Are persistent clogs and embarrassing calls to the plumber putting a damper on your home life? If you answered yes, it’s a good time to take matters into your own hands by picking up the best drain snake for home use. Drain snakes aka “augers” are the first choice for any homeowner or renter who wants to unclog a drain.

There are several types of specialty augers that tackle different clogs from simple toilet clogs all the way up to troublesome main line clogs. Since clogged water mains usually necessitate a call to the plumber, they also require the most heavy-duty snake.

In this guide on choosing the best drain auger for home use, we share our Top 5 picks that will get rid of all types of clogging issues. The most common culprits are hair, foreign objects, grease, cosmetics/soap scum, buildup, and even plant roots.

Let’s start with the helpful chart below that lists the most important specs before moving on to the reviews of each snake.

Best Drain Snake Reviews

The combination of snakes, augers, and drain cleaners above are enough to tackle any type of clog at home. As you probably already noticed, there are specialty snakes made for certain types of clogs. For homeowners, the Ridgid Power Spin+ is the most versatile plumbing snake for tackling all types of clogs.

However, considering some plumbing fixtures such as vitreous china toilets or porcelain sinks are sensitive to auger heads, it’s best to select the right tool for the job. Additionally, there’s no reason to use too much tool for the job as Tim Allen did in Tool Time.

Below, I share reviews of each of the models in the chart above along with the pros & cons. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a complete understanding of how each snake works.

#1) Ridgid 57043 POWER SPIN+ Drain Cleaner

As mentioned above, the Power Spin+ is the best all-around drain snake for most homeowners. Its versatility and the ability to use it manually or with a power drill make it the complete package. Also, the price is just about unbeatable if it’s the right tool for your clogging issue. Compared to paying high-dollar for a plumber to fix a moderate drain problem, you’ll save a bundle.

The kink-resistant Maxcore coil head cable is simple to operate, and we recommend using the appropriate safety gloves during operation. One feature you’ll find useful is the Autofeed trigger design that automatically feeds the cable down the drain and retrieves it while the drum is rotating. Simply pull the trigger to put this feature to work.

Finally, the beauty of the coil head is its ability to cut through near-solid clogs while capturing hair along its path. Don’t be surprised if you retrieve a huge wad of hair filled with gunk using this bad boy. Cleanup is fairly simple, and it’s advisable to continue using gloves while handling the cable.

Additional Highlights

• Positively-retained cable to prevent cable pullout
• Compatible with cordless battery-powered drills up to 500 RPM
• Ridgid Lifetime Warranty
• 25′ cable made for drains between .75″ and 1.5″

Pros

Cons

#2) FlexiSnake Drain Weasel

Next up we have the very easy-to-use FlexiSnake Drain Weasel. If you’re battling bathroom plumbing fixture clogs due to shedding hair, this is the best drain cleaner for hair in the guide. The FlexiSnake is not only beginner-friendly, but it’s also the cheapest drain snake of the five in this guide.

The key to the FlexiSnake’s effectiveness is its patented “micro-hooks” that latch onto all the hair and gunk camping out in your drain pipes. Additionally, the 360º movement and thin cable allow the FlexiSnake to find its way through nearly any non-solid clog within its reach.

And now for the biggest highlight. The attachments are disposable, so there’s absolutely no need to pick out the gunk from the cable head once you retract the cable. The standard package includes 5 attachments, which is enough to last you a while if you’re dealing with a persistent clogging issue due to hair in a shower or sink drain.

Pros

Cons

#3) TECCPO HGDDC1A Automatic Cordless Plumbing Snake

If you like the idea of an automatic auger and want an electric unit rather than using a manual unit with a drill, this is your best option. Compared to the Power Spin+, the TECCPO Auger has more torque and a higher max RPM of 560.

Also, the job is done on near-autopilot compared to manual cracking or using a drill. For heavier clogs that need more oomph to reel in, the TECCPO is a better option than the Power Spin.

The 20V lithium-ion battery forces the corkscrew-style head through all types of clogs. Feel free to use this auger in your kitchen, bathroom, and even outdoors to tackle clogged gutter downspouts. Two-way rotation means the 25 ft cable does all the work for you with the help of the operating handle and forward/reverse switch.

Additional Highlights

• Built-in LED light for low-light conditions
• Fairly lightweight at just 10.85 lbs
• 60-minute charging time
• Good for hard-to-reach clogs in S and L-shaped drain pipes

Pros

Cons

#4) POPULO Automatic Cordless Drain Auger

Since this unit is essentially a budget version of the TECCPO model above, we’re not going to repeat what’s already been said. The key point to consider is that these drain snakes are made in China, which we discovered in the seller Q&A section after reading reports about the poorly-written instructions.

When something like this is made in China, that means other sellers are either buying from the same supplier or a different supplier is copying the model. In other words, you may get the same product with a different name on it for less money by choosing the POPULO model over the TECCPO model.

The final consideration is battery power. The latest TECCPO model sports a 20V battery, while this unit by POPULO features an 18V battery. Additionally, the POPULO snake apparently comes backed by a lifetime warranty, and the TECCPO warranty is 2-year. We recommend checking the reviews of each model for yourself to decide which model is better for your home. At the time of this writing, both models have excellent scores.

#5) Ridgid Toilet Auger Snake

When a plunger isn’t enough, it’s time to break out the Ridgid Toilet Auger. Currently, it’s available in both 3′ and 6′ sizes and specifically built for toilet clogs. One of the key features is the vinyl guard at the base of the handle that sits on the base of the bowl to avoid scratching your porcelain.

Once you have the snake positioned at the base of the bowl, simply turn the handle to release the cable into the drain. The bulb head with a corkscrew-style tip is the ideal choice for unclogging toilet drains, and it works even on water-conserving toilet models. Additionally, there are models with drop heads for trickier drains with more angles.

Considering Ridgid manufactures this snake in the USA, you get a truly corrosion-resistant tube and top-notch materials that stand the test of time. Since this is a specialty auger, it’s good to know that it’s a one-time investment that comes backed by a lifetime warranty from a trustworthy company. Plus, you won’t have to deal with any poorly-written instructions.

Pros

Cons

#6) Mophorn 370W Open Drain Cleaning Machine

Last up is the most heavy-duty piece of machinery in this guide. Although, it’s not the best drain cleaner machine on the market, it’s one of the best budget drain cleaning machines for home use. If you have an unrelenting solid clog on your hands or need to cut through small to medium size roots, this is the tool for the job.

The smallest model in the lineup is the 370W with its 50′ cable and four included cutting heads. The included heads are a C-Cutter, Boring Bulb, Spade, and Arrow. For jobs that require a cable longer than 50′, there are models that provide up to 3/8″ 100′ cables.

The 370W model’s 1/2″ solid core stainless steel cable is good for both indoor & outdoor applications and for large drains up to 4″ in diameter. The operation switch makes it easy to move the cable forward and backward without cranking.

Additional Highlights

• C-Cutter attachment for tough grease clogs
• A Spade Cutter for scraping the inside of clogged pipes
• Foldable Handle
• Includes safety gloves and 2 hoses

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

Now that you’ve checked out the best drain snakes for home use and learned how they all work, I’m confident that you know which auger is the best solution for your clog. Once you identify the cause of your clog, it’s important to choose a snake that won’t damage your plumbing fixtures yet delivers enough power to get the job done.

The first auger to consider should always be the Power Spin+ or something similar if you’re not dealing with a toilet issue. This type of auger gives you the most bang for your buck, and it won’t break the bank. For solid clogs that require longer cables, it’s best to check out the Mophorn model above first or consider hiring a plumber if you think it’s a one-time deal.

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