Updated October 2026
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A drill press on this page is a bolted-down bench or floor machine with a chuck, a table, and a quill: drop a twist or Forstner bit, set a depth stop, pull the handle, get a square hole. It is not a handheld cordless drill, and it is not a magnetic press that clamps to a steel beam. Same shop: Best Rotary Hammers, Best Bench Grinders.
We do not hand-test these tools. We use manufacturer ratings, then check that the Amazon listing is a real US product page (or Home Depot / the manufacturer). Prices move, so this page does not print street prices; check current price and seller on Amazon before you buy.
Milwaukee and Ridgid are Home Depot exclusives in the US. We do not send you to an Amazon third-party listing for those lines. Milwaukee has no current US bench or floor woodworking drill press that we link on Home Depot — their “drill press” is an electromagnetic mag drill. Official DeWalt US is the same aisle: magnetic only.
Quick verdict
Best overall bench: WEN 4214T — 12 in variable-speed benchtop, 5 A, 580–3,200 RPM, 5/8 in chuck, laser + light. Check price on Amazon
Best 10-inch first press: SKIL DP9505-00 — 6.2 A, five belt speeds 610–2,800 RPM, laser + LED. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Check price on Amazon
Best budget floor: WEN 4227T — 17 in, 13 A, 12 speeds, 4-3/4 in travel. Check price on Amazon
Best shop floor: JET JDP-17MF — 16-1/2 in, 3/4 HP, 16 speeds 200–3,630 RPM, 5-year JET warranty. Check price on Amazon
See the JET JDP-17MF for a floor drill press option.
Best oscillating bench: Shop Fox W1668 — 13-1/4 in bench press + 3/4 in oscillating spindle sander, 3/4 HP, 12 speeds. Check price on Amazon
Comparison
| Model | Best for | Type | Swing / chuck | Notes | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 4214T | Overall bench | Bench, variable | 12 in; 5/8 in | Variable speed; 5/8 in chuck | Check price on Amazon |
| SKIL DP9505-00 | 10-inch first | Bench, 5-speed | 10 in; 1/2 in | Five belt speeds; laser + LED | Check price on Amazon |
| WEN 4227T | Budget floor | Floor, 12-speed | 17 in; 5/8 in | 4-3/4 in travel; 214 lb | Check price on Amazon |
| JET JDP-17MF | Shop floor | Floor, 16-speed | 16-1/2 in; 5/8 in | 16 speeds; 5-year warranty | Check price on Amazon |
| Shop Fox W1668 | Oscillating bench | Bench + sander | 13-1/4 in; 5/8 in | Drill + oscillating spindle sander | Check price on Amazon |
WEN DP1050 (B0DQ99TYNN) is a real current 10 in 5-speed listing — the 10 in 5-speed slot stayed on SKIL. WEN 4208T is a real 8 in at WEN.com and HD; its old Amazon listings 404’d, so it is not a pick. WEN DP1062V (B09252SPKJ) is a real 10 in variable — 12 in variable stayed on 4214T. WEN DP1263V (B0DQ9F3DX8) is a real newer 12 in. JET JWDP-12 is a real HD 12 in bench (Internet #300093749); JET JDP-20MF is a real HD 20 in floor (Internet #204059824). DeWalt B0GT1G1BCK is a real Amazon title, not on dewalt.com — skip.
WEN 4214T — best overall bench
If you want one benchtop and you will change speeds without flipping a belt, this is the 12 in WEN shoppers still open. WEN: 5 A induction, 12 in swing, 3-1/8 in spindle travel, mechanical variable 580–3,200 RPM, digital RPM readout, 5/8 in keyed chuck, MT2 taper, 9-1/2 × 9-1/2 in table that bevels 45° left and right, X-pattern laser, overhead light, table roller extension, 85 lb (WEN). Two-year warranty (WEN). Amazon catalog B09253MVXN. The listing title is still 4214T. Also at Home Depot (Internet #316951776) and WEN.com. 4.6 stars, 887 ratings on the listing.
Who it’s for. Garage and basement shops that will drill wood and the occasional hole in steel and want a lever speed change instead of a belt chart. Same bench that also holds a bench grinder.
