Top Benchtop Drill Presses for a Home Workshop

A drill press makes straight, repeatable holes a hand drill can't. Our picks for the best drill presses for a home shop from Wen, Jet, Shop Fox and Ryobi, from an 8-inch starter to a 15-inch floor-worthy benchtop, with test notes.

By Tyler RamirezUpdated October 30, 2026How we pick products

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A drill press does one thing a handheld drill can’t: drill perfectly straight, repeatable holes at an exact depth. If you build furniture, make jigs, drill metal or need clean holes for dowels and hinges, it’s one of the most useful tools in a shop.

For a home workshop, a benchtop model is the right size. Look at three numbers: swing (twice the distance from the column to the center of the bit, so how wide a board you can center), quill travel (how deep you can drill in one pass) and speed range (slow for metal and big bits, fast for small bits in wood).

Specs side by side

Test notes and specs are from Bob Vila's benchtop drill press testing, which drilled steel and wet wood and checked assembly and speed changes. Check the manufacturer for current specs.

1. Wen 12-Inch Variable Speed Benchtop Drill Press: Best overall

Best for: Most home woodworkers and DIYers.

Bob Vila’s tester named this Wen the best overall and said they “really enjoyed working with” it. The motor ran quietly, and instead of moving belts to change speed, you turn a lever and read the speed on a digital display. It has a laser and a work light, a crank to raise the table, 3 1/8 inches of quill travel with a depth stop, and a table that tilts 45 degrees each way.

What bugs us: The speed lever was very stiff, and there’s no bit guard.

Skip it if: you mostly drill large holes in metal. A slower, belt-driven press with more low-end speeds suits that better.

2. Wen 8-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press: Best budget

Best for: Beginners, small parts and occasional use.

This compact Wen was the easiest to assemble of the group and is light enough to stash on a shelf. Five belt speeds cover most small drilling.

What bugs us: Only 2 inches of quill travel, a 1/2-inch chuck and no table crank. It’s for light duty.

Skip it if: you work with big boards or thick stock.

3. Jet J-2530 15-Inch Benchtop Drill Press: Best upgrade

Best for: Serious hobbyists who want a press for life.

Bob Vila’s upgrade pick ran smooth and quiet, and its 3/4 HP motor didn’t bog down. Sixteen speeds from 200 to 3,630 rpm cover everything from big Forstner bits to small metal holes. It has a bit guard, an oversize power switch and a table that swivels 360 degrees.

What bugs us: It’s expensive and weighs over 150 pounds. Changing speed means moving belts on pulleys, which is confusing at first.

Skip it if: you need to move it around.

4. Ryobi 10-Inch Drill Press With Laser: Best 10-inch

Best for: Small shops that need to clear the bench between projects.

The Ryobi’s laser was bright and easy to see, and it has a crank to raise the table, which is rare at this size. It’s light enough to lift on and off a bench.

What bugs us: It chattered somewhat in testing, and quill travel is a modest 2 1/8 inches.

Skip it if: you need precise holes in hard materials.

5. Shop Fox 13-Inch Drill Press and Spindle Sander: Best drill press and sander

Best for: Woodworkers who’d use a spindle sander for curves.

This Shop Fox doubles as an oscillating spindle sander, and Bob Vila’s tester found the sanding attachment worked well. A wide 250 to 3,050 rpm speed range and a good table made drilling accurate, and the table tilts up to 90 degrees.

What bugs us: The power button is on the left side, which the tester flagged as a possible safety concern for right-handed users.

Skip it if: you don’t need a sander.

How we researched these picks

We relied on Bob Vila’s hands-on testing of seven benchtop drill presses, which covered assembly, drilling through steel and wet wood, and speed changes, plus input from a professional woodworker. We focused on:

• Swing and quill travel
• Speed range and how easy it is to change
• Power under load
• Table adjustments
• Safety features

We haven’t tested these drill presses ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

Drill press tips

• Clamp your work. A spinning bit can grab a board or a piece of metal and whip it around. Use clamps or a vise.
• Slow down for big bits and metal. Large Forstner bits and steel need low speeds.
• Use a sacrificial board under your work to prevent tear-out and protect the table.
• Never wear gloves near a spinning drill press. Tie back long hair and sleeves.

Quick answers

What size drill press do I need? A 10- to 12-inch benchtop model handles most home projects. Go to 15 inches for wide boards.

Is variable speed worth it? Yes, if you change speeds often. Belt changes are slower but work fine.

Can a drill press drill metal? Yes, at low speeds with the right bits and cutting oil.

Building out your shop? See the best workbenches for a garage.