6 Best Budget Drill Press Of 2024 [Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide]

And in this regard, nothing can beat a good-quality budget drill press as it can yield accurate holes of different sizes, which may be positioned at different angles. The best part is that many of the models available are priced quite reasonably. 

But since the market is flooded with a ton of options, choosing a suitable model often becomes difficult. That’s why we’ve tried to help you out but putting forward this list of the 6 best options to consider. As a bonus, we’ve included a buyer’s guide so that you can make a well-informed decision. 

With all said and done, let’s get going!

Listed below are the Budget Drill Press:

• WEN 4208: The WEN 4208 Drill Press is favored for its efficiency and diverse functionality, making it an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts. It boasts precision in drilling ½ inch holes, while the only drawback is its limited warranty.
• Shop Fox W1848: The Shop Fox W1848 is unique due to its dual functionality of drilling and sanding. Shop Fox W1848's oscillating spindle amplifies project flexibility. Although the unclear instruction manual might pose setup challenges, its dual functionality makes it stand out.
• Delta 18-900L: Delta 18-900L excels in precision drilling, thanks to its auto-tension belt drive system supporting seamless speed changes. The downside is the underwhelming customer service, but its high precision adds to its market value.
• Euro Tool Small Benchtop: The Euro Tool Small Benchtop Drill Press makes its mark with versatility and compactness, this Euro Tool model reaches a speedy 8500 RPM. The main concern is potential handle fitting issues, yet its portability and lightweight feature give it a competitive edge.
• Jet JWDP-12: The Jet JWDP-12 Drill Press is built for larger tasks, enhanced by an X-shaped laser for accuracy. Acknowledging the wobbly cast-iron base, Jet JWDP-12's capacity to handle larger projects with precision sets it apart from similar-sized drill presses.

Here's the list of the 6 best budget drill presses of 2023, essential tools for precise hole drilling in various materials, including metals and wood, at affordable prices.

1. WEN 4208 Drill Press - Best for DIY Enthusiasts

This drill press from WEN offers one of the best combinations of utility and efficiency you will find in the market. Coming with a couple of high-quality features, it facilitates creating accurately positioned holes to ensure that your projects are completed with utmost efficacy. Besides, the reasonable price tag has made it popular among many DIY lovers. 

To begin with, this unit consists of a keyed-chuck capable of drilling holes of ½ inch size, making it suitable for a range of projects. A key storage chamber is also attached to ensure that the keys are always within close reach.

What’s more, its spindle can travel up to 2 inches and comes with knobs for depth adjustment to enable more accurate and multiple drilling operations. The measurements marked for the adjustment are easy to read and the worktable can be beveled 45 degrees to the left and right to create precisely-angled holes on any side. 

Beyond that, it has a strong, rugged, and durable induction motor of ⅓ HP that helps complete every work with ample torque and power. 

Last but not least, the head, base, and table of this unit are made from high-quality and durable cast iron. So, rest assured that it will provide long-lasting service.

The one-year warranty offered by the brand is not effective enough as it only covers minor issues. Also, the response from the manufacturer may be delayed in some cases. Nonetheless, the drill press works effectively to provide great results every time. 

2. Shop Fox W1848 - Best for Drilling & Sanding

Next in line is this advanced model from Shop Fox, which is useful for both drilling and sanding operations. Notably, sanding helps in removing sawdust and other materials that may be stuck on the surface of drilled holes to make them smooth. Several unique functionalities have been incorporated into the model so that users can derive a steady and efficient performance.

First things first, the oscillating spindle is what makes this unit a dual-purpose tool as it helps in proper contour sanding besides holding the chuck in position for efficient drilling. This helps you obtain a smooth finish after the drilling process is complete and also reduces the heat build-up during use. 

Moving forward, we loved its variable speed motor of ¾ HP which offers as many as 12-speed settings, whereby you can adjust the speed between 250 to 3050 RPM. As such, users get great flexibility during work and can carry out different drilling and sanding projects. 

Another significant advantage of this unit is that its table can be tilted to 90 degrees either to the left or right. So, you can position the workpiece as per your requirements to achieve unique sanding or drilling angles. 

The instruction manual included with this unit is not quite comprehensive enough as a few of the steps for set-up are a bit vague. Hence, beginners might find the assembly to be somewhat challenging. Also, the manual doesn’t have an inventory list, and some parts of the unit are not labeled properly.

