For many, a tidy garden is a great source of pride for homeowners. A key part of regular garden maintenance is ensuring that the overall health and aesthetics are kept in check, which is where the handy pruner can come into play. Pruning on a regular basis will not only help to stop the spread of disease in your plants, but will also promote new growth.
If you are uncertain about which is the right pruner for you, or wondered what the differences are between electric and manual pruners, we’re here to help. Keep reading to find out more…
What is a pruner?
First of all, let’s start by looking at what we mean when we talk about pruning tools. Pruners come in a range of different styles, each tailored to cater to specific gardening needs. Let’s look at the different styles of pruner available:
Bypass pruner
The bypass pruner is the most common type of pruner available. With their scissor-like design, they consist of two pointed blades passing alongside each other to provide a clean, consistent cut - making them perfect for working on live plants and stems.
This clean cut method prevents damaging to the plant, reduces the risk of disease or infection spreading, and encourages a speedy recovery, making them a favourite among gardeners.
Anvil pruner
With a design similar to that of its namesake, the anvil pruner has only one blade, which closes down on a flat surface (the anvil) to crush through those unwanted branches. The crushing action is not as precise as bypass pruners, but is more effective for those thicker branches - making them an ideal tool for heavy-duty tasks such as clearing out dead wood and preparing plants for new growth. Just take care using anvil pruners on live branches, as their crushing action can damage healthy plant tissue.
Ratchet pruner
Coming with either anvil or bypass secateurs, the ratchet pruner utilises a ratchet spring mechanism which allows them to cut through in stages. The mechanism locks in with every squeeze, effectively storing the progress and allowing the user to release and squeeze again and again to complete the cut.
Pole pruner
Pole pruners take the stress out of trimming those out of reach branches. Their design usually consists of a long pole with a cutting mechanism at the end. Depending on the model, this will be either a bypass or anvil pruner, although some models also come with small saw blades or hedge trimmers.
This design makes it much easier to remove dead or overgrown branches without requiring a ladder. However, their extended reach can have an impact on manoeuvrability, and will require more strength and coordination to operate effectively.
Lopper
Last of all is the lopper. Loppers differ from other pruners in that they have longer handles, which are designed to cut through thicker branches that smaller hand pruners would find too tough.
They come in both bypass and anvil styles, but offer added leverage, making them perfect for taking on larger branches without adding more physical effort. Their larger size does make them more cumbersome for use in tight spaces, which can impact their ability to create uniform cuts if used in situations less suited for them.
So with the different styles of pruner covered, let’s discuss the difference between electric and manual pruners.
What are manual pruners?
We start by taking a look at the traditional option first; the manual pruner. By and large, manual pruners are a popular and affordable pruning tool. Given their manual requirements, they offer a higher degree of control over each cut, allowing for careful, precise pruning. This precision is beneficial for those working on more delicate plants, or shaping plants to a special design.
Their small, lightweight design makes them easy to carry around in the garden, and are great for those quick touch-ups.
However, using manual pruners requires more physical input, and makes them much more physically demanding and time-consuming than their electronic counterparts. They are also more susceptible to human error - which makes achieving uniform cuts more difficult, and may potentially affect the health of your pruned plants.
What are electric pruners?
Electric pruners, sometimes referred to as battery pruners, are powered by a battery-powered motor, which reduces the physical effort required to cut through stems and branches.
This ease allows them to make more uniform cuts, which is especially helpful for large or precise garden projects. Interchangeable parts allow for different heads to be swapped in and out, meaning that one pruner can have multiple uses. Additionally, most electric pruners come with additional settings, such as adjustable cutting speeds or LED work lights.
This ease of use does come with some disadvantages. Their inbuilt battery not only makes electric pruners heavier to wield, but requires regular recharging during long pruning sessions - slowing down productivity.
Additionally, as the battery life depletes, the performance of the pruner will start to wane. There are also higher costs to consider, both at the initial purchasing stage, and in maintaining your tools.
Despite these drawbacks, electric pruners are fast becoming a popular and valuable tool for many gardeners due to their ease of use and efficiency.
Which pruner is best for me?
Now that we’ve looked at the advantages and disadvantages for electric and manual pruners, it’s time to make a choice. This will ultimately depend on your specific needs, so we’ll cover some of the most important aspects to consider.
Garden size
This is arguably the biggest consideration that may sway your decision, and for good reason. If you have a small or intricate garden, manual pruners offer the lightweight, precise control to get the job done. If you manage a large garden, or intend to prune frequently, an electric pruner will reduce the time and effort required.
Personal or professional
Following on from the previous point, your mileage will matter. If you’re a professional gardener or work on multiple horticulture projects, electric is the way to go. If gardening is more of a hobby, then a manual pruner will save you money.
Plant type
What you intend to use your pruner on will affect the type of pruner you should buy. If you need to maintain and nurture soft-stemmed, living plants, a manual pruner will do the job. For larger or more heavy-duty tasks, an electric pruner will speed up the process. Determine your use case and this will make your choice easier.
Physical ability
It’s important to remember the impact of using a tool as physically repetitive as a pruner. If you have limited hand strength, or conditions such as arthritis, then it might be wise to reduce the physical strain by choosing an electric pruner.
Safety
Safety is the most important aspect to consider when using any garden tool. While efficient, electric pruners come with the added risk of accidental cuts due to their power. Proper attention should always be exercised when working with any garden tool, and this goes doubly so for electric tools.
Eco-friendly
Consider the environmental impact of your pruner. Battery-powered electric pruners have a larger carbon footprint due to production of their batteries. Manual pruners are a more eco-friendly alternative as they do not require electricity or batteries to operate.
Maintenance
Keeping on top of your tool maintenance is important regardless of tool type. Pruners require sharpening and cleaning to maintain their effectiveness. Electric pruners will also need regular charging, battery health checks, and occasional motor servicing. These requirements may incur additional costs, so if you prefer to keep your maintenance in house, a manual pruner may be the tool for you.
Versatility
Versatility varies between pruners. Some electric pruners are designed to allow for different attachments or settings, such as ergonomic hand grips or LED work lights- making them a more versatile option to handle those different gardening needs. Manual pruners, while simpler, are designed with a one-size-fits-all approach that may make certain tasks more complicated.
Noise level
Another consideration to make is about noise level. Electric pruners, while not loud, will make a noise due to being battery-powered. This may cause some disturbance to those seeking a peaceful gardening experience. Manual pruners, therefore, are a silent solution to noise-sensitive environments.
Storage space
Given the additional accompaniments of battery packs and chargers, electric pruners will require more storage space than their manual counterparts. It’s also recommended to ensure that you store an electric pruner in a moisture-free environment to protect against water damage.
Budget
Last but not least is the budget. Due to their advancements in efficiency, electric pruners will run at a higher price than manual pruners. So, if you are on a tight budget and don’t mind the physicality, manual pruners are a more affordable option.
At Hughie Willett Machinery for example, we have a fantastic range of pruners and secateurs to suit any budget. Explore our wider groundcare equipment collection today to find the best ones for you.
Where to buy the best pruners
We hope that you have found this guide informative and helpful.
Whether you choose to go manual or electric with your next pruner, Hughie Willett Machinery has the right tool for you. Our selection of pruners come from the leading brands on the market, and are designed to cater to your every gardening needs.
Check out our range today, or contact us for more information and advice.
Shop garden pruners at Hughie Willett Machinery today
For more groundcare machinery and equipment buying guides, advice, and information, explore the Hughie Willett Machinery blog…
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