Best Toilet Auger

Best Toilet Auger Quick Chart 

 

Best Toilet Auger Reviews

6 Best Toilet Augers: Editor’s Choice and Ratings

• Ridgid K-6 Long Toilet Auger: Best Toilet Auger
• Milwaukee Toilet Auger: Best Auto Toilet Auger
• Ridgid Powerfeed w/Autospin: Runner Up
• Ridgid K-3 Short Toilet Auger: Best Manual Toilet Auger on a Budget
• Cobra Standard Auger: Runner Up
• Cobra 3 Foot Toilet Auger: Best for Ultra Low Budgets

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Editor’s Choice: Best Toilet Auger

Ridgid K-6 Long Toilet Auger with Drop Head

Grind through any clog in your toilet with this 6 foot long toilet auger from Ridgid.  Even beginner DIYers can use this must have tool.   

Here’s why we chose this as our favorite toilet auger. If you’ve got kids who flush random stuff down the toilet, save yourself a ton of money on plumbers and pick up this quality built Ridgid toilet auger. 

Ridgid’s K-6 Professional Toilet Auger comes equipped with a drop head which will grab items in the toilet better than the regular head type.  Made in the USA, it comes with a vinyl guard to prevent your toilet from getting scratched and chipped while you’re working out that clog.   

Make sure that the vinyl covering at the tip of the pipe is eased into the toilet, with the wire cable pulled back into the pipe handle or you risk scratching the porcelain in your toilet bowl. 

The kink resistant cable is a must in a toilet auger, especially since this auger has a sturdy 6 foot cable. The head retracts all the way back to the shaft, saving you from having to touch that nasty thing after unclogging your toilet. 

The corrosion resistant cable and tube are a must to make sure that this auger lasts through all your clogs. 

Check out the collection of parts offered from Ridgid directly by clicking HERE.

Milwaukee Toilet Auger

The best feature of the design of the Milwaukee is that you can fight into tight bathrooms and awkward areas easily. Perfect for pros and DIYers alike to unclog toilets, sewer lines, and floor traps.

We liked the integrated locking mechanism that holds the cable in place for easy telescoping extension. You can also replace the cable on this model to maximizes its longevity.

You can also purchase the TRAPSNAKE driver for this unit that maneuvers traps faster. It comes with the driver, Milwaukee M12 redlithium CP1.5 battery and charger.

Something to note is that there is a collar inside the tool that keeps you from being able to pull the handle out all the way. This makes it very difficult to extend the last 3 feet of cable stored inside the tool.

Best Powered Toilet Auger

Ridgid Power Spin

Ridgid’s Power Spin Autofeed can be used manually OR by attaching a cordless drill to the handle and powering through your clogs. The drain cleaner has a 25-foot long maxcore cable, which is ¼-inch thick. This is positively retained in the drum to prevent the cable from being pulled out. The bulb auger head is quite durable and can easily penetrate even difficult obstructions.   

During testing we noticed that we had to wind up the cord slowly.  Water will spray off the cord and, well, that’s pretty gross if you’re unclogging a toilet.   

When we were using the drill, we didn’t go full throttle, instead, we kept the RPMs low and turned the auger slowly.  Helps to avoid breaking the unit, kinking the cord and splashing dirty water everywhere.   

We really like the pistol grip that lets you apply pressure to the cable when you hit a clog. The cord is flexible enough to get around p-traps where cheaper hand auger can’t. 

The metal cable is rust and corrosion resistant, but should always be cleaned and dried before putting it away to make your auger last longer.

You’re going to want to go ahead and tighten the ties and screws on the inside of the unit prior to use to make sure it feels tight. Please note that this is a drain auger so the cord is longer and thinner than a toilet auger.  If you have this at home, you can use it in a pinch to unclog your toilet.  

Be mindful that the steel cable doesn’t come with a vinyl protective covering.  If you’re not careful you will scratch your toilet bowl. Not only that, but this unit will not clean out your pipes very well, because it’s only meant for drains up to 1.5 inches wide. Toilet drains are at least 3 inches so keep that in mind.

