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Clogs happen, whether from potato peels down the kitchen sink, loose hair swirling through the tub drain, or the little plastic plane your toddler dropped in the toilet. When water isn’t draining as quickly as it should—or, worse, isn’t draining at all—DIY-savvy folks reach for a drain snake.
Also called a plumbing snake or drain auger, this handy tool is simply a long, thick, flexible wire that “snakes” into drains and pipes to chew through clogs quickly and efficiently. Since these blockage busters come in different types and sizes for various uses, we interviewed Danny Pen, an experienced plumber and president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, to get his expert opinion on choosing the right one.
Based on Danny’s expert insights and our independent research, we selected the Ridgid Power Spin+ With Autofeed Drain Cleaning Snake as our top pick for its ease of use and effective clearing capabilities. Still, another option might be a better fit for your level of DIY experience, existing tool set, and the severity of the clog. Read on for our full list of recommendations as well as tips on what to look for when choosing the best drain snakes for all your plumbing needs.
- BEST OVERALL: Ridgid Power Spin+ With Autofeed Drain Cleaning Snake
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Liboyixi Drain Clog Remover Tool
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR TOILET CLOGS: Ridgid K-6P Toilet Auger
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HAIR CLOGS: FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EXTRA-LONG: Vevor Drain Cleaner Machine Electric Auger
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ELECTRIC: Populo 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drain Auger Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PROFESSIONAL: Cobra Tools Cable Drain Pipe Auger
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DIY: Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Drain Auger
↓ Jump to Review - BEST KIT: Breezz Drain Auger Clog Remover With Drill Adapter
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
Collected here are top drain augers and plumbing snakes that meet our team’s and our expert’s criteria. We suggest you choose from these products to find the best snake for drain issues in your home.
Best Overall
Ridgid Power Spin+ With Autofeed Drain Cleaning Snake
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 25 feet
- Material: Metal cable with plastic handle
What We Like
- Self-feeding cable prevents contact with any mess
- Can be used with a drill for more power
- Durable bulb auger effectively grabs and clears gunk
What We Don’t Like
- Hand crank can be tiring for those who don’t own a drill
The Ridgid Power Spin+ auger for drain cleaning is a solid option for eliminating common clogs throughout the house. Its manual crank sends the 25-foot cable twisting and turning into pipes while the screw-shaped bulb auger chews through semisolid obstructions and catches and retrieves hair, paper, and other fibrous gunk.
This manual drain cleaning snake features an easy-to-use pull trigger and turn handle, and users can also attach it to a power drill (not included) to dislodge serious blockages. To prevent your hands from getting dirty in what’s an inherently dirty job, the Ridgid Power Spin + self-feeds the cable down the drain as you turn the crank.
Get the Ridgid Power Spin+ drain cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, Ferguson, or Grainger.
Best Bang for the Buck
Liboyixi Drain Clog Remover Tool
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 39 inches, 24 inches, and 19.6 inches
- Material: 3 metal snakes, 3 plastic snakes
What We Like
- Multiple included sizes tackle a range of issues
- Affordable and quick fix for common blockages
- Simple and easy to use with no power tools required
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic snakes are less durable and may not last
Different types of drain problems require specialized snakes, and this clog remover kit comes with six separate tools to address a variety of issues. It can tackle all kinds of common problems, from clearing pesky hair clogs to retrieving small items, such as jewelry accidentally dropped down the drain.
The kit includes three 19.6-inch ABS-plastic sink snakes with toothed heads for removing hair clogs from sink and shower drains. The two 24-inch retrieval tools have four-claw heads with plunger mechanisms that open and close the claw to grab dropped items. And for tougher, deeper obstacles, there’s a 39-inch steel drain plumber snake that can handle clogs within about 3 feet of a drain.
Get the Liboyixi drain snake at Amazon.
Best for Toilet Clogs
Ridgid K-6P Toilet Auger
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 6 feet
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- Durable steel cable suitable for heavy-duty use
- Adjustable length easily reaches most problems
- Works with a drill for clearing stubborn clogs
What We Don’t Like
- May be too much tool for occasional homeowner use
This 6-foot toilet auger is specially designed for use in toilets. It features a vinyl protective sheath over its metal cable to prevent damage to the toilet bowl. Simply position the tube inside the toilet so the rubber foot rests at the bowl’s outlet, then crank the cable down.
