Best Electric Grass Shears In 2020 - Top 10 Picks By The Editor​​​​​

When it comes to keeping your lawn in top shape, sometimes just mowing it won’t be enough. If you like having your boarders kept in good condition and have permanent structures in your garden that you can’t move to mow, then grass sheers are an excellent addition to anyone’s tool shed. Grass shears are different from a lawn mower, as they are usually compact, handheld units that really allow you to get up and close to places where your mower can’t get.

Here we have tried, tested and reviewed the 10 best electric grass shears on the market, to help you make the best buying decision possible. We have also put together a buying guide to make sure that you are making the best decision for you and your garden. 

Comparison Table of Top Electric Grass Shears

 1. Gardena 8885-U 3-Inch Cordless Grass Shears

When it comes to precision trimming, look no further than the gardena. The gardena is a small compact, handheld unit that is light enough to easily operate with one hand. This gives you ultimate control. Whether you are edging up the path or you are cutting around where your plants sit. The gardena can give you an excellent cut without hassle.

The unit is very light. So even if you don’t have the best strength, you can comfortably hold it for a long time. This means that you won’t feel the fatigue in your arms and shoulders. If you get a tool that’s too heavy, you won’t want to use it. However, this also means that because it is so light weight, it doesn’t hold up against anything bigger than grass. So, don’t be tempted to try and cut your bushes with it.

The lithium ion batteries are long lasting and the unit charges very quickly. This also means that the power distribution is even, as there is no throttle. This also means there is reduced vibration, making the gardena easy to use and comfortable to hold.

Overall, the Gardena is an excellent grass shear, especially if only have small jobs to do. It is lightweight and ideal for edging small areas.

 2. Makita XMU04Z 18V LXT Cordless Grass Shear

For a small device, the Makita has an awesomely high RPM. This little grass shear tool reaches 2500 RPM, which makes cutting grass absolutely effortless. Due to the RPM that it quicks out, it is slightly heavier than other products we have reviewed. However, the technology Makita employ in their batteries, means you get 200 minutes of uninterrupted run time.

If you have a larger garden with more boarders than most, then this is an excellent option for you. The battery cycle is far superior to light weight models and you have more of a variety of what you can and can’t cut through. This gives you more options in terms of use. The dual blades give you exceptional cutting capability, making light work of any grass you put in front of it.

As the battery is bigger, the Makita is on the heavier side of the units that we have reviewed. As these shears are designed for single hand use, some people may struggle with how weighty they are. If you don’t have a bigger garden and longer boarders, then a smaller product may be the better option. This tool might leave your arms tired and fatigued.

 3. BLACK+DECKER GSL35 3.6V Shear

The black and decker gives their customers a 2 in 1 grass shear and shrub cutter combo. If people are lacking on space in their sheds or don’t want to have two similar tools then this might be the option for you. The blades are really easy to switch out, so even if you are mid job, then you can stop and change if you need to.

The black and decker is a lightweight tool, but the handle is slightly longer than other grass shears we have reviewed, which means that you can use it with two hands. If you think you would struggle with a single hand tool, then having one with a longer handle gives you more options.

The charge cycle is quick and the run time is also good. The battery power doesn’t last as long as the Makita system we have reviewed, but it will give you a good hour run time. This tool is ideal for people with smaller spaces that want to keep their shrubs and grass trimmed back. If you don’t want to double up on tools, then this is a great option.

 4. Sun Joe 7.2-Volt 2-in-1 Cordless Grass

Sun Joe isn’t a name that you often hear, but they have managed to produce a really sturdy little grass shear. One of the best things about the sun joe is the way the handle has been configured. Instead of having to press the safety switch with two hands. You can simply press it with one and then start cutting. This takes the strain out of starting it.

The blades can be easily changed. One minute you can be cutting the grass around your boards. Next you can be trimming back your shrubs. The blades are released quickly and easy to slot back in, making sure you don’t waste valuable time having to find tools to switch things over.

The Sun Joe is one of the lightest shears on the market. This makes it ideal for anyone who is concerned that they may be too heavy or not have the strength to use them. Coming in at 2.5lbs, you won’t feel fatigued during or after use. If you are concerned that the light weight means it doesn’t cut, don’t be. The Sun Joe is great for small boarding jobs and neatening up your shrubs.

