Place |
Name |
Characteristic in the rating |
1 | Tonar LR-180D | Largest screw diameter |
2 | Nero 130 | Best price |
3 | Ermakov-GROWTH D-130 mm | The lightest ice screw |
4 | Rextor Storm 130 | Telescopic design |
1 | TLR-150D-2NDSH | The best titanium ice drill |
2 | MORA ICE Chrome (150) | High reliability |
3 | Heinola SpeedRun CLASSIC HL1-135-800 | Long service life |
1 | ADA GroundDrill-2 Ice Fisherman | The best ice drill with a gasoline engine |
2 | Iceberg-Arctic 130R | The most versatile ice auger with the ability to connect a motor |
3 | IRON MOLE E53 Ice | The lightest weight |
4 | PIRAN GD520 | The best ratio of price and quality |
1 | NERO-150 | Compact and lightweight model |
2 | Sputnik LR-130 | Reliable corrosion protection |
3 | HELIOS HS-150D | Possibility of using extension cords. simple model |
4 | Onega LR-130 | Specially ground spherical knives |
Read also:
An ice screw becomes an indispensable assistant in winter fishing. With the help of this tool, holes are made in the ice, through which fishing takes place. The stores offer a wide range of models, which makes beginner anglers dizzy. What points should be paid special attention to?
- Depending on the drive of the tool, manual and motorized ice screws are distinguished. In most cases, manual models will do. Good and inexpensive products are produced by domestic manufacturers. Scandinavian drills are easier and more convenient to work with.When you have to make a lot of holes in thick ice, then a motorized tool should be preferred. Models with a gasoline engine are able to work in any frost, but they have a fairly large weight. An alternative to expensive gas equipment can be a power tool. Some models of hand-held ice screws are equipped with an adapter that allows you to connect a cordless screwdriver. Only in severe frost it is necessary to keep the battery warm.
- An important characteristic of the ice screw is the diameter of the auger. If a small hole is required for catching small fish, then you can stop at models with a 90-110 mm auger. It is better to hunt for trophy fish with ice screws 180-200 mm.
- The stumbling block for many experienced domestic anglers is the direction of rotation of the tool. Traditionally, Soviet and Russian manufacturers made drills with left-hand rotation (counterclockwise). And imported models drill holes by clockwise rotation. Not everyone can adapt to new hand movements.
- The speed and ease of work depend on the sharpness of the knives and the angle of attack. You can only check the quality of drilling in practice, so it will be good if the seller allows you to test the tool on a pond.
Our rating includes the best ice drills for winter fishing. It is based on user feedback.
Best budget hand held ice screws
Many anglers with a small income when choosing an ice screw are repelled by price. But some budget models for winter fishing are in no way inferior to premium products. Moreover, most of the good hand-held ice screws are made in our country.
4 Rextor Storm 130
Country: Ukraine (made in China)
Average price: 3690 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
Rextor is a relatively young brand in the fishing market. One of the main products of the company is ice drills, produced in several lines, both in the budget segment and in the more expensive one. The Storm line is the middle link. The price for them is not the lowest, but does not bite, and is fully compensated by the quality and convenience of the ice screw.
The main advantage of this model is the telescopic design. In addition to the folding handle, there are two retractable sections, fixed in height with 4 pins, which allows you to adjust the size of the ice screw to your height. It should also be noted spherical knives that easily drill winter ice of any structure. Even a cover with a water layer can be easily drilled, and the fisherman does not need to make any effort. Oh, and the manufacturer's warranty. Here it is 2 years for all welds, which is very rare among manufacturers of goods that are constantly under load.
3 Ermakov-GROWTH D-130 mm
Country: Russia
Average price: 1380 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
During an active search for fish, a light ice drill can reduce fatigue. Model Ermakov-ROST D-130 mm is the lightest tool, its weight is only 1.85 kg. The ice screw has a classic two-hand design, and the auger is made of very durable plastic. The tool rotates counterclockwise, which is more common for many domestic anglers. The cutting part consists of three sharp straight knives. The set includes 3 spare semi-circular knives. The drill is capable of making holes in the ice with a diameter of 130 mm and a depth of up to 1 m.
