Best Hex-shank Drill Bits for Stainless Steel of 2026

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Hex-shank drill bits for stainless steel are high-quality cutting tools designed to make drilling through tough stainless steel a breeze. These drill bits feature a hexagonal shank that provides a secure grip in the chuck, reducing slippage and enhancing stability during use. They are made from durable materials that are capable of withstanding the high temperatures and friction generated by drilling through stainless steel. With their sharp and precise cutting edges, these drill bits can easily pierce through stainless steel without causing damage to the material or the bit itself.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

flintronic 7-Piece Spiral Drill Bit Set Cover #TOP 1
flintronic 7-Piece Spiral Drill Bit Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
NordWolf 14-Piece Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals Cover #TOP 2
NordWolf 14-Piece Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals
ftb score rating icon 9.7
sourcing map 5pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 5 Sizes 4/5/6/8/10mm Drilling Dia High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel Cover #TOP 3
sourcing map 5pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 5 Sizes 4/5/6/8/10mm Drilling Dia High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Hex-shank Drill Bits for Stainless Steel

flintronic 7-Piece Spiral Drill Bit Set

F4EU-2853749
# 2 7pcs
7PCS Round Shank
flintronic 7-Piece Spiral Drill Bit Set Cover
flintronic Auger Bit, Set of 7-Piece Hex Drill Bits 230mm Set of Drill Bits in Spiral Stainless Steel with 6mm / 8mm / 10mm / 12mm / 14mm / 16mm/ 18mm Drill Bit

The flintronic Auger Bit Set includes seven different drill bits, each measuring 230mm in length and available in sizes from 6mm to 18mm. This variety allows you to select the perfect bit for your woodworking tasks. The round shank design ensures compatibility with numerous electric drills, making it versatile for various projects. Additionally, the precise positioning feature helps you achieve accurate drilling, enhancing your overall efficiency. Made from high-quality carbon steel, these bits are rustproof and durable, ensuring they stand the test of time for all your DIY endeavours.

What We Like
Versatile size options
Compatible with many drills
Accurate drilling capability
Durable, rustproof material
#TOP 2

NordWolf 14-Piece Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals

NordWolf
6971790050909
NordWolf 14-Piece Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals Cover
NordWolf 14-Piece Metric Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel & Hard Metals, with 1/4" Hex Shank for Quick Chucks & Impact Drivers, Sizes 1.5mm to 6.5mm in Storage Case

Features
[Efficient Design] Special 135° Split Point Multi-Blades Drill Tip (3mm Or Larger) For Perfect Self-Centering And Fast Drilling
[High Quality] M35 Cobalt Steel Precision Ground Jobber Drill Bits For Extra Durability And Long Lifetime
[Popular Sizes] Includes Metric Sizes: 1.5(x2), 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.8, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5mm. Packed In Storage Case With Backside Hanging Clip
[Multi-Purpose Use] Suitable For Drilling Stainless Steel And Various Hardened Metals Such As Cast Iron, Titanium, Bronze, Aluminium, Etc.
[High Compatibility] 1/4-Inch Quick Exchangeable Hex Shank Compatible With Standard And Quick Change Chucks And Impact Drivers
#TOP 3

sourcing map 5pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 5 Sizes 4/5/6/8/10mm Drilling Dia High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel

a25041400ux3146
Gold
4/5/6/8/10mm
sourcing map 5pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 5 Sizes 4/5/6/8/10mm Drilling Dia High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel Cover
sourcing map 5pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 5 Sizes 4/5/6/8/10mm Drilling Dia High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic

Features
Titanium Coated Surface: Made Of High-Speed Steel With Titanium Nitride Coating Which Can Increase The Hardness Of The Twist Drill And Reduces Friction Between The Bit And The Material Being Drilled. Suitable For Use In Both Handheld Drills And Drill Presses.
5pcs Drill Bits Size: Hex Shank Size: 6.35mm / 1/4"; Drill Diameter: 4/5/6/8/10mm; Overall Length: 93/103/110/117/131mm; Drill Flute Length: 2.05/2.17/2.56/3.27/3.7 Inch. The Cutting Edge Allows For Accurate Drilling, Using The Correct Size Will Ensure Precise And Accurate Drilling Results.
Wide Applications: This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit Is Suitable For A Variety Of Drilling Applications, Including Metalworking, Woodworking, And Plastic Fabrication. It Is Great For Use With Harder Materials Such As Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, And Other Alloys, Wood, And Plastic, And Is Well-Suited For Both DIY And Professional Use.
Note: Please Add Coolant When Drilling Continuously At High Speed, The Working Life Of The Twist Drill Bits Can Be Largely Prolonged By Proper Usage. To Ensure Optimal Performance And Longevity, It Is Important To Use Proper Drilling Techniques When Using This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit.
High Hardness Drilling Performance: Suitable For Hardened Materials And Hard Metals, Such As Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, Aluminum, Wood, Plastic Etc., And Also Suitable For Soft Materials. Great Replacement For Your Dull Drill Bit To Improve Work Efficiency.
#TOP 4

sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel

a25041400ux3157
Gold
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel Cover
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic

Features
Titanium Coated Surface: Made Of High-Speed Steel With Titanium Nitride Coating Which Can Increase The Hardness Of The Twist Drill And Reduces Friction Between The Bit And The Material Being Drilled. Suitable For Use In Both Handheld Drills And Drill Presses.
6pcs Drill Bits Size: Hex Shank Size: 6.35mm / 1/4"; Drill Diameter: 3mm; Overall Length: 80mm / 3.15"; Drill Flute Length: 39mm / 1.54". The Cutting Edge Allows For Accurate Drilling, Using The Correct Size Will Ensure Precise And Accurate Drilling Results.
Wide Applications: This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit Is Suitable For A Variety Of Drilling Applications, Including Metalworking, Woodworking, And Plastic Fabrication. It Is Great For Use With Harder Materials Such As Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, And Other Alloys, Wood, And Plastic, And Is Well-Suited For Both DIY And Professional Use.
Note: Please Add Coolant When Drilling Continuously At High Speed, The Working Life Of The Twist Drill Bits Can Be Largely Prolonged By Proper Usage. To Ensure Optimal Performance And Longevity, It Is Important To Use Proper Drilling Techniques When Using This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit.
High Hardness Drilling Performance: Suitable For Hardened Materials And Hard Metals, Such As Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, Aluminum, Wood, Plastic Etc., And Also Suitable For Soft Materials. Great Replacement For Your Dull Drill Bit To Improve Work Efficiency.
#TOP 5

sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 4mm Drilling Dia 92mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel

a25041400ux3160
Gold
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 4mm Drilling Dia 92mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel Cover
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 4mm Drilling Dia 92mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic

Features
Titanium Coated Surface: Made Of High-Speed Steel With Titanium Nitride Coating Which Can Increase The Hardness Of The Twist Drill And Reduces Friction Between The Bit And The Material Being Drilled. Suitable For Use In Both Handheld Drills And Drill Presses.
6pcs Drill Bits Size: Hex Shank Size: 6.35mm / 1/4"; Drill Diameter: 4mm; Overall Length: 92mm / 3.62"; Drill Flute Length: 52mm / 2.05". The Cutting Edge Allows For Accurate Drilling, Using The Correct Size Will Ensure Precise And Accurate Drilling Results.
Wide Applications: This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit Is Suitable For A Variety Of Drilling Applications, Including Metalworking, Woodworking, And Plastic Fabrication. It Is Great For Use With Harder Materials Such As Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, And Other Alloys, Wood, And Plastic, And Is Well-Suited For Both DIY And Professional Use.
Note: Please Add Coolant When Drilling Continuously At High Speed, The Working Life Of The Twist Drill Bits Can Be Largely Prolonged By Proper Usage. To Ensure Optimal Performance And Longevity, It Is Important To Use Proper Drilling Techniques When Using This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit.
High Hardness Drilling Performance: Suitable For Hardened Materials And Hard Metals, Such As Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, Aluminum, Wood, Plastic Etc., And Also Suitable For Soft Materials. Great Replacement For Your Dull Drill Bit To Improve Work Efficiency.
#TOP 6

sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3.2mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel

a25041400ux3158
Gold
3.2mm
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3.2mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel Cover
sourcing map 6pcs 1/4" Hex Shank Titanium Twist Drill Bit 3.2mm Drilling Dia 80mm Length High Speed Steel Drills for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic

Features
Titanium Coated Surface: Made Of High-Speed Steel With Titanium Nitride Coating Which Can Increase The Hardness Of The Twist Drill And Reduces Friction Between The Bit And The Material Being Drilled. Suitable For Use In Both Handheld Drills And Drill Presses.
6pcs Drill Bits Size: Hex Shank Size: 6.35mm / 1/4"; Drill Diameter: 3.2mm; Overall Length: 80mm / 3.15"; Drill Flute Length: 41mm / 1.61". The Cutting Edge Allows For Accurate Drilling, Using The Correct Size Will Ensure Precise And Accurate Drilling Results.
Wide Applications: This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit Is Suitable For A Variety Of Drilling Applications, Including Metalworking, Woodworking, And Plastic Fabrication. It Is Great For Use With Harder Materials Such As Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, And Other Alloys, Wood, And Plastic, And Is Well-Suited For Both DIY And Professional Use.
Note: Please Add Coolant When Drilling Continuously At High Speed, The Working Life Of The Twist Drill Bits Can Be Largely Prolonged By Proper Usage. To Ensure Optimal Performance And Longevity, It Is Important To Use Proper Drilling Techniques When Using This Cobalt Twist Drill Bit.
High Hardness Drilling Performance: Suitable For Hardened Materials And Hard Metals, Such As Cast Iron, Malleable Iron, Aluminum, Wood, Plastic Etc., And Also Suitable For Soft Materials. Great Replacement For Your Dull Drill Bit To Improve Work Efficiency.
#TOP 7

Vorteck Cobalt HSS Drill Bits

C.K
T3200 10
10mm
HSS Bits
Vorteck Cobalt HSS Drill Bits Cover
Vorteck Cobalt HSS Drill Bits, 10 mm

Features
Versatile Application: Designed For High-Performance In Tough Materials Such As High-Strength Steels, Stainless Steels, Cast Iron, As Well As Nonferrous Metals, Plastics, And Wood, Delivering Exceptional Versatility Across Demanding Applications
Advanced Vorteck Tip Technology: Precision-Engineered Vorteck Tip Technology Revolutionizes The Drilling Process By Breaking It Down Into Multiple Micro-Cuts, Efficiently Dispersing Swarf To Enhance Cutting Speed And Ensure A Smoother Operation
Quick Lock Hex Shank: Equipped With A 6.3mm (¼”) Quick-Lock Hex Shank, Compatible With Impact Drivers And Standard Drill Chucks, Allowing For Fast, Secure Bit Changes And Enhanced User Convenience
M35 Cobalt Construction: Constructed With High-Grade M35 HSS With 5% Cobalt, These Bits Are Engineered For Superior Heat Dissipation, Extending Tool Life And Reducing The Risk Of Burnout In Heavy-Duty Applications
Diameter: 10 Mm / Length: 85 Mm
#TOP 8

NordWolf 31/64-inch Cobalt M35 Stubby Drill Bit 1/4-inch Hex Shank

NordWolf
NW-23040
31/64 in
NordWolf 31/64-inch Cobalt M35 Stubby Drill Bit 1/4-inch Hex Shank Cover
NordWolf 31/64-inch Cobalt M35 Stubby Drill Bit 1/4-inch Hex Shank, for Stainless Steel Hard Metals, Impact Hex Drill Bit for Quick Change Drills and Impact Drivers

Features
· Stubby Drill Bit Measures From 2.72-Inch Overall Length Only, With 1.2-Inch Cutting Flute, Allow To Access Hard-To-Reach And Tight Spaces
· Cobalt M35 Alloy Steel For Improved Performance, Extra Durability And Long Lifetine. Fully Ground Process For Easy Particles Removal, Decrease Friction And Heat, For Precision And Faster Drilling
· Multi Application. Perfect For Stainless Steel, Aluminum And Other Hard Metals
· 135° Split Polint Two-Cutting Blades Drill Tip For Perfect Self-Centring And Fast Drilling Performance
· 1/4-Inch Integral Impact Hex Shank, Less Runout, Compatible With Quick Changeable Chucks Drills And Impact Drivers
#TOP 9

