Both clear clogs. Only one clears what's actually stuck to the pipe walls.
A cable snake punches a hole through a clog and pulls out what it catches. It's fast and effective for a single, localized blockage — hair, a foreign object, a simple grease plug.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the entire inside diameter of the pipe, not just punch through the middle. It removes grease film, scale, and root hair buildup that a snake leaves behind on the pipe walls.
A snake opens a channel through the clog, but grease and buildup coating the rest of the pipe stays put — which is why a snaked drain often clogs again within weeks. Hydro jetting clears the full diameter, so there's less surface for new buildup to grab onto.
For a single recent clog with no history of recurring backups, snaking is usually the faster, more economical fix. For recurring clogs, grease-heavy kitchen lines, or a first-time diagnosis on an older home's pipes, hydro jetting is the more thorough — and often more cost-effective over time — choice, since it addresses the buildup causing the repeat visits.
Not sure which your drain needs? We can tell after a quick assessment. See our hydro jetting page or call for a free estimate.