Your drills may have been super sharp when you bought them, but with time and repeated use, they are likely to become blunt and need to be sharpened.
That’s where a drill bit sharpener comes in handy. To work with none sharp drills is wasteful, time-consuming, and expensive. That’s why you should have a drill bit sharpener on hand at all times.
Our review and buying guide of the 20 best drill sharpeners will highlight and help you choose from the best tools on the market for your needs and budget.
Drill Doctor DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118 degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 3/32 – 1/2-inch |
| Size | 4 x 7 x 5 inches |
| Weight | 0.16 ounces |
The DD350X is the smallest of the Drill Doctor line, and it has the lowest angle capability at only 118 degrees. It can handle drills from 0.094 inches to 0.50 inches, and operation is easy and simple.
Insert the drill and turn the chuck an even number of half turns, and you’ll get a perfect 118-degree tip angle. It sharpens cobalt, high-speed steel, and masonry drills. This unit could be the solution to sharpening all those dull drills you’ve accumulated over the years.
Drill Doctor DD500X Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118 or 135 degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 3/32 – 1/2-inch |
| Size | 13.75 x 5.75 x 11.75 inches |
| Weight | 1.92 pounds |
Drill Doctor DD500X is featured prominently in this review because they make the most user-friendly sharpeners on the market. This is the 500X model, which means it has a shorter size and angle range, but it should still meet most of your bit sharpening needs.
The bit sizes it can accommodate range from .094 inches to .50 inches, and the setting angles range from 118 to 135 degrees. The other advantage of the Drill Doctors is that it cuts tips into two pieces, which reduces the chance of slippage and speeds up the drilling process.
Drill Doctor – DD750x-W 750X Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 115 – 140 degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 3/32 – 3/4-inch |
| Size | 5 x 8 x 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 4.4 pounds |
Drill Doctor DD750x sharpener produces excellent results with almost no effort. It sharpens many types of drills, from cobalt to high-speed steel to masonry.
What sets this unit apart is its ease of use, yet you can still set custom tip angles from 115 to 140 degrees. It accepts drill bits from 3/32 inches to 3/4 inches, and you can precisely control the drill bit to be ground.
Drill Bit Sharpener Tormek DBS-22
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 90 and 150 Degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8 – 7/8-inch |
| Size | 14 x 7 x 3 inches |
| Weight | 16 pounds |
This Drill Bit Sharpener Tormek DBS-22T uses a 4-sided sharpening pattern to increase the life of the drill bit. This symmetrical sharpening allows the drill bit to self-center and eliminates the need for pilot holes or punches. It sharpens all point angles between 90 and 150 degrees, and the optimal lead angle is adjustable to 7, 9, 11, and 14 degrees.
Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | various |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8 – 3/4-inch |
| Size | 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.37 pounds |
The Woodstock D4144 drill sharpener works in conjunction with your bench grinder. You place it next to the sharpener, and it clamps the bit at the desired angle. You can choose from 5 angles from 41 degrees to 88 degrees.It supports bits from 1/8 inches to 3/4 inches, so it can tackle almost any bit size. Also, you can adjust the angle for infinite repeat sharpening.
Grizzly Industrial G1081
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | Various |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8 – 3/4-inch |
| Size | 8 x 5 x 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 1.34 pounds |
The Grizzly industrial G1081 features will meet most of your drill sharpening demands. It is compact and lightweight, it has a compact size, taking up very little space on your workbench. You can set this tool for multiple drilling angles, and you can also count on it to sharpen drills from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter.
DEWALT Bench Grinder
| Description | Value |
| Motor | 5/8 HP -up to 3,450 RPM |
| Material | Cast Iron |
| Size | 16.75 x 11.38 x 9.44 inches |
| Weight | 26.25 pounds |
The DEWALT 6-inch grinder is on the smaller side compared to other grinders, but it’s more than adequate for your home sharpening needs, whether you’re sharpening knives, drills, or lawnmower blades. It features a powerful 5/8 HP induction motor. It has adjustable feet to help stabilize the machine while you sharpen.
WEN 4276 Bench Grinder
| Description | Value |
| Motor | 2.1 Amp – up to 3450 RPM |
| Material | Iron |
| Size | 14 x 9.75 x 15 inches |
| Weight | 16 pounds |
The WEN 4276 Bench Grinder is useful for sharpening small tools, like drills, this bench grinder is a great option. Since it’s a grinder, you can grind at any angle, although there is a slight learning curve to doing it freehand. You can also use it in conjunction with a jig or angle guide.
Unlike other grinders, the WEN 4276 has an adjustable work light to help you better see what you’re working on. It also features a speed of 3450 RPM.
General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | various |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8 – 3/4-inch |
| Size | 4.9 x 4.9 x 7.4 inches |
| Weight | 0.32 Ounces |
The General Tools 825 tool features an angle setting gauge that allows you to adjust a wide range of tip angles so you can work on as many drills as possible. This tool is equipped with a swivel neck to facilitate simple grinding on both sides of the bit.
