Pruning Saws that Make Maintenance Easier
A good pruning saw is one of the most important—and most satisfying—tools in a gardener’s kit. Whether you’re shaping ornamental trees, tackling overgrown shrubs, or making clean cuts on thicker branches, the right saw can mean the difference between effortless precision and unnecessary strain.
For this guide, we turned to expert gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape designers who put their tools to work every season. Drawing on hands-on experience in real gardens and professional landscapes, they’ve identified the pruning saws that consistently deliver sharp performance, durability, and comfort. From compact folding saws to heavy-duty options for bigger jobs, these recommendations focus on tools that make pruning safer, easier, and better for plant health.
Read on to discover the best pruning saws to help you work smarter, cut cleaner, and care for your garden with confidence.
A little workhorse that packs a punch at a good price point
Tested by Jason Reeves
I recently used the Saker 6-Inch Mini Chainsaw while working at a client’s house. I had never heard of the brand and was shocked at how affordable the kit is, which includes two batteries, extra chains, and a few other accessories. This little chainsaw cuts through branches up to 4 inches thick with ease. The top of the blade is covered by a safety guard that requires you to flip it over if you need to make an undercut when using the three-step method for cutting branches. I love that it has a strap attached to the handle that goes around your wrist, preventing you from dropping it. It is available in a few colors and weighs less than three pounds. With an operating sound under 75 decibels, which is lower than what OSHA recommends hearing protection for (85 decibels or greater), it will not disturb your neighbors.
Price: $80
Source: amazon.com
Turn to this straight-bladed tool for a super-clean finish
Tested by Jen Kettell
The Gomtaro 300-mm Pro-Sentei Hand Saw shall never leave my side for the rest of my pruning days. I’ve always preferred a pruning saw with a straight blade, and Silky tools top my list of high-quality, long-lasting equipment. The magic of this nearly 12-inch-long pruning saw lies in the blade’s design: large teeth along most of the blade, with fine teeth at the tip. Using the coarse teeth, I can rip through the bulk of larger branches, then gently and neatly finish the cut using only the tip of the blade. It leaves a beautiful, smooth, clean plane. The cushioned rubber handle, which is incredibly easy on the hand for long days of pruning, houses the fully replaceable blade. If Luke Skywalker had a pruning saw instead of a lightsaber, this would be it.
Price: $94
Source: amazon.com
An expertly crafted bonsai saw perfect for precise pruning of smaller branches
Tested by Jen Kettell
Sometimes a tool is intended for one purpose, and then you discover that it is incredibly useful for a very different purpose as well. This is the case with bonsai saws. Many years ago, I came across a small bonsai saw at a trade show here in the Northeast (a moment of silence for the beloved New England Grows, please), and I started using it to prune young trees, smaller shrubs, and those with narrow branch unions. What a revelation! The TAFI Folding Bonsai Saw is not that saw—it is better. GrowTech improved on its predecessor’s design (with input from yours truly) to create a downright surgical pruning saw. The 4-inch blade is strong, with small but beefy cutting teeth and a fine taper at the tip. This mighty little saw can easily and precisely sever branches that are 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. Wield that comfortable wooden handle for a full day, and it will become an essential part of your pruning kit.
Price: $27
Source: wood-avenue.com
Homeowners with larger projects will love this power “hatchet”
Tested by Jason Reeves
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hatchet™ 8-Inch Pruning Saw is a great battery-powered option for someone who is used to the strength and versatility of a gas-powered chainsaw. It can cut through hardwoods up to 8 inches thick without getting bogged down. Designed with the performance and durability needed by expert arborists, landscape maintenance professionals, and power utility linemen, it is also perfect for homeowners who need to cut larger branches or trees. Weighing around seven pounds, this pruning saw features a lanyard loop, making it simple to pull it up into a tree. It also comes with a scabbard that covers the chain when not in use, along with a battery and charger. Like a traditional gas-powered saw, it has an easy-access chain tensioner, automatic chain oiler, and metal bucking spikes. I especially like that it has built-in scrench (a cross between a wrench and a screwdriver) storage, making the tool readily accessible and allowing me to adjust the blade more easily.
Price: $379
Source: amazon.com
The scissor motion and upper clamp of this chainsaw provide added protection
Tested by Jason Reeves
If you’re looking for one of the safest saws on the market, you’ll love the Black+Decker 20V Max battery-operated Alligator Lopper Cordless Chainsaw. I bought my mother one about 10 years ago and like it so much that I still borrow it when I have a pruning project and don’t want to deal with my gas-powered saws. While the bottom jaw of the saw opens up to go under and clamp on to the object you are cutting, the top jaw remains in place, acting as a guard that shields the top of the chain. Requiring both hands to operate, the saw’s scissor action makes cutting easy. For the blades to turn, the two buttons built into the handle must be squeezed simultaneously, providing extra safety. This saw will cut a limb up to 4 inches in diameter and comes with a battery and charger. It is also available in a slightly less expensive electric version, but you will have to deal with an extension cord.
Price: $157
Source: amazon.com
Together, these two Japanese-style pull saws make the ideal kit for day-to-day work
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Tested by Ed Gregan
Combined with my favorite Okatsune pruners, my ARS SA-210DX Folding Pruning Saw with a 6-inch blade can conquer most every pruning job I encounter, unless I’m cutting over my head. In that case, my Silky PocketBoy Curve 170-mm Folding Saw is my go-to for its curved blade. These two saws are similar in many ways, making them a great pair to have on hand. Both fold, which is key because they can slide into my pocket. Also, they both have blades that lock, preventing them from folding back and biting you during pruning. The ARS has a snap lever that captures a cutout in the blade and then snaps back against the handle, while the Silky has a rocker-style push button. I prefer these types of locks for several reasons, including one-handed operation, ease of use with gloves, and less collection of debris while pruning. Both handles are comfortable, strong, and will grip in wet conditions, and come in bright colors that help me find them quickly. But where the rubber hits the road is with the blades themselves. Both are Japanese-style pull saws. They cut on the pull stroke and have little or no tooth set (“set” refers to teeth bent slightly to the side, protruding out past the body of the blade). This makes the cut wide enough for the body of the blade to pass through easily, providing smooth cuts with less binding. Each saw has an impulse-hardened blade that is more resistant to rust, resin, and pitch, helping them last longer. Overall, they are well-made, easy-to-use tools that are perfect for my everyday tasks.
ARS Pruning Folding Turbocut Saw – 6 inch – amazon.com
Silky PocketBoy Folding Saw 170mm – amazon.com
Testers
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