What Is the Best Drill Bit for Metal in 2025? [Top Picks & Buying Guide]

In metalworking, whether for CNC mass production or everyday maintenance and DIY tasks, selecting the right drill bit for metal is crucial to ensure processing efficiency and hole accuracy. With a wide variety of metal materials—ranging from stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum alloys to titanium—the performance, durability, and heat resistance of different drill bit types vary significantly. So, which drill bit stands out as the best choice for metal drilling in 2025? Amidst ongoing product innovations, how can you identify the drill bits worth investing in and avoid those likely to cause processing failures?

Drawing on over a decade of CNC machining experience and the latest market trends, this guide systematically reviews common types of metal drill bits, including high-speed steel (HSS), cobalt alloy, and tungsten carbide drill bits. We evaluate them across multiple dimensions such as material compatibility, durability, application scenarios, and cost-effectiveness to recommend the best drill bits for metal in 2025.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing engineer or procurement professional aiming for quality tools, this buying guide will help you make informed decisions to prevent costly mistakes and workpiece scrap due to improper drill bit selection.

Why Is It Important to Choose a Dedicated Metal Drill Bit?

Drilling in metalworking may seem straightforward, but it poses significant challenges related to tool material compatibility and geometric design. Unlike softer materials like wood or plastic, metals generally exhibit higher hardness, lower thermal conductivity, and greater cutting resistance. Using an improper drill bit for metal can lead to tool burn-out, hole misalignment, and reduced productivity. Understanding the types of drill bits for metal and selecting them based on actual machining conditions is key to ensuring process success and minimizing costs.

What Are the Processing Challenges of Metal Drilling?

Common metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, and titanium each present unique machining characteristics that demand specific drill bit properties:

• High hardness: Materials like 304 stainless steel and H13 tool steel create high cutting forces, accelerating tool wear.

• Poor thermal conductivity: Metals retain heat near the cutting edge, raising temperatures that cause drill bit abrasion and loss of red hardness.

• Chip adhesion and clogging: Soft metals like aluminum and copper tend to stick to cutting edges, hampering chip evacuation and roughening hole surfaces.

• High precision requirements: Hole diameter tolerance and coaxiality directly affect assembly accuracy and part performance.

These challenges are especially pronounced in CNC drilling, high-speed cutting, and mass production, underscoring the need for metal-specific drill bits that excel in heat resistance, wear resistance, and chip evacuation—such as cobalt and tungsten carbide drill bits for metal.

What Problems Arise from Using the Wrong Type of Drill Bit?

Using general-purpose or woodworking drill bits in metal can cause:

• Dramatically shortened tool life: Standard HSS bits wear rapidly or burn out quickly, especially without proper cooling or at high speeds.

• Increased hole deviation and scrap rates: Improper bits cause eccentric or elliptical holes with excessive burrs, rendering parts unusable for assembly or threading.

• Reduced efficiency and higher costs: Wrong bits force lower feed rates and multiple passes, extending cycle times and increasing tool maintenance.

• Greater equipment wear: Excessive cutting forces and vibration harm spindle precision and fixture stability.

To balance accuracy, efficiency, and cost, it is critical to choose metal drill bits with optimized geometry, enhanced coatings, and robust materials—particularly cobalt alloy or cemented carbide bits when drilling hard metals.

Common Types of Metal Drill Bits and Their Suitable Materials

Choosing the right drill bit impacts hole quality, efficiency, tool life, and production cost. Drill bits differ markedly in material composition, heat resistance, design, and applications. Understanding these types helps you select accurately in complex machining environments.

HSS Drill Bits

Suitable for: Soft metals such as aluminum and copper
Advantages: Versatile, affordable, easy to resharpen

HSS bits are the most common basic metal drill bits, offering good toughness and adaptability. Ideal for soft metals and low-to-medium speed drilling, they are widely used in intermittent cutting and home DIY drills. However, they wear quickly on hard metals and have limited heat resistance, prone to annealing and bluing over time. Industrial users seeking higher efficiency and precision should consider upgraded alternatives.

Cobalt Alloy Drill Bits

Suitable for: Carbon steel, stainless steel, high-strength steels
Advantages: Excellent heat resistance, suited for continuous and dry drilling

Cobalt drill bits are typically made from M35 or M42 high-speed steel alloyed with cobalt, providing superior red hardness and wear resistance. They excel in drilling hard metals like stainless steel and alloy steels, sustaining higher cutting temperatures and longer tool life. Common in machining plants and automotive mold shops, they balance toughness and cost-effectiveness for medium-hardness metals.

Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits

Suitable for: Hardened steel, titanium alloys, hardened mold steels, high-volume CNC drilling
Advantages: Extreme hardness and wear resistance, optimal for high-speed and precision drilling

Tungsten carbide bits, formed from sintered tungsten-cobalt powders, are among the toughest available. Ideal for continuous, high-speed CNC applications in aerospace, precision molds, and medical parts, they withstand heavy-duty conditions. Despite higher cost and lower impact resistance, their efficiency and lifespan justify investment in high-hardness, high-precision contexts.

Coated Drill Bits (TiN, TiAlN, etc.)

Suitable for: Difficult-to-machine materials like tool steels and mold steels
Advantages: Enhanced surface hardness, improved heat resistance, and cutting performance

Modern metal drill bits often feature coatings such as TiN, TiAlN, or TiCN, which increase heat resistance and reduce wear. These coatings improve drilling stability and lifespan, particularly under high-speed dry cutting or hard-material conditions. For small-batch, high-precision jobs, coated bits deliver superior hole finish and tolerance.

Recommended Metal Drill Bit Brands and Models for 2025 [Top Picks]

In metalworking, the choice of drill bit brand and model directly impacts drilling efficiency, tool life, and hole quality. As manufacturing demands for precision and productivity continue to rise in 2025, leading drill bit brands have made continuous improvements in material formulations, geometric designs, and surface coatings. This has resulted in a range of high-performance, cost-effective products with proven reliability. Below, based on different practical applications, we systematically recommend three categories of the most trusted metal drill bit brands and models to help you achieve efficient and high-quality drilling results in your projects.

Recommended Multi-Material Drill Bits (For Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel, Carbon Steel)

For mixed-material machining environments like CNC subcontractors and hardware manufacturers, choosing a versatile metal drill bit can significantly improve tool utilization and machining efficiency.

Tool Parameter Analysis (SAMHO TOOL example):

• Point Angle: 140° multi-functional geometry for stable feed and efficient chip evacuation.

• Material Composition: M35 cobalt alloy base, enhancing red hardness, suitable for medium to high-strength metals.

• Surface Coating: High-hardness nano-ceramic TiAlN coating, improves heat and wear resistance, ideal for dry cutting and high-speed drilling.

Recommended Drill Bits for Hard Materials (Hardened Steel, Titanium Alloy, etc.)

For high-hardness metals such as tool steels over HRC40, titanium alloys, and heat-treated mold steels, cobalt alloy or tungsten carbide drill bits with superior red hardness and wear resistance are recommended to ensure drilling efficiency and hole quality.

CNC Application Case Study (SAMHO TOOL example):

• Scenario: A mold shop drills 20mm deep holes in H13 heat-treated steel (HRC48) using HDC-Plus with internal coolant.

• Results: Tool life increased by nearly 40%, hole diameter tolerance within ±0.02mm, minimal wear.

• Feedback: Higher cost-effectiveness and more stable supply compared to imported brands.

Recommended Metal Drill Bits for Portable Tools and Cordless Drills

For DIY enthusiasts, small-batch repairs, or light on-site machining using portable or cordless drills, selecting lightweight, sharp, and versatile drill bits is crucial.

Usage Tips:

• Control Speed: Avoid high-speed dry drilling, especially with stainless steel or copper; use medium to low speeds with light pressure.

• Intermittent Drilling: Helps chip removal and cooling, prevents overheating and tool damage.

• Shank Compatibility: Opt for common straight shanks like 6mm or 10mm to ensure chuck compatibility.

Summary Recommendations:

• For CNC or precision machining, prioritize professional-grade drill bits with internal cooling channels, carbide substrate, and nano coatings—such as SAMHO HDC-Plus or M.A. FORD series.

• For versatile multi-material machining, cobalt alloy bits with multi-angle point designs offer flexibility.

• For manual drilling or light-duty applications, cost, practicality, and portability dominate—SAMHO’s is solid choices.

