Drill bits are designed to make holes on a surface or materials, and the holes vary in shape depending on the drill bit since they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Before choosing a drill bit, you should consider what you want to drill. Drill bits are designed for specific purposes, and there is a drill for concrete walls, glass, and acrylic, hardened metal, wood, and plastic. For brittle materials like glass, you need specialized drill bits for accuracy and finish. Make sure that the drill bit is safely chucked into the drill, to avoid accidents and damage to the material you are drilling.
- Features to Consider in Good Drill Bits
- Top 10 Best Drill Bits 2023
- 1. CO-Z Cobalt Multiple Drill Bit Set
- 2. Drill America Cobalt Drill Bit Set
- 3. BLACK DECKER General Purpose Drill Bit Set
- 4. DEWALT DW-1361 Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set
- 5. Titanium Drill Bit Set For Metal
- 6. Professional Jobbers industry Perfect Aluminum
- 7. Hiltex 10005 Industrial Drill Bit Set
- 8. Makita B49373 Metric Drill and Screw Bit Set
- 9. Kalinco Tile Glass Drill Bit Sets
- 10. Norseman Magnum Super Drill Bit Set
- Guide to Buying the Best Drill Bit
- Bottom line
Features to Consider in Good Drill Bits
Several factors should be considered when selecting a drill bit. Each drill bit is unique and specialized for a specific task. This guide will help you decide what drill bit to purchase based on the job and the material of the drill bits.
Design
The design of the drill bit is a broad topic, as we will later see on the complete buying guide. Design entails factors like the material the drill bits are made of because the material should be rust and corrosion resistant. The material used to make the drill bit should be heat resistant, due to the friction and the drill speeds. The most popular drill bits are made from Titanium and cobalt. The design also entails the point styles, which include the speed helix, 135 degrees split point, and 118 degrees point drill bit. All these bits are designed for specific materials.
Performance
The performance of the drill bit will depend on the coating and penetration. Most drill bits are coated using Black Oxide or Titanium Nitride. These two materials provide the drill bits with lubricity and heat resistance. They make your drilling job even more comfortable and increase the durability of the drill bits.
Variety
The best drill set or brand should provide the most extensive variety of drill bits. You need different drill bits for different functions, and you may need a smaller drill bit for a specific purpose. All the drill bit sizes need to be available in the drill set. All the drill bits should be in a decent case, and this case should hold the bits together. The hinges to the casing should be durable and indestructible. You don’t want housing that falls apart within the first year of usage.
NB: Learning how to sharpen drill bits is important because you might need to sharpen them frequently on the job.
Top 10 Best Drill Bits 2023
1. CO-Z Cobalt Multiple Drill Bit Set
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
The materials used to make this drill set are Cobalt coated HSS which is titanium coated. In terms of durability, these cobalt drill bits set scores highly. The design is unique, and it features a two fluted design which gives you a smooth and fast cutting process. The best thing about cobalt drill sets is that they remain shiny after many years of use if stored well.
Performance
This drill set has unique capabilities, like the increased durability and in addition to that, you can drill different sized holes without changing the drill bits. I have never reviewed a drill set of this nature. The design makes it impossible to break or snap out of place. The flat shanks provide a good grip in the drill chuck. The result is a smooth hole which requires no deburring, and the metal chaff cannot reach your eyes under no circumstance. The shape keeps the flying chaff at bay when drilling metal and wood surfaces. The drilling speed should be low, lest you damage the cutting edges. There is also a set maximum thickness of the material you intend to drill, and it should be no more than 0.12 inches in thickness. Always oil the drill bit to increase heat and wear resistance. The drill bit is designed to start with a small hole as you progress.
Variety
There are five pieces in the drill set with different sizes. With the largest drill bit being ½ and ¼ inch and the smallest drill bit of 3/16 inch. The casing is made of aluminum, and it makes it lightweight and durable. It protects the drill sets from weather elements.
Pros
- Safety from flying metal chaff
- Ability to drill holes without changing the bits
- No breaking of the bit
- Two fluted design for fast and smooth cutting
- Suited for aluminum sheets, wood and plastic boards
Cons
- You have to lubricate it with oil
- Drill at low speeds, and it takes time to drill a surface
- The maximum thickness is 0.12 inches
2. Drill America Cobalt Drill Bit Set
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Design features
The drill bits are made from Cobalt. Specifically, it’s a conglomerate of cobalt and high-speed steel. This feature makes it best suited for drilling materials such as cast iron, titanium, and stainless steel. It can drill through abrasive materials that are hard to drill with other drill sets. The bit head is designed in a 135-degree angle, and it reduces instances of drill walking while drilling a hard material. You don’t need a pilot hole before you start drilling. It is one of the advantages of using the 135 degrees split point head.