The best way to show you how to use the Ridgid Power Spin is through this YouTube Video HERE.

Check out the collection of parts offered from Ridgid directly by clicking HERE.

Best Manual Auger for Your Toilet on a Budget

Ridgid K-3 Toilet Auger

The Ridgid manual toilet auger is a 3 ft version of the Editor’s Choice 6 foot Ridgid.   We love the Ridgid 3 ft toilet auger and its ability to power through and remove tough blockages. This Ridgid toilet auger has a 12.7mm or 0.5 inches toilet auger snake. The cable is kink resistant with a compression wrapped inner core.

The handle is made to make sure your arms and wrists won’t hurt while using this toilet auger.

Ditch your plungers, this bad boy has got all your toilet issues covered. If you’ve got shallow clogs to work out of your toilet, and you’re on a budget, this quality built auger will impress you. 

Stop spending a ton of cash on plumbers and get yourself this toilet auger.   At 30$ a pop, you might think, “that’s not budget friendly!”, but it cost a lot less than calling a professional to unclog your toilet with the EXACT same tool! 

We found that you get a lot of bang for your buck with steel construction and a lifetime warranty. We tested the Ridgid 3 foot long toilet auger in a pretty small bathroom and, while we unclogged the toilet, it was a bit of a chore.

Storing it can be another issue if you’ve got limited space. The small bulb head fits perfectly down your toilet and passed the P traps, effectively unclogging your toilet.   

If you want to know how do you use a Ridgid K3 toilet auger if you want to watch a video, click here.

Cobra Standard Auger

The Cobra Standard Toilet Auger is 3 feet long and has a cable thick enough to tackle toilet drains, which are larger than 2″, usually 3-4 inches wide.

When we tested it, we thought it might break, but you definitely need to be gentle with this unit. But for around 20$, you can’t expect professional level clearing of clogs. This unit can handle simple shallow clogs of up to 3 feet and that’s it.

Unlike more expensive toilet augers, this auger doesn’t have a cranking mechanism.  You can’t rotate the metal cable.   This means this auger is good for shallow, uncomplicated clogs only.  It won’t clean the insides of your pipes like a toilet auger that rotates. 

We do like that even this cheaper model has a guide tube to protect both the porcelain toilet bowl, while all drain augers don’t.

You just push the cord into the toilet slowly and force the clog down or hope it grabs the object clogging your pipes.   Too much force will ruin even the highest priced toilet auger let alone a $20 auger so don’t smash it too hard down your toilet. 

Best ‘Ultra’ Budget Toilet Auger

Cobra 3 Foot Auger

Seriously this Cobra 3 foot Toilet Auger is only 6 bucks!  How is that even possible?? 

When we tested it, we thought it would break on the first try.  We were wrong.  It did the job to clear the shallow clogs we had. 

If you’ve got a deeper clog, then this isn’t going to work. Unlike our other favorite toilet augers, this auger doesn’t have a cranking mechanism.  You can’t rotate the cord.   This means this auger is good for shallow, uncomplicated clogs only.  It won’t clean the insides of your pipes like a toilet auger that rotates. 

You just push the cord into the toilet slowly and force the clog down or hope it grabs the object clogging your pipes.   Too much force will ruin even the highest priced toilet auger let alone a $6 auger so don’t smash it too hard down your toilet. 

Best Toilet Auger Buyers Guide

What Kind of Auger do You Use for a Toilet?

Only use an auger built for unclogging toilets. Toilet augers are built for the crappy job! They are the strongest thing to unclog a toilet. Read below to find out why.

Why You Should have a Toilet Auger

Anyone with a toilet should have a toilet auger including homeowners and renters. Why? Because you can prevent clogs before they start by clearing out your drains twice per year. Don’t wait for a clog to happen, then the problem has gone too far. Clearing out your drains twice per year will prevent water overflow filled with gross toilet water, floods, future blockages. It can reduce your costs because you won’t have a big problem develop that requires you to call a plumber.