Who it’s not for. Anyone who only needed an 8 in first press — 4208T is at WEN / HD. Anyone who wanted a floor column and 4-3/4 in of travel — 4227T or the JET. Anyone who wanted a press that also sands — W1668.
Specs that matter. Model 4214T. Amazon B09253MVXN. Confirm the title is still 4214T, not the newer DP1263V (B0DQ9F3DX8) and not a vise/table bundle. Amp, RPM, swing, and 85 lb are WEN’s.
Caveats. Mfr $310. Confirm you are buying new. Bolt the base down. Laser class is WEN’s.
SKIL DP9505-00 — best 10-inch first press
If you want a current 10 in with a laser and a light and you will live with five belt speeds, this is the SKIL we can match on Amazon. SKIL: 6.2 A induction, 10 in, five speeds 610–2,800 RPM, 1/2 in keyed chuck, Class II laser, LED work light, bump-off switch, table tilt 0–45° (SKIL). Dealer spec sheets list about 46.6 lb and a 2 in max drilling depth. Amazon catalog B0BFQYZPQK. Check current price and seller on Amazon. 4.3 stars, 521 ratings.
Who it’s for. A first 10 in on a crowded bench when you do not need a 5/8 in chuck or variable speed.
Who it’s not for. Anyone who will change RPM every hole — that is the 4214T. Anyone who needed 5/8 in bits — 4214T, 4227T, JET, or Shop Fox. The old 3.2 A 3320-01 is leftover.
Specs that matter. Model DP9505-00. Amazon B0BFQYZPQK. Confirm the title is still DP9505-00, not 3320-01 and not the RT refurbished listing. Amp and RPM are SKIL’s.
Caveats. Belt-change, not a lever.
WEN 4227T — best budget floor
If you want a floor column without JET money, this is the 17 in WEN we can still match to the manufacturer page. WEN: 13 A, 17 in swing, 4-3/4 in travel, 12 speeds (listed stops 150 through 3,150 RPM), JT3 chuck 1/16–5/8 in, 14 × 14 in table with a coolant channel, 45° tilt, Class II laser, 214 lb (WEN). Two-year warranty (WEN). Amazon catalog B08ZVNHWK8. Check current price and seller on Amazon. 4.3 stars, 25 ratings.
Who it’s for. A garage that will drill through a 4×4 in one stroke and does not want to pay for the JET.
Who it’s not for. A bench-only shop — 4214T. Anyone who wanted JET’s 16 speeds and 5-year warranty — JDP-17MF. Thin review pile next to the 4214T listing.
Specs that matter. Model 4227T. Amazon B08ZVNHWK8. Confirm the title is still 4227T, not a vise bundle. Amp, travel, and 214 lb are WEN’s. Body copy also prints 150–2,940 RPM — use the 12 listed stops.
Caveats. 25 ratings. You still need floor space and a helper to uncrate 214 lb.
JET JDP-17MF — best shop floor
If the rest of the shop is JET / Powermatic and you want the 16-1/2 in floor press dealers actually stock, this is JT9-354169. JET: 3/4 HP, 115/230V 1Ph prewired 115V, 16 speeds 200–3,630 RPM, 5/8 in chuck, 4-3/8 in travel, MT-2, 13-3/4 in round table, +45° tilt, work-light socket (bulb not included), 5-year warranty (JET). Amazon catalog B00004T9L0. Check current price and seller on Amazon. 4.4 stars, 35 ratings.
Who it’s for. A shop that will keep a floor press for a decade and will pay for the JET column, the 16-speed chart, and the 5-year paper.
Who it’s not for. Anyone who wants a lower-cost floor column — that is the 4227T. Anyone who only had bench space — 4214T. Anyone who wanted the 20 in JDP-20MF — real HD listing, different class.
Specs that matter. Model JDP-17MF. Stock JT9-354169 / 354169. Amazon B00004T9L0. Confirm that title, not B0000AXAYX. HP, RPM, and travel are JET’s. Published weights disagree (178 / 189 / 209 lb) — use the carton.
Caveats. Stretch vs the WEN floor. Bulb not in the carton. Mortising attachment sold separately.
