Best Ice Fishing Augers: Which One to Buy

For most ice anglers who drill a few dozen holes a season, a 40V cordless electric auger such as the Eskimo E40 or the ION Alpha Gen 3 is the best all-round buy; a gas or propane auger still suits those who drill all day in deep, thick ice, and a hand auger remains the low-cost, fully dependable backup. Which one fits depends on how many holes you cut, how far you walk, how cold it gets and how much weight you are willing to haul.

Our top picks

Top pickVEVOR Gas Powered Ice Auger

Check price on Amazon

Also greatEskimo E40 8-Inch Electric Ice Auger

Check price on Amazon

Also greatEskimo E40 10-Inch Electric Ice Auger

Check price on Amazon

Also greatEskimo® Redneck™ Bit

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Best Ice Fishing Augers at a Glance

The specs above come from maker and retailer listings plus outlet coverage. Weights and warranty terms differ between sellers for several models, so treat them as approximate.

Electric Augers: The Default Choice

Reviewers keep landing on electric. Consumer-focused outlets name the Eskimo E40 and the ION Alpha Gen 3 as top picks, citing the lack of fuel mixing, low noise and easy starting. Because they have no exhaust, they are also the better choice for drilling inside a shelter, though you should still follow the maker’s instructions for ventilation and use.

Eskimo E40

The maker lists the E40 at 8 inches, 40 inches of auger length, a 40V 4Ah lithium-ion battery and cutting speed up to 3.2 inches per second. A charge is rated for up to 1,300 inches of ice, and the 2 amp charger replenishes the battery in about two hours. It has a variable-speed trigger, a reverse toggle and an LED light under the powerhead. Listings show a composite-bit model at 13.5 lb and a steel-bit model at 17.5 lb, with a 5-year warranty on the auger and powerhead and a 3-year warranty on the battery. One guide recommends it for a lighter powerhead and the trigger control when drilling inside a shelter.

ION Alpha Gen 3

ION lists the 8 inch Alpha at 19.8 lb with a 40 inch auger and a steel bit, cutting up to 3.4 inches per second and up to 2,000 inches per charge on the Gen 3 4Ah battery. The 10 inch Alpha Plus uses a composite bit, is listed under 17 lb, and is rated for up to 2.2 inches per second and up to 1,200 inches per charge. The 8 inch Alpha Plus is listed at 15.9 lb. ION states a 3-year warranty covering the whole unit including the battery. Features include slush-flushing reverse, a variable-speed trigger and LED lights. Weights vary a little between retailers, so the maker’s manual is the reliable figure.

StrikeMaster Lithium

StrikeMaster offers a 24V Lite-Flite and a 40V Maven. The 24V 8 inch is listed at 14.3 lb and the 6 inch at 13.3 lb, with a brushless motor, 50:1 gear ratio and about 65 holes (6 inch) or 50 holes (8 inch) per charge. The 40V Maven pairs a brushless powerhead with an 8 inch Lazer steel drill assembly and stainless blades. Sources did not list its weight or hole count, so compare those directly with the maker before buying.

Cold-Weather Battery Reality

Every lithium battery loses capacity in the cold. One reviewer reported sub-zero temperatures and thick late-season ice cut battery performance by about 20 to 30 percent. Practical habits help: keep spare batteries warm inside your jacket, charge them fully the night before, and treat the maker’s per-charge figures as best-case numbers. If you routinely drill more than 40 or 50 holes a day, a second battery is wise.

Gas and Propane Augers

Gas still wins when you need to punch through thick ice again and again. Eskimo lists its Mako M43 Quantum with a 43cc Viper 2-cycle engine, a 30:1 gear ratio and a 42 inch auger length, with retailer weights around 32 lb for the 8 inch and 33 to 39 lb for the 10 inch depending on the listing. Retail sites disagree on engine speed and warranty length, so rely on the manual. Jiffy’s Pro4 line uses 4-stroke engines on propane: the Pro4 Lite is listed at 38cc and 26 to 28 lb in 6 and 8 inch sizes, and the Pro4 X-TREME at 49cc and 32 to 35 lb. Propane avoids mixing oil and gas, but you still carry a cylinder and must store and handle it as the maker directs.

