Best Drain Auger

Best Drain Auger Quick Chart 

Best Drain Auger Reviews

7 Best Drain Augers: Editor’s Choice

• Ridgid PowerClear: Editor’s Choice Premium Drain Auger
• Ryobi 18 Volt One: Runner Up Premium Auger
• Populo Electric Drain Auger: Runner Up Electric Drain Auger
• Ridgid K45 Drain Auger: Pro Auger for Serious DIYers
• XtremepowerUS Electric Drain Auger: 3rd Place Electric Drain Auger
• Ridgid Power Spin: Great Manual Unit with Drill Capabilities
• Cobra Drain Auger: Best for Budgets

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Editor’s Choice: Premium Drain Auger

Best Electric Drain Auger

Ridgid PowerClear Drain Auger

There are times when the clog is located so deep down the pipes that you need to use a drain auger to solve your problem.  Enter the Ridgid Powerclear Drain Cleaner. 

The Ridgid power drain cleaner is a quality built auger that can remove blockages in multiple drains in your home. The price is a good value, given the product’s performance and overall quality.

The ​Ridgid Powerclear drain cleaner is one of the best in the market and the auto-feed technology is its highest selling point. The fact that you can retract or advance the cord without manually doing is a very convenient feature. Now you can clean and remove clogs in sinks and tubs without getting your hands dirty.

One of the reasons why the Rigid Powerclear Cleaner is popular is its heavy-duty inner core cable. It’s made from high-quality and durable materials which guarantees it should last for a long time. It also increases kink resistance, which means it can easily clear hard clogs in your drains. 

The clear cover on the unit allows you to see the length of cable remaining while you are using it.

With the footswitch option, you can turn the auger on or off when needed without the need to use your hands. Some people may not really like this, but it is a good way to operate your drain auger because your other hand is busy with the cable, while the other can be used to support you while you are removing the clogs.

If you own a Ridgid Powerclear and need replacement parts, the best place to source the right part is from Ridgid themselves. Click on this link here to go their website and order parts.

If you’re looking for a Ridgid Powerclear Drain Cleaner replacement cable, follow the link above to get the best cable for your auger.

For a copy of the manual, check out manuallibs.com.

Runner Up: Premium Drain Auger

Ryobi 18 Volt One

Ryobi is also well-known for its power tools and its outdoor power equipment and the best drain cleaning machines on the market.

The Ryobi Hybrid Drain Auger is an excellent tool for your home. This is a hybrid drain auger that can easily unclog the pipes with the help of the power that is supplied from the tool’s 18V battery packs or through corded electricity.

We love the portability that the battery pack option provides. This unit is the best sink snake. This drain auger from Ryobi can be conveniently used in pipes that measure between ¾ inch and two-inch.

While designed to be used in toilets, bathtubs, and sinks, we don’t recommend ever using a drain auger on your toilet clogs.  Its 25-foot drain snake cable is reinforced to avoid any kinking.

Be on notice that this unit doesn’t come with a battery or charger: you’ll have to use the ones from your existing Ryobi power tools.  Minus half a star for that.

This drain auger comes with feet that help keep its vibrations from scuffing up the floor or the counter. The Ryobi 18V weighs approx. six pounds and comes with a clamp to keep the cable in its place while you tackle tougher clogs.  If you’re looking for the best drain snake for hair, look no further.

To ensure there is minimum fatigue, the company has featured a powered reverse- and forward-feeding mechanism along with a lock that’s auto-feed that retracts or advances the cable so that you do not have to squeeze or press the pommel.

Runner Up: Electric Drain Auger

Populo Electric Drain Auger

The Populo Electric Drain Auger is a great choice for an electric drain auger.

The powered forward and reverse feed are excellent options and automatically feed the cable down your pipes. The cable is made of rust resistant steel and is reinforced for a tough cable.

The variable speed trigger controls how quick the snake feeds into your pipes and then you reverse the direction of the cable to grab your clog and pull it out. Make sure that you don’t pull or yank on the cable while you’re pulling it out. You risk damaging the cable. Instead, use the reverse function to guide your cable out of your drains.

We love that this tool also has a built in LED light to help with visibility while working out your clogs.

Like every drain auger, you should clean and dry this unit and the cable after use, just to avoid any possibility that rust or gunk cause any problems.

The fact that this unit is cordless/battery powered makes it much easier to get into tough spots without having to find and then trip over extension cords.

Make sure to use the port valve to drain out water after you’ve unclogged your drains. The port might leak out dirty water if you don’t drain it every time.

The two things missing is 1. we would like to see some sort of indicator on the cable or unit to show how far the cable is in the pipe and 2. an extra battery should be included.

