The 9 Best Pruning Saws of 2024 for Trimming Trees and Shrubs, Tested
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Garden shears and loppers aren’t always sufficient for cutting branches. To tidy up landscaping and enhance curb appeal, having a pruning saw handy is key.
Keeping your yard tidy requires more than one tool, and a trusty pruning saw is among the best for trimming small branches and shrubs. Pruning saws are well suited to cutting branches too thick for pruning shears or loppers to handle, and they’re ideal when working overhead because they require just one hand to operate.
What constitutes the best pruning saw will depend on the user and the type of trimming tasks undertaken. Michael Clark, landscape architect, horticulturist, and founder of Yardwork, an online plant and landscaping platform, says that the number of teeth a saw has per inch is a main feature to consider: “Most larger curved saws have less teeth per inch, about 5 to 7, leaving a rougher cut, whereas smaller, straight saws tend to have more teeth per inch, between 7 and 8, providing a more precise, clean cut.”
To help consumers choose the right teeth per inch, saw type, and blade length, we tested a host of popular models, judging them by our stringent standards. Our favorite was the Fiskars 15″ Power Tooth Softgrip D-Handle Saw because of its efficacy, durability, and value. Ahead, read our individual reviews for performance details on our lineup of top models and learn what to look for when choosing the best pruning saw for your needs.
- BEST OVERALL: Fiskars 15″ Power Tooth Softgrip D-Handle Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rexbeti 8″ Folding Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SAW GRIP: Corona 18″ D-Handled RazorTooth Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST POLE MOUNT: Corona 10′ DualLink Tree Saw and Pruner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOLDING: Felco 600 Pull-Stroke Pruning Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH SCABBARD: Kanzawa Samurai Ichiban 13″ Curved Pruning Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ON-THE-GO: Flora Guard Folding Hand Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EXTENSION: Fiskars Pruning Stik Extendable Tree Pruner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LANDSCAPERS: Silky Saws Zubat Professional 330mm Hand Saw
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Time spent testing | 20 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $15 to $150 |
Our Top Picks
To qualify as a top pick, a pruning saw must be durable and well made with a sharp, high-quality blade. Check out our product reviews to learn more about how these tree trimming tools performed in our tests.
Best Overall
Fiskars 15" Power Tooth Softgrip D-Handle Saw
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 5/5;Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 15 inches
- Teeth per inch: 6
- Weight: 13.4 ounces
What We Like
- Fast 2-way cutting action with chrome-plated steel blade
- Comfortable nonslip grip
- Handle engineered for both undercutting and top cutting
What We Don’t Like
- Too large for tight spaces
With a 15-inch curved blade made from precision-ground steel, the Fiskars pruning saw offers impressive durability and strength. The gently curved blade is well suited to trimming away branches both overhead and in low areas. Its straight teeth can cut on both the push or pull stroke, making it great for sharp, clean cuts.
A nonslip ergonomic handle and light weight of less than a pound reduce hand and arm fatigue, and a pistol grip allows for added control. With the attached handle, the entire saw measures 21.62 inches long.
In our tests, the Fiskars 15-inch pruning saw was sharp and fast, thanks to its two-way cutting action. The blade offered adequate flexibility with good rigidity to resist buckling on the push stroke. While fairly lightweight and maneuverable, it did not fit well into smaller branch crotch areas, so we recommend using it with a pair of the best loppers for removing any 1- to 2-inch branches. A good saw for maintaining established trees and shrubs, it would also come in handy when camping. Be sure to buy a scabbard (sold separately) to store the saw safely.
Get the Fiskars Power Tooth pruning saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware,Walmart, or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Best Bang For The Buck
Rexbeti 8" Folding Saw
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 4/5;Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 8 inches
- Teeth per inch: 7
- Weight: 9.76 ounces
What We Like
- Great value for less frequent pruning
- Capable cutter for branches 1 to 5 inches thick
- Nonslip handle and secure blade lock for safety
What We Don’t Like
- Some play in blade pivot on tested model
Weekend landscapers need not spend a fortune for a good-quality pruning saw to get unruly shrubs in shape. The affordable Rexbeti pruning saw has a straight 8-inch blade with wide-set 7-teeth-per-inch (TPI) construction to make quick work of trimming away unwanted branches. The Rexbeti saw blade is made from durable SK-5 steel for long-lasting sharpness and durability.
This pruning saw cuts on either a pull or push stroke and features a nonslip, rubbery grip for comfort. When not in use, the saw blade folds away in the handle, making it easy to carry in a backpack or on a tool belt.
Out of the box, this Rexbeti foldable hand saw failed to make a positive first impression. Frankly, it looked cheap, and the one we tested even had a small amount of play in the blade pivot. But in action, it performed quite well. The somewhat stiff blade made smooth, quick cuts on branches up to 5 inches thick, including some in narrow crotches. The locking mechanism easily operated one-handed. Even the grip was more comfortable than it appeared initially. While we’re not confident that this saw will last through many seasons of tough use, at this price, it’s a solid value purchase with good upside potential.
Get the Rexbeti pruning saw at Amazon.
Best Saw Grip
Corona 18" D-Handled RazorTooth Saw
Photo: homedepot.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 5/5;Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 18 inches
- Teeth per inch: 5
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
What We Like
- Capable of making big, fast cuts
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- Strong, fairly stiff blade
What We Don’t Like
- Longevity could be compromised by the low tooth count
- No scabbard included
The Corona RazorTooth saw is a powerful tool designed to cut substantially sized branches. Its ergonomic grip is reminiscent of saws used to hand-cut lumber, and it puts the user’s wrist in a straight position while sawing to maximize power. An ample 18-inch blade can handle heavy-duty jobs, and it’s made from SK-5 impulse-hardened steel to resist dulling. A chrome coating adds further rust resistance and performance. From handle to blade tip, the saw measures a total of 23.2 inches, making this pruning saw well suited to the hobby orchardist or frequent tree trimmer.
