Best Telescopic Pruning Shears – Choice and Reviews

Are you looking for the best telescopic pruning shears? Here you can find my reviews of the best performing models and a guide to choosing.

The telescopic shear is a tool that can be very valuable in the garden, as it allows you to prune tall twigs without having to use a ladder. It means that you will not run the risk of losing your balance and therefore of making a bad fall, which unfortunately can happen when using extendable or fixed ladders. Furthermore, by staying on the ground, you will save a lot of time and energy, since you can move from one tree to another without having to drag yourself behind the ladder, and without having to constantly go up and down.

Features of telescopic pruning shears

Compared to one telescopic pruner for pruning, these tools are much easier to study, because they have a very basic mechanism. They are called shears for a reason: at the top there is a cutting unit made up of two blades, while at the base there are two handles to be pressed to “tighten” the scissors at the top. Between the cutting head and the handles, in this case, there is a telescopic stick that can be extended up to a certain maximum extent (generally from 1 meter up to 2 or 3 meters).

These are tools that all in all share the same qualities and the same limitations as the communes pruning shears. Specifically, they are particularly suitable for pruning soft wood twigs with a small diameter (from 10 mm to 1 cm), because the blades thus remain close together, ensuring a clean cut. It is very important, because in this way you will not go to ruin the vegetable fiber of the branch, which could then struggle to heal. This is why they are not used for pruning medium-sized or too hard branches.

Then consider that the presence of the extendable stick allows the telescopic pruning shears to reach even the branches that are difficult to access, and the most hidden ones. In addition, the shear in question has a scissor with a “cut and hold” system: this means that, once the branch has been pruned, it gets stuck between the two blades, so you can bring it to the ground without letting it hang in the middle of the branches of the tree. .

The system in question, then, is also very useful when you use the shears to collect the fruit, as this remains “anchored” to the scissors and does not fall. Usually, to take advantage of this feature, you just need to turn the stick and use the shears on the other side.

Best telescopic pruning shears

1. Primus Rose RosenKavalier Telescopic 01410 (1.3 – 2 meters)

If you are looking for the best telescopic pruning shears, this shear might be for you. It has a shaft that can be extended from a minimum of 1.3 meters up to a maximum of just over 2 meters, and at the top of the cutting body you also find a folding section, which allows you to angle the blades. In addition, it is equipped with a “cut and hold” system and can count on excellent manufacturing materials, very robust and durable.

Consider that, having a rather small pair of pruning shears, it is best to use it to prune twigs with a maximum diameter of 10 millimeters. As a result, it is a tool especially designed for pruning tall roses, but also perfectly suited to small reeds, shrubs with thin branches and creepers. It is quite light since, when mounted on an aluminum shaft, it weighs just under 1 kilo.

One of its most interesting qualities is the presence of a joint just before the cutting unit: this system allows you to change the angle of the blades, turning them for a maximum of 45 degrees to the right and left. This way you can arrange the shears in the perfect position to cut any twigs, even those that are hidden and very difficult to reach.

The blades are excellent, very sharp and made of carbon steel. They also have a non-stick coating, which prevents the resin from sticking: in short, it reduces friction on the wood and thus protects the bark. In addition, these extendable pruning shears have a cutting unit that can be disassembled and replaced when it wears out. Finally, the blade system is hinged, and is excellent for clean cuts of twigs.

2. Vigor 70600-18 / 6 Extendable Scissors (1.8 – 3 meters)

Do you need a telescopic shear capable of reaching up to 3 meters in height? This model from Vigor is one of the few that can guarantee this value, and moreover it is produced by a brand that is a guarantee. These telescopic pruning shears start at a minimum of 1.8 meters, so they are quite tall, and have the canonical swing cutting system, which improves accuracy and safeguards the health of the bark.

As for the maximum cutting diameter, the technical data sheet clearly explains that it is better not to exceed 15 mm in branch thickness. If you keep to that level, you will notice that the effort in pruning the branches is zero, also thanks to two really sharp and performing blades. Of course, pushing yourself very high will make it a bit difficult to center the twigs and manage the pruner, but this is completely normal.

What are the other details to point out? It’s not heavy at all (about 1 kilo), has an ergonomic, non-slip coated handle, and is great for pruning roses and more. However, consider that in this case the cutting head is not adjustable but fixed, so you will not be able to customize its angle. Secondly, this telescopic pruning shear is really sturdy and handy.

There are those who also use it to cut branches with a diameter greater than 1 centimeter. The steel blades allow it, but it is clear that in that case it will be more difficult, because you will have to force a lot on the handle of the shear. However, remember that telescopic shears are not designed for limbing, but precisely for pruning, so it is best to use them for that purpose. Finally, it has an affordable price and also has the “cut and hold” system.

There is also a completely identical version of the Vigor, but with a shorter telescopic rod, from 1.3 to 2 meters:

3. Telescopic Aluminum Adjustable Bow Tie (1.9 – 3.09 meters)

Here is another very interesting telescopic pruning shears, a sort of middle ground between the two analyzed above. In fact, it has a stick that can be extended from a minimum of 1.9 meters up to a maximum of 3.09 meters, with an adjustable head to change the angle of the cutting unit. In summary, it allows you to reach even the hidden branches that are located at quite high heights.

Really excellent manufacturing materials, with an aluminum telescopic stick and with the shears made of solid steel (the alloy is an SK-5). As for the maximum cutting diameter, I advise you not to exceed 12 millimeters, because this is also a tool for pruning and not really suitable for limbing. In addition, the telescopic handle has a lock that allows you to choose between 6 different heights.

