Best Auger Reviews 2018

Digging goes on at construction sites, on large-scale farms, in backyard gardens, at the beach, in our homes, and a host of other places. The auger is one tool that has made this activity a less tedious one, and its help has come to be appreciated by many. Knowing how necessary this tool is, we have compiled a review featuring distinctive types of augers from the best auger brands. We’ve reviewed a sole product from each of these brands, but there are many other great augers by them and you can check them out too. We hope this guide will help you make the right decision.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Size(s)

Material

Weight

Best for

Our Top Choice

XtremepowerUS One Man Auger

XtremepowerUS is a brand renowned for quality solutions, and its 2 Stroke One Man Auger with 6”, 8” and 12” bits is one of such solutions for digging through any type of soil.

Fast. Lightweight. Easy to handle. Starts up easily.

No teeth on the bottom of the bit. Poor owner’s manual.

2 stroke one man auger

8 sizes available

Info NOT provided

33 lbs

Posthole digging

Best Value

Seymour Hardwood Handle Auger

A global supplier to the hand-tools market, Seymour Midwest displays its high standards in this 6”-diameter Iwan Auger with hardwood handle.

Tight-fitting handle. Handle can be extended with pipes and couplings. Well-built. Fast.

The bottom of auger does not close fully, so some soil escapes. Not excellent with clay soil. Not adjustable. Handle can get rough.

Manual post digger

1 size available

Steel blade, hardwood handle

7.4 lbs

Posthole digging

Eskimo Ice Fishing Auger

Eskimo’s expertise in the creation of ice fishing gear is legendary, and the Mako Ice Fishing Auger backed by a 43cc engine, available in two sizes, displays that expertise.

Cuts through ice easily and quickly. Easy and comfortable handling. Comes with a blade protector.

Not lightweight. Needs fuel and oil mix to run.

Ice auger

1 size available

Quantum blade, foam grip handle

34 lbs

Ice fishing

Ridgid K-3 Toilet Auger

From Ridgid, the inventor of the modern pipe wrench, comes the easy-to-use K-3 Toilet Auger with 3-foot toilet auger snake and bulb head to clear clogged toilets effectively.

Durable. Effective. Sturdy and easy to use. Not flimsy. Good length.

A heavy duty tool.

Toilet auger

3 sizes available

Vinyl, ergonomic handle

4.1 lbs

Clearing clogged toilets

Yard Butler Roto Digger Garden Auger

Committed to quality, Lewis Tools offers high-quality specialty products. Its Roto Digger Garden Auger shows the standards we’ve come to expect from Lewis.

Rugged. Well-built. Fast. Easy to use.

Gets loose in the drill chuck. Bit is not strong enough to resist slipping.

Roto Digger

4 sizes available

Steel blade and handle

0.86 lbs.

Garden digging

(Updated September 26, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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How Do I Choose the Best Auger?

The weather is hazy and uninviting, so you decide to keep yourself busy with a random task. You roam around your compound, looking for something to indulge yourself in. Everything seems to be alright. But when you get to the small garden on your backyard, you are met with an unpleasant sight. The fence, which you had earmarked for a routine maintenance, is intensely severed. The barbed wire has nothing to lean on, as the wooden posts are under attack from mites.

At first, you conclude that a simple repair job would suffice. However, after seeking advice from experts, they advise you to replace the fence poles entirely. The best option would to be install PVC poles, as they are both immune to pests, as well as rust proof. With your mind set, you begin the renovation process.

As it is a simple DIY job, no expert assistance is needed. Armed with a garden hoe for digging and a hammer for nailing the wire, you start the job. After marking out the desired spots, you start digging the holes. The process is rather challenging, as the hoe digs larger holes than required since it is not a precision tool. Further, continuous use of a shovel to remove soil from the hole is mandatory. In the end, after completing the job, you are extremely exhausted, and extremely dirty!

The tremendous fatigue could have been mitigated had you used an auger. Its distinctive design enables it to drill holes with exceptional precision. Besides accuracy, the auger also guarantees speed in task accomplishment. For this reason, and many others, an auger is a crucial addition to your tool kit.

Picking an appropriate auger is no mean task, especially for a layman. You need to be familiar with the various models and what they are meant to handle, since augers are quite versatile. Luckily for you, we went beyond our means to simplify this task for you. Our seasoned experts tested what the market has to offer in this sector and identified the cream of the crop. Study our guide and you will be as good as any pro in this field!

Price

Augers are priced differently, mainly due to the features they possess. In this regard, heavy-duty augers tend to cost more than those meant for simpler tasks. Similarly, automated augers are pricier than their manual competitors.

After scouring the market, we established that augers range from around $30 to well over $500. However, after a thorough evaluation of assorted options across the pricing range, we concluded that cheap augers perform dismally compared to slightly pricier options, which are laden with premium features. But hey, this should not be surprising, as you always get what you pay for.

