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When you have an organized, complete collection of drilling and driving bits, you’re ready for anything. After more than seven years of punching holes, sinking screws, and killing our fingertips getting these things in and out of their cases, the first option we’d recommend to anyone is the Ryobi 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit.
With an abundance of the essentials, a lot of useful extras, and a durable case, this is the best all-purpose set (even if its bits are no better than those in other sets we’ve tried).
This smaller Ryobi kit has the bare essentials, but it lacks the useful accessories that add so much versatility and value to our top pick.
The best sets will help you drill through wood, cement, and steel.
Drill bits wear out, so these picks contain multiples of often-used tips.
If you build a bit collection piecemeal, you could be screwed in an emergency.
We’ve been reviewing drill bit sets for seven years now.
With an abundance of the essentials, a lot of useful extras, and a durable case, this is the best all-purpose set (even if its bits are no better than those in other sets we’ve tried).
Among all of the kits we tested, Ryobi’s 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit packs the widest selection of useful bits and accessories into a well-organized, tough case, which makes it easy to find and grab the necessary bit. This set has a broad range of drill bit styles (twist bits, spade bits, masonry bits, and brad point bits), with plenty of duplicates of the most-used size. Also included: a wide range of valuable extras, like depth stops, a countersink, and a hole saw. We anticipate that these bits are durable, judging from the seven years we’ve used other Ryobi bits (and if one breaks, the kit does have a number of extras). We also like that this set is readily available at Home Depot.
This smaller Ryobi kit has the bare essentials, but it lacks the useful accessories that add so much versatility and value to our top pick.
If the Ryobi 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit is not available, or if you’re just seeking a kit for the most basic projects (like hanging pictures and towel bars), we also like the Ryobi 95-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit. This set includes a smaller selection of the basics, but it lacks hole saws, drill stops, and a countersink, all of which our top pick has. The front of the case is transparent, so you can easily see what you have. And, as a bonus, when the cover is opened, it creates a handy little area to put loose hardware.
I’ve been happily destroying drill bits for over 20 years. During a 10-year career in construction, I was a carpenter, a foreman, and a job-site supervisor building high-end homes in the Boston area, and I have been writing about and reviewing tools since 2007.
To gain more knowledge on the subject of drill accessory kits, I spoke with two other tool writers/contractors—Rob Robillard of A Concord Carpenter and Mark Clement of the radio show MyFixitUpLife. (Robillard has advertising relationships with some of the companies whose products are in this guide, but he wasn’t involved in testing or evaluating the products we recommended here. Clement has received review samples from both companies but has received no advertising compensation.) During my research, I also found a great article on drill bits at The Family Handyman, which compares different types of bits.
If you have a drill, you should have a comprehensive drill bit set. It doesn’t matter if you own a home or rent an apartment; you’ll eventually need a wide variety of drill and driver bits. Some projects may be planned, like assembling a piece of prefab furniture. And others may be unexpected, like screwing a tarp up to cover a broken window. Even a simple project like hanging a shelf can take two or three different drill bit sizes and a few different driver bits.
Buying drill bits one at a time as needed might involve taking repeated trips to the hardware store in the middle of a project to get what you need. Building a collection this way may also leave you high and dry in an emergency if you don’t have the size you need. Piecemeal bit purchasing also leaves you without a proper bit case, so your collection will be hard to organize and difficult to sift through. A complete set is the way to go.
Of course, this guide helps only if you have a way to use your bits—we have a pick for best drill, too.
A new drill can help a novice or pro tackle projects with capability and ease.
