Austin Gallery
Sign In
t@austingallery.org

Austin, Texas

WoodworkingJune 28, 2026Updated June 28, 202615 min read

The Best Drill Presses of 2026

Perfectly straight, repeatable holes every time — benchtop and floor presses from a $117 starter to a $1,429 JET, plus the Forstner bits, vise, and table that make a press woodworking-ready.

By Justin Park · How we research

Tested in This Guide · Our Top Picks

WEN WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press

WEN

WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press

$313.99 →

SKIL SKIL 3320 10" Drill Press

SKIL

SKIL 3320 10" Drill Press

$199.00 →

WEN WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press

WEN

WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press

$117.27 →

JET JET JDP-17MF 17" Floor Drill Press

JET

JET JDP-17MF 17" Floor Drill Press

$1,429.00 →

Quick Picks

WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press

Our Pick

WEN WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press

Best Overall · $313.99

WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press

WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press

$117.27

Shop Fox W1668 13" Press + Spindle Sander

Shop Fox W1668 13" Press + Spindle Sander

$615.00

Rikon 30-120 12" Variable-Speed Press

Rikon 30-120 12" Variable-Speed Press

$649.99

A drill press does one thing a handheld drill never can: bore a perfectly straight, perpendicular hole, at a precise depth, in exactly the same spot every time. For woodworking that means clean dowel holes, flat-bottomed Forstner holes for hardware and hinges, repeatable shelf-pin lines, and safe, controlled drilling of small parts. It's one of those tools you don't realize you needed until you own one.

This guide covers the best drill presses of 2026 — benchtop and floor, from a $117 starter to a $1,429 JET floor press — across WEN, SKIL, Rikon, Shop Fox, and JET, plus the Forstner bits, vise, and table upgrade that make a press woodworking-ready. We explain benchtop vs. floor, swing, and why variable speed matters, so you buy the right press for your shop. Every pick is verified and linked to Amazon.

In a Hurry?

The 4 picks that cover most readers. Tap to read the full review or buy direct.

Our Pick

WEN 4214T Variable-Speed

WEN 4214T Variable-Speed

$313.99

Variable speed + 12" swing — the value sweet spot.

Check Amazon →Read review

Best Value

SKIL 3320 (Laser)

SKIL 3320 (Laser)

$199.00

Laser + light, beginner-friendly.

Check Amazon →Read review

The Dream

JET JDP-17 Floor Press

JET JDP-17 Floor Press

$1,429.00

17" swing, 16 speeds — a forever machine.

Check Amazon →Read review

Essential Bits

IRWIN Forstner Bit Set

IRWIN Forstner Bit Set

$64.98

Clean, flat-bottomed holes — what a press is for.

Check Amazon →Read review
Best OverallOur Pick
WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press by WEN

WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill Press

WEN$313.99
4.7(4,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Swing

12"

Speed

Variable

Build

Cast iron

Best for

Most woodworkers

Pros

  • Variable speed — no belt-swapping to change RPM
  • 12" swing handles real work
  • Cast-iron table and base for accuracy
  • Built-in speed readout and work light

Cons

  • Benchtop (not floor capacity)
  • Stock table is small (add a wood table/fence)
The WEN 4214T hits the value sweet spot. Its variable-speed motor lets you dial RPM with a knob instead of swapping belts (a genuine convenience you'll appreciate constantly), the 12-inch swing handles most projects, and the cast-iron build keeps holes accurate. Add an aftermarket table and fence and it's a genuinely capable woodworking drill press for a fair price. The one most people should buy.

Our Pick

Variable speed, real capacity, cast-iron accuracy — the best-value drill press for a home shop.

Check Price on Amazon →$313.99 · WEN
Best Value / BeginnerBest Value
SKIL 3320 10" Drill Press by SKIL

SKIL 3320 10" Drill Press

SKIL$199.00
4.6(5,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Swing

10"

Speeds

5

Extras

Laser + work light

Best for

First drill press

Pros

  • Laser alignment and a work light included
  • Easy 5-speed setup
  • Great price for a capable benchtop
  • Beginner-friendly

Cons

  • Belt-change for speeds (not variable)
  • Smaller 10" swing
The SKIL 3320 is the friendly, affordable first drill press: a 10-inch benchtop with laser alignment and a built-in work light that make accurate holes easy for beginners, at a price that's hard to argue with. You change speed by moving a belt rather than turning a knob, but for the money it's a lot of capable, approachable machine.
Check Price on Amazon →$199.00 · SKIL
Best Budget
WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press by WEN

WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill Press

WEN$117.27
4.6(9,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Swing

8"

Speeds

5

Build

Cast iron

Best for

Tightest budget

Pros

  • A real cast-iron drill press for ~$117
  • 5 speeds for wood, metal, and plastic
  • Compact benchtop footprint
  • The cheapest one genuinely worth owning

Cons

  • Small 8" swing
  • Light-duty motor
Proof you don't need to spend much for accurate, straight holes: the WEN 4208T is a genuine 5-speed cast-iron drill press for about $117. The 8-inch swing limits how far from an edge you can drill, but for small parts, pen blanks, and general work it's a tremendous value and a huge upgrade over a handheld drill for precision.
Check Price on Amazon →$117.27 · WEN
Best Floor / PremiumThe Dream
JET JDP-17MF 17" Floor Drill Press by JET

JET JDP-17MF 17" Floor Drill Press

JET$1,429.00
4.8(400)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Type

Floor

Swing

17"

