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Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Loppers

When pruners aren't enough but chainsaws are overkill. We compared loppers from geared powerhouses to traditional leverage—finding what cuts 2-inch branches without breaking your back.

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Best Overall Comparison All Products User Reviews Buying Guide FAQ

Best Overall Our top recommendation

Best Overall

Fiskars

PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper

4.7 (28,765 reviews)

The loppers that make you feel superhuman. That gear mechanism multiplies your force so dramatically that branches you'd struggle with using regular loppers just... cut. Every home orchard owner needs these.

Cutting Capacity

Type

Bypass

Handle

32" composite

Feature

Power gear

Pros

✓ Gear mechanism triples power
✓ Cuts up to 2"
✓ Lightweight composite handles

Cons

✗ Gears can strip with abuse
✗ Non-rebuildable
✗ Not for heavy commercial use

$49

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Product	Rating	Price	Action
PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper Best Fiskars	4.7	$49	View
DualLINK Extendable Bypass Lopper Value Corona	4.5	$45	View
211-40 Bypass Lopper Felco	4.8	$149	View
GL18A Bypass Lopper Tabor Tools	4.4	$25	View
LP-70 Professional Bypass Lopper ARS	4.7	$89	View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall

Fiskars

PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper

4.7 (28,765 reviews)

Cutting Capacity

Type

Bypass

Handle

32" composite

Feature

Power gear

Pros

✓ Gear mechanism triples power
✓ Cuts up to 2"
✓ Lightweight composite handles

Cons

✗ Gears can strip with abuse
✗ Non-rebuildable
✗ Not for heavy commercial use

$49

View on Amazon

Best Value

Corona

DualLINK Extendable Bypass Lopper

4.5 (15,678 reviews)

Reach without a ladder. Those extendable handles give you access to branches that would normally require climbing. Compound action provides extra leverage when extended. Two tools in one.

Cutting Capacity

2.25"

Type

Bypass

Handle

25-37" extendable

Blade

Forged steel

Pros

✓ Extends 25" to 37"
✓ Compound action
✓ Forged blade

Cons

✗ Extension mechanism adds weight
✗ More parts to maintain
✗ Longer learning curve

$45

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Premium Pick

Felco

211-40 Bypass Lopper

4.8 (3,456 reviews)

The Felco philosophy applied to loppers. No gears, no gimmicks—just Swiss-engineered leverage and the cleanest cuts you've ever made. Every part replaceable, built to last decades. For the serious orchardist.

Cutting Capacity

1.6"

Type

Bypass

Handle

24" aluminum

Origin

Switzerland

Pros

✓ Swiss precision
✓ All parts replaceable
✓ Perfect balance

Cons

✗ Very expensive
✗ No gear mechanism
✗ Requires maintenance

$149

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Budget Pick

Tabor Tools

GL18A Bypass Lopper

4.4 (23,456 reviews)

Compound action loppers at impulse-buy prices. The mechanism genuinely multiplies force, the rubber grips are comfortable, and the blade is sharp enough. Perfect for homeowners with occasional lopping needs.

Cutting Capacity

Type

Bypass

Handle

28" steel

Feature

Compound action

Pros

✓ Compound action
✓ Great price
✓ Rubber grips

Cons

✗ Heavier than premium
✗ Blade quality average
✗ Parts not replaceable

$25

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ARS

LP-70 Professional Bypass Lopper

4.7 (2,345 reviews)

What Japanese arborists use. That ARS blade is so sharp it feels like cheating—branches fall with minimal effort. Plants heal faster from cleaner wounds. The professional's secret weapon.

Cutting Capacity

1.5"

Type

Bypass

Handle

25" aluminum

Blade

Japanese steel

Pros

✓ Japanese steel blade
✓ Ultra-clean cuts
✓ Lightweight aluminum

Cons

✗ Expensive
✗ Blade chips on hard wood
✗ Not widely available

$89

View on Amazon

Buying Guide: How to Choose Loppers

How to Choose Loppers

When pruners aren't enough but chainsaws are overkill, you need loppers. These two-handed tools handle branches from 1" to about 2.5" depending on model and your arm strength.

Bypass vs Anvil (Again)

Bypass: Clean cuts for live branches. The standard choice.
Anvil: Crushing cuts for dead wood. Easier on hands but wounds live plants.

### Handle Length and Material

Short (15-24"): More control, less leverage, better for tight spaces
Medium (24-32"): The sweet spot for most users
Long (32"+): Maximum reach and leverage, harder to control

Materials:
Wood: Classic, absorbs shock, heavy
- Steel: Strong, can bend, conducts cold
- Aluminum: Light, strong, transmits vibration
- Composite: Lightest, doesn't conduct cold, can crack

### Gear Mechanisms

Compound action and gear mechanisms multiply your force dramatically. A 2" branch that strains with regular loppers cuts easily with geared loppers. The trade-off: more moving parts that can fail and aren't usually replaceable.

### The Physics of Lopping

Longer handles = more leverage = easier cuts. But also more weight and less control. Most home gardeners do best with 28-32" handles and some form of force multiplication.

Frequently Asked Questions About Loppers

What size branches can loppers cut?

Most loppers handle 1-2" branches. Heavy-duty models with gear mechanisms can reach 2.5". Beyond that, use a pruning saw. Forcing oversize cuts damages the tool and leaves ragged wounds that invite disease.

How do I maintain my loppers?

After each use: wipe blades clean, check for sap buildup, apply light oil to pivot and blade. Annually: sharpen the cutting blade (not the hook), tighten loose bolts, check handle condition. Replace worn parts if your model supports it.

Bypass or anvil loppers—which should I buy?

Bypass for most gardeners. They make clean cuts that heal quickly on live plants. Anvil loppers crush rather than cut—fine for dead wood but damaging to living tissue. Only buy anvil if you specifically need them for dead wood removal.

Are telescoping loppers worth it?

For reaching high branches without a ladder, yes. The extension mechanism adds weight and potential failure points, but the convenience is real. Get fixed-length loppers for most work and extendable loppers as a specialized tool.

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