Spring has finally arrived, and for many Britons that's the cue to step back into the garden and get a few early-season jobs ticked off before summer properly rolls in. One task that almost always climbs to the top of the list is pruning and cutting back plants. And for that, a good pair of secateurs is essential.

That said, not all secateurs are created equal. If you've got weaker hands or wrists, cutting through tougher, woody stems can quickly turn from satisfying to frustrating. The good news is there are plenty of options on the market designed with exactly that in mind, using clever mechanisms to take the strain out of the job. One pair that's been getting plenty of attention-both from Amazon shoppers and Express.co.uk's independent testers-is the Fiskars X-series Bypass Pruner M P921.

Better still, they're currently discounted just in time for the gardening season. On Amazon, the secateurs usually retail for £34.48, but right now they have 21% off and are down to £27.12.

Earlier this year, our independent gardening tester, Olive Millar, put them through their paces alongside her neighbour, Nigel, an avid gardener in his 80s. Olive herself deals with stiffness and joint pain, so she knows firsthand how much difference the right tools can make.

"The pair you go for will be very much down to personal choice. We both agree that a lighter pair of secateurs with a smaller grip is more suitable for those with smaller, weaker hands," she said.

The Fiskars secateurs are a bypass pair-more like a pair of scissors, with two blades that glide past each other for a cleaner cut. They weigh 220kg and are 20cm in length. They also have a cutting diameter of 2.4cm.

"We tried three pairs by Finnish brand Fiskars, and we were impressed by the bypass and anvil models," said Olive.

"We both found these performed well on woody and green stems, and for me, the rotating handle was useful. They were comfortable in my hands, and Nigel found they also worked well for larger hands as they have a broad grip. The brand's distinctive orange on the handle means they are easy to spot in the garden. Like the pair below, these come with an impressive 25-year warranty."

Olive and Nigel aren't alone-plenty of shoppers have praised how easy the Fiskars are to use, particularly for those with weaker wrists.

On Amazon, one customer said: "Bought these to replace a similar Fiskars model that had lasted me for about 18 years of heavy use, I find that the geared system with the rotating handle makes them a lot easier to use without getting tired and the blades seem to stay sharp longer, I actually bought another pair for my 90-year-old mother because they work well for people with low grip strength due to age related problems although I'll be tackling anything thicker for her it gives her the freedom to carry on enjoying her garden."

Another added: "The rolling handle assists cutting thicker stems, good sharp blades and comfortable to hold. So far they haven't nipped the skin, which some brands tend to do!"

That said, they're not entirely without criticism. One reviewer noted: "The return on the handle stopped working after some heavy use and had to be cleaned and lubricated. Even though i look after my tools i was surprised at the lack of robustness of these pruners."

Still, with a strong 4.5-star rating on Amazon and a timely discount, they're shaping up to be a solid choice if you're after something effective without spending a fortune.

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