Best Drill Presses UK 2026

Quick Picks: The 5 Best Drill Presses in the UK

1. Einhell TC-BD 450 - Best All-Rounder

The Einhell TC-BD 450 hits the sweet spot between price and capability. The 450W motor delivers smooth power through variable speed control up to 2650rpm, which means you can dial the speed down for metal or crank it up for clean holes in hardwood without changing belts. The 16mm chuck takes a wide range of bits, and the 50mm drilling depth handles most home workshop tasks in a single pass.

The tilting table is a genuine feature, not a gimmick. Angle drilling for dowel joints and angled hinge recesses becomes straightforward when the table tilts and locks at the angle you need. Amazon purchaser reviews consistently mention the build quality relative to the price, with owners noting the column stays true and the table does not sag under load. For a first drill press or a step up from a mini hobby model, this is the one to beat.

The depth stop is accurate enough for batch drilling, which matters when you are boring hinge cup holes in a run of cabinet doors. The LED work light is handy in dim workshops. What it does not have is digital speed readout or a brushless motor, but at this price those are not expected.

2. Lumberjack DP16-910B-VS - Premium Pick

The Lumberjack DP16-910B-VS is the machine you buy when you know you will use a drill press regularly. The 550W motor gives it more torque than anything else in this price range, and the variable speed with digital LED display lets you set the exact RPM rather than guessing between fixed belt positions. That matters when you are drilling stainless steel at 400rpm and switching to pine at 2500rpm in the same session.

The 16mm chuck accommodates larger bits that the 13mm models cannot take, including Forstner bits for clean flat-bottomed holes. Amazon purchaser reviews highlight the smooth speed transitions and the sturdiness of the column under load. The cast iron table is heavy enough to stay put when you clamp work to it, which is the difference between a tool you fight and a tool you trust.

The trade-off is weight and price. This machine weighs noticeably more than the budget picks, so it wants a permanent spot on a bench rather than being tucked away between uses. If you have the space and the budget, it is the most capable drill press in this roundup.

3. Clarke CDP5EB - Best Value

Clarke has been selling workshop machinery in the UK for decades, and the CDP5EB is their bread-and-butter bench drill. The 5-speed design covers the common speeds for wood and metal, the 13mm chuck takes the most popular bit sizes, and the safety cut-out stops the motor if the chuck key is left in. It is not exciting, but it is reliable, and reliability is what you want from a tool you mount to your bench and expect to work every time.

The depth gauge is simple but accurate, and the height-adjustable tilting table means you are not limited to 90-degree drilling. For the price, you get a machine that does the basics well without any features you will never use. Amazon purchaser reviews from UK buyers consistently mention the solid build quality and the ease of setup.

The main limitation is the 13mm chuck, which rules out some larger Forstner and spade bits. If you mostly drill holes for shelf pins, hinges and small dowels, that 13mm capacity covers everything. Step up to the Einhell or Lumberjack if you regularly need bigger bits.

4. Lumberjack DP13-500 - Budget Pick

At under £80, the Lumberjack DP13-500 is the cheapest way to get straight, accurate holes without relying on a handheld drill. The 300W motor and 5-speed design cover the basics, and the 13mm chuck handles the most common bit sizes for UK home projects. It is not the most powerful machine, but for the price it drills accurately and consistently.

Amazon purchaser reviews from UK buyers mention that the table alignment needs checking out of the box, which is common at this price point. A quick adjustment with a square sorts it, and after that the machine holds its alignment. The build quality is adequate for occasional use, though it will feel lighter and less rigid than the Einhell or Lumberjack premium models under heavy drilling loads.

For a first drill press or a workshop where the machine gets used occasionally rather than daily, this covers the job. It pairs well with a decent drill bit set and a box of wall plugs. The money you save over the Einhell buys a lot of drill bits.

