With the right auger, you can plant larger seedlings or drive in fence posts. But what distinguishes a high-quality model? And which auger is the best for your needs? Our buying guide lists and describes the most important criteria when purchasing this practical utensil. We also provide you with specific recommendations based on customer reviews on Amazon.

A auger is an easy way to dig deep holes in the ground

Note: A distinction is made between hydraulic and manual augers. Since hydraulic attachments are normally only in demand in agriculture and forestry, in this guide we are concentrating entirely on hand augers for hobby gardeners.

Our recommendations

our recommendation
Fiskars hand auger, for holes up to Ø 150 mm, black/orange, QuikDrill, M, 1000638
49.98 EUR To the product
drive manually
length 110 cm
drilling diameter 150mm
handle material plastic
Handle wrap no
Weight 2.25kg

The Fiskars handheld auger deserves number 1 in our comparative test based on the experiences of buyers of the device on Amazon for several reasons: Many reviewers describe it as light and handy, which is why it can also be used well by women. In addition, the auger is considered to be of high quality, stable and "clear": The markings of the dimensions on the auger provide information about how deep the drilled hole is.

our recommendation
Güde 94136 GH 150 hand auger earth auger post auger plant auger for holes up to 150mm Ø
25.99 EUR To the product
drive manually
length 104 cm
drilling diameter 150mm
handle material metal
Handle wrap Yes
Weight 3.55kg

The Güde model has similar properties to our comparison winner - but it weighs over a kilogram more. Otherwise, Amazon customers are very satisfied with the device. It is said to be able to cope with rocky soils - but only if the rocks are small. The assembly also seems to be easy, as the majority of reviewers say.

our recommendation
Güde 94136 GH 150 hand auger earth auger post auger plant auger for holes up to 150mm Ø
25.99 EUR To the product
drive manually
length 105 cm
drilling diameter 150mm
handle material metal
Handle wrap no
Weight 3.9kg

The Draper Fence Post Auger is defined by most buyers as a "great auger" that is designed to make setting spot foundations a whole lot easier - even in trickier substrates with smaller roots, rocks or clay. Only the unfortunately missing casing and the shortness of the handle are criticized by some customers.

Purchase Criteria

drive

Manually: The hobby gardener turns the manual auger with his hands using the usually T-shaped handle. Of course, this requires a lot of physical strength. The pros include the simple, low-risk application with good handling, the high flexibility as well as the simple cleaning and the low purchase price. Manual augers are very effective in soft ground. They are recommended for occasional and small holes. For stony soil you should use a motorized auger.

engine: With the motor-driven hand auger, the hobby gardener's only task is to hold the device in an upright position - the screw itself, however, is driven by the motor. In this regard, it is important to differentiate between electric and petrol augers:

  • Electric auger: Often requires a longer power supply line. However, the exhaust gases that are harmful to the environment and health and the sometimes tedious starting of the engine are eliminated.
  • Gasoline Auger: More powerful and flexible to use. Disadvantages are the exhaust gases, the more complicated switching on and the immense volume during operation.

In any case, motorized augers require less power from the hobby gardener. They can also cope with harder soils.

drilling depth

Depending on whether you want to use smaller plants or larger plants, lower posts or longer stakes, the rod and thread of the auger should be shorter or longer.

Guide value: Earth borers are generally at least one meter long. With this average length, you can drill holes about 40 to 50 centimeters deep. There are also attachments for augers that allow you to extend them so that you can even dig holes up to 2.5 meters deep.

drilling diameter

Hand drills are available with different thread sizes. Note: The diameter of the thread corresponds to the diameter of the drilled hole. Again, it depends on what you want to achieve. When it comes to inserting small plants or slender posts, a smaller diameter is sufficient, while larger plants and strong posts require a wide thread.

Guide value: The thread diameter is usually between 70 and 200 millimeters.

tips

Augers with a thread diameter of 50 millimeters are generally only available as an attachment for a cordless screwdriver or drill. You can get into the ground with the respective basic device without much effort, but you lose the upright posture, which can promote back pain. It is much more convenient and practical to buy an earth auger attachment for the excavator/mini excavator if you have one.

our recommendation
4.6(D) x37(L) cm garden auger twist auger, auger, auger for drill, screw conveyor, auger hand, twist auger garden, garden auger, soil cultivator drill, garden plants
13.99 EUR To the product

pilot drill

The so-called pilot drill describes a very small "additional thread" that is attached in front of the core thread of the earth drill and makes drilling easier for you. Not a must, but a nice extra.

handle material

wood: A wooden auger handle is stylish and traditional, but unfortunately also requires more maintenance and is less stable.

metal/steel: A metal or steel handle can withstand heavy use, but can rust.

plastic: Depending on the specific material, a plastic handle is at risk of breaking. However, you are on the safe side with fiberglass-reinforced handles.

tips

Regardless of the basic material, look for a rubber or plastic coating so that you literally have a firm grip on the tool when drilling the holes and cannot slip off so easily.

frequently asked Questions

What is an earth auger?

An earth auger is a threaded screw that is used both in private gardens and in professional agriculture. You can use it to dig holes in the ground. The auger is always in demand when

  • seedlings planted,
  • Fence posts set or
  • Well systems set up

should be. You can also use an auger if you want to drain the lawn when it is waterlogged.

The hand augers available for hobby gardeners consist of two parts: a long drill rod with a handle and a large screw for drilling. The drill thread ends in a small point that you use to insert the auger into the ground.

How does an earth auger work?

The auger works according to the principle of the Archimedean screw, which dates back to antiquity and was intended to optimize the transport of water. This is still one of the main areas of application for the screw principle today.

Converted to the auger, it can be described as follows: The screw rotates along a central axis. In theory it is enclosed by an outer tube - in the practice of the hand auger the outer layers of the earth take on this role. When the hobby gardener turns the screw forwards with his muscle power or with motor support, the latter collects the soil on the thread blades. With each rotation, the drill pushes the matter further up.

Note: The Archimedean screw obeys the laws of gravity. Thus, it only works in vertical orientation (not horizontal) and can be rotated top-to-bottom but not bottom-to-top.

Which brands offer good augers?

Numerous well-known brands produce solid earth augers for hobby gardeners. Here are some popular manufacturers at a glance:

  • Stihl
  • Fuxtec
  • Fiskars
  • Atika
  • zips
  • goodness
  • Scheppach
  • Dolmar
  • Husqvarna
  • Vida XL
  • Arebos
  • Jansen
  • Lumag

Where is the best place to buy an earth auger?

You can find classic manual augers in every hardware store - such as OBI, toom, Bauhaus, hagebaumarkt, Hornbach or Globus. However, you can enjoy the largest selection at Amazon.

tips

You can rent an earth auger at a hardware store or at Boels. Check whether the retailer you trust offers rental and compare the fees if several hardware stores offer rental. In principle, however, it is only worth renting an earth auger if you want to use the device once and have (too) little space in the tool shed.

Can I build an earth auger myself?

Yes, with the right tools, technical know-how, manual skills and good instructions, you can also build an earth auger yourself. This video gives you tips on how to:

youtube

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Product guide