Best Budget Drill Press (Floor, Mag, Metal, Wood Working)

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best overall rating★★★★★

WEN 4210

  • Worktable bevels to 45°
  • Accurate laser crosshair
  • Stead base
best overall rating★★★★★

WEN 4214

  • Laser system for precision
  • Table roller extension
  • Depth adjustment gauge
best overall rating★★★★★

WEN 4208

  • High torque
  • Compact unit
  • High-quality construction

Our reviews are unbiased, fact-based, and comprehensively researched to help you make the right buying decisions.

 
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Drill presses don’t have to cost an arm and two legs.

You can get a budget-friendly model for less than the cost of 30 Starbucks coffees.

If you’re looking for a cheap yet reliable drill press, then we’ve got you covered.

After researching over 50 different wallet-friendly options, we found the best budget drill press that offers the most value for its low, low cost.

best overall rating

Best Budget Drill Press – WEN 4210

The best budget drill press that outshines over 50 of its peers is the WEN 4210.

Despite it’s super-low cost, it comes with many of the features you’d expect to find in a professional tool, such as a beefy motor and a precision laser guide.

Here’s what the WEN 4210’s key specifications look like—

  • 3/4-HP Motor
  • ½-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 10-inch Swing
  • Precision Laser

The 4210 follows traditional WEN fashion by providing more value than its price tag would suggest.

This benchtop machine features a ¾-HP motor that drives half-inch bits through wood, metal, and plastic up to three inches in thickness.

Offering five different speed settings between 600 and 3100 RPM, there’s hardly a material that you can’t bore holes into with the 4210.

Some users who haven’t secured their 4210 onto a workbench found that it hardly wobbles, even on its highest speed setting.

The crosshair laser provides pinpoint precision of where the bit will penetrate your work piece.

This video by WEN showcases what the 4210 is all about.

Pros

  • Worktable bevels to 45°
  • Accurate laser crosshair
  • Stead base
  • Low and high-speed drilling

Cons

  • Could have reduced minimum speed for metal

The 4210 by WEN is one of the most reliable tools for woodworking shops.

The wide base, massive worktable, and high-powered motor combined make this a must-have for any woodworker, pro or otherwise.

Top budget drill press in the Market Compared

Product ImageProduct NameFeaturesPrice
Best Overall -WEN 4210
  • Motor Size: 3/4 hp
  • Chuck 1/2 in keyed
  • Swing 10 in
  • Precision Laser
Best Premium -WEN 4214
  • Motor Size: 2/3 hp
  • Chuck 5/8 in keyed
  • Swing 12 in
  • Precision Laser
Best Budget -WEN 4208
  • Motor Size: 1/3 hp
  • Chuck 1/2 in keyed
  • Swing 8 in
  • Onboard Key Storage
Best budget drill press for metal -Mophorn MB-23
  • Motor Size: 1200W
  • Chuck 23 mm
  • Swing 500 RPM
  • 2920-pound Magnetic Adhesion
Best budget drill press for wood -SKIL 3320-01
  • Motor Size: 3.2 amp
  • Chuck 1/2 in keyed
  • Swing 10 in
  • Laser X2
Best budget floor drill press -Klutch Floor Drill Press
  • Motor Size: 3/4 hp
  • Chuck 5/8 in keyed
  • Swing 13 in
  • LED Gooseneck
Best budget table drill press -WEN DPA2412T
  • Motor Size: 23 7/8 x 11 7/8 in
  • Chuck MDF
  • Swing Compatible with 5 to 16-inch-wide Drill Presses
  • Fits All WEN Drill Presses
WEN 4212
  • Motor Size: 2/3 hp
  • Chuck 1/2 in keyed
  • Swing 10 in
  • Digital Readout
EURO TOOL DRL-300.00
  • Motor Size: 100W
  • Chuck 1/4 in
  • Swing 6 3/4 in
  • 5000/6500/8000 RPM
Genesis GDP1005A
  • Motor Size: 4.1 amp
  • Chuck 5/8 in keyed
  • Swing 10 in
  • Integrated Worklight

Reviews of Best budget drill press

Best Premium - WEN 4214

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 2/3-HP Motor
  • 5/8-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 12-inch Swing
  • Precision Laser

The 12-inch WEN 4214 comes with a 5/8-inch keyed chuck that’s driven by a 2/3-HP induction motor to produce the optimal amount of torque needed to drill through all materials, thick and thin.

