Best Post Hole Digger Reviews 2018

Digging a hole could take a long while and be tiresome. So, if you want to install a new fence or put up a sign post in your yard, you will need a post hole digger. The challenge with getting the best one is that there are many of them on the market with various features. To save you the stress of going over the catalogs of these many brands, we have reviewed some of the best post hole digger brands on the market. Though we have only featured one product for each brand, these brands have many other post hole diggers that you can check out. .

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Blade Info

Handle Info

Weight

Power

Our Top Choice

XtremepowerUS V-Type Post Hole Digger

XtremepowerUS is a top producer of tools that are used in the garden and home.

This post hole digger is lightweight and easy to use. It has an output power of 1090W, so it can dig even in difficult soil conditions.

The auger bits on the digger sometimes break off, but luckily it comes with two spares.

One-man post hole digger

8-inch bit

Steel handle

20 lbs.

Electric: 1090W, 2-stroke engine

Best Value

Fiskars Steel Posthole Digger

Fiskars was established in 1649, and since then, it has grown to become a leading consumer goods company.

It’s able to dig four feet deep, and unlike other diggers, it doesn’t widen the hole when digging deeper. It's also very sturdy, and its offset handles protect your knuckles.

It’s a bit heavier than most post hole diggers.

Professional

Welded 14-gauge steel blade

Offset steel handle

13 lbs.

Manual

Southland One Man Earth Auger

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is a leading distributor of top-notch outdoor tools and equipment.

This digger is very sturdy and efficient. It also has butterfly handles, which are very convenient, and a highly effective auger.

This post hole digger is not able to dig in very tough soil.

One-man auger

Solid steel

Detachable butterfly handles

40 lbs.

Electric: 43cc 2-cycle engine

Seymour Structron Hercules Digger

Seymour is a family-owned company that manufactures dependable and high-quality everyday tools.

This post hole digger is very heavy-duty and is well designed. It is easy to use and maintain and lasts for quite a long period of time.

It is a bit pricey.

Heavy-duty, professional

6.25-inch point spread

Fiberglass handles

10.8 lbs.

Manual

Jackson Dig EZ Post Hole Digger

For more than 130 years, Jackson has been manufacturing some of the top-quality tools we use in our everyday lives.

This post holder is very durable and strong. It's lightweight, so it doesn’t wear you out as quickly as other diggers. It is also ergonomically designed.

No problems have been reported.

Traditional

Pointed tempered blades

Shaped fiberglass handles

13.3 lbs.

Manual

(Updated November 17, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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Watch Our Post Hole Digger Review

How Do I Choose the Best Post Hole Digger?

Mary Elizabeth has been voted best neighbor for the 5th time running on Wisteria lane and looking at her yard, you can see why. Her fence is properly installed and it does not look like that of John Mason, whose fence sags every other day. Gracie used to be a close competition but she fell off from the race because her back couldn’t handle any more shoveling. Now this is quite a mystery as Mary Elizabeth is way older than Gracie. Everyone began to wonder how she kept her fence up and her garden proper without breaking her back. A meeting was held and Mary Elizabeth was given the chance to speak up. In her strong but shaky voice, she said ‘the secret to my strong fence line and beautiful garden is the post hole digger my late Bobby left behind for me’.

The secret was finally out and we are sure you thought it was her organic fertilizer only. Well, you were wrong this time. The post hole digger was responsible for the well installed fence and the beautiful shrubs planted in her garden.

As opposed to a shovel, a post hole digger is a garden/yard tool that makes life easier. It allows you dig deeper than a shovel per scoop and it is also more precise. If you are thinking of installing a fence line that looks more like that of Mary Elizabeth and less like John Mason’s, you would want a digging tool that cuts down on time while sparing your back and shoulder. There are two general types of post hole diggers and there are several factors that should be considered before getting one. If like Gracie, you do not have the strength to operate the manual powered post hole tool, you can opt for the motor powered unit.