After having conversations with our experts and drawing from my own extensive tool knowledge, I compiled things you should consider when you’re buying a drill set:
Variety: There’s no telling what kinds of projects (or emergencies) you could be dealing with, so it’s essential to find a set that offers a wide variety of bits. When you build a birdhouse, you need to drill a large hole, and when you install a drywall anchor, you drill a small one. When it comes to driver bits, Phillips #2 are the ones most often used. But decking can be held down by Torx or square Robertson screws, and old door hardware is often slotted. Though you’ll need a variety of bits, it’s important not to go overboard. Mark Clement’s advice is to stay away from kits that offer “every bit in the world.” He added that “unless you become a remodeling contractor tomorrow, the likelihood is that most driver bits are more likely to be compressed into diamonds in your basement than find a screw to sink.” We sought a set with a versatile mix of only the essentials.
Durability: We spent a few days driving drill bits through wood, brick, cinder block, and ¼-inch steel, testing in a handheld drill and a drill press. And we truly didn’t see any difference between the bits from high-end brands and those from mid-range brands. All of the bits held up fine, but they’re not indestructible. It’s important to keep in mind that bits have lifespans, especially driver bits, and it’s a mistake to think that you’ll never need to replace some in the future. It’s good to look for a set that offers some duplicates, especially with commonly used drill bits, like the ⅛-inch size, or driver bits like the often-used Phillips #2.
A test at Family Handyman confirmed our conclusions regarding durability. The tester used a variety of drills to drive “75 holes in pine, 40 holes in oak, 20 holes in aluminum tubing, 20 holes in medium-density fiberboard, and five holes in 3/16-inch mild steel.” All of the bits performed “without dulling appreciably.” The tester then continued drilling into the steel until the bits were too dull to use. At this point, most gave out after 20 to 25 more holes. Some went longer, but the tester concluded, “If you’re a less-than-160-hole-drilling do-it-yourselfer, working mainly in wood, you can get by with any of them.”
A decent case: A good drill bit case needs to be organized and durable enough for occasional use. It should also hold the bits nice and snug, so they don’t easily fall out, but not so tight that you need pliers to get them out (which was the case with more than one tested unit). We didn’t expect the cases to be indestructible, but we wanted a design that wouldn’t have broken hinges within a year of regular use. Although we didn’t set any kind of requirement on case layout, we did notice when certain designs made it easier to quickly locate what we wanted to use.
To test the drill bits, we put a few from each kit into a drill press and drove each of them 15 to 20 times through wood and another four times through ¼-inch thick steel. We sent the masonry bits through brick and cinder block. We then used each in a cordless drill and repeated the process.
For the driver bits, we drove 3-inch screws through 2-by-4s, and, with the screw bottomed out, we moved the drill in a circular pattern as if we were stirring a pot. This caused the bit to disengage from the screw and chatter as it spun. It’s probably the worst thing you can do to a driver bit, and it quickly showed us what kind of durability to expect in the long term.
Our original testing, in 2015, was similar, and at that time we enlisted the aid of two carpenters—Aaron Goff, who at the time had 12 years of experience in high-end remodeling, and Mark Piersma, who at the time had 14 years of experience. For that testing, we drilled hundreds of holes into wood and cinder block to check the durability of the bits.
During both testing sessions, we also used all of the kits in a more informal setting for a number of projects ranging from big (building a cow shed) to small (sinking drywall anchors and fiddling with cabinet hinges). In the years between our 2015 and 2021 tests, we’ve used the pick and competitors to build a chicken coop, install decking, build stairs and a handrail, and sink masonry anchors in concrete stucco for two 6-foot-wide UV-blocking window shades.
With an abundance of the essentials, a lot of useful extras, and a durable case, this is the best all-purpose set (even if its bits are no better than those in other sets we’ve tried).
The Ryobi 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit is the most versatile drill bit set we’ve found. It offers a well-balanced mix of hardware that stands out for the sheer variety and usefulness of its parts. With its combination of drill bits, driver bits, and time-saving accessories, the Ryobi set meets the needs of those who want to be ready for anything, with a complete collection in one organized, easily accessible spot.
