The Best Drill Bits for Your Projects, Tested
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Drill Bits for Your Projects, Tested and hope the blog can help you.
Get the lowdown on drill bits so you’ll know which ones to buy and rely on for all kinds of drilling tasks and DIY projects.
When one is assembling a tool kit for home improvement, maintenance, construction, and a wide variety of building and installing projects, one of the first items purchased is often a power drill, followed by an assortment of drill bits. These attachable cutting implements bore into surfaces, drilling a wide range of hole types and sizes. There’s a nearly endless supply of drill bits on the shelves of home improvement stores in different types, sizes, and material options—each suited to specific tasks—and a DIYer must know the appropriate one to use.
I recently tested eight offerings from leading tool manufacturers in a quest for the best drill bits available. I worked with bits designed for metal, wood, aluminum, concrete, tile, and more, so if you’re planning to upgrade your tool kit, perhaps my findings can help. My favorite was the Milwaukee 29-Pc Shockwave Red Helix Titanium Bit Set for their heavy-duty construction, high performance, and unique variable helix flute design.
Read on to find out more about the materials and design features used to construct high-quality drill bits, the different kinds of bits available, and how to find the type you need. Ahead, learn about the details of the best drill bits and how they performed in testing. But first, have a look at the picks.
- BEST OVERALL: Milwaukee 29-Pc Shockwave Red Helix Titanium Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi Multi-Material Drill and Drive Kit
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Norseman 69280 M42 Cobalt Heavy-Duty 115-Pc Drill Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR STEEL: Bosch CO14B 14-Pc Cobalt M42 Drill Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR ALUMINUM: Irwin 29-Pc Cobalt Alloy Steel M35 Drill Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR MASONRY: Bosch 7-Pc Blue Granite Carbide Hammer Drill Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR TILE: Diablo 4-Pc Tile & Stone Carbide Tipped Drill Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: DeWalt 21-Pc Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
With these key features in mind, I spent a week shopping for and testing the following picks. Read on to find out why I consider them to be the best drill bits around and how they performed in my workshop tests.
Best Overall
Milwaukee 29-Pc Shockwave Red Helix Titanium Bit Set
Photo: Ace Hardware
Product Specs
- Type: Twist drill bits for wood, plastic, or soft metal
- Number of bits: 29
- Size range: 29 sizes from 1/16 inch to ½ inch
What We Like
- These general-purpose drill bits are suitable for use on wood, plastic, and soft metals
- The ¼-inch hex shaft easily chucks into cordless drill/drivers; is also compatible with impact drivers
- Quad-edge pilot point penetrates quickly and drills with superior precision
- Variable helix and thick, tapered web offer aggressive chip removal with improved strength
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price point for higher-quality design and material
- Tight fit in the carry case makes bit storage and removal somewhat difficult
For everyday drilling, whether on the job or for DIY projects, a set of dependable all-purpose bits comes in handy. The Milwaukee Shockwave Red Helix drill bits were designed with drilling toughness in mind. The 29 bits are made of rugged, cost-effective, high-speed steel with a titanium oxide coating for improved wear resistance. A four-way cutting edge on the pilot-point tip delivers precise starts and smaller chips for faster, easier material removal and less heat buildup. To improve drilling speed, the variable width helix starts out at an aggressive 35-degree angle near the tip and ends at 15 degrees nearest the chuck. These bits feature hex shanks for fast, easy chucking in cordless drill/drivers or impact drivers.
While the Milwaukee Red Helix drill bits were priced higher than other titanium-coated bits I tested, they performed extremely well. The heavy-duty plastic carry case proved easy to open and close, even with gloved hands, and the bits were a breeze to find thanks to clearly legible size indexing. I also liked that the hex shanks made the bits compatible with all kinds of drills as well as impact drivers.
When drilling into wood, PVC, and aluminum, Milwaukee’s Quad Edge drill bit tips were both accurate and fast. I was also impressed with the clean, dust-free holes they drilled, due at least in part to the unique variable helix flute design that seemed to push debris up and away more easily than other bits.
What our tester says: “I found that during testing, these drill bits consistently penetrated exactly where they were positioned without skipping or traveling across smooth surfaces.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the Milwaukee drill bits at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Northern Tool + Equipment.
