Skil 12V/20V Power Snake Drain Cleaner

First impressions and setup

A slow bathroom sink is my litmus test for any compact drain tool, and it’s where I started with Skil’s cordless drain cleaner. Out of the box, the 20V kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and a 30W charger; I topped the pack off, snapped it in, and gave the trigger a few squeezes to get a feel for the speed range. The variable trigger smoothly ramps the drum from barely moving to a brisk spin (spec’d at up to 500 RPM), and the paddle lever that controls auto-feed/retract sits right under your support hand—intuitive if you’ve used a cable drum before.

At 6.4 pounds and roughly 15 x 8 inches, the tool is compact enough to fit under a vanity or in a tub without being awkward. The foot base is more useful than it looks in photos: braced on the floor, it keeps the tool planted so you can concentrate on guiding the cable rather than wrestling the housing.

Design details that matter

• Cable: 1/4-inch carbon steel, 25 feet long. That size favors agility through P-traps, elbows, and tight bends in 3/4- to 2-inch drains (its rated range). It’s not for main lines or toilets—use a closet auger or a larger sectional/50-foot drum for those.
• Drive: Brushed motor with a 12V/20V dual-voltage interface. If you’re already on Skil’s 12V or 20V platform, the cross-compatibility is handy.
• Control: Variable-speed trigger plus an auto-feed/retract paddle. You can feather speed to keep splashdown under control on retrieval.
• Cleanup: A small cleaning port lets water drain from the drum after use. It’s simple, but it noticeably cuts the post-job mess.

In use: sinks, showers, and a floor drain

On my first job—a bathroom sink that collects hair and soap scum—the Power Snake fed smoothly through the P-trap once I set the drum spinning at a low speed and gently advanced the paddle lever. I prefer to feed just until I feel light resistance, then pulse the trigger and advance; forcing cable into a dead stop is how kinks start. About 10–12 feet in, I felt the cable bite through a soft blockage. I let it churn at a reduced speed for 10–15 seconds, then retracted slowly. The auto-retract kept tension well enough that I didn’t need to hand-feed the last few feet.

Next up was a shower drain. Similar story: the cable navigated a pair of elbows, chewed through hair, and brought back a decent-sized wad. Because the trigger is progressive, it’s easy to keep the drum spinning slowly on retrieval to avoid flinging debris—huge quality-of-life point compared with fixed-speed tools.

The most telling test was a basement floor drain that drains sluggishly every couple of years. With the tool braced on its foot, I got about 20 feet in before meeting a firm obstruction, likely grease or mineral buildup at a bend. A few cycles of forward/backward at moderate speed (never full trigger; you don’t need it) and the water dropped. On this longer run, I did notice the feed mechanism occasionally “click” under load. That’s usually the cam slipping when the cable binds. Backing off the lever, pulling the cable an inch by hand (gloves on), then resuming feed prevented it from stacking kinks.

Feed and retract mechanism

Auto-feed on consumer-level drum snakes is often the weak point. Skil’s paddle is better than average for this class. It’s not industrial, and you can get clicking or a momentary stall if you try to push hard through a stubborn bend at high speed. But it’s responsive and comfortable to use, and it retracts at a predictable pace. For best results:

• Keep the drum spinning while operating the paddle; don’t try to feed or retract with the drum stopped.
• Use lower speeds entering traps and elbows; increase speed only in straight runs.
• If you hear clicking or feel the nose jump, stop feeding, retract a few inches, and re-approach at lower speed.

These habits also extend cable life on 1/4-inch drum machines.

Battery performance

Running on the included 20V 2.0Ah pack, short jobs barely dented the battery. On the floor drain with multiple feed/clear/retract cycles, I drained more quickly during retraction under load than during feeding. Drum machines draw more power when the cable is packed with debris or the drum is working against friction. I recommend a 4.0Ah battery if you expect to tackle longer runs, multiple fixtures, or recurring floor drain issues in one session. The charger in the kit is modest (30W), so a full charge turnaround isn’t lightning fast; plan ahead if you’re cycling packs.

It’s worth noting the tool is also listed as compatible with 12V packs. If you already own Skil 12V batteries, you get some extra flexibility, but I found the 20V pack gives better headroom under heavier loads.

Ergonomics and balance

The handle shape and trigger feel are familiar if you’ve used Skil’s other cordless tools. Two-handed operation—dominant hand on the trigger, support hand on the paddle—feels natural. The foot base keeps the unit from wandering, and the overall balance helps you keep the cable aligned with the drain opening. Noise is present but not harsh; it’s significantly quieter and less shrill than a drill driving a manual snake.

Maintenance and cleanup

After snaking, I extend several feet of cable onto a rag, spray a light cleaner/degreaser, and wipe while slowly retracting at low speed. The drum’s cleaning port helps drain whatever came back with the cable; tip the tool nose-down over a bucket to accelerate the process. Dry the cable before storage to avoid rust, and occasionally add a light coat of cable lube or silicone to keep feed smooth.

Because the motor is brushed, you’re trading absolute efficiency for simplicity. For an intermittent-use tool, that’s a sensible balance; there’s no complex electronics to babysit.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Reach: 25 feet covers most residential fixture lines but won’t reach far into branch lines or main stacks. If your clog is deeper, you’ll need a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch cable machine with 50 feet or more.
• Cable size: At 1/4 inch, it’s optimized for 3/4- to 2-inch drains. It’s not suitable for toilets or larger pipes.
• Feed longevity: Like any consumer auto-feed, aggressive use at high speed will accelerate wear. Respect the click—back off rather than forcing it.
• Battery size: The included 2.0Ah pack is fine for one or two fixtures; heavier work benefits from a 4.0Ah pack.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want a cordless, compact solution for sinks, showers, tubs, and occasional floor drains.
• DIYers already on Skil’s 20V (or 12V) platform who appreciate battery interchangeability.
• Maintenance pros who need a lightweight, quick-response option for small-diameter lines, knowing it complements rather than replaces larger cable machines.

Practical tips for better results

• Remove traps you can access easily. Pulling a P-trap on a sink often shortens the work, but if you’re not comfortable with plumbing connections, feed carefully and go slow through the trap.
• Let the tool work. Use low to mid speeds, especially on entry and exit, to reduce splash and cable stress.
• Don’t run the drum dry. If the cable is squealing in the guide, you’re too fast or too tight—ease off the paddle and slow the trigger.
• Mark your depth. A quick Sharpie mark at 5-foot increments helps you know where the obstruction tends to live for future maintenance.

The bottom line

The Skil drain cleaner hits a sweet spot for residential drains: compact, genuinely cordless, and easy to control. The variable-speed trigger and paddle-operated auto-feed make the process more civilized than wrestling a hand crank or improvising with a drill, and the 1/4-inch cable threads elbows and traps reliably. The cleaning port and foot base are thoughtful touches that reduce mess and strain.

It’s not a do-everything drain machine—25 feet and a 1/4-inch cable set its boundaries—and the included 2.0Ah battery feels small if you’re clearing multiple fixtures or heavier obstructions. The auto-feed is solid, though like all consumer units it appreciates a gentle hand and reasonable speeds.

Recommendation: I recommend the Power Snake for homeowners and light-duty users who need a dependable, cordless solution for 3/4- to 2-inch drains within 25 feet. It’s quick to set up, intuitive to run, and far more effective than manual snakes for most sink, shower, and tub clogs. Pair it with a 4.0Ah battery if you anticipate longer runs, and keep expectations aligned with its cable size. Used within its lane, it’s an efficient, confidence-boosting tool to keep on the shelf.