The DEWALT DW1361 is our everyday pick, the IRWIN 3018002 is the metal specialist, and Milwaukee and Makita offer two impact-ready options.
Current recommendations are research-backed. Each article identifies its evidence, sources, update date, and limitations. No current guide is presented as hands-on tested. As an Amazon Associate, ToolShed Tested earns from qualifying purchases. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission -- at no extra cost to you. Product links and article details last reviewed September 5, 2026. Full disclosure.
A drill bit set should match the material and the tool that will drive it. A homeowner drilling wood and light metal needs a different set than a fabricator working in stainless steel, while an impact-driver owner needs a 1/4-inch hex shank.
These four picks cover those distinct use cases. All four are accessory sets: a drill or impact driver is sold separately. Piece counts include duplicate bits, so compare actual sizes before buying.
Quick Comparison: Best Drill Bit Sets 2026
- Best overall: DEWALT DW1361, a 21-piece titanium nitride set for conventional drills and drill-drivers.
- Best for metal: IRWIN 3018002, a 29-piece M-35 cobalt set with 135-degree split points.
- Best full impact-ready set: Milwaukee 48-89-4631, a 23-piece 1/4-inch hex set.
- Best compact impact-ready set: Makita B-65399, a 14-piece 1/4-inch hex set.
Package and Size Comparison
Distinct-size counts were calculated from the manufacturer inclusion lists linked below on September 5, 2026. They count each diameter once. The 23-piece Milwaukee contains more spare bits, while the 14-piece Makita reaches a larger maximum diameter. None includes a power tool, battery or charger.
1. DEWALT DW1361 Titanium Pilot Point: Best Overall
The DEWALT DW1361 covers sizes from 1/16 inch through 1/2 inch in a 21-piece case. DEWALT specifies titanium nitride coating, Pilot Point tips that start on contact, no-spin shanks, and a tapered web intended to reduce breakage. DEWALT model specifications and included sizes.
That combination makes it the broadest everyday choice in this roundup for wood, plastic, and light-metal jobs with a conventional drill or drill-driver. Move to a cobalt set for frequent hard-metal work, or one of the hex-shank sets below if a quick-change impact-driver collet is essential.
IRWIN's 3018002 set uses M-35 high-speed steel with 5% cobalt and includes 29 sizes from 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch in 1/64-inch increments. Its 135-degree split points are designed to start with less walking, and larger bits use reduced shanks. IRWIN 3018002 material and point specifications and manufacturer size listing.
Unlike a surface coating, the cobalt is part of the bit material, so the bits can be resharpened without removing the core material advantage. This is the specialized choice for buyers who regularly drill steel, stainless steel, or cast iron and value a complete fractional size range.
3. Milwaukee 48-89-4631 SHOCKWAVE RED HELIX: Best Full Impact-Ready Set
The Milwaukee 48-89-4631 is a 23-piece set with 1/4-inch hex shanks for impact drivers and drill-drivers. Milwaukee specifies a QUAD EDGE tip, VARIABLE HELIX flute, and a thicker tapered web designed around faster starts, chip removal, and bit strength. Its 23 bits cover 15 distinct sizes and stop at 3/8 inch. Milwaukee specifications and inclusion list.
Choose it when duplicate common sizes are useful for frequent work. Skip it if you need a 1/2-inch hole from this kit: the Makita below includes that size despite its lower piece count. The hex shanks fit a compatible quick-change impact-driver collet or drill chuck.
4. Makita B-65399 Impact GOLD: Best Compact Impact-Ready Set
The Makita B-65399 offers 14 titanium nitride-coated bits with 1/4-inch hex shanks. The set runs from 1/16 inch through 1/2 inch and uses 135-degree split-point geometry intended to start faster and reduce walking. There are 13 distinct sizes because the 1/8-inch bit is duplicated. Makita specifications and included sizes.
Makita rates the bits for 1/4-inch hex impact drivers and lists wood, plastic, ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, cast iron, and stainless steel among the applications. Pick this over the Milwaukee if you need the 1/2-inch bit or prefer fewer pieces. Choose a fuller fractional index if the project calls for intermediate diameters this set omits.
How We Chose
This guide compares manufacturer specifications, material, point geometry, shank type, size coverage, and the job each set is designed to perform. Sources and model destinations were reviewed September 5, 2026. We have no controlled measurements of drilling speed, bit life or breakage for these sets; the scores are editorial judgments. Confirm the exact model and seller package before checkout. See our methodology for the full process.
How to Choose a Drill Bit Set
Match the bit to the material
General-purpose titanium nitride-coated high-speed steel bits suit common wood, plastic, and light-metal jobs. Cobalt-alloy bits are the better fit for repeated drilling in harder metals. Concrete, brick, tile, and glass require material-specific bits that are outside this twist-bit roundup.
Round or no-spin shanks belong in a keyed or keyless drill chuck. A 1/4-inch hex shank locks into a quick-change impact-driver collet and can also be held by many drill chucks. Check the tool and chuck before buying.
Buy the size coverage you will use
A compact set saves space, while a larger indexed set adds intermediate sizes that matter when matching fasteners, taps, or precise hole requirements. The 29-piece IRWIN set offers the most complete fractional progression here; the Makita contains the fewest pieces. Do not infer coverage from piece count alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
For occasional work in softer metal, a suitable high-speed steel or titanium nitride-coated bit may be enough. For repeated work in steel, stainless steel, or cast iron, choose a cobalt-alloy bit such as the IRWIN M-35 set and follow the bit manufacturer's speed, pressure, lubrication, and safety guidance.
Can drill bits be used in an impact driver?
Use bits with a 1/4-inch hex shank that the manufacturer rates for impact drivers. The Milwaukee and Makita sets in this guide meet that requirement. A round-shank bit does not lock directly into a quick-change impact-driver collet.
What is the difference between titanium and cobalt bits?
Titanium nitride is a surface coating on the bit. Cobalt is alloyed into the high-speed steel itself. Sharpening eventually removes a surface coating at the cutting edge, while a cobalt-alloy bit retains cobalt throughout the material.
