Best Drill Bit Set for Metal (2026): Cobalt and HSS Picks That Bite
Drills and drivers
The best drill bit set for metal is the DEWALT DWA1181, a 21-piece black and gold oxide set that covers mild steel, sheet metal, and bracket work. Add a MACXCOIP M35 cobalt set for stainless and hardened steel, or the compact DEWALT DWA1184 14-piece kit for a set that lives in the drill bag.
Our picks
The best drill bit set for metal is the DEWALT DWA1181, because it covers the sizes a home shop actually uses and its 135-degree split point starts cutting where you mark instead of skating across the surface. Most metal drilling is ordinary work: pilot holes for bolts, clearance holes in brackets, holes in tube and angle.
You do not need a machine-shop index for that. You need bits that grip, cut cool, and survive a drawer full of helpers. Our drills and driver guides cover the rest of the kit, and the cordless drill guide pairs with any set here if you still need the tool.
What a metal drill bit set actually has to do
Metal is harder on a bit than wood, so two things matter more than the number of pieces in the case. The tip has to start on contact, and the shank has to hold in the chuck without slipping. A 135-degree split point handles the first job. The three-flat shank handles the second on the larger sizes.
Coating is the other decision. Black and gold oxide resists rust and is cheap, but it is not a hardness coating. Titanium nitride adds some surface life in mild steel. Cobalt is the one to buy if you drill stainless, hardened bolts, or cast iron, because the alloy stays hard when the bit gets hot.
Finally, keep the bits cool. Slow speed, steady pressure, and a drop of oil turn a cheap set into a good one. Run a bit wide open with no lubricant and even cobalt will give up.
Top pick: DEWALT DWA1181 21-piece
The DEWALT DWA1181 is the best drill bit set for metal for most people because it is honest about what it is. It is a general-purpose high-speed steel set with a black and gold oxide finish, sold in 21 sizes, and it does the everyday jobs well. The parabolic flute helps clear chips so the bit does not pack up in a deep hole.
The 135-degree split point is the reason to choose it over a cheap hardware-store index. It bites on the mark and resists walking, which is the difference between a clean hole and a scratched-up bracket. The 3-flats shank and the tapered web add rigidity, so the larger bits do not spring or spin when you lean on the drill.
This is not a stainless set. For that, step up to cobalt, which is the next pick. What this set gives you is range, reliability, and a price that leaves money for the bits that matter in hard metal.
Who it is for: Homeowners and DIYers who drill mild steel, sheet metal, aluminum, wood, and plastic, and want one set that covers the common sizes.
Skip if: You mostly drill stainless steel or hardened bolts, where a cobalt set is the right first buy.
Shop: DEWALT DWA1181 on Amazon
Best for stainless and hardened steel: MACXCOIP M35 cobalt
The MACXCOIP M35 cobalt set is the best pick for anyone who drills stainless steel, hardened bolts, or cast iron. M35 cobalt is about 5 percent cobalt, which makes the alloy noticeably harder than plain HSS. That hardness is what lets the bit keep cutting when a black oxide bit would heat up and dull.
Treat cobalt with a little respect and it lasts. Run it slow, press hard, and use a drop of cutting oil. That combination is what turns a snapped-off bolt or a stainless bracket from a ruined bit into a ten-minute job. The 135-degree split point keeps the bit centered so you spend less time chasing a wandering hole.
The set runs from 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch, which covers pilot holes and most bolt clearances. It is not the set for big holes, and the smallest bits are delicate. For a home shop that only meets stainless sometimes, this is the affordable way to be ready for it.
Who it is for: Home mechanics, fabricators, and anyone who drills stainless, hardened bolts, or cast iron, and wants cobalt performance without a pro-shop price.
Skip if: You only drill mild steel and wood, where the DEWALT sets cover you for less.
Shop: MACXCOIP M35 cobalt set on Amazon
Best compact set: DEWALT DWA1184 14-piece
The DEWALT DWA1184 is the best compact set for a drill bag or a tight bench. It is the same family as the top pick, with the same 135-degree split point and 3-flats shank, but trimmed to the 14 sizes most people actually wear out and packed into a small index.
The 3-flats shank is the detail we like most. It is not a proprietary lock, it is a round shank with three ground flats, so it grips harder in any three-jaw keyless chuck and resists the spin-out that rounds a shank. That matters most on the 1/4 and 5/16 sizes when you lean into a hole.
