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Last updated: January 19, 2024
Reviews of seven of the best handheld cordless grass shears available today, based on durability, ease of use, battery quality, weight, price, and more.
One of the most versatile and useful yard tools is the grass shear, a super handy handheld device that allows for an impressive degree of precision.
To get the most out of your grass shears, you can’t be tethered to the house with an extension cord or handicapped by a weak battery. You need a quality, cordless shear with the right features and attachments to take on any finesse job you want to throw at it.
In this article, I am sharing seven of the best cordless grass shears on the market. In our tests, each of these checks our boxes for ease of use, functionality, and battery power and life.
Top 7 Handheld Battery Grass Shears:
Top 7 Handheld Battery Grass Shears
Let’s take a closer look at these seven cordless battery grass shears. Further below, you can find a quick buying guide with a few more tips when buying a brand new grass shear.
1. Worx WG801 Cordless Shear
For those after a serious tool that can do more than just clean up the lawn, the Worx WG801 Cordless Shear is the best way to go.
The tool comes with a 4-inch wide grass trimming blade and an 8-inch long shrub trimming attachment. Both are highly durable and resistant to dulling. While most grass trimmers can only be used to shape very thin, leafy bushes, this one can take on branches as thick as 5/16 inches in diameter.
Battery
This powerful 20V trimmer comes with a rechargeable, external, 1.5Ah battery. With a full charge, this battery lasts an impressively long time. If you have a large yard that requires more than an hour of continued runtime, you can buy a second battery for uninterrupted work time.
The Worx shear weighs about 3 pounds with the long trimmer blade and battery installed. It is a little heavier than our other choices but is by far the most powerful. It also has the benefit of an external battery that can easily be swapped out for longer jobs or replaced when it dies.
Grass shears like this Worx WG801 are on the higher end of the price scale for this kind of tool but well worth it for anyone needing a dependable, versatile tool that is as good at trimming shrubs as it is at sculpting lawn.
Worx WG801:
- 20V 1.5Ah Powershare battery (included)
- Attached battery charger (included)
- Dual action blades (+ sheath guards)
- Comfortable grip and easy blade change
2. Sun Joe HJ604C Cordless Grass Shear
Looking for an all-around useful tool for keeping your yard looking great but not interested in spending too much? The Sun Joe HJ604C Cordless Grass Shear might just be exactly what you need.
The Sun Joe HJ604C can take on lawn, ornamental grass, and thin shrubbery with ease. The wide 4-inch shears cut lawn in less time, while the 6-inch trimmer blade makes it easier to maneuver around leafy foliage. Each blade can be removed with the single press of a button and snapped securely back into place with ease.
Battery
This tool is powered by a handy internal 7.2V, 1.5Ah battery. This battery charges in just 3 hours with the plug-in style charger and will run for about 40 minutes. The Sun Joe doesn’t have the power to take on as thick of branches as the Worx trimmers, but it will make quick work of thin branches and leafy shrubs.
Available in five fun colors, this versatile, easy-to-use shear is sure to become your new favorite yard tool. It is very well-priced for what you get and perfect for lightweight trimming anywhere in the yard.
Sun Joe HJ604C:
- 7.2V 1.5Ah battery (included)
- Grass shear and shrubber
- 4-inch shear blade and 6-inch hedge trimmer blade
3. Gardena 9856-20 Cordless Grass Shear
For the most dependable grass shears, the Gardena 9856-20 Cordless Grass Shear is an excellent option. Gardena has been an established and trusted brand for gardening tools for many years, and their 9856-20 model is not going to disappoint.
One of the first things you’ll notice when picking up this machine is how lightweight it feels, with also a very comfortable grip. It performs very efficiently, making it a great investment if you have a lawn that you care about.
Battery
This handy tool features an integrated 3.6V, 3Ah battery that was tailor-made to power the undersized 3-inch grass blade. Rather than creating torque power, all that energy goes into moving the shears back and forth at impressive speed. The charge time is surprisingly short at about 3.5 hours, and the battery lasts a very decent 80 minutes on a full charge.
The compact design of this trimmer also means it weighs less than most at only 1.3 pounds. It is the perfect tool for older homeowners in need of something lightweight and easy to maneuver. It even comes with an optional extension handle, so you don’t have to kneel to cut the grass.
The handle of the 9856-20 is ergonomically designed, with a natural holding position that won’t make your hands or arms feel sore or tired. The shape, angle, and simple lock-in power button mean no more hand cramping, no matter how big the job. One drawback, perhaps, is the location of the charging port underneath the handle. It can be somewhat challenging to reach, particularly when wearing gloves.
The Gardena 9856-20 might cost you a little more than the bargain brands, but their dependability and ease of use are hard to beat.