 5. Scotts LSS10172S Cordless Grass Shear

If you struggle with bending down and edging, then Scotts have the answer for you. Their cordless grass shears cutter come with an extension handle so that anyone can spend the time they want to bordering their gardens. The handle is easy to put up and attach the tool on it and then use the trigger at the top of the handle.

You can also easily switch between a grass cutter and a shrub trimmer. The changeover is seamless, and you don’t need access to an array of tools to be able to do this. What makes this even better is that you can use both fixtures and fitting on the handle, so you can get to those difficult to reach places.

The battery-operated system charges quickly and gives you a smooth delivery of power. You don’t need to buy oil as it is a motor than runs the system. The blades on both heads are excellent at trimming and grass and neatening up shrubs. So, if you want a unit that you can have an extension handle with, this is a great option.

 6. WORKPRO 7.2V 2-in-1 Cordless Grass Shear

At 1150rpm the WORKPRO is a lightweight and easy to manoeuvre tool that almost anyone can use. The 1150rpm will make sure that you are able to cut the grass that you need to cut and also neaten up your hedge should you need to. Because it is so light, the battery life is good and the charge cycle is quick.

The safety feature makes sure that you can’t just simply turn it on. This means that even when it is turned off, it will be difficult for children to understand how to turn it on, should you leave it unsupervised. The handle design makes sure that people who don’t have a lot of hand strength are able to use it, as it is longer enabling two hands.

The blades are easy to change out. You don’t need any tools to make the switch. So, you can start cutting the boarders and then switch to tidying up the hedge. Even if you aren’t confident at changing the blades, the instructions are easy to follow!

Both sets of blades cut well and effectively, but make sure that you remain within the manufactures guidelines otherwise you risk damaging the blades.

 7. Ryobi P2900B ONE+ 18-Volt Cordless Grass Shear

Ryobi are one of the best-established tool makers on the market and for good reason. They provide their customers excellent, reliable tools that work well and last. For that reason, their grass shears are an excellent addition to anyone’s shed.

The blade heads are really easy to change out and don’t require any tools for you to be able to do it. You can interchange as you go, making sure that you cover your entire garden and have it looking in tip top shape. When cutting, stay within the manufactures guidelines to stop the tool jamming up.

The handle on this model is slightly longer than other well-established brands that we have reviewed. This means that you can comfortably use it with both hands if you feel as though using it with one hand will be too much.

The charge cycle on this tool is really good and is definitely a positive. Ryobi are known for their batteries, in terms of both how quickly they charge and how long their charge cycles last.

 8. Greenworks 7.2V Cordless Hedge Shear

The Greenworks packs a powerful 7.2volt lithium ion battery which will do most of the work on one charge. Especially if you have a smaller garden. What we really liked about this unit is how ergonomic and comfortable it feels in your hands. So even if you are out and about with it all day, you don’t feel as fatigued as you might with other units.

One of the best design features of this unit is the two-button system. You can press one to give you short sharp burst. This is excellent if you are just wanting to trim up to an edge and want to make sure that you don’t go any further. The second button keeps the shears running. This is best used if you are wanting to trim back a shrub or have a long boarder that you want to trim.

The blades are well made and will continue to perform, even with sustained use. You can also switch out between grass and shrub trimmer easily and quickly without any tools. So, you don’t have to go and run back to your shed every time you need to switch what you are doing.

 9. Sun Joe HJ604C-SJB Cordless 2-in-1 Grass Shear

 10. Goplus 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear

The Goplus is only the second grass trimmers we have reviewed that comes with an extension pole. So, if you don’t like bending down, or this isn’t a possibility for you. Then the Goplus can help make your life far easier. The 8-inch hedge trimmer is just what you need if you want to keep your shrubs in top shape. The 4-inch grass trimmer is big enough to do the job quickly and small enough to get into those difficult to reaches spaces.

The extension pole is ergonomically designed, meaning you can easily get to those places that you want to. The one hand operation makes it safe and easy to use and won’t strain your arms or your hands. The trigger in the handle is soft enough so that you don’t have to apply too much pressure to get it to work.

The cutting capability of this tool is excellent, but that doesn’t mean it wears the battery out. The 7.2V battery will give you around 120 minutes of continuous use, even with tough grass and hedges. The only drawback is that it takes roughly 5 hours to complete a charging cycle.

