Plumbing is meant to keep water and waste moving. Clogs are inevitable over time and can cause unwanted emergencies. Knowing how to effectively unclog a sink, toilet or bathtub with a drain snake can get things quickly moving again.
Our top pick, the Cobra Products Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool, is known for its affordable price and durability. It requires no chemicals or bulky equipment, and it is an eco-friendly solution.
What to know before you buy a drain snake
Type of clog
Identifying the cause of the clog can help determine the best drain snake option. Accumulated hair or human waste are often the culprits, but sometimes larger blockages occur, requiring a different unclogging tool like an auger.
Location of clog
Clogs can happen close to the drain before the trap and are typically caused by a buildup of hair. Other clogs can develop further down in the piping that runs in the walls and floorboards, which requires a longer and more flexible drain snake. Toilet clogs require special care to avoid damage to the porcelain, so drain snakes are often discouraged in favor of a plunger initially.
Drain snake features
Plastic vs. stainless steel
Drain snakes are typically made of durable plastic or stainless steel. Plastic models are more flexible, especially when moving through curved pipes. Stainless steel snakes break less often and are better at removing solid blockages.
Drain-snake length
Most drain snakes are 20 to 24 inches long. Some come in multipacks with varied lengths. Beyond drain snakes are augers, which are metal cables often with a corkscrew head. They are fed into a difficult blockage and then reeled in, much like a fishing pole. Manual augers can reach depths of 25 feet for particularly difficult sink and shower clogs.
Barb placement
Some drain snakes have barbs running up and down the entire unit. This can make it more difficult to pull out because the barbs closest to the drain opening may get caught. Other drain snakes place the barbs further down on the snake for easier removal.
Drain-snake handle
Most drain snakes have a hollowed opening in the handle to curl a finger around for leverage. Some snakes have wider openings to allow for multiple fingers, which increases the force that can be exerted against the clog.
How much does a drain snake cost?
Most plastic drain snakes cost between $5-$10, including multipiece sets. Manual steel augers specialized for toilets can cost around $30, with mechanical and electronic augers ranging from $100-$300.
Drain snakes can help avoid expensive plumber house calls, but there are limitations with lower-priced options regarding their reach and ability to unclog more solid blockages. Stubborn clogs may require more expensive tools. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine how much you are willing to pay to attempt the job of unclogging a drain yourself.
Drain snake FAQ
How long will drain snakes last?
A. If used correctly, drain snakes should last for multiple uses. Simply clean it off each time, and check for broken barbs or cracks in the plastic sheath. Steel drain snakes should rarely break.
Why are toilet clogs treated differently?
A. The porcelain base can be scratched and damaged with a drain snake. Plunging is always the first option, and then an auger should be used if plunging is unsuccessful.
When should I call a professional?
A. If multiple efforts with a drain snake or auger are not making any progress, it may be time to call a professional plumber, who has special equipment.
Which drain snake should I buy?
Best of the best drain snake
Cobra Products Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool: available at Amazon
Our take: The flexibility is suitable for beginners, and the sturdy plastic allows for multiple uses.
What we like: Barbs are located all along the snake, and it can be reused after cleaning.
What we dislike: Some reports of breaking prematurely.
Best bang for your buck drain snake
SENHAI 7 Pack Sewer Dredging Tools: available at Amazon
Our take: For less than $10, you’ll get five plastic and two stainless steel snakes for multiple applications.
What we like: The steel snakes are especially helpful with more stubborn clogs.
What we dislike: The steel snakes are not as flexible as the plastic snakes.
Honorable mention drain snake
Vastar 3 Pack 19.6 Inch Drain Snake: available at Amazon
Our take: This option has an excellent reputation for working on bathtub clogs, and it comes with three snakes.
What we like: It grabs on to most clogs and is quite flexible around curves.
What we dislike: The barbs can get stuck if you pull too quickly, especially through a narrow drain opening.
Steve Ganger is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
