Best Drill Bits

To determine the best drill bits we considered various features and prioritized the following — materials, coatings, drill bit style, size versatility, and additional accessories. Materials is a critical consideration as it will determine project compatibility and tool longevity. Along the same lines, value-added features such as coatings and drill bit-size will also limit or strengthen the types of projects you can tackle as well as the longevity of your drill bit set. And additional accessories can help to streamline your workflow by limiting the total number of individual full-sized tools you need to assemble for any individual project. For another list of tools, check out our best tools list.

After considering the above, we chose the Craftsman 100-Piece Drilling and Driving Kit as our Top Pick. The impressive 100 pieces offer a wide range of drilling and screw driving bits. We liked that the drill bits ranged from twist drill to brad point twist drill bits and even masonry bits. Likewise, the screw bits covered the most common screw heads you’ll encounter. Along with the carrying case and included storage, we thought this impressive kit would be ideal for both the occasional enthusiast or professional user. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks.

Top 7 Best Drill Bits

 #1  Craftsman 100-Piece Drilling and Driving Kit – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: A comprehensive drill and drive bit set from a trusted brand that offers novice and experienced power tool users a wide range of drill accessories to help them tackle any project big or small.

No one wants to get halfway through a project only to realize they don’t have the right tools to finish the job. We’ve selected this Craftsman 100-Piece Drilling and Driving Kit as our Top Pick because it ticks off a significant number of checkboxes for the occasional and professional user. A wide range of corded drill bits that include spade bits, brad twist bits, masonry bits, and general-purpose twist bits help keep you prepared.

But we like that these bits come with a carrying case that includes a storage space for extra accessories like nails or screws. You’ll also like that this set comes with driver bits and nut drivers for when you need more power to screw in difficult objects. The only drawback we found with this set is that unlike with the Craftsman power tools, power tool accessories are not covered by their standard warranty.

 #2  Bosch 91-Piece Drilling and Driving Mixed Set – Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: A complete kit of drill bits and drivers that comes with a ratcheting screwdriver to help reduce the total amount of individual tools you need to bring to finish a project.

It can be hard to differentiate drill bit sets, but we found the Bosch 91-Piece Drilling and Driving Mixed Set to be very competitive. We nominated it as our Honorable Mention and Best Value selection because this large set of drill and driving bits also comes with a ratcheting screwdriver This gives you the freedom and flexibility to easily work with screws of all styles (Phillips, Torx, Allen, and flat to name a few) and sizes without needing to bring a complete screwdriver set.

We also like that this kit includes titanium, rotary masonry and brad point twist drill bits for enhanced project versatility on wood, metal, and masonwork. The carrying case helps to keep your bits organized and securely stowed when not in use, which makes it a contender for one of the best tools.

 #3  BLACK+DECKER 10-Piece Drill Bit Set – Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple 10-piece drill bit set from a heritage power tool brand is the perfect option for the power tool user who only needs to replace an aging or lost twist drill bit set or only works with wood.

Not everyone needs a complete drill bit kit. This is why we’ve selected the BLACK+DECKER 10-Piece Drill Bit Set as our Best Budget choice. Cost aside, this is a no-frills solution for the power drill owner who needs to either upgrade or replace their existing twist drill bits and doesn’t require other drill bit styles.

This 10-piece set includes a range of sizes from 1/16 to ¼ inch in diameter. We like that this model features a labeled drill bit bar to help keep your bits organized. While this might not be suitable for someone who wants to buy a drill bit set in a carrying case, we think this is a great option for someone who already has a storage solution. Also another good option, and a great guide is the best disc sander.

 #4  Comoware 13-Piece Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set – Best Titanium-Coated Bits

WHY WE LIKE IT: A powerful set of durable titanium coated twist drill bits that will help hardcore power drill users easily cut through wood, plastic, or aluminum alloy without prematurely dulling the cutting edge of their bits.

Not everyone who goes shopping for drill bits has the same needs. If you’re a frequent driller, you know that with constant use, standard twist drill bits can suffer from wear with the cutting edges dulling over time. We selected the Comoware 13-Piece Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set because these drill bits are titanium-coated high-speed steel. That means that they’re designed to withstand heat and are less likely to succumb to dullness on the cutting edge as compared to standard twist drill bits.

Because these drill bits are designed to be stronger, you can use them with more materials such as plastic, sheet metal, carbon steel, wood, and die steel. That also makes these a great buy for professionals such as general contractors. You’ll like that this 13-piece set comes with a labeled drill bit bar for the bits that range in diameter from 1/16 to ¼ of an inch. Which is small, and if you drop them you might want to pick up the best magnifying glass, which is never a bad tool to have your toolbox.

 #5  Werkzeug 16-Piece Self Centering Hinge Tapper Core Drill Bit Set – Best for Woodworking

WHY WE LIKE IT: A specialized combination set of tapper core and twist drill bits designed especially for use with wooden to improve stability as you install hinges makes this ideal for general contractors or home DIY enthusiasts.

While the majority of the drill bit sets in our roundup are designed with general use in mind, the reality is that from time to time, you might find yourself facing a project that calls for a very specific tool. We’ve selected the Werkzeug 16-Piece Self Centering Hinge Tapper Core Drill Bit Set because it’s designed to improve your efficiency as you install doors whether they’re room doors or cabinetry.

The biggest draw with this 16-piece set is that each of the eight twist bill drills corresponds with a compatible tapper core to improve stability and accuracy as you drill. Both sets of drill bits range from 5/64 to ¼ inch in diameter. You’ll also like that this set — although it lacks a carrying case — does come with a rotating hex key to help you quickly switch between drill bits. With the best set of drill bits, you’ll be ready to use your best cordless drill.

