Most of us call a plumber when there is a clog in the sink or toilet. However, with the best toilet auger at home, you could easily fix clogs without assistance. A toilet auger is a tool that works beyond a plunger’s capacity to remove clogs in your drainage systems. The spring coil in the auger is long enough to reach the toilet U-trap and clear blockage. You may need the help of a plumber only if the blockage occurs in the sewer line or the clog does not clear after you have used an auger. Read on as we list the best toilet augers you can choose from, tell you how it works, and give you a few tips on choosing one.

8 Best Toilet Augers Of 2022

1. Best Durable:Forlivese 5-in-1 Drain Auger Set

It’s easy to see why this Forlivese product features on top of our list. This pack includes 5 pieces in 3 different styles and sizes. When one tool doesn’t work, you can quickly try another until you have found the right one to unclog your drain. The stainless steel one with a blue handle and spring design is an auger designed for cleaning the toilet, sink, floor, tub, and bathroom drains. Measuring at 40 inches, it can efficiently remove obstructions. Meanwhile, the 20.1-inch orange and green plastic snake tools are ideal for quick removal of medium blockages, and the 24-inch stainless steel snake with a red handle easily removes hair and retrieves stuck items. Pros

Sturdy and durable Easy operation Suitable for use in different types of drains Green and orange ones feature a multi-tooth design

Cons

Some may find the spikes on the plastic tools slightly fragile.

2. Best Safe-To-Use:FOMMEN 6-Pack Drain Cleaning Tools Set

It’s always best to keep more than one drain cleaning tool handy, especially in different styles, with each one used for different purposes. This 6-piece set is convenient to use and does the job well. It includes a 39.3-inch toilet auger, a 24-inch water snake catcher, a 27.5-inch hair cleaning brush (made of stainless steel), and 3 19.6-inch orange plastic drainage cleaning tools. While the auger is great for clearing out a blockage in the toilet, the other tools work well for removing hair and dirt from the drain. Pros

Sturdy Safe to use Auger doesn’t cause scratches Metal tools feature an easy-to-grip handle

Cons

May not be rust-resistant The stainless steel tools may be slightly big for a bathtub drain.

3. Best Water-Resistant:TOPWELL 25-Feet Toilet Auger

One of the nastiest things a homeowner may potentially have to deal with is a clogged toilet. The smell and mess can be so unbearable, and immediately attending to it is the only way to get rid of the discomfort. That’s why you should always have a toilet auger at home! This auger by TOPWELL is both flexible and strong and can extend up to 25 feet and bend more than 90° without breaking, making it easier to work with. Moreover, you won’t need a chemical cleaning solution for this job. For easy operation, this tool includes a thumbscrew that can be adjusted to increase the length of the steel wire and tightened to prevent it from falling off. Pros

Wear-resistant Easy to store Non-slip PE plastic handle Heavy-duty 72A manganese steel cable Features a telescopic handle that rotates clockwise

Cons

Might scratch the inside of the toilet

4. Best Ergonomic:Plumb Craft Titan Light Duty Toilet Auger

Effectively solve the problem of jammed household toilets with this simple-to-use and operate auger by Plumb Craft. Featuring a steel construction that ensures durability and strength, this tool offers fast clearing of toilet obstructions. Its flexible 3-foot length cable that’s 0.375 inches in diameter can be easily pushed into the toilet drain while the sturdy head helps dislodge difficult clogs. Pros

Steel turning rod High-quality materials Anti-slip vinyl grip handle Ergonomically-designed safety guide tube

Cons

Might show signs of rusting if used frequently

5. Best Slip-Resistant:RIDGID K-6P Toilet Auger

If you are looking for a toilet unclogging tool that does the job faster and costs less than a plumber, this toilet auger is your best option. Featuring a super-long 6-ft Tri-Wrap inner core cable, it can reach far into the inner depths of the toilet and drainage pipe. Plus, the cable is kink-resistant, allowing you to push it back and forth through the obstruction with ease. Suitable for any type of toilet and urinal, this tool comes with a bulb head that can break down the clog smoothly. The best part about this auger is that you can use it with either the included vinyl handle or drill attachment. Take a look at this video to know more about the product. Pros

Slip-resistant handle Vinyl guard protects porcelain Goes up to 500 RPM with drill attachment Corrosion-resistant zinc-plated steel tubing

Cons

Might be too big to be stored conveniently

6. Best Replacable:General Pipe Cleaners I-T6FL-DH Closet Auger

Do you have kids who like to flush down baby wipes and excess toilet paper into the toilet, making it easily and severely clogged that you have to clear it out quite frequently? What you need is a closet auger for toilets such as this one by General Pipe Cleaners. This tool can break down obstructions and also fish out items that can’t go down the pipe, thanks to the down head fitting and a durable hook at the tip. This heavy-duty 6-feet auger has a 3-feet Flexicore cable collapsed into the guide tube. While the first 3 feet can be pushed up until the toilet bowl, the remaining 3 feet helps you push it further in when you need to clear stoppages beyond the bowl. All you need to do is press the button and turn the crank handle. The Flexicore cable is replaceable and is made of a 2-layered tempered spring winded around a 49-strand wire rope, which means you don’t have to worry about it breaking or kinking during usage. Pros

Made of durable materials 125 inches in diameter outer steel tube Strong-build hexagonal guide tube Vinyl handle ensures a comfortable grip Includes a vinyl guard handle and Grip Clip (to secure cable)

Cons

Storing the product might be difficult due to aesthetic and sanitary reasons.

