Our product tester loved the WEN 12-Inch Variable Press’s reliability, ease of use, and accurate laser guide. Here are the best drill presses on the market, based on power, reliability, versatility, and outstanding features. It is all too easy to find the wrong drill press for your needs while shopping. Plenty of options promise the power you need for most construction projects but fail to deliver when needed. The WEN 12-Inch Variable Press, with a 12-inch swing and 3-1/8-inch stroke distance, is designed to skip the overselling and simply offers a powerful, straightforward drill press for your shop. With a maximum speed of 3,200 rpm and variable speed dial, the power and control this top choice press offers is clear. The benefit of a variable speed dial is you can change the speed while maintaining the same power and torque you may need for denser materials. Using high-quality bearings and a rigid frame, the body of this drill press will withstand heavy use without damage to the inner workings of the power tool. If you need a drill press you can count on to work time and time again, this option is hard to beat. Our product tester appreciated the tool’s easy, reliable operation, as well as the easy-to-use speed adjustment, the accurate laser for precise measurement, and the helpful built-in work light. His final verdict was that this is an excellent drill press for the average DIYer or hobbyist, although it’s not quite powerful enough for a professional or anyone who needs the utmost in drilling strength. Price at time of publish: $259 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: 3-⅛ inch | Swing: 12 inch With a platform measuring a mere 6.75 inches x 6.75 inches, and an overall size of 10 x 12 x 8 inches, the drill press easily fits into any workspace. But while it may be small, it’s not without power, although it’s certainly not designed for tackling the toughest drilling jobs. The 110-volt motor achieves a top speed of 8,500 rpm, and there are three speed settings to choose from. The ¼-inch Jacobs chuck accepts bits up to 6.5 mm. Price at time of publish: $117 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: 7/8 inch | Swing: 5 inch The workstation screws into a worktable for stability without taking up too much valuable space. Note, however, that it does not include the Dremel rotary tool; you’ll need to purchase that separately if you don’t already own one. For the price, you actually get one of the most flexible drill presses available. The flex shaft attachment works with the drill to allow you to rotate the head for angled holes up to 90 degrees horizontal. A tool holder and router mount extend the capabilities of this press, enabling other work such as plunge routing and sanding/grinding to be done all in one workstation. Price at time of publish: $65 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: N/A | Swing: N/A A cast iron base securely mounts to most worktables for a sturdy, stable hold. The included 6.5-inch x 6.5-inch beveling table is small but flexible, allowing you to tilt the drilling surface up to 45 degrees for angled drilling. This drill press has an 8-inch swing and a 2-inch stroke distance, meaning it’s not designed to handle large, thick materials. The slots in the table are even large enough to accommodate mounting clamps and vises to secure the drilling surface to the table while tilting. Price at time of publish: $110 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: 2 inch | Swing: 8 inch If you need to sand, the tool easily converts to an oscillating sander without need of tools or fuss and bother. The oscillating function means you’ll achieve smooth results without too much buildup of heat and friction. The 2-inch dust port helps keep your workspace free of sawdust and other debris. This benchtop drill press includes the sanding drum and oscillating spindle. Price at time of publish: $935 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: 3-1/4 inch | Swing: 13 inches The press has overload protection electronics that prevent motor burnout and extend the life of the tool. It includes a coolant tank that you can position as needed while you work. The lower speed setting revs up to 300 rpm, and the higher setting is up to 450 rpm, allowing you to easily penetrate even very hard metals. At 35 pounds, the drill press is fairly heavy, but it’s a sturdy, powerful tool. Price at time of publish: $868 Benchtop/Floor: Benchtop | Stroke Distance: 4 inch | Swing: N/A Many professionals prefer floor drills since they don’t take up table space and, in fact, typically offer larger work surfaces underneath the drill. The 18-900L includes a 20 x 28 inch worktable that bevels up to 90 degrees left or right. The 6-inch drill stroke is ideal for industrial applications or projects where larger parts such as 4 x 4 wood beams are common. The extra stroke length means you can drill deeper without having to make additional holes on the other side to connect, and the 18-inch swing lets you tackle even very large materials. Price at time of publish: $2,016 Benchtop/Floor: Floor | Stroke Distance: 6 inch | Swing: 18 inch
Stroke Distance
Also called spindle travel or quill travel, the stroke distance is a measurement of how deep a hole the drill press can create without having to stop and readjust the drill press table or the material being drilled. Smaller or less expensive drill presses often have a mere 2.5-inch stroke distance, sometimes even a little less. Large, heavy-duty floor-standing drill presses can have as much as 6 or more inches of stroke distance, but most hobbyists or general DIYers won’t require this level of performance. As a general rule, around 4 inches of spindle travel is more than sufficient for most typical tasks.
Floor or Benchtop Design
There are two basic styles of drill press: floor and benchtop. As the name suggests, floor drill presses are large tools that stand on the floor. These have a lot of power and typically a swing between 13 and 20 inches. Floor-standing drill presses are best for professional or heavy-duty use. Benchtop drill presses sit on a workbench. These smaller machines generally have a swing between 8 and 12 inches, and handle light-to-moderate drilling tasks. Generally, these are the best choice for the average DIYer or hobbyist.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she considered dozens of drill presses, evaluating each for basic features, extras, as well as product tester input and customer feedback. Glenn Wiseman, RASDT, RHDT, and sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services, provided further advice and insights.
