Top Step Bit Brands for Precision Drilling Excellence

When it comes to finding the best brands for step bits, it's essential to consider both quality and durability for your drilling projects. Step bits are invaluable for drilling multiple hole sizes with a single bit, making them a popular choice for metalworkers, electricians, and DIY enthusiasts alike. Renowned brands consistently deliver on performance, offering a range of bits that cater to both professional and casual users. If you're keen to discover which brands stand out in the realm of step bits, continue reading below for a comprehensive list.

Illustration of step bits

Best brands of step bits in 2025

DEWALT

DEWALT is a leading brand in the power tools market, including step drills, with a significant market share of 16% in units sold as of September 2023, marking a 0.7 percentage point increase from the previous year. DEWALT continues to dominate in brand consideration with a 22% share and holds a clear lead in dollar share with 17%, up 0.6 points from the previous year. The brand's popularity is further underscored by its presence in major retail outlets, with Home Depot being the top retailer for DEWALT power tools. DEWALT's products, such as their cordless drills and step drill bits, are known for their efficiency and durability, making them a preferred choice among consumers. The brand's strong performance is reflected in its growing market influence and customer loyalty.

Irwin Tools

Irwin Tools is a renowned brand in the step drill market, known for its high-quality and innovative products. With a history spanning over a century, Irwin Tools has established itself as a leader, particularly with its UNIBIT HSS Fractional Self-Starting Step Drill bits, which are ideal for drilling clean, smooth holes in various materials. The company's products, such as the UNIBIT #5, feature advanced technologies like the SpeedPoint(r) tip for fast starts and precise step control. Irwin Tools is part of the global step drill market, which was valued at USD 98.82 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.14% until 2032. The brand's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a preferred choice among professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee Tool is renowned for producing some of the most durable and fastest-cutting step bits on the market, introducing the Shockwave™ Impact Duty™ Step Bits in 2018. These bits are engineered with an optimized SHOCKZONE™ shank, Titanium Aluminum Nitride coating, and a Rapid Strike™ tip, ensuring 5x longer life and 2x faster hole production. Made in the USA, they are designed for use in both impact drivers and drills, offering maximum life and preventing premature shank failure. The dual spiral flute design and laser-engraved reference marks enhance user convenience and accuracy. With up to 50% more holes per battery charge, Milwaukee's step bits set a high standard in the industry. For more details, visit their step bits product page.

Klein Tools

Klein Tools is a renowned brand in the tool industry, particularly noted for its high-quality step drill bits. Introduced in 2022, their VACO Line of Step Drill Bits features double spiral-flutes, Titanium nitride (TiN) coating, and compatibility with both standard drills and impact drivers, making them ideal for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. These bits are designed for use on various materials including steel, plastic, aluminum, and wood, and come in kits such as the All Purpose Kit with 37-hole sizes and the Electrician's Kit with 17-hole sizes. Klein Tools has been serving professionals since 1857, ensuring durability and efficiency in their products. The global step drill market, which Klein Tools is a part of, is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.14% from 2024 to 2032.

Bosch

Bosch is renowned as a leading producer of step bits, leveraging its extensive experience and innovative technology to deliver high-quality products. In 2023, Bosch generated significant revenue, with its Mobility Solutions segment accounting for 59.6% of the total revenue, highlighting the company's strong presence in the automotive and industrial sectors. Bosch holds an 18.5% market share in the automotive sensor market and has a global presence, operating in over 60 countries. The company's commitment to research and development is evident from its investment of EUR7.331 billion in 2023. With over 147,758 patents, Bosch continues to innovate and improve its product offerings. For more insights on the step drill bit market, visit the step drill bit market report.

Neiko

Neiko is renowned as one of the best producers of step drill bits, offering high-quality tools constructed from industrial-grade high-speed steel with titanium nitride coatings for enhanced durability and strength. Their step drill bits, such as the Neiko 10194A, feature a dual flute design and self-starting tips, making them versatile for drilling through various materials like steel, copper, and aluminum. These tools are designed for both DIY projects and professional engineering use, with sets like the NEIKO 10173A providing 50 total step sizes for precise drilling. Neiko's step drill bits are known for their quick-change hex shanks, compatible with most impact-ready power tools, and their 135° split point tips that increase cutting speed and prevent walking. With an average drilling speed of 22.5 seconds per hole and a maximum 2,000 RPM speed ability, Neiko's products are highly regarded for their efficiency and precision.

Makita

Makita is a leading brand in the step drill market, known for its high-quality and versatile step drill bits. The global step drill market, which includes Makita among its key players, was valued at USD 98.82 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 153.54 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 5.14%. Makita's products are particularly popular in the industrial manufacturing and construction sectors, where the demand for step drills is high due to their efficiency in creating holes of different sizes. The brand's commitment to innovation and durability has made it a favorite among professionals. For instance, the growing use of step drills in the automotive industry, expected to reach a global market size of around USD 4 trillion by the end of the decade, further underscores Makita's strong market position. For more information, please visit Makita's official website.

Greenlee

Greenlee is a renowned brand in the tool industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality step bits designed for professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Known for their versatility and efficiency, Greenlee step bits are capable of drilling holes of varying diameters through materials like metal and wood, making them a staple in construction, automotive, and electronics industries. The brand's focus on ergonomic designs and robust materials enhances tool longevity and performance, contributing to the step drill market's projected growth from approximately USD 250 million in 2023 to around USD 400 million by 2032. Greenlee's step bits, such as their cobalt step bit series, are praised for their durability and precision. With a strong presence in the global market, Greenlee continues to innovate and expand its product range to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Diablo

Diablo is a leading brand in the production of step drill bits, known for their innovative technology and superior performance. Introduced in 2019, Diablo's new step drill bits offer six times longer life, two times faster drilling, and 75 percent more holes per battery charge, making them ideal for drilling in sheet metal, stainless steel, PVC, and other plastics. These bits feature a Split Point Tip for easy on-point drilling, Accu-Grind(tm) Technology for minimal bit wear, and an impact-strong 1/4" hex shank compatible with both cordless impact drills and drill drivers. Diablo's commitment to quality and user feedback has significantly enhanced durability, speed, and accuracy in their step drill bits. With a range of step bits available, including 1/2-inch to 1-3/8-inch options, Diablo continues to set industry standards.

Drill America

Drill America is renowned as one of the top producers of step drill bits, leveraging industrial-grade high-speed molybdenum steel to ensure long-lasting performance. Their step drills are heat-treated and feature a self-starting tip, eliminating the need for center punching. This brand is part of a broader market that is expected to grow significantly, with the global drill bit market projected to reach USD 5.1 billion by 2031, driven by booming construction and resource exploration activities. The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market, fueled by expanding shale gas development projects. Drill America's products align with these industry trends, offering high-quality tools for various applications. For more details on their offerings, explore their step drill bits category.