Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Slice Through Any Branch Using The Best Ratchet Lopper

Last updated on February 8, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Ratchet Loppers and dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Ratchet Loppers.

Best Ratchet Lopper

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

A ratchet lopper is a manual gardening tool that is used for snipping twigs and branches. The long handles provide good leverage with minimal exertion to cut through tough wood, while the ratchet mechanism enables you to apply less force with each turn. Typically, it’s best to use ratchet loppers on wood that has a diameter of at least one inch. For smaller pieces of wood, you can use one-handed pruners.

When it comes to blades, there are two main kinds of loppers. A bypass lopper has a single-edged blade that cuts the wood as you close the lopper. An anvil lopper has blades that slide to the center of the wood. These are less accurate but can help you exert a higher amount of force. They are perfect for thicker pieces of wood.

Whenever possible, trim branches during the winter months, as this is one of the best times for this task. Ensure that the bevel of the blade faces away from the trunk of the tree. The wood is thicker at the base and will push your blade away from the trunk, which will actually make it easier to chop the wood. If you face the bevel of the blade towards the trunk, the blade might actually bend as it gets pushed back on itself.

When cutting, attempt to make as clean a cut as possible. An unclean or jagged cut takes longer to heal and can result in infections for the tree, and slow the rate of regrowth. The area on the branch that is closest to the tree trunk is called the collar. It is designed to protect the tree from infection. Do not cut the branch at the collar as that may harm the tree. Instead, cut the branch away from the collar.

Our Picks For The Top Ratchet Loppers

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

TABOR TOOLS GG12A Compound Action Clean Cut Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

TABOR TOOLS

Compound Action Clean Cut Ratchet Lopper

Designed for thick pieces of wood, this lopper is perfect for removing dry and overgrown branches. The hardened carbon steel blade can cleanly slice thick wood, while the non-stick coating ensures the blades glide through. The long handles provide comfort and grip.

Overall Take

Chops Thick Branches with EaseThis handy lopper has a two-inch clean-cut capacity.

Pros
" With the added boost of a compound action, these anvil loppers bite right through hardwoods up to 1.25” and softwoods up to 2”."
Cons
"A bit expensive"
 Best for Professionals

Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Corona

Compound Action Anvil Ratchet Lopper

With a clean cut capacity of 1.5 inches, this ratchet lopper is made with a high carbon and non-stick coated blade. The durable fiberglass handles have extra long foam grips. The heavy duty construction is designed for professional grade applications.

Overall Take

Triple Cutting Power with Compound LinkageThe unique design of the blade mechanism ensures heavy-duty cutting power.

Pros
" Heavy-duty cutting power"
Cons
"Very heavy"
 We Also Like

Fiskars Drive Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Fiskars

Drive Anvil Ratchet Lopper

This ratchet lopper has a cutting capacity of two inches, using fully hardened, precision-ground steel blades. Ideal for cutting thick branches, this tool is durable and lasts through many seasons.

Overall Take

Maximize Cutting Power with Little EffortThe unique ratchet design helps to compound force while cutting.

Pros
" Sharp cutting power"
Cons
"The handles are not extendable"
 Best for High Branches

MLTOOLS Easy Cut Extendable Bypass Ratchet Lopper

MLTOOLS

Easy Cut Extendable Ratchet Lopper

Ideal for cutting branches high up in trees, the telescoping arms provide the reach you need. This ratchet lopper has a cutting capacity of 1.75 inches. The handles have non-slip grips for added control and comfort.

Overall Take

Telescoping Aluminum Arms for VersatilityThis ratchet lopper has handles that can extend all the way to 39-1/2 inches.

Pros
" High quality steel"
Cons
"Handles Bend noticeably under stress."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the ratchet loppers available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

29

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Epic Gardening, Gardening Mentor, The Top Pro, BestReviews, Coca Crop.

5,099

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Ratchet Loppers and also dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Ratchet Loppers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Our Expert Score

8.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.2
389 user reviews

Our Take

With a clean cut capacity of 1.5 inches, this ratchet lopper is made with a high carbon and non-stick coated blade. The durable fiberglass handles have extra long foam grips. The heavy duty construction is designed for professional grade applications.

What other experts liked

Heavy-duty cutting power
- Gardening Mentor
Features anvil blades made of high carbon steel.
- The Top Pro
Very sharp blade
- Wood Working Toolkit
Blades can be resharpened by hand
- BestReviews

What other experts didn't like

Hard to cut in tight spots
- Gardening Mentor
Very heavy
- Wood Working Toolkit
Blades can break on limbs on branches more than 1.5 inch
- BestReviews

What to Look For

  • When you’re searching for the right ratchet lopper for you, be sure to pay attention to the diameter of the wood you need to cut most often. This will impact the kind of ratchet lopper you need. If you’re frequently cutting wood that is upwards of two inches, you will need a stronger lopper than if you mostly cut branches that are about one inch in diameter. Review the cutting capacity or cutting power of the ratchet lopper before buying. The numbers will be the diameter of the branch it is best suited for cutting.
  • The construction of the blades is an important feature to pay attention to. You don’t want to get a ratchet lopper where the blades bend easily or aren’t sharp enough for the task at hand. Aim for hardened carbon steel or aluminum blades that stay sharp after heavy use. You can find ratchet loppers with blades that have a non-stick coating that helps to reduce friction while cutting.
  • Next to the blade, the handles are one of the most important features to focus on. Not only do the handles need to provide superior control, but they also have to provide comfort for your hands. Ergonomic handles ensure that they are easy to grip for long periods of time, without adding a strain on your hands. Having a rubberized end on the handles adds to the comfort and grip. You’ll also want to look at the length of the handles to make sure they provide the height you need to snip tall branches.
  • Be sure to check the weight of the ratchet lopper so that you don’t buy one that is too heavy for you to carefully maneuver. If the lopper weighs too much, you won’t be able to safely use it for long periods of time.

Ratchet Lopper Rankings

2. Corona FL 3420 Compound Action Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 6

3. Fiskars Drive Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 5

4. MLTOOLS Easy Cut Extendable Bypass Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 6

5. A.M. Leonard Professional Lifetime Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

6. Fiskars PowerGear2 Bypass Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 5

9. Zenport LRT11 Telescopic Anvil Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 2

10. Barnel USA BR7000 Deep Hook Telescopic Ratchet Lopper

Overall Score: 5.8
Reviews Included: 2

More to Explore

When you’re using ratchet loppers, it’s important to not let them rotate while you make the cut. Sometimes when you’re cutting a particularly tough or large branch, the lopper may twist while you’re putting force on the handles. This can lead to an unclean cut, which can later harm your tree. Hold the handles firmly when making your cut to reduce twist.

Be sure not to overuse your ratchet loppers or use them for the wrong type of branches. They can go dull when used too frequently, which makes it more difficult to cut the branches they are designed for. Use hand pruners for smaller branches instead of a ratchet lopper, and opt for saws for larger pieces of wood.

More to explore