The kink-resistant, super-flexible cable reaches blockages, and the bulbous coiled head easily breaks through soft clogs while catching and retrieving solids like wadded-up toilet paper, flushed toys, and dropped jewelry. This Rigid toilet snake auger is easy to use manually, but users can also attach it to a drill to clear stubborn clogs.
Get the Ridgid toilet auger drain snake at Amazon, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Target.
Best for Hair Clogs
FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Kit
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 18 inches
- Material: Plastic
What We Like
- Multipack options offer a better value
- Bristled ends effectively clear clogs
- Small enough to fit most drains without removing their covers
What We Don’t Like
- May not be long enough to reach all problems
- Plastic construction is less durable than metal
Hair is among the most common causes of slow-draining bathroom sinks and shower or tub drains, and the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel is specifically designed to tackle exactly such problems. The kit comes with a single handle and two to five replacement heads, depending on the pack purchased. The easy-attach disposable heads allow users to toss away the snake segment once the clog is removed—no need to touch or store a dirty, gunky tool.
To use the Drain Weasel, simply attach the quick-connect handle to a head and send the flexible 18-inch snake down the drain. Then crank the handle to allow the bristly micro-hook tip to grab clumps of hair, film, and grime. Since the Drain Weasel is incredibly thin, many clogs can be cleared without removing your drain’s cover.
Get the FlexiSnake drain snake at Amazon (5-pack), Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Target (5-pack).
Best Extra-Long
Vevor Drain Cleaner Machine Electric Auger
Product Specs
- Type: Electric
- Cable length: 75 feet
- Material: Metal
What We Like
- Comes with multiple cutters for different blockages
- Extra-long cable reaches most drain issues
- No manual cranking required
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than one-off options
This 75-foot drain auger is a great all-around tool that can reach deep into a drain system to clear most clogs, eliminating the need to call a professional plumber. The electric auger sits in a heavy steel frame and is activated with a simple foot pump, which lets users concentrate on locating the clog while feeding the drain and sewer snake with their foot.
In addition to being incredibly long, this snake’s cable is kink-resistant and compatible with most main drains and sewer lines. This machine also comes with four cutting heads: a C-cutter, a boring bulb cutter, a spade cutter, and an arrow cutter. These specialized heads are handy for breaking up a variety of clogs, and they’re also easy to store on the machine’s handy tool hook.
Get the Vevor drain snake at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Vevor.
Best Electric
Populo 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drain Auger Kit
Product Specs
- Type: Battery-powered
- Cable length: 25 feet
- Material: Metal
What We Like
- Includes gloves, a power charger, and a carry bag
- Lightweight, compact, and easy to use
- Cordless for safe and convenient use
What We Don’t Like
- Unspecified runtime may not be enough for bigger jobs
The Populo cordless electric drain auger makes powering through recurring and difficult clogs easy. This battery-operated drain snake uses a 25-foot reinforced flexible steel cable to move through clogged drains ranging from ¾ inch to 2 inches in diameter in sinks, toilets, and shower drains.
The complete Populo electric drain auger kit includes a battery, charger, storage bag, and gloves. The machine itself has an LED light to illuminate dark spaces and features a variable-speed trigger that controls how quickly the snake feeds into the drain. It also has a reverse-feeding mechanism that pulls the cable back once the boring bulb cutter breaks up or ensnares the clog.
Get the Populo drain snake at Amazon, Walmart, or Populo.
Best Professional
Cobra Tools Cable Drain Pipe Auger
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 50 feet
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- 50-foot cable is suitable for most clogs
- Steel construction should last several years
- Corkscrew end is ideal for clearing away debris
What We Don’t Like
- No self-feeding chamber means hands will get dirty
This pipe auger from Cobra Tools has a 50-foot flexible cable that is ½ inch thick and a corkscrew head that plows through most common obstructions. Its ample length and rugged makeup make it a solid choice for plumbers, building superintendents, and other pros.
This pipe drain auger boasts a corrosion-resistant spring steel wire for maximum flexibility into the tightest bends. Its galvanized steel crank handle is designed to provide maximum torque for powering through stubborn clogs. Though it’s both durable and effective, this simple pipe auger is a manual-only model, so cranking through big blocks will take quite a bit of muscle and perseverance.
