10 Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger 2020: Unbiased Picks [with Buying Guide]
So, you are an ice angler. Cool, but we know it is not easy to get through the ice and get to your target catch.
No need to worry because you can get yourself the best cordless drill for ice auger to help you penetrate hard ice.
Did you notice that we mentioned the word “cordless”? This is because you do not need the hassle of handling a corded drill when you are out angling. If anything, we think that it is quite impractical.
That said; picking the perfect tool is not a walk in the park. In this review, we are going to cover everything you need to know about acquiring a cordless drill for your ice fishing so read on to find out more.
Contents
- Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger - Comparison Chart
- Buying Guide – Choosing the Top Quality Cordless Drill for Ice Auger
- 10 Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger Reviewed
- 1. Dewalt MAX DCD996BR 20V Drill
- 2. Makita 18V CordlessXPH11RB Drill Kit
- 3. DEWALT 18-Volt DCD950KX Hammer drill
- 4. Milwaukee M18 Hammer Drill 2704-22 Driver Kit
- 5. CRAFTSMAN CMCD710C2 Brushless Cordless Drill
- 6. Ryobi Hammer Drill P1813 Power Tool Kit
- 7. PORTERPCCK607LB CABLE MAX 20V Cordless Drill
- 8. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2804-Hammer Drill
- 9. Hitachi 18-Volt DS18DGL Cordless Drill
- 10. SKIL 1/2 Inch 20V Cordless Drill
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Top Pick
- Final Thoughts
Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger - Comparison Chart
Before we delve deeper into the details, here’s a comparison list for you.The list is meant to provide you with a rough idea of what each one of our top picks provides.
Buying Guide – Choosing the Top Quality Cordless Drill for Ice Auger
As you begin the search for the perfect cordless drill to help in your angling, you want to consider several crucial factors.
These will help you narrow down your choices as well as make an informed purchase. Some of these factors are:
Motor Power
This one of the most important factors you need to consider when purchasing a drill for ice fishing. The motor of the drill will determine the level of power the tool will have.
Nowadays, the most popular motors for cordless drills are the brushless ones as they deliver durability, power, and speed.
Therefore, you may want to keep this in mind.
Voltage Range
You need to keep in mind that a drill is all about power. Perhaps you are aware of this but if not, a higher voltage translates to a powerful drill.
Most of the cordless drills in the market have a voltage ranging from 12V to 20V and that is good enough.
As you look at the voltage, you also want to consider the battery. You see, you need to find the balance between the weight of the battery and its durability so that you do not have a heavy tool in your hands that is likely to go off in the middle of a drilling session.
Torque Power
This is another factor to consider that gauges the power of drills. You want to be assured that your drill’s motor will hold up until you finish drilling into thick ice layers.
As such, you want to go for a minimum torque of 750 pounds. You can find this information in the product description but if it is not available, you should always enquire before purchasing if you do not want to end up with a useless tool.
Battery Life
As you will soon discover, most cordless drills operate on lithium-ion batteries and understandably so because they guarantee long hours of run time without the need for re-charge.
To that effect, you want to ensure that the drill you pick includes a battery with 18V or more. Alternatively, you can have extra batteries for interchanging when one dies.
Product Warranty
This is a word of caution: Never settle for a drill that does not include a reasonable warranty. There is no telling if your tool will malfunction and we can bet you do not want to pay for a replacement or repair.
In that regard, you want to pick a drill with a five-year warranty as standard procedure. However, if a drill comes with a lesser warranty period, ensure that you check its ratings to gauge its durability.
10 Best Cordless Drill for Ice Auger Reviewed
As we mentioned before, choosing a quality battery-powered drill for ice auger is not an easy task. That is why we have compiled the following list of some of the top-rated ones.
We believe this will make your job easier.
1. Dewalt MAX DCD996BR 20V Drill
The DEWALT DVD996B opens up our list and rightfully so because this tool is quite powerful with its 20V battery. That is not all though because you get two batteries when you purchase this baby.
It also features three-speed variants to guarantee that you drill into that stubborn ice with accuracy.
What We Liked
If you are looking to go through any ice layer, this might just be the drill for you. With a 38,000BPM, you are not limited with this cute drill.
