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10 Best Drill Presses under $200 of 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews

using Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press

using Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press

Drill presses provide a level of precision that you just can’t get with other tools. For some projects, you simply need a drill press. For others, a drill press can make them significantly easier and faster. A drill press limits the mistakes you’d make by doing the job free-handed or with other tools.

The only downside is that drill presses are typically expensive. They cost quite a bit when compared to other tools. If you don’t use them very often, spending more than a few hundred dollars on them can be hard to stomach. Luckily, there are some less expensive models out there that you can purchase.

When you’re getting cheaper models, you do have to be careful, though. Some companies cut corners in order to make their drill presses cheaper, which is the last thing you want. Below, you’ll find our reviews for some of the most popular drill presses under $200.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
WEN 4208 Drill Press WEN 4208 Drill Press
  • Variable speed
  • Depth stops are easy to read
  • ⅓ HP motor
  • Best Value
    Second place
    SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press
  • Battery-powered
  • 5 speed options
  • Adjustable depth stop
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    WEN 4210 Drill Press WEN 4210 Drill Press
  • 45-degree bevel
  • 5 speeds to choose from
  • Locking depth stop
  • EURO TOOL Benchtop Drill Press EURO TOOL Benchtop Drill Press
  • Speed up to 8
  • 500 RPM
  • 1-year warranty
  • Only weighs 13 pounds
  • Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press
  • 1-amp motor
  • 5-speed gearbox
  • Table rotates and bevels
  • The 10 Drill Presses under $200

    1. WEN 4208 Drill Press – Best Overall

    WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press

    When you’re looking for inexpensive tools, WEN is usually a good option. Their WEN 4208 Drill Press is the best inexpensive drill press on the market. It operates at 5 different speeds: 740, 1100, 1530, 2100, and 3140 revolutions per minute (RPM). This allows you to have a bit more control over the tool as you work and eliminates some of the mistakes you may make otherwise. The spindle travels up to 2 inches.

    The depth stops are easy to read and reasonably accurate. They make repeated drillings much easier and more accurate, which is essential for some projects. This machine includes a ½-inch chuck and onboard key storage.

    The motor produces ⅓ HP. This is plenty of power for most DIY uses, especially if you don’t need to use the drill press very much. The workbench height is entirely adjustable, and it bevels up to 45 degrees in both directions.

    For the most part, this drill press works very well. It is designed for only light-duty use, but that’s what you’re going to get for under $200. When problems do happen, the company has an excellent customer service department for you to contact. All in all, we think this is the best budget drill press on the market this year.

    Pros
    • Variable speed
    • Depth stops are easy to read
    • ⅓ HP motor
    • Great customer service
    • Includes onboard key storage
    Cons
    • Good for light-duty use only

    2. SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press — Best Value

    SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press

    Even as far as cheap drill presses go, the SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press is relatively inexpensive, that’s why we’ve chosen it as our best value pick. It is battery-powered, which is a bit unusual for a drill press. However, it does provide it with some portability that other drill presses do not have in the least. If you need to travel and use your drill press, this may be an option to consider.

    It has 5 different speeds. The fastest option is 3050 RPM, while the slowest option is 570 RPM. This provides you with quite a lot of room to change the speed. This should prevent mistakes that you might make otherwise by giving you more control over the drill press. The adjustable depth stop is reasonably accurate and perfect for repetitive drilling.

    The workbench does tilt to both the left and the right, increasing its versatility and allowing it to perform more projects. The beam laser is very helpful for precise hole alignment. We expect that this feature will be most suited for beginners who may need a bit of extra help drilling in the correct location.

    Pros
    • Battery-powered
    • 5-speed options
    • Adjustable depth stop
    • Workbench tilts
    Cons
    • Made out of aluminum

    3. WEN 4210 Drill Press

    WEN 4210 Drill Press

    The WEN 4210 Drill Press is a bit more powerful than our top pick and is a bit more expensive because of this. It has a 3.2-amp motor, providing enough power for most uses. It also has a cast iron worktable that is decently adjustable. It can bevel up to 45 degrees in either direction.

    The speed on the press is also adjustable. You can choose between 5 different speeds from 600 RPM to 3,100 RPM. This provides you with plenty of control over the speed of the machine. You should have no problem slowing down or speeding up enough to do most projects.

    The locking depth stop is accurate and allows you to do repeatable drilling. It is relatively easy to read, so you should have no problem setting it precisely the right depth you need.

    For the price, this drill press is fantastic, which is why we rated it so high. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg, while also being able to perform most jobs.

    Pros
    • 45-degree bevel
    • 5 speeds to choose from
    • Locking depth stop
    • 2-amp motor
    Cons
    • Height adjustment is a bit difficult

    4. EURO TOOL Benchtop Drill Press

    Eurotool DRL-300.00 Benchtop Drill Press

    Even compared to the other inexpensive drill presses we reviewed, the EURO TOOL Benchtop Drill Press is quite inexpensive. It is much cheaper than even some of the other budget options. It comes with a 1-year warranty and has a variable speed up to 8,500 RPM. This is way higher than other drill presses we reviewed.

