To create a beautiful landscape for your house, there are different tasks to do, from handling small things like rose bushes to large branches.
Each task requires the right tool, and what do you need to cut large branches?
Loppers.
Today, we will help you find the best loppers for large branches.
Here are the best loppers for large branches you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall (Anvil Loppers): TABOR TOOLS GG12A Anvil Lopper
- Best for Professional-Grade Applications (Anvil Loppers): Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper
- Best for Lasting Sharpness (Anvil Loppers): Spear & Jackson 8100RS/09
- Best for Seniors (Bypass Loppers): Corona SL 4264 DualLINK
- Best for Fast, Precise Clean Cuts (Bypass Loppers): TABOR TOOLS GG11A
- Best for Smooth Cutting (Bypass Loppers): Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper
| 6 Best Loppers For Large Branches | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | TABOR TOOLS GG12A Anvil Lopper
| |
Best for Professional-Grade Applications | Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper
| |
Best for Lasting Sharpness | Spear & Jackson 8100RS/09
| |
Best for Seniors | Corona SL 4264 DualLINK
| |
Best for Fast, Precise Clean Cuts | TABOR TOOLS GG11A
| |
Best for Smooth Cutting | Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper
| |
Best Overall (Anvil Loppers): TABOR TOOLS GG12A Anvil Lopper
- Stronger than other counterparts at the same price point - compound lever system with moving parts and various pivot points
- Deliver smoother & more effortless cutting experience – sharp hardened carbon steel blade
- Offer extra efficient navigation around higher limbs, higher strength and leverage - ultra-long 30” handles
- Comfortable to hold - rubber grips
- The bolts that hold the cutting head-on are not as long as expected
Start off this list with the TABOR TOOLS GG12A!
This is a well-worth option for anyone who wants truly functional and easy-to-use anvil loppers for long-term uses. With it, there’s no cut you can’t make.
Its cutting blade force is boosted up to 3 times stronger than other counterparts, thanks to the compound lever system with moving parts and various pivot points.
The blade, on the other hand, is designed to be sharper and harder for the smoother cutting experience. With such a combination, it is easy for even arthritis people or elderly gardeners to use.
Compared to the 22” TABOR TOOLS model, its ultra-long 30” handles give you extra efficient navigation around higher limbs. Not to say that this upgraded design delivers more strength and leverage. It also has comfortable rubber grips to easily cut any branch.
| TABOR TOOLS GG12A Anvil Lopper Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.68 pounds |
Handle Length | 30” |
Total Length | 30.71” |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 2” |
Highlight Features | Compound lever system with moving parts and various pivot points |
At a budget of around $70, if you want a lopper with stronger compound action power and extra leverage, this is the best overall performer.
Best for Professional-Grade Applications (Anvil Loppers): Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper
- Efficient, durable, and long-lasting - PTFE nonstick high-carbon steel blade
- Give high leverage, cut force, and comfortable grips - 32” fiberglass handles & longer 8” nonslip foam
- Affordable – at around $35
- The foam hand grips are not well glued
- Feel a bit flimsy
Next up is the Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper which takes our Best Buy for Professional-Grade Application Award.
Out of a bunch, this model stands out for using PTFE high-carbon steel blade, and it is able to re-sharpen as well as replace to save more. Above all, wrapped around this blade is a nonstick coating go it won’t get stuck with SAP or worn out quickly.
Another notable feature is its 32” fiberglass handles combined with longer 8” nonslip foam grips, giving not just more comfort but also leverage.
Although it is priced nearly half the previous option, the lopper has the same cutting power with 1 1/2” cut capacity.
| Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.67 pounds |
Handle Length | 32 Inches |
Total Length | 31.75” |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 1 1/2" |
Highlight Features | PTFE nonstick high-carbon steel blade |
Strong cut power, high leverage, and ultra-durable at a very low price, we find nothing can beat the Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper for professional-grade applications.