Moreover, since it comes with two batteries, you never have to worry about running out of power because you can easily swap them.
What we liked most however about this drill is that it is fitted with an LED light to illuminate any dark areas as you drill.
What Could Have Been Better
This product comes with a 110V charger, which is a bit slow if you do not have the time to wait until the battery recharges fully.
We feel that the manufacturer should have considered including a fast charger for better efficiency and time-saving.
Pros
Cons
2. Makita 18V CordlessXPH11RB Drill Kit
With just 2.9 pounds of weight, you will not feel like you have a drill in your hands when using this product.
The Makita XPH11RB can go up to 25, 500 BPM per second. This is extremely powerful and fast and we are sure you will appreciate that.
What We Liked
From our assessment, we think that this drill beats all others in this list when it comes to precision and power drilling given its price.
It comes with waterproof seals, which make it durable. This means that even after using this drill for years, it will still deliver the same performance it did when it was new, and we love that about it.
What Could Have Been Better
The product description of this drill states that it comes with a plastic hard case. However, users have reported that what they got after buying was a soft tool bag.
We think that the manufacturer should have given a correct product description to avoid mistrust with customers and potential buyers.
Pros
Cons
3. DEWALT 18-Volt DCD950KX Hammer drill
When we talk about the DEWALT DCD950KX, know that you will be working with a tool that can not only drill through ice but concrete, wood, and steel as well. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
With a high-efficiency motor, this tool makes drilling through ice easily and fast.
What We Liked
This drill's motor is efficient as it is powerful and can deliver up to 450 watts out. This translates to remarkable performance not just on the ice but on other surfaces as well.
The DCD950KX features a comfortable grip and a sturdy body. This works to guarantee accurate drilling. We love that it also comes with a side handle that rotates at 360 degrees giving you better and unlimited control.
What Could Have Been Better
Although the product description states that this is a quality tool, there have been reports of it falling apart after light use.
The manufacturer should have put more into the durability of this drill while making it to avoid such.
Pros
Cons
4. Milwaukee M18 Hammer Drill 2704-22 Driver Kit
This drill comes with a decent amount of torque and this makes it one of the most convenient drills to use in this list.
The exterior of this tool has been refurbished from earlier models to be more durable and besides it comes with extra batteries to keep your drill running for as long as you need.
What We Liked
From the new and improved build quality to the convenience, this particular drill comes with more power than most of the drills on this list.
It boasts 1200 torque pounds and an RPM of I800 so you can see why we say that. With this tool, you will not have difficulty drilling through ice irrespective of how stubborn it is. We love that.
What Could Have Been Better
The dovetail of this drill appears to be weak according to reviews by users and this compromises its quality and performance.
We feel that the manufacturer should have checked on that during the production process and rectified before releasing the product to the market.
Pros
Cons
5. CRAFTSMAN CMCD710C2 Brushless Cordless Drill
Remember what we said about brushless motors earlier on in this review? Well, this CRAFTSMAN cordless drill has such a motor so you can imagine how powerful it is.
Besides, its chuck can accommodate different bits for a variety of applications so drilling through ice should be the least of your worries.
What We Liked
This is a great drill and we are not just saying that. It is as powerful as they come and can drill through ice as well as other surfaces including metal and wood. Therefore, if you are looking for versatility, this could be your best option.
What we loved most about the tool is that it is easy to operate hence making it ideal for beginners.
What Could Have Been Better
As powerful as this drill is, it does not come with extra bits. This is quite unfortunate as it limits your drilling.
The manufacturer should have simply included the bits to allow for different drilling depths and diameters.
Pros
Cons
6. Ryobi Hammer Drill P1813 Power Tool Kit
The last thing you want while you are ice fishing is to find yourself with a dead drill. Fortunately, you are unlikely to go through that with the Ryobi P1813.
This is because this drill holds much power and while it cannot be compared to models such as Milwaukee, 750 RPMs is good enough.
What We Liked
You can never go wrong with the Ryobi P1813 if you are looking for performance combined with value for money.
With the powerful battery of this drill, RPM, and torque, you will find it hard to come across another drill with those specs for the same price.
We love that it comes with a carry bag as well.