Performance
If you are looking for a drill set that cushions you from the high drilling temperatures, then this drill set is for you. The fusion of cobalt and high-speed steel provides heat resistance. In addition to that, the Gold Oxide coating of the drill bits further increases the heat resistance capacity. The Gold Oxide layer is for wear resistance, which increases the durability of the drill bits. The presence of a twisted area drives out the materials of the hole being drilled, and there will be minimal clogging when drilling using the cobalt drill bit. Drill America makes the best cobalt drill bits for hardened steel. That`s why this drill bits are only used for a specific purpose.
Variety
There are 29 sets of drill bits inside that casing, and they vary in sizes that include; 1/2, 1/64, 1/16 inch increments. All these drill sets fit in around, easy to carry drill case. The round shape can fit anywhere, even in your car. Because most cars come with a round coffee mug holder near the gear shifting section of the vehicle. This drill case is the same shape as the coffee mug. No drill bits will fall off this casing. One drawback of this drill case is that the drill bits are not arranged in an easy to locate layout. It makes finding a specific drill bit for use difficult.
Pros
- 29 piece sets of varying sizes
- Round design casing
- Gold Oxide coated for heat and wear resistance
- 135 degrees split point
- Suitable for drilling hard materials
Cons
- Difficult to locate a specific drill set, the arrangement layout is not good
- They need to be re-sharpened often during drilling
3. BLACK DECKER General Purpose Drill Bit Set
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
The drill bits are made from high-speed steel, and they can be used for general purpose drillings like wood and plastic. The tip is shaped in a 135-degree split point shape. Because it is not coated with other metals, then it wears quickly due to the drilling heat. If you work on soft materials like wood and plastic, then this drill set is for you. The drill bits are standard in size and can fit any drill chuck.
Performance
The 135 split point will ensure that no clogging occurs while drilling. The bent shaft ensures that all the drilled chaff are removed out of the hole being drilled. This drill set has several setbacks, it wears very fast, due to friction. Low heat resistance will increase instances of drill bit spinning and twisting. So this drill bit is not good when doing high accuracy drilling jobs. One customer noted that as he was drilling a brick wall, the drill bit became blunt upon impact. They require frequent sharpening since the drill bits are prone to wear and tear.
Variety
It contains ten drill pieces, of varying sizes. Ranging from 1/6 to /4 inch, they are mostly for household jobs. The packaging is small and simple, and it provides a great arrangement of the drill bits according to sizes. The casing is not waterproof so the drill bits can be corroded by weather elements.
Pros
- Varying drill bit sizes
- Best suited for wood and plastic
- Packaging provides a good arrangement of the drill bits
- Good for doing it yourself (DIY) jobs
- Can fit in any drill chuck
Cons
- Not suitable for jobs where accuracy is required
- Only ten drill bits available in the whole set
4. DEWALT DW-1361 Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
The material the drill bits are made from is high-speed steel and titanium nitride. Titanium Nitride gives the drill bits a surface that is corrosion resistant. The hardness makes the drill bit suitable for working on hard surfaces since they work by reducing friction, which also reduces wear and tear. You can use these DEWALT drill bits for wood, plastic and non-ferrous metal. The drill bit is shaped in a speed helix design, and it provides good penetration into the drilling surface. It can also fit in most drill chucks. Most people will argue that the drill bits are made from Chinese steel, hence not durable and efficient. This drill set costs under $30, what did you expect? It gives you a 135-degree split point, for ease of drilling.
Performance
This drill bit will give the accuracy you need. The pilot point tip requires no drilling of contact holes, and you drill from the start. The speed helix design removes the drilled materials to avoid clogging in the hole. The problem of spinning, twisting and weak grip of the drill bits is eliminated by this feature. The Titanium Nitride coating reduces instances of drill bit twisting due to the high heat of friction. One setback is that it requires frequent sharpening, especially when drilling hard materials.
Variety
There are a total of 21 sets of drill inside the DEWALT drill set. They vary in sizes from ½ to 1/6 inches. The casing is well arranged, in case you are looking for an accurately sized drill bit. It is easier to locate the drill bit in the set, as they are held into position by a rubber lock. In addition to that, the casing is made of rugged and durable ABS material casing. The hinges are durable, even when dropped. It is easy to carry the casing around.
