Home Depot is launching a new set of Ryobi “titanium” step drill bits, featuring 3 sizes that can be used with cordless drills and impact drivers.
Ryobi says that “the titanium coating provides faster drilling while reducing heat for durability and extended life.”
The new Ryobi step drill bits have a double straight flute design, and markings for each step with alternating stripes for greater visibility.
Each has a 140° split point tip for less wandering when starting a hole.
The 3 bits feature 1/4″ hex shanks.
Sizes include:
- #6 – 3/16″ to 1/2″
- #12 – 3/16″ to 7/8″
- #13 – 1/8″ to 1/2″
Price: $25
ETA: May 2025
The new Ryobi step drill bits will be available exclusively at Home Depot.
Discussion
These seem to be value-grade TiN-coated impact-rated step drill bits.
Home Depot already carries step drill bits from Diablo and Milwaukee, and so these Ryobi bits seem to fill in the lower end of the pricing scale.
For those who are new to this type of drilling accessory, step drill bits are mainly used in sheet metal, thinner plates, and thin plastic materials. Each step scrapes the side walls of a hole to create incrementally larger diameters.
Step drills are a quick way to create holes of different sizes.
I think the closest competitor would be this Neiko 3pc spiral flute step drill bit set from Amazon for $18 at the time of this posting.
Other brands have straight flute stepped drill bits for a lot less. Amazon has a basic set for $7, from a brand I’m not familiar with.
I’d trust Ryobi way more than random brands on Amazon, but personally I stick to pro brands of step drill bits.
I bought a set of Milwaukee bits last year on sale at Home Depot, and it’s replaced my old Unibits for step drilling needs.
For years, lots of folks have said that cheap step drills are as good as more premium ones, but I generally prefer to spend more on quality accessories for the many times it does make a difference.
As an aside, I haven’t seen Irwin Unibits for a while, but then I remembered this: Irwin Unibit Step Drill Bits are Now Made in China?.
Back to the point (no pun intended). Ryobi has a new set of $25 impact-rated step drills at Home Depot, and they at least have some nice cosmetics that are typically found on pricier pro-level step drills.