When to Use the Best Toilet Auger 

With the best toilet auger, you’ll be able to deal with clogs that are far too advanced for plungers or even snakes. 

Also referred to as a closet auger, this device is specifically designed to prevent scratches in your toilet while removing harmful materials from your plumbing.  

If you’ve tried a plunger and your toilet is at risk for overflowing, an auger will become a necessity. As an auger is specifically designed for toilets; they aren’t recommended to be used for any other type of plumbing in your home, such as your shower drains.  

With that said, toilet clogs are far more likely to happen than any other plumbing issue, which is why toilet augers are as popular as they are. 

How Long is a Toilet Auger?

Some are 3 feet for shallow clogs and others are 6 feet long. Buy the longest one you can afford so that if the clog is deeper than you think, you can unclog it yourself.

Can a Toilet Auger Damage Your Toilet?

When not used correctly, any tool can damage your project.

Where can I Buy the Best Plumbing Auger?

You can buy them online or at your local hardware store.

What happens if an Auger Doesn’t unclog my Toilet?

This could be because the clog is deeper that your 3 or 6 foot auger will reach. First, if you KNOW you’ve hit the clog (you can usually feel the auger stop) then try a few more times to get through the clog. Otherwise, if you haven’t hit it with the auger, it may be too deep and you’ll need to call a plumber.

How Often should I Snake my Toilet with an Auger?

Don’t wait for clogs to happen. Snaking your toilet should be done twice per year to keep the pipes clean and the toilet running well. Just add it to your seasonal home maintenance list.

Is it Possible to Rent a Toilet Auger?

Yes you can rent one. But for a bit more money, you can own one and not have to worry about clogs. We suggest the latter. You can rent toilet augers from your local hardware store or Home Depot.

Features to Look for: How to choose the Best Toilet Auger 

More often than not, people who invest in the best toilet auger don’t have many negative things to say, especially as the high-end models are designed for ease of use.  

When you start shopping for your own toilet auger, there are a few important details to look for in reviews, including:

Ease of Use 

You’re obviously going to want to buy a tool that makes working with hazardous waste easier and less stomach-churning, especially if it’s a guest who accidentally clogs your toilet.  

The auger you opt for should be easy to use, even if you’ve never had to take it out of the packaging before. 

Durably Built Auger

Considering you’ll never know the severity of a clog and how hard the materials are packed in together, you’ll want an auger that is built durably.  

According to the best toilet auger reviews, this tool should last over years of use. The metal shouldn’t be prone to rust and you shouldn’t have to worry about the cable snapping when dealing with heavy clogs. 

Cable Length 

The length of the cable built into your auger will determine how far down it will travel to find a clog. 

As it’s relatively impossible to see where a clog may occur, you’ll want to ensure you choose one that travels a safe distance down your pipes to reduce your chances of needing to call a professional plumber. 

Protective Guard 

Porcelain is an incredibly delicate material and is far easier to scratch than you’d expect.

As you will essentially be forcing a cable down the inside of your toilet, you’ll need to make sure your chosen auger has a protective guard. Typically, the guard will be made of vinyl, which creates a strong barrier between the harsh metal and the soft porcelain surface of the toilet. 

Kink-Resistant Cables 

In the past, the most difficult part of using an auger was preventing twists and kinks in cables when you would turn the crank manually.  

When asking, “What is the best toilet auger?”, make sure the model you choose has a kink-resistant cable.  This helps to make sure the auger makes its way to the clog without issues and without having to retract and re-feed it back into your plumbing. 

Corrosion-Resistant Tubing 

Over time, the more often you use your toilet auger, the more it is exposed to water. 

Water, metal, and oxygen will result in rusting which will damage the integrity of the toilet auger’s cable. Ideally, high-quality augers should have corrosion-resistant tubing that keeps the tool in pristine condition over the years. 

However, even with this feature, it’s still important you wipe down the auger cable to prevent the possibility of rust. 

Ergonomic Handles 

Your comfort is of the utmost importance, especially with how time-consuming removing a clog from your toilet can be.  Ergonomic handles give you the opportunity to easily grip into the crank and hold the auger in place as it removes clogged material.  

