Best Ice Augers – Expert Buying Guide and Reviews 2022

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Discover our process of researching, testing, reviewing, and recommending the best products. We are here to share a list of the best ice augers. 

Fishing in the ice requires a fair amount of tenacity, as you must deal with the cold for hours on end and be patient while you wait for the fish to strike. If you are trying to get your lure into the lake, the last thing you want to introduce is frustration from a physical barrier. Ice augers are crucial for getting your lure in. Powered augers need to start quickly and reliably and cut through thick ice quickly, while hand augers have to be able to cut through the ice without much effort.

These are the best ice augers, featuring propane-powered augers and manual devices, as well as cordless drills that can be combined with best ice augers to make electric solutions.

Here is the List of the Best Ice Augers – Based On Expert Reviews:

Eskimo HC40 Propane Ice Auger

The HC40 ice auger from Eskimo provides all the advantages of best ice augers, including propane powered operation. Fast-release fuel canisters make finding them easy, unlike gas canisters, and the engine is quieter than average. The HC40 will also burn cleanly in a shack since it burns cleanly. The mitten-grip starter handle makes it easy to crank on the four-cylinder, 40cc Viper engine and cut through ice as thick as 1/8-inch. The centering ring allows re-drilling to be done with ease as well. It weighs 28 pounds, which is light enough to be hauled on ice, though maybe a bit much if you have to hike further to reach your destination.

 

 Features

  • The blade measures 42 inches in length
  •  8 or 10 inch diameters  
  • Approximately 28 pounds  
  • Warranty of five years

What We Like

  •  Clean burning
  • Quiet operation
  • Fastest way to cut through ice
  • A propane fuel canister can also be used for a variety of other purposes by users of propane heaters

 

What We Don’t Like

  • For longer hikes, a bit heavy
best ice auger

StrikeMaster Mora Hand Ice Auger

It doesn’t get any simpler than the Mora Hand Ice Auger from StrikeMaster. However, you can count it in the list of best ice augers, you can also adjust the height of the handles from 48 to 57 inches to get the most power transfer. Mora blades made of high-alloy carbon steel are fantastic at tearing into the ice. Powder-coating reduces ice build-up, and it can be transported and stored with ease thanks to its two-piece design.

Features

  • A blade that measures 33 inches long
  • The diameter ranges from 5 to 8 inches  
  • A weight of 5 to 8 pounds  

 

What We Like

  • User-friendly
  • Ultralight
  • Cost-effective

What We Don’t Like

  •          Physically demanding to use
best ice auger

Jiffy 4G FourStroke Gas Ice Auger

Another best ice auger in the list is Jiffy’s 4G FourStroke gas-powered auger is the tool of choice for cutting through the toughest, thickest ice. By using a heavy-duty clutch and an optimal gear ratio, the high-torque transmission system transfers more engine power to the Stealth STX-Serrated Ripper Blade and Power Point, allowing it to cut 25 percent faster than competing models. These blades last up to three times longer than most others, ensuring lasting performance season after season. When you fuel up the 4G, you don’t have to mix oil and gas, unlike some other gasoline-powered augers. It starts easily with a glove-friendly starter.

Features

 

  • Diameters between 6 and 10 inches  
  • I weigh between 32 and 35 pounds  
  • Two-year warranty
  •  

What We Like

  • Faster cutting of ice thanks to higher torque
  • The blades should last longer than a standard blade
  •   When fueling, there is no need to mix the two types of fuel

What We Don’t Like

  •  Heavy compared to other models
best ice auger

StrikeMaster Lithium 40V Electric Ice Auger

Lithium 40v Electric Ice Auger from StrikeMaster is the latest example of how battery power and longevity are increasing exponentially in the tech world. This best ice auger comes with a single charge of the 40-volt, five-amp hour lithium-ion battery, the 8-inch model will make 100 holes (the 10-inch version will make 70 holes before dying). An integrated battery management system extends its lifespan, and the device can be recharged in 2.5 hours using the included two-amp charger. With a 15.9:1 gear ratio, the Lazer blades with their serrated stainless steel serrations cut through ice with no problem. Powered ice augers are easy to use, thanks to a simple power button, while deadman’s switches add crucial safety features. The impact-resistant handles are equipped with built-in LED lights, which is great for drilling in sheds, for example.