Five Key Factors to Consider When Buying Metal Drill Bits

In metalworking, selecting drill bits goes far beyond just “being able to drill holes.” Different metal materials’ physical properties, drilling depth requirements, and equipment types significantly impact drill performance and lifespan. To achieve the best drilling results and extend tool life, the following five critical factors must be comprehensively considered:

Material Type and Hardness Matching

Metal types impose vastly different demands on drill bits. When selecting, you should match the drill bit to the material’s hardness, ductility, and thermal conductivity.

• Soft metals (e.g., aluminum, copper, low-carbon steel): HSS or titanium-coated drill bits generally suffice.

• Medium to high hardness metals (e.g., stainless steel, alloy steel): Cobalt alloy drill bits (such as M35 or M42) are recommended to improve wear and heat resistance.

• Ultra-hard materials (e.g., hardened steel, titanium alloys, heat-treated mold steels): Tungsten carbide drill bits are required, combined with low-speed feeds and effective cooling.

Drill Bit Material and Coating Selection

The drill bit’s material and coating are core factors that set its performance ceiling. A high-quality drill bit material should have excellent red hardness (maintaining hardness at high temperatures), toughness, and wear resistance.

• HSS: Suitable for light-load applications and cost-effective.

• Co-HSS: Enhances heat resistance and tool life, commonly chosen among the best drill bits for metal.

• Tungsten Carbide: Ideal for high-strength steels, difficult-to-machine materials, and high-speed CNC drilling.

Common coatings include:

• TiN: Improves wear resistance, suitable for medium hardness materials.

• TiAlN / AlTiN: Enhances surface hardness and thermal stability, ideal for high-speed dry cutting.

• Diamond Coated: Suitable for graphite and composite materials, offering extreme wear resistance.

Drill Bit Geometry Design (Point Angle, Cutting Lip, Flute Design)

The geometry of a drill bit significantly affects drilling performance beyond material choice:

• Point Angle: Common angles include 118°, 135°, and 140°.

  • 118° is suitable for soft metals and manual drilling.

  • 135° or greater angles are better for hard metals and high-speed CNC drilling, offering improved stability.

• Cutting Lip Geometry: Determines sharpness and chip-breaking capability.

• Flute Design: Affects chip evacuation and coolant flow. Two-flute designs are standard, while three or more flutes are suited for deep-hole drilling.

Optimized geometry reduces issues like built-up edge, chip clogging, and poor chip removal, ultimately improving hole quality.

Equipment Compatibility (Manual vs. CNC)

Not all drill bits fit every type of equipment. Confirm your processing machine type and operating conditions before purchasing:

• Handheld drills and power tools: Recommend straight shank, short-flute drill bits for simplicity and ease of use.

• Drill presses and benchtop drills: Suitable for moderate complexity jobs, consider coating-enhanced drill bits.

• CNC machines: Require high-precision bits, such as carbide drills with internal coolant channels, and customized shank types (BT, HSK, ER collet) based on spindle speed and clamping method.

Mismatched tools lead to unstable cutting, hole deviation, or even spindle damage, especially under high-speed drilling.

Production Volume and Cost Efficiency

Your drill bit selection strategy depends on usage frequency and batch size:

• For one-time or small-batch jobs: Prioritize cost-effective HSS or coated cobalt drills.

• For medium to large batches or continuous operations: Invest in tungsten carbide drills with longer life and higher wear resistance.

• Regrindable tools (e.g., replaceable blade or regrindable cobalt drills) help reduce costs for large batch runs.

Additionally, brand reputation, delivery lead times, and after-sales service contribute significantly to cost-effectiveness in long-term production.

To sum up, when selecting metal drill bits in 2025, consider the processed material characteristics, equipment type, and production needs to properly match drill bit material, coating, and geometry. Balancing performance and cost will ensure efficient, stable, and economical metal drilling operations.

How to Extend the Service Life of Metal Drill Bits?

As the core cutting tool, the service life of metal drill bits directly impacts machining efficiency and production costs. This is especially critical when processing high-strength and high-hardness materials. Through controlling drilling parameters, optimizing cooling methods, and applying correct operating techniques, the lifespan of drill bits can be significantly extended, maximizing their performance.

Use Coolant and Maintain Proper Feed Rate

Effective coolant application is crucial to prevent rapid wear and overheating-related damage in metal drill bits. Coolant not only dissipates cutting heat but also lubricates the cutting edge, reduces cutting forces, and improves chip evacuation.

• Choose the appropriate coolant: Select between water-soluble cutting fluids or oil-based coolants based on the material and process type to ensure adequate cooling and lubrication.