Get the Cobra drain snake at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best DIY
Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Drain Auger
Product Specs
- Type: Battery-powered
- Cable length: 25 feet
- Material: Metal
What We Like
- Works with any Ryobi One+ 18V battery system
- Reinforced cable minimizes kinking
- Powered feed works both forward and in reverse
What We Don’t Like
- Requires purchase of battery and charger if not already owned
For DIYers who already own Ryobi equipment, this tool-only cordless drain auger will make an excellent addition to their lineups. Its reinforced 25-foot cable is sufficient to reach most sink and tub clogs in pipes up to 2 inches wide. It also features an onboard rear drain port that prevents water from building up in the drum during use.
This Ryobi cordless drain auger can drive its cable both forward and in reverse, and it has a convenient auto-feed button that drives the cable to the clog without the user having to hold the trigger. For clogs that don’t break up, this machine has a cable clamp that allows you to grab the clump and retract it. Since no battery and charger come with this tool, you will need to purchase those items separately if you don’t already own them.
Get the Ryobi drain snake at The Home Depot, Amazon, or Walmart.
Best Kit
Breezz Drain Auger Clog Remover With Drill Adapter
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Cable length: 25 feet
- Material: Steel cable, ABS plastic handle and drum housing
What We Like
- Heavy-duty steel cable is strong enough for DIY or professional use
- Steel springs store inside unit for cleanliness
- Can be used manually or with a drill
What We Don’t Like
- Sink only tool; can scratch porcelain toilets
The Breezz clog remover with drill adapter is a complete kit for unclogging sink drains. This versatile kit comes with everything you need to snake a drain, including a 25-foot heavy-duty steel snake, a drain hair remover spring, and a pair of gloves.
This tool is durable enough for household or professional use, and its built-in steel springs fit neatly inside the drum for increased organization and cleanliness during storage. Plus, this clog remover’s high-impact ABS plastic housing is reliable enough for long-term use. While it’s easy to use as a manual model, the included drill adaptor allows you to pair it with a drill for increased clog-clearing power.
Get the Breezz drain snake at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Drain Snakes
Hiring a professional plumber to deal with a mild blockage or clog can be costly, and a small investment in a drain snake can be a smart way to save money. Since clogs come in all sizes and from various sources, we knew we wanted to provide a range of options when gathering our list of top picks.
As part of our research, we considered the typical debris that blocks drains and looked at multiple types of drain snakes that can unclog home drainage systems. We evaluated manual and electric drain snakes and investigated the pros and cons of different head designs. We were also careful to include multi-function emergency plumbing tools that work on a variety of drains, as well as machines made for sinks, tubs, or toilets alone.
What to Consider When Choosing a Drain Snake
For homeowners who would rather not call a plumber for drain cleaning services they may be able to complete on their own, taking time to consider which plumbing snake auger will be best is important. Keep the factors below in mind when shopping for the right drain snake for your plumbing issue, whether a slow sink drain or a completely clogged toilet.
Manual vs. Electric
Most manual drain snakes have a small crank users turn by hand to advance and retract the cable. This type of snake is good for occasional use unclogging simple blockages in the kitchen or bathroom sink, tub, or toilet.
According to Danny Pen, longtime plumber and president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, “Homeowners usually choose a manually operated plumbing snake because it is more affordable and easier to use. In addition, it can handle most small household clogs, so for an inexperienced person, it will be quite sufficient.”
If, however, you’re expecting to use a drain snake on a regular basis or planning on tackling major clogs in gutters or washing machines, the extra muscle and reduced hand strain an electric drain snake provides might be better. These tools advance and retract the auger’s cable at the push of a button to power through stubborn clogs more easily. Since they offer extra oomph, electric plumbing snakes tend to cost more than their manual counterparts. Still, a tool you purchase once but can use repeatedly will likely be more economical than the cost to snake a drain charged by a plumber.
Material
Drain snakes are made to be water resistant, but to be useful for the long term, they must also resist the corroding effects of waste and sink drain cleaners. With this in mind, drain snake manufacturers use high-quality ABS plastic and flexible high-carbon steel.
A snake made solely of ABS plastic will likely be less expensive than a metal model and probably also shorter in length. Due to their limited reach but great flexibility, ABS plastic snakes are typically only used for removing clogs that are not very deep or difficult to power through. For example, they should be fine as shower drain snakes for banishing clumps of hair from tubs and shower drains.
Standard and heavy-duty drain snakes may use ABS plastic in the handle or drum, but the actual snake will generally be made from flexible high-carbon steel. This heavier and more rigid metal material makes it easier to navigate the snake through the drainage system and push through tough clogs. Metal drain snakes tend to be at least 10 to 25 feet long, and some options will be 50 feet or more.
