Don’t you hate it when your toilet clogs up? Believe us, we do. Instead of fretting over it, isn’t it better that you learn how to unclog without any help from a professional? That is why it can be really handy to own a professional toilet auger in case of such emergencies.
Check out our list of the best toilet augers in the following article with an in-depth review of each.
List of The Best Toilet Augers
1. RIDGID 59802 K-6 DH – Best for Sharp Bowl Contours
The first product on our list is offered by RIDGID – a US-based manufacturer founded almost a century ago. The brand is known for its highest quality products available in the market.
The latest K-6 Toilet Auger, similarly, is a high-end and long-lasting product. Since it is made of stainless steel, it’s not only durable but also corrosion-free. The sturdy build makes it a good option for home and commercial use.
Six feet long, the K-6 DH ensures that you can reach far into the drainage pipe. It also features a drophead in the shape of half pear that functions well with more bends.
In addition, it comes with an ergonomic handle that fits snugly in your hand. Furthermore, it will reduce fatigue during prolonged use. The K-6 DH also features a snap-on attachment to its cable for ease.
The inner core cable is also strong and kink-resistant, allowing you to push through toilet blockage with ease. Moreover, the 59802 K-6 DH is also suitable for mounted fixtures and eco-friendly toilets. You just have to turn the handle to push the snake into the toilet.
One of its most prominent and unique features is its vinyl guard. Unlike its competitors, it helps prevent chipping of the porcelain bowl. Even though it may require a little force, in the end, you will get a working toilet in no time.
This toilet auger might be a little more expensive than other similar products, but with its quality built, you will not have to purchase another for a very long time. In simple words, when it comes to value for money, it’s among the best.
PROS:
- The vinyl guard protects from chipping
- Long reach
- Kink-resistant
- Snap-On attachment to cables
CONS:
- Relatively expensive
- As it is very sturdy, you need to use it carefully to avoid scratches
2. Cobra 670398 Toilet Auger – Best Under a Budget
The next item on our list is from another US-based brand known for its high-quality drain cleaning tools for plumbers and professionals. Even though its high-end products are designed for commercial use, 670398 is also suitable for home use. This high-end product is perfect for you if you’re looking for an unclogging tool under a small budget.
The 670398 model is made of high-quality materials to ensure durability. For example, the spring wire is made of high carbon material.
You can install the wire easily to unblock even the most stubborn blockage in no time. The dimensions of the wire are three-eighths inches by three feet. Even though it is a little smaller in length compared to RIDGID 59802 K-6 DH, there is a significant price difference. This one is almost 10 times cheaper.
This auger features a poly-safety tube that protects the bowl from scratches. Since it does not sag, you can get the job done fast.
As it comes with smart handling design, it’s quite easy to use. It even has an ergonomic non-slip plastic handle for a comfortable grip. This helps you reach deeper into the drain without any issues.
Moreover, it is easy to install and can be ready to use at any time.
PROS:
- Cheap
- Easy installation
- Ergonomic grip
- Poly-safety tube prevents chipping
- Durable
CONS:
- Must be used carefully when applying pressure
- Does not work well for toilets with bends
3. General Wire Spring I-T6FL-DH – Highest-Quality Toilet Auger
When it comes to quality, General Wire Spring Auger has it all. The product comes from General Wire Spring, an American manufacturer that is mostly known for its wide range of compression and tension springs.
However, they also manufacture and sell augers and other common spring material. The I-T6FL-DH is one of their highly-rated augers, and for all the right reasons.
To begin with, it’s made of two-layered heavy-duty tempered steel and a core made of 49-strand wire rope. To ensure further durability, the spring steel has been tightly coiled over the core, making the auger resistant to kinks.
In case you’re looking for longer than average auger, this one makes perfect sense. With six feet length, it allows you to reach deep to unclog blocked toilets.
In terms of use, the I-T6FL-DH auger is efficient enough to unclog the most stubborn clogs. The six feet long wire is divided into two parts, one telescoped inside a guide tube, and the extra half available with a push of a button.