Fishermen in the reviews note the lightness of the tool, soft drilling of holes. During rotation, snow does not stick to the auger, ice does not freeze, the handles rotate without creaking.When drilling holes, the fastening is periodically weakened.
2 Nero 130
Country: Russia
Average price: 2000 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
A good ice drill at an affordable price is offered by the Russian company Nero. The tool is designed for drilling holes with a diameter of 130 mm and a depth of up to 1 m. For ease of use and reduced effort during drilling, the manufacturer has shifted the upper handle by 130 mm relative to the axis of rotation, and the lower handle by 150 mm. The weight of the fixture is 2.3 kg. In the transport position, the product occupies 88 cm.
Users call the Nero 130 an excellent budget option for winter fishing. The reviews mention the feature to fold exactly in half, which is due to the same length of the handle and auger. The drilling speed is also good. Minor drawbacks are the build quality and the unreliability of the paintwork.
1 Tonar LR-180D
Country: Russia
Average price: 2300 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
CJSC TONAR is well known to fans of ice fishing in Russia for its ice screws. For catching large bream, the model with a large auger diameter Tonar LR-180D is perfect. With this tool, it is possible to make wide holes (180 mm) up to 1 m deep. The drill weighs 3.1 kg, left-hand rotation. In the transport position, the ice screw is compact, the length is 93 cm. The cutting part is represented by two straight knives. The auger is made of steel, the handle is made of plastic.
Fans of winter fishing emphasize such positive qualities of the Barnaul drill as good build quality, durability, ease of transportation and comfort in work.In the reviews, there is one drawback of the tool, the paint quickly peels off the screw.
The best premium hand-held ice screws
The appearance of imported ice drills made a splash among domestic fishermen. Instruments from Scandinavia have a unique ease of rotation, while the hole is formed extremely quickly. The only downside, besides the price, for many ice fishing enthusiasts in Russia is right hand rotation.
3 Heinola SpeedRun CLASSIC HL1-135-800
Country: Finland
Average price: 11260 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
Winter fishing in Finland is a popular hobby, so it is not surprising that the best products for it are produced here. Ice drill Heinola is a real find for the fisherman, which has a whole list of advantages. It’s not worth talking about spherical knives and a telescopic design, such innovations for Finnish manufacturers have long become the norm, but the presence of removable knives is an interesting and rare thing.
Of course, you cannot change the diameter of the auger, but by installing a larger nozzle on the ice drill, you can easily drill holes of a larger radius without applying significant effort due to the spherical sharpening of high-alloy steel knives. The ice drill also has special mounts that allow rotation through the adapter by attaching a screwdriver or drill to it. The price of the product may scare a little, but as the reviews of people who have already used this device show, it costs its money, and the price is not at all overpriced.
2 MORA ICE Chrome (150)
Country: Sweden
Average price: 11400 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
Swedish engineers from MORA continue to amaze fans of winter fishing with unique developments. In the most expensive ICE Chrome model, the auger is protected from corrosion both outside and inside. For this, a special Super MC coating was used. When creating the cutting head, metal of increased strength was used. To prevent the formation of ice on the drill, the powdery composition with which the auger is processed is called upon. The soft handle fits comfortably in the hand. The drilling diameter of this tool is 150mm, the rotation is clockwise.
Most anglers in the reviews agree that the ice drill is worth the money. It has sharp blades and precise angle of attack, making drilling easy and comfortable. During the operation, there were no cases of weakening the fixation of the two parts or delamination of the coating.
1 TLR-150D-2NDSH
Country: Russia
Average price: 10000 rub.
