Everyone knows that ice augers are essential tools for any ice fisherman who wants to catch fish. But there is a lot of variety in the market and it can be hard to determine which cordless drill is right for you. That’s why we created this guide, to help you find your perfect match!
We’ll walk you through the different features to look for and then recommend our top three choices.
Top Drill for Ice Auger
If we were only allowed to pick one cordless drill for ice augers, the DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit is our top choice. It’s ideal for ice augers because it includes three distinct operating modes, a toolbox, charger, and batteries, as well as an LED light with three adjustable brightness settings.
Top 9 Cordless Drills for Ice Auger Comparison Table
| Image | Name | Speed | Voltage | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. DEWALT DCD996P2 MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit | 2250 RPM | 20 Volts | 4.8 |
 | 2. Makita XPH11RB Hammer Driver-Drill Kit | 700 RPM | 18 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 3. CRAFTSMAN CMCD710C2 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit | 1900 RPM | 20 Volts | 4.8 |
 | 4. Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Drill/Driver | 1800 RPM | 18 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 5. BOSCH GSB18V-535CB15 Compact Hammer Drill/Driver | 600 RPM | 18 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 6. TECCPO Cordless Drill Set | 1500 RPM | 20 Volts | 4.6 |
 | 7. Makita XPH07Z Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Hammer Driver-Drill | 2100 RPM | 18 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 8. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C Cordless Drill | 650 RPM | 20 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 9. Metabo HPT DS18DBFL2QB Cordless Driver Drill | 1800 RPM | 18 Volts | 4.6 |
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger
If you want to find the best option for your trip, you need to know what to look for. That’s what we’re going to cover next.
Portability
The first consideration when purchasing a cordless drill for an auger is how easy it is to transport since you don’t want it to take up much room, as with trolling motor batteries. It should ideally include characteristics such as a tools pack or a kit that many of the choices on our list have.
Power
What factors do you need to consider when looking for a powerful cordless drill?
Torque
Torque is a measurement of force. The finest cordless drill for wood has a torque of 750 lbs/inch.
RPMs
The best ice fishing drill can make 750 RPMs, which is the rotations per minute that an ideal ice fishing drill will be capable of.
BPMs
The hammer’s activity and the ice auger’s performance are measured in blows per minute. A great hammer drill for an ice auger should be able to produce up to 25,000 BPMs.
Weight
It’s critical to think about your skill level and experience with exercises when it comes to weight since this will influence how simple and pleasant the exercise is for you.
Speed Transmission
Given the numerous properties of ice, it’s vital to make sure your drill can work at various speeds. Employing a cordless drill for an ice auger implies it should have at least 2 speeds or possibly 3 for added assurance.
Related: Best Cordless Hammer Drills
Use
It’s also important to test your drill on a few different materials to ensure it can be used for a variety of applications. The best drill for an ice auger can often drill through the ice as well as wood, steel, and brick, making them useful all year.
Chuck Size
Another factor to consider is the drill’s chuck size, which ranges from those mentioned previously. The most significant step here is to make sure your auger’s chuck diameter matches that of the drill.
Battery
The majority of the cordless drills reviewed in this article have lithium-ion batteries that are strong, quick to charge, long-lasting, and simple to operate.
Warranty
Most cordless drills come with a 5-year warranty, which is extremely generous and shows the manufacturer’s confidence in the item. This is significant since you want to ensure that your drill is built to last.
Best 3 Cordless Drill for Ice Auger Reviews
1. DEWALT DCD996P2 MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit
The DEWALT 20V is one of the finest cordless drills on the market, and it’s also the best DEWALT ice auger drill. It’s one of the quickest models on this list, with three operational modes to pick from drilling, pounding, and driving.
We’ve already gone through what each of these modes has to offer, so if you’re looking for a versatile drill then the DEWALT 20V is your best bet.