Speeds

16

Power

3/4 HP

Best for

Serious shops

Pros

  • Big 17" swing and tall column for large work
  • 16 speeds + 3/4 HP for wood and metal
  • Heavy, accurate, vibration-free
  • JET build and support — a lifetime machine

Cons

  • Floor space and a real investment
  • Overkill for occasional use
When you want the last drill press you'll ever buy, the JET JDP-17 floor press is it. The 17-inch swing and tall column handle large workpieces, 16 speeds and 3/4 HP power through wood and metal alike, and the heavy cast-iron build delivers dead-accurate, vibration-free holes. It's a serious investment, but for a dedicated shop it's a forever tool.
Check Price on Amazon →$1,429.00 · JET
Best 2-in-1 (Spindle Sander)
Shop Fox W1668 13" Press + Spindle Sander by Shop Fox

Shop Fox W1668 13" Press + Spindle Sander

Shop Fox$615.00
4.6(600)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Swing

13"

Power

3/4 HP

Bonus

Oscillating spindle sander

Best for

Small shops wanting both

Pros

  • Drill press AND oscillating spindle sander in one
  • 3/4 HP, 13" swing — capable on both jobs
  • Saves space and money vs. two tools
  • Genuinely useful dual function

Cons

  • Compromise vs. dedicated tools
  • Spindle-sander setup takes a few minutes
The Shop Fox W1668 is a clever space-and-money saver: a capable 13-inch drill press that converts to an oscillating spindle sander (the tool for smoothing curved edges). For a small shop that wants both functions without buying two machines, it's a smart two-in-one — and it's good at both jobs, not just a gimmick.
Check Price on Amazon →$615.00 · Shop Fox

Head-to-Head

How the top picks compare

The two decisions that shape a drill-press purchase.

Benchtop vs. Floor Drill Press

Space and value vs. capacity and power.

WEN 4214T (Benchtop)

WEN

Winner

WEN 4214T (Benchtop)

Value, space-efficient, plenty for most

$313.99
Check Price →
JET JDP-17 (Floor)

JET

JET JDP-17 (Floor)

Big swing, power, accuracy

$1,429.00
Check Price →

Our verdict

Winner: WEN WEN 4214T (Benchtop). For most home shops, the benchtop wins — it handles the vast majority of woodworking, costs a fraction as much, and doesn't eat floor space. The JET floor press is the right call only when you regularly drill large workpieces, want maximum power and speeds, and have the room and budget for a heavy, lifetime machine. Start with a good benchtop (the WEN); step up to floor when capacity genuinely demands it.

Buy the WEN

Buy a benchtop for value, space efficiency, and plenty of capability.

Buy the JET

Buy the floor press for big workpieces, maximum power, and a forever machine.

WEN 4214 vs. SKIL 3320

Variable speed vs. best beginner value.

4214T (Variable Speed)

WEN

Winner

4214T (Variable Speed)

Knob speed control, 12" swing

$313.99
Check Price →
3320 (Laser, 10")

SKIL

3320 (Laser, 10")

Cheaper, laser + light

$199.00
Check Price →

Our verdict

Winner: WEN 4214T (Variable Speed). Both are great values. The SKIL is cheaper and beginner-friendly with its laser and work light, but you change speed by swapping a belt. The WEN adds true variable speed (dial RPM with a knob — a real everyday convenience) and a larger 12" swing for ~$115 more. Get the SKIL to save money on a first press; get the WEN if you'll change speeds often and want more capacity (most people are happier with it).

Buy the WEN

Buy the WEN for variable speed and more swing — the better long-term tool.

Buy the SKIL

Buy the SKIL to save money on a capable, beginner-friendly first press.

How we
chose

Every drill press and accessory here is genuinely available on Amazon with verified live pricing and real product imagery, chosen for accuracy, capacity, and value.

  • Organized by type and budget — budget benchtop, value benchtop, premium/2-in-1, and floor — because the right press depends on your space and work size.
  • Swing and quill travel matter — swing (twice the throat distance) sets how far from an edge you can drill; quill travel sets how deep in one pull. We flag both.
  • Variable speed is a real convenience — changing RPM with a knob vs. swapping belts; we note which presses have it.
  • Make it woodworking-ready — a Forstner bit set, a vise (never hand-hold stock), and an aftermarket table/fence transform a basic press; we include them.

Austin Gallery may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. It never changes our rankings.

Quick Shop

All Products at a Glance

Every product in this guide, with direct links to current prices.

1WEN 4214T 12" Variable-Speed Drill PressBest Overall · WEN$313.99Shop on Amazon →2SKIL 3320 10" Drill PressBest Value / Beginner · SKIL$199.00Shop on Amazon →3WEN 4208T 8" Benchtop Drill PressBest Budget · WEN$117.27Shop on Amazon →4JET JDP-17MF 17" Floor Drill PressBest Floor / Premium · JET$1,429.00Shop on Amazon →5Shop Fox W1668 13" Press + Spindle SanderBest 2-in-1 (Spindle Sander) · Shop Fox$615.00Shop on Amazon →6Rikon 30-120 12" Variable-Speed PressBest Premium Benchtop · Rikon$649.99Shop on Amazon →

Share this guide

Share

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The Full Guide

The Complete Drill Press Buyer's Guide

Every drill press and accessory we recommend — sorted by budget, type, and the woodworking add-ons that matter.

Best Budget Drill PressesBest Benchtop Drill PressesBest Floor & Premium PressesBest 2-in-1 (Drill Press + Sander)Woodworking Accessories

Have art
to sell?

Austin Gallery specializes in selling inherited art, estate collections, and fine art with zero upfront fees. Get a free evaluation today.

Consign With Ust@austingallery.org