Best for Lasting Sharpness (Anvil Loppers): Spear & Jackson 8100RS/09
- Good at sharpness retention - tempered and hardened PTFE-coated C50 carbon steel blade
- Reliable - British growing 2018 award winner
- Versatile - twist and lock extendable mechanism
- Not for heavy-duty tasks
We think you’ll love this lopper if all you need is something with longer-lasting sharpness in the blade.
Not only does it coated with PTFE material for nonstick properties to hence cut more smoothly but the blade is also tempered and hardened for higher durability.
The most important thing is its C50 carbon steel alloy, which is known for decent sharpness retention, even in constant heavy cuts. In fact, this feature was key to help it become the British growing 2018 award winner.
Regardless, we really like the extendable handle design, from 18” to 28”, using a twist and lock extendable mechanism to capably handle powerful progressive cutting. And finally, "Made in England" means the best in the world.
| Spear & Jackson 8100RS/09 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.48 pounds |
Handle Length | 18 Inches to 28 Inches |
Total Length | 26.38” (when the handle is not extended) |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 45mm |
Highlight Features | Tempered and hardened PTFE-coated C50 carbon steel blade |
If you’re finding the best loppers with lasting sharpness for large branches, this is it!
Best for Seniors (Bypass Loppers): Corona SL 4264 DualLINK
- Enhance input force - Dual Link compound cutting action
- Keep arms and shoulders from shock after tough cuts - shock-guard bumper system
- Not really ideal for bushes – the design is unable to modify
- A bit heavy for long periods of over-the-head use
The SL 4264 DualLINK is one of the bestselling bypass loppers of Corona at the current, and also highly recommended for seniors.
Why?
Because it makes cutting branches and limbs from a tiring, exhausting task to be more effortless. That’s a big thank you to the Dual-Link compound cutting action which boosts input force to many times stronger, giving smoother cutting experience.
Besides, the shock-guard bumper system protects the user’s shoulders and arms against shock after cutting through tough branches.
If you’re also suffering arthritis, it’s good to go.
| Corona SL 4264 DualLINK Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.8 pounds |
Total Length | 31.5” |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 1-3/4 Inches |
Highlight Features | Dual Link compound cutting action |
As highlighting Dual Link compound cutting action and shock-guard bumper system, the SL 4264 DualLINK is our Top Pick for seniors.
Best for Fast, Precise Clean Cuts (Bypass Loppers): TABOR TOOLS GG11A
- Able to make a quick chop - low-friction non-stick coated gliding blade & 1 3/4
- The handles open too wide
- A bit heavy
- Hard to get into tight spots in the branching structure
The TABOR TOOLS GG11A is our sure recommendation for anyone who wants fast, precise clean cuts to preserve the tree’s or plant’s health.
Again, it features a compound lever system with a three-time blade force delivered just like the previous sibling. And it also has 30” handles with comfy, grippy rubberized grips and ergonomic design.
What sets it apart is the low-friction non-stick coated gliding blade and 1 3/4" cut capacity, allowing to make a quick chop with high accuracy. In other words, it makes pruning dramatically easier.
| TABOR TOOLS GG11A Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.73 pounds |
Handle Length | 30” |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 1 3/4 Inches |
Highlight Features | Low-friction non-stick coated gliding blade & 1 3/4" cut capacity |
We selected the TABOR TOOLS GG11A for our Best Buy Award because of its decently fast, precise clean cutting performance.
Best for Smooth Cutting (Bypass Loppers): Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper
- Rust-resistant, less gumming, and smooth cutting experience - low-friction coating on the blade
- Deliver optimum cutting force - cam mechanism combined with patented modifiable design
- The coating could be higher quality
If smooth cutting is your main concern when choosing a lopper, this fits greatly the bill.
By emphasizing a fully hardened low-friction coated bypass-styled steel blade, it is not just rust-resistant and less gumming but also cuts more smoothly than others.
The biggest selling point is its cam mechanism combined with a patented modifiable design for optimum cutting force. As a result, it’s able to handle even the toughest parts of the cut (2” diameter as maximum).
| Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4 pounds |
Handle Length | 32 Inches |
Total Length | 31.7 inches |
Max. Cutting Capacity | 2-inch thick |
Highlight Features | The low-friction coating on the blade |
For those gardeners who want a superbly smooth-cutting bypass lopper, this does the trick.
