Best Drill Bit Set for General Use (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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A general-purpose drilling arsenal isn't one set - it's a twist set for wood and metal, spade bits for large wood holes, masonry bits for concrete, and impact-rated driver bits. Here are the picks that cover the everyday DIY jobs.
A 14-piece HSS drill set (1/16-1/2 in.) with a titanium-nitride coating, a low-cost all-rounder for wood, plastic, and light-gauge steel. Split-point tips start without skating, and the 3-flat shank resists spinning in a keyless chuck. The TiN coating is only surface-deep, so bits dull fast in metal; they're not for stainless or hardened steel.
- Wood
- Plastic
- Light metal
Pros
- Cheap, versatile all-rounder that handles wood, plastic and thin metal in one household set
- Split-point tips give no-skate starts and clean holes without a pilot punch
- 3-flat shank on larger bits grips in a keyless chuck and resists spinning
Cons
- The TiN coating is only surface-deep - once it wears off, the bit dulls fast in metal
- Not suited to stainless or hardened steel where a true cobalt bit is needed
- Includes only one of each larger size, so a snapped 1/2 in leaves a gap
A metal-drilling workhorse: solid M35 cobalt (not just a coating) means the hardness goes all the way through, making it the pick for stainless, angle iron, and other hard metals that eat cheaper bits.
- Metal
- Stainless steel
- Hard metals
Pros
- Cobalt alloy runs cooler and holds an edge in stainless and hardened steel far better than plain HSS
- Pilot Point split tip starts on contact and stops walking, so you skip the center-punch step
- Bits can be resharpened multiple times, unlike coated bits that lose their edge once the coating wears
Cons
- More brittle than HSS - the tips can snap if you flex the bit or drill at an angle
- Set stops at 3/8 in, so you need a separate solution for larger holes
- Costs roughly double a titanium-coated set of the same piece count
A 6-piece spade (paddle) bit set (3/8-1 in.) for boring fast, rough holes in framing lumber far quicker than a same-size twist bit, ideal for running cable or pipe through studs. The 1/4 in. hex shank locks into an impact driver. It leaves a splintery hole unfit for finish work, can grab and wrench your wrist on a knot or nail, and is wood-only.
- Wood
- Rough carpentry
- Plumbing runs
Pros
- Bores 3/8 in to 1 in holes in framing lumber far faster than a twist bit of the same size
- 1/4 in hex shank locks into an impact driver so it won't spin loose under load
- Extreme-speed chip channels and a nail-tolerant corner design keep it cutting in dirty wood
Cons
- Leaves a rough, splintery hole - not for finish work or where the exit face shows
- Grabs and can wrench your wrist if the spurs catch a knot or nail
- Wood-only: useless in metal, masonry or tile
A 40-piece impact-rated driver bit set (Phillips, Torx, square, slotted, nut drivers, plus a magnetic holder) whose FLEXTORQ zone flexes up to 15 degrees to absorb impact torque so tips don't shatter. CNC-machined tips seat precisely to reduce cam-out. It's driving bits only, a companion to a drill bit set; tips still wear under daily use.
- Driving screws
- Impact drivers
- Fasteners
Pros
- FLEXTORQ zone flexes up to 15 degrees to absorb impact-driver torque so tips don't shatter
- CNC-machined tips seat precisely and reduce cam-out that strips screw heads
- 40 pieces cover Phillips, Torx, square and slotted plus nut drivers and a magnetic holder
Cons
- Driving bits only - not for boring holes, so it's a companion to a drill bit set, not a replacement
- Even impact-rated tips wear out and need replacing under heavy daily use
- The 1 in insert bits need the included holder to reach recessed fasteners
A 7-piece SDS-plus carbide masonry bit set (3/16-1/2 in.) for drilling anchor holes in concrete, block, and brick with a rotary hammer. The full-head carbide tip survives rebar strikes that chip 2-cutter bits, and the flute clears dust to cut fast. It needs an SDS-plus hammer, is overkill for soft brick, and longer bits can wander at the start.
- Masonry
- Concrete
- Brick
Pros
- Full-head carbide tip survives rebar strikes that chip standard 2-cutter masonry bits
- SDS-plus shank locks into a rotary hammer for hammering force no keyless chuck can match
- Variable flute clears dust aggressively, cutting faster and reducing bit-jamming heat
Cons
- Requires an SDS-plus rotary hammer - these will not fit a standard keyed/keyless drill chuck
- Overkill (and awkward) for soft brick or a single small anchor hole
- Longer bits can wander at the start until the centering tip bites
Still deciding? Compare them
Frequently Asked Questions
- What drill bits do I actually need at home?
- A titanium or HSS twist set for general wood, plastic and light metal covers most jobs. Add a spade set for large wood holes, masonry bits if you drill concrete, and an impact-rated driver bit set for screws.
- Is one drill bit set enough for everything?
- No single set drills wood, metal, concrete and tile well - each needs different tip material and geometry. Start with a general twist set and add job-specific bits (masonry, spade, hole saw) as projects demand.
- Can I use drill bits in an impact driver?
- Only hex-shank bits are made for impact drivers. Round-shank twist bits are meant for a drill chuck; forcing them into an impact driver can loosen or shatter them. Use hex-shank spade and driver bits in impact tools.