    It is very tiny, which does limit some of the jobs it can do. But it only weighs 13 pounds. It is very easy to move around as you need to, so it doesn’t have to take up a permanent place in your shop. If you need to store it away, you should encounter no problem. It is space-saving and very budget-friendly.

    However, there are a few circumstances where we could tell just how cheap this machine is. The drive belt isn’t excellent at all. It breaks often and isn’t particularly powerful when you are using it. The chuck is very cheaply made too. In some cases, the chuck comes slightly damaged and bent – a defect that is likely caused when it is fitted.

    Pros
    • Speed up to 8,500 RPM
    • 1-year warranty
    • Only weighs 13 pounds
    Cons
    • Cheap drive belt
    • Poor-quality chuck

    5. Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press

    Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press

    The Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press is quite large for an inexpensive drill press. It weighs 52 pounds, so you aren’t going to be moving it long distances often. It has a 4.1-amp motor that is decently quiet, though they do not provide exactly how quiet in the product description. We just have to take their word for it. This motor should be plenty powerful enough for most light-duty uses.

    It has a 5-speed gearbox, so you can slow it down and speed it up as you need to. The chuck is ⅝ inches, so it can handle larger bits than most other options. The table spins all the way around and can bevel to 45 degrees in both directions. In other words, this drill press should be able to handle practically any lighter job you through at it. The table is even height adjustable.

    With an integrated work light, this table is very easy to use in darker spaces. The light isn’t the greatest, but it does work.

    Pros
    • 1-amp motor
    • 5-speed gearbox
    • Table rotates and bevels
    Cons
    • Hard to adjust
    • Imbalanced—tends to shake

    6. WEN 4212 Drill Press

    WEN 4212 side

    The WEN 4212 Drill Press is another rather large drill press. It weighs 57 pounds. You aren’t going to be moving it around very much. The worktable bevels to 45 degrees in both directions. The laser targeting makes it a bit easier to drill accurately. This feature is going to be most useful for beginners who may have a harder time being accurate, but some experienced users may get a kick out of it as well.

    The spindle is easy to read and allows you to make repeated, accurate cuts. This machine does come with a 2-year warranty, which is more than most cheaper options on the market.

    One problem with this drill is that the price tends to jump around a lot. If you watch it for a few weeks, you can likely find the lowest price. However, if you need it now, you may get stuck with a higher-than-average price. Because it is heavy, this machine is a bit more challenging to put together. We recommend having a friend to help.

    Pros
    • 2-year warranty
    • Worktable bevels
    • Accurate
    Cons
    • Price varies
    • Heavy
    • Assembly is a bit difficult

    7. JET 354170/JDP-20MF Floor Drill Press

    JET 354170:JDP-20MF Floor Drill Press

    At first glance, the JET 354170/JDP-20MF Floor Drill Press seems like a very high-quality option. It has a powerful, 1½ HP motor that provides more than enough power for most uses. The table is adjustable up and down but does not bevel. This lack of a bevel is one reason we rated this machine so low. This is a very common feature, so there is little reason for this press not to have it. It undermines its versatility since you cannot use it to make angled cuts.

    It has 12 different speeds ranging from 150 to 4,200 RPM. This is faster than most presses we reviewed and many more speed options than most. You should be able to change it to any speed you need relatively quickly. This also makes it somewhat versatile, though the lack of a bevel reduces this somewhat.

    It is extremely heavy at nearly 288 pounds. As you might imagine, it will need to stay in a set place. Getting it to that place may also be challenging. It will take a bit of planning due to its size.

    Pros
    • 12 different speeds
    • Powerful motor
    Cons
    • Very heavy
    • Difficult assembly
    • No bevel

    8. Shop Fox W1667 Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press

    Shop Fox W1667 Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press

    The Shop Fox W1667 Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press is designed to be compact. It can be conveniently stored away when you need it to be. However, it is not nearly as light as some other options. You cannot move it around as easily because of this. It has a bit of an underpowered motor as well at only ½ HP. This should be enough for most light-duty uses, but you will need more oomph for major projects.

    There seem to be many problems with the packing of this press as well. Many users reported that their press arrived broken and that the packaging material was inadequate. These machines are heavy, and therefore require a lot of packaging to keep them safe in transit. This company simply does not pack them responsibly. They do have decent customer service, though, which is helpful.

    It also doesn’t include any accessories. The picture is a bit misleading, as it shows some accessories. However, it doesn’t come with any of these.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Packaging problems
    • No accessories included
    • Low-powered motor

    9. RIKON 30-120 Drill Press

    RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press

    There are a few things we liked about the RIKON 30-120 Drill Press. Firstly, it has 16 different speeds. This is far more than most other options. The speed ranges from 200 RPM to 3,630 RPM. This is a decently large range, so you should have no problem finding the speed you need. This drill press is also made more solidly than other options. It is made with solid steel and cast iron. This is much better than the aluminum most low-cost drill presses are made out of.

