The Best Electric Ice Auger: Our Top 5 Picks & How To Choose

Winter is coming, as you should know by now and this means that you will have to contend with the ice. Fortunately, you won’t be needing a dragon to get through the ice. What you need is an ice auger. An ice auger is fishing equipment that allows you to drill through the ice so that you can access the fish.

There are different types of ice augers, including electric ice augers, hand-powered augers, and gas-powered augers. However, electric ice augers are the perfect equipment for drilling through frozen lakes, rivers, and puddles without fuss. This is because they are incredibly powerful, fast, clean, and noiseless.

The purpose of this guide is to help you find the best electric ice auger for ice fishing. So, I will be reviewing the best electric augers on the market and also providing a buying guide.

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

Reviewing The 5 Best Electric Ice Augers

As your favorite adventure guide, I have done time-consuming research for you. The products on this list have been chosen based on brand reputation, user reviews, features, warranty, and my personal experience.

ION 39250 8″ R1 Electric Ice Auger

The first product on my list is ION’s 39250 8″ Electric Ice Auger and it is incredibly popular in the ice fishing world. This product is loved by ice anglers for several good reasons. But to start with, I would like to note that ION was the first brand to introduce lithium battery-powered ice fishing augers.

Good battery life is vital in an electric ice auger and this product doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a 5 amp-hour 40V battery that provides a drilling capacity of 1600 inches at full charge. The auger also features an Aluminum cast bottom that guarantees accurate drilling. This will make your ice fishing trip more enjoyable.

Additionally, the blade is specifically positioned to allow you to drill holes with utmost comfort. You won’t also have to bother about getting the ice out of the hole manually. There is a slush flushing reverse system that gets rid of the ice to save you valuable time and energy.

For increased efficiency, the handles have been placed close to the powerhead. This machine offers a cutting diameter of 8 inches but you can choose other options with greater or lesser cutting diameter. It also has a length of 34 inches. I like the fact that it features two LED lights below the powerhead and you should too if you enjoy fishing at night. Finally, the machine weighs only 22 lbs.

StrikeMaster Lithium 40v 8″ Ice Auger

StrikeMaster is one of the most well-known names when it comes to ice fishing and this product serves as an upgrade to the ION X. This product is a battery-powered auger that outperforms several gas and propane-powered augers. It also comes with a patented Lazer blade for seamless ice cutting and has the durability to carry out forward and reverse cutting.

This electric auger is available in 8 and 10-inch diameters to give you different options. It features a pilot spike that ensures that the blade doesn’t wander and your hole will be as good as done once the device gets started. It is as fast as the gas augers that I’ve used and also lighter and less messy.

As for the battery, it is a 5-amp 40V ion battery and enough capacity to power you through your ice fishing trip. So, you will be able to drill dozens of holes through thick ice without worrying about running out of power. However, you should note that batteries don’t do well in cold weather but you can conserve their power by keeping them warm. A good way to do this is to store your battery in a small cooler with at least one hand warmer.

Additionally, one of the best things about this electric ice fishing auger is its reverse gear as it removes slush from holes. Like all electric ice augers, this product produces no noise or fumes. So, nothing is stopping you from using it in your tent. The device will become a little heavier after you install the battery, but it will remain lighter than gas-powered augers. Finally, the handle is specially designed to absorb shock and offer comfort.

Landworks Ice Auger

Landworks is a brand that you can always turn to when you need high-end electric ice augers. Though this product may seem expensive, it is one of the most reliable options on the market. The incredibly powerful Landworks 48V Electric Ice Auger will help you drill holes in ice within minutes. Let’s take a look at the reasons why you need to invest in this product.

Firstly, this electric ice drill comes with a 3 gear planetary gear transmission to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. It drills holes that are 8 inches in diameter and is highly effective for catching small fish. Also, the motor operates quietly and doesn’t overheat. The latter is thanks to the presence of an overload protector.

For increased usability, this electric ice auger features a bright LED light and a battery indicator. The LED light will allow you to fish at night while the battery indicator will show you how much power you have left. It also comes with well-spaced handles so that you can operate it with balance and comfort.

Furthermore, the battery has all the juice that the brushless motor requires to drill all the holes you need. But if you need more than what the 2 amp-hour 48V battery has to offer, you may purchase a 4 amp-hour battery. You will also find the machine easy to carry around since it weighs only 25 lbs. In the end, you should agree that Landworks electric ice auger has all the features that you will need on your ice fishing trip.

ION 33405 Electric Ice Auger Series

Next on my list of the best electric ice augers is another product from ION. The ION 33405 is an excellent alternative if you can’t afford the earlier mentioned ION X. It offers the majority of its predecessor’s features at a cheaper price. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it has remained a favorite of ice fishers for several years.

Though this product is also a 40V ice auger, it comes with a slightly lower battery capacity. However, its battery capacity of 3 amp-hours is sufficient for drilling holes up to 1,000 inches at full charge. This drilling capacity should be more than enough to satisfy your needs if you are a beginner or casual angler.

