The 40V G-Max (22262) Cordless Hedge Trimmer is designed for the homeowner and DIYer who doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles (and let’s be honest – most of us don’t need all of the “extras”). All in all, I give the Greenworks 22262 high marks for its broad usability, comfortable grip, lightweight, and battery life adequate for all my trimming needs. Continue Reading
This unique compound action bypass lopper makes clean cuts through 1.5 inch branches and then “grabs” the cut branch, letting you pull it out of a shrub or place it where you want it (rather than having to pick it up after it’s fallen to the ground). Sharp blades and comfortable handle grips make it easy to work with. Continue Reading
This ratcheting anvil pruner has a lot going for it, with non-slip ComfortGEL® grips, a very sharp carbon steel blade and the cutting power of a ratchet mechanism. It makes incredibly precise pruning cuts in live wood with no damage to the remaining bark. The only quibble I have is the locking mechanism and its tendency to pinch when the pruner is held in the left hand. Outside of this, the pruner is well worth Continue Reading
The Corona Adjustable Grip bypass pruner is an innovative product that adjusts to fit different hand sizes and fits both small and large hands very well. It has excellent fit and finishes, a reliable locking mechanism, soft comfortable grips, and an easy-to-maneuver angled cutting head, although the bumpers don’t cushion as well as they should when making larger cuts. It cuts cleanly up to ¾ inches (not the 7/8 inches claimed on the packaging). For Continue Reading
This is a decent pole chainsaw that cuts aggressively but can stop unexpectedly. I had stopping problems with the first saw I tested but Redback Customer Service quickly sent me a replacement that didn’t have the same issues. It’s well balanced, easy to use with the included shoulder strap and will run for about 25 minutes when fully charged. The instruction manual needs a major revamp and the bar and chain oiler cap has the Continue Reading
This powerful lopper can cut through up to 2” of live wood. The bumper and padded handles provide support, and the lever and long handles ensure a clean cut. Continue Reading
The Redback 40V 4.0 Li-Ion Chainsaw (106068) has all the necessary power to cut through anything from small brush to 10.5” logs, making it comparable to a consumer-grade, gasoline-powered chainsaw. It’s lightweight, easy to use, has a plethora of built-in safety features and is sturdy enough to tackle just about anything. I recommend it without any reservations – it’s simply the best cordless chainsaw I’ve tested to date. Continue Reading
The relatively light weight, coupled with long arms and sturdy bumpers on this hedge shear allow you to work for extended periods without a lot of fatigue. The wavy-edged, chrome plated blades grip branches firmly for easy cutting. And while the $69 price tag is higher than most, this tool features a lifetime warranty and is built to last. Highly recommended. Continue Reading
This cordless, rechargeable pruner promises to make pruning easier for those with limited grip strength or arthritis, and those who do a lot of pruning. However, we found that those with larger hands thought it was comfortable to use, but gardeners with smaller hands and those with arthritis or little grip strength had trouble with it. It has limited utility as it won’t cut through anything thicker than ½ inch (and that’s only in softer Continue Reading
At only $9.97, the Melnor Talon bypass pruner is a perfect example of “you get what you pay for.” It works but it has some quality issues (burrs form on the cutting blade), it cuts through only ¾-inch branches (rather than the claimed 1 inch), and it pinches your hands with each cut. If you have large hands and a limited budget, this pruner may work for you. If you have small hands, give it Continue Reading
The Sun Joe 16 in cordless chainsaw is a powerful tool, well balanced, with important safety features. However, its one flaw is the amount of times it stops while cutting. Continue Reading
The Corona FlexDIAL with ComfortGEL¨ grips bypass pruner (BP4214) has a unique adjustment system (the FlexDIAL) that adjusts handle width (and cutting capacity) for those with different size hands. It initially made clean cuts through material up to ¾ inches while in the highest width setting (it will only cut ¼ inch stems while in the "small hands" position). However, the cutting blade quickly burred and developed a flat spot making it unusable. Its unclear whether this is Continue Reading
At only 18 inches long, the Fiskars PowerGear2 is a smaller version of its larger brethren. It can get into tight pruning spaces, makes clean cuts, stays sharp even after cutting deadwood, and is comfortable to hold. However, I was underwhelmed by its inability to cut 1 ½ inch diameter material as claimed and it would benefit from a bumper between the handles to absorb shock. Continue Reading
You may have to adjust the blade tension before using this ergonomically designed bypass pruner. Be aware that you’ll need a Torx or star drive screwdriver or key wrench to do that. Once adjusted, the pruner makes beautiful cuts in ¾ material – but not the 1 inch that it claims – is comfortable to hold, has tough German steel blades, and an integrated bumper that dampens shock. Continue Reading
This is a quality pruner that doesn't skimp on materials and workmanship. It's sturdy, comfortable and makes clean cuts in woody stems and branches. The few very minor drawbacks are a handle locking mechanism that could get in the way of the two handles closing, the fact that it only cuts through ¾ inch wood (rather than the 1 inch diameter claimed) and that it’s intended for woody stems only. Continue Reading