For drilling, the Ryobi comes with a full set of black oxide twist bits (1/32 up to 7/16) and a full set of titanium-coated drill bits (1/32 up to 5/16). Each set has multiples of the most commonly used sizes, so breaking a bit won’t automatically involve a trip to the hardware store. Beyond the general-use bits, the kit also has a set of brad point bits, for high-precision work, and an assortment of masonry bits, for drilling into brick or concrete. For larger holes there is a set of spade bits (5/16 up to 1¼), four of which are a foot long (useful for electrical work or hard-to-reach spots). A hole saw kit is also included, ranging in size from 1¼ to 2⅛.
In addition to this vast selection of drill bits, Ryobi includes a number of accessories that add precision, ease, and aesthetics to the drilling process. A countersink gives screwheads a clean, finished look, and depth stops prevent overdrilling. There is also a center punch for making an indentation in thin metal or wood, so the bit won’t wander when you’re drilling.
For driver bits, the Ryobi set has an ample supply of both 1- and 2-inch bits. It also comes with a bit holder and a set of nut drivers. As with the drill bits, there are a lot of drive bit duplicates, especially of the most-used bits, like the Phillips #2.
The Ryobi has a very nice selection of gear, one that covers nearly any repair or project that could pop up around the house or apartment. The larger bits are good for a birdhouse project or putting a hole in a desk for a cord pass-through, and the smaller bits help with drywall anchors and pre-drilling for screws.
The Ryobi case is very heavy-duty. It’s shaped like a large laptop, about 3 inches thick, and unfolds accordion-style to expose four separate panels. The bits are organized, and the case is labeled, as are (in most instances) the bits. So it’s fairly clear what goes where. The bright green color contrasts with the bits, making them easier to see. Other companies’ kits have black cases, making it difficult to quickly locate specific bits.
Ryobi kits in years of testing have proven to be adequately durable. But no drill or driver bit is indestructible, and in fact, driver bits are borderline disposable. The bottom line is that it would be a mistake to go into this purchase thinking that your needs in the driver bit department will be permanently solved. The good news is that it’s easy enough to get a pack of additional bits, like these DeWalt bits.
Phillips #2 bits are the most commonly used ones, and they wear out quickly. So it’s wise to have a backup supply.
Our main complaint with the Ryobi kit is that it can be difficult to get the bits out of the case. We appreciate that they’re held tightly enough so that they don’t become loose and fall out (which would be a disaster), but we often had to pry the bits free. We found that the center punch came out easily, and that became our bit-prying tool. The intense hold of the case seemed to lessen after we pried a bit out a few times.
We’re thankful, though, that the driver bits were held with much less force. The 1-inch drive bits are bunched in removable rubber holders, bypassing the case entirely. The rubber holders add an extra step, though, which was tedious. But at least we didn’t need pliers to get the bits out, as we did with some kits we tested.
This smaller Ryobi kit has the bare essentials, but it lacks the useful accessories that add so much versatility and value to our top pick.
If the 300-Piece Ryobi Drill and Drive Kit is not available, or if you just want an inexpensive yet very basic kit, we recommend the Ryobi 95-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit. This kit includes a general-use bit selection, as well as sets of brad point bits, masonry bits, and spade bits. There’s also a collection of driver bits and some nut drivers. This kit has a couple duplicate bits, but nothing on the scale found in the 300-piece set. The 95-Piece Ryobi’s main downside, compared with the larger Ryobi kit, is a lack of variety. It doesn’t have as many general-use bits, brad point bits, masonry bits, spade bits, drive bits, or nut drivers, and it’s missing a hole saw. It also lacks the convenience accessories that we like so much in the 300-piece set: the countersink, drill stops, and center punch. These omissions drive down the overall cost of the set, but also its usability. An example to highlight the differences between the two sets: The biggest hole the 95-piece set can drill is 1 inch, compared with the larger set, which provides a 2⅛-inch hole saw. For these reasons we prefer the larger set. But as an alternative, this one covers the basics at a reduced price.
