Jiffy Vs. Eskimo Propane Auger: Which One Should You Pick?

You need the right tools for ice fishing and ice augers are not. 1 on that list. Jiffy and Eskimo are the two most popular brands for ice augers.

Jiffy augers are heavier, have more sizes, break in slower, and are affordable. Eskimo augers are lighter, have fewer sizes, break in faster, and are pricier.

The right ice auger can be tricky to find especially if you’re looking for a propane one. Jiffy and Eskimo both have good options, but which one should you pick?

Here’s a comparison to help you decide.

A Quick Summary of the Comparison

Feature	Jiffy Augers	Eskimo Augers
Build and durability	Heavier, more sizes, less durable	Lighter, fewer sizes, more durable
Cutting speed and residue level	Slower break-in, more ice residue	Faster break-in, less ice residue
Price	Affordable	Pricier

Key Differences Between Jiffy And Eskimo Propane Augers

Propane ice augers are very hit-or-miss. So what you need to know first is that your experience might be different than others. Good thing is, both Jiffy and Eskimo have a very low number of cases where things went wrong.

So in terms of quality, both augers are very similar.

But there are definitely some differences. Build and durability, cutting speed and residue level, and the price is where the differences lie.

Let’s see how these differences work out for both brands.

• Build And Durability

The Jiffy augers are heavier, and have more sizes but aren’t very durable.

Eskimo augers are lighter, and have fewer sizes but are more durable.

If you use a truck to carry your auger, you probably don’t have any issues with weight.

But if you use sledge or similar methods, every pound of weight is important.

Jiffy propane augers come in multiple hole cutting sizes (6”, 8”, 10” and 12”) and the average weight stands around 31-32lbs.

Eskimo augers have only two hole sizes, 8” and 10”. The average weight is around 28 lbs, which is pretty light compared to Jiffy. As for durability, Jiffy augers tend to leak more.

In some models, if you don’t put the auger with a specific side up, the fuel starts leaking.

Plus Jiffy augers also act up with the bolts. They sometimes get loose and you have to tighten them pretty often. Eskimo does not have any of these problems.

The occasional bad cases you’ll see are very unit-specific.

• Cutting Speed And Residue Level

Well, even the slow auger is just seconds behind so it doesn’t matter a lot.

But if you’re conscious about the timing or need something or just want an estimation of efficiency, Eskimo will win that race.

Eskimo also piles up fewer ice shavings so that’s a bonus.

Some Jiffy models are extremely fast in cutting holes.

But the propane-powered models lose the crown very narrowly.

Eskimo breaks in split seconds earlier than the Jiffy ones. And another problem with Jiffy is, you’ll have a bigger pile of ice standing at your feet.

Eskimo won’t be winning your speed races, but it definitely cuts holes faster than Jiffy. It also produces fewer ice shavings. If you’re a clean person, Eskimo is going to be better for you.

• Price

This is a little tricky because the price depends on the size of the machine. Jiffy has more affordable options depending on size and model.

The current model displayed on their official website stands at $499.99 for a 6-inch drill model. The price hits $529.99 if you select the 10” model.

Eskimo on the other hand stands at $469.99 for their 8” HC40 model, the 10” version goes for $499.99. So if you’re comparing only the available models, Eskimo will be more affordable.

But if you expand your search horizon, you can find different models (and sizes) of Jiffy propane augers for cheaper.

Which One Should You Go For?

Well, here comes the hard part. Both machines are pretty close overall. Whoever you ask, they’ll have stories about one machine or the other.

So more than suggestions, it is better to try and figure things out on your own for this one. As you can guess by now, picking an answer is going to be a little tough.

Since both augers are really close in similarity and the popular opinion seems divided, you’ll have to turn to your own preference.

But if you want to make a more objective decision, you’ll have to look beyond the price tag and compare other features.

If you’re okay with majorly plastic bits and are looking for an auger size other options don’t offer, straight up go with Jiffy.

They have more size options and the machine is pretty durable too. It will chip more ice but that’s honestly not much of a big issue. The break-in is a little slower but the machine overall works like butter.

If you’re good with the average 8”-10” augers and want something durable, Eskimo is the best option for you. Eskimo propane augers are super durable and leaking issues are rare.

In case anything like that happens, customer service is pretty quick to take care of it.

Eskimo augers also produce less ice residue and are lighter than Jiffy augers.

Sure, it doesn’t sound important now. But when you’re pulling the auger over ice, every pound matters.

Eskimo propane auger is slightly more pricy but the money is well worth it.

Overall, Eskimo propane auger is the better choice in this case.

But if you’re looking for more affordable options or a different size, Jiffy propane augers are quality alternatives.

Also Read: Differences Between Cannon And Scotty Downriggers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Verdict

Propane ice augers have really strong power output, but only if you get the right one. This is why the whole Jiffy and Eskimo propane auger debate exists in the first place.

In the end, the choice is yours. But if you want an objective choice, Eskimo is the better option.