{Top 5} Best AC Drain Line Cleaners in 2023
And as an air conditioner expert, I believe cleaning the drain line is the most important thing to do after the air filter in an air conditioner.
If it gets clogged, it can literally ruin your unit and result in expensive repairs.
That’s why cleaning your drain line should be a regular practice. But which cleaning would you use to clean your AC drain line?
Well, in today’s post, we will take a look at the 5 best air conditioner drain line cleaners along with the pros and cons of each one. To help you choose one that is best for you and your air conditioner unit.
Keep reading…
5 Best AC Drain Line Cleaners: Overview
Here is an overview of those 5 HVAC drain line cleaners. All the cleaners on this list are tested by our team members.
You can use these cleaners to clean your AC drain line as they are suitable for all AC units.
# | Cleaner's Image | Cleaner's Name | Overall Rating | Check Price Link |
#1 Editor's Choice! ⭐ |  | Gallo Drain Gun | 9.5/10 | |
#2 |  | Distilled White Vinegar | 9.4/10 | |
#3 |  | Drain Cleaning Machine | 9.2/10 | |
#4 |  | Flexible Drain Brush | 8.8/10 | |
#5 |  | Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover | 8.7/10 |
5 Best Air Conditioner Drain Line Cleaner: Review
Here are the full of these cleaners:
#1 Gallo Drain Gun: The best ac drain line cleaner
- Super easy to use
- Affordable
- Takes less than a minute to clear the drain line
- Compact design: easier to store
- Requires CO2 Cartridges
The Gallo Drain Gun is my favorite and undoubtedly the best ac drain line cleaner out there. The cool thing about it is it works so much better than other ac drain cleaners tools on the market.
Unlike other drain line cleaners such as drain Cleaning Machine, which can be a pain to store and take up a lot of time for cleaning the line, the Gallo Drain Gun combines strong cleaning power into a small package. This makes it convenient and much easier to use, especially in tight spaces.
The Gallo Drain Gun operates on air power, utilizing CO2 instead of water for cleaning. This eliminates the mess caused by water back flushing and ensures a hassle-free experience. Not only does it gives you a clear cleaning process, but it also reduces the risk of leaks in your ac drain pipe.
This drain cleaning tool also has a flexible hose assembly which makes it super easier for you to access to hard-to-reach drains. While the Gallo Drain Gun has many pros to talk about, but there is a cons as well.
And that is, you need to have CO2 cartridges for continued use, as one cartridge bottle only allow a single use. However, it does come with 5 cartridges included.
Overall, the Gallo Drain Gun is truly a great tool for keeping your air conditioner’s drain line clean and clear. I’ve used it five times on five different air conditioner drain lines, and it has performed well four times good job, but one time it sucks slightly.
Despite this, the thing which I like the most about this AC drain line cleaner is how quick it is – it gets the job done literally in less than a minute. You can consider it for sure, here is the link-
Watch this video to learn how to use it:
#2 Distilled White Vinegar
- Most used cleaner
- Highly rated product
- Cheap
- Effortless
- Vinegar has many uses around the house
- Takes up to an hour
- Smell like ethanoic acid
Distilled white vinegar is a clear, colorless vinegar commonly used in cleaning. It is made by fermenting a mixture of water and grain alcohol, which is then distilled to produce acetic acid.
Distilled white vinegar typically has an acidity level of 5% or higher, which makes it stronger than other types of vinegar, and more suitable for clearing buildup just like in ac drain line. Distilled white vinegar has a very sharp, sour taste and a pungent aroma. It is mildly acidic, with a pH level between 2-3. (Source: Healthline)
It also has a wide range of chemical properties including being a natural disinfectant and preservative. It is an all-natural, eco-friendly solution.
It is also very simple to use, all you need to do is pour a cup of distilled white in the drain line of your AC and leave it for at least 30 minutes, for better results an hour is also recommended.
In this time period, it will break down any dirt and debris that has built up in the line. Once the time period is over, flush the drain line with normal water.