This allows you to use only the three feet snake when you don’t need to get deep. If you want to move further, just use the crank to feel the extra three feet into the pipe.
In addition to this, the turning handle has been constructed from die-cast aluminum, making it extremely sturdy for use. The vinyl grip handle provides a comfortable grip for prolonged use, while the vinyl bowl guard feature prevents the porcelain bowl from chipping.
Moreover, the unclogging tool has a down head whose flexibility allows you to guide it into bends with ease. We recommend this for toilets with sharply-angled bends due to its kink-resistant cable.
PROS:
- Vinyl bowl guard prevents bowl chipping
- Telescoping cable gives long reach
- Durable built
- Ergonomic grip
- Kink-resistant
CONS:
- Most expensive option on our list
4. Liquid Plumr 6700 – Best Snake for Unclogging Toilet
If you’re looking for an affordable snake, Taiwan made Liquid Plumr 6700 is another good option that functions just as well as other augers. The brand is mostly known for its liquid drain cleaners, but they also design and sell a few augers and snakes, 6700 being one of their top models.
With a three feet long snake, you can guide the snake easily down the drain to unblock the toughest clogs.
Though not as long as some other options on our list, this lightweight option still works fine for a common home toilet. You just have to apply a little pressure on the flexible snake to get your toilet functioning in no time.
The sturdy snake comes with a flexible wire that is ⅜ inches thick. The diameter is good enough to penetrate through the tough clog. However, keep in mind, this product is designed for home use. If you’re looking for something for commercial use, it’s better to explore other options.
Available in silver color, the snake features an ergonomic anti-slip plastic handle to help you crank it with ease. Designed for home use, it simply required you to guide the cable into the drain by turning the handle and then pulling it back out once it has unblocked your drain.
The Liquid Plumr 6700 toilet snake has been built to protect your bowl during usage. The best thing about 6700 is the vinyl sleeve. With this cover, you can get as rough as you want with a snake without worrying about any scratches to the porcelain. Also, it reduces kinks in the cable while unclogging your toilet. This low-cost toilet auger works fine for home use. However, it’s hard to clean and needs oiling to prevent rust. In addition, it works perfectly for drain pipes that are from two to four-inch in diameter.
PROS:
- Relatively cheap
- Kink-resistant cable
- The vinyl sleeve protects the bowl
- Flexible snake
CONS:
- Flimsy rod
- May rust unless you oil it properly
- Hard to clean-up
5. I-T6FL-DH by General Pipe Cleaners – Top Pick
The next one comes from General Pipe Cleaners, a subsidiary of General Wire Spring. The brand is one of the most well-known for the last 85 years among the plumbing professionals, and for all the right reasons.
The I-T6FL-DH closet auger is made of heavy-duty material to remove the toughest clogs, which is why it is also one of the most expensive items on our list.
This product works great if your toilet pipes are thin. Why? Because the wire is just ⅛ inches in diameter, allowing you to penetrate through the smallest pipes, from 0.5 inches to 2 inches in diameter. However, if your drainpipe is thicker than two inches, you may need an auger with thicker wire.
When it comes to length, it’s still among the longest available in the market. The three-feet long handle comes with an additional three-feet cable telescoped inside the tube to give you a full six-feet of length.
The use is also simple. Just guide the first three-feet into the drain, simply turn the crank while pressing the button, and push the extra three-feet into the pipe. With this feature, you are no longer required to lift heavy bowel up, unlike with some other products.
The hexagonal guide tube is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 1-1/8 inches. For extra durability, General Pipe Cleaner Auger has a Flexi core cable made of two-layered tempered steel coiled around a wire rope containing 49-strands.
As already mentioned, it’s made of heavy-duty material and works best for commercial, as well as home use.
The model comes with a vinyl bowl guard to prevent the porcelain from chipping, and a grip handle made of vinyl for a snug fit in your hands. If this was not enough, you even get a grip clip that secures the cable well. The tough wire prevents kinking and provides enough flexibility to navigate complicated contours in the bowl. Along with this, you get a down head capable of removing any clogs in your toilet.
