10 Best Plumbing Snakes In 2024 (Tested & Reviewed)

Plumbing Snakes & Augers Compared

1. Ridgid GIDDS-813340 41408 

Ridgid has often put out some of the best tools for addressing pipe clogs, and in the Ridgid GIDDS-813340, they’ve succeeded once more in creating the best home plumbing snake.

This model – our top pick – is multifunctional and powerful, with the ability to clean out both sink drains and toilet pipes with up to 500 RPM of torque (EIDGID Power Spin required for maximum power).

This model's auger self-feeds into and out of the drain quickly and smoothly, allowing you to operate this drain snake without ever placing your hands upon the functional components.

These functional components are also ensured for workmanship with a lifetime warranty, meaning that RIDGID will replace or repair the tool for free, forever, should something within it break.

Overall, there is no better plumbing drain snake option for large and small homeowners than the Ridgid GIDDS-813340.

2. General Pipe Cleaners R-25SM 

The General Pipe Cleaners R-25SM comes in as a close runner up for the best overall home plumbing snake, thanks in large part to its easy operation.

Using the T-Grip handle, even amateur DIY-ers will be able to bust clogs with this model without taking on excessive hand strain. This model's full-sized thumbscrew also turns effectively, ensuring that the chuck is always well secured.

To make matters even better, the General Pipe Cleaners R-25SM is among the most affordably priced models on the market today. As such, this model is best suited to homeowners and DIY-ers who want a reliable drain snaking solution without spending hundreds of dollars.

3. RIDGID 59787 K-3 

Inevitable plumbing clogs require special attention from a purpose-built tool. Toilets are one such location, requiring a unique vinyl guarded cable that can protect fragile porcelain coating. Luckily, the RIDGID 59787 K-3 Toilet Auger provides just that, making it easily the best plumbing snake for toilets.

In addition to its all-important exterior coating, this model’s cable is also particularly durable. With a compression-wrapped inner core, this model can remain flexible to move through an S-bend without kinking. This cable is even certified to effectively unclog the unique pipes found on WaterSense and general water-efficient toilets.

All in all, the RIDGID 59787 K-3 Toilet Auger is the best snaking option for families with children who are prone to clog up the toilet regularly.

4. RIDGID 35473 K-45AF 

When it comes to versatility, few other models can match what the RIDGID 35473 K-45AF has to offer. This model can be switched from its 25 ft. Base drum to a 50 ft., 5/16-inch cable drum in mere minutes. With such versatility built in, it’s no wonder plumbers see this model as one of the best electric plumbing snakes available today.

No matter what size drum this model is equipped with, it always advances and retrieves smoothly through its in-line auto feed system. While some see this model’s corded architecture as limiting, you can always count on it to supply as much power as you’ll ever need to loosen a troublesome sink clog.

As such, folks looking to minimize how much work they have to put in to remove sink clogs should put the RIDGID 35473 K-45AF at the top of their list.

5. RIDGID 14053 SeeSnake 

Removing extra-large clogs can be troublesome if you don’t have an extra set of eyes in the pipe, guiding you towards the clog’s weak points. Though it’s designed primarily for professionals, the RIDGID 14053 SeeSnake can provide that kind of enhanced visibility through its built-in camera.

With its six built-in LED lights and SeeSnake monitor compatibility, you’ll be able to quickly identify and remove even the heftiest main line clogs without the need for a full replacement.

This model’s hardened steel case keeps its camera node functional at up to 330 feet, allowing it to be used on civil-scale sewer clogs. While DIY-ers certainly won't be able to afford this model, there's simply no doubt that professional and civil plumbers will find a variety for this, the best plumbing snake with a camera available today.

6. Drainx Pro 

Many DIY-ers don’t have much piping to work with, making some of the larger plumbing drain snakes an inefficient solution to an annoying problem. In such cases, homeowners should turn to the best 50 ft.

Plumbing snake – the Drainx Pro 50-FT.  With its spiral head, you can certainly count on this drain snake to easily fish out frequent household clogs, such as hair and food debris.

Even for its standard length, the Drainx Pro 50-FT. Is fairly durable. This can be seen in its durable steel drum housing. Folks who aren't accustomed to using a mechanical drain snake should also give this model a hard-luck, given that it comes with an easy-to-interpret instruction set.

7. COBRA PRODUCTS GIDDS-211332 

Multi-level homes are as prone to pipe clogs any other, but they face problems when it comes to accessing main drain pipe clogs from the upper floors.

Often, up to 100 ft of cable is necessary, which is where the COBRA PRODUCTS GIDDS-211332 comes into the equation. Its slotted cable is specifically able to clear those tough-to-reach clogs, making it the best 100 ft. plumbing snake option

The COBRA PRODUCTS GIDDS-211332 also provides a great amount of power through its ¾ horsepower engine.

This engine adds some heft to this model overall, all the way up to 214 lbs. While this is heavy on its own, this model also comes with a built-in transportation dolly, making this the best option for folks who want extra declogging power without the need to transport a cumbersome device.

8. FlexiSnake Drain Weasel 

DIY-ers always love the cheap and efficient solution, and in the field of sink clog removal, the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake fits that bill without question.