Rating (2022): 5.0
Another representative of the TONAR plant made it to our top ice drills. Model Titan TLR-150D-2NDSH is a two-handed screw tool weighing only 2 kg. The manufacturer managed to achieve such lightness thanks to the use of titanium. The drill differs in the highest durability and resistance to corrosion. This model is capable of making holes with a diameter of 150 mm and a depth of 1175 mm. The tool rotates counterclockwise, the cutting part consists of two straight knives.
Domestic anglers are satisfied with the work of the titanium ice screw, noting the high speed of drilling without the need for pressure on the tool. The reviews also mention compactness when assembled and lightness. The disadvantages include the high price and a small backlash in the mount.
The best motorized ice screws
Making many holes in the thick ice shell of a reservoir can be very tiring even with high-quality hand-held ice screws. Motorized equipment is capable of facilitating winter fishing.
4 PIRAN GD520
Country: Russia (made in China)
Average price: 8650 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.5
Many anglers feel that a motorized auger is too expensive and not worth the money. However, there are models that will certainly please with their price, such as PIRAN GD520. It is worth noting that the purchase of a high-quality even one-handed drill and a screwdriver will cost about the same money, but here we get a full-fledged gasoline drill with the ability to change nozzles for drilling not only ice, but also soil.
As for the technical characteristics, this model is somewhat inferior to its competitors. For example, there is no soft start system or vibration dampers. But the design itself has an all-welded body and is covered with rubber at the grip points. The shape of the upper part is made in such a way that both one person and two people can work with the drill, which is especially convenient when drilling thick ice or soil. The maximum screw diameter is 250 mm. This is a little less than the more powerful models, but quite enough for a fishing hole.
3 IRON MOLE E53 Ice
Country: Russia
Average price: 14040 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
The main problem of all ice screws is their heavy weight and unpleasant vibration during operation. If these shortcomings do not triple you, then we advise you to pay attention to this model. With a relatively small weight, which is 8.5 kilograms without auger and 11 with it, this is a very powerful device that can drill not only ice, but even frozen and dense soil.The design has a one-piece body, and special shock absorbers are installed between the moving parts, which significantly reduce vibration and facilitate work.
The engine used in this ice auger, TECAMECH T53, showed excellent results in work. It has a relatively low fuel consumption, but the main advantage is the presence of a soft start system in the cold. Winter fishing without frost is impossible, however, some manufacturers of motorized ice screws do not understand this, and it can be very difficult to start the engine. There are no problems with this, but as an alternative, you can always use the familiar starter.
2 Iceberg-Arctic 130R
Country: Russia
Average price: 5000 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
A universal tool for drilling holes was invented by domestic developers. Model Iceberg-Arctic 130R (right rotation) can be used not only as a conventional hand-held ice drill with a telescopic extension insert. The manufacturer has provided the ability to connect a screwdriver or motor drill to the auger. The screw diameter is 130 mm, the drilling depth is 1900 mm. The tool weighs 4.5 kg, it is necessary to rotate the drill clockwise.
In the reviews, anglers speak positively about the quality of drilling and depth, the absence of backlash after assembly. But there are a number of shortcomings, among which it should be noted peeling of paint, poor-quality handle, knocking snow under the knives.
1 ADA GroundDrill-2 Ice Fisherman
Country: China
Average price: 17990 rub.
Rating (2022): 5.0
A good helper for a domestic angler can be a Chinese ice drill ADA GroundDrill-2 Ice Fisherman. Comes with Ice Drill 150 auger.It allows you to make holes with a diameter of 150 mm and a depth of 1 m. The power of a two-stroke gasoline engine is 2.45 liters. With. with a volume of 52 cubic meters. cm. This power is enough to use screws with a diameter of up to 200 mm. Equipment in combat position weighs 11 kg, fuel tank capacity - 1.2 liters. The manufacturer has taken care of the convenience of refueling the drill, the kit includes a canister for mixing gasoline and oil, as well as a funnel.