Also, the grinding attachment is suitable for home and shop use, allowing you to maximize its efficiency and versatility. This machine is not suitable for heavy-duty commercial applications but, it does an excellent job for light-duty home use.
Tormek T-8 Original – Water Cooled Sharpening System
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | Infinite |
| Size | 15 x 11.5 x 15 |
| Weight | 39.9 pounds |
The Tormek T-8 sharpener is a water-cooled machine. It features various jigs for corners and flat edges, a lapping solution for mirror-like finishes, and two grinding wheels that have a grit range of 220 to 1,000 for professional results. It is equipped with a micro-adjustment with acme thread and a scale for precise adjustment of the cutting-edge angle and depth of cut.
Sealey Multi-Purpose Sharpener Bench
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | Not stated |
| Cutting Diameter | 3/64_1 8/9 |
| Size | 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 inches |
| Weight | 4.07 pounds |
If you’re looking for a versatile sharpener, Sealey Multi-Purpose Sharpener can accommodate HSS drills, chisels, straight-edge knives, and other sharp tools, this unit might be the best choice. It has a bit station, a plane and chisel station, and a knife and chisel station.
This model mounts to your worktable for stability, you can use it as a portable multipurpose sharpener in other areas of the house. For ease of use and practicality, this is a handy device.
DAREX Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118 and 140 degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8 inches to 3/4 inches |
| Size | 17.4 x 15.4 x 12.3 inches |
| Weight | 25 Pounds |
This Darex drill bit sharpener is tough enough to sharpen up to 2,000 drills with a single abrasive wheel. Its size is large and would grace any fabrication shop workbench. Its bit size range extends from 1/8 inches to 3/4 inches, so it can sharpen most sizes you’ll need, and with the easy 3-step sharpening system, you get renewed bits in less than a minute.
Work Sharp WSKTS-W Knife & Tool Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | Infinite |
| Cutting Diameter | Universal |
| Size | 5 x 9 x 5 |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
The Work Sharp WSKTS is a multi-purpose sharpening tool. It sharpens drills, knives, scissors, and garden shears. In addition, it includes 3 abrasive belts of different grit sizes. There is an 80-grit coarse belt, a 220-grit medium belt, and a 6,000-grit fine belt to provide a smooth finish.
Since this is a belt sander, you can sharpen your drills to any angle you want. It also features a premium sharpening guide for consistent performance results. It can also be operated from a 12V power inverter for use from your motor home or truck.
GOODSMANN Electric Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118° and 135° |
| Cutting Diameter | 1/8″ – 25/64″ |
| Size | 7.52 x 6.65 x 5.35 inches |
| Weight | 2.38 pounds |
This GOODSMANN electric drill bit sharpener accepts drill bits from 1/8 inches to 25/64 inches- 3 to 10 mm. It has a multi-hole assembly that can accommodate different bit sizes.
Once the machine is running, all you have to do is sharpen the sides of the bit, one at a time. Simply turn the bit slightly from left to right for a few numbers and check to see if it already fits your preferences. If you think you need to repeat the process, do so. After all, it’s pretty simple, and no fine-tuning is required.
BOSCH Drill bit Sharpener S41
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118-degree |
| Cutting Diameter | 2.5 to 10 mm |
| Size | 6.89 x 4.21 x 4.21 inches |
| Weight | 1.32 pounds |
The Bosch S41 drill bit sharpener operates in conjunction with a drill. It works effectively by setting the speed of the drill between 2000 and 3000 rpm. It accepts drill bits from 2.5 to 10 mm and offers a sharpening angle of 118 degrees. It comes with a drive element that you will install in the drill chuck and, after that, you can now attach the drill to the sharpener itself.
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition Large
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 15° to 30° |
| Cutting Diameter | 3/4 x 12″ |
| Size | 5.5 x 10 x 6 inches |
| Weight | 3.1 Pounds |
The Work Sharp Knife & tool sharpener is not a drill sharpener, but it provides a convenient and quick way to sharpen a drill bit. It has a 6000-grain belt that spins up to 2800 RPM, so you can sharpen a high-speed steel or cobalt drill bit. In addition, this machine will serve any sharpening purpose like blades, chisels, as well as scissors, and various other cutting tools.
Multi-Sharp 2001 Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118 degree – 135 degree |
| Cutting Diameter | 3-13 mm |
| Size | 5.12 x 5.12 x 4.33 inches |
| Weight | 10.2 ounces |
Multi-Sharp 2001 drill bit sharpener is a bit sharpening tool that works with several devices, including bits. It only respects HSS and craft bits, not 2 and 4-flute pieces, except SDS plus bits, such as wide-gauge spike bits.
The wheels are constructed of premium substances that function and improve speedily and easily. This thing additionally crushes the fulcrum and straight tip for adaptive support. You can drill it in with a power drill according to your ideal energy source.
This contrast has a high match that fits most ball drills with a troublesome range of 3-13mm. Earn the universal mount with the silicon carbide and aluminum oxide wheels.
