Quick Summary: Best Cordless Drill for a Garden Auger: 3 Picks
- Content Type: Hand Tested Review
- Best For: Gardeners and DIYers looking for a powerful and convenient way to use auger bits for planting.
- What’s Great: The selection includes a high-torque model for tough soil, a great value budget option, and a compact drill for tight spaces.
- What’s Not: Powerful models can be overkill for simple tasks, while budget or compact options may struggle with very rocky or compacted soil.
- Buy If: You need to drill multiple holes for planting bulbs or posts and want to save significant time and physical effort.
- Avoid If: You only have a few small holes to dig, or your soil is full of large rocks, which may require a dedicated earth auger.
- Affiliate Link Present: Yes
- Price at Review Date: Prices vary by model, with budget-friendly and premium options available to suit different needs.
- Available At: You can find it in well-known hardware shops, home project stores, and across popular online platforms.
Finding the right cordless drill for using a garden auger matters more than ever—especially after seeing how much these tools have improved. In the last decade cordless drills have changed completely – they’re lighter, more powerful and more energy efficient and have made their corded counterparts almost obsolete.
When it comes to choosing the right cordless drill you need to understand power ratings. Drills are categorised into everyday use, medium/heavy duty and professional models with voltages ranging from 18V for standard home use to 60V for professional use. For a garden auger attachment for a drill, this power difference is huge. You can buy smaller garden auger bits as attachments for a standard cordless drill but you need to set the drill to its lowest gear and speed when using these attachments.
We’ve tested dozens of models to find the most powerful cordless drill options for garden work. After testing we’ve found three excellent cordless drill auger combinations that deliver great performance across different needs and budgets. Whether you have tough soil or just need an affordable option for occasional garden projects our expert tested recommendations will help you find the right one for your gardening needs.
Disclaimer
Affiliate Disclaimer
I want to be 100% honest with you. Some links you see in my post are ‘affiliate links’. This just means if you click one of my links and then buy a tool, I get a very small money from the shop.
This does not cost you any extra money at all. The price is the same for you.
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Price & Stock Information
The product prices and availability mentioned in this post are accurate as of the time of publishing. However, prices may change on the seller’s website without notice. Please always check the latest price and stock status on the official product page before making a purchase decision.
Flex FX1171T-2B – Best Cordless Drill Auger for Tough Soil
The Flex FX1171T-2B is the best cordless drill for garden auger for tough soil conditions. With 1,400 in-lbs of torque, this beast can handle the toughest drilling jobs that would stall other drills.
What makes this drill so good for garden auger work is the Turbo mode. When engaged, it boosts the drill from 2,000 RPM to 2,560 RPM in high gear. I found this extra power essential when using larger auger bits in compacted or rocky soil. Plus the Turbo mode works in low gear too, increasing speed from 550 RPM to 700 RPM for extra torque when needed.
Safety
Safety is key when working with such a powerful tool. The Flex FX1171T-2B has anti-kickback technology that detects tool jams and stops the motor before you can get hurt. I used this feature a lot with 2-9/16″ self-feed bits – jobs usually reserved for right-angle drills.
The drill has a full-metal 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck with carbide teeth so the bit won’t slip even under heavy load. And the built-in LED light shines in dark areas, handy when working in shadowy garden corners or at night.
Battery life was impressive too. The kit comes with a 2.5Ah and 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery and 160W fast charger. The THERMA-TECH heat management system gives 25% more runtime so I could do extensive garden auger work without stopping.
The whole package includes the drill, both batteries, charger, side handle, bit holder, belt clip and carrying case. And Flex backs this up with a 5-year end-to-end warranty – they must be confident in its durability and performance.
For the toughest garden auger jobs in tough soil, the Flex FX1171T-2B has the power, safety features and battery life in one.
While the Flex FX1171T-2B is our top recommendation for tough soil, it can be difficult to find on major online platforms like Amazon. For those seeking a readily available alternative with excellent performance, we recommend considering these top-selling DeWalt models:
Skil DL529002 – Best Budget Cordless Drill for Garden Auger
After testing many budget options I found the Skil DL529002 is the best value for garden auger applications without breaking the bank. This 12V brushless drill packs surprising power and versatility for a fraction of the cost of high end models.
Specs
In specs the Skil impresses with 350 in-lbs of max torque, enough for most garden auger tasks in average soil. It features two speed options—ranging from 0 to 450 and 0 to 1700 RPM—allowing you to adjust the power based on the type of soil you’re working with. For lighter, looser soil you can run at higher speeds and for denser soil the lower speed range gives you more torque.
Despite being a budget drill the Skil DL529002 doesn’t skimp on features. The drill has a 1/2″ keyless chuck so you can fit standard garden auger bits with ease. Yes the 18 clutch settings (17 plus drill mode) gives you precise control over drilling force – important when working with different soil densities.
