best post hole digger used to put up wood fence

Best Post Hole Digger

Last Updated on September 1, 2020

Are you looking for the best post hole digger?

I’ve put up miles of fence in my life and I’ve used a number of post hole diggers over the years. Everything from manual post hole diggers, to gas and electric models.

I have reviewed the top post hole diggers on today’s market and after reading this article you will know my recommendations.

Check the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for my best post hole digger picks, or read on for the full review:

  1. Bully Tools 14-Gauge 5.5-Inch Post Hole Digger with Fiberglass Handle
  2. Fiskars 60 Inch Steel Posthole Digger
  3. Emsco Group Cavex Workforce Digger 48 Fiberglass Handles 16 Gauge Steel Blade Post Hole Digger
  4. Seymour Iwan Hole Auger with Hardwood Handle
  5. Roughneck Auger Type Post Hole Digger
  6. Southland One Man Earth Auger 43cc 2 Cycle Full Crankshaft Engine
  7. Fence Earth Auger Petrol Borer 52cc 2 Stroke Post Hole Digger
  8. ECO 52cc 2.4HP Gas Powered Post Hole Digger with Two Earth Auger Drill Bits
  9. Proyama 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger Earth Auger
  10. Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger Power Head
  11. Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Earth Ice Auger Power-Head with Brushless Motor

Benefits to having a quality post hole digger

I have a horse farm and I cannot even begin to count how many times I’ve busted out the post hole diggers to put up a new fence or repair a busted one. But what do know is that this is an area it is more than worth it investing in a high quality product.

When you have the right post hole digger for the job you are going to get done with your project quicker and with less strain on your back and arms.

Types of post hole diggers

  1. Manual Post Hole Digger: Manual post hole diggers work great for small fences and odd jobs around the home such as mailbox replacement and small building projects.
  2. Gas Post Hole Digger: Gas post hole diggers are the perfect tool for those who need to put up a large fence, frequently repair or relocate fences, or large building projects. Gas powered post hole diggers are powerful and you can bust out a lot of holes in little time with much less physical effort than it would take with a manual post hole digger.
  3. Electric Post Hole Digger: An electric model strikes a bit of a balance between a manual post digger and a gas powered model. They are good for small to medium sized projects and for when you will be near a power outlet.

Best Post Hole Digger

Best Manual Post Hole Digger

Best suited for small fencing projects and small building projects around the home.

Bully Tools 14-Gauge 5.5-Inch Post Hole Digger with Fiberglass Handle

This is a high quality set of manual post hole diggers. It is constructed of quality materials and is durable making it an excellent choice for those who have multiple projects to complete. The handle is composed of triple wall fiberglass and the blades are made of 12 gauge thick steel.

  • Durable
  • Triple fiberglass wall handle
  • 12 gauge steel blades
  • Comfortable grip

Fiskars 60 Inch Steel Posthole Digger

Surprisingly durable post hole digger that works great when digging deep postholes. This is achieved with the offset handles which provides more ground clearance than other models. Constructed of durable 14 gauge steel which should provide a longer life than wood handled models. This comes at a cost of additional weight.

  • Can dig deeper than other models
  • Strong 14 gauge steel
  • Offset shaft
  • Durable construction

Emsco Group Cavex Workforce Digger 48 Fiberglass Handles 16 Gauge Steel Blade Post Hole Digger

This is a strong post hole digger that is built to last years. The blade head is constructed of rolled steel providing durability and performance. The blades are composed of 16 gauge steel making it possible to dig into even dry clay. The fiberglass handle is 54 inches long and lightweight. The rubber handle grips worked well and minimized slipping.

  • Strong 16 gauge steel blades
  • Fifty-four inch fiberglass handles are lightweight
  • Blade heads are rolled steel
  • Rubber handle grips prevent slipping

Seymour Iwan Hole Auger with Hardwood Handle

This is an excellent auger post hole digger. The strong steel blade will dig a 6″ diameter hole. The steel shaft held up after multiple holes and is well constructed. It was capable of handling most soils but did struggle going through hard clay.

  • Strong steel blade and shaft
  • Digs 6 inch diameter holes
  • Works in most soil types
  • Made in the USA

Roughneck Auger Type Post Hole Digger

Great quality auger post hole digger. The heat treated steel auger blade cut through all soil types and was surprisingly comfortable to work with. The handle grips were comfortable and provided sufficient grip for turning. This ended up being a favorite for performance and durability.

