The Best Drain Unblockers For All Types of Blockages

Whether your drain is blocked by grease, hair or any other deposit, our hand picked selection of formulas will cure your drains of all types of clogs.
✅ Tried & Tested: See Our Testing ↓
Written & Tested By: Richard Morgan | Updated:
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Best Drain Unblocker
Richard Morgan/DIY Works
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Kitchen and bathroom drains can easily become blocked and difficult to clear but rather than getting your hands dirty with various tools, the use of a quality drain unblocker is highly recommended. Most simply pour straight into your sink (as pictured above) and get to work in a matter of minutes so that your sinks, pipes and drains are free of any blockages. 

Our hand-picked selection of drain unblockers features top-performing formulas chosen through our first-hand experience unblocking drains, testing and thorough research.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Mr Muscle Max Drain Gel
Best Overall: Mr Muscle Max Drain Gel
Read More
Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker
Best For Hair: Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker
Read More
HG Liquid Drain Unblocker
Best All-Rounder: HG Liquid Drain Unblocker
Read More
Scotch Corporation Instant Power Drain Cleaner
Best Heavy Duty: Scotch Corporation Instant Power
Read More
Jeyes Drain Unblocker
Best Outdoor: Jeyes Drain Unblocker
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Spear Jackson Heavy Duty Sink and Drain Unblocker
Most Versatile: Spear Jackson Heavy Duty Sink and Drain Unblocker
Read More

How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates The Drain Unblockers

As we own several properties (Airbnb’s and rentals), we’ve had to deal with a multitude of drain blockages. Whether the blockage is caused by hair in the bathroom, grease in the kitchen or other deposits outdoors, the majority of the time we can defeat the blockage by using a high-quality drain unblocker.

During our ongoing testing, we analyse the formula’s effectiveness, ease of application, the time it takes for it to get to work and the odour that’s left behind.

best kitchen drain unblocker

Richard Morgan/DIY Works
best drain unblocker uk

Richard Morgan/DIY Works

We posted a video on our YouTube channel that shows us testing a sink unblocker (HG formula) in a bathroom sink. As you can see in the video, it’s very clear that the formula is doing its job and it was very satisfying to watch too.

To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest drain unblockers (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK.

As well as our testing and experience of using several drain unblockers, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the unblocker’s effectiveness, ease of use, the time it takes to get to work, compatibility, odour elimination and value.

The Best Drain Unblockers

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Mr Muscle Max Drain Gel

(How We Review →)

Mr Muscle is a highly reputable and popular brand in the UK that have a range of drain unblockers to choose from.

However, the brand’s most rated formula is the Max Drain Gel and they state that it’s suitable for unblocking slow-running plugholes in your kitchen or bathroom.

In terms of using this drain cleaner, all that you need to do is pour the bottle down the plughole and allow up to 5 minutes for it to get to work. Afterwards, simply pour hot water from the tap down the plughole and it should be cleared. We’ve tested this formula on a number of occasions and it has proven to be successful each time (with a bit of agitation).

Pros
  • During testing, we found it to be a highly effective liquid formulation
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  • Suitable for bathroom and kitchen blockages
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  • Removes hair and gunge
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  • Takes 5 minutes to get to work
Cons
  • During our testing, we found that it needed agitation to clear very tough blockages

To conclude, the Max Drain Gel formula by Mr Muscle is a powerful drain unblocker that’s safe to use and overcomes even the toughest of blockages. However, if the first use of the cleaner didn’t work, the brand recommends leaving the second bottle to get to work overnight before flushing it away with hot water.

2. Best For Hair: Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker

(How We Review →)

By far the most popular drain unblocker for hair is by the Buster brand and the reason why it’s so popular is because it’s designed specifically for showers and baths. This is of course where hair and soap scum are the main causes of blockages but by using this formula, it’s able to dissolve any bathroom-based blockages with ease.

In terms of using this bathroom drain unblocker, the brand recommends that you pour the full 300 ml bottle down the plughole and wait up to 15 minutes or overnight. You can then simply flush it away using hot water.