Comfort and handling is also great. Weighs only 2.90 lbs with battery installed and 7-1/4″ long this drill is comfortable to use for extended gardening sessions. The built in LED work light is handy for early morning or evening gardening.
Battery technology is another highlight. The included 2.0Ah battery has cooling technology that gives 25% more runtime and twice the battery life of similar units. So you’ll spend less time charging and more time gardening. The PWRJump charger can charge the battery to 25% in 5 minutes and full charge in 45 minutes.
Most impressive is the 5 year warranty, unheard of in this price range and a testament to Skil’s confidence in their product. For gardeners looking for a cordless drill for garden auger without the premium price tag the Skil DL529002 delivers.
DeWalt DCD701F2 – Best Compact Cordless Drill for Home Use
For home gardeners looking for a compact but capable tool, the DeWalt DCD701F2 was the clear winner in my testing. At 5.97 inches long, this 12V brushless drill fits in tight spaces where bigger models can’t reach.
Although it’s the smallest drill in our lineup, the DCD701F2 packs a punch. I found it could drill through hardwood and softwood with ease. The drill has a 2-speed transmission with up to 1,500 RPM, plenty of power for 1/2 inch garden auger bits.
Handling is where this drill really shines. The molded handle seems to account for every curve and bump of the hand, making it comfortable for extended garden work. Despite weighing only 1.9 pounds without the battery, it feels perfectly balanced. The tapered handle lets your pinky finger find purchase, while the trigger and forward/reverse controls are right where you need them.
Battery life is good too. The kit comes with two 12V MAX 2.0Ah batteries with state-of-charge indicators so you can check battery levels before you start your project. The battery placement is thoughtful, so the drill can stand up when not in use – a small but nice feature when working in garden beds.
The DeWalt’s LED light is well placed at the foot of the tool rather than above the trigger. This design reduces shadows when drilling and gives you clear light on your work area.
Other features:
- 15 clutch settings for precise torque control
- 3/8-inch ratcheting chuck for bit holding
- Belt clip for carrying while working in the garden
- Included tool bag
Overall for home gardeners who need a cordless drill for garden auger without the bulk of professional grade tools, this drill is the perfect balance of compact, ergonomic and power.
Comparison
Flex FX1171T-2B
- Turbo mode
- Anti-kickback technology
- THERMA-TECH heat management
- LED light
- Full-metal ratcheting chuck
Skil DL529002
- 18 clutch settings
- LED work light
- PWRJump rapid charging
- Brushless motor
DeWalt DCD701F2
- Compact design (5.97″ long)
- 15 clutch settings
- LED light at base
- Belt clip
- Ergonomic handle
Conclusion
Don’t make finding the right cordless drill for your garden auger harder than it has to be. After testing, these three stand out for different situations and budgets.
The Flex FX1171T-2B is the clear winner when dealing with tough soil. 1,400 in-lbs of torque and the Turbo mode makes quick work of compacted or rocky soil. It’s expensive but the anti-kickback technology and 5 year warranty is worth it for serious gardeners with tough ground.
Meanwhile the Skil DL529002 proves you don’t have to break the bank for effective garden auger work. This budget friendly option still has 350 in-lbs of torque—enough for most garden tasks. Plus rapid charging and lightweight design makes it perfect for casual gardeners who need reliable performance without the extra cost.
If comfort and maneuverability is your priority the DeWalt DCD701F2 is the most compact option. 5.97 inches long and 1.9 pounds without the battery this drill fits in tight spaces and still has enough power for home garden projects. Its user-friendly design helps keep your hands comfortable, even during long periods of use.
Before you make your final decision think about your gardening challenges. Rocky or clay heavy soil will benefit from the raw power of the Flex. Casual weekend gardeners might find the Skil is the best value. Small garden spaces or precision planting will be best served by the compact DeWalt.
Whatever you choose all three drills are a big improvement over older cordless technology. The combination of power, battery life and features will make your garden auger experience faster and easier in your planting projects.
Key Takeaways
After testing cordless drills for garden auger applications here are the key points to help you decide:
- Flex FX1171T-2B conquers tough soil with 1,400 in-lbs torque and Turbo mode that kicks in when you hit resistance.
- Skil DL529002 is budget friendly at 350 in-lbs torque with 5 minute charge time and 5 year warranty.
- DeWalt DCD701F2 is compact at 5.97 inches long perfect for tight spaces and has enough power for home gardening.
- Match drill power to soil – rocky/clay soil needs high torque models, standard garden work is good with mid range options.
- Cordless technology has changed garden work with lighter weights, longer battery life and anti-kickback safety features instead of cords.
The key is to choose based on your gardening challenges: raw power for tough soil, budget for occasional use, or compact for precision work and tight spaces.