The Definitive Checklist of 6 Best Ice Augers Reviews

6 Best Ice Augers on Market

During the harsh winter weather, drilling holes on hard ice are not fun at all; it’s very tedious, taking the fun out of ice fishing. Well, here is the good news; having the best ice augers for fishing is the perfect tool that will make everything easier, making fishing seem like a breeze. 

Whether you like the simplicity of a lightweight hand auger or the impressive power of gasoline, the ice auger does the trick ensuring you have a warm and delicious meal.

Currently, on the market, there are plenty of brands from different ice fishing gear manufacturers, which makes the decision-making process confusing, especially if you are a first-time buyer.

Luckily for you, we have extensively researched ice augers ranging from a combination of propane-powered, electric, and the best hand ice auger (manual).

We have selected six of the best ice augers that will enable you to bore through thick layers of ice with complete ease. So, let fire away!

6 Best Ice Augers Reviews

1.   ION X 29250 8-Inch Ice Auger, with reverse

ION X is an upgrade from its predecessors; if you are looking for a powerful and superior ice auger, then this is the perfect option for you. It uses the latest ice auger technology boosting its overall quality and reliability.

At just 21 lbs, it’s among the lightest electric ice augers on the market, giving its anglers relief, especially when drilling or carrying them across the ice. One of the most impressive features is the slush-flushing reverse, which saves you time and effort spent on scooping out ice from the hole.

ION X is designed with a weldless cast-bottom for smooth and even cutting, improving its precision. 

Other exciting features about ION X are its mess-free, electric augers eliminate the need to mix oil and gas, which means no-more spillage on ice or your car, this brand is also exhaust-free giving you the freedom to drill without worrying about smoke.

 The ION X is quite robust a powerful and regarded as one of the best electric ice augers; it’s fitted with a 5 amp-hour 40V battery, which has a60% higher storage capacity compared to the other electric brands on the market.

 For excellent ergonomics, its handles have been re-designed such that the handles are a bit closer to the powerhead, making drilling seem like a walk in the park. It doesn’t get better than that!

For all-round visibility, the ION X is designed with two LED lights fitted under the powerhead, which illuminates the drilling surface, whether night or day, the ION X has you covered.

Pros

  • It’s lightweight and portable
  • Completely mess-free
  • Superior ergonomics
  • Long-lasting battery performance

Cons

  • It’s a bit pricy

2.   SuperHandy Ultra Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Power Cordless Auger Power Head

For those looking for an eco-friendly, durable, and sturdy ice auger, SuperHandy should be at the top of your list. SuperHandy is made of Polypropylene Housing and Coat Steel Auger Bit, which enhances its overall strength and durability.

The electric auger is only 25 lbs making it lightweight and easy to carry and move around, making it suitable for mobile individuals. Its designed with wide-spaced silicone handles for enhanced grip and improved balance when drilling.

Its powerhead is designed with the latest cutting-edge tech Planetary Gear Mechanism for superior transmission efficiency; you’ll love how this bad-boy works. 

For those who love less complicated ice augers well, you’ll like SuperHandy; it comes with a brushless motor, which will make the drilling process faster and efficient.

The ice auger is powered with a 2Ah Battery that’s also rechargeable and has the capabilities to drill multiples holes just on a single charge. What’s even more impressive is there is a 4 Amp Hour battery which you can purchase ensuring you never run out of power

Safety is paramount with SuperHandy; it’s designed with an overload protector whose sole purpose is to prevent the powerhead from overheating.

SuperHandy is one of the eco-friendliest ice augers, it does not produce smog and produces less noise, ensuring you have an enjoyable and unforgettable fishing expedition.

