A drill press is an essential tool for anyone who wants to work with home improvement, metal work, wood working, or DIY projects and hobbyists. A drill press is an essential tool that performs one task and does it very, very well.
A drill press allows you to drill holes in any material you like, in any size, at any angle. This means that the drill press can be used to drill holes in place of a jigsaw, a bandsaw, or any other number of home improvement tools.
However not all drill presses are the same. There are different brands, different features, and in some cases different prices. To help you pick the best drill press for your work, we’ve gone through the patch and come up with the ten best drill presses available in 2022.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press | Best Overall |  |
| WEN DB15 Titanium-Coated Drill Bit Set | Budget Pick |  |
| Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
Pros:
- 20-inch swing
- Durable cast iron construction
- Smooth and low-noise operation
- Tilting table for easier access
- Great customer service and warranty
- Relatively affordable
- Can be easily converted into a lathe
- Quick release wheels for accurate workpiece drilling
- Versatile and durable table
- Fast clamp-on T-slot table on the bed for accessories
Cons:
- No extra depth gauges
- The motor is not strong enough if you need to drill large holes
This product is not just an ordinary drill press, but a versatile machine that can be easily converted into a lathe, making it a great investment for the money.
This is a heavy-duty drill press that comes in a very affordable price range. It has a solid construction for heavy-duty jobs, with a strong cast iron base and table. The table can be tilted by about 45 degrees, making it easy for you to work on the drill press or to extract the workpiece easily.
2. WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
Pros:
- Very lightweight and sturdy
- Simple to set up
- Dust and shavings can be removed easily
- Very quiet in use
- User-friendly features
- Can be modified to satisfy various needs
Cons:
- Does not come with a carrying case
- Requires upgrading to accommodate bigger drill bits
- Gears are exposed at the front of the machine
You need the right drill press to serve your needs. The WEN 4208 Dr. Drill Press is one of the best drills for beginners. It requires minimal assembly. It is a simple, lightweight and compact machine that works excellent to give you the right results. It is one of the best devices that can help with any small projects.
The features of this machine are pretty neat. It comes with built-in countersink. You can adjust the machine to fit your needs. It is a comfortable fit. You can press in and out the parts regardless of the part you are trying to drill. It also comes with speed capacity of RPM from 600, 900, 1,350, 1,700 and 2,000. You can use it from regular, and heavy-duty.
3. DEWALT Drill Press
Pros:
- The price is very reasonable
- 2 speed settings
- Magnetic drill bit for convenient storage
- Very lightweight
- Easy to maneuver and move around
- An easy-to-use depth gauge
Drill presses are great for drilling precise holes into wood, metal, and plastic. However, the traditional circular rotating design is not the most suitable for all kinds of work. That’s where the Dewalt drill press comes in.
The Dewalt Drill Press features an innovative split-spindle design and variable speed, which allow you to move the workpiece along both the vertical and horizontal axes. You can drill fast or slowly, depending on your requirements.
The included magnetic drill bit holder conveniently stores your bits when not in use, making it a great addition to any workshop. With its easy-to-store bits, precise drill depth, and simple design, we’re sure it will quickly become a favorite in the workshop.
4. Performance Tool W3939 Hammer Tough 2-1/2" Drill Press Vise
Pros:
- Increased clamping strength
- Robust and durable
- Abundant features like dog holes, a zero clearance throat plate, and an integral chip tray
- Industrial quality
- Rugged
- Great balance
Cons:
- A bit heavy for someone with limited lifting abilities to move around
- The price is on the high side
- The service could be better
The Performance Tool W3939 Hammer Tough 2-1/2– Drill Press Vise is our pick as the best drill press vice. It boasts increased clamping strength with larger clamping surfaces, allowing the users to do more work when working with the material of their choice.
The clamping surfaces are about three times deeper than normal vice applications. The locking screws have a heavy presence and should be able to secure anything that needs to be secured. The angles, vise jaw, and the vise body are all cast, machined, and hardened. They go through a two-stage nitration process for more durability and longevity.
5. JET J-2530 15-Inch 3/4-Horspower 115-Volt Bench Model Drill Press
Pros:
- Riser
- Best motor
- Multiple Work lights
Cons:
- Takes longer to set up
- Takes up much space
- Not suitable for all types of drilling
This best drill press is one of the most powerful and universally versatile drill presses in the market today. It comes with a 15 inch by 12 inch table with a ram stroke of 3 ¾ inches heavy-duty steel build. The spindle is supported by a ball bearing for maximum accuracy and durability. It can be tilted up to 90 degrees for an easy viewing angle, adjustment lights, and a riser block.