Why Do You Need Electric Grass Shears?

If you have only recently taken up gardening, you might be wondering why you need electric grass shears. There are many reasons to have these tools at your disposal and here are our top reasons.

Compact

Grass shears are far more compact than strimmer’s and a lot of more cost effective. Strimmer’s also take up a lot more space than grass shears. If you don’t have a shed or a lot of room in your home, then a strimmer isn’t an option. But if you like having boarders and a neat lawn then garden shears are for you. They are also battery operated, meaning you don’t have to buy any oil or gas to operate. Simply charge them up and away you go.

Precision

There aren’t many tools out there that give you the precision that grass shears can. If you have permanent structures in your garden, like bird baths or furniture, you want to make sure that you can cut the grass the grows around them. If you are used to mowing your lawn, you’ll know that you can only get so close to these items. Likewise, a strimmer may damage your furniture, or you run the risk of breaking a strimmer. A grass shear will make sure that you can reach these areas without damaging your tools or your furniture.

Easy To Use

Tools such as strimmer’s and mowers can be heavy, and some people may not be confident in using them. If you have your lawn cut by someone else, then why not go out and tidy the boarders yourself? You can also get to grips with shaping your hedges, as most of the tools we have reviewed come with two heads. You can really transform your garden from one that looks cared for, to one that looks beautifully well maintained, just by trimming your boarders! If you don’t want to use a big garden tool but want to look as though you look after your garden, here is your answer.

Ergonomic​

Mowers and strimmer’s aren’t known to be easy on our backs or our hands. They are often heavy tools that require us picking them up and carrying them to be able to use them. Or we need to be able to push them. Having a grass and shrub shear takes out the need for strength, meaning they are far more accessible tools. Because they are handheld, they are also designed with ergonomics in mind. The handles are comfortable, and it has been designed for ease of use with just one hand, so you won’t feel the strain of long-term use.

Things To Consider Before You Buy

Before you settle on your grass trimmer, you want to make sure that you are buying the right one. There are a few key factors that can help determine what type of tool you end up with. So, think about these key considerations before you make the purchase.

Garden Size

If you have a big garden that requires a lot of boarder and hedge work, you want to make sure that you are getting a unit that has a high RPM range and has a good battery life. Units such as the Makita provide both of these. The higher RPM range means that you will get the job done faster and the longer battery life means you don’t have to be concerned about it running out halfway through.

Brands like Makita also have quick charge systems, so even if your battery does run out, you can have a cold drink whilst it charges back up! If you have a small garden, you may want to consider a two in one tool. This makes sure you don’t lose any valuable storage space. We have reviewed an array of tools that are both garden shears and shrub shears, so if you have a small space, look for one of these instead.

Extension Poles

Grass shears are used on the ground. Meaning that if you need to use one, you will need to bend over to get to trim the grass. If this isn’t an option for you, or you don’t like bending over for long periods of time, then look for an option with an extension pole. These poles have the trigger in the handle to make sure that you can always operate the tool. The pole will also have wheels on the bottom to make sure you can easily and effortlessly move it along the ground without overexerting yourself.

Dual Systems

Some users love tools that do more than one thing, while others loath it. It really is a personal preference, so you will need to think about which side of the fence you fall on. The general rule of thumb is that if a tool does two jobs, it can do two job to a medium standard. Whereas if it does one job, it does the one job it has well. If you aren’t too fussy about how precise you need to be, then a dual system is the one for you. This way you can effortlessly switch between the two blades and get the jobs done. If you don’t like dual systems there are also a range of tools that are open to you, but obviously, they will only complete one job, but you can expect a level of precision that you won’t get with a dual system.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to garden shears and shrub shears, there are so many options available to you on the market that it can be easy to become bogged down. When you are looking at which tool you want to add to your collection, you need to think about where you live and what factors matter to you. If you have a big garden, then you will want a tool that has a better than average battery life to make sure you can get everything done in one charge.

If you have a smaller space, you won’t want to have multiple tools filling shelves that could be used for other things. If getting down on your hands and knees isn’t an option for you, then don’t write garden shears off totally. Have a look for options that come with an extension pole. Once you have made these decisions the buying process becomes far easier. And rest assured, we have tried, tested and reviewed tools that meet everyone’s very distinct need. All you need to do is think about how you are going to use it, read the reviews and pick one!