It’s a lightweight, low-profile design that fits securely in your arm and is easy to control with one hand. It only weighs 10 pounds and measures 11 inches when folded down.
There’s even an LED light with three varied illumination settings so you can customize your ability to see while ice fishing in poor light or at night, which is frequently the case.
This is not only a safe and simple way to use an ice drill, but you can also do it on either 18V or 20V depending on how hard you want the drill to work. It all depends on the job’s settings, though it may reach 2000 RPMs.
2. Makita XPH11RB Hammer Driver-Drill Kit
Then comes the Makita drill, which is one of the most unusual options on this list with its ergonomic and intuitive design that helps to keep your hand from becoming tired while working. Not only that, but because you’ll be using it for extended periods of time, it’s designed to alleviate shoulder, neck, and back pain due to constant usage.
However, what truly sets it apart from the rest is that, despite its 16-inch length, it only weighs 3 pounds, making it perfect for those hard-to-reach areas.
Otherwise, it’s a versatile kit with a maximum RPM potential of 1,700 and you can rely on it to drill accurately due to its 350 pounds per inch.
The manufacturer also took low light into account while designing this ice auger drill attachment, as it includes two LEDs in the front for easy access and use. It also comes with a plastic tool case and a charger to recharge the included 18 V batteries, which are waterproof and resistant to corrosion. All in all, it’s a full package.
3. CRAFTSMAN CMCD710C2 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
This is another low-cost alternative with all the features you’ll need for a successful ice-angling excursion.
The drill has a maximum speed of 1900 RPM, two 1.5 Ah batteries that are rechargeable in 60 minutes using the included charger, and comes with two 1.5 Ah batteries that can be charged at any time if they run out of juice.
The motor is powerful enough to drive the entire device, which makes it the finest ice auger for cordless drills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Convert a Drill Into an Ice Auger?
Anyone may turn a drill into an ice auger. Simply start by gathering the hand auger using an ice auger drill adapter, a drilling machine, and a high-quality blade. These items will help you loosen the nut to remove the handle from the ice auger.
It’s critical to do this carefully because applying too much force might cause damage to the threads.
The ice auger drill adapter goes in the blade, followed by the wing nut. One end of the adapter will be open to allow any drill machine you put in it to fit. Then just turn on the drill and start cutting. Ice fishing gloves are a must as well.
Related: How to Use a Dewalt Drill
What Size Drill Do You Need for an Ice Auger?
A 1/2-inch chuck is required to use with an ice auger. Ice augers are hefty, and they can easily slip off. As a result, a 1/2-inch chuck is necessary.
What Size Ice Auger Should I Buy Using With a Cordless Drill?
Ice augers are available in a variety of sizes, but the most popular is 10 inches. One of the most well-known ice augers is the K-Drill 8-inch auger. We believe that to be sufficient for most situations.
However, it really depends on your personal taste. Many ice fishers prefer to spend their money on a top-of-the-line 10 or 12-inch ice auger that can drill through thicker ice. The biggest downside to these larger augers is the extra weight, which can make them difficult to transport around.
Do You Need a Hammer Drill for an Ice Auger?
The purpose of a hammer drill is to bore hard materials. A hammer drill isn’t necessary for an ice auger in most cases. It will “pound” as it drills on ice, so make sure you have enough battery and life left. Any good quality drill with an ice auger kit can be used for an ice auger.
Do Drill Ice Augers Work?
On early ice, under 10 inches thick, the drill ice auger will function fine. However, if the ice grows thicker, the job becomes more difficult. A drill ice auger will work well on solidified snow or when drilling one or two holes in packed snow.
If you need to drill more than a couple of holes, the auger will likely start to wear down.
Conclusion
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit is our top pick if we were only allowed to choose one option for a cordless drill for ice augers.
The fact that this kit comes with three different operating modes, a toolbox, charger, and batteries, as well as an LED light with three distinct lighting settings, makes it perfect for ice augers.