CZS Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 60 degrees |
| Cutting Diameter | 5/64 inches to 1/2 inches |
| Size | 7.3 x 3.1 x 0.75 |
| Weight | 9.6 ounces |
The CZS Drill Bit Sharpener is compact and portable. This unit processes drill bits ranging from 5/64 inches to 1/2 inches. It only sharpens iron-based drills, so it won’t be suitable for cobalt or HSS drills. It is budget-friendly, and the good news is that you get two sharpeners for this bargain.
Neiko 10170A Electric Drill Bit Sharpener
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 118° and 135° |
| Cutting Diameter | 3.5 mm – 16 mm/1/8″-5/8″ |
| Size | 10.6 x 7.6 x 5.3 inches |
| Weight | 4.42 pounds |
This Neiko 10170A Electric Drill Bit Sharpener has 2 different heads for different sized bits. The small is from 1/8 up to 3/8 inches and the large is to accommodate 5/16 up to 5/8 inches. It has thermal protection to prevent overheating. There are also rubber feet for stability and to prevent unwanted movement while you work.
You can adjust the degree for standard split point and twist bits, and it works with both carbon steel and carbide. Even though the Neiko sharpener isn’t for anyone with no drill bit sharpening skills, it’s a multipurpose and efficient tool for anybody with some practice.
Hand Drill Bit Sharpener for Sharp Edge
| Description | Value |
| Cutting Angle | 60° |
| Cutting Diameter | 5/64″ to 1/2 |
| Size | 11.38 x 5.47 x 1.65 inches |
| Weight | 4.2 ounces |
The Hand Drill Bit Sharpener is light duty and very efficient. The built-in guides make it easy to use and, it can handle bits as slender as 5/64″. You will need your electric drill that runs between 2000 and 3500 RPM to use it. This sharpener is a simple option that works very well for what it is supposed to do.
The Drill Master Manual Drill Sharpener is great for people who only have a few simple drills to sharpen and want to stick to something simple and unsophisticated.
Factors to consider in buying a drill bit sharpener
- Size
A drill bit sharpener’s size depends simply on how much space you have available to keep it in. Buying an extremely large sharpener would not be the best idea for artisans with a small workspace. Large sharpeners would occupy large space and cause impracticality on the job as well as stress. Large drills are for small shops or homeowners with ample space for storage.
Regardless of the size you prefer, be sure to get good-quality drill sharpeners. Mostly, the size of such tools determines their weight. Therefore, if you are going to do a lot of heavy-duty work, a weighty drill sharpener might not be the most appropriate choice.
Moreover, the most common sizes of drills used, and that you probably have, are 1/8 inch, 3/32 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch in diameter. You may need to confirm the size of your bits before purchasing a sharpener to make sure they are compatible.
- Material
The material of your drills is an essential consideration because it can impact the sharpener’s performance. Drills consist of tungsten carbide or steel but, some other common materials are pewter, titanium, cobalt, and tin.
It’s always a safe idea to verify if your drills feature special coatings or alloys that might lead to troubles during sharpening.
Of course, having standard bits eliminates problems with certain materials. However, even with non-standard bits, you can purchase a specialized sharpener to work on them.
- Power Sources
Both manual drill sharpeners and electric ones are great and reliable.
If you operate outdoors, a manual sharpener would be a smart choice. However, if you work inside with a steady electrical source, an electric sharpener is probably a good idea for convenience and ease
- Multi-functional
The versatility of a sharpener is measured by the number of types of drills the tool can sharpen. Some sharpeners are very effective but only work with specific bit sizes.
Others can accommodate a wide range of bit sizes while maintaining excellent performance. For example, you can have a tool that sharpens twist bits, while a more versatile tool will handle spade bits.
You can also consider the versatility in terms of getting a drill sharpener that can sharpen blades, scissors, knives, and chisels in the right shape.
- Ease of use
Make the sharpener quick and easy to use. Assembly or installation of your drill sharpener ought to be less of a hassle. Choosing an easy-to-use drill bit sharpener will help make drilling a fun and time-saving experience.
How does a drill bit sharpener function?
Powered bit sharpeners are the perfect tool for bit sharpening. They enable you to perform a speedy workload that would otherwise consume a long time to do manually, saving you money by avoiding constant drill purchases.
You can adjust your bit grinder to various sharpening angles to grind your dull drill bit and prolong its usefulness.
Do you need a drill bit sharpener?
Similar to other cutting tools, drills can become dull. Those old, worn bits will not provide sharp, accurate results when working on them. Similar to a blunt knife, a blunt bit may also be a risk to safety due to the higher slip chances.
Can I clean the sharpener?
Yes, it is a simple way to increase the lifespan of your sharpener. Cleaning the sharpener with a workshop vacuum cleaner facilitates removing any debris remaining behind after grinding.
What is the most effective angle sharpening?
Sharpening to 118 degrees would be the optimal angle for sharpening your drills.
Can I sharpen a cobalt drill?
Yes, it is possible to sharpen it. Cobalt bits are thermal resistant and take a long time to dull, yet they may require sharpening. To improve the sharpness of cobalt drills, you need to use a bench grinder and angle the drill at 60 degrees. The result will be a sharp bit within seconds.
