Pruning shears are essential for keeping your garden looking beautiful. They can help you control what your plants grow where, cut dead stems and branches, and deter pests from entering your home.
The best pruning shears can also be used to shape plants, allowing them to receive more sunlight and grow more fruit and flowers.

There are a variety of pruning shears to choose from, so it's important to know what type of trimming you need to do before buying. These types include bypass pruners, anvil pruners and snip-style shears.
Bypass pruners, or "springback" shears, have a heavy spring that opens the blades after each cut, making them easy to use. They're most useful for light-duty pruning on softer green wood.

Anvil pruners, or "ratchet" shears, have a ratcheting system that increases the pressure behind the blade's pivot point to cut through heavier materials such as dead wood and twigs. These shears are often paired with an abrasion-resistant rubber handle to reduce hand fatigue and prevent blisters.
These shears are durable and long-lasting, according to gardening experts. They're also easy to sharpen and work well for general pruning duties.

Choosing the right pair of pruning shears depends on how many pruning tasks you'll be doing and what your preferences are for ergonomic design, durability and ease of use. Some shears offer cushioned handles for extra comfort, while others have shock-absorbing features to lessen the impact of heavy cuts.