10 Best Drill Presses in 2021

Whether you are an expert craftsman or a hobbyist, you will need a drill press to get precise holes during woodwork or fabricating metals. Drill presses help you drill objects with the least hassle. However, this can only be done when you buy the one that suits your tasks the best. 

Are you in search of buying the best drill press for your woodwork or any other drilling job? Voilà, we have what you need. We knew that you are curious to know what the market is offering because, like any other user, you are confused with the market trends, as it has so much to offer. 

We are glad to inform you that our detailed reviews and buyer’s guide will help you get through this situation and pick the best drill press. So, read ahead to learn more.

If you are short on time, then our precise top picks will help you better understand what the market has for you. We have discussed the best features for the top picks that the market is offering currently. this will show you how to understand what makes a drill press ideal for you.

Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

Our top picks highlighted features would have given you some idea of what the best drill presses have to offer you. Nevertheless, it does not end here. We curated a list of the ten best drill presses to ensure we address the majority’s demand. We have shared our detailed reviews below. It would be best if you got through them at least once.

1. SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press

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SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press is an ideal choice for beginners who are looking for a drill press that is durable enough for extended use. The presence of a laser beam guide helps the newbies get precise results. This is also helpful for the professionals looking for a reliable solution, as the motor has an efficient performance. Since this drill press comes with an ideal 5-speed setting feature, you can conveniently manage the revolutions per minute (RPM) from 750RPM to 3050RPM.

The presence of an adjustable depth also helps a user in accurately measuring the holes and have convenient repetitive drilling. The ease of tilting the working surface up to 45° is also a big plus when aligning your drill press. Overall, this drill press would be an ideal choice to cut clean holes through a wide range of materials, including wood and metals.

Upon observing all features that this drill press offers, it will not be wrong to say that you can use it for some large-scale projects as well.

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Pros

• Offers a variety in speed
• Helps drill hole in multiple materials
• Laser X2 beam included
• Tilting work surface
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• The laser can have some issues. 

2. DEWALT DWE1622K Drill Press

DEWALT DWE1622K Drill Press is suitable for those users who are willing to pay some extra bucks to get a premium quality. This high-end drill press features a durable design that is suitable for extended use. It would be a perfect choice for professional users searching for a reliable drill press for their small workshops or their DIY projects. 

Since you get precise holes with immense perfection, you can trust the quality. Further, this drill press is comparatively lighter in weight than its competitors, so you will find it easier to carry it. Since it has overload protection electronics, the motor will stay safe and functional. So, you don’t need to worry about that. 

An efficient cooling mechanism is there to ensure you run your tasks efficiently, regardless of duration. Along with that, the 10-amp motor is also a plus. It can be observed that the range of RPM is comparatively lesser in this unit, as there are two-speed settings only, but overall, it will be a suitable choice for users who run heavy-duty tasks.

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Pros

• Durable
• Comparatively lightweight
• It does not heat up on extended use
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive

3. Eurotool DRL300.0 Drill Press

Eurotool DRL300.0 Drill Press is an ideal choice for light jobs where you are only looking for a drill press that would help you drill smaller materials like wood trims, jewelry, etc. Since it will not take up much space, this drill press is perfect for such tasks and can fit any workspace.

Nevertheless, its small size should not deceive you as the powerful motor installed in this unit helps it run efficiently. Having a maximum of 8500RPM, with a 3-speed setting, this unit helps you speed up your tasks. Featuring a ¼-inch Jacobs chuck, this drill press can accept bits up to 6.5mm.

Like any other corded drill press, this drill press will also need a space that has a suitable power supply. Overall, this unit is a perfect choice for all those users who have smaller materials for drilling. One must take note that it will not be an ideal choice for heavy-duty tasks where you have larger and denser slabs to drill.

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Pros

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Variable speed
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Not suitable for drilling larger materials

4. WEN 4208 Drill Press

WEN 4208 Drill Press is the perfect drill press for short on budget users who are unwilling to compromise over the quality. This unit is a complete package of what one demands for running a wide range of drilling applications. You can judge that by the 5-speed settings that this drill press offers, having 740-3140RPM. Such speed makes it pretty versatile and helps you have a reliable partner.

