8 Best Budget Drill Presses of 2021 [Reviews]

From metalworking to woodworking, a drill press adds utility and convenience to your home or professional shop. Drill presses are helpful for countersinking, counterboring, and tapping in metal or wood. For home purposes, you’ll likely prefer a single-spindle design, but there are style and layout options, including variations on how you install the press on your workshop table or bench.

Of course, the best budget drill presses are sturdy, reliable, and offer user-friendly features to get the job done. But there are tooling options to consider, safety features, and accessories that make your work easier. Here, we’ll look at the eight best budget drill presses of 2019 that will get the job done—and done right—on a budget.

At a Glance – Our Top Picks.

Wen 4208 5-Speed Drill Press

Wen’s 5-speed drill press offers convenience and utility. Its speeds range from 740 to 3,140RPM, and the spindle travels up to two inches, making it easy to work with. Height adjustment means you can work with a range of materials in different applications, and the up to ½-inch keyed chuck adds more flexibility.

Specs

• Five speeds
• 120V 1/3 HP motor
• 8-inch height
• Height adjustable and bevels 45 degrees
• ½-inch keyed chuck

What We Like

• Locking linear depth stops help with accuracy
• The worktable is height adjustable for convenience
• Onboard key storage keeps you from losing the chuck

Our Verdict

With its compact size and nearly infinite adjustability, Wen’s 4208 drill press is an excellent addition to most shops, whether professional or hobby. However, note that you won’t be able to narrow measurements down to .001, which could affect the precision of your cuts.

Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool Workstation Stand

For less frequent drilling tasks, Dremel’s drill press workstation might be the ideal fit. Especially if you already own a Dremel rotary tool, you can convert it into a drill press. The stand is compatible with a range of Dremel rotary tool models, and the stand itself features a two-inch drill depth and telescopic adjustment.

Specs

• Workstation stand for Dremel rotary tools
• Compatible with most rotary tools from Dremel
• Two-inch drill depth
• Adjustable from 16 to 29 inches

What We Like

• The workstation is compatible with a range of Dremel rotary tool models
• Transforms your existing tool into a tabletop drill press
• Portable and easy to use

Our Verdict

For casual hobbyists who occasionally find that a drill press would be handy, Dremel’s rotary tool workstation is an excellent fit. It offers utility—you can use your existing tool as a drill press—and it’s handy to adjust and maneuver around your shop or home.

Skil 3320-01 Drill Press

Skil’s 10-inch drill press offers speeds ranging from 570 to 3,050 RPM and includes a two-beam laser for ensuring precision. The adjustable depth stop lets you make accurate measurements, and the tilting work surface provides further flexibility.

Specs

• Five speeds
• 120V 3.2 Amps
• 10-inch height
• ½-inch keyed chuck
• Bevels 45 degrees
•  2-beam laser for hole alignment

What We Like

• Limited 3-year warranty
• The laser hole alignment helps with precise cuts
• The heavy-duty cast iron base offers stability

Our Verdict

Skil’s drill press offers high-end features in an economical package. From the alignment laser to the variable height settings (which seem to be on-point as far as accuracy), there’s not much to complain about with this budget-friendly press.

Shop Fox W1668 Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander

What’s more budget-friendly than a dual-purpose tool? Shop Fox’s bench-top drill press doubles as a spindle sander, making it worth the investment. Spindle speeds range from 250 to 3,050 RPM, giving you a wide swath of adjustability. Three and a quarter inches of spindle travel helps with different tasks, too.

Specs

• Drill press and spindle sander
• 110V ¾ HP motor
• 3 ¼-inch spindle travel
• 3-piece spindle sander drum kit
• 13-inch height
• 90-degree table tilt

What We Like

• Doubles as a spindle sander (accessories included)
• The tilting table helps with precision
• Moveable table for sanding access

Our Verdict

Especially for hobbyists (or professionals) with limited space, dual-function equipment is always ideal. Shop Fox’s drill press/spindle sander comes with everything you need to drill and sand no matter where you set up shop.

Jet 354170/JDP-20MF Floor Drill Press

While Jet’s 20-inch floor drill press isn’t the most budget-friendly pick, its excellent performance warrants the price tag. If you’re looking for a premium pick for a home drill press, this is it. With 12 speeds offering anywhere from 150 to 4,200 RPM, there’s nothing you can’t drill.

Specs

• 115V 1.5 HP motor
• 12 spindle speeds
•  ¾-inch chuck
• Two-year warranty
• Built-in work light
• 20-inch height
• 4 5/8-inch spindle travel

What We Like

• The two-year warranty offers peace of mind
• Exceptional horsepower range means you can handle any task
• Work-light and travel adjustments make drilling convenient

Our Verdict

With sturdy construction, tons of built-in features, and maximum utility, Jet’s 20-inch floor drill press checks all the boxes off even the serious machinist’s wish list. It’s a heavy-duty unit that can handle any task, and you’ll love the work light, infinite adjustments, and power.