Now that you’ve been armed with Mary Elizabeth’s well-kept secret, you don’t have any excuse not to have a beautiful garden or a properly placed fence line. So when next you choose to stock your garden tool box, make sure you add a post hole digger alongside your garden hose, rake and shovel.

Price

How much a post hole digger costs depends on the type and material in question (among other things). It is quite typical for a gas or electric powered post hole digger to be more expensive than the traditional/manual post hole digger. Also, an option that is made from steel would typically cost more than one made from wood or other materials, because it is usually more durable.

A solid post hole digger that can efficiently dig up dirt with ease may range from $50 to about $300. During the course of this research, we came across some cheap post hole diggers. However, we chose not to feature them because of their questionable efficiency and inferior quality. Be rest assured that the products we've featured, regardless of their prices, will offer great value for the money.

Features

The aim of this buying guide is to help you identify the type of features to look out for when purchasing a post hole digger. Below are some of the features to be on the lookout for if an effective and efficient post hole digger is what you really want:

Type
Blade info
Handle
Warranty
Weight

Construction and Design

Generally speaking, there are two general types of post hole diggers – the human-powered and the motor-powered post hole diggers. Let’s take a brief look at these two and, of course, what each one of the entails:

The human-powered post hole digger - Also referred to as the traditional or manual post hole digger, the mode of operation for this one is obviously based on human labor. It’s usually less expensive than the motor-powered type and it has great application in light digging tasks. The depth of holes dug with this traditional unit can be up to 4ft and you would have little or no difficulty when digging in loose soil.
The motor-powered post hole digger - This unit can be divided into the gas-powered (gasoline powered motor) and electric-powered (AC powered motor) post hole digger. One advantage for these types of units is that they can be used on tougher soils such as clay soil. Their engines usually range from two to five horse powers, can dig more than 4ft, and usually come with more features than the manual post hole digger. Note that they are usually more expensive than their traditional counterpart and they are noisier too.

The construction material of the blade and handle of a post hole digger matters a lot as it can influence the durability and price of the unit. The blade of a post hole digger is usually made of steel, while the handles could be made from wood, steel or other metals. Post hole digger handles made from steel are typically long-lasting and more expensive than those made from wood and any other weaker metal. Other materials that the handles could be made from include fiberglass and carbon steel. The handle of a post hole digger should be strong, tough and easy to grip. Handles made from fiberglass are usually tougher than those made from wood and they do not easily rot or splinter. Handles with rubber or any form of padding are better than those without because they prevent slipping and give you a firm grip while digging.

If you want a post hole digger that would efficiently grab and move dirt, you need a post hole digger with a large blade. Needless to say, the larger the blade size, the more dirt that is grabbed. The blade should also be sturdy. If you intend to dig through gravel, tough soil and hard dirt, it is best you go for the pointed tapered blades. These blades have a wide top and a pointed end, which is more effective at chiseling any obstruction that you may encounter.

Performance and Ease of Use

To get the best out of a post hole digger, it is advisable you get a unit that is sturdy and medium weight and wouldn’t cause you fatigue from operation. When selecting a post hole digger, remember that a post hole digger that is quite heavy could result in neck and shoulder pain over a period of time, especially if you need to carry it about while digging. A very lightweight digger, on the other hand, could be flimsy and may pose some difficulties while digging a hole. Post hole diggers made of steel are usually heavier than those made from wood and fiberglass.

As with every other garden and yard tool, it is important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer before making a purchase. This type of tool is supposed to last long so you should be protected from any defect and issue in quality that might arise after purchase. It is quite common for manufacturers to back up their post hole diggers with lifetime and limited lifetime warranties, so remember to check into that.

If you are going for a manual post hole digger, you need to ensure that the handle and head are well attached to each other. This is to prevent the head from coming off while digging. Before digging up any part of your yard with a gas or electric powered post hole digger, also ensure that you are not digging into a sewage, water or gas pipe. Also stay away from power cables and other utility lines that are buried. Remember that safety comes first, so when you want to use a post hole digger, carefully go through the manual and put on the necessary protective gear to include eyewear, gloves and boots.