You likely won’t have to worry about hand cramps, blisters, or fatigue, depending on how long the process takes. 

Manual or Electric

Do you want to use elbow grease or just click a trigger/button and have the auger do the work for you? Also, what is your budget like? Electric augers are more expensive than manual ones so keep that in mind.

Cable Diameter

Make sure the cable is thick enough and rated for the diameter of your pipes.

Easy to Clean

Some augers are easier to clean than others, so be aware of the cleaning procedures before buying, because that is one crappy mess.

Autofeed and Retract

Do you want the auger to do the work for you? If you said YES then you want to buy a model with Autofeed and retract technology.

How to Use a General Toilet Auger 

You’ll be glad to know that learning how to use a general toilet auger is easier than you’d imagine, especially because they don’t require the help of a professional.  

With plenty of user-friendly features to protect your toilet and your pipes, they’re easily one of the simplest plumbing tools to have in your home. 

5 Easy Steps to Unclogging a Toilet with an Auger

1. Get Prepared

   Aside from grabbing your auger, you’re also going to want to make sure you have gloves, as you won’t want to handle waste with your bare hands.  Grab yourself some old clothes and some safety glasses as well.  You don’t want the black water getting anywhere on you! Safety gear, link to glasses and gloves. It’s also recommended you have a disposal bag to get rid of any materials that might come up with the auger when you’re finished. 

   Make sure that bag is big enough that you can fit the auger in!  OR grab a BIG 5 gallon bucket or even a garbage can.   Handy way to carry it outside for cleaning. 

2. Insert the Auger Cable

   By pulling the handle of the auger all the way up, this will make the cable drop to the bottom of the tube. You’ll want to insert the auger cable into the toilet to where you can’t see the end of the cable. 

3. Feeding the Auger

   At the top of the toilet auger, you’ll notice there is a handle that you will need to rotate in order to get rid of the clog.  You’ll need to rotate this handle, which will, in turn, rotate the cable, causing the cable to create a screwing motion.  Using your other hand, keep the main housing of the auger in place. This process requires a lot of patience, as you will need to work slowly to ensure you don’t exert too much force which could cause the cable to wrap around itself.  You might need to crank in the opposite direction to feed the cable deeper, depending on where the clog is located. Eventually, you’ll be able to feel that the cable has made its way to the clog as there will be more resistance. 

4. Removing the Clog

   The next step of the process is to remove the clog.  Once the toilet auger cable has reached the problem area, continue cranking the handle, as this will force the cable to work its way through the clog.  Once you feel less resistance, rotate the handle in the opposite direction to pull the cable back into the housing and remove the auger from the toilet. 

5. Test Your Toilet

   At this point, the clog should be removed and once you’ve retracted the entire toilet auger cable, you can flush your toilet to determine if the clog has been removed. At this point, everything should flush normally, but if it still appears to be clogged, repeat the above steps. Make sure you wipe your auger cable dry to prevent rusting over time. If your problem persists, it’s recommended you consider using a snake or contacting a professional plumber. 

6. How to Clean a Toilet Auger

   There are a couple of recommended ways to clean it.   You can leave the auger extended in the toilet bowl once you’ve cleared your clog, fill the bowl with bleach or disinfectant and flush the toilet repeatedly.   Slowly wind the auger back up to avoid getting splashed and place it into a bag or bucket.  Let it dry before storing. Another method to clean your toilet auger, is to take it outside and unwind it.  Spray it with a hose and wash it down with disinfectant and a brush.   Don’t forget to use Wire oil on your auger cable.  It protects your cable from rust while in storage.  Also keeps longer cables from kinking.

   Let the auger dry and then wind it back up for storage. Don’t forget to spray the cable with WD 40 or a similar product to preserve the cord and prevent any rust from forming. 

What if a Toilet Auger Doesn’t Clear the Clog?

Lucky for us, most clogs are no match for a toilet auger.  They chew up whatever you’ve put down there. 

If you’ve got a super stubborn clog, you will have to remove the toilet. After its’ been removed, use your auger to reach right down the drain.  Go as far as you can, really cleaning out the pipes. 