It is important to note that this method is best for regular use so that blockages can be stopped before they start to buildup.
Along with cleaning your drain line, you can also use it to kill weeds and remove ants and remove pothole stains. (More: HowStuffWorks)
Distilled white vinegar is an incredibly affordable option, with a liter costing just $19. Furthermore, the product that I have mentioned above, boasts an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5.0, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.
You can buy it from the link below:
#3 Drain Cleaning Machine
- Ideal for cleaning buildup
- User friendly
- Small enough to fit in tight spaces
- Expensive
- Not ideal for drain pipes with more than 10 joints
The RIDGID PowerClear Drain Cleaning Machine is an excellent tool that can save you time in clearing clogs in your air conditioner drain pipe.
This device is designed to break up tough blockages and remove sediment build-up from the interior of drain pipes.
It has a large motorized cable that you can feed into the pipe to cut through any blockages. It comes with a 30-feet heavy-duty inner core cable, it’s really too long. These features tell us that it is very easy to use, and you do not need any special skills to operate it. To use it:
- Connect the machine to a power source.
- Attach the appropriate guide hose to the machine.
- Insert the inner core cable into your AC drain line. And since it’s designed with Auto-feed technology, you don’t need to manually feed the cable into the drain pipe.
- Now just press the foot switch to rotate the cable and let it clean the drain pipe.
- If the cable stops turning, release the advance lever and press the retrieve lever.
- Repeat the process until the pipe gets unclogged.
However, if your AC drain pipe has a lot of joints, this may not be a good option as it can be difficult to move frequently. We’ve personally tested this machine and noted this issue.
Furthermore, it is also quite portable, allowing it to be stored in small and tight spaces after use. Along with cleaning your AC drain line, you can also use it to clear clogs in the tub, shower, or sink.
Overall this RIDGID drain cleaning machine is a great option for cleaning ac drain lines and tubes. With over 579 global ratings and a 4.4 out of 5.0 rating, which is a sign that many people are satisfied with their purchase.
And over 70% of these ratings have given this RIDGID PowerClear drain cleaning machine a 5-star rating, which is a strong indicator of its effectiveness.
One reviewer noted that he had previously purchased a manual snake that did not work for their sewer line, but the Ridgid PowerClear with autofeed was able to get the job done. Another reviewer said that their trusted plumber told them that there was no reason for a homeowner to need something bigger than this model. The reviewers also noted that using the Ridgid Power Spin+ with Autofeed saved them money by avoiding the cost of a professional plumber.
On the downside, it comes with a hefty price tag, especially if you only plan to use it just for cleaning your air conditioner drain line. If you have a limited budget, this might not be the best option. However, if you have the means to invest in it, I would definitely recommend purchasing it. Check the link below.
#4 Flexible Drain Brush
- Straightforward
- Budget friendly cleaning option for ac drain line
- Versatile
- Not so effective for removing build ups from the drain pipe.
The Flexible Drain Brush is one of the best and by far the easy to use air conditioner drain line cleaners on the market. These types of brushes come with a long flexible spring and a single bristle head, but this one has a 67-inch flexible spring and dual 0.9 inches and 1.2 diameter bristled heads which makes it easy to reach in hard-to-reach areas.
It is not fixed how long it should be, so you have to pay attention to the size when buying one. It’s super easy to use, you have to just put it down the drain pipe and rotate it to clean the pipe. It’s good for cleaning drain lines that aren’t heavily clogged because it is not effective at clearing buildups like distilled white vinegar or drain cleaning machine.
Despite this, the great advantage of these brushes is that they can be used in other applications such as cleaning refrigerator coils, condensate drains, or even water heater piping. These types of brushes are also very cheap, you can get one under $20, even of the best quality.
Overall, these brushes are best if you have a habit of cleaning the pipes regularly as regular cleaning does not cause build up on the drain line. You can go for it.
#5 Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
- Extremely easy to use
- Effortless
- Safe for drain pipes
- Not effective on all clogs
- Smell gross
Green Gobbler is a popular solution for unclogging AC drains. It can be a real pain to have a sink or shower that won’t drain properly. That’s where Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover comes in.