Wen 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press

Wen’s 12-inch variable speed drill press checks every box, including the budget-friendly one. It’s an economical choice yet a powerhouse when it comes to drilling. RMP ranges from 580 to 3,200, and an LED readout display makes it easy to see what you’re running. Cast-iron construction makes this unit durable, and the onboard work light and precision laser are welcome additions.

Specs

• 120V 2/3 HP motor
• 12-inch height
• Spindle travel 3 1/8-inch
• 45-degree bevel worktable
• Cast iron construction
• 5/8-inch keyed chuck
• Precision laser
• Work light

What We Like

• A table roller extension gives you up to 17 inches of workspace support
• The precision laser and work light help make each cut exact
• Variable speed (via an adjustment lever) is easy to manage and customize

Our Verdict

Wen’s mid-range drill press has it all, and it’s our top choice overall. Features that help with precision and visibility mean less wasted material and quicker jobs. Plus, the adjustments are easy to use—no removing covers and adjusting belts—so you can get every drilling task just right.

Mophorn Magnetic Drill Press

If a magnetic drill press is on your wish-list, Mophorn has what you need. Their 1200W drill press offers 2,920 pounds of magnetic force for every drilling need. That’s up to 500 RPM, and ideal for heavy-duty industrial and steel fabrication tasks.

Specs

• 110 V 50 Hz motor
• 23mm drilling diameter
• 1.4-23m drilling range
• 500 RPM
• 2,920 pounds of magnetic force

What We Like

• An electromagnet base ensures stability
• Easily adjustable aluminum guide rail also adds rigidity
• The rocker lever is easy to operate

Our Verdict

Mophorn’s magnetic drill press fits a unique set of needs, and while it’s not the best all-around drill press, it’s ideal for heavy-duty metalwork. To that end, it’s the perfect solution for your metalworking shop, and its adjustability and portability make it a great buy.

Kanzawa Drill Guide Support

Another option for occasional drill press tasks is the Kanzawa drill guide support. High-quality steel bars and aluminum make up the frame, which accepts a range of drill and bit sizes. Manual adjustments ensure precision, and there’s nothing that can go wrong with this unit—no replacement parts or oil necessary.

Specs

• Height adjustable
• Aluminum and steel construction
• 3/8-inch chuck
• Countersunk screw holes for mounting

What We Like

• Versatile and works with a range of drill brands and sizes
• Can easily mount to your work table
• Compatible with power tools, including corded and cordless

Our Verdict

For part-time drilling, it’s handy to have a guide support to make sure your holes are precise. Then, when you’re not using the guide, you can remove it from your workbench or stow it out of the way.

Buyer’s Guide Questions

Have questions about buying a drill press? We have the answers here.

What Kind of Drill Press Do I Need?

The primary consideration when buying a drill press is the type of material you plan to drill. While most drill presses work on wood, metal, and more, some are ideal for specific scenarios.

For example, the best budget drill presses for metalworking are often magnetic drill presses. These types of presses offer plenty of pressure for ensuring solid cuts through thick metal.

Of course, for woodworking—especially with softer woods—you won’t need such a high-powered press.

Who Needs a Permanently Installed Press?

While many drill presses come with pre-drilled mounting holes, not everyone wants their tools stuck to their workbench permanently. The good news is that most drill presses are portable, meaning you can use a drill press vise to hold them in place. Once you finish drilling, you can store the press out of sight.

Moveable drill presses are ideal for smaller workspaces or those who are hobbyists and don’t plan to use the drill press often.

How Heavy-Duty of a Drill Press Do I Really Need?

If you’re planning to drill a few holes for sinking screws in bookcases or have a list of other one-time tasks, you don’t need the most robust drill press. In fact, the best budget drill presses for occasional use are more compact models and those that are stands or workstations versus full-blown drill presses.

A portable workstation that combines with your existing rotary tool or drill offers utility without a high price tag. Plus, you can store it out of the way when you’re not using it. Another great option is a drill press with a secondary function—like sanding capabilities. A multipurpose machine is always a great budget buy, especially if you have a diverse range of drilling projects in mind.

How Hard Is It to Use a Drill Press?

If you’re new to using a drill press, you might wonder whether there’s a learning curve. Like all machines, there’s a bit of an adjustment period where you’ll need to read the manual and practice if you’re new to drilling.

But in general, most people find that operating a drill press is quite straightforward, especially if you read through the safety guidelines and operating steps beforehand.

Top Pick

From its wallet-friendly features to the onboard tools you can’t live without, Wen 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press delivers everything a machinist needs. Knob-controlled speed adjustment, precision laser guide, and practically infinite adjustability mean you can knock out any project in no time.

Premium Choice

If you’re not looking for the most economical option but instead the highest-performing drill press, the Jet 354170/JDP-20MF Floor Drill Press fits the bill. Its powerful motor, built-in accessories, and high adjustability will transform your shop.

Great Value

One of the best budget drill presses for those looking for an economical option is the Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool Workstation Stand. It converts your existing rotary tool (most Dremel selections fit) for occasional use. If you don’t want to invest in a standalone drill press, the price and convenience are just right with Dremel’s drill press stand.