10 Best Drill Presses in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

There are many reasons why you might want or need a drill press, but when it’s time to go shopping for one, there are so many different options out there. While they all promise top-notch results, only some deliver.

Others lack the torque to get the job done, and some will break on you in no time. It can quickly turn into a frustrating experience, which is why we wanted to highlight ten of the best drill presses out there today.

Not only that, but we came up with comprehensive reviews for each one, and our thorough buyer’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get the right one for you the first time.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Shop Fox W1668	A great mix of price and performance Very versatile tool It also comes with a spindle sander	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Euro Tool Benchtop Drill Press	Very high RPM Affordably priced Super compact	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Jet JDP-17	Outstanding versatility Extremely powerful It includes a safety key	CHECK PRICE
		Shop Fox W1667	A great mix of price and versatility Standard maximum chuck size Compact size	CHECK PRICE
		DeWalt Drill Press	Very compact Higher power output It has an overload protection monitor	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Drill Presses

1. Shop Fox W1668 Drill Press – Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best combination of price and performance, then the Shop Fox W1668 is what you want. It’s extremely versatile with a 13-inch swing, and with a 5/8-inch maximum drill chuck size, it fits most standard drill bits.

The maximum RPM of 3,050 is a bit lower than some other options, but with higher amperage and a powerful motor, it still has plenty of pop. As another perk, this kit comes with a spindle sander and everything you need to use it.

This is a compact and powerful drill press that has everything you could need. However, it is a little bit more expensive, but for everything it offers and the quality you’re getting, it’s well worth the price.

It’s not hard to see why it’s our best overall drill press, and if this is the drill press you decide to go with, you won’t regret it.

2. Euro Tool Benchtop Drill Press – Best Value

If you want a great drill press but don’t have a lot of money to spend on one, the Euro Tool Benchtop Drill Press is an outstanding choice. It has a very high maximum RPM, and it’s very compact. Moreover, with a 13-millimeter maximum drill chuck size, it can easily fit most standard drill bits.

However, part of the reason this drill press is so affordable is because it’s on the smaller side of things. It only has a maximum swing of 4.5 inches, so you can’t use it for larger jobs.

Not only that, but while it has a very high maximum RPM, it’s not quite as powerful as other drill presses. Because of its smaller size, it’s not as big of a deal, but it is worth noting. Still, you’re not going to find a better option at this price, easily making the Euro Tool Benchtop Drill Press the best drill press for the money.

3. Jet JDP-17 Drill Press – Premium Choice

If money is no object or you’re working in a professional setting, then the Jet JDP-17 is as good as it gets. While it’s a far more expensive drill press option it can also tackle jobs other drill presses can’t even think about.

It all starts with the 17-inch swing, giving you a wide range of motion for even the most challenging jobs. But from there it has a higher maximum RPM at 3,500, which is even more impressive considering how powerful the motor itself is.

It still has a maximum chuck of 13 millimeters, which is the standard size, but that’s large enough for standard drill bits. With a large and sturdy base, you don’t even need to find a bench to install this drill press, and it has a safety key so wandering fingers and hands can’t accidentally turn it on.

The real issue with the Jet JDP-17 all comes down to the price. It’s a great tool, but you’ll spend a bit more to get it.

4. Shop Fox W1667 Drill Press

This is the second Shop Fox drill press to make our list, and it’s because they make high-quality drill presses you can rely on. The Shop Fox W1667 is another option that’s a great mix of price and versatility, offering you a standard drill chuck size, a compact machine, and a decent power output paired with a higher maximum RPM.

Those are all great things and it’s why it climbed toward the top of our list, but the W1667 isn’t perfect. Our chief complaint is the shorter swing range, although 8.5 inches is enough space for most jobs. Our second complaint is that you will need to find a bench to mount it to.

While this is pretty standard for many drill presses, if you don’t have an available bench, it can present a big problem. Overall, the Shop Fox W1667 is an outstanding option you should consider for your shop or garage.

5. DeWalt Drill Press

By far the most interesting option on our list, this DeWalt drill press unlocks a small range of applications for you, but it doesn’t take up much space. It’s the most compact drill press on our list, but it also has one of the shortest swing ranges at 4 3/8 inches.

It also has the lowest maximum RPM of any drill press on our list by a wide margin, topping out at just 450. Finally, it’s the only drill press on our list that uses 220 volts, so you’ll likely need a transformer to operate it.

But despite all these drawbacks, it climbed to the middle of our list. Because while this might be a compact drill press with a lower maximum RPM, it still brings the power. It might take a little longer, but it can get through just about anything.

It’s an outstanding choice for heavy-duty applications as long as it fits. It does use a standard 13-millimeter maximum drill chuck size, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a drill bit that fits.

6. Wen 4214 Drill Press

The Wen 4214 is yet another drill press that combines price and versatility to create a press you can use for a wide range of jobs without completely draining out your bank account. It has a 12-inch swing and a standard 13-millimeter maximum drill chuck size.

The maximum RPM sits at 3,200, but with a powerful motor, there’s plenty of torque and power to complete the job. It does feature a stand-alone base, but it’s smaller so you’ll still likely want to mount it to a bench.

And while there’s no denying this is a versatile choice, it’s not quite as versatile as the more expensive options. Just know what you’re getting and what you need it for, if this drill press meets those requirements, you won’t regret getting it.

