best drill bits

Best Drill Bits of 2021: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Regardless if you are a DIYer enjoying the portability of a cordless drill or a professional contractor who depends on the power of a corded drill, you need to invest in the best drill bits for your projects.

Drill bits play a critical role in how well you can use your drill. They are made in a wide range of shapes and sizes, as well as from different materials.

The exact combination of size, shape, and material dictates what materials a drill bit can be successfully used on.

To get the job done the right way, you need to make sure you’re using the right drill bits.

Today, we’ll cover the best drill bits of 2021 alongside some important buying tips that will help you get through each project successfully.

Best Drill Bits Reviews

1. COMOWARE Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set

The COMOWARE Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set is an affordable set of drill bits that can be used for a variety of projects.

Is the quality up to your standards?

Product Highlights

This set has 13 HSS drill bits that range from 1/16 to ¼ of an inch in size and are made to be used for wood, plastic, and aluminum alloy materials.

The HSS metal on these bits is coated with titanium for added durability.

The shank is a standard hex shape, so it would fit your power tools regardless of the brand it came from. This also means it can be changed quickly.

The flutes on these drill bits are beveled in two layers so that more debris will be removed at a time, and the bit won’t overheat as easily.

The drill bits are delivered in a drill bits holder that has sizes marked; this makes it very easy to store and organize your drill bits.

The Good

The best thing about this set is that each of the drill bits is sturdy, simple to use, and reliable.

Thanks to the sharp-cut edges and universal ¼-inch hex shank design, they can be easily used in a variety of power drills without needing to adapt or overtighten the bits.

You can be sure that they work well and do so on a variety of materials.

The Bad

Because this set is a budget-friendly option, the drill bits dull more quickly than higher-end options and may wear down more rapidly.

Still, they are a good choice for those who are willing to balance long-term durability with the price.

PROS

  • Great price
  • Full set of sizes
  • Fits many drills
  • Great for soft and common materials
  • Affordable

CONS

  • Not strong enough for steel
  • Long-term durability issues

2. DEWALT Spade Drill Bit Assorted Size Set

This six-piece DEWALT Spade Drill Bit Assorted Size Set is a mid-range option from a very reliable brand.

Each drill bit is designed to be used for many boat-making applications.

Product Highlights

These DEWALT Spade drill bits range in size from ⅜ up to one inch. They can be used with any power drill that is compatible with a ¼-inch ball groove shank.

The six common sizes that are included have what DEWALT calls the Extreme Speed Channel.

This feature helps with debris removal, which can sometimes be a problem when using spade drill bits.

These drill bits are around six inches long, so they are adequate in size to go through both a two by four and a four by four without the need for an extension bit.

The Good

The oxide finish and design of the spade edges make these drill bits great to use on soft materials, including pine and drywall.

They track straight when being used, and each drill bit is clearly marked in size so that you can approach projects with soft materials without needing to size your bits constantly.

The Bad

These drill bits are designed to be used with soft materials.

They do not have the best long-term durability when compared to professional-grade drill bits.

The edges will dull quickly, but they can still be used for a variety of soft material projects with great success.

PROS

  • Great for soft materials
  • Well-labeled
  • Universal ¼-inch ball shank design
  • Reliable brand name
  • Channel for debris removal

CONS

  • Limited durability
  • Not made for hard materials

3. Owl Tools 10-Piece Concrete Drill Bits Set 

The Owl Tools 10-Piece Concrete Drill Bits Set is a high-quality set of masonry-focused drill bits that can be very useful for tough material drilling.

Product Highlights

This set of 10 different drill bits from Owl Tools is great for drilling into tiles, bricks, cement, glass, plastic, and more thanks to their chrome-plated carbide tips.

What’s more, these Owl Tool bits are delivered in a reliable and easy-to-use storage container.

The set includes two ⅛-inch bits, two ¼-inch bits that are four inches long, two ¼-inch bits that are six inches long, one 5/16-inch bit, two ⅜-inch bits, and one ½-inch bit.

The Good

The shank shape on these drill bits is great for preventing over-rotation and slippage, even when drilling into the toughest materials.

It is recommended to drill slowly to never encounter those problems with these bits.

The Bad

While these bits work very well on concrete and different types of tiles, some incredibly hard tiles might still be too strong for these particular bits.

However, that won’t be the case for most people.

PROS

  • Mix of common sizes, including some duplicates
  • Easy to attach
  • Designed to reduce wobble
  • Steady shank design
  • Reliable brand

CONS

  • Not made for all tile types
  • Not as many sizes as some sets because of duplicates

4. DEWALT Masonry 7-Piece Drill Bit Set

This DEWALT Masonry 7-Piece Drill Bit Set is a set of rock carbide-tip masonry drill bits that fall into the mid-range of drill bits available.

Product Highlights

DEWALT is well-known for its drills and drill accessories, and this set of drill bits is another option that stands out in its product line.