The cutting head, on the other hand, has an adjustable joint in 3 positions: central, with slope to the right or with slope to the left. Secondly, it is equipped with the function to hold the branches and for example to block the fruit, only this time it happens thanks to a lateral clamp (which you can deactivate or activate at will). The performance is truly amazing, as long as you limit yourself to small twigs.

For example, it is excellent for pruning jasmine and pine trees, as well as roses and vines of course. Also know that this telescopic extendable pruning shear is not heavy at all and is very easy to use. The credit also goes to the non-slip handle with an ergonomic coating, which always makes it adhere perfectly to the hand. The only “flaw” is that, at great heights, it is not easy to maintain control.

4. Sunflower B44349 Extendable Shears (115 – 165cm)

I decided to close my reviews on telescopic pruning shears by giving you the option to choose a “miniature” model as well. This Sunflower tool, in fact, has a maximum extension of 1.6 meters and a minimum of 1.15 meters, but this does not mean that it is inferior to the others. It is no coincidence that it is an ideal tool for pruning not too tall shrubs and hedges, together with roses, laurels and bougainvillea.

The structural qualities are excellent, due to the presence of a hardened steel blade and a carbon-coated blade (the lower one). The shaft is obviously made of aluminum, so this pruner also proves to be light, comfortable to use and really handy. In fact, know that this telescopic shear is among the least heavy ever, since it does not exceed 0.7 kilograms.

There is also the “cut and hold” system, due to the supports installed on each blade, so you can also use it to collect blackberries (to give you a practical example). In terms of performance, the cut is always precise and clean, the bark and the vegetable fiber of the branch never get damaged, and the blade “glides” perfectly. In that case, the credit goes to the non-stick coating of the scissors, which helps protect the health of the plant.

If it weren’t for the limitations in terms of extension, this telescopic shear could easily compete for the first place in the standings. But I repeat that in reality it is not a real defect, but a peculiarity: if you buy it, in fact, you buy it to prune shrubs and plants that are not too tall, and obviously avoiding to exceed a diameter of 1.5 centimeters.

How to choose telescopic pruning shears

1. Extension of the stick

If you’ve read my reviews, at this point you will have realized that a telescopic shear has a stick that can reach a maximum of about 3 meters. There are also models that do not exceed 2 meters or 1.5 meters, so you have to be very careful when buying them, and evaluate according to the use you intend to make of them. However, there are no telescopic pruning shears capable of reaching 4 or 5 meters, as happens with the pruners.

2. Cutting diameter

The blades of the scissors are smaller than those of others telescopic pruners, consequently you will not be able to exceed a certain diameter, which usually is around 10 or 15 millimeters. However, there are some extra details that you should know, and that I only mentioned in the reviews.

Specifically, extendable pruning shears can also cut thicker branches, with a diameter of around 1 or 2 centimeters. Of course you will have a lot more effort, and you will not get a clear or precise result. Also, this rule only applies to soft twigs, as a 1cm hard branch will be virtually impossible to cut with this tool.

In that case, you’d rather use a telescopic saw or better yet one telescopic chainsaw for pruning, if the diameter is very large.

3. Relationship between height and strength

This is a little rule that I have learned on my skin, and that I would like to share with you, because I think it is very useful. In fact, a shear that can reach a high height (3 meters) will force you to deal with the elasticity of the internal cable that connects the handles to the blades of the scissor. The greater the distance reached, the more the cable struggles to transmit the right force to the blades. As a result, the diameter of the twigs that you can cut without effort decreases (for example from 15 to 10 mm).

If, on the other hand, you keep to moderate heights (about 2 meters), then the cable is able to transmit more force to the scissors, allowing you to cut even thicker branches, around 1 cm in diameter. This is also true at low heights, with some users using a simple telescopic shear to cut branches up to 2 cm. This is because, being low, the force transmitted is higher and therefore you will have less effort in “forcing” the scissors. All this while remembering that these tools are however not very suitable for limbing.

4. Relationship between diameter and hardness

You must also take into account the hardness of the branch. As I have already mentioned to you, a twig may have a small diameter (for example 15 mm), but be very hard. In that case, your scissor may struggle a bit, as you will have to apply more force to the handles when you press them. To give you a practical example, the force you will have to use to cut a soft 15 mm branch is equivalent to that to spend on a hard 10 mm branch.

5. Other factors to consider

• Cut and hold system: nowadays almost all models of telescopic pruning shears have a system that not only cuts the branch, but also holds it. It is convenient for bringing pruned branches to the ground, or for picking fruit.

• Adjustable head: the possibility of tilting the cutting head allows you to prune even the branches that are difficult to reach and in awkward positions, all without rotating the wrist.

• Auction weight and materials: all the temples are in anodized aluminum, a very resistant but at the same time light alloy. It is important not to overdo the weight, as this can become difficult to manage at high heights.

• Blade materials: The scissors in hardened steel or carbon are the best, as they ensure greater precision in the cut.

• Cutting system: Most telescopic scissors have a swing system, with a blade and a curved anvil support. This element allows you to get a cleaner cut, because the sash holds the branch in place.
• Non-stick coating: useful to prevent the resin from sticking to the blades of telescopic pruning shears, but also to improve even more the precision of pruning, therefore to protect the health of the plant.