One surprising high point is this set’s case. It has a clear front and opens like a book. We found that when the case is opened and laid flat, the clear door becomes a nice open tray area for small screws and other items that accumulate during a project. This was useful for keeping parts organized when we put together some prefab furniture and installed a smoke alarm. It’s not a huge feature, but it is a small point that sets this kit apart from many others.
After another round of research, we’re currently testing the Milwaukee 48-32-4098 75-Piece Shockwave Impact Duty Drive and Fastening Bit Set, the Amazon Basics Drill & Driver Multi-Bit 100 Piece Set and the DeWalt DWANGFT100SETC FlexTorq 100-Piece Impact Driver Bit Set. The Milwaukee set is particularly interesting with its heavy emphasis on torx bits, which have become prominent in the building industry. Once we’re done testing, we’ll update the guide accordingly.
Ryobi has a number of smaller kits that are all in the general format of its 95-piece set. There’s a 65-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit, a 40-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit, and a 20-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit. Each offers a basic selection of gear in diminishing numbers. They all look fun, but you’ll be able to do less and less the smaller you go. If you think one of these is a fit, it should work fine. But you may encounter a project that requires something the kits don’t have.
We’ve tested the Bosch MS4091 91-Piece Drilling and Driving Mixed Set twice. This kit has a well-rounded selection of bits, albeit not as vast or useful as that of the 300-piece Ryobi kit. The Bosch has just 11 general-purpose bits, compared with the 20 found in the 95-Piece Ryobi set. The Bosch lacks a hole saw and spade bits, so it’s incapable of drilling larger holes. The case is durable, which is a plus. But every piece is in a rubber holder, including the drill bits, which come loose and flop around the case.
We tested two kits from VonHaus, a brand found only on Amazon: the 100-piece Drill and Drive Bit Set and the 246-piece Drill and Drive Bit Set. Neither measured up to the Ryobi sets (the bits were nearly impossible to remove from the case) and both are now apparently discontinued. Similar sets are now being sold by other Amazon only brands, such as this 246-piece kit from EnerTwist, but we’re wary of the generic nature of both the sets and the brands who are offering them.
We also investigated, but didn’t test, a number of other sets from companies known for their contractor-grade gear. None of them cater to the needs of the homeowner, and the sheer variety of the Ryobi kit makes it more desirable for general use. The DeWalt DWA2FTS100 100-Piece Screwdriving and Drilling Set has a decent amount of driver bits. But it has minimal drill bits and none of the additional accessories that make the 300-piece Ryobi so successful. Something similar can be said about the Bosch MS4034 34-Piece Drill and Drive Bit Set and the Makita B51661 66-Piece Contractor Bit Set, each of which come with only five general-use drill bits. The Makita is also at the high end of the price scale (with much of that investment probably going toward the large case).
At first the Makita B-49373 75-Piece Metric Screw and Drill Bit Set looked promising. But the drill bits are in metric measurements, giving them low compatibility with most project instructions, like sizing a bit for a drywall anchor.
The Milwaukee 48-89-1561 is a decent kit, but when placed next to the 300-piece Ryobi, it’s very incomplete. Because the pro manufacturers assume that a carpenter will have a designated hole saw kit, spade bits, and countersink, these sets had only drill bits and driver bits. The other thing with the pro kits is that a lot of effort and cost go into making a bombproof kit that can sustain the daily rigors of a construction site. As Mark Piersma said about the Milwaukee kit, “With this one, you’re buying the case, not the bits.”
Other pro-grade kits, like the Makita T-01725 or the DeWalt DW2587 (which we didn’t test) suffer the same fate as the Milwaukee and the Bosch by offering a smaller selection in a very durable case. We also dismissed the 333-piece Garrett Wade kit. It has a very large selection, but it costs too much for garage use.
Mark Clement, MyFixitUpLife, email interview
Rob Robillard, A Concord Carpenter, email interview
How to Choose Twist Drill Bits, The Family Handyman
Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning.
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Locking Pliers Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).