Best Drill Bits For Hardened Steel 2023: Top 10 Picks

Sometimes it might be quite difficult to find the best drill bits for hardened steel. With every niche market offering so many different products, it makes sense that this is the case.

Unfortunately, this very fact can make it incredibly difficult to find the item that best suits your needs, which is why we’ve put together this drill bits for hardened steel buying guide.

Our Favorite Picks:

Our Favorite Drill Bits For Hardened Steel Reviews:

SaleBestseller No. 1
BOSCH CO14B 14-Piece Cobalt M42 Metal Drill Bit Assorted Set
  • Cobalt M42 drill bit – provides upgraded M42 Cobalt jobber-length bits designed for durability, high heat resistance and Hardened surface for stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, light-gauge metal and aluminum
  • Enhanced M42 alloy material – contains 8% Cobalt alloy that delivers 10x life vs. Standard bits
  • High-heat resistant bits – withstand high-temperature applications for extended periods of time
  • Thick web-helix design – provides additional stability in tough applications
  • Surface-hardened tip – penetrates tough abrasive materials
Bestseller No. 2
Cobalt Drill Bits for Metal and Steel - 13 Piece Set in SAE Sizes (1/16" - 1/4") M35 Fully Grounded 5% Cobalt - Plastic Storage Case Included
  • SET OF 13 COBALT DRILL BITS - In the following imperial sizes 1/4", 15/64", 7/32", 13/64", 3/16", 11/64", 5/32", 9/64", 1/8", 7/64", 3/32", 5/64", 1/16"
  • M35, Fully Ground, 135° Split Point - Our Drill Bits Contain 5% Cobalt, Are Fully Grounded for a Precision Drilling Diameter. 135° Split Point Design Makes it Easier to Drill Repeated Holes in Harder Materials.
  • PLASTIC STORAGE CASE INCLUDED - Incredibly Tough and Durable Plastic Case. Perfect for Keeping Your Cobalt Drill Bits Neatly Organized and Safe.
  • COBALT DRILL BITS ARE THE PERFECT DRILL BITS FOR METAL - As well as other hard materials such as Stainless Steel, Hardened Steel, Cast Iron, Bronze, Titanium, and More!
  • LIFETIME GUARANTEE - Here at Owl Tools (USA Based Company) we only care about your satisfaction. We try our best to ensure each product is in perfect condition before you get it, but if something is not up to your satisfaction, please contact us for a full refund or replacement.
SaleBestseller No. 3
DEWALT Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set, Pilot Point, 21-Piece (DW1361)
  • DEWALT drill bit set has connectable accessory storage system to optimize storage space
  • Patented bit-bar design of the drill bits set allows easy removal of bits and customizable placement
  • Clear lid of the Titanium Nitride Coated drill bit set allows you to easily see contents at glance
  • Clip latch for secure closing
  • Small Bulk Storage size fits inside the Small and Medium ToughCase plus (sold separately) - Ideal for organizing loose bits
Bestseller No. 4
NordWolf 5-Piece M35 Cobalt Stubby Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals, with 1/4" Hex Shank for Quick Chucks & Impact Drivers, SAE Sizes 3/32"-1/8"-3/16"-1/4"-5/16" in Storage Box
  • 【High Quality】M35 Cobalt steel precision ground drill bits for extra durability and long lifetime
  • 【Efficient Design】Stubby drill bits measure from 1.84 to 2.32-inch only, allowing access to hard-to-reach and tight spaces. 135° split point two-blades special design drill tip (1/8-inch and larger) for perfect self-centering and fast drilling
  • 【Multi-Purpose Use】Suitable for drilling stainless steel and various hardened metals such as cast iron, titanium, bronze, aluminium, etc. All drill bits come with one piece 1/4-inch hex shank compatible with standard and quick change chucks and drivers
  • 【Popular Sizes】Includes imperial sizes: 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16"
  • 【Unique Packaging】Packed in special plastic box for easy storage, imprinted with drill bit sizes for easy identification. Sliding clip on backside of box for hanging on pegboards
Bestseller No. 5
COMOWARE Cobalt Drill Bit Set- 21Pcs M35 High Speed Steel Twist Jobber Length for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron and Wood Plastic with Metal Indexed Storage Case, 1/16"-3/8"
  • 21 PIECES INCLUDED: 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 11/64", 3/16", 13/64", 7/32", 15/64", 1/4", 17/64", 9/32", 19/64", 5/16", 21/64", 11/32", 23/64", 3/8".
  • HSS WITH 5% COBALT: Durable, Higher Heat & Abrasion Resistance.
  • PRECISE 135°SPLIT POINT & TWIST DESIGN: Prevent walking, clear chips and particles faster.
  • PROFESSIONAL & WIDELY USE: M35 Cobalt HSS is more suitable for hardened material. Particularly successful in cutting through hard metals such as stainless steel, cast iron, high temperature alloy, titanium alloy, hard plastics and woods, and also can be used for softer materials.
  • ORGANIZED HOLDER: Set includes the drill bit holder with size index for easy storage and organizing.
Bestseller No. 6
GMTOOLS 29Pcs Cobalt Drill Bits Set, M35 High Speed Steel, 135 Degree Tip, Twist Jobber Length Drill Bit Kit for Hardened Metal, Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, Plastic and Wood with Metal Indexed Storage Case 1/16"-1/2"
  • Perfect Drill Bits: Precision grinding process for a clean surface and high grinding accuracy. Universal round drill shank, widely applicable of tool holding systems and tightly clamped
  • 135° Split Point & Twist Design: The 135 degree fast cutting point is automatically centered and penetrates quickly with less pressure, reducing walking, fully ground drill bit with sharp and durable cutting edge. Twist design for clear chips faster
  • Enhanced M35 Alloy Material: These drill bits contain 5% Cobalt alloy steel, which increases wear resistance and durability. Industry grade 6542 high speed steel drill bit set, harder than 4241 HSS used in other similar drill bits set