Top Professional Drain Auger: Heavy Duty

Ridgid K45 Drain Auger

The Ridgid K45 is a solidly built drain auger, created with pros and serious DIYers in mind. If you have older pipes, kids, etc., and need to clear your pipes frequently, spending the cash on this well built unit will save you money and time in the long run.

This product is an excellent choice for clearing small, clogged drains. It can open lavatory, sink, urinal and tub or shower drains.

The Autofeed control advances and retracts the cable with the push of the lever.

The variable speed motor rotates the cable from 0-600 RPMs to customize the speed for different types of situations you may run into either at home or on the job.

The inner core of the drum is wrapped with vinyl to prevent the core from rusting and enhance cable life.

You can purchase a 50 foot cable for this unit to extend your reach throughout all your pipes and drains. If you need that longer cable or some replacement parts, the best place to source the right part is from Ridgid themselves. Click on this link here to go their website and order parts. Note Drum Capacity is as follows: 50′ of 5⁄16″ (15 m of 8 mm) or for a thicker cable 35′ of 3⁄8″ (11 m of 10 mm).

The cable canister is equipped with a twist lock so that you can easily access the interchangeable drum which makes changing out the cable super easy.

Owner’s manual, parts list and warranty is available here: RIDGID.

Electric Drain Auger

XtremepowerUS Electric Drain Auger

We like this Cordless drain auger from XtremepowerUS. Like most models in its class, it comes with a type of auto feed that rotates the cable forwards and backwards so that your hands and workspace stay clean while unclogging drains.

This unit works on sinks, showers, bathtubs, etc. The cable is not properly coated however to protect your porcelain toilet bowl although it could do in a pinch. Plus the cable is rated for drains that are 2 inches wide max, and toilet drains are about 3-4 inches, so you may not reach all of the clog.

The battery and charger are included with purchase (which they should be).

The adjustable speed options allow from you to adjust the speed of the cable rotation between 0 and 560 RPM for different jobs and clogs.

We didn’t like that the reinforced cable is only 20 feet long, where others in the category have minimum 25 foot cables.

Typical for this type of DIYer drain auger, it clears typical drains from about 3/4 inch to 2 inches, so perfect for all sorts of drains.

What is not the best for this unit is the warranty. It’s only 90 days. Most of the products on our list have a minimum of 1 year up to a lifetime warranty with the Ridgid Augers. So buyer beware.

Best Manual or Drill Powered Drain Auger

Ridgid Power Spin

If you are looking for a no-mess and easy-to-use operation drain auger, then the Ridgid Power Spin is the ideal tool for you.

The Ridgid Power Spin features an Auto Feed technology along with a Maxcore cable that will self-feed down a drain to ensure that your hands don’t get dirty at all.  Your hands won’t touch the cable as you rotate the drum. It also retrieves the cable for you, making unclogging drains super easy.

The bulb auger head is quite durable and can easily penetrate even difficult obstructions to remove all blockages and objects in your plumbing lines.

What we liked about the Ridgid Power Spin is that it is adaptable for extra power. This tool can be used with a variable speed drill that will provide it with an extra penetration power of up to 500 RPMs. The handle comes off very easily so that you can attach your drill.

What’s great about this drain auger is you can open it up and remove the 25 foot cable and replace it with a 40 foot cable, if you need to.

It’s also equipped with a manual option, so if you don’t have a drill you can still unclog your drains.  What takes the cake for this power spin is the fact that it comes with a full lifetime warranty.

The Power Spin is not recommended for toilets because it isn’t big enough for the drains and it will scratch your porcelain toilet bowl.

User Tip: Tighten the cheap plastic electrical wiring tie around the axle plastic inside the unit and it fill feel more solid.

Most Affordable Drain Auger

Cobra Drain Auger

During testing we found that this drain auger from Cobra performed beyond our expectations for such a cheap auger.  The handles were ergonomically designed and fit perfectly in our hands.

The drum housing is made from high impact polymer and is secured together with screws.  This protects the auger against breaking if you drop it.  

Even though it can withstand being dropped, it’s still lightweight at around 3 pounds.

The snake itself is 25 feet long and 1/4 inch thick; perfect for most small and medium sized drains.   We found it clears common clogs easily.  

We loved that if the metal snake cord somehow gets damaged you can replace it.  This drain auger came equipped with a level style cable lock which secured the cable in place while letting you adjust it easily.

The best part about this budget auger was that you could either use it manually or attach a cordless drill to provide extra power.

Need a replacement cable?  Check this link out here for the perfect Cobra Replacement Cable.

