The Best Drill Bit Set for 2023

The best drill bit set will ensure and enable quick and simple drilling for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts

The Best Drill Bit Set for 2022

Not everyone appreciates the satisfaction of a perfectly drilled hole or the gleaming luster of a brand-new tool set, but those who do get it. Whether you are a home handyman or a professional contractor, you need one of these drill bit sets in your toolbox.

Drill bits come in a variety of sizes and materials, making them suitable for drilling a wide range of materials. Whatever surface you’re working on, there’s a drill bit for it.

So, whether you’re looking for your next drill set or a gift for a special handyman in your life, our detailed, easy-to-understand reviews will provide excellent clarity.

 

Everything We Recommend

1. Best Product

IRWIN Drill Bit Set

2. Runner Up

DEWALT DW1177 Drill Bit Set

3. Cost Effective

BOSCH MS4034 Drilling and Driving Set

4. Almost Made the Cut

Makita D-37144 Metric Bit and Hand Tool Set

1. Best Product

Best For Heavy Duty Use

IRWIN Drill Bit Set

The 135-degree split point design prevents slipping and walking while drilling, resulting in a seamless drilling experience.

Specifications
Weight
0.28 Pounds
Dimensions LxWxH
12 x 7.5 x 4 inches
Shank Type
Straight
Tool Flute Type
Spiral
Finish
Cobalt Alloy Steel
Pros
  • Made Of High-Quality M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel
  • 29 Pieces Of Various Sizes
  • 135-degree split point tip
Cons
  • Smaller Bits Break Down Faster

Previous Customer Experience

Value for money
4.4
Longevity
4.4
Sheerness
4.3
Durability
4.3
Sturdiness
4.2

Who It’s For

The Irwin Cobalt alloy steel drill bits, like any other cobalt drill bits, are known to be impressively robust. This combination of 5% cobalt and industrial-grade stainless steel improves heat dispersion and abrasion resistance, especially when drilling hard metal.

Why It’s Great

To prevent surface walking and start drilling on contact, the tips of the bits have a 135-degree split point. The split point also reduces the required force, which is highly effective, especially if you have a significant amount of drilling to do. As for size, the bits range from 1/16 to ½ inch and in 1/64-inch increments. With 29 pieces, you should have enough bits for any task.

Potential Flaws

If the Irwin Drill bits are not properly lubricated, they can break off easily, resulting in accelerated wear.

Other Features

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a DIY enthusiast, you will appreciate the strength and durability of this drill bit set. A convenient drill selection chart helps you quickly identify and access the right bit. The rubber case and removable cartridges offer adequate protection and a proper way to organize your bits.

2. Runner Up

Best For Portability

DEWALT DW1177 Drill Bit Set

This drill set is compact and perfect for those who need to travel with their tools.

Specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH
8.75 x 1.38 x 8.75 inches
Item Weight
1 pound
Style
20 pc
Tool Flute Type
Spiral
Pros
  • Black and Gold coating helps prevent rust and wear
  • Easy to use
  • Tapered design for durability
  • 135-degree split point tip
Cons
  • Not efficient for drilling metal

Previous Customer Experience

Easy to use
4.9
Value for money
4.5
Easy to remove
4.4
Durability
4.4
Longevity
4.1

Who It’s For

If you’re in the market for a straightforward drill bit set, this compact pick from Dewalt is your best bet. It’s perfect for use on plastic, wood, and metal surfaces.

Why It’s Great

This 20-piece set is the largest in the Dewalt Black Oxide Drill Bit Set Series and comes with a wide range of bits to meet a variety of plastic, wood, and metal-related tasks.

Each bit has a black oxide finish in a luxe black and gold design that stands out amongst the competition. The bits come packaged in a sturdy, hard plastic carrying case, perfect for on-site use or day-to-day home repairs.

Potential Flaws

This may arguably not be a flaw, but there are duplications of some smaller sizes. This toolset was made for just drilling, so if you’re looking for a multipurpose drill bit set, this might not be the one for you. It also cannot be used on masonry materials.