  • Set Includes: 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 11/64, 3/16, 13/64, 7/32, 15/64, 1/4, 17/64, 9/32, 19/64, 5/16, 21/64, 11/32, 23/64, 3/8, 25/64, 13/32, 27/64, 7/16, 29/64, 15/32, 31/64 and 1/2 inch bits; Comes in metal indexed storage case for easy storage
  • QUALITY COMMITMENT: If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We provide 30-day money back. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for risk-free shopping!
Bestseller No. 7
JIUWU 13pcs Tungsten Steel Cemented Carbide Twist Drill Bits, Metal Drill YG Alloy Blade, for Stainless Steel Copper Aluminum Zinc Alloy, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13.5 14 15mm
  • Material: YG Cemented Carbide + Chrome Vanadium Steel. Ideal for drilling in tough metal, including heavy-duty abrasive alloy metal drilling on hardened steel.
  • The mistake that a lot of people make is using high speed steel twist drills at high speeds. If you search for "machining speeds and feeds" you will find a lot of information about the correct speeds to run cutting tools against different types of metal. Twist drills are the category of cutting tool you are looking for.
  • As soon as the heat starts to build up on the tip, the drill bit can lose the hardness that make it a cutting tool. Using HSS drills at low rpm with cooling fluid or lubricant can provide a large quantity of successful holes in metal. TThere have chunks of carbide on the end, and carbide will make easy work of even the hardest steel, and allow you to use high rpms. (In the process of opening holes to continue to add water for cooling.)
  • High toughness, abrasion resistance, high-speed cutting for the high hardness.
  • Size: 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 9mm 10mm 11mm 12mm 13.5mm 14mm 15mm.
Bestseller No. 8
Drill America - DWD29J-CO-PC 29 Piece M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set in Round Case (1/16" - 1/2" X 64ths), DWDCO Series
  • Set of 29 jobber length drill bits includes inch sizes 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64" increments
  • Cobalt steel provides extended tool life compared to high-speed steel drill bits when drilling hard materials
  • Gold oxide finish lubricates the drill bit and provides wear resistance
  • Self-centering 135-degree split point penetrates hard material without a pilot hole and produces small chips to reduce clogging
  • Meets ANSI specifications
Bestseller No. 9
2/Pack Solid Carbide Drill Bit for Hardened Steel Hard Ness HRa 91.3 Aerospace Standard K20 Tungsten Carbide Jobber Length Twist Drill for Metal 118 Degree Four Facet Point Fractional Size (3/32")
  • ★【Premium Bright Finish 2/Pack】 multi-purpose solid carbide drill bits provide better rigidity than high speed steel bits. It is extremely heat resistant and used for high speed applications. Our tungsten carbide (WC) bits has the advantage of cutting metal either "wet" or "dry" and they provide solutions for many businesses such as aerospace drilling jobs for aircraft mechanics, precision machining, hobby supply, etc.
  • ★【Recommended For Use On】 aircraft metals chrome titanium inconel stainless steel Alloys Steel Low-Medium-High Carbon Steel Aluminum Copper Glass Plastics Composite Materials Cast Iron -- Our Carbide drills stay sharp many times longer than traditional steel bits making them ideal for the toughest of applications!
  • ★【Optimal Design for Metal Work】 118° four facet point angle minimizes drill wander and assures accurately sized holes. Our jobber length, precision ground carbide drills are designed for high feed rates with good chip disposal. smooth finish on the bits increases chip flow. Spiral flutes are constructed with a higher flute angle to remove chips more easily.
  • ★【Specs】 Tungsten Carbide Grade (ISO): K20 / Binder: %8 Cobalt / Hardness: 91.3 HRa / Uncoated / Flute Length: 1 inch, Overall Length: 2 inch, Drill Size: 3/32 inch
  • ★【IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING】 tungsten carbide or cemented carbide is a composite material, although it looks like a metal, it is a composite of Tungsten carbide powder mixed with cobalt as a binder metal and the resulting material is more like a ceramic than a metal. It is a very hard material being a 9 on the Mohs scale where diamond is a 10, quartz a 7 and hard steel around 4.5. Due to its hardness, it will chew down into most anything But that hardness makes them brittle on side lo
Bestseller No. 10
HIDOTOL Cobalt Drill Bit Set 1/8" 12 PCS - M35 High Speed Steel Twist Jobber Length Drill Bits for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Plastic and Wood
  • High Quality Material - High Speed Steel M35 (Cobalt 5%) provide extended tool life compared to ordinary drill bits when drilling hard materials.
  • Characteristics - 135° split point with round straight shank, self-centering prevent walking, make drilling precise and faster. Fully Ground twist design helps clear particles faster, decreases friction and heat for a cooler drilling performance.
  • Widely Used - M35 Cobalt High Speed Steel is more suitable for tough, high tensile strength material. Particularly successful in cutting harden metals such as stainless steel, cast iron, high temperature alloy, titanium alloy, hard plastics and woods, and it also can be used for softer materials.
  • Specifications - 12Pcs - 1/8”(Dia 3.18mm) x 1-5/8”(Flute Length 41.28mm) Metal Drill Bits.This drill bit fits the majority of power drill currently on the market and come with a portable plastic case for easy storage and organization.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - If you are not fully satisfied with our product for any reason, please feel free to contact us, we will try our best to serve you.