Gardena 9856-20:
- Lithium-Ion Battery (included)
- Runs 80 minutes when fully charged
- LED display of battery charging status
- Easily converted from grass to shrub shear
4. WorkPro 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear
Looking for a handy, lightweight tool for simple jobs that will easily fit into any budget? The WorkPro 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear has you covered.
At just over one pound, this tool is the lightest on our list, even with the attachments in place. Both the shrub trimmers and shears are undersized, making this tool perfect for those finer, high-precision jobs. The smaller blades aren’t made for tackling thick brush, but they are more than powerful enough to make quick work of lighter jobs.
Battery
The 7.2V battery keeps the extra-sharp blades moving for quicker results with less work. This internal battery takes between 3 to 5 hours to charge and can hold that charge for up to 50 minutes of continued use. The plug-in charger cord makes recharging and storage quick and easy.
In addition, it comes with a ton of great features, including a one-press attachment release that allows you to quickly switch out your blades without a tool.
For an easy-use tool that will make quick work of light jobs, the WorkPro Cordless Shear is all you need. And, considering what you get, they’re priced incredibly well.
WorkPro 7.2V:
- 7.2V lithium-ion battery (included)
- Grass shear and shrubbery trimmer
- Ergonomic handle and non-slip
- Safety lock
5. SereneLife PSLHTM20 Grass Cutter Shear
Our best budget buy designation goes to the SereneLife PSLHTM20 Grass Cutter Shear. This affordable tool is the least expensive on our list, but that doesn’t mean it can’t compete.
The shear attachment is just 3-inches across, making it perfect for tight spaces like stone walkways, curved borders, and narrow passages. The trimmer is longer than most at 8.5 inches, which means less precise cuts but also less time spent trimming, especially with larger bushes.
Battery
With a 3.6V battery, it has enough power to make quick work of overgrown lawn or leafy shrubs.
While this tool isn’t meant to take on heavy-duty jobs or cut anything thicker than straw, it is the perfect solution for large yards with lots of awkward grass and leafy shrubs. The internal 3.6V battery lasts about an hour and recharges in under 4 hours.
The SereneLife Grass Cutter is just 1.9 pounds and has a ton of valuable features, including a simple snap-on tool attachment, a safety switch, and a compact plug-in charger.
SereneLife PSLHTM20:
- Internal lithium battery (included)
- External wall charger (included)
- Charge time 4 hours (runs 30-45 minutes)
- Simple 2-in-1 blade system
- Safety power lock switch
6. Makita XMU04Z 18V LXT Cordless Grass Shear
Makita is a trusted premium brand in the world of power tools, and as such, the Makita XMU04Z grass shear does not disappoint. A touch more expensive, this model is also the most powerful and most effective unit on this list of best cordless grass shears.
With a weight of just under 4 pounds (including battery), this model is also a bit heavier than most other models. Mind you, 3.7 pounds is still comfortable enough. The compact and ergonomic design, with a rubberized soft-grip handle, is also a big plus.
Battery
The battery and charger are not included; they need to be purchased separately and aren’t cheap. You get what you pay for, though, as the quality is superior.
The Makita 18V lithium-ion battery has an incredibly fast charge time, so you can work longer and wait less. The Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Rapid Optimum Charger can charge batteries within 30 minutes.
The Makita XMU02Z cordless grass shear is suitable for the more professional gardener who is willing to spend extra for more power, efficiency, and better results.
Makita XMU04Z:
- Powerful machine with 2,500 SPM
- Lithium-iom battery (not included)
- Dual blade action for better results
- Conveniently located safety button
7. Scotts LSS10172S Cordless Grass and Shrub Shear
This compact grass shear stands out as an easy-to-use unit that sits nicely in the hand. It’s a light-duty trimmer that can be used on all types of grass, but is most suitable for hedges and small bushes.
Battery
The Scotts LSS10172S uses a 7.2V 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery and also includes a fast charger. The unit does indeed charge reasonably fast via the external charger and charging port at the top of the handle.
The trimmer attachments can be attached and de-attached easily without issues and are locked securely once attached. This no-nonsense grass shear can also be purchased with a telescoping pole extension for extra convenience.
Scotts LSS10172S:
- 7.2-Volt 2Ah lithium-ion battery (built-in)
- External charger (included)
- Extra safety lock button
- Rotating angle button
- Grass cutter and shrub trimming blades
Buying Guide
If you have a lawn or a backyard, you know how hard it can be to maintain. There’s always excess grass growing in and around places such as walkways and flower beds where you don’t want grass to grow.