Features

The integrated features are what set machines apart from each other. What is in-built determines which job the gadget will handle and what it can’t do. Thus, there is simply no way you can turn a blind eye on such an important aspect of the augers.

The following should be considered while choosing an auger:

Type- Is it a normal auger or an ice auger? Is it manual or engine-operated?
Size- How many variants of the model are available?
Material- What is the blade made of? What about the handle?
Weight –This refers to the mass of the auger.
Suitability- What job is the auger best suited for?

Consider the above, and increase your chances of buying the most suitable auger that is in line with your budget.

Construction and Design

The primary job of an auger is drilling. The part that encounters the surface to be drilled is the blade. For this reason, it must be robust enough to withstand intense pressure and avoid breakage while in use. Thankfully, a majority of manufacturers have this consideration in mind in their products, hence the massive inclination towards steel blades. Steel is known for its sturdiness and durability, making it the prime candidate for usage in auger blades. Other materials used in blade-making are quantum and vinyl, albeit in lower proportions.

Augers vary in weight and design, mainly because they are meant for specific tasks. Those made for posthole digging and other simple DIY tasks are typically lighter and consequently more portable. Industry-grade augers are heavier, as their components are tailored to handle rigorous tasks. Ice augers also bear different specifications and design, due to the environment under which they are meant to work. These augers, which have extremely sharp, rust-proof bits, are able to cut through the ice easily.

Performance and Ease of Use

Modern augers boast of unrivaled ambidexterity. They are able to excel in different soil profiles without breaking down. This is partially enabled by the inclusion of multiple and different drilling bits in some models, though their design is the prime factor.

Another exciting aspect regarding ergonomics of current hangers is their handles. The materials used, i.e. wood, steel and foam grip are gentle to the hand. Also, they are well-placed to allow for either one-man or two-person handling. Even better, some of the handles are adjustable.

What is the Best Auger?

When you want to choose an auger, the questions you ask should include: what will it be used for, where will it be used, what size the auger should be, etc. Your budget should also be considered, so you would do well to bear this in mind while reading this review. Now that you have read through the guide, read on about our top picks in depth.

Our Top Choice

XtremepowerUS is a brand synonymous with quality, and this is seen in the 2-Stroke Post Hole Digger Auger that comes with three different bits. The XtremepowerUS 1200W Electric Digger supports smaller bits. You should check that out if you want something different.

XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger One Man Auger – Available with a Range of Extras

XtremepowerUS Auger X1096

Features

With a great range of products, this is one company that is in the business of providing real solutions (apart from being a good player in its field). Located in Walnut, CA, this American brand is a popular one, and has great product reviews on Amazon.

The XtremePowerUS 2-Stroke One Man Auger is lightweight, easy to start and weighs 33 pounds. With a 2-cycle, 43cc engine which provides powerful, efficient performance and a 0.98 tank capacity, this auger is worth the money invested into it. Other features of this auger include:

Engine: 2-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement: 55cc
Rated output power: 1090W
Come with 6", 8", 12" bits
Limited offer of 6 months financing

This one-man post hole digger is great for installing fence posts, decks, planting trees and other gardening activities.

If this auger hasn’t got the right sized parts for you, check out the other options available from XtremepowerUS.

Best Value

Seymour Midwest’s values of innovation and quality shine through in this hardwood-handle auger which has a steel shaft with a welded steel t-handle. If you’re looking for an auger that’s adjustable, the AUA2 Adjustable Auger with wood handle.which bores 6”, 7” & 8” holes is another good auger from this company.

Seymour AU-S6 Iwan Auger with Hardwood Handle - 6" Diameter

Seymour Auger 21306

Features

A family-owned company established in 1872, Seymour Midwest’s belief in the values of integrity, quality, commitment, and innovation has guided them through the years. The quality, dependability, and performance of its products meet the high standards of those who use tools everyday: contractors, handymen, farmers, ranchers, landscapers and others. This brand has also done well to establish itself as the go-to place for its customers to meet all their tool needs. It continues to deliver useful and time-tested solutions from its manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Tennessee.

Seymour Iwan Auger with Hardwood Handle is designed for general purpose use for a variety of soils. It has a steel shaft with a welded steel t-handle and a 6" point spread. The handle can be extended with pipes and couplings. This auger works well, is easy to use and has a lot of great reviews on Amazon. The following are other features of this auger:

21.000 W x 45.750 L x 5.250 H (inches)
It weighs 7.4lbs, making it both stable and flexible
6”-diameter hardwood handle for comfortable grip
Steel blade is riveted to tough pliable iron yoke

One more thing: this auger is from a brand that is proudly American.

If this manual auger isn’t right for your work, check out some other options from Seymour before deciding.

