10 Best Bits For Drilling Aluminum in 2026

The 1/4-inch hex shank and impact rating mean you can drive these bits with the brute force of an impact driver without worrying about the shank slipping or snapping. A titanium nitride coating lasts 2.5 times longer than non-coated bits, which reduces wear during tough jobs. Its 135-degree split point geometry is for faster starts and reduced walking, so you spend less time positioning and more time drilling through the listed materials like ferrous metal, wood, and plastic.

The trade-off is in specialization and scope. For dedicated, high-volume metalwork requiring a wide range of exact sizes, you’d look to a more expansive set like the PFERD M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set. The Makita set wins on overall versatility and impact-ready construction, making it a superb all-rounder rather than a niche specialist.

Manufactured from cobalt for drilling in hard and abrasive materials, these bits are designed for very high drilling temperatures. This makes them suitable for stainless steel and cast iron, and they are also useful for general drilling in aluminum. The no-skate split-point tip is for clean, precise holes and accurate starts, while the three-flat shank design promotes better grip and guards against slipping on bits 3/16 inch and larger.

The three-flat shank design that promotes better grip applies only to bits 3/16 inch and larger, so smaller sizes in the set have a standard round shank. Compared to the compact LingGan Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set, the Bosch CO21 offers a wider assortment of SAE inch sizes. The Bosch set provides versatility for a mixed-material workshop, with a design for superior performance in stainless steel and a claim of 4X longer life than standard high-speed drill bits.

The CaRoller set’s defining feature is its 29-piece spread, covering nearly every fractional size from a tiny 1/16″ up to a substantial 1/2″. This is the set you grab when the job calls for a very specific size, especially in softer materials. It’s tailor-made for the DIYer or professional who drills a lot of aluminum, copper, or wood and needs that wide selection to avoid making undersized holes and stepping up. The 135-degree split point is the right geometry for metal, biting in cleanly without skating across the surface.

This drill bit set is specialized for certain materials. The manufacturer notes these bits are not meant for hardened or stainless steel. For those tougher alloys, a set with cobalt like the Bosch CO21 would be a better match. Within its intended scope of drilling aluminum, soft metals, wood, and plastic with care, the CaRoller set offers great versatility. It provides a wide array of sizes, so you can cover many tasks without buying several smaller sets.

A 135° split point tip bites immediately and prevents walking on hard surfaces, letting you start a clean hole precisely where intended. Parabolic flute design increases chip ejection in metal and wood, helping to manage material buildup. This high-speed steel set is intended for general-purpose drilling in materials like metal, hardwood, softwood, PVC, and fiberglass.

These are general-purpose high-speed steel bits with a protective coating, not a dedicated cobalt or premium alloy set. For drilling hundreds of holes in hardened steel or stainless, you would want to upgrade to a cobalt set. For most aluminum projects, woodworking, and general shop tasks, however, this DEWALT set’s balanced design and sensible size range will drill clean holes without the premium price of a specialized kit.

The 5% cobalt M35 steel is the key here. That composition gives these bits the heat resistance and hardness needed to slice through aluminum without dulling quickly, making them a reliable choice for repeated metalwork. This set is for the machinist or serious hobbyist who works primarily in metric measurements and needs a durable, specialized set for metals. The range from 1.5mm to 6.5mm covers a lot of common fastener and fabrication work in aluminum.

This set has a focused scope. It delivers high performance for smaller holes but is not a comprehensive kit. If you regularly need to drill holes larger than 6.5mm in aluminum, you will have to add another set. Compared to a broader assortment like the Bosch CO21, the LingGan set is much more compact and purpose-built. You gain portability but give up a wider size selection, making it a specialist’s choice rather than a generalist’s first kit.

The M35 cobalt steel construction is the key here. This alloy retains its hardness at the high temperatures generated when drilling stainless steel or hard aluminum alloys, so the bits stay sharp longer when other sets would dull. The 135° split point starts cutting without walking, which is crucial for precision work on curved or hard surfaces where a center punch isn’t practical. This set is built for the shop that regularly tackles stainless, Inox, or other tough non-ferrous metals and needs bits that can take the heat.

Built from M35 cobalt steel, these drill bits maintain a sharp edge when drilling tough materials like stainless steel. Their jobber length suits general fabrication, with sizes from 1/16 to 3/8 inches covering many common tasks. A 135-degree split point tip helps start holes without wandering, which is useful for precise work on curved or hard surfaces.

Built from M42 8% cobalt steel and hardened to 68-70 HRC, these bits resist the heat and wear of drilling stainless steel and hard metals, which extends their working life. This material choice typically allows them to run three to five times faster than standard bits, making them suitable for production work where tool longevity matters. Their 135-degree split point and sufficiently sharp edge are designed to cut material into long chips rather than grinding through it.

You pay more for cobalt performance, but the cost per hole can be lower over time. The set covers a practical metric range from 1mm to 10mm, though the shorter lengths on the smaller bits limit their reach in thicker stock. For a more general-purpose aluminum drilling set with a sturdy case, the Bosch CO21 offers a similar three-flat shank design for better grip in a chuck.

A 1/2-inch reduced shank allows these large-diameter bits to fit a standard drill chuck, so you can drill holes up to a full inch without needing a specialized machine. The set includes eight specific sizes from 9/16″ to 1″ in 1/16th increments, providing a dedicated tool for each large hole requirement. M2 cobalt high-speed steel construction offers durability for drilling materials like aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel.

This set contains only eight large-diameter Silver and Deming bits from 9/16″ to 1″, unlike more comprehensive sets such as the 21-piece Bosch CO21. It is designed for applications that specifically require these larger sizes. For tasks like boring a 7/8-inch hole for a bolt, having the exact dedicated bit is essential.

A hexagonal shank locks solidly into an impact driver’s chuck, preventing the bit from spinning loose under concussive force. This design makes the set compatible with all impact drills, drills, and drill stands that accept a hex mount. The split point tip provides perfect centering with low contact force, which helps prevent walking on curved surfaces. High-speed steel construction is suitable for drilling alloyed and unalloyed steel, cast iron, sintered iron, non-ferrous metals, sheet metal, and plastic.

These bits are specialized for impact tools. Their hex shank design means they won’t fit a standard keyed drill chuck. For a dedicated drill press or a standard cordless drill, a set with a conventional round shank would be a more versatile choice. Also, while the high-speed steel is durable, if your work includes stainless steel or hardened alloys, a cobalt bit set would last longer.

With 230 bits spanning from 3/64″ to a full 1/2″, this set delivers an unmatched selection for anyone who needs a drill bit for every conceivable job on aluminum and other common materials. The titanium coating on the high-speed steel helps manage heat during longer sessions, and the 135° point geometry starts cuts cleanly to reduce wandering. For a home shop or a contractor tackling varied projects, this collection means you’ll almost certainly have the right size on hand without a separate trip to the store.

That extensive selection requires a sizable storage case measuring 11 inches long. The included plastic box organizes the bits but demands more space than smaller sets like the 14-piece Makita Impact Gold. While the titanium-coated HSS bits work on listed materials like aluminum alloy, they are not the cobalt or M42 steel used in sets such as PFERD M35 for tougher applications like stainless steel.