How To Choose The Best Lopper For Large Branches?
Blade Materials
All lopper blades are steel, just different types of steel.
Carbon steel: this is the best material to cut large branches. Carbon steel blades can also be sharpened easily with a sharpening stone. But they tend to rust easily, so you need to clean it after each use.
Stainless steel: this material doesn’t rust, but it’s not as tough as carbon steel. We don’t recommend stainless steel blades for cutting large branches because they tend to bend. They are not as easy to sharpen either.
Non-stick coating: the best of both worlds. This type is essentially carbon steel blades with a non-stick coating layer like titanium or Teflon to prevent rusting. These blades also remain sharp for a longer time.
Handle Length
The handle length varies among different lopper models, from 15 inches to 32 inches. This factor determines how much leverage you have, the longer the handle, the more leverage. However, longer handles make the lopper heavier and more difficult to work with.
Therefore, you should choose long handles that you can work with comfortably.
Cutting Action
There are different types of loppers for different purposes, such as manual loppers for small branches and ratcheting loppers for trimming. For large branches, you should get compound action loppers.
This type of loppers has one or more pivoting arms at the fulcrum for increase cutting force. It’s worth noting that this type contains extra steel and is heavier to hold than other types.
Grip
Loppers come in various sizes, materials, and shapes of grip. While foam grips are the most comfortable to hold, they are also the most vulnerable. The best choice here is rubber grips that reduce hand fatigue, blisters and prevent slipping.
Types
There are two cutting blade options: anvil and bypass, one of them are better for cutting large branches.
Bypass: this is the most commonly used, featuring two blades sliding past each other like the scissors. This type of blades gives the cleanest cut on live wood, but often get jammed or blended when cutting dry, dead branches.
Anvil: this type of blades has a straight blade for cutting when it closes onto a flat edge (anvil). The blade tends to crush stems when it cuts, so it’s better for deadwood. This type is suitable for large branches.
Overall, to cut large branches, you should opt for anvil loppers.
Which Brands Make The Best Lopper For Large Branches?
TABOR TOOLS
Founded in 1982, this brand has got 38 years in the industry. It offers loppers with outstanding design, functionality, and a long life span.
Corona Tools
If you’re looking for reliable loppers, this is another go-to brand. With a hundred years of experience, it guarantees quality, utility, and craftsmanship.
Spear & Jackson
Since its foundation in 1760, Spear & Jackson has specialized in making steel tools, including loppers among other products. If you want a long-standing brand for more trust, you should really try this brand.
Fiskars
Over the past three centuries, this brand has made tools to make tasks easier for you. Its strength lies in innovation for each product.
FAQs
What are loppers used for?
Loppers are used for pruning twigs and branches, featuring very long handles.
Which is better Anvil or Bypass loppers?
This depends on what type of branches you’re dealing with. The bypass is suitable for live wood while the anvil is better for dry, dead, thicker branches.
How to sharpen loppers?
Clean the loppers with warm water and soap to get rid of the debris.
Use a fine whetstone, soak it in vegetable oil or motor oil for lubrication.
Rub the blade on the whetstone’s curved inward area. Don’t press too much.
Add more oil on the stone and sharpen the blade until it’s 1 mm thick.
Once you’re done, clean the blades.
How to repair loppers?
One of the most common problems is when the knuckles touch before the cutter closes. Here’s how to fix it:
Measure the distance between the cut link halves, cut it in half.
Choose to either make a new link or weld the existing one. If you weld it, insert a small piece of metal between the two halves of the link. Put the whole thing on a flat surface and start welding.
If you want to replace it with a new one, just cut the link, remove it, and insert the new one on. Weld it.
What is the difference between a lopper and a pruner?
Pruners are used with one hand to stem around 0.5 inches in width, suitable for small branches. Meanwhile, loppers are used with two hands to stem around larger branches.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best loppers for large branches, making a selection can be an overwhelming task. This review is designed to help layout the difference in the avalanche options on the market these days. Thanks for reading!
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