Additionally, I like how lightweight, compact, and easy to use this ice fishing auger is. All you need to do is to charge it before your ice fishing trip, it doesn’t run on fuel. This enables it to work quietly so you won’t have to worry about scaring away the fish while drilling holes.

Furthermore, the centering point will make it super easy for you to re-open frozen holes. You won’t be needing a skimmer thanks to the reverse feature that ensures that slush creates no mess. Finally, the machine weighs only 22 lbs. So, you should be able to carry it around conveniently.

ION 39300 10″ R1 Ice Auger

This is one of the most powerful electric ice augers on the market today. It has a 40-volt electric engine that is powered by a huge lithium-ion battery. So, you should not doubt that this machine can match the performance of a gas auger.

Additionally, this electric auger weighs 24 lbs without the battery. But even after the battery has been installed, the device will remain much lighter than a gas-powered auger.

The shaver blades on the auger are specifically designed to deliver superior performance on the ice. Though a spike would have helped get the hole started, you will find the drilling speed to be as good as other power systems once you get going.

Another benefit of choosing this electric auger is that it produces no noise or mess. This will enable you to use it in your ice fishing tent. The battery also has a greater storage capacity than its predecessor, the original ION battery. Thanks to its greater capacity, the battery can power the auger through 800 inches of ice at full charge.

Our Top Choice

All products that have been mentioned in this article are of great quality, so you should have a memorable ice fishing session with any of them. But if you want the absolute best, then you should opt for the ION 39250 8″ R1 Electric Ice Auger.

I used the ION 39250 last winter and I must say that I couldn’t have made a better choice. It is a top-quality ice auger that is built for ice cutting and is also equipped with a fantastic battery. I reside in an area where the ice tends to be quite thick but I was still able to drill the holes I needed without fuss when using this product. It cuts holes with speed and precision and also comes with LED lights for night fishing. I don’t see myself using a gas auger ever again.

Interested in camping this winter? Here are some helpful tips.

How To Find The Best Electric Ice Auger

There are different kinds of electric ice augers on the market with each of them having a unique set of features. To find the best product for you, you need to look out for the following features:

Weight

Since you will be carrying your ice auger, you can’t afford to overlook the weight of the product you choose. Fortunately, electric ice augers tend to be lighter than their gas-powered counterparts. This is mainly because they don’t have heavy engines, however, their batteries still add some weight.

Electric augers usually weigh between 20 to 35 lbs. The lighter electric augers are easier to carry around while the heavier options provide more downward force to make drilling easier. Hence, your choice should depend on the amount of weight that you are willing to work with. You can reduce the burden of carrying an electric auger by using an ice fishing sled. If you don’t have one, you can learn how to build an ice fishing sled in this video.

https://youtu.be/p2PGQ2Z5cJM

Blade

Electric blade ice augers are available in various sizes but the most popular options are 6″, 8″, and 10″. You should choose the size of the blade based on the size of the fish that you are looking to catch. For instance, a larger blade diameter is more suitable for catching larger fish.

Additionally, you should keep in mind that greater torque is needed to drill bigger holes. You may find it difficult to drill a large hole with a low-power ice auger. Also, you should opt for serrated blades as they will help you to break up the surface of the ice without fuss.

Watch this video to learn how to sharpen and maintain your auger blades:

https://youtu.be/ju_eSD4-An8

Price

You will need to make a significant investment to purchase an electric auger because they simply do not come cheap. Electric augers cost between $250 to $600 or higher. The most expensive options offer the best features and highest quality, so you will get great value for money when you opt for one.

Though you can also find good value in an average-priced electric ice auger, the higher-priced options are always better. They offer more power and would serve you longer.

Auger Length

Your ice fishing trip may end in disappointment if your ice auger drill isn’t long enough. Hence, you need to pay attention to the length of the device you are buying. You can find out the right length for your fishing needs by knowing the thickness of the ice that you will be drilling.

But the longer an auger, the more expensive it will be. Also, you may buy an auger extension if you discover that your auger isn’t long enough to drill the ice. This will be a cheaper alternative in the early months when the ice is thickest.

Battery

You need to have a long-lasting battery to have a good ice fishing trip. Fortunately, most electric augers are equipped with highly reliable 40V lithium-ion batteries. This type of battery will serve you well as long as you keep it warm. Also, you should try to recharge your battery after each use.

Extra Features

The best electric ice augers usually come with extra features to make things easier for you on the ice. LED lights offer great value as they will allow you to fish in low-light conditions. Gas-powered machines don’t come with LED lights.

Additionally, USB charging ports will help you keep the device charged. Since an auger is classified as a lethal power tool, having safety features like motor locks and dead man switches is always a good idea. Finally, ergonomic, anti-slip handles and anti-vibration systems provide control and comfort.

Why You Should Choose Electric Augers Over Gas Augers

Check out this article to learn all you need to know about ice fishing as a beginner.

Frequently Asked Questions