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If you’re looking to pick up a new ice auger you might not want to get one of the giant gas-powered ones because it takes up too much room. There are a lot of smaller augers you can attach to your drill but most of them are garbage. In this post, I’m going to be talking about the best ice auger for a cordless drill.
The best cordless drill auger is the K-Drill 8 inch. It’s much more expensive than most of the ones on the market but it’s 10 times better in my opinion. It’s so much easier to carry around and it actually is better than some of the gas-powered ones I’ve seen. You’ll need a 1/2″ cordless drill that has over 700 in/lbs of torque to operate it but I’ll use this over gas or propane-powered any day of the week.
It’s also nice having something that doesn’t leak gas all over your fishing stuff. I don’t know how many pieces of clothing I’ve ruined because of gas but it’s been a few for sure. Also, it doesn’t take up half the room in the SUV so it’s a win-win.
It’ll attach to pretty much any 1/2″ cordless drill that has enough torque but they do recommend the Milwaukee 1/2″ Hammer Drill (which is another solid piece of equipment). Let’s jump into the full review.
Ice Fishing 101: The Essential Gear To Get Started
Quality
If you’ve ever had a gas-powered auger (a propane auger is a little better) then you probably know all too well about getting the thing to work. I don’t know why it always has to be a hassle but you know how these things go. With a drill like this, there’s no gas to bring with you and you don’t have to worry about getting the thing started. Simply charge up your battery and you’re good to go.
You’re able to get augers like this for like 40 bucks but the quality just isn’t there. I’ve been through a number of them and they don’t seem to hold their sharpness very well. They also get chewed up and drilling becomes a nightmare.
This drill is much more expensive (half the price of a quality propane-powered) but everything is so much better. The blade can withstand the elements and it stays sharp a lot longer. You can simply sharpen it yourself or send it to the manufacturer and they’ll do it for you.
I’ve had the same blade for over a year now and there are no issues to report. Overall, I’ve been super happy with the quality of the K-Drill auger and that’s why I’d highly recommend it over a gas or propane-powered option.
Performance
The auger is only going to be as good as the drill it’s attached to. If you have a weak drill then there’s nothing this auger can do. They recommend the Milwaukee Hammer Drill (see it on Amazon). Attach it to the right drill and you’ll be able to get through any piece of ice. So don’t buy it unless you have or are going to get a quality drill to go with it (so many people don’t and end up wondering why it’s not working).
Once I got this auger and attached it to a good drill it was like cutting through butter. On a single battery, I’d be able to drill around 14-16 holes but I’d bring multiple batteries and I’d be good for the entire day.
Sure, a gas-powered auger will cut through the ice faster but who wants to carry one of those around all day? You can probably tell by now how pleased I am with it and that’s why I’d never purchase any other powered auger.
That’s pretty much it in terms of performance. As long as the quality is there and it cuts through a good amount of ice then that’s all I can really ask for.
Pros
- It’s just as good as some gas-powered augers.
- It’s small, lightweight, and easy to pack around.
- You don’t need to carry around gas or break your back trying to lift it.
Cons
- The price is higher compared to other drill augers (it’s better though).
- You’ll need a really good drill to use it.
- The auger sometimes falls off but it has a float attached to it.
The Breakdown
- Quality Score: 9
- Performance Score: 9
- Value: 8
- Personal Score: 8.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does the auger weigh?
A. Somewhere around 5 lbs.
Q. What size does the auger come in?
A. It comes in a 6 or 8-inch model.
Q. What diameter hole does it drill?
A. The 8″ auger will drill a 7.5″ hole.
Q. How long is the auger?
A. It’s about 42″ long.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you’re tired of carrying around your gas-powered auger and will use this often then I’d highly recommend you pick up the K-Drill (check the price on Amazon). It’s probably too expensive if you’ll only use it every now and then but if you ice fish multiple times per year then I think you’d love one of these.
Ice Fishing 101: The Essential Gear To Get Started
As I said, I’d never buy another propane or gas auger or waste my money on a cheaper option because they’re nowhere as good. I’ve had it for over a year now and there’s no sign of wear and tear and I fully expect to have it 5 years from now.
To get the best results possible, get yourself a quality drill and get a couple of extra batteries. Charge them up before you go out and you’ll be good to go for the entire day. Check it out for yourself and you’ll be glad you did.