• Maintain a stable feed rate: Excessive feed speeds overload the drill and generate excessive heat, while too slow feeds cause chip buildup and reduced efficiency.

• Optimize spindle speed and feed ratio: Adjust speeds according to drill material and hole diameter to keep cutting temperatures within the drill’s tolerance range.

Regularly Inspect Wear and Replace Timely

Even with ideal conditions, drill bits wear, chip, or lose hardness over time. Regular inspection is key to ensuring hole quality and preventing costly scrap.

• Visual inspection: Look for cracks, edge wear, rounding, or chipping on cutting edges.

• Monitor hole size and surface finish: Increasing hole diameter or roughness indicates significant drill wear.

• Implement tool life management: Establish replacement cycles based on usage frequency and difficulty to avoid overuse.

• Sharpen or replace promptly: Keeping drills sharp maintains accuracy and prolongs overall tool life.

Employ Proper Drilling Techniques to Avoid Burnout

Burnout, caused by excessive heat leading to annealing and rapid drill failure, is the most common drilling issue. Correct techniques help mitigate this risk.

• Step drilling and multiple passes: Layered drilling reduces cutting load and heat concentration, especially in deep holes.

• Avoid excessive pressure: Applying appropriate force ensures smooth cutting and prevents drill bending or breakage.

• Keep the drill perpendicular and stable: This avoids uneven wear caused by vibration or deflection.

• Use suitable drill types and coatings: Select drills with heat-resistant coatings matched to the workpiece material for improved burn resistance.

Through scientifically controlled cooling and feed rates, timely wear monitoring, and standardized drilling operations, you can maximize the advantages of the best drill bits for drilling metal—significantly extending tool life, lowering machining costs, and improving product quality.

Choose the Most Suitable Drill Bit for Your Metal Drilling Needs

Selecting the right metal drill bit is crucial to ensuring machining efficiency, hole accuracy, and tool longevity. This article systematically analyzes mainstream metal drill bit types available in 2025—from high-speed steel and cobalt alloy to tungsten carbide—detailing their applicable materials and machining scenarios. We also discuss how to select drill bits based on metal hardness, equipment, and hole specifications.

Furthermore, we emphasize the essential role of proper drilling procedures, coolant use, and feed control in extending drill life.

As experienced CNC engineers and tooling experts, we recommend prioritizing market-proven premium brands like SAMHO TOOL. These brands offer reliable performance tailored to your material and process needs, helping to maintain stable productivity and control costs. For high-hardness materials or batch processing, carbide and cobalt alloy drill bits are often the ideal choice.

Finally, reasonable maintenance and standardized use ensure the best performance and mitigate processing risks. Regular wear inspections, timely replacements, and mastering proper drilling techniques will make your drilling operations more precise and efficient.

If you seek high-quality drill bits with excellent performance across various metals, please visit our product page for professional recommendations and the latest offers, helping elevate your metalworking business.

FAQ: Comprehensive Answers to Metal Drill Bit Selection

Q1: What drill bit is suitable for drilling stainless steel?
Stainless steel is hard and prone to material adhesion. We recommend cobalt alloy drills (M35/M42) with a 135° point angle or coated high-speed steel drills. Cobalt drills resist high temperatures and wear, effectively preventing sticking and burning, ensuring hole accuracy and tool life.

Q2: Which is better: cobalt drill or carbide drill?
Co-HSS drills are suitable for medium-hardness metals and intermittent drilling, offering a balance of cost and wear resistance. Carbide drills excel at high-hardness metals and continuous high-speed machining, with superior hardness and heat resistance but higher costs. Choose based on material hardness and machining method to balance efficiency and economy.

Q3: How to choose drills for household use vs. industrial processing?
For home and DIY drilling, cost-effective HSS or TiN-coated drills compatible with handheld drills are recommended for ease of use. For industrial or CNC high-speed drilling, cobalt alloy or carbide drills with appropriate cooling and feed rates are essential to maintain quality and efficiency.

Q4: Why do drills burn blue or break? How to prevent this?
Bluing is surface oxidation caused by overheating due to insufficient cooling, excessive speed, or too rapid feed. Breakage often results from overload, vibration, or brittle materials. Prevention includes proper coolant use, controlled speed and feed, step drilling, and selecting drill types suited to the material.