DrillPro 18 V cordless garden pruning shears with an SK5 blade promise cuts up to 50 mm, but real users report closer to 30 mm

DrillPro Electric Pruner 18 V are cordless garden pruning shears with a brushless motor and an SK5 carbon steel blade. Sales materials list a maximum cutting diameter of up to 50 mm.

That figure, however, should be treated with caution.

Real user experience with one specific unit reports that the shears cut well up to around 30 mm, but lack sufficient power for thicker branches.

That is more useful when assessing the product than a single maximum figure in its name.

Electric shears reduce hand fatigue

With manual pruning shears, the user has to squeeze the blades with their own strength for every cut.

With cordless shears, the motor does the work.

This is a major advantage for:

• orchards,
• vineyards,
• hedges,
• larger numbers of trees.

After hundreds of cuts, the difference in hand fatigue is significant.

Brushless motor

The shears use a brushless motor.

The benefits are:

• less wear,
• higher efficiency,
• less heat,
• better battery performance.

In a pruning tool, the motor works in short but very intensive cycles.

A brushless design is therefore better suited to the task than an inexpensive brushed motor.

SK5 carbon steel

The blade is specified as SK5 high-carbon steel.

SK5 is commonly used for cutting tools, saw blades and garden blades.

It is hard enough to hold a sharp edge while remaining relatively tough.

Like other carbon steels, it can corrode.

After working with wet branches, it is a good idea to:

• clean the blade,
• dry it,
• apply a light coat of oil.

Marketing’s 50 mm vs. a real-world 30 mm or so

This is the most important part of the article.

The product is promoted as having a 50 mm max cutting diameter.

One verified user, however, reported that their unit:

• cuts well,
• is suitable for home use,
• but lacks sufficient power above around 3 cm.

That does not mean it can never cut through 50 mm.

A fresh, soft branch is much easier to cut than a dry, hard one.

For a purchasing decision, however, I would not treat 50 mm as a normal working diameter.

It is more realistic to consider 20–30 mm the comfortable range and use a small chainsaw for larger wood.

Wood hardness matters as much as diameter

A 30 mm fresh willow branch and a 30 mm dry oak branch are completely different tasks.

With harder wood, the motor reaches its limit sooner.

Trying to force a cut through a very thick branch may also be unsuitable for the gearbox and blade.

18 V system

The shears use an 18 V battery system.

Specific battery compatibility depends on the variant.

Some products in the DrillPro range use a Makita-style connector, but it is worth checking photos of the contacts for the specific set before ordering.

Some packages include two batteries

One user review described a set with:

• two batteries,
• a charger for two batteries.

Other variants may be sold without batteries.

This is important when comparing prices.

The control button may be stiff

One user noted that:

• the shears are a little harder to open,
• the button requires fairly firm pressure.

This is not a major flaw, but the controls’ ergonomics may matter to users with weaker hands.

The blade must be sharp and clean

Even a powerful motor cannot compensate for a dull blade.

Tree sap can build up on the cutting edge.

Regular maintenance involving:

• removing sap,
• light sharpening,
• lubricating the joint,

will improve cut quality and reduce strain on the motor.

A clean cut is better for the plant

When the shears are properly sharpened, they produce a smoother cut than a dull tool that crushes the branch.

A clean cut is easier for the plant to heal.

When pruning, it is also important to make the cut in the right place, near a bud or branch collar.

Safety

Electric shears have very high blade force.

Never:

• hold a branch with your other hand close to the blade,
• clean the blade with the battery inserted,
• test the blade’s movement with a finger,
• remove jammed material while the tool is powered.

Remove the battery before maintenance.

Main specifications of the DrillPro 18 V pruner

Who are they suitable for?

They make the most sense for someone who cuts a large number of branches roughly 10–30 mm in diameter.

If you regularly need to cut 40–50 mm wood, a cordless chainsaw would be more suitable.

Is the DrillPro 18 V pruner worth it?

Yes, if the user buys it with realistic expectations.

Its main advantages are the brushless motor, SK5 blade and a significant reduction in physical effort during repetitive pruning.

I would not, however, treat the marketed 50 mm as a normal working figure. Real-world experience suggests that around 30 mm is a safer expectation.

If that range is enough for you, these shears could be a very practical garden tool.