If you love experimenting with DIY home projects, or even if you’re a professional construction worker whose job is to drill holes, the drill bits on your drill is the make or break component that can change your drilling experience forever. This article will give you a complete round-up of the best drill bits for different purposes.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Drill Bits
- OUR TOP PICK: IRWIN 3018002
- RUNNER-UP: CO-Z 5pcs
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: DEWALT DWA1790IR
Comparison of the Best Drill Bits
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Are All Drill Bits The Same?
Companies nowadays have introduced universal drill bits that can be used for various surfaces such as concrete, brick or wood, and are available at many hardware stores. However, these are not 100% universal, since these drill bits can be inappropriate for surfaces such as glass or ceramics. So, unless the surface is not that fragile, the drill bits don’t need a separate drill for different surfaces. However, high-quality drill bits are expensive and need to be taken care of because they are an investment and can wear out quickly if they are not maintained.
How to Choose Drill Bits
When finding out the correct drill bits, you essentially want to look for the speed and the time-saving aspect of the drill bit, so that you penetrate through the wall easily. If you are a novice at drilling, then this guide might be helpful for you to figure out how to spot the drill bit that aligns with your preferences.
Wood Drill Bits
These can be recognized by their sharp, pointed end and spurs on the sides. These are good for carving wood. Steel bits work well with softwood varieties, while a titanium-coated wood drill bit is the most durable one. Overall, these bits are really nifty for and common.
Masonry Drill Bits
These kinds of drill bits slope towards the end and are often coated with carbide, to extend their sharpness. They work best with tiles, stones, and cinder blocks. They are also super long-lasting and robust.
Metal Drill Bits
The tip of this drill bit is wide-angled and can come in black. If you are to purchase a metal drill bit, make sure that there is a label that indicates that it is high-speed steel (HSS). They are also quite multipurpose.
Review of the Best Drill Bits
Now that you know how to choose drill bits, let’s look into the different brands and which one is better suited for your needs.
Best Overall:
IRWIN 3018002
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Consumers find this product to be of very good quality for the money. It cuts through surfaces like a hot knife slicing through butter, and gives fine, clean cuts. They are also super sharp and produce accurate curls, making users really like it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One reason why this product is so great is that it is abrasive resistant when it is drilled into hard or rough metals. The cobalt bits are extremely powerful and sturdy, making them durable and good as new once they are sharpened, making this unit stand out.
Who Would Use it Most?
This product is specifically designed to drill onto hardened steel. This means that this heavy-duty drill bit set is a great option for workers who have a lot of intense construction projects and need something of great quality that doesn’t wear out.
Bottom Line
These high-speed steel drill bits with an 8% cobalt alloy for increased heat and abrasive resistance work flawlessly for hard bolts and for other heavy-duty purposes that cannot be done with standard drill bits. This 29-piece drill bit set is surely an investment for a lifetime.
Runner-up:
CO-Z 5pcs
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users of this set report that the drill bits provide nice, clean cuts. It can chomp down the aluminum sheets like no big deal and works really well on plastics and soft metals. Overall, the drill bits are sharp and work great, and they recommend it to others as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
All the pieces in the set are of top quality and high speed with a titanium coating that adds a wow factor to these drills. It keeps them shiny, glossy, and ensures extreme durability for many years, so this product is definitely an investment. The casing allows for the bits to be carried anywhere, and it has a great shelf life.
Who Would Use it Most?
Since this set is not suitable for tougher and harder metals, it would not be appropriate for workers who have heavy-duty projects and tasks. However, it is for those who have softer tasks, such as home DIYs, and are looking for ease and convenience.
Bottom Line
The CO-Z 5 pieces HSS Drill bits set is an ideal investment to make if you are a fan of smart and innovative products and want speedier processes and ease of convenience. It comes with titanium coating and a two-flute design that makes it of great quality and strength. It delivers on the performance it promises and is durable.
Best for the Money:
DEWALT DWA1790IR
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users of this product find the spiraling design to be very smart and effective and claim that the drill penetrates through metal like butter. It is also perfect for making precise holes in metals, because of the laser engraving that allows steep visibility.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This drill bit set provides great value and expensive features, making it a steal. The titanium coating makes the bits very durable, and they create little friction, and the double flute design and split-tip makes for a faster and more efficient cut.