5. Scheppach DP16SL - Heavy-Duty Value

The Scheppach DP16SL sits between the Einhell and the Lumberjack premium on price, but brings a 500W motor and 16mm chuck to the table. Scheppach is a German brand known for workshop machinery, and the build quality reflects that heritage. The column is rigid, the table locks down solidly, and the depth stop is repeatable across multiple holes.

What sets this apart from the Einhell is the extra motor power, which matters when you are drilling deep holes in hardwood or using large Forstner bits that demand consistent torque. The 5 fixed speeds cover the common range, though you do not get the fine-tuning of variable speed. For a workshop where the drill press sees regular use on thicker stock, the 500W motor earns its keep.

The LED work light is a useful addition for accurate placement. The overall footprint is compact enough for a standard UK workshop bench. If the Einhell feels too modest and the Lumberjack premium is over budget, this hits the middle ground.

How to Choose a Drill Press

The first question is simple: what are you drilling? If the answer is mostly wood for furniture, shelving and general DIY, a 13mm chuck with 300-400W covers it. If you also work with metal or regularly drill into thick timber, step up to a 16mm chuck with 450W or more. The chuck size determines the biggest bit you can fit, and getting it wrong means buying a new drill press when the first one runs out of capacity.

Speed control matters more than most people think. Wood likes fast drilling, metal likes slow drilling, and the wrong speed either burns the wood or snaps the bit. A 5-speed drill press covers the common speeds for most materials. Variable speed gives you finer control without belt changes, which saves time when you switch materials frequently. Our drill bit types guide explains which speed ranges suit which materials.

Build quality shows up in three places: the column, the table and the motor. A rigid column keeps the bit perpendicular. A table that locks without sagging keeps your work flat. A motor with enough torque maintains speed under load instead of bogging down. The budget picks here are adequate for occasional use. The premium picks are built for daily use and heavier workloads.

Table size and adjustability matter if you drill angled holes or work with large panels. A tilting table lets you drill at angles without clamping the workpiece at an odd angle. A height-adjustable table accommodates different workpiece sizes and lets you bring the table close to short pieces for better support. A depth stop that actually holds its setting saves time when you need consistent hole depths across multiple pieces.

Weight is an underrated factor. A heavier drill press vibrates less, stays put without bolting, and feels more solid under load. The trade-off is that it wants a permanent bench spot. If you have to move the machine between uses, the lighter budget picks are easier to handle. If it stays on the bench permanently, the extra weight of the Einhell or Lumberjack premium is a benefit, not a drawback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict

The Einhell TC-BD 450 is the drill press we would buy first. The variable speed, 16mm chuck and tilting table cover the widest range of UK home workshop jobs, and the price sits comfortably under £120. It is not the most powerful or the most refined, but it is the most versatile, and versatility matters when you are choosing a tool that will sit on your bench for years.

If the budget stretches, the Lumberjack DP16-910B-VS is a genuine step up in power and build quality. The digital speed display, 550W motor and heavier column make it a better choice for regular use or heavier workloads. For under £170, it competes with machines costing twice as much.

On a tight budget, the Lumberjack DP13-500 at under £80 proves you do not need to spend a fortune to get straight, accurate holes. It does the basics well, and the money you save goes toward better drill bits, clamps and the other accessories that make a workshop actually useful.

Whatever you choose, a drill press is one of those tools that pays for itself the first time you drill a perfectly straight hinge cup hole or bore a row of shelf pin holes that actually line up. The handheld drill gets you started. The drill press gets you precise. Our cordless drill torque guide explains the force side of drilling, but the drill press handles the accuracy side that handheld drills simply cannot match.

Products mentioned in this guide

• Einhell TC-BD 450 Bench Drill Press - best all-rounder, variable speed
• Lumberjack DP16-910B-VS 16mm Drill Press - premium pick, digital display
• Clarke CDP5EB 5 Speed Bench Drill - best value, reliable UK brand
• Lumberjack DP13-500 300W Bench Drill - budget pick, covers home jobs
• Scheppach DP16SL Bench Drill Press - heavy-duty value, 500W motor

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