In this side-by-side product review Outside Pursuits leads you through everything you need to know in order to pick the best ice auger for ice fishing on frozen lakes to meet your specific needs and type of ice fishing.

We’ll take a look at what makes the best ice auger for the money and what to avoid. Also see How To Choose The Best Ice Auger  later in the article. What is the best lake fishing ice auger for you?

Best Ice Augers

	Best Electric Ice Auger	Best Gas Ice Auger	Best Propane Ice Auger
	ION X 40V 5 Amp-Hour Electric Ice Auger	Eskimo Mako 43cc Quantum Gas Ice Auger	Eskimo High Compression 40cc Propane Ice Auger
Diameter:	8" diameter auger	10" diameter auger	10" diameter auger
Auger Length:	46 inches w/ 12" extension	42 inch auger length	42 inch auger length
Weight:	22 lbs.	22 lbs.	36.3 pounds
Customer Reviews:	4.7 out of 5 Stars	4.5 out of 5 Stars	4.3 out of 5 Stars

Also see: Ice Fishing Augers Comparison Table and Ice Augers Video Review

 Quick Answer: The Best-Rated Ice Fishing Augers

1. ION X 40V 5 amp-hour Electric Ice Auger
2. Eskimo Mako 43cc Quantum Gas Ice Auger]
3. Eskimo High Compression 40cc Propane Ice Auger
4. Strikemaster Lazer Hand Ice Auger
5. Eskimo Hand Ice Auger

Ice Fishing Auger Reviews

#1 ION X 40V 5 amp-hour Electric Ice Auger

ION offers this 8-inch drill powered by a 40V battery. The unit can drill up to forty holes into around two feet of ice on one charge. The battery works without generating much noise.

You do not have to add any gas or maintain a complicated engine for this to run. A 12-inch extension can also be added onto the end of the auger to go 46 inches deep.

You will not require an ice skimmer as this comes with a reverse control feature. The auger cleans off the hole, so it retains a perfect cut.

The ION X ice auger is only 22 pounds in weight and the handlebars are spaced out wide for an easy grip. The trigger button is large in size and easy to use and the best ice fishing auger you can buy.

#2 Eskimo Mako 43cc Quantum Gas Ice Auger

The Eskimo Mako is a viable choice for ice fishing equipment as it is reliable in cold conditions. The two-cycle 43cc Viper engine starts quickly.

The wide-wing steel handle bars take in vibrations and prevent shaking. The throttle works with a single button that lets you start it up without having to remove your gloves first.

The auger is 42 inches long and features a 10-inch diameter although a smaller 8-inch model is also available. The engine is also properly insulated with a secure outside body that keeps the unit from being fully exposed.

#3 Eskimo High Compression 40cc Propane Ice Auger

Propane is the main part of what makes this next bit of ice fishing gear work. The 40cc 4-cycle engine operates with the power of a propane fuel cylinder.

The ice fishing auger supports up to one pound of fuel at a time. The propane fuel moves quickly from the can to the engine where it runs fast.

The auto-priming fuel system ensures the engine will start up quickly. You just have to flip the switch to the on position. The auger starts working shortly after that.

The two-blade system on the propane ice auger is 10 inches in diameter. At 42 inches in length, it goes through most icy surfaces cleanly and quickly while generating a circular cut each time.

#4 Strikemaster Lazer Hand Ice Auger

When looking for a hand ice auger, this model from Strikemaster works well. The stainless steel blades cut through most surfaces quickly.

The powder coating on the paint keeps ice from building up on its surface. Rubber grips are added to make this auger comfortable on your hands.

The handle comes with an ergonomic system that fits into either hand. The hand ice auger is also adjusted to move from 48 to 57 inches in length, thus giving you easy access to some of the deeper or tougher to drill spots.

#5 Eskimo Hand Ice Auger

The last choice to see when finding the best ice auger is this model from Eskimo. It is available in six, seven and eight-inch models.

At just six pounds in weight, this offers a secure grip that does not become loose with regular use. The straight blades last for a long time.

This is adjustable from 49 to 58 inches in length. The blades can also be removed and replaced as needed. You can sharpen the blades as needed. The process of sharpening them up is easy to handle as you just use a file.

Ice Fishing Auger Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Ice Auger For You

• Ice Auger Uses
• Ice Auger Power Types
• Ice Auger Sizes and Weights
• Ice Auger Portability
• Other Considerations

If you’re an ice fisherman then you know the necessity of an ice auger to open a hole in the ice before fishing. And you’ve probably used one, or at least seen them in use at the lake.  Here, we look at the best ice augers for ice fishing and help you choose the right one for you.

There are a few primary types of ice auger: gas-powered, electric, propane and good old manual-powered. Each type has its pros and cons, which we will discuss in this article.

Whether it entails a hand-powered, propane or electric ice auger, you have to look at what is available. Check on many features relating to your auger when finding a choice that fits in well for your demands.

These functions focus on not only how well it is powered but also how easy it is for you to start up such an auger.

Ice Auger Uses

The main purpose of an ice fishing auger is for it to cut through a sheet of ice that you wish to go fishing in. It does well with producing circular ones in varying diameters.