With a 3-1/8-inch spindle travel distance, there’s hardly a block of wood or bar of metal this tool can’t bore holes into, and it does it in quick fashion.

The 4214 also features the same precision laser guide system as in the 4210.

The addition of a table roller extension allows you to work with larger stock and with fewer dipping to the side, ensuring that you finish your project quicker and more accurately.

A working light will help illuminate your workpiece in poorly-lit spots in your shop.

Watch this video of the 4214 to see what this benchtop drill press is all about. 

Pros

  • Laser system for precision
  • Table roller extension
  • Depth adjustment gauge
  • Bult-in working light

Cons

  • Could produce less noise

If you have large project after large project lined up, then the compact yet heavy-duty WEN 4214 should be your go-to drill press.

Best Budget - WEN 4208

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 1/3-HP Motor
  • ½-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 8-inch Swing
  • Onboard Key Storage

You may have noticed right off the bat that the 4208 is sporting a tinier motor than most.

However, don’t think that the motor can’t deliver ample torque and speed; at its highest setting, this benchtop drill press delivers up to 3140 RPM to make boring holes into plastic and wood incredibly easy.

The half-inch chuck on this budget-friendly beast should give you a clear idea of what it can do.

Plus, the spindle and plunge system let you penetrate up to four inches deep into the wood, and you might get a fraction of an inch more by tampering with the worktable (as some customers have done).

This video of the WEN 4208 showcases the best points of this benchtop model. 

Pros

  • High torque for woodworking
  • Variable speeds for drilling metal, wood, plastic
  • Compact unit, easy to mount
  • High-quality construction

Cons

  • Could have beefier motor

We wish the WEN 4208 came with a slightly larger motor, but for its price range, you really can’t realistically ask for much more.

WEN 4212

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 2/3-HP Motor
  • ½-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 10-inch Swing
  • Digital Readout

We promise that this list includes more brands than WEN, but we can’t forget to mention the 4212.

This monster of a benchtop drill press comes with a powerful 2/3-HP motor, providing you with a wide range of speed options, starting from 530 to 3100 RPM.

However, what sets this unit apart from the other WENs on this list is a digital readout, displaying the exact drilling speed for your convenience.

The spindle can penetrate as deep as 2-3/8 inches while the wide worktable accommodates a 10-inch swing—the largest swing you’ll find in a budget-friendly drill press.

Repetitive drilling is what this tool is all about, thanks to the super-easy depth stop system and height-adjustable worktable.

Still not convinced that the 4212 is for you? Perhaps this video will change your mind. 

Pros

  • Laser system for precision
  • Adjustable depth stops
  • 45° tilting table
  • Digital speed readout

Cons

  • Chuck could wobble less

The WEN 4212 is perfect for any woodworker who needs a reliable drill press for regular use.

EURO TOOL DRL-300.00

best overall rating

 

Key Specifications

  • 100W Motor
  • ¼-inch Chuck
  • 3-3/8-inch Swing
  • 5000/6500/8000 RPM

The EURO TOOL DRL-300.00 is a tiny benchtop drill press that features a narrow chuck for narrow bits, but it’s every bit as reliable as the best of them.

The 100W motor is a lot smaller than what you’d typically find, but this budget-friendly model is perfect for drilling through circuit boards and jewelry.

The DRL-300.00 offers three speeds with caps at 5000, 6500, and 8000 RPM.

Admittedly, drilling at higher speeds with such a narrow bit can lead to many warped bits later on, which is why users will need to pull the plunge lever more slowly.

The 3-3/8-inch swing makes it clear that this EURO TOOL drill press is designed for smaller, more intricate drilling jobs.

