RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Pruning Shear
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Pruning Shear (P2505BTL)
With the arrival of summer here in the northeast, homeowners are beginning to assess their lawns, hedges, and bushes to prepare them for the growing season ahead. Trimming overgrown bushes, trees, and hedges is a rite of passage each year and having the right tool for the job really makes all the difference. Though I have plenty of manual hand trimmers, now that I have the RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Pruning Shears, my hands are forever thankful and my yard is immaculately maintained.
Specifications
- Bypass blades for clean cuts
- 1-inch cut capacity
- ONE+ HP technology delivers 1.5x faster cutting
- Soft grip handle
- On-board LED work light
- 2.8 pounds in weight
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
- Purchase at The Home Depot for $149.00 (tool only)
- Purchase at The Home Depot for $199.99 (tool, charger, and 2Ah battery)
Perfect Size And Setup
The RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Pruning Shear feels really good in your hand. Without the battery in place, it measures 12 inches in length, 4 inches in depth, and 1.5 inches in width. The metal bypass blades are just over 2 inches in length and approximately 1/8” in thickness.
The area you place your hand has a nice, soft rubber feel for a secure grip. The trigger area is more than big enough for almost all hands, even those wearing work gloves. For those interested in early-evening pruning when the outdoor temperatures are often cooler, directly underneath the blades is an included LED light that turns on each time the trigger is activated.
RYOBI includes a clear plastic sheath that you can button onto the shears to keep them clean and the blades safely covered. I would have liked to see a more durable cover, but the plastic one has held up so far.
Built For The Long Haul
RYOBI designed these Pruning Shears so the blades can be both sharpened and replaced, if necessary. A 300-400 grit sharpening stone can be rubbed against the edges of the cutting blade and the fixed blade to hone their edge. The included manual documents how to remove and replace the blades. I appreciate that there is an opportunity to replace the blades if they were ever broken since the shears are a considerable investment. RYOBI also recommends frequent lubrication of the blades through the hole on the bolt.
Impressive Battery Longevity
We have been using our RYOBI Pruning Shears for two months now, and I still haven’t had to charge the 18V ONE+ 4Ah battery. The shears are so efficient that the battery just keeps going and going—it still has more than 25% of its life remaining! This impressive runtime is a testament to the tool’s excellent design, and I am confident you will run out of things to cut long before the battery needs a recharge.
Built-In Safety Protection
Like most battery-operated tools with a sharp blade, the RYOBI Pruning Shears have a built-in lock-out trigger that must be depressed before the switch trigger itself can be engaged. I appreciate this level of protection, especially considering how easily the sharp blades can cut through most materials. For extra security, I always store my Pruning Shears with the battery removed since the blades remain open when the tool is off.
Performance In The Yard
The true test of any pruning shear is how cleanly it slices through growth, and these RYOBI shears excel at the task. I have been thoroughly impressed by their ability to cut through almost anything. With a press of both triggers, the top cutting blade closes quickly over the bottom fixed blade. The blades move effortlessly through both soft hedge branches and hardened tree limbs. RYOBI designed them to handle branches up to 1 inch thick, and they deliver a beautifully clean cut every time, no matter the size of the branch.
These pruning shears are the perfect size for an afternoon of yard work. Because they are lightweight and compact, you can safely use them while on a ladder or you can navigate them deep inside a dense holly bush. They also pack plenty of power, making quick work of trimming smaller branches off larger tree limbs.
My wife loves working in the yard and she has pretty much claimed these pruning shears for herself. After just one weekend of pruning, our blueberry bushes, dogwood tree, crabapple tree, and hedges look amazing. She loves how powerful they are and is incredibly grateful that they don’t strain her hands or wrists like traditional manual shears do.
An added bonus of the RYOBI 18V ONE+ line of tools is the ability to customize the battery for the task at hand. For instance, I can use a lightweight 2Ah battery to make the Pruning Shears easier for my wife to handle, or I can swap in a larger 6Ah battery if she has a long day of pruning ahead.
To see a short video of my wife cutting branches of varying sizes with the Pruning Shears, please visit this URL.
Including Another Powerful Cutting Tool
If you are also encountering larger branches while using your RYOBI Pruning Shears, I would highly recommend you also invest in the RYOBI 18V ONE+ One-Handed Reciprocating Saw (PCL510B). I love the versatility and portability of this reciprocating saw! With a pruning blade attached to it, this reciprocating saw can power through most small trees and their thicker branches. I usually carry both tools in a bucket with me when I am tackling larger pruning projects since an 18V ONE+ battery can easily be swapped between them.
Final Thoughts
The RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Pruning Shears are a game-changer for property owners who take pride in maintaining their yard. Their sharp bypass blades easily slice through tough, brittle branches, while the 18V ONE+ battery provides enough runtime to keep you trimming for days. Most importantly, the powered trigger removes any strain from your hand and wrist—making them an excellent option for anyone dealing with joint or mobility issues.
