Photo: Milwaukee
Hole saws are ideal for woodworking, plumbing, electrical, or masonry work and they offer aggressive tough material penetration due to their high heat and wear resistance properties.
Additionally, they remove the material smoothly because they have an aggressive kerf clearance. This produces very smooth edges on the drilled hole. A kit gives you multiple hole saws, arbors, drill bits, and other components required for the job.
That said, these kits are available in different piece numbers, sizes, and materials. For this reason, we have detailed all this info the review below to help you pick the best hole saw kit that fits your project requirements.
In this post:
- 10 Best Hole Saw Kits – Review
- 1. Milwaukee 49-22-4185 – Best Overall Hole Saw Kit
- 2. EDMBG 23097-CHIS801 – Best Budget Hole Saw Kit
- 3. Bosch HB25M – Best Universal Hole Saw Kit
- 4. Gorchen 521 – Best Replaceable Hole Saw Kit
- 5. Black & Decker 71-120 – Best Hole Saw Kit for Wood
- 6. DrillPro 13-Pc Set – Durable Hole Saw Kit
- 7. Greenlee 660 – Easy-to-Use Hole Saw Kit
- 8. Milwaukee 49-22-4025 – Ice-Hardened Hole Saw Kit
- 9. DeWalt D180005 – Deep Cut Style Hole Saw Kit
- 10. DeWalt D180002 – Hole Saw Kit with Toughened Backing Plates
- How to Buy the Best Hole Saw Kit
- How to Use a Hole Saw
- Conclusion
10 Best Hole Saw Kits – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Milwaukee 49-22-4185 (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. EDMBG 23097-CHIS801 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Bosch HB25M (Best Universal) |
| |
 | 4. Gorchen 521 (Best Replaceable) |
| |
 | 5. Black & Decker 71-120 (Best For Wood) |
| |
 | 6. DrillPro 13-Pc Set (Durable Kit) |
| |
 | 7. Greenlee 660 (Easy-to-Use) |
| |
 | 8. Milwaukee 49-22-4025 (Ice-Hardened) |
| |
 | 9. DeWalt D180005 (Deep Cut Style) |
| |
 | 10. DeWalt D180002 (With Toughened Backing Plates) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Milwaukee 49-22-4185 (Best Overall)
|
2. EDMBG 23097-CHIS801 (Best Budget)
|
3. Bosch HB25M (Best Universal)
|
4. Gorchen 521 (Best Replaceable)
|
5. Black & Decker 71-120 (Best For Wood)
|
6. DrillPro 13-Pc Set (Durable Kit)
|
7. Greenlee 660 (Easy-to-Use)
|
8. Milwaukee 49-22-4025 (Ice-Hardened)
|
9. DeWalt D180005 (Deep Cut Style)
|
10. DeWalt D180002 (With Toughened Backing Plates)
|
1. Milwaukee 49-22-4185 – Best Overall Hole Saw Kit
Photo: Milwaukee
- Number of Pieces: 28
- Materials: Bi-Metal (Cobalt)
Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185 takes the best overall spot because it is a comprehensive set that contains 28 pieces. These include 22 hole saws that vary in size from 3/4 – 4-3/4 in., 3 arbors, and 3 drill bits.
The hole saws are built using a durable bi-metal (with 8% cobalt) and are ice-hardened via a proprietary cryogenic hardening process. This process is more effective than heat treatment and unlike surface coatings, it hardens the material to the core.
Essentially, it minimizes austenite (soft metal) and creates more martensite (hard metal). This increases the saw’s lifespan by up to 50%.
Aside from that, the saws have precision-ground tooth geometry that gives faster-cutting performance while their deeper gullets extract chips faster. They also have a positive rake angle that cuts more aggressively.
Other features include a radiused back face that minimizes stress on the teeth and a functional slot geometry that easily fits a screwdriver for easy plug removal after drilling through wood. On the downside, this kit is very expensive.