 #6  Comoware 15-Piece Cobalt Drill Bit Set – Best for Metal Work

WHY WE LIKE IT: An extra-strength 15-piece set of cobalt drills with a reinforced design that’s specifically meant for metal work makes these ideal for those who need to work on sturdier metal projects.

If you work with metal frequently, you know that you can’t use the same style of drill bits that are usually marketed as general use. Specifically, you need a drill bit that’s designed with high-speed steel. The Comoware 15-Piece Cobalt Drill Bit Set is designed specifically for use with metal. These bits feature five percent cobalt composition, making them stronger than standard drill bits with extended tool life. You’ll also like that these drill bits feature a gold oxide finish with round straight shanks.

Specifically, if you work with harder materials like metal, hardened plastics, and woods, these drill bits will be invaluable. With the 15 pieces, you get a range of diameters from 1/16 to ⅜ of an inch. We also liked that this set includes a labeled carrying case to help keep your drill bits organized. If you like these drill bits, you might want to take a look at the best screw gun too.

 #7  Werkzeug 20-Piece Pin Vise Hand Drill Bits – Best for Manual

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WHY WE LIKE IT: A pint-sized drill bit set with an accompanying pin vise hand drill to help tackle tiny jobs that require precision — perfect for making jewelry, electronic assembly, and building models.

Anyone who’s ever built a scale model or worked to build a computer from scratch knows that traditional power drills and drill bits can be cumbersome and inappropriate to finish the job. We selected the Werkzeug 20-Piece Pin Vise Hand Drill Bits Set as the perfect solution for this very specialized customer. This 20-piece set is unique from all the other options in our roundup because it’s a miniaturized drill set designed for smaller tasks.

While the measurements are in millimeters, you get 20 drill bits that range from 0.6 to three millimeters. But we also like that this comes with a hand pin vise to give you better torque for enhanced precision. Note that while all the other drill bit sets on our list are designed for use with a power tool, this is the only option that is designed for manual use. In case you are also not sure how to select duct tapes, we have the best duct tapes guide that you can use.

Note: Other notable drill bits we haven’t reviewed here or included in our list are the Drill America DWD29J-CO-PC that’s a self-centering split point drill bit set to drill without needing a pilot hole. Its bits are made in a range of 1/16-inch to 1/2 inch sizes. Another is the DEWALT DW1354 titanium drill bit set with bits made of a titanium pilot point tip for increased durability. Lastly, the Irwin Tools 29-Piece Drill Bits with split point tips.

How We Decided

There is a wide range of drill bit sets on the market. So, understandably, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to start when you head to the store or browse online. In addition to considering the brand, we looked at a range of critical factors to narrow our choice of the best drill bit— materials, coatings, drill bit style, size versatility, and additional accessories.

In terms of size versatility, every model on our list featured a range of drill bit sizes — which makes them more useful as it’s inevitable that you’ll come across projects that require varying screw diameters. However, you’ll note that our Top Pick and Honorable Mention feature comprehensive bit sets that include screw and drill bits. This is ideal if you don’t want to own a traditional set of full-size screwdrivers. But all of our recommendations feature standard twist drill bits.

Next, we considered the materials. Unless specified, the majority of our recommended drill bit sets are designed for general use. This means that they are compatible with projects that require working with most metals, woods, and plastics. However, you’ll note that our #4, #5, and #6 recommendations highlight premium features such as titanium coating (#4), specialized drill bits (#5), and enhanced cobalt composition (#6) — making them ideal for specialized work that either requires stronger bit construction or specific tasks that make traditional twist drill bits unsuitable.

And finally, we considered additional accessories. In the case of our Top Pick, Honorable Mention, and #6 choice, these models come with a storage case. This helps to improve portability as well as keep your drill bits organized — especially for #1 and #2 since they range between 91 to 100 pieces. However, the Best Budget, #4, #5 and #6 do offer drill bars which help to keep your drill bits organized.

Additionally, you’ll note that our Honorable Mention is also our Best Value choice because it includes a ratcheting screwdriver. This improves the functionality by limiting the total number of tools you need to use. Likewise, our #7 choice features a hand pin vise. While it’s the only manual powered drill bit set, we think this is ideal for people who need to work on smaller-scale projects and require precision.

Drill Bits Buying Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

1. Materials
   Drill Bits aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair. You need to confirm that the drill bits you want to buy are compatible with the materials you’re working with for consistent and clean holes. Likewise, in addition to confirming application compatibility, certain metals offer more durability and can also vary in cost. Specifically, soft low-carbon steel bits are fairly affordable, but may need to be resharpened frequently and are only suitable for use with softwoods. High-carbon steel bits are more durable and can be used on wood or metal. High-speed steel HSS is ideal because it’s heat resistant and can work with a wide range of materials like metal, wood and many others at a high speed. Cobalt steel alloys are a type of high-carbon steel drill bit and are great for drilling stainless steel. Tungsten carbide is the most durable drill bit material, but they’re also the most expensive.
2. Drill Bit Coatings
   A drill bit coating can help to extend the life of your drill bits by helping the metal better withstand temperature, maintain lubrication, and resist corrosion. They’re especially important for high-speed steel bits. You’ll usually find black oxide or titanium nitride coatings. Black oxide coatings are cheaper while titanium nitride can extend the cutting life of your high-speed steel bit as much as three times.
3. Size Versatility
   Most people buy drill bits in a set. So, make sure that the set you’re considering purchasing offers a range of sizes that will support the projects you need to complete. However, you can buy individual drill bits — but this is the least economical way to build your drill bit collection.
4. Drill Bit Style
   In addition to ensuring that the drill bit material is suitable for your project, you should also confirm that the bit design is compatible too. Many drill bits are designed to be multipurpose such as twist drill bits while others are explicitly compatible with select materials or tasks such as the spade bit that’s designed for boring holes.