What Could Have Been Better
It seems that the charger that comes with this drill is prone to malfunctioning. We feel that there was an issue during production that was not checked on and the manufacturer should have confirmed that everything was in top condition before introducing the product to the market.
Pros
Cons
7. PORTERPCCK607LB CABLE MAX 20V Cordless Drill
The PORTER-CABLE PCCK607LB Cordless Drill Driver comes with a brushless motor to give you 50% more runtime.
We are sure you will love that if you have lots of drilling to do. Besides, this tool is lightweight and weighs only 3.3 lbs. That is less fatigue for you.
What We Liked
With a brushless motor that gives you more runtime, you can drill as much as you need to without worrying about running out of power.
This also means that this drill can handle other heavy-duty applications. However, what we found most appealing about this tool is that it is lightweight and compact hence ideal for carrying around.
What Could Have Been Better
According to user reviews, the chuck of this drill slips and does not hold on to drill bits, which is quite frustrating.
We feel that the manufacturer should have reinforced the chuck to ensure it performs its job properly.
Pros
Cons
8. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2804-Hammer Drill
From the reputable brand Milwaukee comes this M18 Hammer drill. It features a brushless motor that will supply you with all the power you need to drill through layers of ice.
Additionally, this drill comes with Redlink intelligence to safeguard the battery from damage and overload.
What We Liked
The brushless motor of this tool equips it with great power but that is nothing new. What we loved most about this drill is that it comes with a feature to safeguard against damage to the battery.
Another thing is that this tool’s battery has remarkable holding power so you never have to worry about your drill going off while in use.
What Could Have Been Better
As much as this tool is powerful, some users have reported that it fell apart after a few days of light use. Knowing how much power it had, the manufacturer should have ensured that this drill was durable enough to handle that power.
Pros
Cons
9. Hitachi 18-Volt DS18DGL Cordless Drill
We are just about to come to the end of our list and if the drills we have covered so far do not interest you, this one might just appeal to you.
It is powerful yet lightweight and that is a combination most people want when purchasing a cordless drill.
What We Liked
This is arguably the best product from Hitachi and it is because of its outstanding features. The tool comes with a battery pack and a warranty as well.
We love that this drill can provide up to 400 pounds in torque meaning you can handle even the toughest of surfaces.
Besides, this tool comes with an LED work light to illuminate any darkness.
What Could Have Been Better
The charger for this drill appears to be weak, as users have complained that it does not charge as fast and is likely to fall apart.
The manufacturer should have put as much attention on the charger as he did to the drill to guarantee its performance and longevity.
Pros
Cons
10. SKIL 1/2 Inch 20V Cordless Drill
Are you looking for faster charging, prolonged battery life, and convenience? This could be the drill for you.
The battery can charge up to 25% within 5 minutes and the battery gives you longer runtime since each cell is covered with temperature control material.
What We Liked
We can say that this drill is perfect for DIYs because it can drill into surfaces and tighten screws well. It also has longer battery life and run time so if you will be using it to drill into ice, you do not have to worry that it will go off before you finish.
We also love that this product comes as a set comprising everything you may need to drill.
What Could Have Been Better
Regrettably, this product does not include a battery as shown in the product description. Of course, the drill is useless without the battery.
The manufacturer should have either stated that fact or simply included the battery.
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have tackled some commonly asked questions that may be of help.
Do I need a hammer drill for ice auger?
No, you do not but you can always have one to use on the ice. That said; you should never use the hammer mode on ice.
Do drill ice augers work?
Yes, they do but only on new ice that is no more than 10 inches thick. If the ice is thicker, you will find it difficult to use them.
Our Top Pick
We have assessed all ten cordless drills for ice auger and our top pick is the DEWALT DVD996B. So, why do we recommend it as the best quality cordless drill for ice auger?
Not only is this drill powerful, but it also comes with three-speed options to help you drill through ice with precision.
With its 20V battery, you can drill away without worrying about the drill going off.
Final Thoughts
For you to drill through ice, you need a cordless drill. One that is lightweight and powerful as well. As you have seen, there are various products to pick from so the process cannot be easy.
Nevertheless, we have taken all the hard work out of it so you can now make an easy and informed choice.