The best drill bit for wood depends on what else you drill. DEWALT DWA1184 is the first pick for people who drill wood, plastic and metal with one set, because its bits are rated for all three materials. If your work is only wood, you can find a better-suited bit type, which this article covers in the buying guide below. Learn more in Bosch Daredevil Multipurpose Drill Bit Materials: What They Drill.
The set’s tip is a 135 degree split point, which the maker says helps reduce walking, meaning the bit wandering off your mark when you start a hole. For you, that means less time fixing a dimpled starting point before you can drill cleanly. The 3-Flats shank is designed to reduce spin-out in the chuck on sizes larger than 3/16 in. In daily use, that gives you a firmer grip on bigger bits so they turn with the drill instead of slipping.
For wood-only work, brad point bits give clean entry in wood, according to buying guides [1][2]. Below, you can see how the picks compare and what to look for before you buy. You may also find this useful: Best Wood Router: What to Look for Before You Buy.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Item dimensions | Finish types | Material type | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DWA1184 Set | Mixed Jobs | 8.75 x 1.38 x 8.75 in | Gold | High Speed Steel (HSS) | 4.8 of 5 (20,414 reviews) | |
COMOWARE 16-Piece Set | Quick-Change Drills | 7.87 x 5.12 x 0.83 in | Titanium | High Speed Steel, Titanium | 4.4 of 5 (20,921 reviews) | |
DEWALT DW1361 21-Piece Set | Organized Storage | — | — | — | 4.8 of 5 (29,094 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
DEWALT DWA1184 Set: Best for Mixed Jobs
DEWALT DWA1184 is the first pick for people whose jobs mix wood, plastic and metal and who want one set for all three. It comes as one 14-piece set, so one case covers most of your drilling without buying separate bits for each material.
The maker states a 135 degree split point tip to help reduce walking. That means the bit is less likely to skate off your mark when you start a hole, so you spend less time fixing a wandering start. High speed steel is rated for plastic, wood and metal, so the same bit fits each job as you move between materials.
The black and gold coating helps prevent rust and wear. That matters if your bits sit in a damp garage or shop between projects. The 3-Flats shank reduces spin-out in the chuck on sizes larger than 3/16-in. The larger sizes are where a bit is most likely to slip in the chuck, so this helps most there.
Pros
The split point tip helps the bit stay on your mark.
The 3-Flats shank reduces spin-out on sizes larger than 3/16 in.
Sizes are marked on the shank for quick identification.
If you drill with a quick-change chuck, look at COMOWARE instead, since this set has a 3-Flat shank.
COMOWARE 16-Piece Set: Best for Quick-Change Drills
The COMOWARE 16-piece set is the pick for people who drill small holes with a quick-change chuck. Its 1/4 in hex shank is made to lock into that kind of chuck, and its sizes run from 1/16 in to 1/4 in.
The maker describes the bits as titanium-coated high speed steel with two flutes. Flutes are the spiral grooves that carry wood chips out of the hole. Two flutes help clear those chips, and the maker says this reduces friction and heat during drilling. For you, that means less clogging when you drill a pilot hole in pine or poplar, and a bit that runs cooler over a longer job.
The hex shank is the other key feature. The maker says it fits into power tools more easily and securely, especially when locking into a quick-change chuck. If your drill has a quick-change chuck, you can swap bits by hand without a key, and a hex shank grips without slipping.
Pros
The hex shank fits quick-change chucks securely.
Two flutes help clear chips and reduce heat.
Buyers say the set is a good fit for home DIY work.
Cons
The set covers only 1/16 in to 1/4 in, so it does not reach larger holes.
If you regularly drill holes larger than 1/4 in, look at the DEWALT DWA1184 set instead, which is the first pick for mixed wood, plastic and metal work. For a closer look, read Best Wood Filler for Carpenter Bee Holes: 5 Picks Compared.
DEWALT DW1361 21-Piece Set: Best for Organized Storage
DEWALT’s 21-piece set is the pick for people who want many sizes, from 1/16 in to 1/2 in, kept together in one case. The maker lists a plastic tough case that holds the whole range, so you can find the bit you need without digging through loose pieces.
The maker lists a titanium nitride coated pilot point for longer life, and says it starts on contact for cleaner holes. The pilot point gives the bit a fixed starting spot, so it is less likely to wander before the hole begins. The coating is meant to hold up longer in regular use.
The maker also lists a tapered web that provides greater durability to reduce breaking. In daily use, that means a bit is less likely to snap when it binds in hardwood. The maker lists no spin shanks as well, which helps keep the bit from slipping in the chuck.
Pros
Sizes are stored together in the plastic case.
The tapered web resists breaking.
The pilot point starts on contact, so holes start cleaner.
Cons
The largest bit is 1/2 in, so the set does not reach bigger holes.
The set has only one bit each in sizes from 9/64 in up, so a second hole of one of those sizes needs a spare bit.
If your work mixes wood, plastic and metal, DEWALT DWA1184 is the better fit.
What should you look for in a wood drill bit?
Start with the bit type, because it decides how clean the hole’s entry looks. Brad point bits are the best pick for fine woodworking [2]. Their W-shaped center point keeps the bit from wandering, so the hole starts where you marked it [2].
The spurs on the edge of the bit cut the wood fibers cleanly, which means less tear-out on a visible edge like a shelf front [1].
Match the size range to the holes you drill most often. A set that stops at 1/4 inch won’t help when a project calls for a 3/8 inch hole.
Next, look at the shank, the end that goes into the chuck. A 3-Flats shank is designed to reduce spin-out on sizes larger than 3/16 inch. A hex shank locks securely into quick-change chucks.
Finally, choose the coating by how hard the bits will work. The maker of one set lists its Black and gold coating to help prevent rust and wear. Bits kept in a damp garage gain more from rust protection than bits you use once a year.
Which set should you buy first?
The DEWALT DWA1184 is the first pick for mixed wood, plastic and metal work. Its listed surfaces are metal, plastic, steel and wood, so one set covers the materials you are most likely to drill.
Start with the size range you need, then pick the set that covers it. Measure your largest hole before you shop, because a set that stops short leaves you buying a separate bit. Once the range fits your projects, the DWA1184 is the set to start with if your work mixes materials.