What we didn’t like was that the cable on this seems to be cheaply made. It tends to kink and then uncoil while using. It also doesn’t retract automatically like many of the other choices on our list. Sometimes, you get what you pay for.

Best Drain Auger Buyers Guide

What Is a Plumbing Auger?

Plumbing augers are quite versatile. They can be useful for unclogging washing machine drains, bathroom sinks, and even toilets.  

Designed specifically to be easy to use, they are highly recommended for homeowners who would prefer not to spend money on a professional plumber.

There are two main types of plumbing augers you’re likely to find: manual and electric or powered. Obviously, electric ones offer a higher level of convenience that the other.

What Kind of Snakes do Plumbers Use?

I use a drum auger on a regular basis. Like the Ridgid K45 Drain Auger or the Ridgid Power Spin. I like the RIDGID quality and guarantee, so I stay brand loyal to them.

How Often Should You Snake your Drain?

Clear out your drains, especially those in high use areas using an auger a couple of times per year. Cleaning out your drains should be part of your routine home maintenance schedule. You can stop problems and identify issues before they start and become expensive to fix.

 

One is built with a thicker shorter metal snake that tackles nasty toilet clogs and the other is made with a long thin metal “snake” to get down your smaller sink drains.

Manual

Manual augers are quite popular because they are inexpensive and just as useful as a powered plumbing auger.

However, they might not be the first tool of choice for professionals who likely have to clean multiple drains per day.  Check out our post on how to use a manual drain auger to get more details on how they can help you.

As a homeowner, they are a fantastic choice.  The Cobra Drain Auger is a fully manual drain auger that we rank as #5 on our list.  Save your sinks and your budget.

Plumbing augers are designed with an auger bit at the end of a long metal rod. It will also feature a flexible shaft with a crank handle at the opposite end of the auger bit.

When in use, you’ll have to turn the crank with your hand while holding the shaft steady as the cable and auger bit make their way into the drain. By manually cranking the handle, you’ll be pushing the auger through the blocked material, which breaks it apart before forcing it down the drain.

Check out the dual action Ridgid Power Spin.   You get the best of both worlds: manual operation for your shallow non complicated clogs and the option to attach a cordless drill when you need more force to get those clogs out.

Electric/Powered

If convenience is what you’re looking for, we highly recommend investing in an electric auger.

Priced at usually twice, if not three times, the cost of a manual auger, it excels in user-friendly features and ease of use. You’ll find a powered auger will prove most useful if your drains clog regularly.

The main difference between the two is that powered augers have a motor that propels the cable and auger bit down the drain. They are also designed to travel farther depths than manual augers, which is why they’ll typically be chosen by professionals.

Once powered on, the reinforced cable will make its way through the drain to where the clog is. Another impressive factor of a powered plumbing auger is that it is designed to clear larger clogs than that of a manual one.

In addition, they’ll have numerous other features such as kink-resistant cables and powered reverse and forward cable feeding. It takes all of the efforts out of clearing clogs in your laundry room, bathroom, and kitchen. We love that some electric drain augers come with LED lights to you can see what you’re doing.

How do You Use a Power Drain Auger

If you’ve made the decision to invest in a power drain auger, you’ll need to learn how to use your power snake to unclog a drain. So how does a plumbing auger work?

Most work generally the same, but if you’ve opted for a more expensive model, you’ll want to refer to the included user instructions.

Otherwise, this how does a drain snake work guide below will make it much easier to make the most out of your power drain auger.

Steps to using Your Drain Auger: How do you Unclog a Drain with a Snake

1. Charge the batteries

   All powered augers operate with the help of batteries, which is what makes them ideal for projects around the house.With that said, it’s important that you take the time to charge the batteries before using the device. A full charge is best, especially if you have to work on multiple drains and want to take advantage of its true power.

2. Prepare the Drain

   If you find that the clog is larger than expected, you’re going to want to ensure that you use a drain cleaner before using the auger.This helps to break apart any finer particles prior to them being broken up by the auger itself. In addition, it helps to prevent excessive strain on your auger as well as the drains.

3. Feeding the Auger

   Once everything has been prepared, and you’ve already got your gloves on, it’s time to turn on the auger.You likely have an on/off switch somewhere on the unit, likely near the handle. Using the trigger on the auger, you’ll be able to feed the cable towards the blockage, and if you encounter resistance, you may have to use a little bit of extra force.

4. Removing Blockages

   As soon as you have reached the problem area, you should continue holding onto the trigger, which will engage the spinning action of the auger bit. After a few minutes, the bit should have worked its way through the entire clog.

