When people start new projects, they’ll often put heavy emphasis on drill choice and forget about the importance of drill bits.
The best cobalt drill bits can make a huge difference in how you work. Without quality bits, your drill is practically useless. This is why we’ve decided to rank some of the best options on the market based on different needs.
Comparison Table of Top-Rated Cobalt Drill Bits
These cobalt drill bits have made our list for several reasons, including price, durability, and overall usefulness. All of these are designed to work with some of the best cordless drills on the market.
The below reviews, complete with pros and cons, will help you make a decision on which drill bits to buy.
Review of the Best 8 Cobalt Drill Bits (Ranked & Detailed)
8. Best Durable Drill Bits: Stroton Metric M42 8% Cobalt Twist Drill Bits Set
- Cobalt: Cobalt
- Design: Three steps
- Shank Type: Straight
- Measurement System: Metric
- RPM: 200 to 1,000
- Dimensions: .32 x 6.14 x 1.73 inches
- Flute Type: Spiral
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Package: 19 pcs
- Ideal Use: Stainless steel and Hard metal, Hardwood, Aluminum, Copper, Plastic and Hardwood.
With a heavy emphasis on durability, the Stroton Metric M42 8% Cobalt Twist Drill Bits Set is a good choice for working with stainless steel and hard metal.
The three-step design allows these cobalt bits to cut through numerous other materials, including plastic and aluminum. Additionally, the sharp bit edge allows you to keep up speed even when drilling through dense objects.
- They are highly durable and affordable.
- They work with hard metal, stainless steel, and other materials.
- The bits’ design makes them less prone to chipping.
- The drill bit diameter allows these to be used with up to 2,000 RPM.
- Some customers claimed their kit came with missing bits.
- They can slow down if dealing with thicker materials.
7. Best Affordable Drill Bits: Neiko 01925A Screw Extractor and Left Hand Drill Bit Set
- Cobalt: Cobalt
- Shank Type: Threaded
- Included Components: Screw extractor and left hand drill bit set
- Dimensions: 5.67 x 4.49 x 0.79 inches
- Flute Type: Spiral
- Package: 10 pcs
- Ideal Use: Stainless steel
Left-handed cobalt drill bits seem to be a rarity, and the Neiko 01925A Screw Extractor and Left Hand Drill Bit Set is among the least expensive on this list.
This set features spiral flutes on extraction bits, which can easily remove broken screws, studs, bolts, and other fittings. They’re primarily intended for use on small projects.
- They’re a perfect match for smaller projects that one needs to complete in a hurry.
- The low price means you don’t have to worry about damaging or losing them.
- These bits are perfect spares to keep around for emergencies.
- Their durability is fairly low, making them highly disposable.
- They are coated with cobalt instead of being made entirely from cobalt.
6. Best Cheap Drill Bits: Bosch CO2143 1/4 In. x 4 In. Cobalt Drill Bits
- Shank Type: Three-flat
- Finish Type: Uncoated
- Measurement System: Inch
- Bit type: Twist
- Flute Type: Spiral
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Ideal Use: Metal, high-carbon steel, aluminum and ally steel, cast iron, stainless steel and titanium
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The Bosch CO2143 1/4 In. x 4 In. Cobalt Drill Bits have made our list in large part due to their excellent price.
These are some of the less expensive options that you might find both online and in hardware stores.
However, the price also tends to reflect the set’s overall usability. These drill bits won’t last nearly as long as others on this list. However, they’re an excellent choice for a quick repair job.
- They stand up surprisingly well when used on metal.
- The set can withstand temperatures that most people would assume only higher-priced bits can take–up to around 1,100 degrees F.
- Each bit can cut even through angled iron.
- The price is an absolute bargain.
- Your expectations should be as low as the price.
- They handle hard metal, but you should consider upgrading to other bits at a certain density point.
5. Best Industrial-Grade Drill Bits: IRWIN Industrial Tools 316015 Cobalt Drill Bits
- Shank Type: Straight
- Finish Type: Black oxide
- Bit type: Twist
- Chuck Size: 3/8 inch
- Cutting Diameter: 0.0625/0.09375/0.109375/0.25 inch
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 10.94 x 11.06 inches
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Package: 15 pcs
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The IRWIN 316015 Cobalt Drill Bits instantly showcase a higher level of quality.
They’re presented cleanly in an organized manner that helps you instantly choose the right bit for a job.
Their design allows them to be used with harder than standard materials, and reduced shanks above 3/8″ allows the use of larger drill bits in a 3/8″ chuck.
- It’s easily among the best cobalt drill bits set for more professional-grade projects.
- The bits are made of high-quality cobalt steel.
- They have designs intended for resharpening at a later date.
