5 Best Benchtop Drill Press of 2024

By Lisa S

A Benchtop Drill Press differs from your regular drill press. The latter is heavy, not portable, and not at all versatile. Here are the 5 best portable Benchtop Drill Press for your workshop/DIY.

Best Overall- Jet JWDP-12

I really like this Drill Press. It looks good and is well-built. The motor runs well, it is a nice size and power.

Best for Heavy-duty- Wen 4214T

I am very happy with this drill press.

Best Features- Wen 4211

For me, a compact size was Paramount, and this fit the bill.

Most Versatile- Wen 4208T

Great drill press, easy assembly.

Most Economic- Wen 4206T

Perfect little drill press for my intended use, which is woodworking projects.

A Benchtop Drill Press makes your drilling job safe and easy. This drill press works efficiently with wood, metal, and many other materials.

Whether you own a workshop or like doing projects by yourself; this is all you need. In comparison to a traditional drill press, a Benchtop Drill Press saves you time and money. One machine is enough to drill precise holes in multiple materials.

Item 1- Jet JWDP-12 Benchtop Drill Press

Jet JWDP-12 Benchtop Drill Press

There are many reasons why Jet is number one on our list. Without any doubt, Jet manufactures outstanding machines. This Benchtop Drill Press gives you an accurate drilling experience. It is because of its X-shaped XACTA laser perfection.

It is compact and thus easy to carry. The brand gives you many accessories in the package. It includes a table arm, column, rack assembly, and drift key. You will also find a chuck key, lock handles, and wrenches in the box.

What We Like

  • Ergonomic knobs provide the best control of the drill press
  • There is a paddle switch that ensures safety
  • The drill press is stable
  • The ½ HP motor is powerful

What We Don’t Like

  • The chuck key could have been better
  • The spindle makes a lot of noise
  • Some users say the variable pulley adjustment is hard
  • You cannot set the table to a vertical position

Item 2- Wen 4214T Benchtop Drill Press

Wen 4214T Benchtop Drill Press

Wen is another popular brand that manufactures Benchtop Drill Press. This model has a 5-amp induction motor and a 12-inch swing. The best feature is that you can adjust the mechanical variable speed. It is adjustable between 580 to 3200 RPM.

The package includes a table roller extension and chuck key with onboard storage. It also has an overhead light. The benchtop drill press has a class IIIA 2.5mW laser and an adjustable depth stop.

What We Like

  • The table is spacious – 23.7/8 X 11.7/8 X 1 inch
  • It fits any drill press table between 5 to 16 inches in width
  • It has an adjustable fence
  • It can easily finish the heavy-duty work
  • It has an LED display to see the speed

What We Don’t Like

  • It is heavy than other such models
  • As per some buyers, the drill press produces strong vibrations. This is when you use the machine at a faster speed

Item 3- Wen 4211 Benchtop Drill Press

Wen 4211 Benchtop Drill Press

This particular model by WEN is from the 10-inch range. This model uses a 3.2A induction motor. The design may look simple and smaller to you but it is powerful and sturdy.

If you are a beginner, this size and model are perfect for you. This benchtop drill press will help you understand the mechanism.

What We Like

  • You can operate it at 5 different speeds. These speeds are 600, 1100, 1700, 2400, and 3100 RPM
  • The brand provides a 2-year warranty on this model
  • You can bevel the table up to 45 degrees left and right
  • The base has holes so you can mount the drill press on the stand or bench

What We Don’t Like

  • It does not come with accessories and hence, you need to buy those separately
  • The bits wobble while the drill press is in use
  • It does not work well on harder wooden pieces

Item 4- Wen 4208T Benchtop Drill Press

Wen 4208T Benchtop Drill Press

The 4208T Benchtop Drill Press from Wen is one of the best sellers. It uses a 2.3A induction motor with 2-inch spindle travel. It has onboard storage to store your tools for easy access.

