A slow tub drain is often caused by hair and soap buildup near the drain opening, but a clog farther down the pipe may need a longer cable. The best snake for your tub depends on the clog’s location, the drain’s opening, and whether you want a simple hand tool or a drill-powered option. These five picks range from slim reusable hair removers to a longer drum auger for deeper household clogs.
| Product | Type | Reach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drainsoon 25-Foot Drain Auger | Hand-fed drum auger | 25 feet | Deeper household clogs |
| DrainShroom 42-Inch Tub and Sink Snake | Drill attachment | 42 inches | Hair clogs in tubs and sinks |
| EastLink 50-Inch Drain Snake, 3-Pack | Reusable barbed hook | 50 inches | Narrow openings and hair |
| Kelly’s Collection 50-Inch Drain Snake, 3-Pack | Reusable nylon hook | 50 inches | Hair and buildup in bathroom drains |
| DrainShroom 36-Inch Drill Snake | Drill attachment | 36 inches | Drill-assisted hair removal |
Table of Contents
Our Picks: Best Snake For Tub Drain reviews
Drainsoon 25-Foot Auger: Best for Clogs Deeper in the Pipe
The Drainsoon is a drum-style auger with a 25-foot flexible steel cable. It is the longest-reach option here and is intended to pass beyond a nearby trap to tackle clogs farther into a household drain. Its ABS drum stores the cable, while the pistol grip gives you a more controlled way to hold the tool.
This is a better fit for someone who wants one tool for several types of household drains, including bathtubs, sinks, and floor drains. The cable is designed for pipes from 1/2 inch to 2.5 inches. It is not recommended for toilets, and the cable must be pulled out and fed back by hand—the knob does not extend or retract it.
Compared with the shorter hair-removal tools below, this auger can reach much farther, but it takes more care to operate. For a tub clog made up of hair close to the drain, a slim hook may be simpler. For a stubborn clog farther down, the extra cable is the main advantage.
Pros:
- Long flexible cable reaches beyond the immediate drain area.
- Can be used on several household drain types.
- Drum housing keeps the cable contained for storage.
- Includes gloves and detailed operating instructions.
Cons:
- Cable must be fed and retrieved by hand.
- Not recommended for toilets.
Verdict: Choose the Drainsoon if you need a long-reach auger for more than just a nearby tub hair clog and are comfortable handling a steel cable.
DrainShroom 42-Inch Snake: Best Drill-Powered Pick for Tub Hair
This 42-inch DrainShroom is a stainless-steel coil designed to catch hair in bathroom sink and bathtub drains. It connects to a power drill with a universal quick-change shaft; the drill is sold separately. The spinning coil is intended to snag hair so you can draw the debris out of the drain.
The length offers more reach than a short plastic drain stick, while keeping the tool more focused on bathroom clogs than the 25-foot auger. Its drill-powered design may suit you if you already own a compatible drill and want a reusable way to tackle hair buildup. Because it rotates under power, use care and follow the product’s instructions rather than forcing it through resistance.
Unlike the manual hook tools in this roundup, this one relies on a drill and has a moving coil. That can make it a less convenient choice if you want a tool that needs no extra equipment, but the design is specifically aimed at hair clogs in tubs and sinks.
Pros:
- 42-inch reach for clogs beyond the drain opening.
- Designed to catch and remove hair from tubs and bathroom sinks.
- Quick-change shaft fits a power drill.
- Reusable alternative to a single-use drain stick.
Cons:
- Requires a compatible power drill, which is sold separately.
- Less suited to shoppers who prefer a simple manual tool.
Verdict: Pick the 42-inch DrainShroom if your main problem is tub hair and you want a drill-powered tool with more reach than a basic hand snake.
EastLink 50-Inch Drain Snake: Best Slim Hook for Tight Openings
EastLink’s 50-inch snake is a slim, reusable hair remover with a barbed hook tip. Its listed 0.11-inch width is intended to help it pass through narrow drain openings and curved traps. The steel core is wrapped in nylon, and the tool is sold as a three-pack.
To use it, insert the snake, rotate it to catch debris, then pull it out slowly. That straightforward process makes it a practical choice for hair and light buildup near a tub drain. The flexible, narrow design is useful where a bulkier auger may not fit, but this is still a hook tool—not a long cable auger for reaching far into a drain system.
Compared with the similarly long Kelly’s Collection option, EastLink lists a slimmer profile. That may matter when the opening is tight, though you should check the drain opening and any stopper parts before inserting a tool.
Pros:
- 50-inch length reaches beyond the drain opening.
- Very slim listed width for narrow openings.
- Reusable barbed tip is designed to grab hair and debris.
- Three tools are included in the pack.
Cons:
- Best suited to hair and debris it can catch, not every type of clog.
- Requires you to pull the collected material out by hand.
Verdict: Choose EastLink if you want an inexpensive-to-store, slim manual tool for hair clogs and your tub drain opening can accommodate it.
Kelly’s Collection 50-Inch Snake: Best Reusable Nylon Hook Set
Kelly’s Collection offers a three-pack of 50-inch reusable drain snakes with a nylon hook design and a steel-wire core. The hook is made to catch hair, grime, and other buildup, and the product description says to rinse the tool clean after use. At 0.27 inches wide, it is still designed for drain access, but it is wider than EastLink’s listed 0.11-inch model.
This option suits routine bathroom maintenance when hair is the likely cause of a slow tub or shower drain. Insert it, twist or move it back and forth, then pull it out to remove caught debris. Its long reach gives it an advantage over short drain sticks, while its manual design avoids the need for a drill.