The split point also earns its keep on curved stock. On one-inch pipe or a rounded bracket, the point catches the high spot and stays there instead of skating down the curve. If you already own a few singles, this is the set to refill around.
Who it is for: Anyone who wants a grab-and-go set for pilots, small clearance holes, and drill-outs, and does not want a big index taking up shelf space.
Skip if: You need sizes above 3/8 inch, or you drill stainless often and need cobalt.
Shop: DEWALT DWA1184 on Amazon
How the three sets compare
The 21-piece DEWALT is the do-everything set. The cobalt MACXCOIP is the one you reach for when the metal gets hard. The 14-piece DEWALT is the compact set that stays with the drill.
Cobalt vs black oxide vs titanium
The coating decides which metal the bit is happy in, so match it to the job instead of buying the biggest box.
If you drill metal more than a few times a year, the honest answer is to own both. Keep a general HSS set for wood, plastic, and mild steel, and a cobalt set for the jobs that ruin cheap bits.
How to drill metal without burning bits
Start with a center punch on anything round or polished. Even a split point likes a small dimple to sit in, and it stops the bit walking on smooth stock.
Run the drill slow. Most cordless drills have plenty of speed for metal and too much for the bit. Low gear, steady pressure, and a drop of cutting oil keep the temperature down, which is what saves the edge.
Let the bit cut. If you are pushing hard and seeing fine dust instead of spiral chips, the bit is rubbing. Ease up, slow down, and add oil. Ease off the trigger as you break through so the bit does not catch and snap.
Who should skip these sets
Skip all three if you drill concrete or masonry. Those jobs need a hammer drill and carbide bits, and twist bits will just spin and overheat. Skip the compact set if you need 1/2-inch holes, because it stops at 3/8 inch.
Skip cobalt if your work is almost all wood, plastic, and mild steel. You would pay more for hardness you never use, and the DEWALT 21-piece covers that work for less. Buy the set that matches the metal you actually drill.
Bottom line: The best drill bit set for metal is the DEWALT DWA1181 for mild steel, sheet metal, and everyday work, the MACXCOIP M35 cobalt set for stainless and hardened bolts, or the DEWALT DWA1184 14-piece kit for a compact set that stays with the drill. More shop guides live on the Workshoppicks blog and the drills and driver guides page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of drill bit for drilling through metal?
For mild steel, sheet metal, and bracket work, a high-speed steel twist bit with a 135-degree split point does the job. For stainless steel, hardened bolts, or cast iron, use a cobalt bit. The split point matters more than the brand because it starts cutting on the mark instead of walking across the surface.
Are cobalt or titanium drill bits better for metal?
Cobalt is the better choice for hard metal. M35 cobalt is harder than titanium and black oxide, so it holds an edge in stainless and heat-treated steel. Titanium-coated bits last longer than plain black oxide in mild steel but still soften on stainless. If you drill metal often, own a cobalt set.
What is the best drill bit brand for metal?
DEWALT, Milwaukee, and Irwin all make dependable high-speed steel and cobalt sets. For a home shop, DEWALT gives the widest coverage for the money, and the black and gold oxide sets are the ones most people already own. Budget cobalt sets from smaller brands are worth it for occasional stainless work.
Can I use black oxide bits on stainless steel?
You can, but you will not get far. Black and gold oxide is a corrosion coating, not a hardness coating, so the cutting edge dulls fast and the bit can blue in stainless. Use cobalt with oil and a slow speed instead.
What size drill bit set do I need for home metalwork?
A set from 1/16 inch to 3/8 inch covers almost everything a home shop drills. That range handles pilot holes, bracket bolts, and cable and wire holes. Add a 1/2-inch bit only if you fit larger hardware.
Why do my drill bits burn or squeal in metal?
Heat is the usual cause. Running the drill too fast, pressing too little, or skipping lubricant lets the edge rub instead of cut, so it squeals and darkens. Slow the drill down, press firmly, and add a drop of cutting oil or a squirt of WD-40 to keep the bit cool.
Do I need a center punch with these bits?
A 135-degree split point starts on contact, so a center punch is optional on flat stock and mild steel. On round pipe, polished stainless, or a precise layout, a light center punch still helps you start the hole exactly where you marked it.