Last update on 2023-06-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to find the best drill bits for hardened steel?

Here, we’ll be going over a number of factors that you can use to ensure that you’re purchasing the best drill bits for hardened steel for you.

Regardless of which type of item you’re looking to buy, chances are that there are existing buying guides on the internet, all of which aim to give you good drill bits for hardened steel recommendations.

Despite these recommendations, however, it’s always a good idea to do your own research. In addition to this research, asking yourself the following questions is also super helpful:

  • What features does the drill bits for hardened steel need to have to be perfect for my needs?
  • What is my budget?
  • Do I need to purchase a certain brand?

Once you’ve answered these questions and have a good idea of what you’re looking for and the buying process becomes much easier. Keep in mind that when looking for the best product, there’s no need to rush. In fact, very rarely are the ideal products found by choosing the first one you see or by basing your decisions on only one factor. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Now, with the answers to the previous questions in mind, we urge you to use our upcoming buying guide for drill bits for hardened steel to find what you’re looking for:

Brand

In some cases, the brand of drill bits for hardened steel is very important. For example, if you’re looking for an item that works in tandem with another, you might very well need both products to be the same brand. If this is the case, it’s vital to pay attention to this factor, as choosing the wrong product can mean the difference between wasting your money and buying a great product that functions as it should.

Features

The features in any given drill bits for hardened steel are important because they can dictate which version of an item you need and how much money you need to spend. Consider all the key features that you want your item to have and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t check at least ¾ of your boxes.

Reviews

Customer reviews about drill bits for hardened steel are crucial – especially when you’re buying a product that costs a lot of money or serves a big importance. Luckily, most products can be found online, which means that it’s common for there to be scores of customer reviews from those who have already purchased any given product.

Pay attention to these reviews. Take note of the pros and cons that they mention, and factor these into your big decision. In some cases, you’ll be forced to sacrifice one con in order to gain a particular pro, but being aware of the potential con is going to be beneficial in either case.

Quality

Of course, quality is key. You don’t want to purchase a low-quality product. If you do, you run the risk of your item breaking, not working properly, or otherwise proving to be very disappointing, as well as a waste of money.

You can compare drill bits for hardened steel quality by researching what your potential purchases are made from, contrasting the individual items against each other to discern which one is made of the best materials.

Warranty

Warranty isn’t always going to be important, but it definitely can be. This is especially true if the item in question is tech-related or expensive. A good warranty will be valid for an extended time after purchase and cover a variety of problems ranging from item defects to random accidents, water damage, and other miscellaneous events that could ruin your product.

Conclusion

The quest to find the best drill bits for hardened steel can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. It can be made much easier by asking yourself a few simple questions and then thinking critically about the items you want to buy. Consider their features, quality, brand, warranty, and customer reviews and you’re more likely to make a great purchase.