Best Drill Bit Sets (2026)

The IRWIN 29-piece M35 cobalt alloy drill bit set is the professional choice for metalworking — the only set on this page built to drill hardened steel, stainless steel, and cast iron that standard HSS and titanium-coated bits cannot handle. M35 designation indicates 5 percent cobalt content alloyed into the steel matrix throughout the entire bit, not as a surface coating. When the cobalt is integral rather than coated, it does not wear off: the full edge hardness and heat resistance of the alloy is maintained from the cutting tip through the entire life of the bit. The 135-degree split point geometry starts on contact with metal without center-punching and self-centers on curved surfaces — a meaningful time saver in production metal drilling. Includes a sturdy index case with labeled slots for all 29 sizes. The trade-off versus the titanium-coated DeWalt DW1361 on this page is brittleness and cost. Cobalt alloy steel is harder but more brittle than standard HSS: applying lateral force (bending the bit or using it at an angle) is more likely to cause snapping than with a standard HSS bit. At $155.99, the cobalt set costs more than three times the DeWalt titanium set. For a metalworker, machinist, or fabricator drilling stainless, hardened plate, or tool steel routinely, the IRWIN cobalt set is the correct professional tool. For a homeowner drilling wood and light-duty metal screws, the DeWalt titanium set covers all practical needs at a third of the price.

The DeWalt DW1361 is the everyday workhorse drill bit set on this page — titanium nitride coated high-speed steel bits covering the sizes used in 95 percent of residential and light commercial work. The pilot point tip is the key feature: a small centered tip that contacts the material and establishes the drill path before the full cutting edge engages, preventing the bit from wandering or skating on smooth metal surfaces without needing a center punch first. The 21-piece set runs from 1/16 to 1/2 inch in 1/64-inch increments, stored in an indexed case. Titanium nitride coating extends edge life significantly compared to uncoated black oxide bits, particularly when drilling metal and hardwood where friction heat degrades cutting edges fastest. The honest limitation versus the IRWIN cobalt set on this page is material compatibility. Titanium nitride is a surface coating — as the bit wears, so does the coating, and the underlying HSS cannot handle sustained drilling in hardened steel, stainless steel, or cast iron without overheating and dulling rapidly. For wood, plastic, aluminum, mild steel, and the fastener drilling that constitutes typical homeowner and contractor use, the DW1361 is fully capable and represents outstanding value at $47.52 for a complete DeWalt-quality set. Buyers who specifically need to drill stainless kitchen hardware, hardened bolts, or tool steel should invest in the cobalt set. For everything else the DW1361 handles, it is the right choice at a fraction of the cost.

The DeWalt DWA1184 14-piece set is the entry-level option on this page at $14.79 — the lowest-cost way to get a DeWalt-quality set of basic drill bits. The 135-degree split-point tip is the key specification: it starts cleanly on metal and hard surfaces without walking or skating, eliminating the center-punch step for most flat-surface applications. Split-point geometry also produces a cleaner entry hole with less material breakout than the 118-degree tips found on basic budget bits. Fourteen pieces covers the sizes used in the large majority of residential fastening and drilling tasks: wall anchors, hardware mounting, pilot holes for wood screws, and electrical box drilling. The trade-offs versus the 21-piece DW1361 and 40-piece FlexTorq set on this page are coverage and coating. Fourteen pieces leaves gaps in less-common sizes that the 21 and 29-piece sets cover — if you occasionally need a 13/64 or 7/32-inch bit, this set does not include them. The black oxide coating provides moderate rust resistance but is less durable than titanium nitride coatings in sustained metal drilling. For a homeowner who primarily drills wood for shelving, hangs hardware, and drives wall anchors, the 14-piece set covers the practical task list at the lowest investment. For anyone drilling metal regularly, the titanium-coated DW1361 at $47.52 is the better long-term choice.

The DeWalt DWA2T40IR FlexTorq set is a different category from the drill bits on this page — it is a 40-piece impact driver bit set, not twist drill bits. The FlexTorq designation refers to a flexible zone built into the bit shank that absorbs the peak torque spikes generated by impact drivers, which differ from drills in that they deliver rotational force in rapid hammer pulses rather than continuous torque. Standard screwdriving bits snap under these pulses; the FlexTorq zone bends slightly to absorb the impact and resists breakage. The 40-piece set covers all common Phillips, flat, Torx, and square drive types in the sizes used for framing hardware, cabinet installation, decking, and general construction fastening. The magnetic screw lock sleeve holds screws against the bit tip for one-handed placement — useful when working overhead or in positions where the other hand cannot hold the screw. At $21.57 for a complete impact-rated set, the value relative to buying individual bits or lower-quality import sets is strong. The one practical note is that FlexTorq bits are optimized for impact driver use — they are compatible with standard drills but the flexible zone is not needed in non-impact use, and some users find the flex zone creates minor bit runout at high RPM in standard drills. For any buyer who uses a DeWalt impact driver regularly, this 40-piece set is the most useful bit kit on this page.

DEWALT DW2166 is a screwdriver bit set for fastening and driving applications — 45 pieces covering Phillips, flat, Torx, hex, and square drives used in a drill or impact driver. The distinction from the rest of this page matters: the IRWIN, DEWALT DW1361, and Bosch sets at higher ranks are twist drill bits for boring holes in metal, wood, and plastic; the DW2166 bits drive and remove fasteners. Both types seat in the same drill chuck, and most workshops need both — a screwdriver bit set for assembly and fastening, a twist drill set for cutting holes. DeWalt's Tough Case with labeled slots organizes all 45 bits so finding a Torx T25 mid-project doesn't require emptying the entire case. The included magnetic bit holder maintains controlled single-hand screw placement without the fastener dropping off the bit tip. At $14.98, DEWALT DW2166 is the second-lowest price on this page — $0.19 above the DEWALT 14-Piece Drill Bit Set at $14.79 (Worth Considering) and $6.59 below the DEWALT DWA2T40IR FlexTorq 40-Piece Impact Driver Bit Set at $21.57 (Worth Considering). The IRWIN Cobalt Alloy 29-Piece at $155.99 (Our Top Pick) and DEWALT Titanium 21-Piece at $47.52 (Budget Pick) are dedicated twist drill sets for hole-boring; the DW2166 complements rather than replaces them for shops that drill and fasten. Choose DEWALT DW2166 45-Piece Screwdriver Bit Set for drill owners who need a comprehensive fastening kit covering the full range of drive types — the organized Tough Case and 45-piece coverage handle most residential and DIY screw-driving work without hunting individual bit sizes. Skip it for drilling holes in metal or hardwood: the IRWIN Cobalt Alloy Set at $155.99 (Our Top Pick) or DEWALT Titanium Pilot Point at $47.52 (Budget Pick) are the twist drill sets on this page for cutting holes rather than driving fasteners.