Different types of ice augers
If you are out on a fishing trip on the lake that has now frozen over, there are a few ways to get through the ice to begin your fishing.
The first way to drill a hole in the ice is by using a manual ice auger. This old-school way of drilling a hole into the ice works by planting your auger into the ice and, in a circular motion, crank it around in circles until you’ve made a deep enough hole in the water. It is lightweight in build and design, and while it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to do this method, doing this multiple times in the freezing cold might not be the most attractive idea.
You can also choose to opt for a gasoline-powered ice auger. Much like starting a lawnmower, starting up a gas ice auger requires you to pull the cord to make it running. It will then allow you to start drilling a hole into the ice. This method of drilling a hole into the ice is efficient because after starting it up, you don’t have to do anything but guide it into the spot you’re drilling. However, it is a fairly heavy piece of equipment that will require lots of maintenance and might not be easily transportable.
The last way you can drill a hole into the ice is by using an electric ice auger. These are battery-powered devices that are lighter than the gas ice augers, but heavier than manual ones. They can be started by simply pushing and or holding a button, and then you will be able to drill into your desired spot.
How to pick the best electric ice auger
When it comes to picking the best electric ice auger, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. The most important is the motor power, more specifically, how much power does it give you to drill a hole? Next, you’ll want to see how much battery life you’ll get so you know how long it’ll last you for. If you’re out all day, the last thing you’ll want is to carry around a heavy electric ice auger so you’ll also want to pay attention to its size and weight, so that you have a good idea of how heavy this thing will be for you. Let’s take a closer look at all of these things now.

Motor power
For motor power, you’re going to want an electric ice auger that is powerful, durable, and can maintain its high efficiency during your battery’s life. Fortunately, all of the electric ice auger’s we’ve reviewed do just that. Take, for instance, our Best Value Buy, the Landworks Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger. This 48-volt, cordless auger, can bring the power. It has a maximum speed, measured by revolutions per minute (RPM), of 320 RPMs with a 2.01 HP. If it’s loaded, it only needs 150W to start and can cruise comfortably at 100W. Other ice augers can offer a bit more power, but these are the numbers you should normally expect in terms of motor power.
Battery
Battery capacity is important because it will give you an idea of how much ice it will be able to cut through on a single charge. Nowadays, modern electric ice augers come powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries provide a high energy density, which means you’ll get more efficiency and durability out of them while also hitting consistent peak power.
Charge your batteries fully before heading out for that fishing trip, to get an idea of how much drill-time you’ll get with your electric ice auger model. You should be able to drill at least 80-100 holes.
For instance, you can make even more holes with the
RAZR 40V Lithium Ice Auger thanks to it’s increased battery capacity.
Auger size
The size of augers can vary depending on the size of the cutting diameter. For ones that have a larger cutting diameter, these ice augers are generally longer than ones that have smaller cutting diameters. For ice augers with a cutting diameter of 8 inches, you can expect them to be anywhere from 30-40 inches long. For a 10-inch cutting diameter, it can stretch from 40 inches long.
An electric ice auger with a wider cutting diameter and a longer body most likely means it can drill deeper holes, so keep that in mind, if you are fishing on lakes where the ice is quite thick.
Weight
Generally speaking, electric ice augers are actually fairly light. Especially when compared with gas-powered ice augers, electric ice augers are much lighter and easier to transport. The weight of the electric ice auger really depends on its size. As we mentioned in the previous section, the cutting diameter of the ice auger can affect its overall length and its weight, as well. However, if you’re looking for a particular range in weight for electric ice augers, you should easily be able to find one in between 20-35 pounds. You might want to check the ION X 29250 since it weighs only 22 pounds, which is not much at all, and this unit will be convenient to carry with you on your trip.
Extra features
Simply put, not all electric ice augers come with extra features. To be honest, you really don’t need any of the other bells and whistles that some electric ice augers have. But if you prefer having those, two of the most common things you can expect are a reverse drill function and lights. For reverse drilling, simply push a button, which will allow you to wash the slush back down through the hole you’ve drilled.
Some augers also come equipped with LED lights that are usually placed under the powerhead. This will allow you to see where you’re drilling into in case it is getting dark.
It’s recommended to check whether the model has overload protection, so you can rest assured that your tool won’t get damaged during the drilling process.
Prices
On the whole, electric ice augers are actually fairly expensive. It is a luxury to have this piece of equipment, and for the efficiency it produces, it can be viewed as a worthwhile expense, especially if you do a lot of fishing.
Buying an electric ice auger really depends on your budget and your needs. In our research, we found that electric ice augers can range in price between $300 and $600. Our top choice for Best Value Buy is the Landworks Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger, and this sits at a fairly affordable $329.99. On the opposite end of the scale, the Jiffy E-6 Lightning Electric Ice Auger sits at a rather high price of $599.99. You can find an electric ice auger that will suit your budget within this range. Our best piece of advice for you is that you find an electric ice auger that meets your particular needs.