Shop Fox W1668 — oscillating bench, drill + spindle sander
If the bench has to drill and sand contours and you will not buy a separate oscillating spindle sander, this is the Shop Fox. Shop Fox / Grizzly: 3/4 HP, 110V, 9 A, 13-1/4 in swing, 12 speeds 250–3,050 RPM, JT33 chuck to 5/8 in, 3/4 in oscillating stroke, 12-3/8 in round table, 2 in dust port, 1 / 1-1/2 / 2 in drums in the carton (Grizzly). Two-year warranty (Grizzly). Amazon catalog B0000DD1BE. Check current price and seller on Amazon. 4.4 stars, 214 ratings.
Who it’s for. A small shop that wants one column for holes and for sanding inside a curve.
Who it’s not for. Anyone who only needed holes — 4214T is cheaper. Anyone who needed a mortising attachment — Grizzly says this machine is not for that. Anyone who wanted a floor 17 in — 4227T or JET.
Specs that matter. Model W1668. Amazon B0000DD1BE. Confirm the title is still W1668. HP, RPM, and 3/4 in stroke are Shop Fox / Grizzly’s. Spindle-travel print disagrees (3-1/8 vs 3-1/4 in) — use the carton.
Caveats. Confirm Amazon.com vs marketplace. Not a floor press. Drums in the carton are a start, not a full sander aisle.
How to pick a drill press
This is not a cordless drill. A cordless drill is for holes you walk to. A press is for square, repeatable holes you bring to the table. Concrete anchors are a rotary hammer. Edges and rust on the same bench are a bench grinder.
Bench vs floor. Bench (4214T, SKIL, W1668) bolts to a stand or a workbench and leaves floor space. Floor (4227T, JET) gives more spindle-to-table height and more mass. Do not buy a floor machine if you cannot get 200 lb through the door.
Swing and chuck. Swing is 2× the distance from column to spindle — a 12 in press reaches 6 in to center. 1/2 in chuck (SKIL, WEN DP1050) is the first-press default. 5/8 in (4214T, 4227T, JET, Shop Fox) takes larger bits.
Variable vs belt speeds. Variable (4214T) is a lever while the motor runs. Five- and twelve- and sixteen-speed machines move a belt. Shop the job: one wood species all day can live on five speeds. Mixed wood and steel is why people pay for the lever.
Magnetic is a different aisle. DeWalt DWE1622K / DCD1624B and Milwaukee 4206-1 are electromagnetic presses for structural steel. They are not this page.
FAQ
Which drill press should I buy in 2026? The 4214T if you want one 12 in variable bench. The DP9505-00 if you want a 10 in first press. The 4227T if you want a floor column. The JDP-17MF if you want the JET floor. The W1668 if you also need an oscillating sander. Check current price and seller on Amazon for each.
Bench or floor? Bench if the stand is already there and the work is under a foot tall. Floor if you drill 4x4s, doors, or anything that needs 4 in of travel and a column that does not walk.
Is a drill press the same as a cordless drill? No. See best cordless drills for the handheld. This page is the shop machine.
Why no Milwaukee? Home Depot exclusive brand, and Milwaukee has no current US bench/floor woodworking press that we link. Their 4206-1 is a mag drill. We will not send you to a third-party Amazon listing.
Why no DeWalt bench press? Official dewalt.com drill presses are magnetic (DWE1622K, DCD1624B). The Amazon “DeWalt 10-inch” listing B0GT1G1BCK is not on dewalt.com. We are not linking it as a pick.
Do I need a rotary hammer instead? For concrete anchors and chip-out, yes — best rotary hammers. A drill press is for wood, plastic, and shop metal on a table.
Best Cordless Drills · Best Rotary Hammers · Best Bench Grinders
Prices and Amazon offers change. We don’t list live prices; check Amazon for the current price and seller. Manufacturer prices, amp, HP, RPM, swing, travel, weight, laser, and warranty claims are the manufacturers’ published ratings, not tests we ran. Milwaukee and Ridgid are Home Depot exclusives, so buy them at Home Depot. JET published weights disagree. Official DeWalt / Milwaukee shop bench-floor presses were not found; magnetic listings were left off this page.