Gardening is a passion for many, and a well-groomed garden adds a certain level of relaxation. However, pruning your garden can get challenging, even more so when you have arthritis.
Arthritis often leads to weak hands, and it’s difficult to use hard pruners for such people. Thankfully, best pruners for arthritic hands are available, and that really does the job well.
A pruner especially made for those suffering from arthritis will have quality construction to ensure longevity, ergonomic design to provide the required comfort, and cutting efficiency so that brute force is not required.
In this article, we talk in-depth about the various arthritis-friendly pruners to help you make your ideal pick.
Update: We update this list in every 3 months as many new products are being launched in the market. However, we do follow our methods of rigorously testing any products over at least 3 months before considering it to be a part of this list.
Table of Contents
Pruners For Arthritic Hands Overview
- MEPEREZ Garden Pruners: Its design prevents soreness and hand fatigue, making the unit ideal for those with arthritis.
- Gardener’s Friend Pruners: The pruners require minimum effort to function and the ergonomic design suits those with arthritis.
- ClassicPRO Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears: The anti-shock and anti-slip handles of this unit make sir perfect for those with weak hands
- MLTOOLS Ratcheting Bypass Pruning Shears: Provides more cutting power than regular pruners without using additional force.
- Truly Garden Store Truly Garden Store: The ratcheting mechanism makes it easy to use for those with arthritis.
Best Pruners For Arthritic Hands 2023: A Detailed Review
It wasn’t easy to pick only the best pruners for arthritic hands, because honestly there aren’t many good products out there which are vigorously tested.
I have talked with more than 100 arthritic people who are into gardening, and then understand their pain points before making this exclusive list.
Features that I have given most importance are ergonomic design, ease of use, pain free pruning and safety.
MEPEREZ Garden clippers
Features
- Multifunctional and practical.
- Ergonomic design.
- Premium quality.
- Anti-corrosion, anti-rust, and wear-resistant design.
- Easy to use.
Talking about high-quality pruners, the MEPEREZ Garden clippers steals the show. These shears do not need to be replaced in 10 years.
The blades feature high-standard SK-5 steel and are sharp and cut smoothly.
MEPEREZ Garden clippers weigh only 8 ounces, and the ratchet mechanism is easy to use and labor-saving. Owing to its design, the shearing force of this unit is increased by three times.
It’s easy to cut off thick branches using this shear and does not cause hand fatigue or soreness. All these wonderful features thus make this shear one of the best pruners for those with arthritic hands.
To ensure comfort for those with arthritis hands, the pruner features ergonomic handles, an easy-to-hold shape and grip, a safety lock, and easy locking and unlocking features. It’s also straightforward to store the pruner.
Protection of the blades ensures the longevity of the unit. The blades of this unit come with a Reflin surface protector to prevent them from rusting. Owing to this addition, the garden scissors last long.
Pros
✅ Lightweight quality shears.
✅ Easy to operate the lock with the thumb.
✅ Ideal for those with weak hands.
✅ Perfect for small hands.
✅ Comfortable to use.
Cons
❌ It’s a tad bit difficult to operate the unlock button.
❌ It does not open too wide.
The Final Verdict
The product is as advertised and is ideal for the price range it comes in.
The Gardener’s Friend Pruners
Features
- Ergonomic design.
- Ideal for senior gardeners.
- Best for those with weak hands.
- Quick and smooth to use.
This pruner is perfect for those with arthritis hands or for anyone who has weak hands. These are a pair of popular rose clippers that use the ratchet mechanism, allowing anyone to cut with minimum effort.
Using this pruner, an individual with weak hands can cut small branches in one go without using brute force.
The handles of this unit feature an ergonomic design, so it’s easy to hold and use comfortably. It’s made from lightweight aluminum and has a soft rubber grip for added comfort.
Due to its design and style, left-handed gardeners can also use this unit easily. The blades are made with hardened carbon steel and come with an Anvil coating, keeping the blades sharper for longer.
The length of the blades allows you to cut through thick stems and branches easily.
Even if the blade breaks for some reason, the manufacturer will replace it with a brand-new tool. Besides, the pruner also comes with a money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the shear’s performance.
Pros
✅ Less effort needed to cut big branches.
✅ Ideal for arthritic hands.
✅ State-of-the-art ergonomic design.
Cons
❌ The locking mechanism requires some work.
The Final Verdict
The overall features make this unit one of the best people with weak hands.
ClassicPRO Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears
Features
- Classic design.
- Ergonomic handles.
- Includes sap groove.
- Features micrometric adjustable system.
- Strong and lightweight.
Another great pruner option for people with arthritis is the ClassicPRO Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears. This particular product has ergonomically designed anti-shock and anti-slip features and additional cushioning to reduce hand fatigue to a great extent.
Individuals of any hand size can use the tool without requiring extra power. Owing to its design, the tool is ideal for senior gardeners or those suffering from arthritis or weak hands.
Not only does the design help those with weak hands, but it’s also user-friendly and practical. The shear features built-in sap gaps that prevent the sap from the plants from gathering on the blade. These grooves allow easy cleaning after the work is done.
The blades on this unit are premium-quality Japanese stainless steel blades, ensuring durability. Besides, the pruner comes with micrometric adjustment features that allow you to adjust the cutting blades depending on your task.
In addition to all the amazing features, the product manufacturers also offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, and their customer service is premium.
Pros
✅ Durable and sharp blade.
✅ Cutting blade alignment can be adjusted.
✅ Shock absorbing handles.
✅ Versatile and durable.
✅ Ideally, for those with mobility issues.
Cons
❌ Difficult for people with small hands to use this.
The Final Verdict
If you are looking for an option for light cuts, this pruner is perfect.