In testing, the Corona 18-inch RazorTooth pruning saw lived up to its promises. We loved how it cruised through big cuts up to 10 inches thick, moving quickly and smoothly without flexing or binding midstroke. The handle construction was comfortable for making undercuts as well. At just 5 TPI, it pleasantly surprised us with its cutting power (though we still question how its longevity will compare with saws with 6 or 7 TPI). The only real complaint is that it does not come with a scabbard, an absolute necessity with a blade of this size and aggressiveness.
Get the Corona 18-inch pruning saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., and The Home Depot.
Best Pole Mount
Corona 10' DualLink Tree Saw and Pruner
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 4.5/5;Ease of Use 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 12 inches
- Teeth per inch: 6
- Weight: 2.3 pounds
What We Like
- DualLink shear cleanly cuts branches up to 1 inch
- Saw blade cuts branches 1 to 8 inches
- Features a useful 10-foot reach
What We Don’t Like
- Shear rope gets in the way while sawing
- No angle adjustment for the saw blade
For greater reach, the Corona DualLink pole pruner saw is built with an adjustable two-section fiberglass pole that extends up to 10 feet. The removable 12-inch triple-ground saw blade quickly cuts through branches up to 8 inches thick. A dual-link rope-operated pulley system delivers extra cutting power to the 1-inch pruning shear for easier, cleaner cutting action.
Truly effective and remarkably affordable, Corona’s pole saw for tree trimming worked as advertised. In testing, we found that it had good reach but wasn’t unwieldy, and the extended pole saw was fairly secure despite some minor slippage as we familiarized ourselves with the tool. The removable saw blade is very sharp and fixed at an all-purpose angle that works for most circumstances. The dual-link power assist for the pruning shear works well, but we foresaw that it might get in the way where branch density is thick. Overall, we consider this an excellent tool for the price.
Get the Corona 10-foot pruning saw at Amazon.
Best Folding
Felco 600 Pull-Stroke Pruning Saw
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 5/5;Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 5.91 inches
- Teeth per inch: 6
- Weight: 7.8 ounces
What We Like
- Compact size ideal for pocket carrying
- Tapered, chrome-plated steel blade with aggressive tooth design
- Comfortable, rubberized handle with secure thumb lock
What We Don’t Like
- Only cuts branches up to about 4 inches thick
Felco is world-renowned for pruners, especially the legendary model F-2 that enjoys enduring loyalty among nursery and landscape pros. So, it’s no surprise that the company offers a complementary tool for slightly thicker branches. With its nearly 6-inch blade, the Felco 600 folding pruning saw is the smallest in our lineup, and it comfortably fits in a back pocket or belt scabbard (sold separately). This portable pruning saw makes for fast, easy removal of branches up to about 4 inches in diameter. Though small, it boasts high-quality features such as a high-quality chrome-plated hardened steel blade that tapers away from the teeth. It offers excellent resistance to sap buildup, rust, and binding. The rubberized handle makes a comfortable anti-slip grip.
For routine yard maintenance or minor trail clearing while backpacking, the Felco 600 gets the job done. Our overall impression was of rugged durability and high quality—just what we expected from a brand known for its professional tools. It made smooth, aggressive cuts in dried-out dead hardwood as well as in sappy young pine without getting clogged teeth. The size was perfect for pocket carrying while walking around. The grip felt good, and the thumb lock was smooth, secure, and easy to use. Another plus: The bright red handle was easy to find when we almost lost it in a wooded area.
Get the Felco pruning saw at Amazon.
Best With Scabbard
Kanzawa Samurai Ichiban 13" Curved Pruning Saw
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Efficacy 5/5;Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade length: 13 inches
- Teeth per inch: 6.5
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
What We Like
- Ergonomic, nonslip grip
- Comes with a scabbard
- Tapered chrome-plated steel blade with hardened teeth
- Smooth, fast cuts without binding or clogging
What We Don’t Like
- Blade sometimes bends on the push stroke
This chrome-plated, rust-resistant pruning saw from Kanzawa comes with a protective scabbard to keep the blade in good shape and protect users from injuries. The tool’s curved, impulse-hardened steel blade makes overhead cutting easier, while a padded, nonslip ergonomic handle is designed to reduce hand fatigue. This saw cuts on the pull stroke, and it creates the smooth, precise end cuts that are desirable on living trees. From the tip of the blade to the end of the handle, the Samurai Ichiban pruning saw measures 20.5 inches.
We appreciated the excellent material quality of this curved pruning saw. Its lightweight, flexible blade is tapered so that the teeth are wider than the spine, which gives it smooth movement in deep cuts. The teeth didn’t clog, nor did sap build up on the sides of the blade. We also found the grip notably comfortable. On a few occasions, the blade flexed on the push (noncutting) stroke. This disrupted the sawing rhythm and didn’t happen on other saws we tested. That small issue aside, the saw’s high-quality materials and smooth, comfortable operation make it a smart pick for consistent use over many seasons.
Get the Kanzawa pruning saw at Amazon.
Best On-the-go
Flora Guard Folding Hand Saw
Photo: amazon.com