Pros:
- Comprehensive 28-piece set
- Durable bi-metal construction
- Ice hardened for extra toughness
- Precision-ground tooth geometry for faster cutting
- Positive rake angle for aggressive cutting
Cons:
- Expensive
2. EDMBG 23097-CHIS801 – Best Budget Hole Saw Kit
Photo: EDMBG
- Number of Pieces: 16
- Materials: Carbon Steel
If you are looking for an affordable, high-quality hole saw kit, EDMBG’s 23097-CHIS801 is the best option. The kit contains 16 pieces and this includes 12 saw blades (3/4 – 5 in.), 2 mandrels/arbors, a hex key, an installation plate, and a carrying case that has slots for all these.
These two mandrels have 3/8-in and 1/4-in shank adaptors respectively, which allows you to use the hole saws with either 3/8-in or 1/4-in drills.
All pieces are made using carbon steel for high-performance cutting but this has its limitations. It can only be used to drill through wood.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Includes a carrying case
- Two differently-sized mandrels for hooking up to different drills
- Installation plate for easy saw-to-mandrel joining
Cons:
- Only for wood drilling
3. Bosch HB25M – Best Universal Hole Saw Kit
Photo: Bosch
- Number of Pieces: 25
- Materials: Bi-Metal (Cobalt)
The hole saws in Bosch’s HB25M kit are compatible with standard or quick-change arbors, which gives them a universal, convenient, and versatile design. That said, the kit contains 11 hole saws that range in size from 3/4 in. to 3 in.
You also get 7 large adapters for fitting large 1-1/4 – 6-in saws to the arbor washer-free, 4 small adapters plus their washers for fixing smaller 9/16-1-3/16-in saws to the arbor, 2 pilot bits and a quick-change 3/8-in mandrel that is very easy to use.
The hole saws are made using bi-metal with 8% cobalt, which gives higher heat resistance, and they have reinforced shoulders for enhanced strength. They also have alternating teeth sizes for better cutting performance on wood, metal, or plastic materials.
More features include a positive locking mechanism that minimizes wobbling and a threadless design that prevents tight locking with the mandrel. However, the kit gives you relatively few hole saws.
Pros:
- Universal standard or quick-change arbors compatibility
- Tough and durable bi-metal construction
- Alternating teeth sizes for improved cutting performance
- Positive locking for minimal wobbling
- Threadless anti-locking design
Cons:
- Relatively few hole saws
4. Gorchen 521 – Best Replaceable Hole Saw Kit
Photo: Gorchen
- Number of Pieces: 5
- Materials: High-Speed Steel, Titanium
Gorchen’s 521 has an easily replaceable design in which the hole saw or center bit can be dismantled then replaced if dull or snapped respectively. To help with this, 5 Allen wrenches are included in the set, one for each hole saw.
That said, there are 5 hole saws in the set, and these range in size from 5/8 in. to 1-3/16 in. These are made using high-speed steel with a titanium coating for durable sharpness. This material makes the pieces ideal for drilling through plastic, wood, and soft steel.
Other than these, you also get 2 back up center bits and a plastic case for organized storage and easy transportation. The kit is quite affordable but the hole saws have shallow cups that are not ideal for continuous deep drilling.
Pros:
- Easily replaceable saws and center bits
- Includes 5 Allen wrenches
- Titanium coated for durable sharpness
- Affordable
Cons:
- Shallow cups
5. Black & Decker 71-120 – Best Hole Saw Kit for Wood
Photo: Black & Decker
- Number of Pieces: 5
- Materials: High-Speed Steel
For wood hole cutting, Black & Decker’s 71-120 offers the best cutting performance because the pieces have a unique tooth design that gives a more aggressive cut and holds more chips. Additionally, the saws are made using high-speed steel, which delivers fast and clean cuts.
Of the 5 pieces, 4 are hole saws, and these are 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, and 2-1/8 in. in diameter. These are the most commonly used sizes in woodworking projects and therefore, the kit comes in handy when installing doors or drilling through dimensional lumber.
The fifth piece is a mandrel and this fits all the included hole saws. However, the pieces are very few and kit lacks a case for organized storage and easy carrying. On the bright side, it is quite affordable.
Pros:
- Unique tooth design for aggressive cutting
- Delivers fast and clean cuts
- Includes the most common hole saw sizes
- Affordable
Cons:
- No carrying case
- Few pieces
6. DrillPro 13-Pc Set – Durable Hole Saw Kit
Photo: DrillPro
- Number of Pieces: 13
- Materials: High-Speed Steel, Carbide
With 13 hole saws in the kit, DrillPro’s Set is made using high-speed steel, which is a very strong material that has impact and wear-resistant properties.
