According to Carl Stamper, a plumbing technician for DFW Plumbing Pros in Bedford, Texas, clogged drains are one of the most common reasons people hire plumbers. It typically costs anywhere between $75 to upward of $500 for a plumbing technician to clear a drain.

“If it is a simple, small obstruction, you can save a lot of time and money by clearing the drain yourself,” Stamper says. “Try using a plunger as soon as you notice a drain emptying slowly. If you let it go, it can get really backed up and cause major problems.”

When you’re suddenly staring down a clog, nobody would blame you for grabbing the nearest plunger and plunging away. However, you might struggle to clear the obstruction if you don’t use the correct type of plunger.

Learning how different plungers work can help you make the best selection. In addition, finding out what to look for in terms of quality and features can simplify the process of buying the best plunger for your sink, toilet and other drains in and around your home.

Stamper said that there are four primary types of plungers, but people are most familiar with the design of sink plungers.

“A sink plunger has a straight handle with a simple, flat, rubber cup at the end,” he says. “Some people call it a cup plunger.”

One example is the Liquid-Plumr Mini Sink and Drain Plunger. This compact plunger is just under 9 inches tall with a 5-inch bell cup, making it easy to use in small spaces and store under the sink. 

Although a sink plunger is ideal for use on the sinks in your bathroom, kitchen or basement, some can also work well on drains in tubs and showers, according to Stamper.

For instance, the Doba BNT Red Designer sink plunger has a 10-inch acrylic handle and 4-inch diameter cup that would allow you to work on a clog in your tub, shower or a deep sink in the laundry room without you bending too far over or getting on your hands and knees as you might need to with a smaller sink plunger.

Toilet plungers are similar to sink plungers.

“It has a similar cup to a sink plunger,” Stamper says, “But a toilet plunger also has a rubber flap called a flange, which folds out from the cup, making it easier to create the suction needed to clear a clog.”

This Thrifco toilet plunger features a flange, which provides better suction within the toilet bowl.

A good way to keep your bathroom sanitary after using a plunger is to place it in a holder. For instance, the Mr. Siga Toilet Plunger and Bowl Brush Combo includes a toilet plunger (with flange), a toilet brush and a two-compartment holder. 

This sleek Blue Donuts toilet plunger and holder comes in chrome, bronze or white.

The third style of plunger is an accordion plunger, sometimes called a bellows plunger. Unlike sink and toilet plungers, which can be used to clear different types of drains, the accordion plunger is explicitly designed for clearing toilet clogs.

“It has a smaller cup that fits over the drain perfectly inside the toilet bowl,” Stamper said. “Although the hard plastic design is not the simplest to use, lots of people insist that this type of plunger is best for toilets.”

An example is the JS Jackson Supplies Professional Bellows Accordion Toilet Plunger. The sturdy design creates optimal pressure to remove clogs fast with minimal effort, and the no-fold lip minimizes the risk of splashback.

The fourth primary type of plunger is one not commonly found in homes. A taze plunger has a long, steel handle and a disc sized to fit a particular pipe size.

“The disc actually fits inside the pipe, and the metal rod is used to push the clog out,” explains Stamper. “These specialized plungers are typically only used by professionals.”

There are also specialty plungers made for at-home use. For instance, the DINY Home & Style High-Pressure Powerful Pump Multi-Drain Plunger uses a pump-like handle and two interchangeable rubber heads to address different sized drains.

The Eterna Air Drain Blaster is another unique option. This gun-like plunger blasts air into a clogged pipe with the squeeze of a trigger. It includes four different cups designed for various drains, such as toilets, sinks and even floor drains. You want to tread carefully with this one, as forcing air into rusted or damaged pipes could lead to an even bigger headache than a clogged drain. 

Choosing the best plunger will be largely contingent on your needs. For instance, if you prefer to have separate plungers for different uses, such as one for sinks and one for toilets, and don’t mind using a bit of muscle, you might opt to pick up a sink plunger and an accordion plunger. Checking the plunger’s specifications, ratings and features will help you determine which one best suits your needs.