3. Delta 18-900L - Best for Precision Drilling

This powerful laser unit from Delta offers great precision for all drilling projects to achieve perfectly drilled holes in the first attempt. It also provides users with considerable convenience by virtue of its diverse and highly useful features. From our experience, it’s safe to conclude that this unit is among the best-performing models in the market.

What places this unit a step ahead of many other models is its auto-tension belt drive system. In simple words, it promotes easier and faster speed changes during use while ensuring maximum efficiency of transmission with the help of proper motor alignment and steady belt tension. 

In addition, it comes with a heavy-duty ¾ HP motor, which makes it capable of handling a range of demanding projects. There is a 6-inch quill stroke capacity that makes it very useful for deeper industrial drilling applications and enhances its drilling capacity. 

Furthermore, there are a couple of user-friendly features integrated in the unit. Firstly, there is a depth scale and few micro-adjustable depth stops, which help users set up the unit for repetitive drilling very quickly. You will also find an LED light function that illuminates the work surface for sufficient visibility, while the non-tip base made of cast iron maintains proper stability. 

Some customers have complained that the customer support offered by the brand is not efficient enough. They have pointed out that despite having reported their issues with the unit several times, there was no substantial response or action taken. 

4. Euro Tool Small Benchtop Drill Press DRL-300.00

Euro Tool is known across the country for manufacturing some of the best quality power tools for a wide range of applications. This small benchtop drill press offers the reliable characteristics of the brand and is also priced quite reasonably, suitable for use by professionals as well as DIY lovers.

Firstly, the maximum speed limit of this unit is as high as 8500 RPM, which is more than the majority of drill presses that you will find out there. This enhances its flexibility of use and also makes it much more versatile. 

Moreover, its highly efficient 110V motor lets you drill tiny and accurate holes in different materials. You will also be glad to know that this machine is compact in size and weighs a mere 13 lbs, which makes it easily portable around your workshop. As such, it is highly suitable for users faced with space limitations. 

Since it has very few moving parts, it’s much easier to set up and use, so you can practically install and forget it! Last but not least, it has a cast iron base like some of our other recommendations, which takes care of the stability factor during use. 

The handle that arrives in the package may not always match or fit onto the unit properly. And since it plays a key role in the proper operation of the unit, such an issue has to be reported as soon as possible. The manufacturer is quite responsive, so it’s most likely that you’ll get a replacement handle without much waiting.

5. Jet JWDP-12 Drill Press

The Jet JWDP-12 is built to tackle large projects quite comfortably and hence highly suitable for professional contractors. However, DIY enthusiasts engaged in larger tasks and in need of professional-grade accuracy can also go for this unit. Notably, it comes in dimensions of 29.7 x 19.9 x 12.2 inches and weighs 85 lbs. 

First of all, this unit uses an X-shaped laser in the drilling process, which helps achieve accurate results each time. Its 5-amp ½-HP motor can easily penetrate a wide variety of materials. 

Plus, the variable speed control range of 530 to 3100 RPM that drives the motor is commendable since it provides considerable flexibility. This also helps you finish all drilling tasks quite swiftly. 

What’s more, it comes with a spindle travel of 3⅛ inches to facilitate much greater depth cutting whenever needed. Speaking of the chuck size, it is the same as our previous pick, so you can drill holes of different sizes with this unit too.

Lastly, a paddle switch is incorporated into the unit, which enables easier lockout and shut-off protection.                                                                                          

The cast iron base of this unit is not efficient enough as it cannot always provide maximum stability during use. Moreover, this base may sometimes be warped when the drill press arrives, so you will have to straighten it out before the first use, and not all users may be able to do that on their own. 

6. SE Mini Drill Press 97511MDP

Towards the end of the list, we’ve included this mini drill press from SE as it provides good accuracy and speed for all the work that it handles. Ideal for small projects, it is the go-to drilling tool for woodworkers, hobbyists, jewelers, and mechanics. In fact, this unit offers much more user satisfaction than standard hand-held drills.

First of all, this drill press has a maximum drilling height of 7½ inches that can handle different kinds of workpieces. Coupled with this is a drilling capacity of 6 mm, which enhances its versatility considerably. 

Furthermore, the spindle travel distance of 1 inch makes this unit suitable for drilling deeper holes than cheaper-quality models. As for the drilling power, it comes with a strong motor of 100W and 110V that helps in providing faster and more accurate results every time. 

You also get a fairly large working area of 6-9/16 x 6-9/16 inches so that accommodating larger workpieces becomes easier. Finally, the strong base with dimensions of 6⅝ x 6⅝ inches provides the required stability during use.