This one is super light in weight as it weighs 34.2 pounds only. The counterpart models weigh more than 70 pounds. The cast iron base prevents the wobbling of this drill press while you use it. The locking depth adjustment limits your spindle travel for repeatable drilling activity.

What We Like

  • You can choose from 6 different options
  • The drill press is easy to assemble
  • It works well with almost all types of materials

What We Don’t Like

  • According to the users, speeds need a little change
  • It produces a lot of heat
  • The speed change option is very challenging

Item 5- Wen 4206T Benchtop Drill Press

Wen 4206T Benchtop Drill Press

Can you get a Benchtop Drill Press for under $100? It is possible with Wen’s 4206T model. The difference between this and the 4208T model is rotations. 4206T model gives 60 RPM.

If you are low on budget, the 4206T pattern is a good option. For the cost, you get amazing features. And let us not forget that Wen provides warranty and after-sales service to its customers. For DIY and simpler projects, this Benchtop Drill Press is totally worth the money.

What We Like

  • It is an affordable option
  • This is so small in size and thus easy to operate by any age group
  • The quality is well-built and it is sturdy

What We Don’t Like

  • It does not have an LED display
  • The customers feel the motor is not too powerful
  • The drilling activity may not be precise

The Best Benchtop Drill Press

The pros and cons of all 5 Benchtop Drill presses are in front of you. What will you choose? If you ask us, we choose Jet JWDP-12 Benchtop Drill Press. The features, accessories, and drill press are brilliant. The size fits well for various materials.

Jet JWDP-12 Benchtop Drill Press

A secondary option we suggest is Wen 4208T Benchtop Drill Press. It is economical and popular among users. The quality is sturdy and durable.

Benchtop Drill Press Buying Guide

Size of the Benchtop Drill

  • The 2x distance between the bit and the machine stand is the drill size. The size means the swing of the drill press. It tells how much diameter of the piece it can handle.
  • The drill sizes measure from 7 inches to 15 inches. These are common and more useful sizes. The drill size decides how deep you can drill a material. If you often drill thicker materials, use drill sizes of more than 10 inches.

  • Jet and Wen both the brands provide Benchtop Drill Presses with 12 inches and more. A larger swing/size can manage heavier materials. So the size of the drill should depend on the type of work you do.

Benchtop Drill Press Motor Speed

  • Various Benchtop Drill Press models use different motors. A powerful motor makes your drilling process easy and fast. A weak motor cannot drill thick material like hardwood.
  • You will find speed adjustment options in such machines. You need to adjust the speed depending on the type of work. If you are drilling heavy metal, you will need the highest speed. Generally, Benchtop Drill Press has 5-speed adjustments.

  • These speeds vary from one model to another. The Wen 4206T speeds are – 750, 1100, 1500, 2100, and 3200 RPM.
  • The Wen 4208T speeds are – 740, 1100, 1530, 2100, and 3140 RPM.

Onboard Storage

  • This is crucial. Imagine you are in the middle of your work. If you forget any important part that you need while drilling, then what? Does it not break the link to the work? That is why a smart choice is to buy a Drill Press which has onboard storage.
  • The Wen 4214T Benchtop Drill Press has a storage option. You can keep your tools like bits or extra drills on them. This saves you time and does not hamper your work.

Laser and Light

  • The external light may not be enough. If you have a weak eye-sight, a light on the Drill Press is a blessing. When you want a precise spot to drill, the light helps to focus.
  • You need not add plenty of lights to your workshop. Even while it is dark where you work, you have a light on the machine. This helps you have an accurate drill.

  • A laser acts as a focused beam. You can adjust where you want to drill. At that exact point, the laser will show the light. And that is it. You can drill the material accurately.
  • Wen 4211 Benchtop Drill Press has a laser option.

Conclusion

This was it for our 5 Best Benchtop Drill Press. The links to the products are available so you can order them with one click. We intend to help you buy the top-notch product of your need.

If you are looking for the Best Benchtop Mortisers, check them out here.