On top of this, the kit’s teeth are carbide-tipped and this ensures durable sharpness, with the ability to cut clean holes through stainless steel, iron, aluminum, mild steel, copper, brass, and many others.
That aside, the hole saws are quite versatile because they can be used on mobile belt magnetic drills, vertical electric drills, and hand-held electric drills.
Each of them comes with its arbor and drill bit, which results in easy use because you don’t have to keep changing them between the same arbor. The only problem is that a carrying case is not included for organized storage and easy transportation.
Pros:
- Impact and wear-resistant HSS construction
- Durably sharp carbide-tipped teeth
- Versatile usage
- Each saw has its arbor and drill bit
Cons:
- Carrying case not included
7. Greenlee 660 – Easy-to-Use Hole Saw Kit
Photo: Greenlee
- Number of Pieces: 7
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Carbide
With its quick-change arbor, this hole saw kit is very easy to use because you only need to push a button to release then install another hole saw. This arbor can be used with all cutter sizes, in which 5 are included in the set.
These measure 7/8, 1-1/8, 1-3/8, 1-3/4, and 2 in. respectively and are made using stainless steel with tungsten carbide tips for high performance and durable sharpness.
On the other hand, the pilot drill is made using cobalt-steel and it has a split point tip that prevents walking. This component is replaceable when worn out for easy serviceability.
Other features include an ejector spring for quick slug/plug removal, a hex key, and a case for easy transportation and organized storage. On the downside, the kit is quite costly.
Pros:
- Quick-change arbor
- Durable tungsten-carbide tips
- Split point tip on the pilot drill to prevent walking
- Ejector spring for quick plug removal
- Includes a carrying case
Cons:
- Quite expensive
8. Milwaukee 49-22-4025 – Ice-Hardened Hole Saw Kit
Photo: Milwaukee
- Number of Pieces: 13
- Materials: Bi-Metal (Cobalt)
Milwaukee’s 49-22-4025 is ice-hardened using a cryogenic treatment process, which runs deep to the core and reduces soft metal while creating more hard metal.
Combined with a wear-resistant bi-metal construction with 8% cobalt, this extends the lifespan by up to 50% for long-lasting use.
Each of the 9 hole saws features rip guard teeth, which basically means they have more steel behind the cutting edge. This gives better support and enhances durability. Additionally, these teeth have an optimized form that cuts up to 2X faster as compared to other saws.
Other features include a quick-release arbor, angled wide-offset slots for easy plug access and removal, a 1/8-in hex key for use with the hex shank arbor, and a storage case with a handle for easy carrying. However, with 9 saws, these are relatively few per kit.
Pros:
- Ice hardened via a cryogenic treatment
- Wear-resistant bi-metal construction
- Rip guard for better teeth support
- Quick-release arbor
- Comes with a storage case
Cons:
- Quite a few hole saws
9. DeWalt D180005 – Deep Cut Style Hole Saw Kit
Photo: DeWalt
- Number of Pieces: 14
- Materials: High-Speed Steel
With deep cups, DeWalt’s D180005 is designed to cut deep holes, which is more efficient and versatile when it comes to door lock installations as well as most electrical and plumbing work.
To support this, the hole saws have deep gullets extract chips faster while also giving you a glimpse of what is happening inside.
The kit has 11 hole saws that are built using tough high-speed steel. These pieces have hardened backing plates that prevent thread stripping and warping, and they have a double tooth design for aggressive cutting.
More features include small and large quick-change mandrels, two pilot-point centering bits as replacement parts, and a carrying case with marked hole-saw spots by size for organized storage.
On the downside, the kit is not suitable for cutting through thick metal. It can only be used on thin sheets and other softer materials like wood and plastic.
Pros:
- Deep cups for deep hole cutting
- Deep gullets for quick chip removal
- Hardened backing plates
- Aggressive double-tooth design
- Includes a carrying case
Cons:
- Cannot be used to cut thick metal
10. DeWalt D180002 – Hole Saw Kit with Toughened Backing Plates
Photo: DeWalt
- Number of Pieces: 9
- Materials: Bi-Metal (M3 Steel)
Rounding up the list is DeWalt’s D180002 and this one has 6 hole saws that have broad, toughened backing plates, which prevent marring around the holes. These plates also support the deep cups to prevent warping when digging through tough materials.