5. Removing and Cleaning the Power Auger

   Switching the auger from the feeding to the retracting setting, begin to feed the cable back into the main body of the unit. Ensure that you wipe the wire clean as it is retracted. Don’t forget to apply General Wire Snake oil to the cable. Doing this will help to prevent rusting in the future

Using a power drain auger is just as simple as using a drill. In fact, you can purchase a few attachments for power drills that have auger bits on them.

Using these steps, you’ll be able to clear any type of blockage with ease.

The Benefits of Auger Plumbing

There aren’t any disadvantages to auger plumbing, especially as these devices are acquiring new and improved updates over the years.

With an assortment of advantages, you’ll start to wonder why you chose plumbing snakes over auger plumbing in the past.  Some of the most notable advantages of using an auger include:

Cost-Effective

By far, the cost of hiring a plumber far outweighs the time you’ll spend learning how to use an auger. However, there may be some clogs that require professional help, depending on how deep they are.

Opting to spend under $100 on an auger that is reusable and incredibly easy to use once you get the hang of it is far less expensive than paying for emergency plumbing services. Buying and learning how to use an auger will save you money in the long run.

Time-Efficient: saves valuable time

Another advantage auger plumbing has over choosing to hire a plumber is the fact that you can save time by handling the project on your own.

Even with emergency plumbing services, you can wait up to two to three hours for someone to be dispatched to your location. With the right tools at home, you can tackle the project on your own right then and there in order to prevent flooding and further damage.

Drain-Safe

It’s very unlikely that you’ll be doing any damage to your pipes and plumbing when you use an auger, especially as they are mostly designed for homeowners with limited experience.

As long as you don’t use excessive force, you’ll be able to remove most clogs in a matter of minutes so your plumbing can return to normal. Many augers are also designed to protect your sinks and toilets. These have protective vinyl sheaths to prevent the metal from scratching the porcelain.

Versatile

Drain augers are one of the more popular options for removing clogs, especially when compared to snakes. This is because they are more versatile and efficient.

With an auger, not only do you have the ability to break apart debris and force it down the pipes, but you can also retrieve items from your drain.

You can purchase different cable lengths and use various bit attachments as well, depending on the task.

Keeps Plumbing in Good Shape

Using an auger a couple of times per year to clear out your drains should be part of your routine home maintenance schedule. You can stop problems and identify issues before they start and become expensive to fix.

What to Look for in a Drain Pipe Auger

As someone who may have never purchased a drain pipe auger before, any model seems good enough for the job. However, in truth, not all of them are created equally.

When you start shopping around, it’s important to remember that you’ll need something easy to use but also has a variety of other functional features.  Below are a few of the most important things to look for in a drain pipe auger.

Cable Length

The length of the cable in your chosen auger will depend on the amount of pipe you have and the potential for blockages.

Typically, augers with cables up to 25 feet are more than enough for all types of homes, though you can find many models with shorter length. Ideally, knowing how much plumbing you have can help you to find the perfect length.

Cable Thickness/Diameter

Drain augers comes with different cable diameters. The larger your pipes, the thicker the cable needs to be. This way, when you’re rotating the cable bulb head inside your pipes, it can reach all sides of the pipes, doing a very effective job of clearing out clogs and build up from the inside of your pipes. Check the specs on your drain auger to make sure they match up with your pipes.

For example: regular kitchen and bathroom drains are about 2 inches wide, so they cables on drain augers are designed to work with that size of pipe and have a thinner cable than a toilet auger. Why? Because toilet pipes are 4 inches wide and require a thicker cable to cover every inch of the pipe when rotating.

Kink-Resistant Cable

As a feature you might see in some of the newer power augers, kink-resistant cables will make your clog removal process substantially easier.

When the cable starts twirling itself down your pipes, regular cables have the likelihood of wrapping around themselves. This will cause you to have to constantly feed and retract the cable in order to make sure it goes down straight.

With kink-resistant cables, all you have to do is power on the auger or manually feed the cable without the worry of the cable getting damaged.

Cable Clamp

Until you use an auger for the first time, you won’t know how useful a cable clamp is, but it’s one of the most sought-after features.

With a cable clamp, once the auger has reached the blockage, it will be held in place. Without this feature, you’d be required to hold onto the cable as it blasts away any blockages.

Versatile Drain Width

Ideally, you’ll want to invest in a tool that you can use for more than one drain in your home. It’s likely your kitchen drain won’t be the same size as your washing machine drain, and you’ll want an all-in-one auger that can tackle both projects.