Who Would Use it Most?
This product is great for drilling into panels, cans, etc. and is a good investment for electricians and ironworkers to create large holes in ducts and HVAC purposes. It can also be used by carpenters to broaden hardware.
Bottom Line
These spiraled design and titanium-coated drill bits are a great investment if you are a commercial electrician, as it keeps the drill bits sharper and last longer. If you want a great set at a phenomenal price, this is the best option for you.
Best Drills Bit Set for Metal:
DEWALT Black Oxide DW1177
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users found the black oxide coating very helpful and observed that these drill bits work perfectly on wood and metal. They are also razor-sharp and do not slip. Also, they are well constructed and dependable, as well as long-wearing.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These DEWALT drill bits work flawlessly, and the black oxide coating on these increases their durability and performance. The twin-fluted design, with its parabolic shape, makes for powerful, strong cuts. So, its design, along with its promising performance, is what makes it stand out from many other units.
Who Would Use it Most?
These drill bits are designed to cut through metal, wood and plastic surfaces. They are a great purchase for home usage and lighter projects such as DIY tasks. Overall, they’re best suited for everyday use for smaller tasks.
Bottom Line
DEWALT drill bits are known to have high quality and supreme durability. If you’re looking for a set for your everyday use, then don’t hesitate to cash out on this product, because it is a great investment, especially for wood-based home DIYs.
Best Drill Bits for Hardened Steel:
DEWALT Drill Bit Set DW1354
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users of this product consider these drill bits to be a long-term investment for your drilling needs, as the life expectancy of this set is outstanding. The quality of these bits is not cheap at all, and the titanium pilot points make it excellent for heavy-duty tasks.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Dewalt is one of the most prestigious brands for hardware tools, and they deliver high quality each time. The drill bits are coated with titanium to ensure longevity when working with non-ferrous metals. They are also equipped with a tapered web to decrease breaking.
Who Would Use This Most?
These drill bits are perfect for piercing through wood or plastic for both housing and commercial purposes. Dewalt also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on this product, if the customer is not satisfied.
Bottom Line
Dewalt does not come slow with this high-performing drill bit set. Introducing titanium pilot points that start on contact, these heavy-duty bits are designed to avoid walking, and the no-spin shank is an added bonus. It also comes with an organized carrying case and is overall a great investment.
Best Drill Bits for Stainless Steel:
Drill America
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The users find this drill set to be of very good quality and finishing, and the tips are extremely sharp. They drill through most surfaces seamlessly, and they don’t get too hot after usage. They can be sharpened and oiled for prolonged use and are long-wearing.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Drill America introduced its 29-piece, 1/64-inch incremental bits that are built to perform in an extensive assortment of surfaces, especially the iron and steel types. The gold oxide appearance aids in lessening friction.
Who Would Use This Most?
The gold oxide finishing makes coolant pockets near the cutting edge that solidify this drill bits’ usage for boring in rough, solid metal materials for construction projects, maintenance such as fixing or repairing, and portable work. They are also a great tool for those working in the auto industry.
Bottom Line
Drill America has introduced outstanding value with this 29-piece cobalt set that operates smoothly and seamlessly with about any family of steel, iron, or fiberglass. The convenient case has a clip the set comes in and is ideal for organization and conveyance. It is a great product and lasts a long time.
Best Concrete Drill Bits:
DEWALT DW5207
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a great, durable set that can work on masonry, cinder blocks, and especially concrete very cleanly. The bits are also very speedy and effective in making neat holes and do not dull out easily after usage. The rock carbide tip helps to maintain the longevity of the product, and make it an outstanding drill bit set for concrete drilling.
Why it Stands Out to Us
An amazing feature of this drill bit set is the fact that it is powerful and can penetrate concrete easily. It is also super durable, and you can use it for many purposes on the condition that you take care of it. When discussing the design and material, this drill bit set has rock carbide bits for durability and high-quality performance.
Who Would Use This Most?
The DEWALT 5207 7-piece set is a professional contractor’s dream and their only go-to because of its brilliant quality and features. It provides great functionality for rugged use and works well for workers who deal with masonry, artificial stone, or concrete.
