs and mechanisms to ease effort and cut through a stem in a series of stages. This type of tool can make tougher cuts gradually as you repeatedly squeeze and release the handles to get through the growth, and they are particularly useful for gardeners who lack strength.<\/p>\n

View Affiliate Playlist on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n

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Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to work out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. If you’re pruning larger branches, take a look at our reviews of the best electric secateurs<\/a>, best loppers,<\/a>\u00a0best pruning saws<\/a> and the best mini chainsaws<\/a> and best wood-splitting axes.<\/a>\u00a0 For help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows<\/a> or the best garden shredders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Secateurs Buyer’s Guide – video<\/strong><\/h3>\n

View Green Video on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n

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Best secateurs to buy at a glance<\/h2>\n

Bypass secateurs<\/h3>\n