The speed adjustment feature of this unit may not always work properly. As such, you might need to operate the machine at the same speed for two projects with slightly different needs. That said, this doesn’t have a major impact on the efficiency of the drill press. 

What Is the Best Budget Drill Press?

The task of identifying the best budget drill press can be approached by comparing various drill press models based on key operating parameters. These parameters include the Horsepower (measured in HP) which indicates the power output, Speed (counted in a number of operating speeds), Speed Range (denoted in revolutions per minute, or rpm), Chuck Size (measured in inches), and the Table Size (also denoted in inches).

Buying Guide For The Best Budget Drill Press

The right budget drill press can’t be chosen by just going through the best models available. You need to consider some key features that are essential to provide good performance. And only then can you find the model that will fetch the desired results every time. 

On that note, here are some important points to take into account before proceeding to make a choice.

Power

For a budget drill press, the power is determined by the output of its motor, which is generally measured in terms of horsepower (HP). Drill presses that are highly powerful have motors with horsepower between ½ and ¾, which is ideal for drilling into materials like metals and wood. 

On the other hand, those with horsepower between 3/25 and ⅓ can handle small to medium drilling projects effectively. So, while considering a unit, make sure you go through the information regarding the output of its motor.

Spindle Travel

This term is used to refer to the depth of the hole that a unit can create without having to halt and readjust its table or the workpiece. While smaller drill presses have a spindle travel distance of about 2.5 inches or less, in the case of larger units, it may be as much as 6 inches or even more. 

If you’re a DIY lover engaged in small to medium-sized projects, a smaller model can easily get the job done. But professionals who have to carry out larger projects frequently will need a model with a greater spindle travel distance. So, keep in mind the purpose for which you’ll be using the unit to make the right choice.

Chuck Size

This is a crucial factor in choosing a drill press as it tells you the kind of bits that you can use with the unit. Some of the common chuck sizes include ½, ⅜, and ⅝ inches, which can make drill presses suitable for working with a wide range of bits. Do remember to check the compatible chuck size of the model you’re considering as it must be compatible with the bits that you plan to use.

What is a budget drill press?

A budget drill press is a type of drill press that is designed for those who are looking for a more affordable option. These drill presses are typically less expensive than other models but still offer a decent level of quality and performance.

What are the advantages of a budget drill press?

The main advantage of a budget drill press is that it is more affordable than other options. This makes it a great choice for those who are on a tight budget but still need a drill press for their projects. Additionally, some budget drill presses can still offer good performance and features despite their lower cost.

What should I look for in a budget drill press?

When shopping for a budget drill press, you should look for features such as the size and power of the motor, the size and type of the chuck, and the overall build quality of the machine. You should also consider the maximum drilling depth and the range of speeds available.

Are budget drill presses durable?

The durability of a budget drill press can vary depending on the specific model. While some may be less durable than more expensive options, others may be built to last. It’s important to read reviews and do research before making a purchase to ensure that you’re getting a durable drill press.

Can I use a budget drill press for professional use?

While some budget drill presses may be suitable for professional use, they are generally designed for DIY projects and hobbyists. If you need a drill press for heavy-duty professional use, it may be better to invest in a more expensive, high-quality option.

We hope you have found the information provided in this article valuable for choosing the best budget drill press for your needs. We appreciate the time you've taken to read it, and we're thrilled to help provide you with the perfect tool to enhance your projects. Our goal is to ensure that you make a well-informed decision, and we've done our best to include essential facts and honest opinions about each product.

Out of these six best budget drill presses, here are our top three recommendations:

1. WEN 4208T Drill Press is an ideal option for those seeking a combination of utility and efficiency. This model is popular among DIY enthusiasts, thanks to its durable build, excellent torque and power output, and the ability to meet various drilling needs.
2. Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press is a good option for users looking to get the best of both drilling and sanding operations. The 12-speed settings and unique sanding or drilling angles make it a highly versatile tool capable of handling a variety of projects.
3. Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press is the right choice for those requiring great precision and convenience in their drilling projects. With its auto-tension belt drive system, heavy-duty motor, and user-friendly features, this model is a top performer in the market.

Whichever option you choose, we're confident that it will become an indispensable asset in your workshop. Remember, the right tool can make all the difference when it comes to the quality and efficiency of your work. So go ahead and invest in one of these best budget drill presses now to see how it can improve your projects and help you achieve even better results!