Pros

  • Sturdy construction
  • Easy to transport
  • Impressive speed
  • Easy speed adjustment

Cons

  • Could be easier to plunge

As for metalworking, the DRL-300.00 may not be the best tool for metalworking jobs, but if you work with wood, plastic, circuit boards, and delicate metals for jewelry, this may be the best drill press for your shop.

Genesis GDP1005A

best overall rating

 

Key Features

  • 4.1-amp Motor
  • 5/8-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 10-inch Swing
  • Integrated Work Light

The Genesis GDP1005A is a moderately-sized, 10-inch drill press that offers a maximum drilling speed of 3070 RPM.

This highly versatile piece of equipment is great for small and mid-sized shops, offering a wide worktable for all kinds of jobs, and can drill through the three main materials (wood, metal, and plastic).

The 4.1-amp motor drives a 5/8-inch chuck and drill bit through thick workpieces.

Setting the depth stop is pretty straightforward, and you even get a handy work light to help keep the material illuminated while working in darker spaces.

Setting up the tool is easy, but at its highest gear, the GDP1005A does tend to wobble a bit.

Pros

  • Adjustable tilting table
  • Great accuracy
  • Easy to assemble
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Could be more stable at higher speeds

The benchtop GDP1005A hardly takes up any space in your shop while offering quite a bit of power behind its low-to-high-speed drilling.

Best budget drill press for metal -Mophorn MB-23

best overall rating

If you’re looking for a mag drill press on a slim budget, the unit we’d recommend over the rest is the Mophorn MB-23.

Here’s what the Mophorn MB-23’s key specs look like—

  • 1200W Motor
  • 23-mm Chuck
  • 500 RPM Max Speed
  • 2920-pound Magnetic Adhesion

The Mophorn MB-23 is a powerful magnetic drill press. Backed by a 1200W motor, this heavy-duty yet inexpensive mag drill offers up to 500 RPM of drilling speed with a 23-mm chuck.

It’s also compatible with 0.06 to 0.09 broaching tools and fittings.

The MB-23 also comes with an aluminum alloy guide rail, which adds stability while enabling the user to adjust the motor height when needed.

The MB-23 is easily controlled using a switch that can engage or disengage the magnetic base, which adheres to metal surfaces with up to 2920 pounds of force.

This makes it quite a reliable tool for heavy-duty steel fabrication and industrial applications.

Pros

  • Great drilling power
  • Versatile for different works
  • Easy to use
  • Comfortable grip

Cons

  • Could come with spring-loaded quill lock

The strong magnetic adhesion of MB-23 makes it great for a wide range of different uses, from rig drilling to steel manufacturing.

Best budget drill press for wood -SKIL 3320-01

best overall rating

If you’re looking for a simpler yet reliable budget drill press for wood, we’ve got the perfect tool for you: the SKIL 3320-01.

Here are the key specs of the SKIL drill press for wood—

  • 3.2-amp Motor
  • ½-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 10-inch Swing
  • Laser X2

The SKIL 3320-01 comes with a 2-beam laser guide system that shows with astounding precision where the drill bit comes into contact with your wood workpiece.

This benchtop drill press has one of the most reliable depth stop adjustment systems, making it easy to punch identically wide and deep holes into countless boards without trouble.

The SKIL offers between 570 and 3050 RPM of drilling speed, so whether you’re working with wood, metal, or plastic, this benchtop tool will do it all easily.

With a sizable worktable, there’s hardly a board that this tool cannot support. You can thank the 3.2-amp motor for the astounding wood-drilling performance behind this affordable drill press.

Pros

  • Adjustable depth stops
  • Laser system for precision
  • 45° tilting table
  • 5 speed settings

Cons

  • Could be less noisy

The SKIL 3320-01 isn’t as feature-packed as some benchtop drill presses, but when it comes to what matters most—motor, speed, and depth adjustment—this tool’s got it in the bag.

Best budget floor drill press -Klutch Floor Drill Press

best overall rating

We bet you didn’t think you could get a floor drill press for cheap, right? Klutch has dispelled this rumor once and for all by releasing their very own drill press model.

