Last Updated on June 21, 2021 by Donnell Henderson
Drilling in the ice can be tough, really tough, especially when it is thick and hard. Although there are several methods that you can use to bore holes in the ice, there is none that can match an electric auger in speed and efficiency. The best electric ice augers are lightweight, powerful, and make the task super easy.
Keep reading my electric ice review to find the perfect tool for your excursions.
My Top Pick
The ION High-Performance Ice Auger is our first choice. With its advanced features, such as its five amp-four hour battery and brushless electric motor, this electric borer will make fishing on the frost successful and enjoyable.
My Best Electric ice Auger Reviews
1. ION High-Performance Ice Auger — Best Battery Powered Ice Auger
ION has made a name for its commitment to designing high-quality and durable products, and this High-Performance Ice Auger is a testimony to that focus. It is powerful and has a large capacity, making it a great option for frost fishing. It is also pretty easy to use even by new ice anglers.
This auger is an improvement of the original ION model and comes with a more powerful lithium battery. It is designed with a five amp-hour 40v battery that provides 60% more storage capacity compared to the original model. The drill allows you to make 1600 inches of rime on a single charge.
The powerhead of this drill is redesigned to include a reverse so that the handles are closer to the planetary gear transmission. This implies that even drilling holes next to the wall of your shelter will be very easy. Furthermore, it has two LED lights that are positioned just under the powerhead to illuminate the frozen surface when drilling.
Specs
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Dimensions: 34 x 8 x 12.5 inches
- Power: 5 amp-hour 40v battery
Pros
- Brushless electric motor with a planetary gear system
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic aluminum handle design
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
2. SuperHandy Ice Auger – Runner Up
Hot on the heels of our first pick is this SuperHandy frost auger, another premium model with outstanding performance. We liked its quiet manner when running and light-construction that makes using it pretty easy. Although somewhat expensive, you will love this drill because of its durability
This drill is made with a powerful motor that makes it easy to cut through frost with precision. It is constructed using a 3-planetary gear mechanism that delivers high efficiency. We found the drill very effective, especially when making holes on thick and tough frost.
To make working with the drill even easier, SuperHandy used an ergonomic and eco-friendly design. The borer comes with wide-spaced handles for improved balance when making holes. To prevent the drill’s powerhead from overheating, it is fitted with a high-efficiency overload protector. It is also light, and we enjoyed using it even when working over extended periods on the frozen surface.
Specs
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Material: Rust-resistant steel
- Battery power: 2Ah
Pros
- Drills through frost easily
- Comes with sharp and long-lasting blades
- Designed with ergonomic handles
- Lightweight construction makes it pretty easy to use
- Durable construction
Cons
- Expensive
- You need to start by learning how to assemble it
3. Lithium 40v 8″ Ice Auger
StrikeMaster is a popular name in frost fishing, and their venture into the Lithium ice auger niche is indeed impressive. This StrikeMaster Lithium 40v 8″ Ice Auger has won the hearts of people who love frost fishing because of its super-construction that makes it one of the premium pieces on the market today.
The most notable thing about the borer is its strong li-ion battery, which packs enough charge to drill up to 100 holes. Furthermore, it is fitted with an internal battery management system that helps to increase battery longevity. Well, if you need to make only a couple of holes every day, this borer can last for weeks with a single full recharge.
Another outstanding thing about the drill is that it is designed to last. The blades of the drill are made with stainless steel, which helps to prevent corrosion. Then, its battery, transmission, and housing rest on a rigid plastic frame. In addition to the excellent construction, StrikeMaster capped it all with a long two-year warranty.
Specs
- Material: Stainless steel laser
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
- Weight: 24 pounds
Pros
- Fast charging – achieves a full charge in only 2.5 hours
- Sold with a 40V, 5 amp rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Battery management system helps to extend the life of the drill
- Comes with a charger
- Easy to use
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Expensive
4. Trophy Strike 107309 Ice Auger
The next one on our electric ice auger review is this 107309 Ice Auger from Trophy Strike. The drill has become very popular with both new and experienced fishers because of its unique construction. Although it does not come cheap, you will find it a worthy addition to your fishing gear because of its advanced features.