Best Bang for the Buck
Ryobi Multi-Material Drill and Drive Kit
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Type: Assorted kit includes twist bits and spade bits for wood, metal, plastic, and masonry, plus hole saws, screw drivers, and nut drivers
- Number of bits: An assortment of 125 bits, including 45 black oxide, 51 titanium, 11 carbide tipped, 8 brad point, 10 spade point
- Size range: 1/32 inch to 1¼ inch
What We Like
- Affordable kit includes an assortment of 125 drill bits for wood, plastic, metal, and masonry drilling projects
- Includes duplicates of the most commonly used drill bit sizes to alleviate frustration from lost, broken, or damaged bits
- Nut drivers and drivers for slotted, Phillips, hex, star, and square-drive screws are also included, plus hole saws and other accessories for a complete drill/driver starter package
- Bits are well organized and secure in a heavy-duty carry case
- Overall, a bargain-priced widely inclusive starter kit
What We Don’t Like
- Most of the drill bits are made with smooth shanks; not compatible with impact drivers or quick-change adapters
- Softer steel construction leads to more bit breakage, dulling, and driver stripping with heavy use
With 300 pieces, this versatile Ryobi kit is ideal for DIYers on a budget who find themselves tackling a different project every weekend. It includes 125 drill bits plus hole saws, nut drivers, screwdriver bits, and much more. The drill bits are perfect for drilling wood, metal, plastic, and masonry, and the driving bits work with a wide range of fasteners. The kit comes in a durable hard plastic carry case for easy transport.
Right off the bat, I was impressed by the cost-to-value ratio of this kit. Ryobi is widely recognized as a reliable choice for home repair tools and accessories, but the price here is a better-than-average value. Most of the drill bits in the kit feature a basic straight-shank split-point design, with the exception of three hex-shank black-oxide bits, 10 spade bits, eight brad-point bits, and 11 carbide-tipped masonry bits. I shop tested a total of 14 bits from the kit: four black oxide, four titanium, two spade point, two brad point, and two carbide tipped.
I liked this kit as an affordable and well-appointed starter set for home maintenance and DIY projects. Although the drill bits boast no upgraded materials or design features, they simply worked. Following basic drilling conventions, such as working slowly and lubricating the bit while drilling harder materials, each bit I tested drilled as expected. The thin diameter bits didn’t seem to be excessively flexible or susceptible to breakage. The thicker-diameter bits only skated slightly on the surface. (Tip: Use a punch or nail to mark the location and prevent skating.) When I attempted to drill too fast or applied excessive pressure, the tips tended to overheat. While the Ryobi kit may not be ideal for heavy-duty applications, for common household repair and maintenance projects, this kit could make an excellent buy.
Get the Ryobi drill bits at The Home Depot.
Upgrade Pick
Norseman 69280 M42 Cobalt Heavy-Duty 115-Pc Drill Set
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Twist bits for drilling hard metals
- Number of bits: 115
- Size range: All fractional sizes 3/64 inch to ½ inch, all letter sizes A to Z, all wire sizes 1 to 60
What We Like
- These M42 cobalt alloy twist bits are for drilling hard metals like stainless steel and titanium
- The 135-degree split point gives accurate centering and fast penetration
- Precision ground point, flutes, body clearance, and drill diameter for performance drilling
- Bits are securely organized in a steel storage case with clearly visible indexing
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price point for top-quality precision drill bits
Some drilling applications highlight the importance of choosing the best bits. While materials like stainless steel and cast iron can destroy most drill bits, these Norseman M42 cobalt alloy bits are up to the task. The 8 percent cobalt alloy used in these bits gives them improved hot hardness for outstanding durability under tough drilling conditions. They keep a sharper edge longer than either titanium-oxide-coated HSS or M35 cobalt, and they can be sharpened many times over for an extremely long working life.
These jobber length bits feature 135-degree split points and straight shafts. Packed in a multitiered steel index case, the kit includes 115 drill bits in fractional sizes 3/64 inch to ½ inch, letter sizes A to Z, and wire sizes 1 to 60, with no skipped sizes. This is the ideal set for drilling hard metals or free machining stainless steel, titanium alloy, and abrasive plastics.
I tested the Norseman M42 cobalt bits in stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum, first using a benchtop drill press and again with a cordless drill/driver. Operation with the drill press was incredibly smooth. With only a few drops of oil to lubricate the bit, the split point easily penetrated on contact and left holes with crisp, clean edges. The metal chips were small and evenly sized—even with stainless steel, which with lesser bits can produce wiry edges or “bird nests” around the hole.
With the handheld drill, results were similar. I kept the drill at about half speed, applied a fair amount of force, and got nice clean results again. I was most impressed that with a simple (extremely well-made) split point, these bits did not skid on the surface at all during freehand drilling with no center punch. The price may be hard to justify for common wood, plastic, and soft-metal drilling, so I’d recommend these primarily for consistent use with hard metals.