Here’s what the Klutch floor drill press comes with—

  • ¾-HP Motor
  • 5/8-inch Keyed Chuck
  • 13-inch Swing
  • LED Gooseneck

The 13-inch Klutch Floor Drill Press is great for drilling metal or wood workpieces. It features a ¾-HP, 120V motor that offers 16 different speed settings from 260 to 3410 RPM.

This floor drill press has a 5/8-inch chuck with a built-in key holder that helps make switching between drill bits quick and easy.

This tool comes with a spacious worktable of 11-3/8-inch diameter that can tilt up to 45 degrees to either side, making it easy to drill at different angles when necessary.

The Klutch performs with astounding precision thanks to the depth lock and ball-knob handle.

A handy gooseneck LED work light will increase the visibility of your workpiece while at work in poorly lit parts of your shop.

Pros

  • Sturdy build
  • Easy to assemble
  • Lots of speed settings
  • Excellent depth stop system

Cons

  • Chuck could wobble less

The Klutch floor drill press works great at drilling any kind of material due to its high torque and variable speed settings.

Best budget table drill press -WEN DPA2412T

best overall rating

If you want to add some spice to your drill press’ performance, then the best budget drill press table add-on is the WEN DPA2412T.

Here’s a quick look at what the DPA2412T is about—

  • 23-7/8 x 11-7/8-inch Surface
  • MDF Table Material
  • Compatible with 5 to 16-inch-wide Drill Presses
  • Fits All WEN Drill Presses

First of all, you’ll notice that the DPA2412T is wide and longer than most drill press tables.

This is done to increase your work space by up to 275 square inches to support wider, larger, thicker blocks of wood, plastic, or metal, without it falling over.

The table is made of high-quality MDF while the mounting mechanism keeps the table as wobble-free as can be.

If you’re looking to expand the work surface of your benchtop drill press, this is the table for you.

It fits onto any 5-to-16-inch drill press.

However, to get the most out of your DPA2412T, you may need to modify the mounting mechanism by using screw fasteners. You won’t need to do this if you have a WEN-made drill press.

Pros

  • Easy to mount
  • Spacious work area
  • Compatible with nearly all benchtop drill presses
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Requires modification for non-WEN drill presses

Setting up the DPA2412T is as straightforward as you’d expect from a budget-friendly drill press table, though it can be a bit problematic for non-WEN models.

FAQ’s

Let’s take a look at what sort of questions about budget drill presses need answering.

Are WEN drill presses any good?

As you can see from our list, we’ve included four WEN benchtop drill presses and even a drill press table. What’s surprising is that WEN products are as durable as name-brand options like SKIL and Jet at a fraction of the cost (in many cases). So, if you’re wondering whether you’ll get your money’s worth in a WEN drill press, the answer is a resounding yes.

What can I do with a drill press?

The main reason anyone considers getting a drill press is for its depth stop mechanism. This allows you to drill holes into all sorts of workpieces at identical widths and depths without repeatedly having to adjust the spindle or table. However, you can make your drill press even more versatile by getting a mortising attachment, spindle sander, and carbon or titanium drill bits for metal.

Are cheaper drill presses reliable?

Yes, they are. When looking at the products listed above, the low cost of each model doesn’t reflect poor craftsmanship or drilling quality, but rather its size (benchtops are less expensive than floor models) and smaller motors. What’s is surprising is how much value you get from each tool over a period of years. Some of these tools can last for over five years beyond their warranty!

When is the best time to get a drill press?

Sadly, unlike seasonal tools like snow blowers, there’s never an exact time range where drill presses go on sale. However, similar to refrigerators, when new models come out, older models can experience significant price slashes. Also, seeing as how the drill presses above have been out for several years, the prices of these models are probably as low as the retailer can go.

Summary

Drill presses can in all sizes and with different capacities, but if you want a smaller unit or one with a more pocket-friendly price tag, you’ll find the best budget drill press on this list.

We’ve created several sections if you’re looking for specific models, even a budget mag drill press and a budget floor drill press.

If you can’t find what you need, we’d be happy to assist in the comment sections.

About Donald Parker

Donald has more than 15 years of experience of working with power tools. But his main area of expertise is working saws, especially chainsaws.

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