7. Best Flexible:Milwaukee TrapSnake Toilet Auger

Are you on the hunt for a toilet auger that offers optimal porcelain protection while you’re clearing out a clog? Give the Milwaukee TrapSnake toilet auger a try! This tool features a fixed rubber boot design that prevents the toilet from getting scratched or chipped. It also ensures a snug fit in your hands for ease of usage. While the 6-feet long cable is flexible enough to navigate through even the tightest traps, the crank handle comes equipped with a locking mechanism that allows you to release or tighten the cable as needed. Pros

Delivers on durability Replaceable cables Features a bulb head Can be used with a powered unit

Cons

Locking and releasing the handles might be a little tricky initially.

8. Husky Toilet Auger 

Get your toilet back to a fully-functioning state in minimal time with this tool designed to break down just about any shallow clogs and keep your drains running smoothly. Safe and convenient to use, the auger measures at 3 feet and comes with a high-carbon spring cable that does the job well. It also features a handy clip that keeps the spring cable secured when not in use. All in all, it’s an excellent tool considering its quality build and efficiency. Pros

Lifetime warranty Rust-resistant cable Includes a safety guide sleeve for effortless operation The non-slip handle ensures a comfortable grip.

Cons

Might cause scratches on porcelain The length is not suitable for deep toilet cleaning.

Given below is a buying guide that might help you make an informed decision when choosing a toilet auger.

How To Choose The Best Toilet Auger

 Build material 

The durability and reliability of an auger depends on the material used. Most augers are made of either plastic or metal. If you’re opting for a metal one, make sure it is resistant to corrosion since it comes in contact with water and hazardous waste. Also, the cable should not break or kink when dealing with heavy blockages. As for plastic ones, they do not rust, but they have a higher possibility of bending or snapping while clearing tough clogs. 

Mechanism 

When it comes to the mechanism, there are 2 types — manual and electric or battery-powered. While manual toilet augers work well to clear out small obstructions, the battery-powered or electric ones can efficiently unclog difficult stoppages in a few minutes. The electric ones are convenient to store too.  

Length 

The length of an auger is an important factor to consider as it has to fit your toilet’s needs, else it becomes useless. The length varies from one brand to another, so choose one based on the size of your toilet. In addition to this, you should also consider the length of the cable that comes in different measurements, starting from 3 feet and going up to 50 feet.

Cable diameter 

The diameter of the cable is as important as the length and should be chosen based on the size of the pipe installed in the toilet. The diameter refers to the cord’s size. Cables with a larger diameter will not fit small/thin pipes, and cable with a smaller diameter may not be powerful enough to unclog large pipes. 

Protective guard 

The protective guard is nothing but a vinyl covering at the end of the tubing that protects the delicate porcelain surface of the toilet from getting scratched or chipped. 

Ergonomic handle 

Whether you use your bare hands or wear gloves while holding the auger, you should choose one that features an ergonomic handle. This will allow you to comfortably grip the auger and hold it in place, preventing fatigue and cramps in your hands.

Toilet Auger vs. Snake: Is There A Difference?

Although the 2 terms are used interchangeably since they look similar, there are quite a few differences between them.

Toilet auger: As the name suggests, this tool is commonly used to unclog clogged toilets. It is heavy-duty and efficient in clearing out tough blockages. Also known as a water closet auger, it usually comes equipped with a porcelain bowl guard, a manual crank, and a long cable with a closed-spear or bulb head.

Primarily used to push down the clog, an auger works its way down the toilet and through the drain until it reaches the clog. Its bulb-like tip helps break down the clog and force it down the sewage system. Some augers feature a small hook at the tip that can help bring up waste from the toilet.

Drain snake: Drain snakes are lightweight and smaller than an auger and are usually used to remove medium clogs in toilets and smaller drains such as sinks and bathtubs. Featuring a hook-like tip that can clasp onto the obstruction, snakes are specially designed to retrieve items such as tissues, coins, and hair from the drains. 

Why Trust MomJunction?

We have compiled a list of the best toilet augers that may help you manage your clogged toilets. Based on our comparative research and in-depth evaluations of product reviews, these products ensure high quality, durability, and efficiency. We have also added each product’s description along with its pros and cons and included a buying manual to help you choose the right product for your convenience.

First, retract the auger’s cable so that the tip of the cable is at the end of the guide tip. Now, hold the housing of the auger in place with one hand and crank the auger clockwise to insert it inside the drain, making sure the curve is facing the drain. You can change the direction of the cranking periodically to ensure that the auger is all the way in. Once you’ve changed the direction, crank the auger for some time to unclog the toilet. Remove the auger and flush to see if it worked.

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