Other Features

The Dewalt DW1177 Black Oxide Drill Set features 20 pieces of black oxide drill bits, ranging in size from 1/16 inch to 12 inches.

Each bit has a cutting angle of 135 degrees and a split-point tip to reduce slipping and walking. The tapered web design makes them extremely durable and resistant to breakage. This means you'll get a lot of use out of it without it cracking, freezing, or dulling.

The bits' parabolic spiral flute design increases strength and chip ejection while decreasing aggressiveness. Furthermore, the 3-Flats shank reduces chuck spin-out.

Built to work on wood, plastic, metal, or steel, this 20-piece drill bit set comes in a sturdy carrying case for portability and security.

3. Cost Effective

Best for multipurpose utility

BOSCH MS4034 Drilling and Driving Set

This option comes with a wide variety of drill and drives bits.

Specifications
Item Weight
16 ounces
Product Dimensions
‎7 x 6.5 x 1.75 inches
Voltage
110 Volts
Size
34-Piece Set
Pros
  • Affordable Price Tag
  • Durable Black Oxide Coating
  • Versatile Tools
Cons
  • Difficulty Drilling Through Metal
  • A 34-piece set might be excessive for beginners

Previous Customer Experience

Value for money
4.3
Easy to remove
4.2
Durability
4.2
Sturdiness
4.1
Versatility
3.7
Easy to use
3.5

Who It’s For

The Comoware Titanium Twist Drill Bits Set offers great value for money. So if you’re working with an extremely tight budget and want a toolset that fits the bill but gives excellent service as well, this is it.

Why It’s Great

This budget-friendly pick is from a lesser-known name in the power tool accessory industry — Comoware. This, however, does not take away from the efficiency this drill bit set delivers.

Made from high-speed steel and coated with a luxe gold finish, this 13-piece set is adequate for working on metal, wood, and plastic countersinks. It also features a hex screw shank that fits into all power tools seamlessly for easy and quick changes.

Potential Flaws

Unfortunately, in the case of this product, cheap also means not as durable. Users have mentioned the drill bit shafts of this set breaking after minimal use.

If you also require a carrying case, you may want to go for the larger piece sizes in the Comoware Titanium Twist Drill Bits Set Series — available in 21 and 30 pieces — or our other picks, as this does not come with a carrying case.

Other Features

Our pocket-friendly pick in the Comoware Titanium Twist Drill Bits Set Series comes with 13 pieces of HSS titanium drill bits for reliability and durability.

They come in size ranges of 1/16 inch to 14 inches, and each bit comes with a 2-flute twist design at a 135-degree split point cutting angle for clearing chips and debris as well as reducing friction and heat for quicker, cooler drilling.

They also have a chatter-free design with staggered cutting teeth that bore accurate, clean holes in countersinks made of wood, plastic, and metal. Another selling point of this drill bit set is its 14-inch hex shanks, which are suitable for fitting into all power tools easily and securely, leading to faster changing times.

4. Almost Made the Cut

Best for using around the house

Makita D-37144 Metric Bit and Hand Tool Set

If you’re only going to get one tool set for all your improvement needs, let this be it.

Specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH
2.76 x 11.81 x 10.04 inches
Item Weight
4.63 pounds
Material
High-Speed Steel
Surface Recommendation
Wood, Metal, Masonry
Pros
  • Screwdriver bits are magnetic, making them easy to use
  • Convenient Toolbox
  • An extensive assortment of bits
  • Compact and Easy to Carry
Cons
  • Higher Price Tag
  • Smaller Bits May Break

Previous Customer Experience

Giftable
4.5
Value for money
4.4
Sturdiness
4.3
Durability
4.1

Who It’s For

For the jack of all trades and the master of all materials, this multipurpose metric drill bit and hand tool set from Makita is your match. It’s perfect for a wide variety of tasks and works great on almost any kind of material.

Why It’s Great

This 71-piece set from Makita offers efficiency in every bit, accessory, and hand tool. It features a wide range of tools and accessories, measured in the metric system, suitable for application to plastic, wood, metal, masonry, and cement materials.

This toolset boosts productivity by including drill bits, driving bits, fixing and fastening bits, as well as nut drivers and hand tools for measurement and other handy hand tasks.

Potential Flaws

The Makita D-37144 Metric Bit and Hand Tool Set (71-Piece) is the most expensive pick on our list, with enough worthwhile features to match its price tag.

This series also features at least 71 pieces of tools, which may be excessive for the regular home handyperson.

Other Features

This bountiful pick from Makita is a handyperson’s dream. Each high-speed steel bit has a titanium nitride finish for better durability. Furthermore, they are suitable for a variety of materials, from plastic to cement surfaces. By purchasing this toolset, you not only get a wide array of drilling bits but also fastening, driving, and fixing bits perfect for handling almost any task.

You also get a wide selection of hand tools, such as a torpedo level, tape measure, snap-off blade utility knife, screwdriver, and more, for maximum productivity. Lovers of the metric measurement system can rest in peace knowing they have found a perfect match in this metric toolset.

Each drill bit features a straight shank that fits most 38-inch and 12-inch power drills.

Who This Is For

These products cater to handypersons of every skill level, ranging from the everyday DIY enthusiast to seasoned professional construction workers. With their versatility in handling a diverse range of materials, these drill bit sets are the ideal companion for your power drill. They provide reliable and efficient results for all your drilling and handiwork needs. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, these sets are the best in the market.

What is a drill bit set?

A drill is a special power tool used for boring holes into different kinds of materials. such as plastic, wood, metal, masonry, cement, glass, and so much more.

These are solid metal shafts, made of a variety of materials in different shapes and sizes, that are attached to the chuck (front clamp) of a drill through their shanks. These bits are then powered by the drills in a rotary motion to create the aforementioned holes in various materials or surfaces.

Differences in drill bits

The next question on your mind will most likely be, “Well, how do I know what drill bit to use?”

Don’t worry, we’ve got all the answers right here. Different drill bits are used for different purposes on different materials, depending on their shape, size, and material. Understanding the difference between drill bits helps you make better-informed decisions when carrying out any drilling task.

Drill bit sizes

Drill bits come in different sizes, and you would want to look out for the length of their shanks and the size of their points’ diameter. For more clarity, the shanks are the bottom part of the bit that fits into a drill’s chuck while its point is the top of the bit or cutting edge.

Drill bit sizes are usually measured either using the Metric System (millimeters) or the Imperial System (inches). However, we prefer the more popular Imperial System.

Drill bits should fit drill chucks equally or slightly smaller. Therefore, a bit’s shank can fit a ½ inch heavy-duty drill, ⅜ inch standard drill, or a ¼ inch light-duty drill.

On the other hand, points come in a wide range of sizes to fit various boring needs, ranging from 1/16 inch to ½ inch. While the former is the smallest size and is ideal for menial, lightweight household tasks, the latter is the largest possible size and is used for tougher drilling conditions like carpentry, repairs, and construction.

Shapes of parts in a drill bit set

Drill bits also come in various shapes depending on their intended use. Here are a few of the most popular shapes you may find on the market:

  • Twist drill bit: This is the most popular drill bit shape. It features a pointed tip with fluted sides to eliminate waste while drilling. This drill bit is ideal for a variety of tasks on plastic, wood, and thin metal surfaces.
  • Brad point drill bit: This fluted bit features spiral grooves on its sides as well as a sharp spur tip and is mostly used on wood. It uniquely grips wood chips with its flutes to remove them from the hole to drill, while its sharp tip results in more accurate fine holes.
  • Countersink drill bit: These are specialty drill bits, mostly used on wood to create broader openings in test holes at the screw’s head’s top. This concept is known as “countersinking” and helps you enclose a closure deep enough. That way, the head does not protrude above the material’s surface.
  • Auger drill bit: This is a long, twisted, ribbon-shaped bit with a screw-shaped tip and sharp helical spirals called “flight lines” that pull the rest of the bit into the wood. This results in cleaner, more consistent cuts on a wide variety of materials, preferably wood, and ice.
  • Hex drill bit: These bits have hexagonal shanks that support round shafts or hexagonal bars.
  • Spade drill bit: Spade drill bits have unique pyramid shapes. They are mainly for enlarging previously-made holes or boring new holes into thin materials like sheet metal or sheet plastic.
  • Masonry drill bits: These bits work magic on heavy-duty materials like cement, concrete, and bricks. They create a quick hammering action and have a tungsten carbide coating and are bonded to a spiral shaft made of steel.

Materials in a drill bit set

The durability and function of a drill bit depend on the construction material. Some of the most popular kinds of drill bit materials include:

Low-carbon steel (LCS)

These poorly tempered drill bits are great for drilling soft wood and plastics. They are the cheapest option for drill bits and the least durable too.

High-carbon steel (HCS)

HCS are carbon steel bits that are more conferred by tempering and hardening. They work great on wood and light metal. However, you need to space out the drilling frequency to avoid overheating and subsequently a soft cutting edge.

High-speed steel (HSS)

This is the most popular form of drill bits. It is durable and made with a form of tool steel resulting in faster cutting speeds on fiberglass and soft metals like aluminum, PVC, and wood.

Cobalt

Cobalt drill bits are exceptionally robust and combine cobalt with steel alloy for swift heat dispersion. They are the most durable of the aforementioned bit materials and are for drilling hard materials like stainless steel.

Tungsten carbide

This makes the hardest, strongest, most durable bits on our list. It is exclusively for drilling masonry and ceramic tile due to their fragile nature which makes them more susceptible to breaking.

Why You Should Trust Us

Construction and any form of handwork are hard tasks in themselves. We have given our all to ensure we suggest only the best drill bits on the market that make your job quicker, easier, and stress-free.

We have done so by carrying out thorough research, evaluations, and tests to make well-informed decisions.

How We Picked

As expected, there are a lot of considerations that went into making this detailed review article. Drill bits and any other form of power tool accessory require a lot of precision and detail in their construction.

Therefore, choosing the right ones requires the same amount of in-depth analysis. Here are some important factors we took into account when making our decisions.

Number of parts included

The number of bits in any drill bit set determines the versatility of a drill. Therefore, the larger the set, the more options for drilling bits you may find inside it. It’s a rule of thumb to select a set with the highest number of drill bits.

However, this all depends on your experience with tools and the level of work you require the bits for. A great drill bit set offers 13 to 20 bits, while sets that offer more than that provide you with more options, precision, flexibility, and overall accuracy.

Range of sizes and types

As we discussed earlier, drill bits come in different shapes and sizes. With our selected picks, you get a wide variety of bit sizes and types to choose from.

If you’re still not sure which to go for, drill bits of 1/16-inch to ¼-inch sizes and twist shapes are decent enough for any major household tasks, while bit sizes like ⅜-inch, 5/16-inch, 7/16-inch, and ½-inch and more precise shapes are great for heavy-duty jobs.

Durability and strength

The durability and strength of a drill bit largely depend on the construction materials. We have already discussed the different kinds of materials of drill bits as well as their purposes and expected lifespans.

However, durability is beyond that. Another factor that determines how strong a drill bit is is the coat or finish. Black oxide coats on regular HSS drill bits make them more corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, and lubricated.

They are therefore more durable than regular HSS bits and are perfect for use in wet or humid conditions. Titanium nitride (TiN) coating is the next kind of coating you will find. These bits are not to be confused with titanium bits. They are built to reduce friction and heat with a hard ceramic material used in coating HSS bits.

This extends a bit’s life by three times or more and results in improved sharpness. It is ideal for drilling hard surfaces like fiberglass, hard plastic, wood, and soft metals like aluminum and lead.

Price vs. quality

You don’t have to break the bank to get access to top-notch premium working tools. With our selected options, you get the best quality on the market from some of the most renowned manufacturers, and hence, the best value for money within their price ranges.

