Best Drill & Driver Bit Sets for DIYers
The right bits make a drill cut clean and drive without stripping. A good twist-bit set covers wood and metal, and impact-rated driver bits resist snapping in an impact driver. Match the bit to the material.
What to look for
- ·For driving in an impact driver, buy impact-rated bits. Standard bits shatter under impact forces.
- ·Titanium or black-oxide twist bits handle wood and soft metal; cobalt bits cut hardened steel and stainless.
- ·A pilot-point or split-point tip starts on contact without wandering, which matters for accurate holes.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set | Editor's pick | $20 to $45 | The everyday all-around set |
| Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Bit Set | Editor's pick | $20 to $40 | Driving in an impact driver |
| Bosch Daredevil Bit Set | Editor's pick | $25 to $50 | Fast, clean drilling |
| Irwin Cobalt Drill Bit Set | Best value | $20 to $45 | Drilling hard metal |
| DeWalt Black & Gold Drill Bit Set | Best value | $15 to $35 | Value everyday drilling |
| Makita Drill & Driver Bit Set | Best value | $20 to $45 | A combined drill-and-drive kit |
| Craftsman Drill Bit Set | Budget pick | $12 to $25 | Budget home drilling |
| Ryobi Drill & Driver Bit Kit | Budget pick | $10 to $25 | Cheap complete starter kit |
| Store-Brand Drill Bit Set | Budget pick | $8 to $20 | Occasional light use |
Editor's pick
DeWalt Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set
$20 to $45
A versatile titanium-coated set with pilot-point tips that start on contact without walking. Covers wood, plastic, and soft metal for everyday drilling. A reliable everyday set.
Best for: The everyday all-around set
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Bit Set
$20 to $40
Impact-rated driving bits engineered to flex and resist snapping in an impact driver, with a wide variety of tips. The pick for driving screws without stripped or broken bits.
Best for: Driving in an impact driver
Typically available at Home Depot, Acme Tools, Amazon.
Bosch Daredevil Bit Set
$25 to $50
Sharp, durable bits known for fast, clean cutting in wood and metal, including spade and auger options. A quality set for drilling a range of materials.
Best for: Fast, clean drilling
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Best value
Irwin Cobalt Drill Bit Set
$20 to $45
Solid cobalt bits that stay sharp in hardened steel and stainless, at a value price. The pick when you drill metal and want bits that last.
Best for: Drilling hard metal
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
DeWalt Black & Gold Drill Bit Set
$15 to $35
A widely available black-and-gold oxide set that handles wood and general metal well for the price. A dependable value for a complete home set.
Best for: Value everyday drilling
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Makita Drill & Driver Bit Set
$20 to $45
A combined drill and driver bit kit with a quality case and good variety. A solid value to outfit a drill and impact driver in one box.
Best for: A combined drill-and-drive kit
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Budget pick
Craftsman Drill Bit Set
$12 to $25
A familiar-name budget set covering common drilling needs around the house. Basic but serviceable, with easy returns where you shop.
Best for: Budget home drilling
Typically available at Lowe's, Amazon.
Ryobi Drill & Driver Bit Kit
$10 to $25
An affordable combined bit kit to get a drill and impact driver started. Lots of pieces for the price, fine for light DIY use.
Best for: Cheap complete starter kit
Typically available at Home Depot.
Store-Brand Drill Bit Set
$8 to $20
The cheapest assorted set for occasional, light drilling. Dulls faster than name brands, but a low-cost way to have common sizes on hand.
Best for: Occasional light use
Typically available at Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon.
Frequently asked
What drill bits do I need around the house?+
A general twist-bit set (titanium or black oxide) covers wood, plastic, and soft metal. Add spade or auger bits for big holes in wood, masonry bits for brick and concrete, and a set of impact-rated driver bits for screws.
Can I use regular bits in an impact driver?+
Use impact-rated driver bits in an impact driver. The hammering action snaps standard bits. Impact-rated bits are made to flex and absorb that force, and they are inexpensive, so it is worth buying the right ones.
What is the difference between titanium and cobalt bits?+
Titanium-coated bits are good all-around for wood and soft metal and cost less, but the coating wears. Cobalt bits are solid cobalt alloy throughout, staying sharp in hardened steel and stainless, but cost more. Match the bit to how hard the material is.
How do I keep bits from wandering?+
Use bits with a pilot-point or split-point tip that bite on contact, mark and dimple the spot with a center punch, and start slow. For metal, a bit of cutting oil and steady, moderate speed keeps the bit cutting and cool.
Why do my driver bits keep stripping screws?+
Usually a worn bit, the wrong size or type, or not seating the bit fully in the screw. Use a fresh, correctly sized bit (often a Torx or square drive holds better than Phillips), keep the driver straight, and let it seat before applying torque.