Cable Length and Thickness
Drain snakes come in a few standard lengths and thicknesses. To tackle common household issues, such as unclogging a drain in a sink, tub, or shower, a 25-foot cable between ¼ inch and 5/16 inch thick should be sufficient. Those living in a multistory home with bathrooms upstairs may be better off with a snake that has a 50-foot cable, which is capable of reaching clogs in longer pipes.
For a more serious issue in a home’s main water pipes, such as blockages farther down the kitchen sink drain than a typical food clog or problems with washing machine drainage, a tougher drain snake may be called for. These power snakes for drains typically have a thicker cable—often ½ inch in diameter—and extend up to 75 feet to reach deep into plumbing lines.
Head Design
Drain snakes can have different types of heads at their tips, generally called cutting heads and coil or toothed heads. According to plumber Danny Pen, “Many coils come with interchangeable tips like cutting blades for hair clogs or hooks for removing soft debris. And assuming you know what the clog is made up of (for example, in the bathroom, it’s probably hair, and in the kitchen, it’s soft debris and food), picking the right tip will make you more likely to get rid of the clog.”
- Cutting heads have somewhat sharp blades or barbs to chew through solid clogs such as chunks of food or grease, roots, larger pieces of soap, thick clots of leaves and mud, and other types of fairly solid substances that might be blocking a pipe. These heads are most often found on large, powerful drain augers used by professionals.
- Coil or toothed heads are usually the best choice for most common household clogs. These heads have either a coil of thick wire or a toothed head that latches onto obstructions in order to pull items out of the drain. They are the best drain cleaners for hair, retrieving toys or jewelry from toilets or sink drains, tackling wads of paper or a flushed diaper, or scraping out fruit peels or other food clogs that aren’t solidified.
Additional Features
Emerging technology has come to the basic drain snake to enhance ease of use and performance. These features include:
- LED lights, which can help the user navigate through pipes when used with a drain snake camera (see below). LED lights can also be built into the handle to help illuminate the work area.
- Cameras, which are added to the end of the snake so that users can see everything in the drain and diagnose issues visually as opposed to going by “feel.” A camera will also help the user know if clogs are completely or just partially cleared.
- Drain cleaning kits that come with a range of tools, cleaning products, and accessories to help get the job done.
FAQs
Drain snakes are simple tools, but they must be used properly so that clearing a drain is an easy task. Keep reading for information about how a drain auger or snake works, which types of snakes are used by professionals, and answers to other common questions.
Instead of using a toilet plunger or similar tool to force water and air through the pipes, a drain snake is a physical tool that is fed into the drain. To snake plumbing, the user will rotate the drainage snake against the obstruction to break it up or grab the mass and pull it out.
Residential lines are typically between 1 and 4 inches in diameter, and main drains tend to be on the higher end of that spectrum. An option like the Vevor Drain Cleaner Machine Electric Auger, with its 75-foot-long ½-inch-diameter solid core cable, is a great choice for these large drains.
Turning a drain snake clockwise feeds it into a pipe, whereas turning it counterclockwise after you’ve cleared or grabbed the clog will pull the cable back out.
Typically, professional plumbers have more than one snake. They’ll often use short-toothed drain snakes for removing hair clogs, standard metal drain snakes that can take care of most nearby clogs, and powerful electric drain snakes that can reach 75 feet into pipes to banish clogs buried in the middle of the drain system.
To snake a drain, insert the snake into the drain, slowly feeding it further into the system until the snake encounters resistance. At this point, rotate the snake against the blockage until you can feed the flexible cable freely through the pipes.
If the blockage doesn’t break up, try to pull the snake out slowly. It’s likely that solid blockages can be entangled with the snake, allowing the debris to be pulled out of the drain instead of forced down. After removing the snake, run the water full force for a few minutes to confirm that the blockage has been removed or broken up.
There are a few ways to get past the P-trap in the drainage system. A thin, flexible snake won’t have much difficulty maneuvering around tight corners. If such a snake isn’t firm enough to break up heavy clogs, try a thick snake with a hand crank or mechanical crank function that physically twists the snake so that it can be directed down the correct path.
If these options fail, consider removing the P-trap to insert the snake beyond this problem spot. Then replace the P-trap once the pipes have been snaked.
It’s advised to snake the drain at least once a year to help reduce the potential for clogs.