Its wider profile may be a drawback for especially narrow openings or drains with parts that obstruct the path. For those situations, EastLink is the slimmer choice. Neither hook-style tool replaces a cable auger when the clog is deep or made up of material the hook cannot snag.
Pros:
- 50-inch reach for accessing deeper hair buildup.
- Reusable nylon hook is designed to avoid scratching pipes.
- Steel core adds strength compared with a basic flimsy plastic strip.
- Three tools are included.
Cons:
- Wider than the EastLink snake’s listed profile.
- Manual hook design may not clear a clog it cannot catch.
Verdict: Pick this set if you want a reusable, long manual hair snake and do not need the slimmest tool in the roundup.
DrainShroom 36-Inch Snake: Best Compact Drill Attachment
This DrainShroom is a 36-inch stainless-steel snake with a catch tip for hair clogs. Like the longer DrainShroom, it attaches to a standard power drill using a quick-change shaft. Its shorter reach makes it a more compact option for bathroom sinks and bathtub drains where the clog is not far from the opening.
The rotating action is intended to snag hair and pull it out, rather than push it farther into the pipe. The drill is not included, so consider whether you already have one and are comfortable using a powered tool near a drain. Its 36-inch length is shorter than the 42-inch DrainShroom and the 50-inch manual snakes, but it may be enough for a nearby blockage.
Compared with the 42-inch version, this model gives up some reach while keeping the drill-powered approach. If the clog location is unknown or likely to be farther down, a longer snake or the Drainsoon auger may be a better match.
Pros:
- Stainless-steel snake reaches 36 inches into a drain.
- Catch tip is designed to snag hair clogs.
- Quick-change shaft fits a standard power drill.
- Reusable design can help avoid single-use drain products.
Cons:
- Shorter reach than the 42-inch DrainShroom and 50-inch manual tools.
- Requires a power drill, sold separately.
Verdict: Choose the 36-inch DrainShroom if you want a drill attachment for hair clogs near the tub drain and do not need the extra reach of the longer model.
How to Choose the Best Snake for a Tub Drain
Match the Tool to the Likely Clog
Hair is a common target for tub snakes, and hook-style tools are designed to catch it near or beyond the drain opening. If you suspect the blockage is farther down the line, a flexible cable auger may be more suitable. A snake can only clear what its tip can reach and remove, so consider whether the clog is likely to be hair, soap buildup, or something deeper in the pipe.
Check the Reach You Need
Shorter tools can be easier to handle when the clog is close to the drain. The 36- and 42-inch DrainShroom models and the 50-inch manual snakes provide several feet of reach; the 25-foot Drainsoon auger is designed for much deeper household clogs. More length is not always better: a long cable takes more care to feed and manage, while a short hook may be easier for a simple hair blockage.
Consider the Drain Opening and Stopper
Before buying, check whether the tool can pass through your tub’s drain opening and any installed stopper or strainer. The EastLink snake lists a particularly slim profile, while the other tools have different designs and widths. Do not force a snake past a stopper or drain part; remove or adjust parts only if your tub’s design and instructions allow it.
Choose Manual or Drill-Powered Operation
Manual hook snakes do not require a drill and use a simple insert, twist, and pull method. Drill-powered DrainShroom models provide rotating action, but require a compatible power drill and careful handling. The Drainsoon is a hand-fed drum auger, and its cable must be pulled out and fed back by hand rather than extended with the knob.
Think About Reuse and Cleanup
Reusable snakes can be rinsed after use, but removing hair and debris is part of the job. Hook-style tools expose the clog as you pull it out, while a drum auger stores its cable inside its housing. Choose the style you are comfortable cleaning and storing, and use gloves when handling debris.
Use the Tool Carefully
Follow the tool’s instructions and avoid forcing it if you meet strong resistance. A cable or hook can snag on drain parts if pushed carelessly. If the clog does not clear, returns quickly, or appears to affect more than one fixture, consider getting help from a plumbing professional rather than repeatedly working the drain.
FAQs
What type of snake is best for a tub drain clogged with hair?
A slim hook-style snake or a hair-catching drill attachment is a practical starting point for hair close to the tub drain. The EastLink and Kelly’s Collection tools are manual options, while the DrainShroom models use a drill-powered coil.
How far should a tub drain snake reach?
That depends on where the clog is. A tool with a reach of a few feet may work for hair near the tub, while a longer cable auger is intended for clogs farther down a household drain. Start with a tool suited to the likely clog rather than choosing the longest option automatically.
Can I use the Drainsoon auger in a toilet?
No. Its product information says it is not recommended for toilets. It is intended for household drains such as sinks, bathtubs, floor drains, and sewers within the listed pipe-size range.
Do the DrainShroom tools include a power drill?
No. Both DrainShroom models listed here attach to a power drill, and the drill is sold separately.
Should I use a snake before or after chemical drain cleaner?
Check the cleaner’s label and the snake’s instructions before combining methods. Chemical residue can be hazardous if it splashes while you work. Avoid mixing products, and use suitable protection when handling a drain or cleaning chemicals.
What if the snake does not clear the clog?
Do not force the tool. A clog may be too deep, too solid, or outside the tool’s reach. If the drain remains slow or the problem returns, a plumber can help identify whether the blockage is farther down the line.
Final Recommendation
For a typical tub hair clog, the 42-inch DrainShroom is the strongest fit if you already have a compatible drill and want a rotating hair-catching coil. If you prefer a simple manual tool, the 50-inch EastLink snake offers a slim profile, while Kelly’s Collection is another reusable long-reach option. For a clog that may be deeper than a few feet, consider the Drainsoon 25-foot auger—but be ready to feed and retrieve its cable by hand.