Bottom Line
These drill bits have an enlarged bit design that assists in directing dust and any kind of debris out of the hole as you drill. It is very fast and efficient when it’s used to drill concrete, and makes this a great investment if you are looking for the best drill bits for this purpose.
Best Drill Bit for Porcelain Tile:
Neiko 00823A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The diamond-coated tip works like a dream on porcelain tiles and is inexpensive. They are also much better than carbide because rather than cutting through the tile, they penetrate and push through to ensure you do not have a fractured tile.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The working of Neiko’s diamond grit hole saw drill bit set is of greater quality and performance when compared to that of a conventional carbide hole saw drill. The bits are coated with an extra layer of nickel to avoid any corrosion from taking place. It is a great product that cuts holes in a wide variety of materials such as plastics and glass with great precision and accuracy.
Who Would Use This Most?
This 5-piece set is pretty versatile, but if you are looking to improve your home. It’s also great to use in construction projects or for professional use around the home as well. It works on porcelain, as well as glass and ceramics.
Bottom Line
If you want to get a drill bit that works flawlessly on porcelain tiles for fixing your bathroom or kitchen, then this is the best set for you. The bits perform smoothly, and cut with precision, providing excellent performance for hard and brittle surfaces, and give you great value for your money.
Best Step Drill Bits:
Neiko 10193A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
These drill bits cut cleanly and accurately and provide great value for the price. They are also well-made and constructed, and the drill actually feels sharp on the fingers. The quality is also top-notch, and they are super durable and can last for a long period of time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Neiko bits are made of HSS with a titanium coating and have a 135° split point tip. They work outstandingly well if you want to use these bits for drilling holes in plastic, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and many different varieties of sheet metal.
Who Would Use This Most?
This is a must-have for home-owners as the quality of these is supreme for mild steel usage. They are useful in creating holes for automotive applications as well, and for those who love doing things themselves at home.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a great drill bit set for cutting through sheet metal, this titanium coated drill bit is the answer to your prayers. The two-flute design bores holes faster, and the three-flatted shank fits into power tools chuck strongly and eradicates slipping.
Best Drill Bits for Plastic:
FTM, Inc. BG4650A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
These drill bits work like a dream if you want to drill into softer materials and reduce the time it takes for step-up-bit cutting. They also eradicate any tear-out issues and are super convenient and handy if you work with plastic regularly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The drill bits are pretty sharp and easy to use, and perform flawlessly on plastic or acrylics without damaging the material and causing any cracks or tears. The edges on the holes also remain chip-free, and the finish is very smooth.
Who Would Use This Most?
This kind of drill bits is a great option for users who have handheld applications or even drill press or automated machines. A good drill bit is necessary for such fragile surfaces, and if you work with plastic a lot, then this is the best option for you to consider.
Bottom Line
If you want the right drill bit to penetrate through plastic or acrylics, then consider this set because it will not disappoint you. Instead, the design and features are made just for your benefit and convenience, so you can save time and get the job done fast.
Types of Drill Bits
Drill bits are the main component of a drill, and there are many designs out there for every kind of surface and for every particular need. Let’s dive into some of the types that are available in the market.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) Bits
These are the most popular kind of drill bits that are designed for everyday use, such as drilling into wood, metal, or plastic surfaces. Usually, they have a cylindrical shank, but sometimes they can be hexagonal as well. They are compatible with impact drivers and cordless screwdrivers for small, less intense tasks.
Masonry Bits
These drill bits are used in hammer drills for boring through concrete, stone, and bricks. The expert drill bits have a hex-shank rather than a standard cylindrical one to stop bits from slipping in the chuck. Such bits require a lot of pressure, and that’s why they can heat up quickly during use.
Cobalt HSS Bits
These drill bits are created from solid cobalt alloys and are highly resistant to abrasion and high temperatures. They are used to penetrate through surfaces such as stainless steel or other high tensile steel types such as cast iron.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different kinds of drill bits and what they’re used for, it will be a little easier to choose which drill bits suit your needs most and are more applicable for your project or task. Hopefully, this review was detailed enough to give you a good guideline on what type of drill bit set you should buy.
Drill Bit Buyer Guides
Looking for all of our drill bit buyer guides? You've come to the right place: