The best metal drill bits, compared.
Top pick: Bosch PointTeQ 19-piece HSS set – Shared score of 90, then chosen because 5,060 reviews is the larger count. 1.0–10.0 mm in 0.5 mm steps, black-oxide HSS, and no cobalt claim. Best value: Bosch PointTeQ 18-piece ToughBox – The other score of 90 that still reaches 10 mm at the lower shelf price, about £11.95, with 4.5 from 4,044 reviews. Updated October 2026.
A metal drill bit is a twist drill for a round hole in metal, held in a three-jaw chuck. In the UK you use one on mild steel, aluminium or stainless steel, or you replace a bit that has gone blunt. The split that matters is ordinary high-speed steel against cobalt-alloy high-speed steel, about 5% in an M35 grade and about 8% in an M42 grade. A gold colour is often only a titanium nitride coat, not the alloy. Name the metal first. Mild steel, aluminium and plastic are a high-speed steel job. Stainless, high-tensile steel and a seized bolt are where a cobalt alloy earns its place. A 135° split point starts with less skating. 118° is the general-purpose angle. A set that stops at 6.5 mm cannot drill 8 mm, and half-millimetre steps matter for tapping pilots. DIN 338 and BS 328 are jobber length and a straight shank, not a cobalt test. Those checks are in the [metal drill bit buying guide](/hub/drilling-and-accessories/metal-drill-bit/sub/metal-drill-bit-buying-guide).
A metal drill bit is a twist drill for a round hole in metal, held in a three-jaw chuck. In the UK you use one on mild steel, aluminium or stainless steel, or you replace a bit that has gone blunt.
32 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Which metal are you drilling?
Across 5,060 amazon.co.uk reviews, the Bosch Professional PointTeQ 19-piece sits at 4.5 and lists 1.0–10.0 mm in 0.5 mm steps in a ProBox at about £14.12. Reviewers describe tips that still cut after holes in thick steel, and they mention the half-millimetre steps and a case that stays shut. Bosch’s GB page for this PointTeQ family is black-oxide HSS with a 135° tip and does not claim cobalt; this amazon table leaves the angle blank. The number-of-pieces field says 1 while the title says 19, and one bullet says a reduced shank while the scope line says round. A few reviews found edges less sharp than expected from Bosch, and one bit snapped on first use. Another reviewer limits the bits to wood, plastic and low-grade iron. It is the top pick here when you want a size every half millimetre up to 10 mm in mild steel, and a poor fit if the job is stainless or you only ever need one small diameter.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Mild steel, cast iron and the other metals named on the listing, when you want a size every 0.5 mm up to 10 mm.
Less suitable: Stainless or a single small hole, and any job that needs a cobalt alloy rather than black-oxide HSS.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this a cobalt set?
The material field says high-speed steel. The listing does not claim cobalt. Bosch’s GB PointTeQ page for this size list is HSS with a 135° tip, which is not printed as a number on this amazon table.
Are the shanks reduced?
One bullet says a reduced shank. The scope of delivery says 19 bits with a round shank. The listing does not settle that clash.
Why does the pieces field say 1?
The number-of-pieces field says 1. The title and the diameter list say 19 bits.
The Bosch 18-piece PointTeQ ToughBox is about £11.95, with 4.5 from 4,044 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the listing prints a 135° ground point. The scope duplicates 2, 3 and 4 mm and then jumps through 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm, so there is no 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5 mm. Reviewers call the bits sharp and hard to break, and one describes a steel roofing sheet drilled without drama. A small bit still snapped in at least one review, and many comments only say it is good value. At least one review describes a mixed wood-and-driver pack, so it may not be this metal set. The pieces field says 1 while the title says 18. It is the best value here when your holes are whole millimetres up to 10 mm and you will use the spare small bits, and a poor match if you need a 6.5 mm pilot.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Mild-steel holes in whole millimetres up to 10 mm, when spare 2, 3 and 4 mm bits are useful.
Less suitable: Tap pilots at 6.5 mm or 8.5 mm, or a cobalt job on stainless.
Specifications
Common questions
Does it include every half millimetre to 10 mm?
No. The scope lists 1.0, 1.5, then duplicates of 2, 3 and 4 mm, and jumps 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. There is no 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5 mm.
What point angle does the listing give?
The cutting-angle field says 135 degrees, and the point style says ground point.
Why does pieces say 1?
The number-of-pieces field says 1. The title says 18 pieces.
DeWalt’s DT5912-QZ is 13 bits from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm at about £9.60, with 4.5 from 1,386 amazon.co.uk reviews and a 118° split point on the table. DeWalt’s UK page describes this set as HSS-R black oxide, rated to 900 N/mm². The amazon material cell says chrome vanadium steel, which the title, set name and bullets do not. Reviewers say it did the job on a metal number plate and call it heavy duty for the price. Two bits broke in the first three days in one review, the writer allowing user error, and another larger bit broke while a hole was enlarged. A separate comment says they blunted on thin fibreboard, and one review also used them on concrete. There is no 8 mm or 10 mm bit. It fits small mild-steel holes if you already accept the material-cell clash.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Small holes in mild steel up to 6.5 mm, when you want a DeWalt HSS-R set and have read both material lines.
Less suitable: An 8 mm or 10 mm hole, stainless, or anyone who needs the material cell and the title to agree.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the steel HSS-R or chrome vanadium?
The title, set name and bullets say HSS-R black oxide. The material field says chrome vanadium steel. The listing contains both lines. DeWalt’s UK page for this set says HSS-R.
Will it drill an 8 mm hole?
No. The included sizes stop at 6.5 mm. The minimum bore field is 1.5 mm.
What point angle is printed?
118 degrees, and the point style field says split point. The set name says DIN 338 jobber.
MOXPIFY’s pack is five 1 mm × 34 mm bits at about £4.49, claiming M35 and 5% cobalt, with 4.4 from 35 amazon.co.uk reviews. The bullet that describes a 135° split point says it applies from 3 mm upwards, so it does not describe this 1 mm bit. Saved reviews name 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 8 mm, 15 mm and 16 mm packs, and those comments are not evidence for 1 mm. The Best Sellers Rank sits under reduced-shank bits while the title and shank field say a round shank. DIN 338 and BS 328 are claimed; those name jobber length and a straight shank, not a cobalt assay. A 1 mm HSS-Co jobber from Heller is 34 mm overall, which matches the length line and not the review text. Buy it only as spare 1 mm bits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Replacing 1 mm bits when you will not treat other-size reviews as a test of this pack.
Less suitable: Anyone reading the 4.4 line as proof these 1 mm bits cut hard steel.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the split-point sentence apply to this 1 mm bit?
The bullet says a 135° split point from 3 mm and above. This pack is 1 mm, so that sentence does not describe it.
Why is the rank under reduced-shank bits?
The Best Sellers Rank line says Reduced Shank Drill Bits. The title and shank field say a 1 mm round shank.
Do the reviews match the 1 mm pack?
The star line is 4.4 from 35. Saved reviews name 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 8 mm, 15 mm and 16 mm packs. They are not evidence for this 1 mm bit.
Janzoom’s pair of 1/8 in bits is about £3.99, with the bullets stating 3.2 mm, M35 and 5% cobalt at 135°. The star line is 4.4 from 19 amazon.co.uk reviews, and only four UK review bodies are in the file. One replaced bits that broke while a shed went together and called these stronger. Another used them for aircraft rivets and called them tough and accurate in mild steel. None of the four describes a fault in these bits, and none mentions stainless. A comment that they are ok so far does not show how long the edge lasts. A bullet says they are not for glass or ceramic, and the cutting-diameter field says 0.13 inches. It is a cheap spare for a 3.2 mm hole you already drill, with too thin a sample to treat as a stainless test.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A spare pair for a 3.2 mm hole in mild steel when you accept a four-comment sample.
Less suitable: A metric set, glass or ceramic, or a first stainless job.
Specifications
Common questions
What size is 1/8 inch in this listing?
The bullets say 3.2 mm. The cutting-diameter field says 0.13 inches.
Can it drill glass?
A bullet says not for glass or ceramic.
How many reviews describe a failure?
Four UK reviews are in the file. None describes a fault in these bits. One says only that they are ok so far.
STROTON sells four 5 mm bits at about £11.00, claiming M42 and 8% cobalt with a 135° split point, and the star line is 4.3 from 721 amazon.co.uk reviews. Many saved reviews name 6 mm, 8 mm or five bits, so they are not a test of this 5 mm pack. Short reviews that do not name a size call the bits extra sharp. Comments that do name a size include a blunt bit among 8 mm bits and bits that stayed sharp on stainless but did not touch the hardened steel the reviewer wanted. The bullets do not describe a case. The 68–70 HRC line and the claim of three to five times the speed are seller text, not a result in this file. Buy it only as a 5 mm spare, and do not read the star count as proof of this diameter or of hardened steel.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Replacing 5 mm bits when you ignore reviews that name a different diameter.
Less suitable: A full set, an 8 mm hole, or hardened steel a file will not touch.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this a full set?
No. The title is four 5 mm bits.
Do the reviews describe these 5 mm bits?
The star line is 4.3 from 721. Many saved reviews name 6 mm, 8 mm, or five bits. Those comments are not a test of this 5 mm pack.
Does the listing include a case?
The bullets do not describe a case. The listing question about storage is unanswered.
The shengbenhao listing is about £16.87 and claims M35 with 5% cobalt and a 135° split point, at 4.2 from 290 amazon.co.uk reviews. The size bullet names 12 diameters from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm and skips 6.0 mm, while the title says 13 pieces. Reviewers report a 6.5 mm hole in an RSJ after a DeWalt HSS set would not cut, a 6 mm alloy hole with cutting oil after Bosch bits failed, and a hole in a stainless sink. Others say the edge was dull after about half a dozen uses, or blunted while drilling out a seized bolt despite oil. One review says performance on steel was poor and to avoid it for that. The 68 HRC figure is a bullet, not a hardness test in this file. The shank field says brace and the surface field says wood. It is a claimed-cobalt option for a one-off harder hole if you can live without a listed 6.0 mm bit.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A one-off hole in harder steel or stainless when you have checked that 6.0 mm is not the size you need.
Less suitable: Daily stainless work, a 6.0 mm hole, or a buyer who wants a named maker and a complete size list.
Specifications
Common questions
Are all 13 sizes listed?
The title says 13 pieces. The size bullet names 12 diameters from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm and does not name 6.0 mm.
Does the listing claim stainless?
Yes. The highlight and bullets name stainless steel, cast iron and hard metal. The surface-recommendation field says wood.
Is 68 HRC a measured result?
It is a figure in the bullets. This file does not contain a hardness test.
Misuyue lists twelve 1 mm bits at about £4.59, claiming M42, 8% cobalt and a gold titanium coat, with 12 mm of cutting length in a 34 mm overall length. The star line is 4.0 from 41 amazon.co.uk reviews, and UK comments in the file praise a sharp bit at the price, though one snap is blamed on too much pressure. Another UK review says the bits were blunt and would not drill aluminium, and one says the buyer ordered 3.5 mm bits, so that comment is not this pack. German reviews are in the file and are not UK evidence, and the weight field is 4 g for twelve bits. Both the cobalt percentage and the coating are claims on the same page, so the gold colour does not prove the alloy. It is a bulk spare for a 1 mm hole if you accept that clash.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A handful of spare 1 mm bits when you have read the blunt-aluminium review and the coating claim.
Less suitable: A measured M42 set, or a buyer treating the gold photo as the alloy.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the gold colour the cobalt?
The bullets claim 8% cobalt in the steel and, separately, a gold titanium coating. Both lines are claims on the same listing.
How long is the bit?
The bullets say 1 mm cutting diameter, 12 mm cutting length and 34 mm overall.
Are all 41 reviews in English?
The file includes UK reviews and German reviews. One UK review says the buyer ordered 3.5 mm bits. Another UK review says the bits were blunt and would not drill aluminium.
The Greywolf 10-piece set is about £17.99, claims 5% cobalt and 63 HRC, and runs 1–10 mm in 1 mm steps in a plastic indexed box. The star line is 3.9 from 24 amazon.co.uk reviews, the shortest set sample here. The brand field says Generic while the manufacturer line says Greywolf, GWH9010E. Some of the ten UK reviews in the file say the bits stayed sharp. Others report a first-use snap, a missing 2 mm bit, or a poor result drilling out bolts. There are no half-millimetre sizes. The line about three times the life of ordinary bits is a bullet, not a measurement. It only belongs in the basket if you want whole millimetres to 10 mm and accept a short, mixed review file.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Whole-millimetre holes up to 10 mm when you have already accepted a short review file and a Generic brand field.
Less suitable: Tap pilots, a named maker, or drilling out seized bolts.
Specifications
Common questions
Who makes it?
The brand field says Generic. The manufacturer and part number say Greywolf, GWH9010E.
Does a case come with it?
The title and bullets say an indexed plastic storage box.
What do the 24 reviews argue about?
Some say the bits stay sharp. Others report a first-hole snap, a missing 2 mm bit, or a poor result drilling out bolts.
Shelf prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk listings saved for this comparison on 19 October 2026. Review themes come from the notes saved with those listings. There was no lab test. The score is the star rating divided by 5, times 100, rounded to the nearest whole number. A 4.5 becomes 90. A clash on the listing is described in the assessment. It is not a second subtraction, because these scores follow the star line only. The top pick is the highest score. Where scores tie, the larger review count wins. Best value is the other score of 90 that still reaches 10 mm at the lower shelf price. A cheaper set that stops at 6.5 mm does not take that award. None of these scores is a durability test.
Star rating
100%The amazon.co.uk star rating divided by 5, multiplied by 100, and rounded to the nearest whole number. A 4.5 becomes 90 and a 3.9 becomes 78. Review count breaks a tie for the top pick. It does not change the score. The value award is a separate rule: the other score of 90 that still reaches 10 mm at the lower shelf price.
Choose the metal, then the point, then the diameters. Piece count and a gold photo come last. Ordinary high-speed steel covers mild steel and aluminium. A cobalt alloy is for stainless and a seized bolt, and only when the listing says so. A short set that stops at 6.5 mm will not make an 8 mm hole. Clamp the work, use rotary mode, and keep gloves off an open chuck.
A metal drill bit is a twist drill for a round hole in metal, held in a three-jaw chuck. You buy one to drill mild steel, aluminium or stainless steel, or to replace a bit that has gone blunt. Ordinary high-speed steel is the grade for mild steel, aluminium and plastic. Cobalt-alloy high-speed steel, about 5% in M35 and about 8% in M42, is the grade for stainless, high-tensile steel and a seized bolt. Black oxide is a finish. A gold colour is often only a titanium nitride coat.
A gold photo is often a titanium nitride coat on high-speed steel. Cobalt is the listing that says M35, M42 or a cobalt percentage. Colour does not prove the alloy, and a claim of both a coat and a cobalt percentage on one page is still two claims.
Grades 304 and 316 work-harden if the drill rubs. Keep a 135° point cutting, use oil, and stay near 8–12 m/min. Above about 45 HRC, high-speed steel will not cut. If a file will not touch the steel, stop and call a professional.
A set that stops at 6.5 mm cannot drill 8 mm or 10 mm. Half-millimetre steps are a separate question from the top size. Reviews that name 6 mm or 8 mm are not proof of a 1 mm or 5 mm pack in the title.
Name the metal before the brand. Mild steel, aluminium and plastic are a high-speed steel job. Stainless, high-tensile steel and a seized bolt are where cobalt-alloy high-speed steel earns its place: about 5% cobalt in M35, about 8% in M42. Black oxide is a finish on ordinary high-speed steel. A gold colour is often only a titanium nitride coat, so the photo does not prove the alloy. Treat a hardness figure such as 68 HRC, and a claim of three times the life, as an untested bullet.
Read the point next. A 135° split point starts with less skating on the surface. 118° is the general-purpose angle. If the listing leaves the angle blank, do not fill it in from a different pack. Then match diameters to the holes. A set that stops at 6.5 mm cannot drill 8 mm or 10 mm. Half-millimetre steps matter for tapping pilots. A set of whole millimetres, with spare bits at the small sizes, is a different job from a half-step set.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a high-speed steel set and a clamp, with a size every half millimetre up to 10 mm. The Bosch PointTeQ 19-piece set is about £14.12, with 4.5 from 5,060 reviews. The piece-count field says 1 while the title says 19, and the listing does not claim cobalt.
Your holes are whole millimetres up to 10 mm and spare 2, 3 and 4 mm bits are useful. The Bosch 18-piece ToughBox is about £11.95, with a 135° point on the listing and 4.5 from 4,044 reviews. There is no 6.5 mm bit, so a tapping pilot at that size is the wrong match.
You have already blunted high-speed steel and you need a listing that claims cobalt, for one harder hole rather than weekly stainless work. The shengbenhao set is about £16.87, claims M35 and 5% cobalt, and sits at 4.2 from 290 reviews. The size bullet skips 6.0 mm, and 68 HRC is an untested bullet.
Three listings share a score of 90, which is 4.5 stars on amazon.co.uk divided by 5 and multiplied by 100. The top pick is the Bosch PointTeQ 19-piece set, because 5,060 reviews is the larger count. It lists 1.0–10.0 mm in 0.5 mm steps, at about £14.12. Bosch’s GB page for this PointTeQ family is black-oxide HSS with a 135° tip and does not claim cobalt. Best value is the Bosch 18-piece ToughBox at about £11.95, the other score of 90 that still reaches 10 mm at the lower shelf price, with 4.5 from 4,044 reviews and no half sizes. The DeWalt set is cheaper at about £9.60 and also scores 90, but it stops at 6.5 mm, so it does not take the value award. The other six listings have no award. None of these scores is a durability test.
Bosch PointTeQ 19-piece HSS set
Shared score of 90, then chosen because 5,060 reviews is the larger count. 1.0–10.0 mm in 0.5 mm steps, black-oxide HSS, and no cobalt claim.
Bosch PointTeQ 18-piece ToughBox
The other score of 90 that still reaches 10 mm at the lower shelf price, about £11.95, with 4.5 from 4,044 reviews.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public sources from the research digest, dated 22 October 2026. Shelf prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures saved on 19 October 2026.
Expert source (DIY & tools): Charlie White (Charlie DIYte) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures saved for this comparison. We did not lab-test these metal drill bits.