MLTOOLS Ratcheting Bypass Pruning Shears
Features
- Enables pain-free pruning.
- Easy to use.
- Ergonomic design.
- Ratcheting technology.
- Ideal for gardeners of all age groups.
Working in your garden with arthritis hands is challenging, and MLTOOLS Ratcheting Bypass Pruning Shears makers have identified that challenge.
Thus they have come up with this particular shearing tool powered by ratcheting technology to make your gardening experience smoother.
This pruner provides five times more cutting power than regular sears.
While gardening gets painful for those with weak hands and arthritis, the design of this unit acts as a pain reliever. The tool has been manufactured to alleviate stress from your hands while providing the required force.
The unit features sharp blades that allow you to slice through branches and thick stems with ease.
In addition to the ratcheting mechanism and the blades, the handles on this unit feature a firm anti-slip coating in a soft texture that contours the shape of your hands for a comfortable fit.
The unit also has an SK5 high-carbon steel blade with an aluminum body. Thus this shear will not be damaged by moisture over time. Overall, this gardening tool is ideal for people of all age groups.
Pros
✅ Powerful and well made.
✅ Features comfortable grip.
✅ Ideal for those with weak hands or arthritis.
✅ Perfect for cutting through thicker branches.
Cons
❌ Some settings make noise.
❌ Tad is a bit difficult to unlock.
The Final Verdict
A comfortable pair of pruners that are easy to hold and use.
Truly Garden Store Truly Garden Store
Features
- Easy to use and cut.
- Sharpener and oiler included.
- Rust-free blade.
- Safety lock included.
- Ideal for all types of gardeners.
Another quality pruner for arthritis hands is this product by Truly Garden. The ratcheting mechanism in this pruner offers three times more power than normal pruners. The ergonomic handle design makes it easy to use the unit without much pressure and additional strength.
Unlike the other pruners mentioned in the list, this one comes with a carbide sharpener to enhance and ease your pruning experience.
The blade on this pruner is secure to be rust-free for a long time, thanks to the black non-stick coating. You can also apply a layer of oil yourself using the oil applicator that comes with the unit.
To keep safety on point, the pruner features a safety locking mechanism that is great for when the product is not being used.
Finally, the product comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pros
✅ Ideal for using on thicker branches.
✅ Portable unit.
✅ Excellent price point.
✅ Added sharpener and oiler included.
Cons
❌ Not ideal for those with large hands.
The Final Verdict
Quality product in the given price point.
What Should You Look For In A Pruner for Arthritic Hands?
Buying pruners for arthritic hands is quite challenging, and you might often buy cheap products. Below are a few characteristics you must consider before buying the best pruners for arthritic hands of 2023.
Materials
It’s important to consider the material quality rather than focus on product styling. If the pruner is made with premium quality materials, it will last longer than the low-quality ones.
It’s best to opt for pruners made out of steel. These pruners are rust-resistant and corrosion-proof. Besides, they can withstand heavy wear and tear.
The coating on the pruners should be sticking-proof. It should protect the blades from the sap. Finally, the handles must be semi-close to not strain your hands.
Comfortable handles
The handles of pruners made for arthritic hands are very important. It should have a soft yet slip-proof grip covering the.
Comfort band ergonomic
Comfort is crucial for ergonomic hands. Since using pruners for a long time causes hand and wrist fatigue, it’s important to keep comfort on point.
Most pruners that have ergonomic designs are rotatable with comfortable grip handles. The ergonomic design allows you to keep the wrists in position while using the pruner.
Cutting efficiency
Getting a pruner with sharp blades is important to ensure optimal cutting capacity. The cutting capacity of a pruner depends on how wide the blades open and whether it can cut through thick branches or stems.
The cutting capacity of your pruner is as important as the ergonomic design- if the blades are not sharp, the strength required to operate them will cause your hands to hurt. It’s best to opt for pruners with blades that can cut up to 2.5 inches of branches.
Miscellaneous
Besides the features mentioned above, it’s also important bro check out a few other features like weight, size, and safety. The weight and size of a pruner also determine fatigue.
If the pruner design is big and difficult to carry, it will strain and pain your hands and cause wrist fatigue.
It all comes down to the design again. It’s advisable to opt for sleek options.
Pro tip: Check if it fits your palms perfectly. Safety is the next important feature since pruners are sharp tools.
Two safety features in your pruners are a locking mechanism and a carrying case.
Which is better for arthritic hands: anvil pruner or bypass pruner?
If you have visited gardening supply stores, you have come across the terms “anvil” and “bypass”. Understanding the difference between the two is important before purchasing the ideal one for arthritic hands.
The primary difference between the two lies in the positioning of the blade and the motion it creates while used.
Anvil pruners have a sharp blade s metal surface/pocket that the blade lands on.
On the other hand, Bypass pruners are more scissors-like and have a sharp blade or counter blade. While using the pruner, the two blades function like scissors.
While both pruners have pros and cons, bypass pruners are the best for arthritic hands. It’s also possible to make closer and more precise cuts with a bypass-style pruner.
Cuts are much cleaner, and there is less chance of crushing the stems, which sometimes happens with anvil pruners.
Besides, the blades are easy to maneuver and do not cause wrist fatigue. Often the blades are semi-close, so users don’t need to apply a lot of strength to get the blades to move.
However, many users also have some good things to say about anvil shears. For starters, these types of pruners can take a big bite without springing. These are more useful for cutting larger stems. It also boils downs to your need and comfort.
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Conclusion:
We hope you find this article on some of the best pruners for arthritic hands helpful if you have weak hands. All the products listed in this article have been shortlisted after thorough research.
Additionally, we have addressed two of the most frequently asked questions to help you make an informed choice.
