Ryobi Offers Three New Drain Augers for Blockages of Any Size
If you’ve ever dealt with a drain blockage in your home, you know how annoying they can be to clear. Without the proper equipment, you’re stuck making a plumbing service call, which can add up over time with problematic pipes. Ryobi is expanding its plumbing tool lineup with three new drain auger sizes—two on the 18V One+ system and one USB Lithium model. We’ll break down each new Ryobi drain auger model to help you decide which one fits your needs.
Ryobi USB Lithium 3-foot Drain Auger
- Model: Ryobi FVPC55
- Cable length: 3 ft
- Quick-connect collar
- Rubber cable handle
- IPX7 rating
- Max speed: 200 RPM
- Cable diameter: 1/4-inch
The Ryobi FVPC55 is the smallest drain auger out of the three new models. It’s on the USB Lithium platform, powered by the included 2.0Ah USB-rechargeable battery. This auger has a 3-foot cable, making it ideal for bathroom and kitchen drains with blockages closer to the drain.
It features a quick-connect collar to easily attach the drain cable—no tools are required. The cable has a rubber handle to keep the mess to a minimum by letting you control its motion. You can rotate the cable between forward and reverse, and it spins at up to 200 RPM to unblock stubborn clogs.
Ryobi also gives it an IPX7 ingress rating, which means it can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
Price: $59.97 kit with a 2.0Ah USB Lithium battery and charging cable
Should You Buy It?
This model is ideal for those living in houses or apartments with frequent small drain backups that don’t warrant service calls. At under $60 for the kit, it’s a one-time purchase that will save you the hassle of dealing with chemical solutions that don’t tackle the root of the blockage. Plus, it pays for itself the first time you don’t have to call a plumber.
However, if you commonly experience drain clogs deeper than 3 feet, this model won’t touch them. For those issues, step up to one of the 18V One+ drain augers we’ll look at next.
Ryobi 18V 25-foot Drain Auger
- Model: Ryobi PCL456
- Cable length: 25 ft
- Max speed: 600 RPM
- Cable diameter: 1/4 in
- Pipe capacity: 2 in
- Ryobi Link-compatible
If you need something for deeper drain blockages, the Ryobi 18V One+ PCL456 is the brand’s next largest model. It jumps to a cable length of 25 feet, and it’s compatible with pipes up to 2 inches in diameter. Like the USB Lithium model, it features a 1/4-inch cable that clears clogs in showers, bathtubs, and sinks.
It reaches top rotating speeds of 600 RPM, and you can choose between manual and auto feed modes to control the cable. There’s also a cable lock switch that prevents the cable from feeding or retracting while you pull out the blockage from the drain.
Ryobi equipped the PCL456 with an enclosed drum for a mess-free experience. Ryobi’s previous 25-foot auger iteration had the rotating drum exposed, so the new model’s design means you don’t have to worry about the drum brushing up against any surfaces while you feed/retract the cable.
Price: $89 bare
Should You Buy It?
This auger costs under $100 for the bare tool, which is a bargain if you’re already on the 18V One+ platform. That’s less than the cost of most plumbing service calls, and you’ll be equipped to handle any future blockages that come up, too.
A 25-foot cable may take care of most common residential blockages, but if you deal with larger drains getting backed up, you may need to step up to the 35-foot model we’ll discuss next.
Ryobi 18V 35-foot Drain Auger
- Model: Ryobi PCL457
- Cable length: 35 ft
- Cable diameter: 5/16 in
- Drain capacity: 3 in
- Max speed: 600 RPM
- Ryobi Link-compatible
Finally, Ryobi’s second-largest 18V drain auger to date is the PCL457, which has a 35-foot cable. Like the 25-foot model, this auger spins the cable at up to 600 RPM.
Ryobi describes this model as being ideal for both household and professional applications. This is supported by its interchangeable drum design. It comes with both a 1/4-inch and a 5/16-inch cable drum, and you can swap between sizes for different clearing applications. The larger cable also makes this auger compatible with drains up to 3 inches in diameter.
It also features an enclosed drum, but unlike the 25-foot model, the housing can be opened to swap out the drums. It’s also equipped with an onboard work light, and it’s compatible with Ryobi LINK wall storage systems.
Price: $179 bare
Should You Buy It?
As the second-largest auger in Ryobi’s 18V lineup, the PCL457 is a good middle ground between residential and professional plumbing tools. Its interchangeable drum can handle most drain blockages up to 35 feet deep, with a plethora of convenience and design features similar to the other new 25-foot model.
However, as a bare tool, it’s also double the price of that model, at $179. If the longer cable, larger capacity, and interchangeable drum design are enough to justify that price range for the boost in performance, then this model may be best for you. For true professional applications, Ryobi’s largest 50-foot hybrid model (P4003) may be better suited.