Unlike store brand manual drain snakes, the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel features patented micro hooks that can grab onto even the thinnest drain built-up. As such, this model is absolutely the best plumbing snake for hair clog removal.

Many regular plastic drain snakes are rigid and unable to move past the U-bend. The FlexiSnake Drain Weasel, on the other hand, is flexible enough to work into this often-clogged area efficiently.

This, in turn, makes the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel the best overall option for folks who want to free their pipes of annoying impediments without disassembling their fixture at all.

9. Ryobi P4001 All-In-One

When it comes to buying new power tools, some DIY-ers prefer to pick up an option that is already compatible with their existing tool chest.

If you count yourself among these frugal ranks, then you’ll appreciate the fact that the Ryobi P4001 is fully compatible with all of the regular-sized batteries in the Ryobi One+ family.

Functionally, these batteries empower the Ryobi P4001 to operate its auto-feed lock mechanism, which in turn engages the bearings without the need for extra operator engagement.

Along with the powered forward and reverse feeding mechanism, the Ryobi P4001 is the best option for DIY-ers looking to cut down their overall fatigue while trying to rid their home of troublesome clogs.

10. Drainx Pro Steel 

Drain clogs are a minor annoyance at best and a complete maintenance disaster at worst. As such, you may very well need the best complete auger kit to get you off the ground quickly and well on your way to clearing your home's pipes.

The Drainx Pro Steel can undoubtedly provide this kind of low barrier to entry, given that it comes with a set of gloves and carry bag standard.

Current users have found this model's mechanical turning knob to be particularly easy operate, allowing even first-timers to manually drive out troublesome sink clogs without the need for superhuman strength.

While Drainx Pro Steel may not be the strongest plumbing drain snake on the market, it is undoubtedly one of the easiest to operate from the perspective of a novice.

Clog Types and Corresponding Drain Snake

Second, you may consider a “medium snake” or mini-rooter if your clog has occurred in a medium sized pipe or is made up of more resilient materials (such as mineral build-up). Professional plumbers use these drain snakes regularly, so they should be used only with practice and with attention to the stability of the afflicted pipes.

Sewer augers and giant snakes are generally used only for mainline pipe clogs that stop up access to an entire building's sewer access. These models can free clogs made from nearly any material, but also carry the highest risk for infrastructure damage.

Specialized toilet snakes also exist and should be used whenever they are available. These models can fit into toilets narrow piping architecture and are gentle enough not to damage the toilet's important porcelain coating.

Also See - How To Unclog a Full Toilet

How to Best Use a Plumbing Drain Snake?

Use of a drain snake depends significantly on its primary auguring mechanism and its power source.

As such, you should always consult your user's guide before operating a plumbing snake for the first time.

For most folks looking for instructions on how to use a “medium snake” model, check out the following video:

Tips to Avoiding Drain Clogs

While you may not be able to prevent all drain clogs, there are several best practices you can follow to decrease your risk for these troublesome impediments.

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People Also Ask

How do you turn a drain snake into a corner?

First, bend the snake several inches from the cutter (3 to 4 inches, usually) in the direction of the corner. Then, insert the snake into the drain, working carefully to hook the newly-bent cutter into the bend (this may take a few tries).

Crank the drain snake while continuing to apply pressure, as this should continue to push the snake further through the bend.

How do you unclog a slow drain?

Slow drains are often clogged up with some degree of debris, though not yet fully clogged such that water will no longer pass through at all. Such partial clogs can be dislodged through all of the means used to remove a full clog, such as vinegar and baking soda mixture.

You may also consider a simple drain snake if you believe the slowdown is caused by an impaction within the drain's body.

How often should you snake your drain?

There is not a precise volume of drain snaking one should undertake, regardless of their sink usage. One should use their drain snake at least on a regular schedule if they wish to avoid build-up clogs entirely.

However, folks who do not correctly filter what goes down their drain or garbage disposal will find that they need to use their drain snake more often.

How much does drain cleaning cost?

Precise costs for drain cleaning can vary based on the location of the clog and what level of professionalism you seek to resolve it. DIY solutions tend to be the cheapest, requiring only the cost of the materials needed to remove the clog.

Professional assistance from plumbing services can cost, on average, between $100 and $300, depending on how much time and materials the plumber must expend to access your drains and free the clog.

Can I rent a plumbing snake?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to rent a plumbing snake from a local rental dealership. Also, some national tool retailers, such as the Home Depot, offer tool rentals at their brick-and-mortar stores. Precise tool offerings may vary by location.

Where is the best place to buy a plumbing snake?

Whether you’re looking for a simple manual pipe cleaner or a multi-function drill-type unit, you will almost certainly be able to find the best prices at Amazon & Home Depot.

Generally, their stores offer the best ability to compare and contrast options, as well as receive advise from on-sight experts who can recommend a specific solution based upon your unique situation.

Conclusion

Unclogging your sink or toilet pipes is not a desirable job by any stretch of the imagination. But at least you can combat such obstructions with one of these durable plumbing drain snakes.

As identified above, the Ridgid GIDDS-813340 stands out as the best all-around drain snake option for its ability to work in both sinks and toilets.

Whichever model you buy, be sure to use what you’ve learned to find a drain snake packed with the features you need and a price that won’t break your budget.

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