SuperHandy has a powerful LED light that improves visibility even at night. Lastly, the ice auger’s quick safety release improves electronic stops when in operation, making the whole process simple and straightforward.  Offering popular women’s necklaces such as pendants, chokers and chain necklace. Shop for jewelry in a variety of metals and gemstones to suit any occasion

Pros

  • It has durable and sharp blades
  • Easy to use with ergonomic handle
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Can easily cut through thick ice

Cons

  • Require assembly but, its simple to do

3.   Eskimo Propane Auger Series, 8-10 Inch

Eskimo Propane Ice Auger

For those who want to drill holes accurately and faster, the Eskimo propane series will do the trick. It has 40cc engines that use high-compression, giving your ice auger plenty of power to drill thick ice with ease.

What makes Eskimo one of my favorite ice augers is the fact that it transforms all the power into smooth cutting. It also has quantum blades located at the center of the base, which will drill and cut any ice surface.

When it comes to functionality, Eskimo is user-friendly; its smooth operation makes it perfect for first-timers. Eskimo is also fitted with a blade protector, which lengthens the life span of your blades, ensuring you use them for years to come.

It has a portable and compact design, it’s 42″ auger length, and an 8″ auger diameter makes it sturdy enough for a powerful and robust performance. Eskimo comes with an exclusive centering ring making it suitable for re-drilling holes.

Eskimo comes with an auto-prime fuel system which makes everything simple, gone are the days when you needed to prime your engine all you need to do is flip the switch on and begin drilling.

For maximum grip and balance, the ice fishing auger has a Pommel Knob for easy drilling and screwing. The 8-inch weighs only 32lb while the 10-inch is 34lb, making it convenient to carry around.

Eskimo is powered by propane, which means no more spillage of oil or gas, ensuring your holes are completely clean and mess-free. The propane tank is relatively smaller in size, which can be easily transported in your vehicle, and you also don’t have to worry about staining your seats.

For complete customer satisfaction, Eskimo comes with a 5-year warranty at the time of purchase. In my opinion, it ranks amongst the best propane ice auger

Pros 

  • It’s hand-operated
  • Easy to start
  • Lightweight
  • Quiet operation

Cons

  • The plastic build is not durable
  • The10” model doesn’t fit in Eskimo carrier bag

4.   Eskimo Quantum Auger Series, 8-10 Inch

Don’t be fooled by its relatively smaller size; the Eskimo Quantum provides a powerful performance. This model is designed with a unique centering ring that is perfect for re-drilling holes without tampering with its original shape and size.

The Quantum series has a lightweight design making it easy to carry around. It has a primer button that will start up your tools with ease; it’s precision transmission will also provide you with optimal gear flexibility.

Eskimo Quantum has all-metal ball bearing transmission, which is crucial in converting all the power to produce a flawless and smooth cutting. This model has a wide variety of engine options ranging from 33cc up to 71cc catering to your fishing needs and requirements.

It has mitten grip handles, giving it an excellent ergonomic shape for a superior grip that will not tire your muscles. The ice auger also has large plastic handles that will provide maximum grip even when wearing gloves.

Amongst its best features is its foam-padded steel handlebars, which are essential in absorbing vibrations for uniform cutting. The Eskimo Quantum is designed with a transparent gas tank for easy detection of fuel levels; the muffler guards provide extra protection, especially when fishing in hot areas.

For high performance, it’s with a throttle trigger, which allows complete control and precision power. Eskimo Quantum is also quite easy to operate with its ON/OFF toggles switch.

During purchase, the gas-powered auger comes with a 5-year warranty giving you the ease of mind knowing that you are completely covered in case of a defect. Talk about being the best gas auger, Right?

Pros

  • Suitable for cold temperatures
  • Has a primer for quick start-up
  • It has a powerful engine
  • Comes with shock-absorbing tech

Cons

  • It’s quite expensive

5.   Strike Master Ice Augers Lazer Hand Auger

If you are in the market for a cheap hand ice auger with outstanding performance and durability, the Strike Master is the perfect option for you. It’s a simple tool that will tear any ice surface like batter.

The Strike Master is made of stainless-steel chrome alloy blades that will drill and cut even the hardest ice with ease. It’s powder-coated significantly, reducing ice build-up while drilling so that it doesn’t crowd the ice hole.