What is the Best Post Hole Digger?

Choosing a post hole digger can be a difficult task. As you have seen on our guide, there are many factors you have to considered, such as the type, the material used to make the blade, the size of the blade, the weight of the digger, and much more. Now, on to the product reviews…

Our Top Choice

The XtremepowerUS V-Type Post Hole Digger is a powerful digger that digs up to three feet. It is lightweight and easy to start, and digs easily even in the toughest of soil conditions. If you want something that is just as effective but a lot more affordable, we recommend the XtremepowerUS 1200W Electric Post Hole Digger.

XtremepowerUS V-Type 55CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger – Available in 8 Sizes

XtremepowerUS Post Hole Digger X1096+X1106 – Digger + 8” Bit

Features

For many years, XtremepowerUS has been making top-quality tools and equipment for gardens and homes. Its team is comprised of the most professional engineers who work hard each day to make all its products as effective and efficient as possible. Customer satisfaction is a number one priority for XtremepowerUS, and this has kept it growing and expanding.

The XtremepowerUS V-Type Post Hole Digger ($219.95 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a powerful post hole digger. Its engine is 2 stoked and air cooled. This makes it very efficient. It also digs up to at least three feet and has a rated power output of 1090W. It has a displacement of 55cc and comes with three auger bits. Its adjustable handle is very useful, as it makes all the difference in tough hard soil.

Here are some other post hole diggers by XtremepowerUS:

XtremepowerUS Gas Posthole Digger One Man Auger with 8-Inch Bit -- 43cc engine that provides efficient performance
V-Type 63cc Two Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger One-Man Auger with 8-Inch Auger Bit -- It has electric ignition and is force air cooled
V-Type 63cc Two Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger One-Man Auger with 6-Inch Auger Bit -- It uses a gasoline engine and has a single cylinder

XtremepowerUS has other efficient post hole diggers for you to check out if you want more options.

Best Value

The Fiskars Steel Post Hole Digger is perfect for making deep holes because of its offset handles. Its sharpened blades make it easy to penetrate tough soil and break up dirt clods. If you want a more affordable option, check out the Fiskars Long Handle Digging Shovel. It has a sharpened blade that makes it easy to use.

Fiskars 60 Inch Steel Posthole Digger with 14 Gauge Steel Blades

Fiskars Post Hole Digger 96536935J

Features

Fiskars was founded in 1649, and more than 300 years later, it is still flourishing and has become known as one of the best makers of living and functional products in the world. Its products are well-crafted, which accounts for their durability and efficiency. Its goal is to make everyday life extraordinary and beautiful, and its mission is to build a large family of iconic lifestyle brands. Fiskars greatly values innovation, integrity, accountability and teamwork, and its team is made up of people who possess all these qualities and more.

The Fiskars Steel Post Hole Digger ($74.99 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is very good for digging deep post holes, because it has offset handles that make it go up to 12 inches deeper than the average post hole digger. These offset handles also help protect your knuckles while you dig. Its blade can also be spread over a ½ inch to six-inch diameter. It has 14-gauge steel blades that have been welded, and 16-gauge steel shafts that maximize its level of durability. It also has a lifetime warranty, so in case anything goes wrong, you can always get it fixed or get a replacement.

For a post hole digger that goes really deep into the soil, get the Fiskars Steel Post Hole Digger.

With a manual recoil and easy start fuel delivery system, the Southland One Man Earth Auger is very easy to use and highly efficient. It has detachable butterfly handles that help with balance. If you prefer a tine tiller for digging your holes, you should try the Southland Rear Tine Tiller. It features a forward and reverse gear drive system.

