Now I understand what all the fuss is about – these electric secateurs take all the hard work out of pruning

As pruning is such an essential gardening task, having the best tools to tackle the job is a must. And while a professional set of standard secateurs is perfectly sufficient to prune with precision, what could be better than a power-assisted pair that takes the strain out of repeatedly clamping down on the handles with force?

That's where the new Bosch EasyPrune power-assisted gardening tool takes the lead, protecting your wrists and hands by relieving the pressure required when pruning even the toughest branches.

I've been using this smart pair of secateurs to cut through everything from the thick woody stems on a dying ivy bush and bay tree to pruning tomato plant stems. It has proved it's a worthy contender for any essential gardening tool kit.

Bosch EasyPrune Cordless Garden Secateurs review

Who would they suit?

These power-assisted secateurs would suit several different gardeners. Firstly, they are perfect for those who need to ease the strain on their hands, for instance those with joint discomfort and hand muscle issues.

Secondly, they are ideal for those who love power tools and enjoy the ease of working with a battery-assisted gadget. And generally for anyone who enjoys gardening but would rather tackle routine tasks with ease. Perhaps someone who had a once manageable plot that now feels overwhelming and too much upkeep?

Bosch recommends using the secateurs for small and medium-sized pruning jobs, so while they will help cut through plants that regular secateurs can't, they are not suitable for heavy-duty pruning such as your best potted trees.

What are the Bosch EasyPrune Secateurs like to use?

Firstly, they are super easy to use. I know sometimes when things are 'smart' they can feel like they might be complicated. The USB port makes it easy to charge (the cable is included but without a plug adaptor), within an hour.

Once fully charged, you are good to go. It says you get approximately 450 cuts per charge, but it felt like more than that after a morning of hearty pruning (I must confess, I didn't actually count – but it was a lot).

If you have fast-growing shrubs in your garden, you'll know how unruly they can get if left untended – particularly those with woody stems. These secateurs can cut through branches of 20mm hardwood and 25mm softwood, with no effort from you at all.

I did find that on particularly thick branches it took several attempts to cut through, but it still got the job done without me having to apply force.

With sizeable stainless steel blades and automatic power-assist technology which intuitively kicks in once resistance is detected, this tool really is smart garden gadget that can transform the way you prune.

Even if you don't struggle with hand strain, a long day of gardening can wreak havoc on your wrists and fingers; this will reduce the risk of that strain and make gardening easier and more enjoyable again.

Probably the biggest test for these cordless garden secateurs was tending to a dying ivy bush that is now mostly woody roots and branches that need to be completely cut back. Full disclosure, I've been putting the job off because I was dreading how hard it would be for my poor hands, as each cut would require pressure. Since using the new Bosch EasyPrune battery-powered secateurs, I was actually looking forward to getting to work on it. And I wasn't disappointed.

Because of its capabilities to cut through 20 mm of hardwood, the majority was as easy as trimming a single flower stem. There were a few thicker branches, but I simply had to repeat the cut twice to get through the tough stem. There's no doubt that this is where this smart pair of secateurs excels.

This image below perfectly demonstrates what size of stem the tool intuitively knows to cut – it didn't engage when cutting the smaller branch of my rose bush. But for the more substantial branch, it automatically cut through with power. This smart approach preserves battery life because it only engages the power-assist when you genuinely need it.

It's worth noting what it's like to use in terms of how it feels when it cuts. For the most part, it operates as a manual pair of secateurs and cuts in manual mode. When a certain branch diameter is reached, it automatically starts power-assisted mode by starting the integrated motor.

This emits a small vibration and a short mechanical-type noise. The sound pressure level of the product is less than 70db, so there is absolutely no danger of it upsetting the neighbours in the same way as a leaf blower would.

How do they compare to standard secateurs?

There are several ways to draw comparisons. The first is the price. Obviously, the EasyPrune is more expensive than even the most sophisticated professional secateurs, but they are a power tool, so that is to be expected. In terms of what they can do and how easy they make pruning, I would say they are worth investing in.

The next comparison is the weight and size. They are much bigger than secateurs I've ever owned or worked with, which for some might not be as appealing. The battery makes these secateurs slightly more weighty, but not so heavy that they are problematic to use.

They are most notably heavier than standard plastic alternatives. Compared to an old (very old) pair of Kent & Stowe hardwood and carbon steel secateurs, they don't feel overly heavy. So, in short, they are not significantly heavier than a quality standard set of secateurs.

The last, but not least, element to compare is how they perform. When it comes to cutting through stems and branches, there is simply no comparison. They effortlessly glide through thicker branches. And with slender stems that don't activate the power-assisted mode, they cut in the same manner as a regular pruning tool.

Cleaning the Bosch EasyPrune Secateurs

As with any garden secateurs, you should always take care when cleaning the blades. The instruction manual says to keep the tool away from water and moisture, so the best approach for cleaning is to simply wipe with a microfibre cloth after each use – always wearing gloves to protect your hands.

The upper blade is replaceable, and the helpful user manual that accompanies the tool provides clear instructions to help if you ever need to do so further down the line.

Should you buy the Bosch EasyPrune Cordless Garden Secateurs?

Whether cutting back a dense hedgerow, shaping foliage or pruning roses to maximise blooms, using a standard pair of secateurs can lead to aches and discomfort after repetitive strain. This power-assisted pair would suit anyone who wants to make the job easier.

They are an investment, with an RRP of £92, but they are rechargeable, and the main blade is replaceable, ensuring they last for years to come.

You should buy the Bosch EasyPrune tool if you want to reduce the effort involved in any pruning task.