Domestic fishermen highly appreciated the strength of the structure, the presence of soft handles, and the economical operation of the motor drill in the reviews. The main problem for many is the inability to handle a gas tool.
The best inexpensive ice screws: budget up to 1500 rubles
Not all fishermen are fanatical about their hobby and are ready to invest significant funds in it. For some, the best winter fishing is a couple of trips to the ice per season, and then in the most favorable weather. In this case, it makes no sense to buy expensive equipment, in particular an ice drill. A budget model, costing less than one and a half thousand rubles, is quite enough. And there are such products on the market, and we present you the 4 most attractive options in this segment.
4 Onega LR-130
Country: Russia
Average price: 1220 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
One-handed ice screws are not very popular with fishermen, as they are quite difficult to drill holes in thick ice with their help. The Onega drill was originally produced as a one-handed drill, but later changes were made to the design, and now you can easily change the handle, as well as replace knives with one easy movement. All mounts are articulated, and two cutting nozzles are included with the drill.The first nozzle has a standard sharpening and is designed for drilling holes in dry ice, and the second, spherical, has a special sharpening, easily drilling even wet ice with a water film on the surface.
Onega produces drills of various diameters, both single-handed and two-handed. One-handed designs are more compact as the gripping part is flatter. But two-handed modifications are convenient to use, although using an auger with a diameter of 130 millimeters or less, there will be no problems with drilling, especially if spherical knives are installed on the ice screw.
3 HELIOS HS-150D
Country: Russia
Average price: 1260 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
A compact and lightweight ice screw that does its job well, but lacks the stars from the sky. For professionals who devote a lot of time to winter fishing, such a device is not suitable, as it has a number of limitations. In particular, the inability to install knives of a larger diameter, or connect a screwdriver. In fact, this is an ordinary drill with a short auger, only 30 centimeters long and with a knife diameter of 150 millimeters.
But the design provides for the installation of handle extensions, but in this case it is not a telescopic design, but a prefabricated one, which is not very convenient. True, you can immediately assemble a drill of the required length and not disassemble it, but in this case you can forget about compactness. As for the benefits, first of all, you should pay attention to the brand. This manufacturer is widely known among fishermen, and in addition to budget drills, it produces expensive models. Reviews about the brand are extremely positive, which allows us to say that this model will last a long time, although it has a number of design limitations.
2 Sputnik LR-130
Country: Russia
Average price: 1400 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
Another product from Russian manufacturers that has won the trust of customers, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews online. In the production of all drills of the Sputnik line, special structural steel of increased strength is used. She is not afraid of even the strongest loads, and the drill itself is designed for drilling holes in ice with a diameter of 130 millimeters and a depth of one meter.
Also, the manufacturer focuses on a special form of sharpening knives, and the presence of additional protection against corrosion. The auger and the cutting part are coated with a polymer material that easily withstands repeated use and does not chip off when hit and dropped. The hinge mechanism will also please the buyer, thanks to which the drill is brought into working condition as quickly as possible and without any extra effort. Simply put, we have a worthy competitor to eminent brands, and at the most attractive price. Drills with the same technical characteristics, but from more well-known companies, can cost several times more.
1 NERO-150
Country: Russia
Average price: 1350 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.9
The Russian company NERO is the result of the merger of two industries that have joined forces and released a completely new product at a reasonable price that can compete with the best world brands. The main advantage of this model is its light weight, as well as the ability to change knives. At the same time, plug-in modules do not have to be from this manufacturer. A single standard is used here, and the ice drill is equipped with almost any cutting segments from other manufacturers.
Another advantage is the articulated mounts, which make it easier to bring the ice drill into operation and make the structure more durable. Increases the service life and a special polymer coating, which is used to paint the screw. It does not break off even with intensive use, and also prevents the formation of frost, but as a result of corrosion. Among the shortcomings, one can single out a relatively small diameter of the screw, as well as the inability to connect a screwdriver through an adapter, but it should be noted that more expensive models also have these disadvantages.