The bench model weighs 282 pounds and its dimensions are 36 by 12 by 35. There are key features that make this exceptional, the safety key feature is for the main shaft lock and the coolant tray.
The machine comes with four lights with a 1,000 watt work light, a 500-watt work light on the left and right side. There is a large work light that is mounted, and also there is an optional work light for the column which is easily removable.
6. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Great for DIYers and hobbyists
- Large table to hold wood
- Durable construction
- Low price
With 3320-01 Drill Press from Skil, you can get professional quality results. It is a sturdy machine with easy to read markings on the table and a powerful motor that runs smoothly. You can use it to drill holes into wood, plastic, and metal.
The 3.2 Amp paddle switch delivers smooth, easy operation that makes it easy to use. You can quickly change the speeds using the variable speed dial. For accurate drilling, the drill press has a large table with a drill depth of 51/2 inches. The tool comes with a keyless chuck that holds the bits tightly in position.
The clips on the table are strong and hold the wood firmly in place. You can use the safety sensors to help keep the drill press secure. The quick-top guard adjustment makes it easy to adjust. The machine runs smoothly and cuts through the wood with ease.
7. Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press
Pros:
- Fifteen amp motor
- Cast iron base
- Very stable
- Gauge reads to 1/128”
- The table has a 33” by 16” footprint
- Powerful enough to drill through all types of metal
- Center-to-center distance between the ram and table of just 9.25”
- Cast-in swivel base
- Provides a lot of power
- Quick speed change
Cons:
- Can be noisy during operation
- The base is somewhat cumbersome to move
- Plastic gears that connect the table to the motor
- The 3/4hp motor is underpowered
- A few reports of defective parts and misaligned plugs
8. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press,Orange
Pros:
- Can be used for both drilling and sanding
- Solid build and compact design
- 12-inch stroke length
- 2.5-horsepower “ very powerful
- Easy to use and set up, no tools required
- 5/8-inch quickset height adjust
- Spindle lock
- Record of dependable service for years
You might think that a drill press designed for sanding is a risky purchase, but we beg to differ. If you need a drill press for your home workshop, this is a great option to consider.
The Wen 4214 is a benchtop drill press designed for round wood, molding, door frames, and chair legs. The 5/8-inch quickset height adjustment provides easy to use clamping for everyday projects. It has a reversible belt so you can use the drill press also for sanding crafts. It is a durable machine that is equipped with a large table so you can easily drill pieces of lumber up to 12 inches square.
The Wen 4214 features a 5/8-inch quickset height adjustment for efficient clamping while the spindle lock system allows for easy conversion. It has a 1.5-horsepower planetary bull-gear that reduces torque for better performance and speed control.
9. ShopSeries RK7033 6.2-Amp 10" Drill Press
Pros:
- Laser guide for precise drilling
- Tool-less depth adjustments
- Solid construction
- Fast and powerful motor
The ShopSeries RK7033 6.2-Amp 10" Drill Press with Laser Guide is a great addition to your workshop. It has a 10-inch table for drilling, powered by a 1.2-HP motor, and a 5/8-inch clamping chuck.
Its design is one of the main reasons why this is one of the best drill presses on the market today. It has a built-in laser guide that ensures that every drilling project is done accurately. It also makes the whole process faster – requiring no back and forth movement while you drill. The diamond-shaped table has three leveling options which is another great plus.
Regarding its operation, the ShopSeries RK7033 6.2-Amp 10" Drill Press is surprisingly quiet. Sure, it’s not the quietest on the market, but it’s definitely not super noisy. It also comes with a spindle locking knob for easy bit changes. There’s also a quick spindle release mechanism that is tool-less.
10. WEN DB15 Titanium-Coated Drill Bit Set
Pros:
- Very low-priced
- Specially designed for industrial use
- Includes tapered shanks
- Sharp and strong
- Can drill holes of different materials
- Feature two cutting rings
- Very well-made
- Very light in weight
Cons:
- Good-looking but less convenient
- Very short lifespan
- Not good for manual drilling
- Average performance
Drill bits are very useful tools in any kind of workshop or woodworking. It saves time and efforts and improves the efficiency of our work. A variety of drill bits can freely create the desired hole according to our needs. So it is very important to choose a good drill bit based on our needs and situations.
The Wen Drills has a high copper content. It can prevent corrosion, self-sharpening effect and easy to use. It can improve the drilling and cutting accuracy with its high hardness. It is very popular in the market now. The combination of high quality and low price makes it sell very well and become the best seller in the industry.
