Regular pruning and beautiful landscapes go hand in hand. But, what are the best bypass loppers to help with the pruning?
Trimming hedges and thinning out trees, bushes, and other larger plants in your garden might not be your favorite jobs, but they are a bit easy with the right tools.
To trim and prune back trees and large plants, you need to have a high-quality pair of bypass loppers.
But how do you choose the best bypass lopper, and is there any differences between them? This guide comes with everything you need to know about bypass loppers, and don’t miss our favorite picks for the best bypass loppers available.
| Loppers | Max Length | Cut Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars 28 Inch Bypass Lopper | 23 Inches | 1.5 Inches | View |
| Fiskars PowerGear Bypass Lopper | 32 Inches | 2 Inches | View |
| Corona SL 4364 DualLINK | 37.5 Inches | 1.75 Inches | View |
| Corona SL 3264 ComfortGEL | 30 Inches | 1.5 Inches | View |
| MLTOOLS Ratcheting Bypass Lopper | 39.5 Inches | 1.75 Inches | View |
Best Loppers Reviews 2021
Although they look and function similarly to pruning shears, bypass loppers have the ability to cut through larger branches than most lopping shears.
Most bypass loppers can cut through branches that are between 1 and 2 inches thick.
The following are some of the best loppers you should consider;
Fiskars 28 Inch Bypass Lopper
This bypass lopper can be used to cut live stems and branches of up to 1.4 inches thickness. The Fiskars 28 Inch Bypass Lopper is made of precision-ground steel and has a low-friction coating that gives you smooth cuts and prevents resin formation. The best part about this product is that it comes with a full lifetime warranty.
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The best loppers for pruning have lightweight and rubberized handles and come with a non-slip grip, which gives you comfort when working for a long time.
With this bypass lopper, you can comfortably work the whole day without feeling fatigued, thanks to its lightweight design.
Features
- 28 inches length
- Low-friction coating
- Steel blade
- Shock-absorbing bumpers
Pros
- Full lifetime warranty
- Comfortable handle
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
Cons
- You need much effort to cut thicker branches
- Ideal for lightweight work
Fiskars 32-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper
This large bypass lopper is designed to cut branches up to 2 inches thick, which is slightly above what other loppers on the market can handle. If you’re dealing with mature and large trees and shrubs, this is a good deal. It comes with hardened bypass steel with a low friction coating that makes it resistant to gumming and rusting.
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The Fiskars 32-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper comes with rounded handles and has ergonomic SoftGrip coating to help prevent blisters, calluses, and hand fatigues. Also, this is a great choice when you’ve branches that are easily accessible.
Features
- 2-inch diameter cutting capacity
- Ergonomic handles
- Aluminum blades
- PowerGear mechanism
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Corrosion-resistant
- Durable and lightweight
- Prevents hand fatigue and blisters
Cons
- Warranty does not cover damages from normal wear and tear
Corona SL 4364 DualLINK Bypass Limb and Branch Lopper
This bypass lopper can easily cut branches up to 1.25” thick. The Corona SL 4364 DualLINK Bypass Limb and Branch Lopper has telescopic handles that can extend from 27.5” to 37.5”.
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It has a comfortable handle that’s made of steel and has a trapezoidal shape. It comes with a bumper stop and ComfortGel grip that helps you cut for long without blisters and fatigue.
Features
- Telescopic handles
- 4.15 pound of weight
- Steel handle
Pros
- Expandable handles
- Strong and high-quality
- Limited lifetime warranty
- ComfortGel grip
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Expensive
Corona SL 3264 ComfortGEL Bypass Lopper
The Corona SL 3264 ComfortGEL Bypass Lopper comes loaded with great features that make it comfortable to use.
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It has ergonomic handles that offer a comfortable grip and reduces hand fatigue. This lopper features a Shock-Guard bumper designed to reduce fatigue and muscle strain when working for a long time.
Features
- 30-inch handles
- Integrated Shock-guard bumpers
- Dual arc blade design
- Trapezoidal steel handles
Pros
- Maximum comfort
- Lightweight design
- Reasonably priced
- Ergonomically shaped handles
Cons
- A bit heavy for old people
- The bumper wears out quickly
MLTOOLS Ratcheting Extendable Bypass Lopper for Gardening
If you’re looking for a high-quality bypass lopper that uses a ratcheting mechanism, this is an excellent choice. The MLTOOLS Ratcheting Extendable Bypass Lopper for Gardening has telescopic handles extending to 39.5 inches in length, which helps you cut the hard-to-reach branches.
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The best loppers for large branches come with aluminum handles that are strong and lightweight. The handles are equipped with an anti-slip grip that ensures that they don’t slip when you’re working.
Features
- Extendable handle
- SK-5 high carbon steel
- Telescopic aluminum handles
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Extendable design
- Ratcheting mechanism
- Good customer service
- Anti-slip grip
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work
- Several moving parts to maintain
What is a Bypass Lopper?