On top of that, they are made using bi-metal from M3 steel, which makes them durable enough to withstand work site abuse.
Apart from the saws, you get small and large quick-change mandrels and a carrying case for easy transportation. You also get large slots on the sides for easy plug removal using a screwdriver and an improved pilot bit that is more durable when drilling through metal.
However, even though the 6 saws range in size from 7/8 to 2-1/2 in., these are few pieces.
Pros:
- Broad, toughened backing plates for support
- Tough bi-metal (M3 steel) construction
- Includes 2 quick-change mandrels
- Large slots for easy plug removal
Cons:
- Few pieces
How to Buy the Best Hole Saw Kit
Photo: DrillPro
1. Size
Hole saws are measured in inches by their diameter size. A kit usually has more than one saw and you should check these sizes to match them with your project requirements.
Ultimately, the kit that has more pieces is better because it gives you more sizes to work with. That said, with its 22 hole saws, Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185 is the best fit for most projects.
2. Number of Pieces
Following up on the point above, there is the number of hole saws and there is the number of pieces per kit. Some units have a large set but with fewer hole saws and these usually add on important pieces such as installation plates and Allen wrenches.
More pieces are better but this usually comes at a high price. Therefore, you should look for the specific tools you need for your project and then buy the kit.
3. Materials
The material used to make the hole saw determines its application area. For instance, High-Speed Steel (HSS) is recommended for cutting through wood, fiberglass, PVC, and other softer materials.
Bi-metal saws with cobalt are very good at heat dissipation and this makes them ideal for cutting harder materials like steel and aluminum.
Carbide-tipped saws maintain their sharpness for a long time and are ideal for cutting through tiles, bricks, and stones. This should guide you to pick the best one for your project.
4. Cutting Efficiency
Cutting efficiency can be looked at in different aspects. Tooth geometry/design, for instance, should be aggressive, cups and gullets should be deep for faster extraction, and the rake angle should be positive for aggressive cutting.
Such features are highly recommended and can be found in Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185.
5. Durability
Certain features make a hole saw kit highly durable. For instance, ice-hardening using the cryogenic treatment process makes the hole saw very durable because it hardens the metal material to the core. This can be found in Milwaukee’s 49-22-4025.
On the other hand, toughened backing plates support the cups to prevent warping and this is especially important if they are deep cups.
6. Replaceability
Replaceability determines the serviceability and consequently, the lifespan of the hole saw kit. With that in mind, the kit should have easily replaceable saws when they become dull, as well as easily replaceable center bits in case they break.
This modular design allows you to use the kit for longer before all the components wear out. For this, be sure to check out the Gorchen 521.
How to Use a Hole Saw
Photo: Bosch
A hole saw must be attached to a mandrel/arbor before mounting it to a drill driver. Therefore, to use it, you must first carry out this step.
- Begin by selecting the right hole saw size from your kit then insert the mandrel’s bit through its center hole.
- Fit in the mounting plate then screw it tightly to the mandrel. If it has a quick-change system, press the button to install it. You should check the mounting instructions on the user manual for proper guidance.
- Once set up, start drilling at a slow speed and hold it tight as you guide the pilot bit into the material. Maintain this speed until the hole saw touches the surface and marks out the circle.
- After you’ve confirmed it is drilling at the right spot, run the driver at a higher speed so that you get a clean cut.
- If the material is too thick, remove the hole saw after digging in a few inches to clear out chippings and cool it off a bit. You can also drill from both sides as you head towards the middle.
Conclusion
All in all, the primary determining factors in selecting the best hole saw kit are the number of pieces, material, and cutting efficiency.
Considering these, Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185 takes the overall best spot because it is a comprehensive 28-piece set with durable and high-performance hole saws.
For woodworking, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to acquire an expensive kit. Black & Decker’s 71-120 is quite affordable and it has a unique tooth design for aggressive cutting.
If you are very tight on cash though, we highly recommend EDMBG’s 23097-CHIS801 because it is very affordable. However, this can only be used to cut through wood.