Best Electric Auger

Best Electric Auger Quick Chart

Best Electric Auger Reviews

7 Best Electric Augers: Editor’s Choice

• ION Alpha PLUS: Best Electric Ice Auger
• Ion G2: Runner Up
• Ion R1: 3rd place
• Ion X: 4th place
• Landworks Earth Auger: Best Electric Earth Auger
• Landworks Ice Auger 8 inch: Best for Budgets Ice Auger
• Vevor: Best for Budgets Dirt Auger

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Best Electric Ice Auger: ION Alpha Plus 8 Inch

One of the newest Electric Augers is the ION Alpha PLUS. This beast of an ice auger delivers so many goodies to its users but it comes at a premium price. For that premium price, you get an auger that outperforms not only the competition, but previous generations of the same auger from ION.

This bad boy weighs under 16 pounds which is about 40% lighter than its competition due to the composite auger bit. Don’t let its lightweight fool you, this auger packs a punch with the fastest cutting speed we’ve experienced at 3.4 inches per second. This is because of the turbo high speed cutting system that is new on ION augers and reduces resistance when drilling holes.

The long drill bit allows you to drill 24″ of ice without the use of an extension because the auger length is 40 inches. The variable speed trigger allows you to customize your speed for the ice conditions you encounter.

The lithium ion battery has been supercharged even compared to older ION models. This 4 Ah ION Gen 3 battery can cut up to 2000 inches of ice on a single charge, whereas older models it was 1600 inches.

Typical of ION quality, it also comes with a centering point to drill holes straight and keep it from skimming on the ice and a slush flush reverse function. This unit comes with 2 high powered LED lights underneath the powerhead, so you can drill in the dark in your shelter, on the lake at sunrise/sunset, etc.

We love the best in class warranty of 3 years that also covers the battery.

Included in the Box are:

• Alpha powerhead
• 1 battery 4 Amp-hour, Gen 3, 40V Lithium-ion batteries and battery charger
• Blade Protector
• Hex wrench for changing auger bit/blades

Runner Up: Ion G2 8 inch

Fast and smooth but lightweight: that’s the ION G2 Electric Auger. Fast cutting speeds are maximized with the G2, you can cut through 12 inches of ice in 8 seconds or less and it carves through 18 inches of ice like butter.

How long do ION batteries last? Ion auger battery life is pretty impressive, but it really depends on how much you’re drilling and how thick the ice is.  Drill 40 holes through 2 feet of ice on a single charge with this electric auger. 

This ice auger features a reverse function for flushing slush out and the flite design allows for a smooth, uninterrupted hole breakthrough.

Like all ION electric augers, the G2 comes with 2 LED lights underneath the powerhead, so you can drill in the dark in your shelter, on the lake at sunrise/sunset, etc.

The centering point keeps the auger in position when drilling new or reopening old holes.

Weighing in at approx. 17lbs, its easy to transport over the ice and a dream to chase fish all day.  You won’t feel fatigued from the weight of this electric auger.

Ion includes two batteries, a charger, and a 3 year warranty with your purchase.

You can also buy a handy Ion Carry Bag that fits Ion Augers AND most other types of Augers.

3rd Place: Ion R1 Ice Auger

The Ion R1 Electric Ice Auger  is built for chasing fish.  It drills holes quietly which means you won’t be scaring any fish away.

The reoptimized power system delivers up more power than previous ION augers, which equates to 30% faster ice cutting speeds.

The reverse function flushes the slush ice down the hole. The design of the blades and flite allows for an incredible smooth hole breakthrough.

This unit comes with 2 high powered LED lights underneath the powerhead, so you can drill in the dark in your shelter, on the lake at sunrise/sunset, etc.

The centering point keeps the auger in perfect position when drilling new or reopening old holes. No more skipping and skimming across the ice, reducing fatigue.

Weighing in at approx. 22lbs, its lightweight design allows for easy transport and portability over ice.  Ditch mixing oil/gas and nasty fumes with this electric model that you can easily use in your ice shanty. One of the best electric augers on the market.

Because its electric, you don’t have to worry about mixing oil/gas or fumes in your ice shanty.  Ion includes one battery, a charger, a 12 inch extension, and a 3 year warranty with your purchase.

You will love these extras because it means you can get out on the ice and fish fast, without having to buy additional supplies.

You can also buy a handy Ion Carry Bag that fits Ion Augers AND most other types of Augers.

4th Place: Ion X

Easy and precise drilling with the ION X High Performance Electric Ice Auger.  We love this auger and think it’s the best electric auger on the market.

The new aluminum cast bottom is the latest in auger technology and delivers an even cut that’s smooth when drilling or re-drilling ice fishing holes. 