One of my most favorite features is the sharp blades making it very efficient and fast. Its simplistic design can be taken apart into two sections for smooth movement and storage.

For tall people, you’ll love this, Strike Master, it has an adjustable handle that ranges from 48 inches to 57 inches, ensuring you get the utmost comfort while fishing. Its also fitted with soft rubber grips that increase gripping control allowing ease of drilling.

Strike Master is the best manual ice auger, it comes with varying blades sizes, from 4-8 inches designed to cater to different fishing styles. Its ergonomically design handle-system will ensure the ice auger doesn’t slip off as you drill protecting both you and those around you.

The only drawback of this fantastic tool is it’s manual, so you have to put in a bit of effort when drilling the ice. It also doesn’t do well on thick ice, but other than that, Strike Master is speedy and efficient.

Pros

  • Has adjustable handles
  • It has powerful and sharp blades
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Sturdy and durable build

Cons

  • Not suitable for thick ice
  • Designers could have done better with the handles.

6.   Eskimo Hand Auger

This is a classic and an old-school hand auger that has been around for years. For those whole love simplicity, this manual auger is your go-to tool. It’s super affordable and an excellent choice for those who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on power augers.

Eskimo hand auger weight only 8.3 lbs with dimensions of 32.5 x 13.5 x 7 inches; its convenient size allows for easy storage, movement, and portability. Eskimo hand Auger comes with three-blade sizes 6″,7′ and 8,” giving you the freedom and flexibility to choose the one most suitable to you.

Among its best features is the pommel handle, which will help you drill through the ice without feeling fatigued. Its blades have a dual flat design that provides smooth and clean cuts regardless of the ice thickness requiring minimal effort. Trust me; it doesn’t get any better than that.

For extending the lifespan and sharpness of your blades, there is an additional protector that will enhance the overall durability and strength of your ice auger. The auger’s height can be easily adjusted from49 inches-58 inches ensuring you are entirely comfortable.

It also can be disassembled into two pieces for convenient carrying or storage at the back of your car or in the kitchen. To add the icing on the cake, Eskimo Hand Auger comes with a one-year warranty, which ensures you are completely covered.

Pros

  • It’s an affordable auger
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
  • Has adjustable height
  • Provides excellent performance

Cons

  • Requires manual handling
  • Some users have complained about its durability.

Buying Guide

So, how do you determine which is the best Ice auger for you? Well, for a lot of people, it’s hard to settle on one brand.

This is because there were plenty of brands on the stores which can be overwhelming at times, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. So, we have compiled a comprehensive buying guide of the factors that you should always consider.

Types of Ice Augers

The first thing that you should always consider is the type of ice auger you want to purchase. Here are some of the other kinds available on the market.

1. Hand Augers

Turning the handle and exerting downward pressure on the manual auger, one can easily drill a hole on ice. These are affordable, lightweight, portable, and less noisy.

It’s a suitable choice for first-timers who fish occasionally and only need to drill 4.5 to 6 inches of ice. Hand augers are quite impressive as they require minimal effort.

2. Gas Ice Augers

Gas-powered augers have robust engines and are much stronger. They are the best choice if you want to drill through a thick and hard layer of ice.

These augers are suitable for drilling large diameters in a short period. The only downside with gas-powered augers is they are quite heavy, which can limit movement.

3. Propane Augers

This type of auger is mainly powered by propane. They have 4-stroke engines making them high-performing with extreme precision cutting through ice.

Propane augers are clean, fast, operate quietly, and lighter compared to gas augers.

4. Electric Augers

Electric augers have been gaining popularity over recent years due to their ease of use. It might be expensive, but they are worth it, they are very convenient and work faster compared to other types of augers.

Regardless of the environmental condition, they are easy to start-up and operate. Electric augers are the perfect choice for cold conditions as they can cut through more inches of ice.