Not sure if you need an expensive, powerful, all-around trimmer, or a more affordable shear-focused tool? Let our helpful buying guide walk you through the many features of these handy tools so you can find the best grass shears to meet your needs.
Things to consider:
- Battery
- Blades
- Handle and ergonomics
- Weight
- Warranty
1. Battery
One of the most important features of any cordless power tool is the battery. Without a powerful enough battery, your work will be constantly interrupted by jammed blades and waning power. But, opt for a battery that’s too powerful for your needs, and you’ll be spending way more than you need to.
Most cordless grass shears come with a battery, and lithium-ion batteries are pretty much the norm.
There are typically two battery-type categories when it comes to cordless grass shears; external and internal batteries.
The first type includes tools with an external battery, like our top choice, the Worx WG801 Cordless Shear. External battery types are nice because you can purchase more than one battery and switch them out as needed to complete extra long jobs. These tools also tend to have more cutting power and are better suited for true hedge trimming than most grass shears.
On the downside, shears with external batteries tend to be more expensive. They also require purchasing a battery charging dock, which carries its own hefty price tag.
The second tool category includes those that feature internal batteries. These are nice because they tend to be more lightweight, less expensive, and can be plugged straight into the wall to charge.
On the downside, these batteries are not as powerful as external types. They also can’t be as easily replaced if they die. Since the battery is almost always the first part of an electric power tool to fail, this is an important aspect to consider.
You must also consider how long the shear can run on a full battery. If you have a huge lawn or backyard, make sure the battery can go for quite some time, ideally at least 45 minutes. This factor becomes less critical when you have a smaller lawn to look after.
A battery charge indicator is also convenient, as it tells you clearly how much battery you have left and also when the battery is fully charged.
2. Blades
Grass shears typically come with one or two types of blades.
All choices include the standard grass shear blade. This short blade somewhat resembles two flat forks sitting on top of one another. When the tool is on, these blades move back and forth across one another to create multiple scissor-like cutting points.
These blades are meant for trimming thin vegetation like lawn and ornamental grass. Standard shears are generally about 4 inches wide, but precision blades can be as thin as 3 inches. The wider the blade, the quicker the job will get done.
Some shears also include a second attachment meant for trimming shrubs. This attachment looks like a traditional shrub trimmer but is generally much shorter, usually around 8 or 6 inches long.
While true shrub trimmers can make quick work of twigs and branches up to an inch in diameter, lawn shear trimmers are meant only to take on very thin twigs and leafy shrubbery. If you have evergreens, lilacs, or other woods bushes to trim back, you are much better off investing in a shrub trimmer. But for thin, light shrubbery like boxwoods, the trimmer attachment on electric grass shears will work well enough.
Also check how easy or how difficult it is to change the blades. It’s also worth checking whether the blades are non-stick coated so that grass won’t stick as much.
3. Handle and Ergonomics
Cordless grass shears are, in every sense of the word, a handheld tool. This is why it is important to find one that has a comfortable, ergonomic handle, like the Gardena 9856-20 Cordless Grass Shear. Angled handles lined with soft but durable foam are the most comfortable to work with.
While most top-range cordless grass shears will have ergonomically designed handles, it’s still worth reading reviews and see if there are any issues with the handle, especially when using it for a long time.
But the shape and material of the handle aren’t the only things that dictate how comfortable one of these tools will be to use. The power button functionality is also worth looking into if you plan to use your shears for more extended periods.
Some tools require that two buttons be pressed simultaneously in order for the tool to turn on and stay on. This safety feature is necessary to avoid accidentally engaging the motor at the wrong time. But it can also lead to strange hand and finger positioning and painful hand cramps.
The best tools require two buttons to power on but allow one of those buttons to be locked in place during operation. This will enable you to move your hand into a more comfortable position while working with the tool.
The size of the shear also needs to suit your needs, not too small but certainly not too big either.
4. Weight
Another important thing to consider when looking for a new cordless grass shear is the overall weight of the product.
Grass shears and trimmers require a lot of up and down and side-to-side movement away from the body. It may not seem like a five-pound object would be hard to hold in this way, but after a few minutes, shears that heavy can start to feel like a lead weight.
The most user-friendly shears weigh less than three pounds. If you find you struggle to maneuver even lightweight tools, it’s worth looking into something even lighter, such as the SereneLife PSLHTM20 Grass Cutter Shear, which weighs just over one pound.
5. Warranty
The above cordless grass shears are industry-leading units that offer quality, efficiency, and comfort. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your requirements.
It’s worth mentioning that they all offer different types of warranty, so make sure you’re happy with the standard warranty provided. Depending on the product, it may be possible to purchase additional warranty, although with the current high-quality standards, this is typically not something to worry too much about.