Perfect for drilling in tight spaces like an ice shanty because of the re-designed handlebars that huge the powerhead.  They also gave us more control over our hole.  

This lightweight electric auger weighs only 22 lbs for the 8 inch and 25 lbs for the 10 inch.  When testing we found it easy to pull on our sled behind us.  

Ion includes one battery, the charger, a 12 inch extension and a blade cover when you purchase this ice auger.  

The LED surface lights were awesome and positioned under the powerhead, letting us drill in the dark winter mornings and nights with no problems.  

In our opinion, this is the best electric auger out there.

Best Electric Earth Auger: Landworks

Landworks is among the only manufacturers of electric earth augers.  The Landworks auger is a great choice for people who are doing simple digging tasks. It is not too hard to operate and very easy to assemble as well. It is durable enough to last for a long time, but you have to pay attention to its battery since you have to replace it after a while. 

It is not as heavy as gas-powered augers, but the power of the engine is good enough for digging post holes. If you want a mid-ranged price earth auger which does its job well, this is the best option for you. 

The best thing about electric augers is that you don’t need to buy gasoline or mix fuel/oil to use it.  This model from Landworks comes with a battery life indicator to help you check the battery life of your auger.

This Landworks Electric earth auger is one of the best because it includes a 48V 2Ah lithium-ion battery.

The silicone hand grips will allow you to use the earth auger for a long time without hurting and stressing out your arms and wrists.  

This is all thanks to its wide-spaced hand grips which are made of silicone and are ergonomically designed.

Perfect for specific projects, this electric auger can drill at least 30 holes on a single charge.  If you want to drill more holes on a single charge, upgrade to the 4Ah li-ion battery.  Then you can drill about 60 holes in a single charge.

This Landworks electric post hole digger can be used for a wide range of tasks such as bedding plants, digging post holes, weed and root removal, bulbs, fertilizing shrubs, seedlings, and water aeration.

The blades are interchangeable so you can also use it for ice fishing.  Instead of buying 2 different augers, just switch out the blades and you’re good to go!

We love that this electric auger comes with an overload protector so it doesn’t overheat while using it. It also has a reverse torque control button which would allow you to reverse the spin of the auger and remove dirt. 

All in all, if you’re looking to step away from gas powered augers, this is a great choice.

Landworks Ice Auger 8 inch: Best for Budgets

Hitting the ice with the Landworks Electric Ice auger is a smart move.

You will find this model includes many bells and whistles of the more expensive version, but for half the price. For example, it comes with high intensity LED lights for using in the dark and in a dark shelter. The thread connection is universal so you can connect any other auger bit to the powerhead and drill.

We appreciate the overload protector that prevents the powerhead from overheating. Drill through any type of ice with this kit.

To keep the blades working well, they are built from alloy steel, a combination of iron, carbon and other metals.

If you need a larger, more powerful battery, you can purchase an optional 4 Amp hours battery to compliment the included 2 Amp. You may find that your auger bogs down when drilling if you’re using the 2 Amp or that it will stop and need to be restarted in sub zero temps. Solve that issue by buying the 4 Amp battery. And remember to keep the batteries warm and/or insulated.

The handles are spaced to give you enhanced balance during drilling with easy to operate controls on each handle.

Owners have noted that parts can be difficult to source for this unit.

Budget Electric Earth Auger: Vevor

This is the second electric auger for post holes that we recommend.  It’s competitively priced.  You can basically buy it for only a bit more than a daily rental from the local hardware store.

And that’s because...the Vevor isn’t battery operated; it’s corded.  You’ll have to make sure you have a long enough extension cord to reach your project.

This electric auger comes with either a 1200W or a 1500W option with rotational speed of 200 RPM.

You may find that your jobs are limited with the 4″ bit that’s included. The included bit is perfect for plants, bulbs, trees and other small holes.

Because this unit doesn’t have a reverse function, you have to manually remove it and this can be a problem if you’ve got tougher than normal soil conditions.

While it can get through standard soil, there isn’t much torque at 90ft/lb.  The upside to that is if the auger catches on roots or rocks, you won’t get thrown around.  This makes it perfect for beginners. The downside is if you encounter difficult soil, this auger might not get the job done.

The security lock is placed on the left hand side so that it isn’t accidently triggered while operating. Left handed folks will have to be mindful of not triggering the switch while in use.

When testing we noticed that if your drilling in wet soil, you need to bring up the auger occasionally and clear the dirt off the bit.

The items included in this purchase are:

• 1 x Electric Earth Auger
• 1 x Auger Bit
• 1 x Extension Bar
• 2 x Mount Pins
• 1 x Hex Spanner
• 1 x Manual

Electric Auger Buyer’s Guide 

What Is an Electric Ice Auger? 