Most electric augers are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which has a high battery capacity. The only drawback with electric augers is they are quite heavy, which can impede movement.

What to Look for When Buying an Augers for Ice Fishing

For fish enthusiasts like me, we all have different views and opinions about what makes the best Ice fishing augers. Before delving any deeper, lets first identify crucial factors and aspects that we need to pay special attention to when in the market for one.

Here are some of the best qualities that you should always check.

Blade- Ice augers come with different blade sizes. Most brands on the market usually have a typical blade size of 6”, 8”, and 10”. The size of the blade determines how big the hole you’ll drill if you are intending on catching a big fish its always advisable to go for a bigger blade.

For small-time fishers, I always recommend going for 4 to 6 inches. Choosing the best blade will enable you to drill faster, saving you time and fuel in the process.

Noise level- Well, here is the bad part, no matter what type or brand of ice auger you choose, all are a bit noisy, but going for the one with less noise level is imperative as it will ensure you have a calm fishing experience.

The noisiest ones are gas augers and are not advisable to be used inside a shanty. If you want minimal noise, I suggest going for electric augers which don’t produce much noise and will not scare away your catch.

Maintenance & Repair- Most people often neglect this feature; when looking to buy an ice auger, this should be at the top of your list. Your ice auger should be easy to maintain.

For easier cleaning, make sure you go for an auger that can be easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning boosting its health and performance.

Budget- For those looking to purchase an ice auger, it’s always advisable to carry out prior research to know the budget range for different brands on the market.

However, note that never compromise on quality. Going for a cheaper ice auger can be costly down the road, but that doesn’t mean that you have to bankrupt yourself in the process. It’s always important to stick to your budget range.

Portability- Fishing on ice means that you’ll always be on the move, its vital to go for an ice auger that’s easy to move and carry. Choosing a lightweight type will give you freedom of movement, ensuring you don’t go back home empty-handed.

Features you should be looking for in an ice auger

Size

Size is critical; on the market, there are different cutting diameters and blade sizes. The size of your auger will depend on the type of fish you are looking to catch.

The most popular blade size is a medium 8” blade as it performs reasonably well in different ice thicknesses. The ice auger should also have an adjustable size that will suit your personal preference and thickness.

 Weight

Weight s a very crucial factor that should be at the top of your list. If you were intending on walking long distances to find a fishing spot, then it’s recommended to choose a lightweight auger for easier movement.

Hand augers are one of the lightest then followed by electric; the heaviest are gas augers which may need a vehicle or dragging it through a sled.

Blade

When looking to buy an auger, it always imperative to pay special attention to the blade durability and quality. Your blade should be extremely sharp, enabling it to slice through any ice surface with ease.

For shaving blades, they should have a sharp cutting edge and smooth cutting through ice quickly and efficiently. While for chipper blades, they should have serrated teeth and sharp.

Ease of Use

The very best ice fishing augers should be simple and easy to use. It should be stable with superior balance with ergonomic handles for maximum grip; the ice auger should also have an adjustable length that will complement different heights.

You should also purchase an ice auger that’s lightweight, reducing the chances of getting fatigued.

Accessories

Some of the best and high-performing ice augers come with additional accessories such as a blade guard, power headcover, to mention a few. These accessories are quite helpful in ensuring you have an enjoyable fishing experience.

Final word

Ice fishing involves learning new techniques every day, and that requires keeping with the latest trends in ice augers. But, with new brands trickling fast onto the market, it may make keeping track of which one to select a bit tedious.

However, in this article, we have compiled 6 of the best ice fishing augers of 2021 that are of different kinds and features. We have extensively researched and created a unique combination of gas, electric, and manual ice augers, enabling you to decide which will be the right fit for you.

For those looking for something lightweight and within their budget range, the Eskimo Propane Auger Series, 8-10 Inch is the perfect option. Its robust and durable two combinations are needed when it comes to ice fishing.  So, choose your poison and have a wonderful time doing what you love, fishing! Ciao!