The accuracy of the drill press makes woodworkers wonder how they ever functioned without one. Of course, you need the right one, or you could be contending with a product that is unstable and flimsy. Our woodworking team tried different ones to find the best drill presses for woodworking that had great accuracy and durable construction.
Reviews of the Top Drill Presses for Woodworking
1. WEN 4214T
The WEN 4214T is a workhorse with a 5-amp induction motor. The 4214T has various speed settings from 580 to 3200 RPM to accommodate your needs. The exact speed is displayed on the digital speed readout to help with accuracy.
Aside from the digital display for the speed range, the WEN 4214T also has an array of other onboard features such as a working light built in, an adjustable depth stopper, table roller extension, and onboard storage that helps with efficiency and more accuracy.
The drill press also comes with a 2-year warranty that gives consumers peace of mind when purchasing these expensive investments.
What We Like
- 5-amp induction motor
- Variable speed woodworking drill press
- Includes a laser
- Has an overhead light
- Onboard storage
- 2-year warranty
- Adjustable stop for depth
- Digital speed display
- Table roller extension
- ⅝-inch keyed chuck
- Cast iron base
- Beveling drill press table
- Benchtop drill press style
What We Don’t Like
- May have a slight humming when not in use
- Keyless chuck could work better
2. JET JDP-17MF
Will a more expensive drill press deliver better performance? The Jet JDP-17MF variable speed woodworking drill press has a ¾-HP motor with an amazing 16 different speeds ranging from 200 to 3630 RPM.
This Jet drill press is perfect for repeatable drilling operations thanks to the adjustable tension spindle that can continue creating the same depth. Of course, there is also a depth stopper that will help you make accurate adjustments.
Keep your eyes on the prize with the built-in work light that illuminates the tiny tiltable table that is crank-operated to reach angles of 45 degrees.
What We Like
- Variable speed drill press
- 3/4-HP motor
- Great for repetition
- Depth stopper included
- Built-in working light
- Tiltable work table
- 5-year limited warranty
- Drill chuck and key in the box
- Induction motor
What We Don’t Like
- Pulleys may need to be aligned
- The head piece is a little heavy
3. WEN 4208T
WEN makes another appearance on our construction engineers’ list as the most budget option. WEN as a brand in general creates affordable product options that do not cost too much. The WEN 4208T is a benchtop drill press that saves space. The 2023 model features a 2.3A induction motor and includes a ½-inch keyed chuck with onboard key storage.
The speed ranges from 740 to 3140 RPM. The table on the WEN drill press can be adjusted to suit various heights and it bevels at 45 degrees in either direction.
Our experts consider the WEN 4208T a portable drill press due to its compact measurements.
What We Like
- Small and compact
- Affordable price
- 2.3A induction motor
- Onboard key storage
- Wide speed range
- Best benchtop drill press for portability
- Adjustable height work table
- Table bevels at 45 degrees
- 8-inch swing
- 2-inch stroke
- Cast iron construction
What We Don’t Like
- Not very refined construction
- Springs can be a bit weak
4. Shop Fox W1848
Shop Fox is no stranger to woodworking projects our experts carry out. The W1848 is an excellent floor-standing drill press that has oscillating features. As a floor drill press, you can expect the W1848 to take up more space, so we recommend making sure you have room for it.
The Shop Fox W1848 can reach speeds up to 3050 RPM and it even includes sanding drums. The sanding drums come with the drill press because the unit can be converted to a sander in just a few simple steps. The tiltable table adds more versatility to the drill press as you can use it for more types of workpieces.
What We Like
- Can sand and drill
- 2-year warranty
- Floor-standing drill press
- Very accurate drilling
- Tilting table
- 2-inch dust port
- Table height and tilt are adjustable
- Oscillating spindle
- 12 speeds
What We Don’t Like
- Limited vertical travel
- No mortising attachment
5. Grizzly G7944
Grizzly tools offer a ton of reliability, and the G7944 is the same. It’s another floor-standing drill press that is incredibly heavy duty. It has a ¾ HP single-phase motor, with an astounding 12 speeds of adjustment. One of the most outstanding features of the Grizzly G7944 is the table tilt angle that can reach 90 degrees.