Pros
- Titanium Nitride coated drill bits
- 21 sets of drill bits
- Durable, easy to carry casing
- Best suited for drilling wood and plastic
- Pilot point tip reduces drill walking
Cons
- Tip requires sharpening often
- Not suitable for drilling ferrous metals
5. Titanium Drill Bit Set For Metal
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Design features
These drill bits are made from HSS and are titanium coated. They give you a good drilling experience in mild steel surfaces, with good wear and tear capabilities because of the Titanium Nitride. These drill bits are known to last more than six times the ordinary drill bits. They are best suited for fiberglass and plastics. If you plan on using them for drilling heavy duty metal and concrete surfaces, then don’t purchase this drill set. You will end up being disappointed with their performance.
Performance
These drill bits are not suited for hard surfaces, they will wobble, and there is a possibility that you will end up drilling triangular holes. The titanium coating provides excellent lubricity while drilling, but that is not enough compared to the cobalt drill bits like DEWALT. Furthermore, they require frequent sharpening and the shank of the ½ inch drill bit is rough, leading to wobbling while drilling. This problem cannot be attributed to high-speed steel material. These drill bits break when using them. HSS is a brittle metal, but it does not bend or become wobbly, it merely snaps out of place. That’s why a drill bit breaks under extreme strains. The 135 split point edges offer good penetration in some soft materials like plastic.
Variety
The kit contains 230 pieces of drill bits in a plastic storage case. I must admit that the case provides a good arrangement of the individual bits. The bits are held in place by a lock. The heavy-duty plastic protects from weather elements like rain as it is waterproof. All the drill bits vary in sizes, with the largest being 3/8 inches. You have a wide variety of drill bits to choose when drilling specific holes.
Pros
- 230 pieces of drill bits
- Good casing
- 135 split point tip for good penetration when drilling
- Titanium coating for increased durability
- Affordable
Cons
- Breaks easily
- Requires frequent sharpening
6. Professional Jobbers industry Perfect Aluminum
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
These drill bits are small in size, and they are best suited for you if you intend to drill holes for small screwdrivers on wood. They are made from HSS and tin coated. However, they are not suitable for metal surfaces.
Performance
Since they are neither Titanium nor Gold oxide coated, they are extremely brittle. If you use them to drill metal surfaces, they will barely scratch the surface before replacing the bit. They are best suited for aluminum surfaces and wood. They are suitable for small DIY household jobs. One setback though, is that they don’t fit in regular drills due to their small sizes. You need to find or buy a compatible drill chuck to insert the drill bits. The cutting edges are sharp for good accuracy when drilling holes for screwdrivers. Only purchase them if you intend to use them for drilling soft surfaces like cast aluminum and wood.
Variety
There are 60 to 120 pieces in the drill set. They don’t come in a case like the other drill sets, and the drill bits are placed in separate plastic bags. It becomes challenging to look for a specific drill bit size since they are not arranged according to sizes. The plastic bags provide excellent insulation from weather elements, but they are not durable. You have to find an alternative casing if you intend to store the drill bits for long. The drill bit sizes range from 3/32 to 7/64 inches, and they are small for increased accuracy.
Pros
- Suitable for jobs requiring high accuracy
- Best suited for aluminum and wood
- Comes in waterproof plastic bag casing
- Maximum 120 pieces in the drill set
Cons
- Doesn’t fit in a universal drill chuck
- Break easily
- Must be sharpened more often
7. Hiltex 10005 Industrial Drill Bit Set
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
These drill bits are made from HSS material, though am not a big fan of this material. Yes, the material is sturdy, but it breaks apart under the slightest pressure on the bit. It is no match for a cobalt drill set. The HSS material is carbon treated, and a black enamel coating is applied to it. It increases the durability of the drill bit.
Performance
It has sharp cutting edges and a 135 split point angle for good penetration. It gives you a perfect start in the drilling process. In addition to that, the shanks have tri-flat constructions to ensure that the drill bits are fastened very well to the chuck while drilling. The enamel coating is just for durability; you will have to deal with heat from the friction. The drill bits will occasionally wobble due to the wear and tear of friction. You have to occasionally add oil in the hole to provide lubricity while drilling. One problem caused by extreme heat due to friction is that the drill bits will expand in size, causing the holes being drilled to be more significant. There will be no accuracy or precision while drilling. The material has to have a coating, i.e. black oxide and gold oxide coatings for heat dissipation. You also need to sharpen them often.