11. Genesis GDP1005A 10" 5-Speed 4.1 Amp Drill Press
Pros:
- Durable and heavy duty motor
- Carbon brushes to eliminate carbon dust
- No hassle warranty
- Easy to use
- Powerful motor for light to medium duty applications
- Comes with power tools such as wrench and two drill chucks of 5/8" and 1/2" sizes
- Easy to assemble
It is important to note that budget had the highest ranking when we were comparing the various drill press models. That's because, if we were to follow the philosophy of getting the most value for your money, you'll agree that it wouldn't really make sense to spend a lot of money on a model that doesn't meet your needs. That's why we decided to create a list of drill press reviews where you wouldn't have to spend a fortune while still getting an impressive product that will deliver on what you need.
So in an effort to be objective and fair, we're going to outline the different criteria we used in our comparison of the different drill presses available. So here are the criteria we based our assessment on:
- Feature set
- Quality & durability
- Ease of use
- Customer reviews
- Price
12. Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press
Pros:
- Accurate laser crosshairs
- First-class build quality
- High torque motor
- Variable speed
- Built-in laser system for guiding
- Accurate digital readout
- Safety switch
Cons:
- A little bit expensive
- Bit change requires some effort
- Heavy to move
Drill press is an efficient, reliable and accurate tool for creating holes in wood, metal, plastic and plastic. Before buying a drill press, there are several important points to consider. First of all, you need to purchase the high-quality product, because with a poor-quality drill press, you’ll waste a lot of time and effort.
This drill press from Delta has an 18-inch throat space and swings up to a 90-degree angle for easier access. A large table provides a large, flat, stable work surface. The drill press is equipped with a micro-depth spindle which is accurate to within 1/16th of an inch, and the table top is adjustable in length as well.
With a 1.5-amp motor and 36-inch column, you can complete any drilling job efficiently. The machine is suitable for small workshop, hobbyist, garage, or studio. The digital display is easy to read.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best benchtop drill press?
The best benchtop drill press for woodworking is one that is reasonably priced, accurate, powerful, and easy to setup. Additionally, the benchtop drill press must be able to support the weight of a variety of drill bits.
If you are looking for a benchtop drill press to complete a variety of jobs, such as installing hinges or pilot holes for exterior woodworking, you will want to choose the best benchtop drill press that has a spindle that is capable of operating at higher rpms.
If you are looking for a benchtop drill press to complete a few specialized jobs, such as installing a shelf bracket or a dowel, you can accomplish this task by either purchasing a benchtop drill press with a slower spindle speed, or you can use an adapter and an existing cordless drill with a quick-change chuck.
How do I choose a drill press?
To choose the best drill press for your own use, you should consider your budget, workspace, and what you plan to do most often with it. A drill press can help you build cabinets. An orbital sander can help you build furniture. And a miter saw can cut up the wood for you.
What does 10 inch drill press mean?
The 10” designation for drill presses refers to how large the table top/table top surface is for a drill press. It does not refer to the size or horsepower of the motor.
In other words, motor size is not a factor of the table size. So if you see a 12” table top drill press and a 10” table top drill press, the 12” table top drill press is not meant for larger workpieces than a 10” table top drill press.
The 12” table top drill press is simply 12” in size while the 10” table top drill press is 10” in size. The wider the table top is, the less precision you will have with your workpiece on the drill press. You will also have more surface area on the table top for your workpiece, which could lead to a less stable workpiece.
Are jet drill presses any good?
Although the impact drill is still the workhorse of the construction field, the addition of the new variable-speed drill press has certainly changed the construction scene in a positive way.
While the impact driver has definitely done a good job, the drill press enables the contractor to perform numerous operations that cannot be performed as well with the impact driver. Furthermore, it can be used to drill those big holes that are made by the rotary hammer.
Like its cousin the impact driver, there are numerous brands and styles available, and the choice of a brand and model comes down to personal preference and budget. However, both the serious do-it-yourselfer and the contractor agree that the best thing going is the new variable-speed drill press.
Conclusion
There are different types of drill presses and the main difference is the head design. Since there are various types of drill press accessories, you'll find the most appropriate for your chopping needs by checking the drill press reviews. The most important thing about a drill press is the quality of the product.
Generally, we recommend to research as many drill presses as you can, compare the products and choose the best one according to your needs. We are here to help you with that by looking at a wide variety of drill presses in order to choose the best 10.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press | Best Overall | |
| WEN DB15 Titanium-Coated Drill Bit Set | Budget Pick | |
| Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press | Upgrade Pick | |