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment One Man Auger with 43CC, 2 Cycle Full Crankshaft Engine

Southland Post Hole Digger SEA438

Features

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment has more than 30 years of experience in the manufacture of outdoor power equipment. Its products are widely known to be highly durable and efficient, because they are made from the finest materials available. If you are in the search for true quality, Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is definitely the place you should be looking.

The Southland One Man Earth Auger ($240.74 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a durable post hole digger that is very efficient and easy to operate. It includes an eight-inch bit and has ergonomic butterfly handles that are very easy to use. It also has manual recoil easy start and a two-year limited warranty.

Not exactly the features you want? This brand has another post hole digger you can check out.

The Seymour Structron Hercules Digger is perfect for professional use, as it has a ¼ - six-inch spread. It also has a fiberglass handle with fiberglass core, which increases its strength. If you want a post hole digger that is as durable as the one featured above and even more affordable, we recommend the Seymour Iwan Auger.

Seymour Structron Hercules Post Hole Digger with 48 Inch Handle

Seymour Post Hole Digger PD48

Features

Seymour's products are of very high quality and are used by people all over the world every day. It produces a wide range of tools, so that customers can get all the tools they need from just one place. It has outstanding customer service, which is why it keeps on expanding. Its values are integrity, quality, commitment and innovation.

The Seymour Structron Hercules Digger ($90.16- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a heavy-duty digger that is perfect for professional use. It has a ¼ inch to six-inch spread and a cushioned handle for better grip and better comfort. It is also very strong and can break through tough soil, because it has four-inch fiberglass handles that even contain fiberglass core. It weighs 10.8 pounds, which is less than the average metal post hole digger.

Here are some other post hole diggers by Seymour:

Seymour Promotional Post Hole Digger with Wood Handle - It has replaceable, durable carbon steel blades that are triple-riveted to thick yokes
Seymour DG-16 6-1/2-Inch Post Hole Digger - It has sharp blades and long handles
Seymour DG-25 Junior Atlas Post Hole Digger- Best suited for home owner users, it has very sharp blades and a five point spread

Seymour has other post hole diggers for you to consider if the featured one doesn’t meet your requirements.

The Jackson Dig EZ Post Hole Digger is great for deep digging. It has pointed, tempered blades that help it penetrate deeply. Its handles are also uniquely shaped to prevent knuckle collision and save your strength. If you want something more affordable, get the Ames Post Hole Digger with Ruler. It features a measuring stick on the handle to ensure accuracy in hole depths.

Jackson Kodiak Dig EZ Post Hole Digger with Fiberglass Handles

Jackson Post Hole Digger 1715100

Features

Jackson opened in 1876, and more than 135 years later, it is now known as the USA's oldest and largest manufacturer of wheelbarrows. It has greatly expanded and now produces a wide range of tools. Its products are made with the best quality materials, which accounts for their durability and strength. They are also made in a manner that combines efficiency and creativity. Jackson keeps on striving and moving forward so as to retain its position at the top.

The Jackson Dig EZ Post Hole Digger ($69.99 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a durable and affordable post hole digger with a unique design. Its carbon head has a 6.21-inch spread, which is higher than the average post hole digger. Following are some of its other features:

It prevents knuckle collision because of the position and design of the handles
It has pointed and tempered blades for easy and effective soil penetration
The head is made with beveled steel carbon, which is highly durable
It has fiberglass handles that are uniquely shaped for increased strength
The handle is shorter than most post hole diggers, so it has forty percent less handle travel distance

See Jackson's other post hole diggers if the one featured above doesn’t suit you.

Get the Best Post Hole Digger of 2018!

Now that you have taken the time to go through our reviews, we believe you can find the best post hole digger to help make your chore less tasking. You can now go ahead and confidently place that order (if you haven’t done so already).

Our Top Choice

XtremepowerUS V-Type Post Hole Digger

Best Value

Fiskars Steel Posthole Digger

Southland One Man Earth Auger

Seymour Structron Hercules Digger

Jackson Dig EZ Post Hole Digger