Hair clogs in shower drains are a common plumbing issue, especially in homes with long hair. Over time, hair, soap scum, and other debris can accumulate and cause slow drainage or complete blockages. A drain snake is one of the most effective tools for tackling these types of clogs. In this guide, we’ll explore the best drain snakes for removing hair from shower drains, considering various factors such as ease of use, effectiveness, and affordability to help you make the right choice for your home.
1. **FlexiSnake Drain Clog Remover**
Type: Manual Drain Snake
Why It’s Great: The FlexiSnake Drain Clog Remover is a highly effective and affordable option for tackling hair clogs in shower drains. Its flexible design allows it to easily navigate the curved pipes of a shower drain, making it perfect for DIYers. The tool features barbed hooks along its length, which latch onto hair and pull it out of the drain. This is a go-to tool for homeowners looking for a simple and quick solution to hair blockages.
Key Features:
- Flexible Design: The snake is highly flexible, allowing it to bend and navigate around tight corners and bends in the plumbing system.
- Barbed Hook Design: The barbs help catch hair and pull it out of the drain, ensuring efficient removal of clogs.
- Easy to Use: Simply insert the snake into the drain, twist, and pull out the clog. No complicated steps are required.
- Compact and Portable: Its small size makes it easy to store and maneuver in tight spaces, ideal for quick fixes in shower drains.
- Pros:
- Affordable and effective for removing hair clogs.
- Simple and easy to use, even for beginners.
- Compact design makes it easy to store.
- Cons:
- Not suitable for larger, more severe blockages.
- Limited to shorter drains (typically 18-24 inches). May not reach deep blockages.
Best For: DIY homeowners looking for a quick, budget-friendly solution for hair clogs in shower drains.
2. **Ridgid K-30 Handheld Drain Cleaner**
Type: Electric Drain Snake
Why It’s Great: The Ridgid K-30 Handheld Drain Cleaner is a powerful electric drain snake designed to tackle tough clogs, including those caused by hair buildup in shower drains. The electric motor provides the necessary torque to clear blockages quickly and efficiently. The 25-foot cable is perfect for most household plumbing systems and provides enough reach to tackle most shower clogs.
Key Features:
- Powerful Electric Motor: Provides strong torque to break through stubborn clogs caused by hair, soap scum, and other debris.
- 25-Foot Cable: The cable is long enough to reach most residential drains, including showers, bathtubs, and sinks.
- Compact and Portable: Despite being electric, the K-30 is compact and easy to handle, making it ideal for smaller jobs around the house.
- Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle allows for easy operation, even for extended periods.
- Pros:
- Powerful motor effectively clears tough clogs.
- Compact and portable, making it easy to store and maneuver.
- Long cable provides ample reach for typical shower drains.
- Cons:
- More expensive than manual drain snakes.
- Requires access to an electrical outlet to operate.
Best For: Homeowners who need an electric drain snake for tough hair clogs in shower drains or other household plumbing.
3. **DrainX 50-Foot Drain Snake**
Type: Manual Drain Snake
Why It’s Great: The DrainX 50-Foot Drain Snake offers more flexibility and a longer reach than many basic manual drain snakes, making it ideal for deeper clogs that may occur in longer pipes. With its 50-foot steel cable, it can tackle tougher hair blockages in shower drains, especially in bathrooms with deeper or more complex plumbing systems. This is a reliable option for homeowners who want to handle frequent hair clogs without relying on chemicals or professionals.
Key Features:
- 50-Foot Cable: The extended cable offers ample reach, making it perfect for deeper blockages in larger plumbing systems.
- Durable Steel Construction: The steel cable is built to withstand frequent use and tough clogs, including hair and debris.
- Ergonomic Handle: The ergonomic handle allows for better control and more comfortable use, even during extended sessions.
- Effective for Deep Clogs: Ideal for dealing with deep or stubborn hair blockages in long pipes.
- Pros:
- Long cable provides excellent reach for deep plumbing systems.
- Durable and effective for hair clogs in both small and large pipes.
- Affordable compared to electric drain snakes.
- Cons:
- Manual effort required, which can be tiring for larger jobs.
- Heavier and bulkier compared to shorter drain snakes.
Best For: DIY homeowners who need a longer and more durable manual drain snake for tackling tough hair blockages in larger or deeper shower drains.
4. **K-45 FlexShaft Drain Cleaner by Ridgid**
Type: Electric Drain Snake
Why It’s Great: The Ridgid K-45 FlexShaft Drain Cleaner is designed to clear blockages in shower drains and other household plumbing systems with ease. The 25-foot cable is flexible enough to navigate tight bends, which makes it ideal for bathrooms with complex plumbing setups. This tool is an excellent choice for homeowners who need an electric drain snake to clear stubborn hair clogs without too much manual effort.
Key Features:
- FlexShaft Cable: The flexible cable allows the tool to work around 90-degree turns and other tight corners in your plumbing.
- Powerful Motor: The motor delivers enough torque to clear hair, grease, and soap scum blockages.
- Compact Design: The K-45 is small and easy to store, making it perfect for homeowners with limited storage space.
- Easy to Operate: The simple controls make it easy to operate, even for homeowners with no plumbing experience.
- Pros:
- Electric motor provides power to tackle tough clogs.
- Flexible design makes it ideal for tight spaces and complex plumbing.
- Compact and easy to store when not in use.
- Cons:
- More expensive than manual models.
- Requires access to an electrical outlet.
Best For: Homeowners who need an electric drain snake with a flexible cable for frequent or tough hair clogs in shower drains.
5. **Ohuhu Drain Snake with 25-Foot Cable**
Type: Manual Drain Snake
Why It’s Great: The Ohuhu Drain Snake is a great option for those on a budget. With a 25-foot cable, it offers a simple and effective solution for removing hair clogs from shower drains. The flexible cable can navigate tight bends, and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use. This manual snake is perfect for light to moderate clogs in showers or bathroom sinks.
Key Features:
- 25-Foot Cable: Provides enough reach for most standard shower drains.
- Flexible Cable: The cable is designed to bend and navigate around 90-degree elbows in plumbing.
- Affordable: One of the most budget-friendly options for homeowners dealing with common hair clogs.
- Compact Design: Small and easy to store in your bathroom or plumbing toolkit.
- Pros:
- Affordable and effective for light to moderate clogs.
- Compact and portable for easy storage.
- Flexible cable to work around tight spaces and bends.
- Cons:
- Limited to 25 feet, which may not be sufficient for larger plumbing systems.
- Manual effort required, which can be tiring for larger or tougher clogs.
Best For: Homeowners on a budget who need an easy-to-use manual tool for light hair clogs in shower drains.
Conclusion
Choosing the best drain snake for shower hair depends on the severity of the clog, the size of your plumbing system, and your budget. For light clogs, manual options like the **FlexiSnake Drain Clog Remover** or **Ohuhu Drain Snake** provide affordable and easy-to-use solutions. For more frequent or stubborn clogs, electric options like the **Ridgid K-30 Handheld Drain Cleaner** or **Ridgid K-45 FlexShaft Drain Cleaner** offer additional power and reach to clear more serious blockages. Always consider your specific plumbing needs and choose the drain snake that best suits your home.