Get the Norseman drill bits at Amazon, Bowers Tool Co., or Prime Tools.
Best for Steel
Bosch CO14B 14-Pc Cobalt M42 Drill Bit Set
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Twist bits for hard metals
- Number of bits: 14
- Size range: 13 sizes from 1/16 inch to ½ inch
What We Like
- M42 cobalt-alloy steel drill bits offer superior wear resistance drilling tough metals
- Set features 14 drill bits in 13 of the most popular sizes, including two ⅜-inch bits
- 3-flat shanks secure quickly and easily into a cordless drill/driver chuck
- Thick web helix design delivers more durability for tough drilling applications
What We Don’t Like
- Not as many sizes to choose from
- Less suitable for precision drilling
Those who want to be ready for all kinds of drilling should be prepared with a set of bits that can be used on hard metals like cast iron, stainless steel, and titanium alloy. These Bosch M42 cobalt bits feature 8 percent cobalt-alloy construction for extreme heat resistance and a long working life in hard metals. They boast a thick web helix design for fast material removal and outstanding stability. The tip-hardened 135-degree split points allow for fast and smooth penetration, and 3-flat shanks improve grip and stability in the drill chuck.
I give the Bosch M42 cobalt drill bits a thumbs up for several reasons. First, they are made of premium alloy that can be resharpened many times for an extremely long working life. Also, the kit is compact and comes in a durable carry case, so it’s easy to leave in a tool bag for those times when users may need to drill metal. Finally, although the kit is compact, it includes the most important sizes for general drilling. If exacting precision is not required, they will probably do the job.
In my tests with a drill press and cordless drill, the bits performed well. I did experience a small amount of skating before penetration with the smaller bits, but the larger bits were more stable. It bears mentioning that the smallest bits (less than ⅛ inch) have flat shanks, but that was not a hindrance. Also, the ½-inch bit has a machined shank so that it fits into a ⅜-inch drill chuck. Really nice bits at a good price.
Get the Bosch cobalt drill bits at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Best for Aluminum
Irwin 29-Pc Cobalt Alloy Steel M35 Drill Bit Set
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Twist bits for drilling soft or hard metal
- Number of bits: 29
- Size range: 1/16 inch to ½ inch
What We Like
- M35 cobalt-alloy steel bits are compatible with tough metal drilling projects
- The bits’ durable cutting edge may be resharpened to extend the working life
- 135-degree split-point tip starts on contact and drills more efficiently with less force
- Steel carry case with easy-read size indexing also features a tap and drill selection chart
What We Don’t Like
- The slightest torque makes the case latch sticky and difficult to open or close
Yes, cheap HSS drill bits can drill a soft metal like aluminum, but aluminum’s low melting point becomes problematic with HSS bits due to heat buildup with extended use. For the cleanest, most precise results, heat-resistant cobalt-alloy bits—such as those in this Irwin set—make the best choice.
The Irwin M35 cobalt metal index drill bit set includes 29 bits, from 1/16-inch to ½-inch sizes, in 1/64-inch increments. They are purpose-built for a long working life while drilling metal. The M35 alloy steel exhibits excellent heat and wear resistance for long-term drilling durability. Heavy-duty web construction and 135-degree split-point tips allow the bits to drill metal fast and efficiently. And the bits are easy to sharpen when needed for an even longer work life. This drill bit set is conveniently packaged in a rubber overmolded steel carry case with removable cartridges for easier transport.
The Irwin cobalt drill bits performed exceptionally well in my tests, using them to drill cast iron and stainless steel in addition to cast aluminum. I also appreciated that the larger bits are machined down at the shank to fit ⅜-inch drill chucks. The smooth shanks chucked securely into my drill press, but I had to double-check the grip in my cordless drill chuck.
The only weak points I noticed were in regard to the storage case, which features a sliding latch that sometimes becomes misaligned or sticks in place. The set is probably best for shop use only rather than carrying around in a tool box. The plastic cartridges that hold the bits in place are removable “for transport,” but the kit has no other carry case to insert the cartridge into. I did like that a tap and drill selection chart is included in the case, however. While the case could stand some improvement, the high-quality bits and moderate price point make this Irwin set worthwhile.
What our tester says: “I found that the tips drilled accurately with no walking on the metal surfaces, and they remained sharp, leaving clean edges on all of the test holes.”
Get the Irwin drill bits at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.