Variety
It only comes with eight drill pieces of different sizes. The casing is designed in such a way that you only place the drill bit according to the labeled size. This labeling is proper when selecting specific drill bits, and it reduces the time you can look for a particular drill bit size. The case is also waterproof, and this feature extends the durability of your drill set.
Pros
- Durable drill bits, coated with an enamel layer
- Affordable
- Can fit any drill
- 135 split point angle for good penetration
- Sure-grip flanks
- Well labeled casing
Cons
- Wears easily due to friction
- Not heat resistant
8. Makita B49373 Metric Drill and Screw Bit Set
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Design features
The drill sets are made from Titanium coated HSS material. Makita Drill set also comes with insert bits like Phillips and Torx, for fastening the drill bits. The titanium coating makes the surface of the drill bits set for nails and masonry work. You can also work with wood surfaces by using drill bits sized 5-8mm. The drill set contains other drill bits like the center punch, nut drivers and countersinks in addition to a magnetic bit holder.
Performance
The overall performance is excellent, the bits are well sharpened, which makes them resistant to wear. The magnetic bit holder has a strong magnet that can hold both the bit and the screw of any size. This feature makes it easier when fastening screws to metal and wood surfaces. The countersink comes with a five blade tip and a hexagonal shank for sure grip. The masonry bits are only rated to be used on brick with a standard drill. Never use a rotary hammer for the masonry drill bit. The titanium coating makes the surface of the drill bit not to wear fast. With all the components in place, the Makita Drill set is a handy piece of drill and fastening set. The only downside of the drill set is that most bit break easily. It depends on the kind of drill you are using, how you fastened it and the drill bit specifications. The 135 split point angle starts very fast to reduce instances of drill walking and slip.
Variety
This drill set has almost everything you need, from a deburring bit to masonry and fastening inserts. It is a complete toolbox. There are close to 75 pieces of metric and screw drill bit sets inside the casing. The casing is waterproof and of good design. You can lock it and carry it around when doing home improvement tasks.
Pros
- Variety of drill sets
- Magnetic bit holder
- Friction resistant
- Can be used on a standard drill
- Good casing
- 135 split point angle
Cons
- Break or snap easily
- Not heat resistant
9. Kalinco Tile Glass Drill Bit Sets
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
The Kalinco Glass Drill set is made from hardened steel with a sharp carbide tip to cut through the glass or ceramic material. This design increases the service life of this drill set. The hard alloy material prevents frequent breakages of the tip. It is best suited for wood, glass, brick, stone and concrete materials.
Performance
Since the drill bit is not coated, you have to lubricate the drilling process by adding water. To extend the life of the drill bit, you have to drill at low speeds. For a good drilling process, first make a dent on the surface to be drilled, then drill at low speeds so that the edges are smooth. You cannot use these drill bits with a hammer drill. If used, they will fracture and ruin the highly brittle materials like glass and tile. If you drill on hard surfaces, then the carbide tip will break without proper lubrication like oil. The presence of a hard alloy makes the drill bit even hard to break, and the flat shanks provide an excellent grip to the drill chuck.
Variety
There are only six pieces of the drill bits, with size ranging from 1/8 to ½ inches. You can only choose from those sizes. The pieces are well stored in a transparent plastic casing, which is weatherproof. This casing is useful in extending the durability of the drill bits.
Pros
- Best suited for drilling brittle materials
- Sharp carbide tip
- Hardened steel alloy for added strength
- Affordable
- Does not break easily
Cons
- It has to be lubricated
- You only drill at low speeds to prevent fracture
10. Norseman Magnum Super Drill Bit Set
Editor’s Rating:
Design features
The drill bit is made from HSS and coated with Molybdenum and Gold Oxide layer. It features a speed helix flute design. This design offers good penetration while drilling surfaces of different materials like wood and metal. This is one of the best drill bits for the automotive sector because it bores into both smooth and hard metals leaving a smooth hole.
Performance
The jobber length of this drill set should be short for accurate hole placement while drilling. The 135 split point angle ensures that the drill bit penetrates smoothly into the material`s surface. The gold oxide coating ensures that the drill bit remains wear and tear resistant. In addition to that, it provides the best heat resistance to friction. The shape of the flute is that it removes the metal chaff from the tip of the bit, to reduce the buildup of heat. Another benefit of the flute is that it retains any lubrication fluid you add when drilling hard metal surfaces. The drill sets have flat shanks for a good grip on the drill chuck. One observation is that the coating comes off, especially when drilling aluminum surfaces.
Variety
There are a total of 29 pieces of different sizes inside that casing. The case is round and stylish, and it can fit anywhere you place it. It is made from weatherproof material.