You could also use an auger to cut lines through ice if you need to produce a larger fishing area. A stronger model with sharp blades is needed to help you with cutting large lines although you would have to get the blade guard removed for it to cut through larger spots.

Also, some augers may produce smaller holes for tent support needs. These include holes that would go into snowy spots where you need to get access to the ground so you can get the tent secured right.

Ice Auger Power Types

There are four power type options for an ice auger. Each has its own specific features that make it work right:

Electric

An electric ice auger works with a rechargeable battery. It typically uses lithium-ion power. Such a battery produces no emissions and is quiet.

Gas-powered

A gas-powered auger is stronger as the motor on its body adds more force and power.

Propane

A propane-powered auger uses a setup where you apply a propane container onto a port. Propane is clean-burning and generates more energy in a short period of time.

Manual

Hand-powered augers are made with strong handles that require physical force for you to produce a drilling motion. This requires extra effort but it can be useful for smaller surfaces.

Ice Auger Sizes and Weights

The size of your auger should be reviewed carefully. The diameter is the first measurement to look at. The diameter refers to the size of the hole that can be produced by your auger. Most models produce holes that are six to ten inches in diameter.

Also, in some cases a guard is placed around the blades to keep them from cutting beyond a certain space. The guard helps with producing a circular cut all the way through.

The length of the auger is also important to see. Most augers are from 40 to 60 inches in length. The cutting mechanism typically takes up about half of that length.

This means most options should be capable of cutting through two inches of ice.

The weight should also be reviewed carefully. A hand-powered auger can be around five to eight pounds in weight. A gas-powered model will be around 30 to 40 pounds.

The added weight comes from the extra fuel and engine features. Any model you choose should have a sturdy series of handles so it becomes easy for you to handle its weight.

Ice Auger Portability

The main portability feature to see involves the handles. Many battery and engine-powered augers use wide-positioned handles that are easy to grip onto. They allow you to focus the blade right into a certain space.

Meanwhile, a hand-powered unit would feature grips that include grooves or cushions. These would provide you with a comfortable hold. The handle should be ergonomic so it could work in either hand.

An auger typically comes in just one piece although some models come with adjustable height knobs. Such a knob lets you move the auger up or down to help you get into tougher spaces.

Some choices also let you take apart the two halves for easy storage although this feature is not all that common among augers.

Other Considerations

Several other points must be used when finding a quality auger:

• Review how well the blades on your auger can be maintained. The blades must be dried and sharpened for them to last longer.
• Look at how easy it is for you to take off and replace the blades as necessary.
• Review the power mechanisms of your auger if you have a fuel-powered model. A primer may be included in some models. Spark plugs may also help with producing more power.
• See how long it takes for an auger to run before it can work to its best. Some models require you to idle your auger for a minute or two before you can start running it.

Ice Augers FAQs

Q: What is the best ice auger on the market?

A: Either the ION X 40V 5 Amp-Hour Electric Ice Auger or The Eskimo Mako 43cc Quantum Gas Ice Auger. The electric is personally our favorite, due to the fact that it’s simply more convenient and easier on the environment.

Q: What is the best drill to use for an ice auger?

A: We recommend an 18V drill with 700inch pounds which should work for just about any ice auger on our guide. Of course, this will vary a bit, depending on how thick the ice is and how often you’re going to be using it throughout the day. Just know that you should bring a drill so you have that as an option.

Q: Are propane ice augers any good?

A: They’re definitely some of the most powerful models out there, similar to gas powered models. These are ideal if you know you’re going to be drilling through thick ice, will be using it often throughout the day, or need to make big holes.

Q: Is a 6-inch ice auger big enough?

A: That all depends on what you’re going to be fishing! Unless you’re planning on solely aiming for trophy fish, then a 6-inch hold is more than big enough.

Ice Auger Buyer’s Tips

1. If you’ll be using a gas auger, make sure you’re willing to either haul it yourself or use a quad to do the hard work. These augers are significantly heavier than electric models, so keep this in mind.
2. Keep your electric auger’s batteries always charged. As it’s electric, this means it does require regular charging. It’s also important to know how long you’ll get out of a full charge.

Think about when you’ll be using your ice auger. Generally speaking, March and April are going to have warmer temperatures but much thicker ice. In fact, you can expect ice up to 4 feet thick at this time! Through October and November, in contrast, you can get a foot or less of thickness.

Thanks for reading our ice fishing augers reviews.  We hope that this is helpful to you to make the most of your ice fishing adventures. If you or someone you know wants to learn the basics of ice fishing see our How To Ice Fish – A Beginners Guide. Enjoy the ice fishing season!

For more of the best ice fishing gear recommendations, have a look at these popular Outside Pursuits review links:  Ice Fishing Boots, Ice Fishing Shelters and Ice Fishing Reels.

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Ice Augers Video Review

How We Researched

To come up with the top ice augers we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Dicks Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options for the price. The author, Casey Fiedler has been an avid fisherman for decades and leads fishing trips into the backcountry.

To help narrow down the selection our authors used their personal experience along with recommendations from charter captains and tour guides.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources