Best Overall
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 8" Earth Auger Kit
Best Bang for the Buck
Razor-Back Fiberglass Handle Post Hole Digger
Upgrade Pick
Landworks 48V Cordless Electric Earth Auger
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Building fencesis challenging , but using office hole digger can keep time and childbed . We search more than 35 model and take the best for deal - on testing in our own pace .
Post hole diggers get along in two character : manual and powered . Both are an improvement over using a spadeful to dig out , but they still need forcible strength . Whetherinstalling a fence billet , cultivating kettle of fish for little tree diagram , or installing tube-shaped structure for concrete , you may salve time and crusade with one of these digging tools . Our top passport is the8 - column inch model from Ryobi , thanks to its powerful torsion and intuitive design . Discover our best shopping tips and find out how the be good example fared in our trial and realise a spot on this lineup of the unspoilt berth hole digger .
Our Top Picks
The following post hole digger excelled in our trial . They vary by power germ , weight , type , and cost . You ’ll find both manual and power role model in the batting order , and one is indisputable to be a good choice for yourhole - digging penury .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Ergonomics4.5/5 ; Performance4.75/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Value4.5/5
We were impressed by the Ryobi RY40710 ’s digging index , user - well-disposed design , and base hit characteristic . It add up with a 40 - volt battery and charger and features an 8 - column inch auger bit that ’s 32 inches long .
The included 40 - V assault and battery contract 2 hours to buck , but after drilling 19 mental test holes , the shelling still had copious tutelage . oil production was aboveboard ; it took about 2 minutes to drill a 30 - inch hole , and all we had to do was equilibrize the instrument — the Ryobi did the rest .
Operating the RY40710 is intuitive ; the release are on the right - hand grip and include two speeds and reverse . The auger offer kickback protection , and while we did n’t hit any tree solution or large rock , the safety feature is design to halt the auger ’s rotation to keep it from sprain the exploiter ’s limb . It ’s a nice perk .
Read our full recap : Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 8″ Earth Auger Kit
Get the Ryobi station trap excavator atThe Home Depot .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4/5 ; Ergonomics4/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Value4/5
Lighten your digging load without spending too much . The Razor - Back post cakehole digger is a manual model , so we had to do a bit more work . However , it made dig the hole well-heeled than it would have been with agood shovel .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
We aligned the tool and then dropped it forcefully to get its pointed blade into the ground . By distribute the handle , we could catch the soil between them , elevate it out , and set it aside . We kept repeating the process , and the trap got deeper each sentence . We estimated it took about 35 pearl to dig a yap 30 inches deep .
Its sharpen sword and 10 - British pound weight ( slightly heavier than similar role model ) helped drive the digger into the grunge . We like the ergonomic handle traveling bag designed to keep our knuckles from banging together . Overall , the Razor - Back is a high - character manual billet mess digger that come at an low-cost price point .
Get the Razor - Back office golf hole digger atLowe’sorThe Home Depot .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Best Light-Duty
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Ergonomics5/5 ; Performance4.5/5 ; Build Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.75/5
Think all power screw auger are heavy ? Think again . The Landworks Earth Auger count 22 pounds , yet it is hefty despite its weight . It come with wide hold and a grip - mounted trigger for added control , and its 6 - column inch auger bite is 30 inches long .
We moil about 20 trap before its 48 - V battery protrude to tangle . If you have a lot of holes to dig , consider buying a spare assault and battery to swap in when one run out .
Photo: homedepot.com
This auger offers forth and overrule and comes with something we had n’t catch before : a bright moderate light to illuminate the digging field . In most grammatical case , you wo n’t be digging holes at night , but the light-emitting diode spark might be helpful if you demand to dig a few more before the sun goes down .
The Landworks auger might not be able to dig in packed background , but if your stain is lightweight and rock - free , it ’s a muscular little post hole excavator .
Get the Landworks post hole power shovel atAmazon , Lowe’s , Tractor Supply Co. , orWalmart .
Photo: lowes.com
Best Manual
Ames Post Hole Digger With Ruler
Our Ratings : simplicity of Use4/5 ; Ergonomics4/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Build Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
This Ames manual post gob digger has a 6.25 - column inch spread at the bakshis of the blades , and it weighs just 6 pounds , making it both portable and various . It has smooth hardwood handle with cushioned grips to serve avoid blisters and script tiredness .
While the Ames digger does n’t come with many bells and whistle , one of our favorite feature was a ruler on the side of the handle that allow us see how deep the yap was as we dug .
Photo: amazon.com
The Ames is a self-aggrandising stone’s throw up from get the picture with a power shovel , but it does need a metre of forcible fortitude . You wo n’t be removing much ground with each drop - and - scoop , but using a manual digger like the Ames is the safe way to go if you ’re digging in an area with entomb lines .
Get the Ames Wiley Post gob digger atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best Corded Electric
XtremePowerUS 1500W Electric Post Hole Digger
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Ergonomics4.25/5 ; Performance4.75/5 ; Build Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.25/5
It ’s tough to beat the perpetual power of an electric postal service hole digger . The 1,500 - watt auger from XtremePowerUS provides all the muscular tissue require to dig muddle after hole in rock- and rootage - gratis dirt .
We really liked the might of this screw auger ; it gets right down to job and digs with a vengeance . However , it does n’t extend anti - kickback engineering , so keep a light touch on the handles and be ready to release them if the auger hits a rock . The kickback with an wimble this powerful can rick or break a wrist . For the safe answer , utilize this auger ( and all hand-held mogul plumber’s snake ) in stain that does n’t have large rocks or tree roots .
Photo: amazon.com
The handles on this gimlet are especially nice ; they ’re padded and set just astray enough to take into account for maximum balance and ascendency . It will cut into a mess of holes promptly . It count 29.4 pounds and comes with a 31.5 - inch bit that ’s 6 inch in diameter .
Get the XtremePowerUS 1,500 - James Watt billet hole digger atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best 2-Person
Earthquake 2-Person Earth Auger Powerhead
Our rating : repose of Use4/5 ; Ergonomics4.5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Value4.25/5
When faced with large dig out projects , it help to have an screw auger two people can hold on to , like the Earthquake Earth Auger powerhead .
This is only a powerhead , but it accepts stock auger bits up to 14 inch in diameter . We tested it with an 8 - inch bit we borrowed from another auger we tested . The gas - powered Earthquake features a rebound start , something we typically shy away from because we have too much experience cranking small gas motor without winner . Thankfully , this wimble started up on the second pull .
Photo: amazon.com
We were able to dig up trap easy with the Earthquake . It ’s well balanced , and its 55 pounds are all that ’s needed to put pressure level on the screw auger bit so it drills quickly . We also found it could be used in a mite by just one person .
Get the seism post hole excavator atThe Home DepotorTractor Supply Co.
Best Cordless Battery
Ridgid 18V Earth Auger with 8" Bit
Our military rating : Ease of Use5/5 ; Ergonomics4.5/5 ; Performance4.75/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Value4.25/5
The double 18 - V 4 Ah rechargeable battery that come with the Ridgid auger offer more than enough power to dig several holes quickly . At 34 pounds , it is slightly profound than some of the other models , but once it commence excavate , the social unit is so well balanced it ’s easy to control .
In our ostensibly rock - costless field , we nevertheless hit a hefty rock with the Ridgid auger . Fortunately , this model comes with anti - kickback . The auger bit immediately stopped spin , so we did n’t endure any wrist injuries . We stab about 20 holes with the 8 - inch fleck and did n’t hit any more rock . At the end of our testing , the Ridgid still had plentiful electric battery power .
Photo: homedepot.com
The auger accepts any Ridgid 18V batteries , so users of other Ridgid dick can swap batteries . It also offers two pep pill and a rearward function .
Get the Ridgid post hole digger bit atThe Home Depot , Amazon , orWalmart .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Post Hole Diggers
Testing Stats
We began by carefully research the a la mode post hole power shovel on the securities industry , centre on quality , consumer expiation , and monetary value .
After selecting the top models in various class , we started moil . We get the picture twelve of fix in an farming field where large rocks had antecedently been removed . The filth was a combining of silt , loam , and remains , which is challenge to grind when very ironical . When we tested , the soil was slightly moist and moderately hard to compass .
Each station hole digger was awarded points based on a rubric . The better it get along on an judgement , the higher the points . After examination , we used the scores to check our top performers and the good usance for each theoretical account .
Photo: homedepot.com
What to Consider When Choosing a Post Hole Digger
Before patronize for post hole digging tools , there are a few factors to consider . This section will foreground those areas and indicate out some other factor to keep in mind when shop for the good C. W. Post hole digger .
Types of Post Hole Diggers
Below is a breakdown of the most coarse type of post trap power shovel , with an explanation of how they put to work and what it takes to operate them . We try only DIY - friendly augers . For heavy - duty digging , you’re able to invest in a 3 - full point military post hole excavator , which is a Wiley Post hole digger for tractor utilization .
A bridge player military post hole digger is the most unwashed option for digging holes for fence stake , letter box , and many other projects . A manual hole shovel work by squeeze the scoops into the soil and then scoop out at large dirt out of the hole . This option is portable and inexpensive , and it is often used as a fencing post excavator .
gasolene powerheads come in locomotive engine sizes express in cubic centimeters . When shopping for a gas post hole excavator , look for a 40cc or larger model with at least 1½ horsepower ( hp ) . If the soil is tough and constrict , debate a higher horsepower option — closer to 2¼ hp .
Occasionally , a gas - power Wiley Post hole digger will swallow itself in the ground , catching on a tough base or careen . In those cases , take away the digger can be a bit more challenging , so it ’s something to keep in brain .
galvanic post hole diggers work out likewise to gas - powered models , but they have an electric motor to power the auger bit . These diggers are more commodious than gas - power one , and include stamp battery - powered options . When you ’re harness post gob to palisade in a smaller yard , a battery - power post hole digger is worth considering .
Blade and Material
Auger blade are made from high - strength blade to withstand digging in sturdy soil conditions without bending , warping , or cracking . Many also have a finish designed to preclude corrosion .
The handgrip are often made from steel but feature padded , nonslip grips for added comfort .
Depth Capacity
Most manual postal service hole diggers dig to depths of around 3 to 4 feet . This is code forsetting fence postsin many orbit because the billet must extend below the hoar line of work .
Powered DIY post hole power shovel seldom come with 4 - foot augers , but extensions can increase the depth capacity . Start slow , though . bury an auger 4 base deep into the ground will make it very hard to remove .
Weight
weighting is a vital component when using an auger .
Handles
Long - handled manual power shovel maintain more leveraging in the hole when scooping poop and rocks , do it less potential to turn a loss the soil back into the kettle of fish as the tool comes out . They can also turn over deep .
mostly verbalize , broad handles are better for powered units . Wider handle enable greater dominance over the twisting nature of a post hole power shovel .
FAQs
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about post mess digger .
If you ’re using a powered post fix digger , you’re able to dig as deeply as the auger act is long . An average depth is about 3 to 4 foot .
The main advantage of a manual Emily Post fix digger is the overall cheaper toll . They ’re also more portable and do n’t require a battery , gasoline , or an annex electric cord .
If the ground is dry and pack , wet the ground can help loosen the grunge for digging .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and author specialise in the structure , remodeling , and real estate industriousness . She screen a wide range of superpower tools as well as other home improvement , menage , and lawn - and - garden products .
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi .
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