If your toilet is still clogged, well my friend, what in the world is down there??  Seriously, at this point, you are at the mercy of a plumber and Roto-Rooter.   

What Is an Electric Toilet Auger? 

As with any electric tool, you can guarantee an electric toilet auger helps to make removing clogs substantially easier and faster.  

As the electric variants force their way through materials simpler than if you were to crank the cable yourself, they may be more preferable for homes prone to clogged toilets.  

Professionals also prefer using electric toilet augers due to their simplicity. Different types of electric toilet augers are available for you to choose from; some come with their own power supply and others can be attached to power drills.  

If you want a truly electric version, you’ll want to choose one that has a built-in motor.  Compared to manual versions, powered augers will easily move themselves down the drain, so you’ll never have to operate a manual crank. 

The only downside to an electric auger is that you have less control over how quickly the cable forces itself down your pipes.  However, the majority of models come with protective features to preserve the pristine look of porcelain toilets. 

What is a Long Toilet Auger? 

A long toilet auger gives you the ability to access clogs that are deeper in your plumbing. If you’re a money-savvy homeowner, it’s likely you’ll want to try to handle plumbing issues on your own without professional help.  

It’s essential you have a long toilet auger at your disposal to reach deeper clogs which general household augers can’t get to. Otherwise, you’re going to need to hire a plumber who has the equipment necessary to find, assess, and remove clogs on his or her own.  

Depending on where you live, this can cost upwards of $200 and if it’s a more serious clog, even more, based on the cost of their labor.  Not to mention you’ll be on the hook for higher rates because it will be classified as an emergency call rather than a regular appointment. 

Another advantage of a long toilet auger is it helps to reduce the amount of strain you have to put into cranking the cable, especially if you opt for a manual instead of an electric version.  

You’ll be able to maintain the proper positioning to easily work away at a clog in the pipes. 

How do You Clean a Toilet Auger?

First thing is to extend your toilet auger down into your unclogged toilet drain and put some bleach or disinfectant in the toilet bowl water.  Flush your toilet a few times to get some of the goo off.

Pull out your toilet auger and put it in a large garbage can or big black garbage bag. You will want to carry your toilet auger outside to clean it.  

First, rinse it off with your garden hose.  Make sure you’re wearing your work clothes and that your skin is covered.  No one wants dirty old toilet water splashing on them.

Then scrub it with a brush and some sort of disinfectant. Let your auger air dry, wind or pull the cord back into its plastic housing and place it in storage.

Where to Find the Best and Most Affordable Toilet Auger? 

As these devices can range anywhere from $9 to $100, there are quite a few to consider. The best recommendation is to try shopping for one online. 

Online, you’re able to compare different features as well as read the best toilet auger reviews to determine if one model is superior to another.  You’ll also find that online shops have an extensive selection of different models, especially when compared to a brick-and-mortar hardware store.  

Do Augers work with All Toilets?

Toilet augers will work on all toilets. Don’t use a drain auger on your toilet, they will damage the porcelain bowl and the cables aren’t thick enough to thoroughly clean your pipes. You may have future clogging fairly soon after you “unclog” the toilet pipes the first time. This is because other types of augers have cables that are meant to work on pipes of up to 2″ in diameter. Toilet pipes are 4″, so you’re not getting all the debris out with the thinner cables.

Is a Toilet Auger Better than a Snake? Is a Toilet Auger Better than a Plunger?

Yes and Yes. Augers do a better job of clearing out clogs AND the debris built up in your pipes.

Toilet Auger Vs Snake: Is There a Difference?

We cover this in our post Professional Toilet Auger Vs Snake.

When to Replace your Toilet Auger

Toilet augers last forever, it’s a good investment considering its low price. If the rubber sleeve is cracking or broken you need to replace it. Also, another reason to get a new auger is if the cable is super rusted.

Conclusion 

To make the most out of your time and effort, you need to consider the best toilet auger for your household.   Save a ton of money on plumbers and get it done yourself!

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