First, let’s discuss the concept of using an auger when ice fishing. An electric ice auger is specifically designed to give you the ability to drill multiple feet into the ice to create the perfect fishing hole. Ice augers are the best tool when you need to drill through thick ice quickly to catch and chase fish.  

Are Electric Ice Augers Any Good? Do Electric Ice Augers Work?

These unique tools harness the power of torque to drill into the ice, similar to how they dig deep into soil to drill post holes. Using their threaded blades, an ice auger twists itself downwards in a corkscrew motion and removes all traces of ice in its path. Eventually, you’ll get to the surface of the water and gain access to all of the fish you hope to catch that day. 

What makes electric ice augers unique is that they make use of lithium-ion batteries instead of gasoline or propane. It’s a much simpler and cleaner way to power your favorite tool, allowing you to use it in a fishing shack without the worry of exposing yourself to harmful emissions.  

In addition, electric ice augers have many of the same features as more traditionally powered ones, such as a powerful motor and plenty of ergonomic features. 

Quick Chart: Pros and Cons of Electric Augers

Pros	Cons
Zero Emissions	Multiple Batteries Might be Required
Easy Maintenance	Battery Life
Convenient, Portable, Lightweight	Power
Quick to Start	Cost

The Other Types of Augers Compared

Aside from electric ice augers, there are multiple other types of augers as well. One of the most popular is a toilet auger, which is specifically designed to remove impacted waste from your plumbing pipes. It’s easily one of the most used tools in a professional plumber’s arsenal. 

Other examples of augers include: 

Toilet auger: These augers are designed specifically for toilets.  They have a cover that protects your toilet bowl as the thick and sturdy 3 or 6 foot long metal cord moves around in your pipes to trap and remove nasty toilet clogs. 

Drain auger: Built for drains, the cord is thinner and longer.  It can travel up to 25 feet into your drain and trap grease, hair, food etc that might be clogging up your pipes. 

Propane auger: Ice fishing and post hole augers can come propane powered.   

Gas auger: Just like propane, augers can come gas powered.  You can use them for ice fishing or drilling post holes. 

Tractor auger: Also known as a 3 point auger, these augers attach to a tractor and are the most powerful you can buy without getting a commercial/industrial auger. 

Gardening Auger: Typically used by gardeners, soil augers are smaller in size and are designed to remove topsoil and dirt. Most often, people will use these augers to plant flowers, vegetables, and more. 

Wood Augers: Specifically designed to “drill” into the wood, these augers are ideal for creating large holes in wood. 

What to Look for in the Best Electric Ice or Post Hole Auger 

Electric augers are one of the most popular types of augers because they can completely transform your ice fishing or post hole digging experience. They are becoming increasingly popular, which means you’ll be able to pick from dozens of models.

Here’s a list of the most important features to look out for when picking the best electric auger. 

Lightweight Design 

The portability of an electric auger is one of the main reasons why more people are transitioning from gas to electric. Because they don’t require the use of carburetors, motors, and fuel tanks, electric versions are way more lightweight. Some of the heaviest models may top out at 20 pounds at most, but you can find plenty of light options to suit your needs. 

If you don’t own a snowmobile or a pull behind sled and are carrying your auger to your fishing shack, you’re going to need to find something that isn’t too much of a burden. And because you won’t need to worry about carrying extra propane and gas cans, you can make your gear as light as possible. 

Length of Bit

Make sure that the bit in long enough so that you can drill through thicker ice, if that’s what you plan on doing. If not, you can buy an extension for the electric auger you decide to purchase, just make sure that it fits the shaft before buying.

Specially Designed Handlebars and Anti Vibration Systems

There’s a lot of torque you’re going to have to harness when using the best electric ice auger, especially because it’s drilling into a thick sheet of ice. With that said, you’re going to need handlebars that are not only padded but designed ergonomically as well. Anti Vibration handles help to reduce hand fatigue and helps to stop blisters and cramping. 

Efficient Batteries 

Lithium-ion batteries are well known because they are easy to use and hold a lot of charge within them. However, not every battery is created the same, and you’ll want to make sure your electric auger has efficient batteries installed. Otherwise, you will have to invest in additional batteries far sooner than you had hoped. 

Ideally, the best electric auger will be able to last an entire day of drilling without needing to be recharged. We recommend bringing a second battery with you if you like to chase fish or if you’re going to be out overnight.  Keep your second battery warm to maintain its charge. 

Included Battery Charger 

While discussing batteries, it’s also important that your auger comes with a battery charger that you can easily use at home. If not, you’ll have to invest in a third-party charger, which might not be as efficient.

Lithium-ion batteries can take several hours to charge, especially for such a large tool, and you’ll want an efficient charger at your disposal. 