Eskimo has produced some of the most powerful ice fishing gear, and the Mako Ice Fishing Auger with quantum blades and a see-through gas tank is such a gear. If you prefer a manual auger, then take a look at Eskimo Hand Auger with replaceable blades.

Eskimo Quantum 43cc Power Ice Fishing Auger – Available in 2 Sizes

Eskimo Auger M43Q8 – 8 Inches

Features

Eskimo is a brand that prides itself in being the company that is for and about ice fisherman. With its wide range of time-tested products, you can rest assured that your ice fishing experience will be great. Its commitment to the values of high quality and innovation since 1960 is one of the reasons it is the number one supplier of ice fishing gear in the world. This brand also boasts a team of trained operators when it’s time to service your Eskimo products.

The Mako Ice Fishing Auger has a 43cc engine and is available in two sizes. It also has an 8000 RPM Viper engine. This ice fishing auger offers various qualities found on premium ice augers, but in a more affordable bundle. This auger offers great value for its price. Here are some other features that have made us love this ice fishing auger:

A fingertip throttle trigger for precise power control
A see-through gas tank for easy fuel level detection
Comfortable foam grip handles for handling
Muffler guard
A precise transmission
Primer button for quick starting
Replaceable dual quantum blades
A length of 42 inches

Need a different size or type? Eskimo has plenty more to choose from in the auger department. Check them out.

Ridgid is a brand that creates products that are trusted by so many professionals. The K-3 Toilet Auger (with ½ inch snake that reaches 3 feet) is one product that meets its standards. The Ridgid Power Spin, a drain auger with a removable crank handle which can be used manually, is another great product by the same brand. You can check it out too.

Ridgid 3-Foot Toilet Auger Snake with Bulb Head to Clear Clogged Toilets

Ridgid Auger RID59787

Features

Ridgid’s mission has been to build for the world's expert tradespeople – those who know the limits of the job and how to exceed them. Since 1923, the makers of the modern pipe wrench have gone on to create many tools that go to work daily on construction sites, in plants and in many other harsh environments. Its tools are renowned as industry-leading products that allow professionals like you to complete jobs more quickly and reliably.

The K-3 Toilet Auger comes with a compression-wrapped inner core cable and bulb auger plus a vinyl guard to protect the porcelain in the bowl. The toilet auger snake is 1/2-inches, reaches 3-feet (1 m) and has a bulb head to clear blockages. Listed below are some other features of this auger:

Corrosion-resistant tubes
Appropriate for water-conserving toilets, Water Sense toilets, and water-efficient toilets
The snake is kink-resistant and durable
Lifetime warranty against defects in material or workmanship for the life of the tool
Ergonomically designed handles

Looking for something different? Ridgid has some other choices when it comes to augers. See them and then decide.

Lewis Tools has grown from offering a single product to offering over a hundred products which include this Roto Digger Garden Auger that digs holes up to 28” deep. For shallower holes, Yard Butler RT-1 9-Inch Roto Driller that digs up to 9” deep is another auger you can look at.

Yard Butler Roto Auger – Available in 9, 18, 24 or 30 inches

Yard Butler Auger IRD-2 – 30 Inches

Features

The Yard Butler Online Store was established in 2006 to provide an alternative retail outlet for Yard Butler tools, manufactured by Lewis Tools. Founded in 1954, Lewis Tools is an industry leader in developing and introducing unique new lawn & garden tools. With offices in Poway, California and production facilities totaling over 125,000 square feet in Tijuana, Mexico, it’s able to ensure the highest quality manufacturing standards and the most responsive reactions to customer needs. Through its commitment to quality and superior customer service, Lewis Tools has grown from offering a single product to offering over one hundred unique, high-quality specialty products.

The Yard Butler Roto Auger is available in 9, 18, 24 and 30 inches. Just insert into any 3/8-inch or larger electric or cordless drill and let it do all the work. It is a versatile tool that aids in deep water aeration or fertilization of trees and shrubs, getting to weeds, roots and a lot of other brilliant stuff.

Following are its other features:

Dimensions of 1.8 x 5 x 30 inches
Weighs 1 pound
Digs holes up to 28” deep and 1 ¾ “wide
Works best as you move the drill up and down the hole
Works best in damp soil
Operates adequately on medium speed
Lifetime warranty

With this tool, a good number of gardening applications can be carried out affordably.

Not right for what you need? No problem, check out the other options from Yard Butler and get your ideal auger.

Get the Best Auger of 2018!

Now that you’ve read the review and are better informed about your auger of choice; please head on to Amazon and place your order. We hope having gone through our guide, you will be able to make a decision with ease.

Our Top Choice

XtremepowerUS One Man Auger

Best Value

Seymour Hardwood Handle Auger

Eskimo Ice Fishing Auger

Ridgid K-3 Toilet Auger

Yard Butler Roto Digger Garden Auger