No matter you have a tough cast-iron, wood, or even plastic, this drill press helps you through them all. The machine even features a locking depth stop to decide the depth when you are performing repetitive tasks. Featuring a 1/3 induction motor, this drill press would provide you a high-end performance. However, it is not suitable for professional use and is only limited to small scale projects.

Although you get a wide range of speeds, it is pretty challenging to manage the pulley system’s speed. Along with that, the ½ inch chuck has a higher tendency to get stuck when you use it for drilling denser materials.

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Pros

• Portable
• Smaller in size
• Multipurpose
• Affordable
• 2-years warranty

Cons

• Only suitable for light drilling work

5. Shop Fox W1848 Drill Press

Shop Fox W1848 Drill Press is the perfect choice for woodworkers. It is equipped with an oscillating feature that helps with refinishing your work by attaching the sanding equipment. Featuring 12-speed settings ranging from 250-3050RPM, this unit will let you carry multiple tasks.

The 0.75 horsepower motor helps this drill press give its hundred percent. Since this unit features a 15.25inch swing, you will be able to work on larger pieces. Therefore, you can say that this machine is ideal for heavy-duty woodwork as well. The ability of the working table to turn up to 90° is also a big plus here. The overall design makes this drill press ideal for giving the perfect finish to your woodwork, so you can say that it will be the best one for those who demand such features.

Although everything is too perfect regarding this unit, the users often find it difficult to shift the speed by replacing the belt to shift modes. This can be a complex task, as there are twelve-speed settings.

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Pros

• 12-speed settings
• A wide variety in speed
• Excellent for woodwork

Cons

• Shifting speed can be a complex task for some.

6. POWERMATIC PM701 Drill Press

POWERMATIC PM701 Drill Press is a benchtop mortiser that would be ideal for you if you are mainly working with repairing and crafting furniture. People might argue that this isn’t a drill press exactly, but you can conveniently use it for that purpose by replacing the mortising chisel with suitable drilling equipment. So, you can say that this drill press would allow you to do multiple tasks. Since this drill press uses a 0.75 horsepower powerful motor, you can use it while working with hardwoods such as locust and walnut. 

Since this drill press will operate at a fixed speed of 1725RPM, users who wish to vary the speed for multiple uses will find the operation pretty limited here. Along with that, the table is also fixed at a particular position, so you will not have the liberty to adjust the table here. Nevertheless, 1725RPM is suitable for a wide range of tasks, so it will not disappoint you.

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Pros

• Powerful motor
• Multipurpose
• Can be suitable for heavy-duty tasks

Cons

• The table is not adjustable.
• The speed is fixed.

7. Proxxon TBM115 Drill Press

Proxxon TBM115 Drill Press is the perfect choice when you have to drill micro-holes. This drill press can drill as small holes as 0.5mm, so you can use it for doing tasks that require a lot of precision. The company has added a high-quality motor that is efficient in performing its job, so the machine makes lesser noise while working. Since the machine also has a 3-speed system, you can manage the speed as per your requirement.

All such features make this drill press a versatile choice that can be used for drilling different types of materials. The makers have also installed a drilling depth gauge at the lever to preset the depth of drilling you require when drilling multiple holes constantly. If you think of the design of this drill press, so it hardly weighs around 8-pounds, that makes it portable and much more manageable. However, this restricts you to drill only small workpieces with this drill press, as it won’t be able to manage the larger ones.

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Pros

• Portable
• Higher maximum RPM
• Variable speed

Cons

• It can be used for drilling smaller workpieces only.

8. Jet JDP-15B Drill Press

Jet JDP-15B Drill Press is among the perfect drill presses for woodwork and metal fabrication. You can consider this drill press for heavy-duty tasks as well because the motor is pretty efficient in its job, featuring 0.75 horsepowers. Since the working table is 12.5″x17″, you will find it convenient for clamping larger working pieces. 