The auger that you opt for should have multiple bits for you to choose from depending on the width of the drain. If there aren’t any extra bits available, the built-in auger should at least be able to work with drains that are larger and smaller in width.

Protective Sheath

This is something that you’ll typically find in a manual plumbing auger, but it is more important than you know.

As the cable you’ll be feeding into your sink is made of metal, you won’t want it to rub against the porcelain and cause a lot of scratches that can be expensive to fix.

Most of the top-tier manual power drain auger models come with some type of protective sheath. This creates a barrier between the auger cable and your sink.

Can you Rent a Drain Snake?

You can rent drain snakes from your local hardware store or Home Depot.

When renting an auger, it’s important to carefully read and understand the rental agreement, including any details about the rental period, cost, and any additional fees that may apply. Be sure to also check the condition of the auger before you rent it and make sure you know how to use it safely and effectively.

Most rental equipment companies will require a deposit and even payment in full before you leave the store. They will also ask for a ID and a credit card. Make sure to ask about the rental company’s policy on maintenance and repairs, in case the equipment breaks down during the rental period and what they will do if it does break down.

But really, for the cost of renting one, you should just grab one of the best augers we discussed above and then you will have it on hand for any drain emergency at any time of the day or night.

What is the Most Effective Drain Unclogger?

It would be a drain auger. If you don’t have one, buy one today, or check out our post on how to get hair out of a drain for some possible solutions.

How Much Does it Cost to Have a Plumber Snake a Drain

Depending on where you live, the starting cost for a call out is around 100$. Add in the fact that a plumber probably can’t come out right away, forcing you to live with a clogged drain for a few days. Buying a drain auger is so much cheaper and you can use it anytime you need it!

How Long of a Drain Snake do I need? What size Drain Auger Should I Use?

Most drain snakes and augers come in about 20-25 feet of cable to unclog your drains. Most clogs are shallow (6 feet or less) and usually at the bends or elbows in your pipes. They also can be located at the P trap in your pipes. 20-25 feet should do fine for DIY work. If you find that your clog is deeper, you could buy a longer cable for your drain snake. Some snakes can handle up to a 50 foot cable inside their drum. Or call a plumber.

The thickness of the cable also matters. Drain auger cables should be at least thick enough to handle up to 2″ pipes, as those are the size of the pipes in 99.9% of homes. Toilets are a different beast. Those pipes are 4 inches wide and need a toilet auger to specifically deal with those crappy clogs. A 2″ wide cable will not clear out your drain well enough and your problem will just return.

What Pipes are Drain Snakes Safe for?

There are several things to watch out for when using a drain snake on different types of pipes. Snaking drains is a safe thing to do, when done correctly and with care. The drain augers are designed to work inside pipes without causing damage. However…

With old pipes you should be cautious to not be super aggressive when using a drain auger because the old pipes are coated with zinc to prevent rust. If you damage the coating, corrosion of the pipes could occur. Some of the high RPM augers are powerful and in older homes they could seriously damage the pipes if used without any caution.

Older homes again, if they have cast iron pipes, these tend to rust. They also are eroded on the bottom of the pipes and fittings, making the pipe thinner in those areas. If any part of the pipe or fittings is not flush, the auger cable and bulb head can catch on the snake and cause damage. This can also lead to extra debris being in the pipes and that equals more clogs. Your drain auger could even get stuck on some of these protruding pieces.

PVC piping is found in newer homes. It cause less issues for augers, but you still need to be careful. If it’s not installed correctly, the piping won’t be flush and is will cause issues for augers.

How do you Get a Snake past the P Trap?

We covered this is a special post about getting your drain augers past elbows and P traps, so head on over.

Drain Clog Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent future drain clogs:

• Watch that the kids put anything down the drains
• Clean out your pipes twice per year with a drain auger
• Grease should be poured into a container and thrown out, not down your toilet
• Use a drain catcher in your sink drains to catch any debris that gets into the sink

Cost of Hiring a Plumber Versus Buying a Drain Auger

Hiring a plumber to unclog your drains costs anywhere from $100- 250, depending on the area and how complicated the clog is. A drain auger can be as cheap as $30. You can also use your drain auger as many times as you like, so I consider it an investment.

Cost of Hiring a Plumber Versus Buying a Drain Auger

Hiring a plumber to unclog your drains costs anywhere from $100- 250, depending on the area and how complicated the clog is. A drain auger can be as cheap as $30. You can also use your drain auger as many times as you like, so I consider it an investment.

Conclusion

With the help of a drain auger, you can tackle tough clogs with minimal effort and without having to pay for a professional plumber. The next step of the project is to make sure you find the perfect one for your needs.

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