Ryobi 40V HP Earth Auger RY40701BTL
#1 in BatteryFull review
The bare tool for owners of Ryobi 40V batteries who dig fence posts and planting holes. Others should buy the kit.
Ryobi $369$369
An earth auger digs a post hole in a minute instead of half an hour with a clamshell digger. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how big a hole you get for the money, how much twisting force it has, whether it backs out of a jam, how heavy it is to hold and how long it’s covered.
Gas or battery is the first choice. Gas augers have the most power for long fence lines, clay and rocky ground. Battery augers start at the press of a trigger, need no fuel mixing and are quiet, and most turn in reverse; they suit planting holes and a few dozen post holes per charge.
Bit size is the second. Fence and deck posts need a 6 to 8 in hole for a 4x4 and 10 to 12 in for a 6x6; planting holes and bulbs take 2 to 6 in bits. Each powerhead is rated for a largest bit, and bits are often sold separately.
Reverse is the third. A bit that catches a root or rock can wrench the handles hard, and reverse backs it out without a fight.
Top Picks
Earthquake Dually 10310
#1 in GasFull review
A one or two-person gas powerhead for fence lines and footings up to 10 in. It suits buyers who want a long warranty and room to grow into bigger bits.
Amazon $350.81$350.81
Shop by Power
Gas
19 rankedTwo-stroke and four-stroke augers: the most power for fence lines, clay and rocky ground.
Top rated: Earthquake Dually 10310 $350.81
Battery
12 rankedCordless augers: no mixing fuel or pull starts, quiet enough for a backyard, and most turn in reverse.
Top rated: Ryobi 40V HP Earth Auger RY40701BTL $369
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Deals
Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Gas Earth Augers
- Earthquake Dually 10310#1 of 19Full review
A one or two-person gas powerhead for fence lines and footings up to 10 in. It suits buyers who want a long warranty and room to grow into bigger bits.
Amazon $350.81$350.8110 in84.1 N·m24 lb - Echo EA-410#2 of 19Full review
A dealer-serviced gas auger for owners who drill a lot and want a long warranty. Budget buyers get more bit for the money elsewhere.
Neil's Inc $999.99$999.9910 in-21.6 lb - GardenTrax 52cc Dual Spiral Auger Combo#3 of 19Full review
A budget 52cc combo for buyers who want a bigger engine and a fast-clearing bit. Expect little support data from the maker.
Amazon $229.99$229.9910 in-- - NEO-TEC 72cc Post Hole Digger#4 of 19Full review
A cheap high-displacement gas auger for hard clay outside California. Little is published beyond the engine size.
Amazon $159.98$159.98--- - Stihl BT 45#5 of 19Full review
A light one-person drill for planting bulbs and small holes. It is not the tool for fence posts.
Stihl $639.99$639.99--10.7 lb
Best Battery Earth Augers
- Ryobi 40V HP Earth Auger RY40701BTL#1 of 12Full review
The bare tool for owners of Ryobi 40V batteries who dig fence posts and planting holes. Others should buy the kit.
Ryobi $369$369--- - Earthquake 60V Earth Auger 44977#2 of 12Full review
A complete battery kit for buyers who want to skip gas and keep a five-year warranty. It suits fence posts and planting up to 8 in.
Amazon $402.23$402.23--- - Ryobi 40V HP Earth Auger Kit RY40710#3 of 12Full review
A complete battery kit for Ryobi 40V owners setting fence posts and planting. Specs are thin, so it is hard to compare.
Ryobi $449$449--- - Greenworks Pro 80V Earth Auger#4 of 12Full review
A bare 80V auger for owners of Greenworks Pro batteries planting and setting posts up to 8 in.
Amazon $329.99$329.998 in109.8 N·m18.8 lb - Wild Badger Power 40V Earth Auger#5 of 12Full review
A complete 40V kit for homeowners setting fence posts and planting in ordinary soil. It is light and has reverse, but it is not built for rocky ground.
Amazon $349.99$349.99-89.5 N·m20.7 lb
How We Rank
Each auger is ranked against others with the same power, and scored on its price per inch of the largest bit it drives, its torque, whether it reverses, its weight and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per inch of the largest bit it drives | 30% |
| Torque | twisting force at the bit | 15% |
| Reverse | turns backward to free a jammed bit | 15% |
| Weight | powerhead weight | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty for home use | 25% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.