Do I need titanium, cobalt, and black oxide bits, or just one?

For general wood, plastic, and light metal drilling, a titanium or black oxide set covers it. Add cobalt bits only once you're regularly drilling hardened steel or stainless, where titanium-coated bits dull faster.

Can I use a regular twist bit in an impact driver?

Only if it has a 1/4-inch hex shank — impact drivers can't chuck round-shank bits. Even with a hex shank, confirm the bit is rated for impact use, since the rotational hammering can snap a standard bit that isn't built for it.

What size drill bit set should I start with?

A 14-21 piece titanium or black oxide set covering roughly 1/16 to 3/8 inch handles the vast majority of household drilling. Add a dedicated masonry or spade set only once a specific project calls for it.

Best Drill Bit Sets for DIY and Woodworking

A drill is only as good as the bit in the chuck, and most drilling problems that feel like a tool issue — bits that wander, burn, or dull almost instantly — are actually a bit-selection problem.

Rather than one do-everything set, the picks below cover the specific jobs a home workshop actually runs into: general wood and metal drilling, hardened steel, impact driver use, masonry, and the bigger holes a standard twist bit can't handle.

How we picked: We prioritized sets with genuine material-specific grinds (titanium, cobalt, carbide) over generic bulk packs, plus sturdy cases that keep sizes organized and visible. This draws on published specs, brand reliability history, and long-term owner feedback rather than our own bench testing.

At a glance

#PickWhy it stands outPrice

DEWALT DW1369 14-Piece Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit SetTop Pickall-purpose set for most home drilling - Pilot point tip starts on contact without wandering or needing a center punchCheck Amazon

Bosch CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit SetRunner-upmetal and stainless steel - Cobalt alloy holds a sharp edge at higher heat than titanium-coated bitsCheck Amazon

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty Titanium Drill Bit Set (23-Piece)Best Valueimpact drivers - Hex shank locks straight into an impact driver's quick-change chuck, no keyless collar neededCheck Amazon

DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Rock Carbide Masonry Drill Bit SetAlso greatbrick, block, and concrete - Carbide tip stays sharp through brick, mortar, and block without dulling immediatelyCheck Amazon

IRWIN Speedbor Wood Spade Bit Set, 6-PieceAlso greatrunning cable and rough holes in wood - Fast, inexpensive way to drill holes larger than a twist bit can handleCheck Amazon

IRWIN 29-Piece Black Oxide Drill Bit SetAlso greatbudget all-purpose set - Covers a wide fractional size range for the priceCheck Amazon

The picks in detail

DEWALT DW1369 14-Piece Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set

Top Pick

9.6/10Editor’s score

Best all-purpose set for most home drilling

Pilot point tip starts on contact without wandering or needing a center punch
Titanium coating holds an edge longer than standard black oxide bits
Covers the common fractional sizes most household drilling actually needs

Watch out Titanium coating isn't a substitute for cobalt once you're drilling hardened steel regularly.

Check price on Amazon

Bosch CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit Set

Runner-up

9.3/10Editor’s score

Best for metal and stainless steel

Cobalt alloy holds a sharp edge at higher heat than titanium-coated bits
Wide 21-piece size range covers most metalworking and fabrication jobs
Flute design clears metal chips well, which keeps bits from overheating

Watch out Overkill and pricier than needed if you're mostly drilling wood or drywall.

Check price on Amazon

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty Titanium Drill Bit Set (23-Piece)

Best Value

9.0/10Editor’s score

Best for impact drivers

Hex shank locks straight into an impact driver's quick-change chuck, no keyless collar needed
Shank is built to survive the rotational hammering that snaps standard bits
Matches Milwaukee's SHOCKWAVE impact-rated driver bits for a consistent kit

Watch out A hex shank won't center as precisely in a keyed chuck as a round-shank bit will.

Check price on Amazon

DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Rock Carbide Masonry Drill Bit Set

Also great

8.7/10Editor’s score

Best for brick, block, and concrete

Carbide tip stays sharp through brick, mortar, and block without dulling immediately
Works in a standard drill for light anchoring, or a hammer drill for faster, deeper holes
Covers the common anchor and fastener sizes used in masonry work

Watch out Not meant for repeated deep drilling into cured concrete — a rotary hammer bit holds up better for heavy anchor work.

Check price on Amazon

IRWIN Speedbor Wood Spade Bit Set, 6-Piece

Also great

8.4/10Editor’s score

Best for running cable and rough holes in wood

Fast, inexpensive way to drill holes larger than a twist bit can handle
Spur-tip design starts cleanly and reduces splintering on the way through
Covers the common sizes for electrical boxes, conduit, and plumbing runs

Watch out Leaves a rougher hole than a Forstner bit, so it's not the right choice for visible woodworking.

Check price on Amazon

IRWIN 29-Piece Black Oxide Drill Bit Set

Also great

8.3/10Editor’s score

Best budget all-purpose set

Covers a wide fractional size range for the price
Black oxide coating resists rust better than bare high-speed steel
Comes in a labeled case that makes it obvious when a size goes missing

Watch out Dulls faster than titanium or cobalt bits under heavy or repeated metal drilling.

Check price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need titanium, cobalt, and black oxide bits, or just one?: For general wood, plastic, and light metal drilling, a titanium or black oxide set covers it. Add cobalt bits only once you're regularly drilling hardened steel or stainless, where titanium-coated bits dull faster.
Can I use a regular twist bit in an impact driver?: Only if it has a 1/4-inch hex shank — impact drivers can't chuck round-shank bits. Even with a hex shank, confirm the bit is rated for impact use, since the rotational hammering can snap a standard bit that isn't built for it.
What size drill bit set should I start with?: A 14-21 piece titanium or black oxide set covering roughly 1/16 to 3/8 inch handles the vast majority of household drilling. Add a dedicated masonry or spade set only once a specific project calls for it.

From the blog

Article

Best Drill Bit Sets for DIY and Woodworking

At a glance

The picks in detail

DEWALT DW1369 14-Piece Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set

Bosch CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit Set

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty Titanium Drill Bit Set (23-Piece)

DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Rock Carbide Masonry Drill Bit Set

IRWIN Speedbor Wood Spade Bit Set, 6-Piece

IRWIN 29-Piece Black Oxide Drill Bit Set

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep reading

Cordless Drills Buying Advice

Power Drill Buying Guide (2026): How to Choose a Cordless Drill

How to Sharpen Drill Bits at Home (and When to Just Replace Them)

From the blog

How to Store and Charge Power Tool Batteries So They Actually Last

Impact Driver vs. Impact Wrench: What's the Difference?

Drill Bit Types Explained: Wood, Metal, Masonry, and More

Drill vs. Impact Driver: Which One Do You Actually Need First?

How to Drill Straight, Vertical Holes Without a Drill Press

How to Drill Into Tile Without Cracking It (Ceramic, Porcelain, and Glass)