Pros
  • Designed to unblock hair and soap scum
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  • Takes 15 minutes to get to work
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  • Ideal for blockages in the bath, shower or basin
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  • Very easy to use
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  • Made in the UK
Cons
  • Not suitable for kitchen blockages

For tackling blockages in your shower or bathroom, there is no better solution to use than this Buster formula. It’s by far the best drain unblocker for hair and we’ve found it to be successful during testing. The popularity itself is a clear indication of its success rate and it certainly won’t disappoint.

3. Best All-Rounder: HG Liquid Drain Unblocker

(How We Review →)

Another popular drain unblocker is the HG Liquid formula, which is suitable for every type of waste pipe. The drain cleaner is ready to use straight from the bottle and it’s designed to not foam up whilst being poured into the drain.

For the best results, during testing, we poured half of the bottle down the sink and allowed up to 30 minutes before flushing it away.

Pros
  • Clears blockages in 30 minutes
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  • Suitable for all waste pipes
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  • Non-foaming application
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  • During our testing, we found that it did a great job at removing unpleasant odours
Cons
  • We found that it was only effective at removing light to medium blockages

To conclude, the HG Liquid Drain Unblocker is an excellent all-round option that clears all types of blockages in any waste pipe. It also offers relatively good value for the money because you only require half of the bottle per use.

4. Best Heavy Duty: Scotch Corporation Instant Power

(How We Review →)

If you believe you have an extremely blocked drain, you may want to opt for a more powerful drain cleaner. According to the Scotch Corporation brand, their Instant Power formula is the strongest formulation on the market.

Whether the blockage is caused by hair or grease from the kitchen, the brand guarantee that this drain cleaner will clear the blockage. Simply pour 2 to 4 cups of the formula into the plughole, wait one hour and flush it away with hot water.

Pros
  • Powerful and safe to use on all piping
    •
  • Dissolves hair clogs with ease
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  • Creates heat that effectively melts grease
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  • Contains concentrated lye
Cons
  • Most expensive within our roundup

Although expensive, the Scotch Corporation Instant Power is one of the most powerful drain cleaners that’s safe to use. The brand is so confident that it’ll work they even provide a 100% consumer guarantee.

5. Best Outdoor: Jeyes Drain Unblocker

(How We Review →)

Jeyes is a brand that has a great reputation in the UK and their drain cleaner is the perfect solution for outside drains. According to the brand, their formula is tough on grease, hair, soap scum, food, decaying leaves and other blockages. There isn’t much that it can’t tackle and it’s a great option to consider for tackling outdoor blockages.

Pros
  • Unblocks, cleans and deodorises
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  • Gets to work in 30 minutes
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  • Easy to use straight out of the bottle
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  • Powerful clinging formula eliminates even the toughest of blockages
Cons
  • Only suitable for outdoor use

To conclude, the Jeyes formula is the best outside drain unblocker that’s easy to use, affordable and effective at clearing outdoor drains. For the best results whilst using this formula, we left it overnight and flushed the drain through with hot water during our testing and this proved to be very successful.

6. Most Versatile: Spear Jackson Heavy Duty Sink and Drain Unblocker

(How We Review →)

Although Spear & Jackson is best known for their garden tools, they do offer a number of highly rated liquid solutions such as this sink and drain unblocker. According to the brand, it’s a heavy-duty formula designed to clear fat, soap scum, hair and other deposits that accumulate in interior or exterior drains.

Pros
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor blockages
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  • Powerful and fast-acting formulation
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  • Helps to maintain free running drains
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  • Leaves behind a fresh odour
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  • Comes in a 500ml or 5 litre bottle
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  • Backed by the reputable Spear & Jackson brand
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to other outdoor drain unblockers

If you require a drain unblocker that can be used in both indoor and outdoor drains, the Spear & Jackson formula is a great option to consider. Apart from the expensive price tag, it’s an excellent drain unblocker that won’t disappoint.

Conclusion

Compared to spending hours using various tools, a simple drain unblocker can clear most blockages.

Whether the blockage is caused by grease, hair or any other type of deposit, all of the recommendations within our roundup are more than capable of unblocking both indoor and outdoor drains with ease. They are also completely safe to use on all types of waste pipes for complete peace of mind too.

If you require further information regarding any of our drain unblocker recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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