Trade-offs are noise, fumes, weight and cold starting. Never run a gas or propane auger in an enclosed shelter, and follow all maker warnings on fuel and ventilation. Gas models also need routine maintenance, including fresh fuel and blade care.

Hand Augers

The StrikeMaster Lazer is widely called the gold standard hand auger. Listings show chrome-alloy stainless blades, a powder-coated finish and a two-piece telescoping handle adjustable from about 48 to 57 inches. Sizes run 5, 6 and 8 inch at roughly 6, 6.5 and 8.5 lb. It is quiet, never needs charging and is the best insurance when a battery dies. The cost is effort, which rises quickly in thick ice. Lighter drill-adaptive bits, such as Eskimo’s 6 inch bit at around 3.2 lb in one roundup, let you use a cordless drill instead, though you should confirm your drill’s torque and the bit maker’s compatibility notes first.

Choosing Hole Size

• 6 inch: lighter and faster, ample for panfish and perch, easy to power.
• 8 inch: the all-around size for walleye, pike and trout, and the most common option across the models above.
• 10 inch: better for big lake trout or pike, but it demands more power and a larger battery draw. ION lists lower inches-per-charge for its 10 inch Alpha Plus than its 8 inch.

Safety, Care and Fit Notes

• Check ice thickness and conditions before you drill, and carry ice picks and a rope.
• Keep blades sharp, since a dull blade drains a battery faster and works the motor harder. Replace blades per the maker’s instructions.
• Keep the blade cover on during transport, both for safety and to protect the edges.
• Store lithium batteries indoors in a dry place and follow the charger instructions. Do not charge a frozen battery; let it warm up first.
• Flush slush from the hole with the reverse function where provided, which also helps you retrieve the bit.
• Be sure the auger length suits the ice. A 40 inch auger will not reach the bottom of very thick ice without help.

Pick X If You…

Budget Tiers

• Budget: a hand auger, or a drill-adaptive bit if you already own a suitable drill.
• Mid-range: a 40V electric such as the E40 or ION Alpha, or a basic gas model.
• Premium: a high-end electric kit with extra batteries or a larger-displacement gas auger.

Alternatives

• Drill-adaptive bits. Light and cheap if you own a powerful cordless drill, but results depend on the drill.
• Older-generation ION and Eskimo models. Previous generations stay in the market and can suit a tighter budget, but battery generations are not interchangeable, so check ION’s model-generations guidance first.
• Thunderbay-type small gas augers. One reviewer called a 33cc model reliable in extreme cold with unlimited runtime, though it is from a lesser-known brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are electric ice augers as good as gas?

For most recreational anglers, yes. Reviewers favor electric for convenience, low noise and easy starting, and modern 40V units cut quickly. Gas keeps an edge for all-day drilling in very thick ice because refueling is faster than recharging.

How many holes can a battery drill?

Makers rate batteries in total inches of ice, such as up to 1,300 inches for the Eskimo E40 or up to 2,000 inches for the ION Alpha Gen 3. Real results fall in cold weather and with thick ice, so plan for a spare battery on long days.

What size auger hole should I choose?

Six inches suits panfish and perch, eight inches handles most game fish, and ten inches helps with large trout or pike. Larger holes take more power and drain batteries faster.

Can I use a gas auger inside an ice shack?

No, not in an enclosed space. Gas and propane engines produce exhaust that can be dangerous in a closed shelter, so drill outside or follow the maker’s ventilation warnings. Electric augers are the usual choice for indoor drilling.

How do I keep my auger blades sharp?

Keep the blade cover on, avoid hitting dirt or gravel, and replace or sharpen blades following the maker’s guidance. Sharp blades cut faster and extend battery life.

Is a hand auger still worth owning?

Yes, as a backup or for light use. It needs no fuel or charging, so it works when everything else fails, and a Lazer-style model weighs only a few pounds.