Best Drill Bits Australia [2023 Buyers Guide]

Whether you’re a DIY hobbyist, a professional builder, or just need to assemble a piece of flatpack furniture (hello IKEA, we’re looking at you), having the best drill bits in your toolbox is essential to the success of any job, large or small.

Whether you’re drilling through concrete, timber or metal, there’s a drill bit suitable for every surface. Do you know which is the correct bit for your job? Read on as we break down the best drill bits for your next project.

How to choose the right drill bit for your project

When you have the right drill bit, it makes life so much easier. Let’s explore the different types of drill bits and what they are designed to do.

A man showing Makita B-49373 75 PCs Drill & Screw Bit Set

Multipurpose drilling

These all-rounder drill bits are designed to be used across various surfaces such as soft metal, wood, plasterboard and ceramics. They are suitable for a variety of different applications and are essential to any toolbox. The most common multipurpose drill bits are:

• Twist drill bits
• Brad drill bits
• High-speed steel bits
• Step drill bits

Masonry drilling

The best masonry drill bits are designed to cut through tough surfaces such as stone and concrete. When using these types of drill bits, it’s vital to ensure you’re using the correct type of drill to get the job done effectively and efficiently. Masonry bits can be used in a standard drill; however, they are far more effective when used in a hammer drill.

Metal drilling

There are a few different types of drill bits that are best suited to drilling into metal, the most common ones are cobalt drill bits which are resistant to high temperatures and abrasion. The other is a reduced shank drill bit, which enlarges an already existing hole when used on a standard drill chuck.

Wood drilling

For the everyday DIYer, drilling into wood is probably the most common use for drill bits. The auger drill bit is widely used for woodwork and is designed to effectively drill into dry or hard wood with ease. Spade drill bits are designed to drill large holes into timber, and twist drill bits are also a popular option as they have a variety of uses when working with timber.

Screwdriver bits

These are pretty self-explanatory, flathead or phillips head screwdriver bits can be attached to a drill chuck to create a powered screwdriver. They make fast work of those flatpacks.

Best drill bit materials

Now we’ve covered the most common drill bits, let’s get stuck into the different materials that drill bits are made from and how this impacts performance.

Drill bits are made from either carbon steel or high-speed steel and can have a variety of different coatings.

Carbon steel

Low carbon steel is usually a cheaper option to manufacture and is not designed to cut through hard metals, but they are still excellent for soft wood.

High carbon steel is best used on hard materials such as wood and metal, these drill bits can keep their shape for a longer period than low carbons steel making them a more effective option.

High-speed steel (HSS)

Designed to drill through hard surfaces with maximum precision and efficiency, these drill bits are a durable solution for high volume work that involves fast and repetitive drilling. They are a popular item on the market due to their ability to withstand high temperatures while maintaining structural integrity.

Titanium coated

These drill bits are usually made from HSS with the added benefit of the titanium coating, and they can be used on both soft and hard surfaces. However, it should be noted that harder metals do wear the drill bits down faster due to the coating being removed during the drilling process.

One questions people have is are cobalt or titanium drill bits better?

Cobalt

Cobalt drill bits aren’t coated in cobalt as such, instead they are an alloy made with a small amount of carbon added to HSS to ensure maximum strength and a higher heating point. Cobalt has a higher melting point of around 1495 °C [1], this means a cobalt drill bit can be used on hardened materials and will maintain its sharpness for a longer period. One of the main advantages of cobalt drill bits is that they can be sharpened on a bench grinder without degrading the performance.

Tungsten Carbide

Arguably one of the most durable drill bits available, it quickly disperses heat and can go most materials. However, they are more brittle than HSS bits and can be broken up with incorrect use.

Diamond tipped

Diamond drill bits are usually reserved for drilling on materials such as porcelain, ceramic tiles, slate, marble, granite, and fibreglass. It’s important to remember that water is required for lubrication when using these drill bits.

5 best drill bits

Now that we’ve covered the different types of drill bits, what they can do and what they’re made from, it’s time to get stuck into the reviews of our top rated products.

This compact and easy to carry set has got you covered for all your drilling and driving needs, the slimline case makes it easy to carry and find the right bit quickly.

The Makita 75-piece set includes drill bits for metal, wood and masonry, and a range of slotted and hex insert bits to help out with jobs that require fastening.

With an awesome rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, it’s clear to see that this item is a crowd favourite that gets the job done whether it’s at home or on a construction site.

Bosch is a tried and tested brand known for producing high-quality products that you can rely on to get the job done, and this drill bit set is no different.

Equipped with a massive 91 drill bits, this set contains bits for timber, metal, masonry, screwdriver bits as well as a separate screwdriver with a ratchet function. 

These drill bits are coated in titanium nitride, guaranteeing lasting performance throughout their lifespan, and they offer up to 40 percent faster drilling than other equivalent bits.

If you’re specifically looking for hard-wearing drill bits for use on metal and timber, the DeWalt Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set is for you.

Awarded ‘Amazon’s Choice’, this set is for the serious handyman who relies on his tool day in and day out. These alloy bits have a titanium coating that will cut like butter with the added benefit of a longer life span.

These high-performance drill bits have unique Pilot Point tips that start on contact to ensure cleaner entry and exit holes, guaranteeing a great result.

They say that good things come in small packages, which is definitely the case with this 5-piece set.

The multi-material drill bit set boasts a high-quality tungsten carbine tip for added strength and durability, with the ability to drill tiles, glass, plastic, and timber, however, this material is highly recommended for concrete and mirror.

The set has sizes ranging from 6mm all the way through to 12mm, and you’ll appreciate the high-quality design as much as you do the superior performance.

Looking for a drill bit set that covers your professional requirements? Look no further than the Bosch Professional range.

This 25-piece drill bit set is best for super hard surfaces, the reduced shank enables you to drill through metal with speed and precision and the unique PointTeq tip design prevents slipping.

These drill bits are suitable for use in bench drills, drill drivers, and combi rotary drills. This set has drill bits ranging from 1 to 13mm and is best used on alloyed and mild steel, non-ferrous metals, cast steel, cast iron, and plastic.

The verdict: The best drills bits

It can be challenging to figure out which type of drill bit you need and what material is best. What works best for small home improvements may not be the best option for someone working at a construction site.

Our top-rated product goes to the Makita 75 PC Metric Drill and Screw Bit Set as it offers a vast array of applications all in a slimline case that makes it easy to transport from the garage to a building site.

Makita is a trusted household name that offers quality and durability every time, it’s easy to see why this set has come out on top.