The cast iron table is centered on precision that is supported by a built-in work light to illuminate your workpiece. The table has a vertical rack and pinion movement that is crank operated. Keep the table in place with its lock levers and there is even a coolant trough. Although it’s not the absolute best drill press for woodworking out there, it definitely deserves a spot on our list.
What We Like
- 12 speeds
- Floor drill press
- 3/4HP single phase motor
- Table tilt can reach 90 degrees
- Built-in working light
- Coolant trough
- Lock levers for the table
- Cushion grip handles
- Powder-coated finish
- Cast iron drill press base and table
- Threaded depth stop
What We Don’t Like
- Small base
- Rubber knobs
6. JET JDP-20MF
The Jet floor drill press is a much more powerful model than some of the previous units before it. The JET JDP-20MF features a 1-½ HP powerful motor with 12 speeds. The high speeds offered can reach an astounding 4200 RPM – more spindle speeds than many other machines of its class.
Built for repetition, the Jet JDP-20MF drill press has an external depth stop and a 3-nut locking feature that allows for quick adjustments. The quick-release crank table can tilt in either direction up to 45 degrees. The work light will light the way for your drill press to make sure every move is precise.
What We Like
- External depth stop
- Quick adjustments
- Built for woodworking projects that need repetition
- Built-in light
- Beveling table up to 45 degrees
- Fast motor speed
- More power than a bench drill press
- Adjustable tension spindle
- Drill chuck key included
- 2-year warranty
What We Don’t Like
- A little large
- Not made to drill square holes
7. Jet JDP-15B
Jet has consistently created amazing drill presses and our expert woodworkers are continuously impressed by their products. This 16-speed drill press has a cast iron table with 4 table slots and twin T-slot grooves to help you control your workpiece.
The spindle travel can reach a full 3-⅛ inches. What makes the Jet JDP-15B an even more efficient model is the one-handed belt tensioning system. You can switch speeds faster than ever before to get the job done.
The onboard X-shaped XACTA laser will guarantee precise drilling every time. Work from dawn until dusk without losing visibility thanks to the built-in LED work light.
What We Like
- Precision-ground cast-iron table
- One-handed belt tensioning
- XACTA laser
- Built-in work light
- Belt-drive system
- Quiet and powerful
- 15-inch drill press
- Twin T-slot grooves
- 4 table slots
What We Don’t Like
- Some plastic pieces
- Motor bearings could squeak
8. Grizzly Industrial G0925
If you’re looking for an ultimate portable model, the Grizzly Industrial G0925 is the one our experts recommend. It’s a tiny 8-inch drill press that can reach a surprisingly high speed of 3140 RPM [1]. The ⅓ HP small drill press powers the unit quietly even at the highest speed setting.
Benchtop drill presses are the best substitute for the larger models for small jobs, one that this 8-inch drill press can do better than most. The small unit still features all the capabilities a large model does, such as speed ranges, 45-degree table tilts, and a cast iron table and base.
What We Like
- More portable than floor-standing drill presses
- 8-inch drill press swing
- 45-degree table tilt
- Durable construction
- High speeds for its size
- Holes for drill clamps
- Cushion-grip quill handles
- Threaded stop for depth
What We Don’t Like
- Takes time to put together
- Plastic safety cover
Drill Press for Woodworking Buyer’s Guide
Benchtop vs Floorstanding Drill
The first consideration you need to think about when buying a drill press is whether you want a bench or floor model. Woodworking drill presses can come in a wide range of sizes befit for various spaces. Floor drill presses are generally larger, with a swing of anywhere between 12 to 20 inches and a height of around 5 feet.
Of course, a larger machine is also heavier, so make sure you have the strength and the space to handle a floor-standing model. The best floor-standing drill on our list is the Shop Fox W1848.
A portable bench model, such as the tiny 8-inch Grizzly drill press, gives woodworkers much more portability, and therefore versatility for various applications. A benchtop model can be more mobile, and is our team’s suggestion for those who have a smaller workshop.
Another consideration is that the larger floor models may cost more, but they can also give you more swing, and therefore give you more value for your money for certain purposes. If a benchtop unit can meet your needs, then our team suggests going with it for a smaller footprint and cheaper price.
Variable Speed
All the drill presses our woodworking team has assembled on the list have variable speeds. How many speed options the units offer is the key. The more RPM (rotations per minute) a drill press offers, the more materials you can work with.
Make sure