These drill bit sets are at the top of their game, with award-winning reviews that clearly state their positions in the industry.

Working length vs. total length

We have discussed the different sizes of drill bits one can find on the market. However, this measurement considers the size of the hole, and not the depth. To know just how deep a drill bit can cut, you must know its working length and total length.

The working length of a drill bit refers to the depth of the hole it can drill (typically from where the working surface/twist of the bit starts to the tip of the bit). A drill bit’s total length is its overall length including its shank, which fits into a drill’s chuck.

Different manufacturers offer varying lengths depending on the bits, with smaller bits having the shortest lengths and the largest bits having the tallest lengths.

Range of materials

Bits do more than just drill. With the right drill bit set, you can perform a variety of tasks, from drilling to driving, to fixing and fastening. This is all made possible due to the number of additional materials or accessories the drill bit set comes with.

To suit a wide range of users, we have discovered options with various options for bits, tools, and accessories. So whether you’re on the lookout for a minimalist, straightforward toolset or a more comprehensive one, there’s a pick for you on this list.

How We Picked

  • Number of Parts

    Drill bit sets are available in a variety of parts and with varying numbers of pieces. We discovered some of the most adaptable toolkits on the market, allowing you to complete more tasks at a lower cost.

  • Range of Sizes and Types

    The pieces in a drill bit set have different uses depending on their shape and size. The most useful of these products offer a diverse range of bit sizes and types to meet the needs of all users.

  • Durability and Strength

    These bit sets are made of various materials depending on their intended use. The strength of a bit and how long it remains useful depend on the kind of material used in making it.

  • Cost-Effectiveness

    Finding a useful product within your budget is one of the most rewarding things you can do. With our carefully selected tool sets, you get the most efficient bits on the market, ensuring the best value for money.

Care and Maintenance

With great power comes great responsibility, and such is the same with these drill bit sets. Once you purchase your very own set of drill bits, the next train of thought is to figure out how to attach them to a power drill.

Getting the right size for your drill bit set

The great thing about this is that most drill bits are universal, meaning they will work with most drills regardless of their manufacturer. You only have to make sure to use the right bits for your drill.

Popularly, drills come with chucks sized in ½ inch, ⅜ inch, and ¼ inch. It is advised to find a bit with an equal shank size or slightly smaller. You can’t use a bit that is longer than your drill’s chuck.

How to attach drill bits

Check out the drill’s manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to change a drill bit. Here’s how to generally attach your drill bits to a drill:

  • Make sure your drill is turned off and has cooled down.
  • Loosen or unlock the chuck of the drill to open the jaws that clamp onto the drill bit by turning the mechanism anticlockwise.
  • Once the chuck is loosened, remove the previous drill bit or ready your chosen drill bit.
  • Using your thumb and index fingers, insert the bit’s shank (the smooth bottom part) into the chuck.
  • Lock the bit in by using the drill key or turning the chuck clockwise depending on the drill’s architecture.
  • Squeeze the drill’s trigger a few short times to tighten the bit in place.
  • If your drill has a ratcheting mechanism, engage it to finalize the process.

How to clean and sharpen the bits

After using your drill a few consistent times, it’s important to clean and sharpen the bits as needed to improve their lifespan. To do this, simply follow these steps:

  • Turn off your drill and wait for it to cool down.
  • Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down the drill bits and get rid of any leftover chipped-away materials.
  • For stubborn grunge, use an old toothbrush to scrub away layered materials.
  • For rusty drill bits, dip them in a small bath of vinegar for at least 30 minutes and scrub away leftover rust and debris with an old toothbrush, then rinse out with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth before storing them away.

Do not leave a drill unattended

A good handyperson never leaves his tools unattended, so when not in use, ensure your drill and drill bits are kept tucked away in a shelf or cupboard, out of reach of children and pets.

Always make sure to be careful when using a drill and wear appropriate clothing when working with different materials, such as gloves and eye-protection goggles.