Auger bits are long and strong, which makes them ideal for boring deep holes.
As augers were originally used for transporting materials that were difficult to handle, such as water or grain, they excel at removing material from bore holes, dramatically reducing the risk of clogging or jamming.
Their sturdy nature and the location of their cutting blades mean that auger bits can be used in hand-powered drills just as easily as in power drills. This can be particularly useful when drilling in confined spaces, where there may not be room for a power drill due to the length of the bit.
All of these strengths make augers the go-to drill bit for boring holes for cables and pipes in walls and between floors, and drilling through thick, tough timber such as decking.
They are often used by locksmiths to create mortises in thick hardwood doors.
A much larger version of the auger bit is used to dig holes for posts. This is called an earth auger.