The sizes in this seven-piece set of masonry drill bits range from 3/16 to ½ of an inch.

The rock carbide tips ensure that the bits can be used for a good amount of time.

Each one of them has a unique four-flute design, which ensures that debris is constantly removed while you are drilling.

These particular bits are designed to be most effectively used with blocks, concrete, masonry, brick, and similar materials.

The Good

When used properly, these drill bits are great in terms of long-term use and durability.

Even when used to create various types of anchor holes in many different materials, the bits will not easily bend or break as long as they are properly secured and handled with precision.

The Bad

One of the most common complaints people have had with this set is that it is not delivered in any type of easily reusable case.

While the packaging can be reused, it is not very secure or durable, so many have had to find another way to reliably store their drill bits.

For most people, though, this is not a huge issue.

PROS

  • Cut through bricks, mortar, and more
  • Great for home use
  • Variety of sizes
  • Affordable
  • Fit standard drills

CONS

  • Poorly designed case
  • Not for long-term professional use

5. Neiko Titanium 10-Step Drill Bit

Finally, let’s take a look at the Neiko Titanium 10-Step Drill Bit, an affordable option that is great for metals and other drill uses.

Product Highlights

This Neiko 10-Step Drill Bit is a titanium-coated high-speed steel drill bit that balances affordability with durability.

The drill bit is good for cutting holes in plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, and all types of sheet metals.

Each bit has a two-flute design so that the particles will not slow down or prevent easy drilling.

The steps included range from ¼ to one and ⅜ inches, allowing you to create a variety of hole sizes.

The Good

The angle on this tip is a 135-degree split point tip. This type of tip makes it easier to drill straight.

It does a better job of balancing the speed of the cut with walk-prevention to keep the bit from moving out of place while you are drilling.

The Bad

Using this step drill bit may not be as smooth as you want it to be because it can get caught on each successive step as you are moving forward.

Drilling slowly and methodically can help to reduce this issue significantly.

PROS

  • Up to 10 sizes
  • Great for sheet metals
  • Tri-shape shank keeps it secure
  • Clear debris quickly
  • Sturdy, titanium-coated HSS

CONS

  • Can wear out quickly when overheated regularly
  • Gets caught on steps

Buyer’s Guide

Drill bits come in many shapes and sizes.

Choosing the right one for your project is going to depend on your drill type, what you’re working on, and the longevity you’re expecting from the drill bit.

This buyer’s guide will help you to understand what to consider when shopping for one so that you come home with the right bit for your project.

1. Drill Bit Type

The most common types are twist and spade bits; these categories each include a few additional specialty designs, as well.

Twist Bits

A twist bit, also known as a Brad bit or auger bit, are bits that have a spiral groove that goes into the material as you use the drill.

The spiral design pushes material out of the hole as you create it, leaving behind a relatively clear space because the material travels up the spiral flute.

Sometimes, however, the flute can get clogged, and the holes will still need to be manually cleaned out.

These bits are known to be:

  • Highly resilient
  • Have great durability
  • Work well when used on different materials
  • Come in many sizes

Because of the wide range of uses for this type, there are usually a few different twist bits included in standard sets.

This type can be made from different materials, which is why some options are stronger than others.

The price can vary depending on the material, too. However, overall, twist bits are known to be the most affordable type.

It can also be professionally sharpened, which improves its durability even more.

Remember that this only applies to bits made from stronger materials because the less expensive bits can break over time.

Spade Bits

Spade bits, also known as paddle bits, are a type of bit that is used when you need to drill completely through a soft material rather than making a hole in the material.

These ones work best when you drill the whole way through because the paddle design does not move any debris out of the hole as it is made.

Because of how quickly these bits can move through soft materials, they are often used by contractors who are familiar with using them.

Spade bits require less upkeep than twist bits because of their design, but they’re only made to be used on softwoods.

Finally, they can be a bit difficult to use for those who are new to a drill bit because they require a lot of torque and control; otherwise, you’ll end up with a messy hole.

Additional Drill Bits

Within the two main categories, several others do more specific things or further optimize what each of those bits does.

  • Auger Bits

Made for softwoods, these twist bits have much longer flutes than a standard twist bit to ensure the clean removal of debris with less blowout.

  • Forstner Bits

Best for soft materials, these twist bits are an expensive option that cuts in two directions at once to create very clean holes with flat bottoms.

They are ideal for finishing and woodworking.

  • Step Bit

Ideal for metalwork, these bits can cut different-sized holes with a single bit very quickly.

These are not the only kinds of specialty bits that exist, but these are the types that you are most likely to come across when you are using a mixed bit set or choosing your next bit.

In boat making, countersink bits, Brad-point bits, spade bits, plug cutters, and Forstner bits are the most useful types of drill bits.