    This company’s customer service is also pretty good. If you need any help with your machine or need replacement parts, this company will likely help you. Even if the machine comes damaged (which it does occasionally), the customer service team tends to make it right very quickly.

    We found the instructions quite complicated and not exactly clear. Luckily, we did not need the instructions much, so this wasn’t a massive problem. However, the lack of clear instructions might make using this drill press quite complicated for a beginner.

    Pros
    • 16-speed ranges
    • Made of cast iron and steel
    Cons
    • Poor packing
    • Unclear instructions
    • Somewhat more expensive than others

    10. Ryobi DP103L Drill Press

    Ryobi DP103L 10 in. Drill Press

    With a heavy-duty motor, the Ryobi DP103L Drill Press does last a bit longer than some other options. It also offers 5 different speed selections, so you should be able to choose the best speed for your project. The laser alignment system is somewhat accurate and is a useful addition for beginners. Experienced drill press users likely won’t get much use out of it, though. The table is adjustable as well, though this is a widespread feature.

    There is a small problem with this machine’s motor, however. The pulley is made out of composite. Eventually, the belt and pulley will meet. When this happens, the belt will cut straight through the pulley without much of a problem. This renders the machine pretty worthless. The laser is also only somewhat accurate. You can’t rely on it alone, or you’re going to be a bit off. Because of this, the laser really isn’t that useful.

    Pros
    • 5 different speeds
    • Adjustable
    Cons
    • Composite pulley
    • Somewhat inaccurate laser

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    Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Budget Drill Press Under $200

    Purchasing any sort of drill press can be complicated. They have a lot of different features, which can make figuring out exactly which machine to purchase very difficult. However, when you’re purchasing a budget option, things can get even more complicated. After all, you have to ensure that the company didn’t cut too many corners in an attempt to make their machine less expensive.

    As you might imagine, there is a lot of give-and-take involved. You don’t want to get a machine that is too expensive, but you also don’t want to get one that is made very cheaply.

    This section will help you walk this border and explain some of the features you should mainly be looking for when making your purchase.

    FAQs

    What do you use a drill press for?

    Drill presses can be used for a variety of different purposes. Of course, you can use a drill press for drilling. This is usually their most obvious use. However, you can also fit them with other attachments and use them for other purposes. For example, you can use them as a sander and fit them with a mortising attachment for drilling square holes.

    Some budget drill presses may or may not have these extra attachments. Often, you can buy them separately, though, which does improve the versatility of your drill press.

    What is stroke length on a drill press?

    When you’re looking at different drill presses, stroke length is something you will hear quite often. The stroke distance is simply the maximum distance that the spindle can travel up and down. This will affect how deeply it can drill.

    Features to Consider

    There are a few features you should pay particular attention to when choosing a drill press. These will have a direct effect on how the drill press performs and are particularly important when choosing budget-friendly options.

    person using SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press

    Accuracy

    Some drill presses are quite accurate – others are not. If you aren’t drilling your holes in the correct spot, a drill press can be pretty worthless. Luckily, smaller drill presses tend to be more accurate. Budget-friendly drill presses tend to be smaller on average, as well, which also means that they are typically pretty accurate.

    Accuracy should be one of the most important features you’re looking for, since an inaccurate drill press really isn’t worth much.

    Size

    Most budget drill presses are pretty small, but this isn’t always true. While size does affect the accuracy in some cases, it also has an effect on other factors – like the amount of room it takes up.

    Larger drill presses will take up more space and may be too heavy to move around. You may have to dedicate a pretty large space in your workshop for these drill presses, which not everyone is going to have.

    Drilling Capacity

    As you might imagine, small machines are really only best for smaller projects. They really can’t tackle bigger workpieces. They’re just too small! Larger machines are capable of drilling into larger pieces of wood. However, they are also a bit less accurate and take up more room.

    How much drilling capacity you need is a very personal decision. In some cases, you may not need a very large machine because you don’t work with larger pieces of wood. In other cases, you may only work with larger materials, and therefore a smaller drill press isn’t going to do you much good.

    Portability

    Some drill presses are small enough for you to move around easily. You can store them in a closet or take them with you on the go without too much trouble. Some people need a portable drill press, while others aren’t planning on moving their press around at all.

    Portability is going to be directly related to size. However, just because a machine is smaller doesn’t necessarily mean it was built to be moved around regularly. Durability and the overall design is important as well.

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    In Conclusion

    Many drill presses are extremely expensive. However, there are also a few that are inexpensive and also of decent quality.

    For most homeowners looking for a budget option, we recommend the WEN 4208 Drill Press. It has 5 different speeds and easy-to-read depth stops. The motor is a bit smaller, but it should be just fine for most homeowners. Plus, the company’s customer service is fantastic. So, if you run into any problems, they should be able to help you. For our best value pick, take another look at the SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press.

    We hope that our reviews and buyer’s guide helped light your way in the world of budget drill presses.

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