This rime drill is fitted with a brushless motor and five-gear planetary transmission system for top performance in all conditions. Furthermore, it features a reversible drive as well as a bottom-mounted centering ring that makes it a perfect piece for reopening frozen holes.
Trophy Strike also did a great job in giving this frost drill an ergonomic design. With its large and padded handle, the drill feels balanced and enjoyable to use. Furthermore, it is light and pretty easy to carry to your fishing point and store.
Specs
- Cutting depth: 31.5 inches
- Warranty: Five years
- Transmission: 5-gear planetary transmission
Pros
- Constructed with a lightweight and convenient design
- Features a planetary transmission system for greater efficiency
- Fitted with comfortable and non-slip handles
- Uses a bottom-mounted centering ring to make drilling easy
- Drills through frost fast
- Can make up to 96 holes of 20 inches with a single battery charge
Cons
- Warranty does not cover the auger blades
5. Jiffy 56-08-ALL E6
This frost drill is another solid option designed with an electric motor, meaning that you are sure of enjoying quiet and fume-free drilling when fishing on the rime. The drill uses a powerful and rechargeable 40 volts, 6 amp battery that bores holes on frost with ease.
When you go out fishing, it is important to be well prepared, and this includes being ready to stay for a longer period if you do not trap the fish immediately. If your phone runs out of charge during such extended fishing periods, it can be pretty stressful, but Jiffy thought about that too and came up with a solution. This frost drill is fitted with USB ports so that you can charge your phone, camera, or other electronic gadgets.
Unlike the gas-powered borers that can be pretty tough to start, this auger starts smoothly with the squeeze of a lever throttle. Furthermore, it comes with wide-stance handles that make operation impressively simple with less fatigue. Other features that make the drill stand out include its HD planetary transmission system and long-life ripper blade.
Specs
- Weight: 27 pounds
- Transmission: HD planetary transmission system
- Power: Rechargeable 40 Volt, 6 Amp battery
Pros
- Drills through frost with no fumes
- Very easy to start and use
- Designed with wide-stance operator handles for enhanced balance
- Comes with a durable ripper blade
- Fitted with night light for safe drilling in low-light conditions
- Comes with USB charging ports
Cons
- Pricey
How to Find the Best Electric Ice Auger
After reading through our electric frost auger review of the top options on the market, you might have found the perfect option. If you haven’t, keep reading this guide to help you settle on the perfect drill for frost fishing.
Weight
One of the selling points of electric frost drills, when compared to the fuel-powered models, is that they are lighter. Generally, most electric frost drills are about 35% lighter compared to the fuel-powered models. Even with the reduction, they are still significantly weighty, and it is advisable to look for a lighter model.
A lightweight electric rime borer is particularly important because frost fishing is more effective if you drill and use multiple holes, such as ten instead of just one. So, if the drill is very heavy, using and carrying them can be challenging.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter of a drill is another important parameter because it defines the width of the hole that you make. Most drills come with a diameter of eight-ten inches, but it is also possible to get others with six inches.
So, unless you are targeting small fish such as yellow perch or crappie, it is advisable to pick the model with a large diameter.
Blade Type
There are two main types of blades used in rime drills; chipper and shaving models. The shaving blades create smooth cutting edges by removing small quantities of ice with every pass.
These blades are very sharp, making it easy to rip through the frost to create smooth holes in your fishing area.
However, they are recommended for working on ice surfaces that are not very thick. Unlike the shaving blades, chipper blades are designed with wide teeth that resemble a serrated knife. They are constructed to help you bore holes through frost when precision is not a primary consideration. These blades are also effective when you want to open old holes that have frozen again.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning to go ice fishing, it is paramount to have the right gear, especially the ice borer to drill holes on the rime. The electric ice borers options that we have reviewed in this post come with some of the top features that you can expect in the industry. For example, they have high-performance electric motors and are designed with materials that make them durable.
Furthermore, our electric ice auger review covers the borers from top brands, such as ION and SuperHandy, and they also have a wide price range. So, you are sure of getting the perfect model to make your fishing outing on the rime more successful.
While we stand with the five best electric ice auger options that we reviewed in this post (they are remarkable in every way), the ION High-Performance Ice Auger stood out from the pack. It comes with advanced features that every ice fisher would want to see in a premium drill.