5% Cobalt hex Shank Metric Drill bits Set Suitable for Stainless Steel

XISEHU
ebac0a00-a631-47d5-aef6-104c3937f079
5% Cobalt hex Shank Metric Drill bits Set Suitable for Stainless Steel Cover
5% Cobalt hex Shank Metric Drill bits Set (1.5mm-6.5mm/13pcs) Suitable for Stainless Steel, cast Iron, Hard Metal

Features
[Hexagonal Drill Shank] The 1/4 Universal Hexagonal Drill Shank Can Be Quickly Installed And Removed
[Cobalt Drill Bits Widely Applicable] Cobalt Drill Bits For By Are Suitable For Stainless Steel, Carbon, Steel, Cast Iron, Engineering Steel, Hard Metals, Copper, Aluminum Soft Metals Wood Suitable For Home Handicraft Scenes And Professional Work
[Metric Drill Bits Set] 1.5mm 2mm 2.5mm 3mm 3.2mm 3.5mm 4mm 4.5mm 4.8mm 5mm 5.5mm 6mm 6.5mm A Total Of 13 Drills Of Different Diameters, Suitable For Home Handicraft Scenes And Professional Work Small Sizes Require Attention To Speed And Temperature
[Good Performance] 135% Spiral Double Edge Cutting Sharp Corners Do Not Linger On The Surface, But Advance In A Predetermined Direction
[Dimensional Identification Strips] Each Storage Bit Is Clearly Dimensionally Identified Easy To Store And Access
#TOP 10

NordWolf 14-Piece M35 Cobalt Drill Set

NordWolf
NW-24015
NordWolf 14-Piece M35 Cobalt Drill Set Cover
NordWolf 14-Piece M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set for Stainless Steel, Hard Metals & Cast Iron, Jobber Length with 1/4" Hex Shank, SAE Sizes 1/16" to 1/4" in Storage Case

The NordWolf Cobalt Drill Set features high-quality M35 cobalt steel drill bits, ensuring extra durability and longevity for your drilling tasks. The efficient 135° split point design allows for perfect self-centering and fast drilling, making your work easier and more precise. With a versatile 1/4-inch hex shank, these bits are compatible with standard and quick-change chucks, providing convenience during use. This set is perfect for drilling stainless steel and various hardened metals, giving you the flexibility to tackle different materials effortlessly.

What We Like
Durable cobalt steel construction
Efficient self-centering design
Compatible with various chucks
Versatile for multiple materials
Easy storage with size imprints
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best type of drill bit for stainless steel?

Cobalt (HSCO) is considered an upgrade from HSS because it includes 5-8% Cobalt blended into the base material. This is a great option for drilling into harder steel as well as stainless steel grades. Carbide (Carb) is the hardest and most brittle of the drill bit materials.

2. Do you need a special drill bit to drill stainless steel?

You need special bits for stainless steel because those bits are usually made out of durable construction such as high-speed steel, titanium nitride, and cobalt. It will also have to withstand the drilling (the wear) and the extreme heat from drilling whereas regular bits probably won't be able to handle it.

3. What are hex shank drill bits for?

A hex shank drill bit will be used in conjunction with a drill press. A hex shank drill bit is a cutting device designed for use with a drill, drill press, or other rotating instrument.

Editor's Notes

During our hex-shank drill bit for stainless steel research, we found 109 hex-shank drill bit for stainless steel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 16,498 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hex-shank drill bits for stainless steel list. We found that most customers choose hex-shank drill bits for stainless steel with an average price of £20.00.

The hex-shank drill bits for stainless steel are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hex-shank drill bits for stainless steel, including flintronic, NordWolf, sourcing map, C.K, XISEHU.

Written by
Jennifer Fraser Avatar

Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.