7. Jet JWDP-12 Drill Press

While Jet produces our premium choice drill press, this is a more affordable option they make. The swing range goes down to 12 inches and the maximum RPM drops to 3,100, but those are both high enough figures for most jobs.

The drill press itself produces plenty of torque, so it can work through tougher surfaces. It also has a XACTA laser on it, so you always drill in the perfect location on the first try. Finally, with an LED work light, it’s easy to see what you’re doing, even if you don’t have the best lighting in your shop or garage.

However, all these extra perks come with a tradeoff—the price. While the Jet JWDP-12 isn’t quite as expensive as the Jet JDP-17, it’s still more expensive than most of the other drill presses on our list.

You’ll love the press, but you’ll also spend a bit more. And if you’re spending this much, we recommend going with an option from farther up the list.

8. WEN 4212T Drill Press

Wen makes quite a few great drill presses, and their 4212T is just a step behind their 4214. The primary difference is that the Wen 4212T has a 10-inch swing and a maximum drill chuck size of ½ inches, both of which are smaller than the 4214.

However, while this is a little smaller, it’s also a more affordable option. And with decent power output and the ability to climb to 3,100 RPM, it can still tackle most jobs. Finally, with a 2-year warranty, you know you’re getting a durable option that will last.

Whether this drill press is right for you all comes down to what you need. If you don’t need the larger swing or drill chuck size, go ahead and save yourself a little money by going with the Wen 4212T.

9. Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool

This Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool is the most affordable drill press on our list, but before you rush to add it to your cart, ensure you know exactly what you’re getting. It’s a much smaller drill press with a 2-inch swing, but it does accommodate standard drill bit sizes.

It also doesn’t have the most powerful motor, although the maximum RPM is on the higher side of things. Even though we can’t track down the exact maximum RPM, we know it’s fast!

You’ll still need to mount it to a table to keep it steady, but that’s not a huge deal. It’s a great little drill press for smaller jobs and you won’t need to spend a ton to get it. Just don’t expect the same level of results you would get with one of the more expensive drill presses on our list.

10. Joyabest 3-Speed Mini Drill Press

As the last option on our list, you might think the Joyabest 3-Speed Mini Drill Press isn’t even worth considering. That’s not the case. If you’re in the market for a smaller drill press for arts and crafts, not for big jobs, then this is an option you’ll want to consider.

It has an insanely high maximum RPM to help prevent melting, scarring, or warping, but with lower torque and power it still can’t make it through tougher objects. Also, it uses 220 volts, so there’s a good chance you’ll need a transformer to operate it.

It has an extremely small swing at 1 inch, and you can only use very small drill bits since the maximum drill chuck size is just 6.5 millimeters. This is specifically for much smaller jobs, so don’t think you can use it for anything else.

But if you are looking for a mini drill press, then this is an excellent choice at an even better price.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Drill Presses

With so many great drill presses out there, it can be a challenge trying to narrow it down to just one. But knowing what you’re looking at and what all the different numbers and specs mean can help you narrow everything down.

We’ll break it all down for you in our buyer’s guide here. That way, you know exactly what you’re looking at when you’re picking out a drill press.

RPM vs. Torque

Two numbers critical to a drill press are their maximum RPM and maximum torque. RPM refers to how fast the press will spin the drill bit, while torque refers to how much force you can push down on it with.

Faster RPMs can help you get through tough objects but going too fast can create an excessive amount of friction and burn things. Simply put, higher RPMs can help you get through tough objects.

But while higher RPMs help, they don’t get you anywhere without a higher torque number too. If an object can reach 100,000 RPMs, it still won’t go through anything if you can hold it still with your fingers. Torque keeps everything spinning even after it meets resistance, which is a huge part of the drilling process!

How Much Swing Do You Need?

Swing refers to the space between the plate where you put your object and the bottom of the drill chuck where you insert the drill bit.

If you’re looking to drill something into a larger object, you need a larger swing. Otherwise, you won’t be able to insert the object you’re trying to drill. Figuring out how much swing you need is straightforward though, just measure the size of the object you’re trying to drill.

If you can fit it in the press, you have enough swing. Otherwise, you’ll need to find another solution.

Swing vs. Range of Motion

It’s important to note that swing does not equal range of motion. If you need a hole that goes 10 inches down into an object, getting a drill press with a 10-inch swing won’t help.

Swing refers to the space between the table and the drill chuck, while the range of motion refers to how much you can move the drill bit with each pull. If you have a maximum range of motion of 3.5 inches, you can drill a 3.5-inch hole, even if you have a drill press with a 17-inch swing.

You can adjust the hole depth a bit by moving the drill bit up or down inside the drill chuck, but the range of motion is still an extremely important measurement to consider depending on what you’re trying to drill.

Conclusion

If you’re still trying to figure out what drill press is right for you after reading through the reviews and buyer’s guide, don’t overthink it. There’s a reason the Shop Fox W1668 is our top choice. It does just about anything you could want, and you don’t have to take out a loan to purchase it.

Meanwhile, the Euro Tool Benchtop is a more affordable option that still works great for smaller jobs, while the Jet JDP-17 is an outstanding choice for professional settings. Hopefully, this list will help you get a drill press so you can start on your next project as soon as possible.

Featured Image Credit: Ono Kosuki, Pexels