A lopper is a pruning device used to prune branches and stems that are 1-2 inches thick. Braches less than 1-inch thickness can be pruned using shear, and a branch of more than 2 inches thick will require a pruning saw. A lopper can either be classified as a bypass or anvil lopper.
Anvil Lopper vs. Bypass Lopper
A bypass lopper has the lower and upper part of the blade swept past each other like a pair of scissors. They help cut live branches and stems since they give a precise and clean cut without crushing the branch, which provides the plant with fast healing. However, they are not ideal for cutting dry branches since the blades can bend.
An anvil lopper is one that the upper blade hits the anvil, and the lower part is an anvil. They are used for cutting dead branches because they have sufficient power to crush the branches. They are not the best for cutting live branches since they can slow down recovery and damage the branch.
Types of Bypass Lopper
Regular Bypass Lopper
This is the simplest type of bypass lopper that’s great for cutting branches up to 1.5″ thick. It has few moving parts, which makes it easy to use, and its maintenance quite simple.
Geared Bypass Lopper
This is designed with a gear mechanism that makes pruning stems easier when compared to a regular lopper.
Compound Action Bypass Lopper
Compound loppers come with several moving parts, and the blade can open wider to get the blade around a branch. This helps them to cut thick branches.
Ratchet Lopper
This lopper uses a ratcheting mechanism that gives five times more cutting power than a standard bypass lopper. With this lopper, you stop applying pressure once you experience resistance. Then open it a little until you hear a click sound. You can then squeeze the handles and continue cutting. This step by step strategy gives the lopper a more cutting power.
How to Use a Bypass Lopper
- A bypass lopper is a simple device when compared to tools like a chainsaw.
- Always place the blade in the exact place you want to cut. The upper part of the bypass lopper is sharp and does the cutting, so ensure that it’s aligned correctly.
- Open the bypass lopper’s blades and cut the branch as deep as possible. No one wants to cut the wood like a piece of paper using scissors. You should not use the blade’s tip when cutting because you’ll need to exert more pressure, and the blades will be dull.
- If you’ve placed the blades correctly and the branch is deep inside the blades, cut the remaining part in a smooth motion.
- After the cutting process, always clean the blades to ensure no sawdust or sap is left on the blades. Once done, apply some oil and wipe out the excess amount with a cloth.
Buying Guide
There are a variety of bypass loppers available out there. But not all can suit your needs. Therefore, there are some key aspects you should always keep in mind to help you make an informed decision.
Length
Bypass loppers range from 18″ to 32″ in length. The length of the lopper determines the force you’ll get from the cut. Generally, the longer the bypass lopper, the easier it is to cut thick stems and branches. A long lopper also helps you to access branches that are a bit higher.
Blade Quality
No one wants a blade that bends, rusts, or gets dull after few uses. Therefore, ensure that the blades are made of top-notch steel that guarantees durability. Most bypass loppers have less-friction blades that make cutting easy and do not gather sawdust and resin. You should choose one that comes with an anti-rust coating that keeps the blades rust-free all year-long.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter shows the thickness of the branch that a lopper can cut. Most bypass loppers are capable of cutting branches that are between 1-2 inches thick. Branches less than 1 inch are better cut by a bypass pruner. And those thicker than 2 inches can be cut by a pruning saw. Therefore, when buying a good bypass pruner, ensure that it can cut branches that are 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
Handle
The lopper’s handle has a crucial role, especially when you’re using them for a long time. Look for an ergonomic handle that has a comfortable grip when cutting. If you need to reach higher branches and want more leverage, look for telescopic handles that can shrink or extend as needed. Also, ensure that the product has a bumper stop between the handles to help it absorb shock and reduce fatigue in your hands.
Replacement Parts
Even if you have a high-quality bypass lopper, it will eventually need some replacement. Therefore, it’s wise if you go for one that you can find replacement parts for.
Price
Most high-quality gardening tools come with a higher price tag, and it’s the case for bypass loppers as well. It’s always a good decision to buy a high-quality bypass lopper since it will last longer, require low maintenance, and provide smooth cuts.
Conclusion
In our increasingly urbanized lives, most of us have less time than ever to do yard work.
We need tools that can help us get the job done fast, which is why bypass loppers are so popular.
Bypass loppers are a tool that combines the idea of an axe with that of a pair of long scissors. Their design allows them to use their weight to cut through thick branches, while their sharp, anvil-like blades cut cleanly and precisely.
For the busy homeowner, these qualities, combined with their low price and availability, make them a great choice for those who need to clear out overgrown hedges or prune trees.
With this guide, I hope you’ll make the right buying decision and get the best bypass loppers that will suit your needs.
This high-quality tool will help keep your trees, shrubs, and plants healthy and free from diseases.
Happy shopping!