2. Sizes

They come in a variety of sizes that can be useful for different projects and materials, and most types are available in a wide range of sizes.

The diameter of the body of the bit decides the bit size; most home projects will need sizes that range from 1/16 up to ¼ of an inch.

It can also be useful to have larger bits on hand, up to ½-inch bits, if you have projects that need them from time to time.

3. Drill Bit Construction

As mentioned above, drill bits can be made out of a few different materials.

The best material is going to depend on which type of material you will be drilling through.

Three of the most popular are carbide, high-speed steel, and cobalt.

Carbide

Carbide is known to be the most rigid material used in drill bit construction, but it is also one of the most brittle.

For that reason, full carbide drill bits are not often used with hand drills since they would break too easily, but carbide-tipped drill bits are more common.

Contractors who work with tiles, masonry, concrete, and other strong materials often use carbide-tipped drill bits.

These can cut through different strong materials while also staying sharp for longer than others.

High-Speed Steel

High-speed steel, also known as HSS, is the economical choice for many drill bits, particularly in drill bit sets.

HSS bits can be made from a number of different steel options; titanium bits, for example, are HSS bits that are coated in titanium nitride.

Black oxide bits are another type of modified HSS bits. These bits can often be used on both wood and metal because HSS is a very versatile option.

They can even be used when cutting PVC or fiberglass when you are set up to do so.

Cobalt

Cobalt is another popular type of drill bit material; it is a bit of choice in many scenarios when compared to HSS bits.

Cobalt bits are made very similarly to HSS, but they have cobalt blended into them to ensure a harder finish.

Cobalt tips are known to be heat- and abrasion-resistant; this means they do not lose their sharpness as quickly as other materials.

Drill Bits FAQs

1. Is cobalt or titanium drill bits better?

Cobalt bits are better for hard materials because they can be resharpened and tend to last longer.

Titanium drill bits, on the other hand, are better for softer metals and wood for their price and user-friendliness.

Cobalt and titanium drill bits are both made from the same type of metal base.

Cobalt drill bits then have cobalt added to the base before the bit is formed, while titanium is coated onto the outside of a metal bit after it is made.

This is why cobalt bits have stronger cores and also why they are more expensive.

When it comes to drill bits, the answer about which type is better is going to depend on what your project is and how you plan to use the drill bit.

Before you make a choice based strictly on the perceived characteristics of any drill bit, take time to think about what you be using it for.

Doing this will help you to make a more informed choice.

2. What is stronger black oxide or titanium?

In many ways, black oxide drill bits are stronger than titanium drill bits when considered as a general-purpose drill bit.

Black oxide drill bits are made from basic HSS bits that are heated using very high temperatures.

This heating process creates a finish on the outside of the bits that helps make it stronger.

Estimates suggest that black oxide drill bits can last about 50% longer than standard HSS bits and around 30% longer than titanium-coated drill bits since the titanium wears out faster than the black oxide finish.

3. What is the hardest type of drill bit?

For most hard materials, carbide and cobalt drill bits are ranked as the strongest types of drill bits.

Diamond tip and carbide tip drill bits are also ranked highly for their ability to be strong without being too brittle or expensive.

It’s not easy to decide which type of drill bit is the strongest because the best drill bit to use is not simply dependent on strength; it’s also dependent on what material the bit will be used on.

Carbide drill bits are very strong, but they are also very brittle, which means they need to be used with expensive drilling gear to function properly without breaking down.

Cobalt tips can be used with more everyday drills, but they are expensive, so many turn to cobalt-tipped or black oxide HSS drill tips instead.

4. Are cobalt drill bits worth it?

Cobalt drill bits are bought for their durability and longevity when used on very hard materials, but they are not practical or affordable to use for general-purpose drilling.

Cobalt drill bits are made from high-speed steel that is mixed with between five and eight percent cobalt.

This gives it a very strong core that can be used in hard material applications.

Also, cobalt drill bits can be resharpened after they dull down, so users can get a good amount of long-term use out of them.

5. Can you sharpen cobalt drill bits?

Cobalt drill bits can be sharpened by a professional sharpening service, or you can do it yourself using a bench or hand grinder.

The key when sharpening cobalt drill tips is to make sure that they stay cool, but cobalt drill tips have a pretty high heat tolerance.

This video gives a great introduction to sharpening drill bits at home.

FINAL VERDICT

Overall, each of these drill bits can offer something for those who are working on their boats!

You’ll need a variety of different bits, and they each have their share of uses for different aspects of the building process.

Still, the DEWALT Spade Drill Bit Assorted Size Set stands out as the set of drill bits that will be most useful for not only the quality but also for the price.

With this, you get a good range of sizes in a single set.

For those who need twist bits, the COMOWARE Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set is a solid backup option, but it may not provide quite as much durability as the DEWALT spade set.

Check out Boat Diaries’ blog section today for more drill bit advices.

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