PROS:
- Kink-resistant
- Comfortable grip
- 49-strand wire rope provides durability
- Telescoping cable
- Sturdy
CONS:
- Expensive
- Difficulties with storage
Buyer’s Guide on Best Toilet Auger
Now that you have finally gone through our reviews, let’s get on to learning more.
Auger or Snake: Is There a Difference?
You must have one or two unclogging tools at home for emergencies, either a toilet auger or a toilet snake. If you own both, it is even better. They might seem similar, but these two tools have quite a few differences.
A toilet auger is a handy tool made to push through the toilet drain pipes and remove the obstruction effectively. They are specifically designed for toilet bowls, so they are not really effective for other drain pipes.
A typical auger consists of the following parts:
- Wire or snake that typically ranges from three to six inches in length
- Long shaft
- A crank
- A bowl guard
Some augers use their closed coil head while others use their open coil head to hook onto the object.
Toilet snakes feature a coil of wire with a corkscrew tip to unblock clogged toilets. Since they have a smaller diameter than augers, snakes are preferred for blocks with lesser buildup. Instead of toilet bowls, they are much better suited to sinks, drains, and bathtubs.
Choosing a Toilet Auger that Works Best for You
When it comes to purchasing any tool, you will find multiple options on the market. To help you out, we have listed a few tips and factors to consider before purchasing one for you.
Length
You will find that different brands offer different auger’s length. Thus, make sure to invest in one that fits your toilet needs.
Generally, plumbers use longer augers for their job. You, on the other hand, should purchase an auger based on the length of your drainage pipe. Cables ranging from 25 feet to 50 feet in length are easily available in the market.
Cable Diameter
As cables available in different cable diameters, find out the size of your pipes before buying one.
Cables with a larger diameter will fail to fit and unclog the bowel with smaller pipes. Similarly, cables with a smaller diameter will not provide enough force to unclog larger pipes. Hence, it is important to match the cable with your toilet pipes.
Warranty
As with all other tools, warranty differs from brand to brand for augers as well. Most of them provide one that offers to replace faulty ones.
In case you are purchasing relatively expensive augers, make sure to check if the warranty provides ideal coverage according to your needs.
Material
Augers can be made of either plastic or metal. If it’s made of metal, make sure that it’s resistant to corrosion since it’s bound to come in contact with chemicals and waste. Plastic augers do not rust, but they cannot handle tough clogs or bend in contoured bowls too.
Using Your Toilet Auger the Best Way
Wondering how to use it the best way? Follow our tutorial:
- Start with protecting yourself from splashes by using gloves.
- Place the auger or snake at the top of the bowl guard, guide it down the toilet hole, but keep it away from the porcelain to avoid unwanted scratches.
- To push the snake or wire inside the pipe, use the crank.
- Keep cranking unless you reach the source of the problem. Just push up and down to penetrate through the clog. You may have to use some force here.
- In some cases, the clog gets attached to the wire. You can just crank backwards to pull it out.
- Once done, just flush the toilet several times, and hopefully, your toilet is good to go.
Clogged Toilets: Prevention Methods
Even though toilet clogs are quite common, you can still follow a few steps to prevent it from happening. Read our tips down below to find an easy solution to your problem.
- Don’t flush anything other than waste and toilet paper. When it comes to the latter, use only toilet-friendly ones that dissolve easily. You should not flush hair, diapers, or tampons down the drain since they build up fast.
- By keeping your toilet covered, you can keep small objects from being flushed into the toilet. Do not keep items on the head of the toilet since they have a higher chance of being knocked down. Apart from this, keep an eye on children to make sure that they don’t flush toys or other items.
- Keep checking the draining speed of your toilet. Slower drainage can indicate the presence of smaller clogs. Instead of building that up, use your auger to remove the present clogs.
- Using less toilet paper can save you a lot of money as well as trouble later on. Use only as much paper as you require.
Conclusion
A quality toilet auger is always a better option than hiring a plumber. Why pay a hefty amount when you can do the same on your own – all you need is a quality tool, that we have listed for you. A single handy tool can remove blockages in just a few minutes. Hopefully, this article has provided enough information to spare you from future messy situations.