After every fishing trip, make sure that you fully charge your auger’s batteries. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a dead or dying tool.   Don’t look like a donkey and get those batteries charged up before you head out. 

User-Friendly Buttons 

Another giant reason why electric augers are popular is because of how simple they are to start up. You don’t have to worry about mixing fuel to the perfect ratios or replacing propane tanks as you drill. With that said, the buttons used for starting the device should be user-friendly and easily accessible from the handlebars. 

Every electric auger should have on and off buttons as well as the ability to choose from a few different speeds, depending on how quickly you want it to drill. 

Other controls that your should look for include dead man switches, safety, and motor locks.

Slush Flushing or Reverse Function

Until you go ice fishing with an electric auger for the first time, you won’t realize how convenient having automatic slush flushing is. Instead of having to use a shovel to remove slush from the hole, your auger will do it for you, thereby keeping you warm and dry.

This isn’t a feature that is included in every electric ice auger, but you can find it in the most top-tier models. 

With slush flushing, once your hole has been created, you simply engage the reverse button, and the auger will automatically flush all of the ice slush away from your fishing hole. This gives you premium visibility to keep an eye on your line and the fish. 

Some electric post hole augers will have a reverse function so that you can back out of the holes once they’re drilled.  This helps to remove dirt out of the hole, and saves you from having to manually remove your auger and all the dirt.

LED Lights

Most electric augers come with LED lights so you can drill in a darker shanty, first thing in the morning, and later into the evening and see wht you’re doing.

USB Ports

An auger with a USB charging port makes charging easier, since you can use almost any USB cord to charge it on the go. No more bringing bulky and messy fuel and fuel containers with you on the ice.

The Benefits of Using an Electric Auger 

By now, you can likely tell that an electric auger is one of the most convenient options for ice fishing or post hole drilling. 

There is far more to these tools than convenience, which is what makes them as popular as they are. A few of the most important reasons to choose an electric auger include: 

Stability 

Even though electric augers still have a lot of torque under the hood, many find they are far more stable than gas and propane augers. This is because gas provides too much power and propane falls slightly below gas, which can be difficult for beginners to manage. 

Instead of struggling while using an auger, it can be better to opt for the more stable option, especially if it’s your first time using one. 

Zero Emissions 

It’s known that gas is one of the dirtiest fuels when it burns, which is why gas augers are not recommended for people using fishing shacks. Not only will you be putting out harmful emissions into the atmosphere, but you’re also exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. 

In addition, fuels that are dirty when burned will wreak havoc on the sensitive components of your auger, such as the carburetor. This is where electric augers are far more superior. 

Electric augers only require batteries to be powered. There’s no need for any extra fuels that are messy, smell terrible, and produce an insane amount of exhaust. It’s surely the cleanest option for digging fishing or post holes, other than manual augers, which are far more labor-intensive. 

Convenience 

The number one feature of electric augers that sets them apart from the competition is their convenience. Not only are they designed to be the second-most lightweight option, but they reduce the amount of money you have to put into your fishing expeditions.

You don’t have to worry about carrying a ton of gear with you when you go fishing, such as jerry cans and propane tanks. 

Their easy-to-use functions make them a great choice for beginners and seasoned fishers alike, as the convenience is unmatched by any other type of auger. You’re also sure to appreciate their more high-tech features. 

Electric augers are quick to start, just at the push of a button. No priming or mixing messy fuels in the perfect ratios.

They are more lightweight than Gas and propane augers, so you can carry them around the lake and for long distances without getting tired. Easier to lift and beginning drilling ice holes too.

What is the Best Electric Ice Auger?

After testing, we can recommend the ION Alpha PLUS as the best electric ice auger.

Is a Gas or Electric Auger Better? Why Choose Electric Augers?

Which is better: electric or gas augers? It all depends on what your preference is. Known for their power and efficiency, gas augers have mostly been referred to as the superior option. Nevertheless, there are a few cons of a gas ice auger which could put a damper on your fishing excursion. If you don’t want any emissions in your ice shanty or the hassle of mixing fuel and bringing fuel with you, then an electric auger is the way to go. If you need to take your auger long distances across the lake or move frequently, then having a lightweight and portable electric auger may be the way to go.

Pros and Cons of Gas Augers

Pros	Cons
Horsepower	Mixing Fuel
Efficient	Emissions
Long Lasting	Portability
Run Time	Harder Start Up
Refueling	Maintenance

Conclusion 

When it comes to finding the best electric auger, you need to look at all of the top models on the market. With an assortment of features designed for your convenience and to improve your hole drilling, there’s a reason as to why they’re one of the most popular powered augers on the market. 

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