Pros
- The 135 split angle offers good penetration
- The flute design removes the chaff from the tip
- Flat shank for good drill chuck grip
- Gold oxide coated for lubricity
- Round stylish design
Cons
- The coating comes off when drilling aluminum surfaces
Guide to Buying the Best Drill Bit
You need to consider a few features before buying a drill bits set. The features should go hand in hand with what you intend to drill. Before buying that drill, have the purpose of buying it in mind. It will assist you in making the right choice.
Material
The material with which a drill bit is made from directly impacts its functionality and durability. Three primary materials are used to make drill bits. Cobalt drill bits are considered superior because they can withstand high drilling temperatures.
High-speed steel – they are more resistant to heat than other materials like high carbon steel. Remember when you are drilling, the friction causes a buildup of heat, which may result in the melting of the drill bit. Especially when drilling in hard surfaces like concrete. You can achieve high cutting speeds with this material, though they are brittle. Drill bits made from HSS snap and break often. Most drills are made from high-speed steel.
Cobalt – Cobalt alloys are considered to be very hard; they are capable of penetrating hard materials like stainless steel. They are capable of withstanding high drilling temperatures, without twisting or expanding. This feature makes the cobalt drill bit superior to others. Examples of cobalt drill bits are manufactured by Drill America and CO-Z.
Titanium – titanium coated drill bits are durable and have surface hardness. However, they are no match to the cobalt drill bits. They also increase the lubricity while drilling any surface. Examples of titanium coated drill bits are made by DEWALT and Makita.
Tungsten carbide – drill tips made from this material are hard and very sharp. They are capable of boring holes into concrete and brick. They can be used to cut through glass and tiles. An example of such a drill set is Kalinco Glass Drill set. When well lubricated, it can be durable. That’s why tips made of tungsten carbide are used for masonry drilling works.
Point angle
The tips of drill bits are usually shaped in a certain angle. Different angles offer different penetration levels in most materials. Here are the different angles of the drill bit tips. The most common type of angle is the 135 split point angle. This angle provides the best penetration in wood, plastic and metal surfaces. It eliminates instances of drill walking or skating. Drill walking occurs when the drill bit is not confined to the point you intend to drill. Another angle is 118 point angle. This drill bit angle is best suited for use with wood and plastic surfaces. It is prone to drill walking, so it has to be used with a center punch. Finally, the speed helix angle. It resembles a flute, which provides faster drilling penetration because of the flute design caries out metal and wood chaff from the tip. Making the drilling process more comfortable.
Variety
One drill set that provides an enormous variety of drill bits is Makita. You have access to different sizes of the drill bits and other items like counterpunch, nut drivers, and countersinks. In addition to that, you have access to insert bits like Philips and Toax for fastening the drill bits. This drill set is an all in one toolbox. After considering the type of bits that you need, you should look at the casing. The casing is also an important consideration. It protects the drill bits from weather elements, so it has to be waterproof. It also has to be well arranged, with labeled sections for ease of selection. Still, on the variety of drill bits, you have to know if the drill set you are purchasing is compatible with the standard drill you have at home. Most drills bits are compatible with standard drill chuck.
Performance
Before buying that drill set, you should research how it performs while drilling certain materials. You will find that specific drills are designed for specific materials. A good example, you cannot use an HSS drill bit for drilling holes in concrete or glass. The drill bit will break upon contact with the material to be drilled. If you want to drill that is best suited for masonry drilling, then it should have a sharp carbide tip. A good example is the Kalinco drill set. Most masonry drill bits are made of Tungsten carbide at the tip. Because for you to drill into concrete or bricks, the tip needs to be sharp and extremely hard. This drill set is one of the best drill bits for drill press. When drilling a hole in the concrete, the speed of the drilling press should be low. Look for a drill bit that doesn’t wobble when drilling into a surface. If you don’t want wobbling of the drill bit, consider looking for a speed helix design. This design ensures that metal or wood chaff is brought out as the drill bit spins, so it prevents clogging of the drilling hole. This is a critical factor to consider if you want a high-performance drill bit.
Bottom line
In my opinion, the best drill sets are those made from cobalt. They are superior to other drills bits because they are suited for hard materials like cast iron and titanium. No other drill bit can withstand those temperatures. Take a look at the CO-Z drill set; it is made from cobalt and has a unique ability of drilling without changing the drill bits. They don’t break easily. The most important consideration is the material of the drill bit. It directly impacts the performance and durability. If you get the material right, then other features will follow.