- Their reduced shanks allow for use of larger drill bits in a 3/8″ chuck.
- They tend to walk on harder projects.
- Their speed reduces when cutting through steel.
4. Best Reliable Drill Bits: DEWALT DWA1240 Pilot Point Industrial Cobalt Drill Bits
- Cobalt: M35 5%
- Shank Type: Straight
- Measurement System: Metric
- Dimensions: 8.75 x 1.74 x 8.75 inches
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Package: 14 pcs
- Ideal Use: Stainless steel, drilling into angle iron, i-beams, and other similar metals.
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DEWALT’s DWA1240 Pilot Point Industrial Cobalt Drill Bits are one of the best choices from this reliable brand.
These bits can be used on denser materials. Additionally they combine that capability with higher supported speed and user control.
- The set is designed to work and maintain itself under rough usage conditions.
- It supports both a pilot point and split tip design.
- The bits can easily drill through thick materials.
- The case is sturdy and well organized.
- They can heat up quickly if used for hours on end.
- This kit does not have a 1/2″ bit.
3. Best Sized Drill Bits: CO-Z 5pcs HSS Cobalt Multiple Hole 50 Sizes Step Drill Bit
- Design: Two-fluted
- Shank Type: Triangle
- Finish Type: Titanium
- Measurement System: Inch
- Chuck Sizes: 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch
- Dimensions: 4.33 x 1.57 x 6.1 inches
- Flute Type: Spiral
- Package: 5 pcs
- Ideal Use: Steel, aluminum, wood, plastic
The CO-Z Cobalt Drill Bits offer compatibility with 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ chuck sizes.
Their non-walking drill tips provide fast and smooth drills on steel sheets, aluminum sheets, wood boards, plastic boards, and numerous other materials that you might need to work with as a professional driller.
- They’re a solid choice for somewhat larger projects.
- They work well on plastic, but not quite as well on non-ferrous materials.
- Different sized shanks ensure compatibility with 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ chuck sizes.
- The overall durability is a little less than you might hope for the price.
- Long-term use with heavier materials might dull the bits at a faster rate than expected.
2. Best Value Drill Bits: IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Steel, 29-Piece (3018002)
- Cobalt: 5%
- Shank Type: Straight
- Measurement System: Inch
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.5 x 4 inches
- Flute Type: Spiral
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Package: 29 pcs
- Ideal Use: Tough metal, including heavy-duty abrasive alloy metal drilling on hardened steel
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The IRWIN Cobalt Drill Bit Set covers sizes from 1/16″ to 1/2″.
Each of the bits has a 1/64″ split. This top-of-the-line cobalt drill bit set comes with heavy-duty web construction for added strength and durability.
This set is a phenomenal choice for working with stainless steel. The larger bits are three-flat spot cut, and the smaller ones are round cut, which gives you versatility when drilling complex projects.
- These bits are meant to last longer than other options currently on the market.
- The included case provides easy organization and on-the-fly selection.
- Their overall durability is further guaranteed thanks to their web construction and cobalt bases.
- They cut smoothly through dense materials.
- The price is higher than other options on the market.
- There is no hex or flatted shank included.
1. Best Quality Drill Bits: Powerextra Step Drill Bit Set & Automatic Center Punch 5pcs HSS Cobalt Titanium
- Design: X-shape
- Shank Type: Straight
- Chuck Sizes: 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch
- Finish Type: Titanium
- Measurement System: Inch
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
- Flute Type: Two flute
- Cutting Angle String: 135 degrees
- Package: 5 pcs
- Ideal Use: Stainless steel sheet, aluminum alloy, plastic material and wood.
Some of the best cobalt drill bits take into account different shapes and sizes; the Powerextra Step Drill Bit Set’s HSS step design allows for a single bit design to cover more ranges.
It essentially means that you can cover around five standard hole measurements with the use of a single drill bit. The titanium coating protects these reliable cobalt drill bits from rust.
The center punch reduces wobbling and allows for easier targeting of the exact spot that you want to drill in. With these bits’ flexibility, you’ll have no problem covering a multitude of projects that require different sized holes.
- The bits offer a greater range of use, better speeds, and overall better user experience.
- The price point is surprisingly low given the amount of innovation it provides.
- Their X-shape blade designs enables faster and smoother cutting.
- The set doesn’t last as long as others if used on stainless steel.
- It takes a while for beginners to get used to the multi-step design.
Final thoughts
The PowerextraStep Drill Bit Set earned first place on our list because of some innovative design choices.
However, ranking the best cobalt drill bits is subjective. Different jobs and styles call for different drill bit sets.
Sometimes you may need a durable drill bit that will last for years. Other times, a disposable option is a good choice. Whatever your needs may be, know you have some excellent cobalt drill bits to choose from.