  • Blade and shaft are heat treated steel
  • Digs through most soil types well
  • Wide handle for increased torque
  • Excellent value

Best Gas Powered Post Hole Digger

Southland One Man Earth Auger 43cc 2 Cycle Full Crankshaft Engine

This is widely popular and best selling gas post hole digger. This is an all in one package that is an excellent value. Included is a strong gas powerhead and an eight inch auger bit. It is equipped with a direct gear solid steel drive shaft and can dig through up to two and a half feet of soil with an eight inch diameter hole. The handles are detachable as well, making for simple storage.

  • Comes with motor and auger
  • Strong can dig up to 2.5 feet deep
  • Detachable handles
  • 8 inch diameter hole
  • Excellent value

Fence Earth Auger Petrol Borer 52cc 2 Stroke Post Hole Digger

This gas post hole digger has a strong 52cc engine. It comes with 4, 6, and 8 inch auger bits allowing for digging of different hole sizes. The handle is comfortable making it possible to run it for hours with minimized fatigue. This is a great model for putting up fence, poles, and planting trees and shrubbery.

  • Powerful 2 stroke gas engine
  • Durable and comfortable handles
  • Comes with 4″, 6″, and 8″ auger bits
  • Excellent value

ECO 52cc 2.4HP Gas Powered Post Hole Digger with Two Earth Auger Drill Bits

Another solid value post hole digger. This package comes with a dependable 52cc gas motor and two auger bits. A 6″ and a 10″ auger bit. Considering it’s size and power the auger digger is lightweight and easy to handle. The butterfly handle is removable for easy storage.

  • Strong 52cc gas powered motor
  • Comes with a 6″ and a 10″ auger bit
  • Removable handles for easy storage
  • Great value package

Proyama 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger Earth Auger

This is a great option for someone looking for an all in one post hole digger package. The powerful 2.4hp gas engine started quickly and worked well. Comes with numerous tools and options making this an excellent all around value post hole digger.

  • Strong auger engine
  • 4″, 6″, 8″ augers
  • Safety glasses
  • Work gloves
  • Ear protection
  • Tool bag
  • Mixing bottle

Electric and Battery Post Hole Diggers

Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger Power Head

This excellent auger post hole digger is powered by a lithium ion battery. This makes it much quieter than a gas powered model while reducing emissions. The brushless motor worked flawlessly as it dug through multiple soil types. The 2 amp hour battery comes with a charger and an optional 4 amp hour battery for purchase.

  • Powerful brushless motor
  • Lithium ion battery
  • Comes with charger
  • Durable

Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Earth Ice Auger Power-Head with Brushless Motor

This is an extremely powerful auger head motor. The auger can be purchased additionally. The brushless motor worked flawlessly and provided enough power to dig through clay. It ran quietly and was easy to handle by just myself. Inlcudes a 2 amp hour battery and a charger.

  • Powerful brushless motor
  • Lithium ion battery
  • Comes with a charger
  • Auger not included

For more guides and tips read these articles:

  • If you want to charge your fence with a solar energizer read the best model buying guide.
  • Find high quality electric fence and poly tape options here.
  • Protect you trailer from theft with a top quality hitch lock.
  • Keep your horses cool and the barn well ventilated with the most efficient barn fans on the market.

If you have a project coming up where you will need a post hole digger make sure to consider how many holes you need to dig and how tough your soil is. Smaller projects can be handled with a quality manual post hole digger or an electric and battery post hole digger, but big projects and hard soil will require the power of a gas motor post hole digger.

Here is the quick list with my picks for the best post hole digger one more time. To see prices and read customer reviews view the links below

  1. Bully Tools 14-Gauge 5.5-Inch Post Hole Digger with Fiberglass Handle
  2. Fiskars 60 Inch Steel Posthole Digger
  3. Emsco Group Cavex Workforce Digger 48 Fiberglass Handles 16 Gauge Steel Blade Post Hole Digger
  4. Seymour Iwan Hole Auger with Hardwood Handle
  5. Roughneck Auger Type Post Hole Digger
  6. Southland One Man Earth Auger 43cc 2 Cycle Full Crankshaft Engine
  7. Fence Earth Auger Petrol Borer 52cc 2 Stroke Post Hole Digger
  8. ECO 52cc 2.4HP Gas Powered Post Hole Digger with Two Earth Auger Drill Bits
  9. Proyama 51.7CC 2 Stroke Gas Post Hole Digger Earth Auger
  10. Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Cordless Auger Power Head
  11. Landworks Heavy Duty Eco-Friendly Electric Earth Ice Auger Power-Head with Brushless Motor

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