Along with that, the company has ensured that they provide a simple user-interface by adding the laser beam guide. This beam helps you have accurate and precise drilling holes. So, it won’t be wrong if we say that this machine would be suitable for the newbies as well.

The structure is pretty rigid and durable, so it does not vibrate while working, so it will not create much disturbance. Along with that, the makers have kept the noise factor low in providing an overall smooth working experience. However, its large size often makes it hard to manage and unsuitable for smaller workshops.

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Pros

• Larger working table
• 16-speed settings with a 3-pulley belt system
• User-friendly
• Laser beam for assistance in intricate tasks

Cons

• Not suitable for smaller workshops

9. SE 97511MDP Drill Press

SE 97511MD Drill Press is among those drill presses that are listed as those units that are suitable for users that are short on budget. It provides a handful of features in the provided budget, so it will not be a bad deal overall. Featuring 3-speed settings, this drill press features a maximum 6mm drilling capacity. So, it will not be wrong to say that this drill press would be typically ideal for hobbyists, jewelers, artists, artisans, and small workshops. 

This little guy will help you ace your small project by letting you drill accurate and precise holes. This unit also features a foot pedal that would help make your job easier if you are working on a task requiring both hands to operate. 

Featuring a work table of 9.56 x 9.56, you can clamp quite a variety of workpieces. Along with that, a 3-speed setting is also a plus as that gives you up to 8000RPM. Overall, this drill press would be an ideal choice for small-scale projects.

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Pros

• Suitable for newbies
• Portable
• 3-year extended warranty

Cons

• Not suitable for denser material and larger workshops

10. Genesis GDP805P Drill Press

Genesis GDP805P Drill Press is a versatile small-sized drill press that is ideal for small garages and workshops. You can think of buying them if you are DIYer, small-scale craftsman, or a hobbyist. This drill press’s compact design makes it fit any small space, so space won’t be an issue with this little guy. 

Since the working table can tilt up to 45°, you can conveniently clamp the workpiece the way you like. This drill press’s iron base can be bolted to your working surface, so you can rest assured that the machine will stay in place while you work.

Being powered by a 2.6-amp motor, this drill press will easily drill a hole in a thick wood or metal. Along with that, the 5-speed setting adds further versatility in application. Overall, this drill press can be a good choice for customers looking for a good mid-range drill press.

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Pros

• 2-years warranty
• Durable
• Portable

Cons

• Lower speed performance is not too good.
• Can have quality issues

A Guide to Buying Drill Presses

Upon reading our detailed reviews, you would have gotten an idea regarding the best drill presses currently available in the market. However, this might still be confusing for you as to how you will pick the best one. Well, there are certain factors that you are required to evaluate. We have shared their details below, so you should read them to develop a better idea.

Type

There are two types of drill presses; the floor drill press and the benchtop drill press. The latter is comparatively smaller and more portable as compared to the floor drill press. The floor drill press generally stays in a place and is ideally used in heavy-duty tasks, especially in industries.

Swing & Spindle Travel 

Swing is the maximum width of a workpiece that you can place on your drill press’s work table while aiming to drill through the center. Typically, the large-scale tasks require a larger swing and vice versa. On the other hand, the spindle travel is the stroke distance. This determines the downward distance that a drill press can make. Floor drill presses have higher spindle travel, while the benchtop drill presses have comparatively lower spindle travel.

Speed

Speed is determined by the size of the hole made, thickness, and hardness of the material you are drilling. A faster speed may increase your productivity but can turn your drill bit weary or your object discolored. So, slower speeds can increase your tool life and help you get neat results. Although this will prolong your tasks, it will play a crucial role when drilling intricate tools in a workshop. Since drill presses come with various speed settings, you can adjust the speed as per your demand.

Wrapping It Up

Reading these precise guidelines and reviews would have made you capable enough to pick the drill press that suits your demand. Basically, the best drill press is the one that has all its features aligned in the most accurate way possible to serve you well. Once you start centering your choices in light of a drill press’s reliability and functionality, your choices would become easier.