Features

  • 8-inch and 10-inch diameters  
  • I weigh 24 pounds and 28 pounds, respectively  
  • Two-year warranty

What We Like

  • A light powered auger
  • Easy to operate in general

What We Don’t Like

  • A fuel-burning auger is not as powerful
  • Expensive
best ice auger

Nils USA Velocity Hand Ice Auger

Hand augers offer pure simplicity—but also could generate hours of frustration. Nils USA hurdles that possibility with their Velocity Hand Ice Auger thanks to the blade shape, the angle of the chromium steel cutting head, and the ergonomic design of the offset folding ice handle—meaning no down pressure is needed. The premium-edge cutting blades in this best ice auger have also been engineered to last longer than standard ice drills so that you retain a sharp edge season after season.

Features

  • The blade measures 47 inches in length  
  • The diameters are 4.5 and 6 inches

What We Like

  • Cost-effective
  • Ultralight

What We Don’t Like

  • It may not be as powerful as a powered auger, since it does not require downward force for operation
best ice auger

K-Drill Ice Auger System

In addition to being one of the most best portable ice augers available, the K-Drill Ice Auger System is designed to operate with brushless hand-held electric drills rather than as a stand-alone system. Modern cordless power drills have a variety of benefits, including powerful motors, long lasting batteries, and easy swappable parts. The K-Drill’s drill-bit-style attachment point combines perfectly with their intuitive operation, and they take up a minimal amount of space in your pack. Built from lightweight aluminum with high-carbon steel chipper blades along its length, the K-Drill bursts through ice with incredible efficiency and reopens old holes. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit, Brushless, 3-Speed, Cordless is one of the k drill system.

Features

  • The blade measures 17 inches long
  • The diameter is 6, 7.5, and 8.5 inches  
  • Model weights 5 pounds (7.5-inch)

What We Like

  • User-friendly
  • Powerful and reliable
  • Ultralight
  • Handling is simple

What We Don’t Like

  • Power drills are essential
best ice auger

How to Choose a Best Ice Auger

How do you choose between hand, electric, propane, or gas?

Hand augers are the easiest way to cut a hole in ice. Powered augers require fuel to run, and they can flood if the engine dies. These are best ice  augers which require less energy and are safer to use than powered augers. Hand augers require more elbow grease than machine augers. There is nothing quieter than ice fishing, so to some, that only adds to its allure. Yet ice fishermen who grapple with thick ice (or plan to ice fish for much of the season) might benefit from the weight of an electric device.

A propane or gas auger can handle thick ice better, but you also don’t have to worry about spills or fumes with an electric auger. In addition to being lightweight and quiet, they are also the easiest to use. Alternatively, you can purchase a best ice auger that’s compatible with a cordless power drill. This is a more lightweight, but less powerful, alternative to a stand-alone electric auger.  Cold temperatures quickly drain batteries. Consider packing more than one battery if you plan to take a longer trip. 

The advantages of propane-powered augers are numerous. Compared to gas-powered engines, they run quietly, do not emit smoke, and burn clean fuel, making them ideal for fishing. Additionally, they report that they start up reliably within the first or second pull — and there is no chance of flooding. The gas auger is an old-fashioned workhorse, providing longer run times and more effective, continuous power. It’s much noisier, requires more fuel (and sometimes oil), can flood, and is hard to start when it’s cold. Heavy and expensive, they can also cause a lot of damage over time.

The thickness of the ice and the size of the hole 

Even the thickest ice of the season should be cut through most augers, and the lengths of these augers don’t vary much each season. You should use an auger longer than 12 inches, however, if you are handling frozen lakes covered with more than a foot of ice. As for the blade’s diameter, it can vary from four to 13 inches, though an eight-inch hole should allow most fish to swim through without any difficulty.

What is your frequency of ice fishing?

Consider a best hand ice auger that works well without breaking the bank if you’re dipping your toe into ice fishing. While it won’t ruin your bank account, you won’t lose your mind. A best hand ice auger also offers the advantage of being easier to transport. Since most break down, they’re lighter and easier to pack in checked luggage. In case you want to visit a bunch of different ice fishing hot spots, or if you have to hike long distances from your favorite lake, this is an excellent choice. A powered auger is far more efficient at punching holes through ice and is less taxing than a hand-driven auger if you plan on repeatedly hitting it. Whenever you fish in a shed, consider using electric or propane-powered augers instead of gas-powered ones.

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