It uses a high-density formula to dissolve and liquefy hair, grease, soap scum and other organic matter that can clog drains or the pipe. This solution is non-toxic and safe for all types of pipe, including PVC, copper and steel. So you can use it without worrying about damaging your ac drain system.
Using Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover is extremely simple and easy. Simply pour the recommended amount of solution down the drain of your AC and wait for about 10-15 minutes for it to work its magic and then flush the drain with slightly hot water. For best results, it is recommended to leave it on for 30 minutes.
Further, many people say that it is working fast but comparing it to a drain cleaning machine is like comparing an ant to an elephant. You can quickly clean your ac drain using a drain cleaner but the gobbler takes some time which is a drawback as this 30 minutes can be frustrating for some people.
But when it comes to effectiveness, the Green Gobbler stands out even compared to the Flexible Drain Brush. However, Green Gobbler has a strong odor that can be unpleasant, and it may not work on all types of clogs.
All in all, this is an excellent cleaner that is ideal for unclogging your HVAC drain line. It has an impressive 10,732 ratings, with a whopping 66% of users giving it a 5-star rating. And it is not that expensive, you can check its current price here:
4 factors to consider when choosing an AC drain line cleaner
Let’s discuss some important factors to consider while choosing an AC drain line cleaner so that you can make sure that you are getting the best one for your needs.
1. Ease of use
The most important factor to consider when looking for the best AC drain line cleaner is how it is to use. A product that is complicated to use and takes a lot of time and effort is not good at all.
On the other hand, easy-to-use products won’t take up much of your time and will not take much effort. Also, look for cleaners that come with detailed instructions so you don’t have to guess how to use them.
2. Compatibility with AC Unit
Imagine you bought a drain line cleaner that is not compatible with your AC unit, what would you do? Well, you may return it and buy another one. But this should not happen.
That’s why it is crucial to ensure that the product is compatible with your air conditioning system. This simply means that the cleaner must be designed for use on your AC unit.
You should check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for using drain line cleaner on your particular AC system. If the product does not match the specifications of your unit, it may not be good to use.
3. Cost
It is also necessary to keep your budget in mind. You don’t want to opt for a cheap solution that fails to effectively clear the drain line, but you also don’t want to overspend.
Spending $1000 just to clean the drain line is not bravery. Some AC drain line cleaners can cost $50 or more, while others are reasonably priced around $20-$30.
4. Effectiveness
When choosing an air conditioner drain pipe cleaner, you should consider its effectiveness in terms of being able to remove clogs, debris, and other blockages from the AC drain line.
An effective AC drain line cleaner should have the ability to efficiently remove dirt, dust, and other accumulated materials that can hinder proper drainage.
And I believe that the best way to check the effectiveness of a product without actually buying and testing it is through reviews. Not only will this reveal the effectiveness, but it will also reveal some of the product’s strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, you can seek recommendations from friends and family who have experience using the product or similar cleaners. Their firsthand experiences can give you a better understanding of how effective certain cleaners are in real-world scenarios. However, all the HVAC drain pipe cleaners on this list are personally tested by me.
Best AC Drain Line Cleaner: Tie up
When it comes to determining the best AC drain line cleaner, there isn’t a clear winner. It’s because different cleaners excel in different aspects, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Here I have reviewed the five best AC drain line cleaners which will help you to remove clogs, bacteria and other debris from the drain line quickly and easily, you can choose the one you want.
With regular use, these cleaners can help prevent any serious problems from occurring in the future.
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David Jack
David Jack is a veteran when it comes to air conditioners, he love helping people find solutions to their problems with AC units. His specialty is helping people find the right Air-Conditioner for their needs, whether that means replacing a broken unit or adding on to an existing system. He is also great at diagnosing problems and fixing them quickly. He learned this from my father Jack Smith who was an air conditioner repairer, he has 2 years of experience in this field.
