The Top 7 Best Router Bits Reviews You Do Not Want to Miss

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Ready to work on wood? Do you have some great ideas about new tables or cabinetry and all is missing is the right router bits?

We have got you covered.

With our article, we help you find the best router bits in terms of quality and cost!

Our intention is to help you understand better how router bits are used, offer their key features, underline the differences among profiles and help you make the right choice to suit your budget.

If you are a DIYer, you are probably asking:

What are the main differences among router bits? How do I tell which type to get for my project? How can I choose the right product without breaking the bank?

We answer all your questions.

We can’t tell you where to buy router bits and we don’t know which projects you have in mind, but we give you an overview of the best router bits available on the market.

And, we make clarifications in terms of their usage, and provide you with a 8-product router bit set and 10 router bits review.

More...

Why Use Router Bits?
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The router is as good as its bits.

What use will a router have without the bits?

Without them, the router is just a powerful motor and nothing more. It’s the router bits, which make the difference.

Router bits for sale range as much as your projects.

It’s no wonder why there are kits which might include tens of different pieces. What manufacturers try to do is create the perfect kits for any do-it-yourselfer or professional woodworker.

If you are a new woodworking hobbyist, you might not be aware that each router bit is designed for a different project.

There are metal, wood and plastic router bits depending on the material you want to work on and with the former being the most popular choice.

Still, there are differences among products based on whether you want to work on soft or hardwood, laminate, wood veneers etc.

But whether you buy Freud, MLCS or Amana router bits, you must make sure your kit has what you need for your woodwork tasks.

Which tasks these would be?

  • Shape edges for decorative purposes.
  • Trim wood veneers and laminates.
  • Form square grooves.
  • Make straight cuts.
  • Cut grooves and dadoes.
  • Create concaves.
  • Form rabbet joints.
  • Form angles
Top 3 Recommendations

The Best Router Bit Sets on Market – Top 8 Choices

MLCS 8377 15-Piece Router Bit Set with Carbide-Tipped 1/2-Inch Shanks

That’s a great deal router bit set. You get 15 profiles made of carbide-tipped and still pay a very reasonable price. It would have cost much more to buy each router bit separately.

It’s an excellent kit for beginners who want to have a plethora of ½-inch shank bits to get started.

It includes: 4 straight bits, 1 round-over bit, 1 cove bit, 1 roman ogee bit, 1 45-degree chamfer bit, 1 flush-trim bit, 1 rabbeting bit, 1 dovetail bit, 1 V-groove bit, 1 hinge mortising bit, 1 panel pilot bit, 1 round nose bit, 1 Allen wrench and 1 bearing that will help you convert the round bit into a beading bit.

You get to keep your tools organized since it comes in a great wood storage box.

Pros
  • Excellent performance
  • Worth the money
  • Coated for protection against rust
  • They come with a diagram
Cons
  • ¼-inch bits are not of the greatest quality
  • Not particularly good for hardwood projects

Hiltex 10100 Tungsten Carbide Router Bit Set, 15 Piece

This is a super-great offer! Its price is more than reasonable and you get 15 pieces.

The only downside of the product is that the router bit shank size is ¼ ‘’. And so we can’t say that this product ideal is for all projects. It’s best to invest in it if you are interested in creating thin profiles.

But since it comes in a very good price, it’s worth having it in your workshop for some special tasks. It’s also positive that the router bit material is carbide.

What it includes: A flush-trim bit, a round bit, a 45-degree chamfer bit, a cove bit, and a roman ogee bit. These come with a ball bearing.

There are also 4 straight bits without ball bearings, 2 cove box bits, a 90-degree V-Groove bit, a panel pilot bit, a mortising bit, and a dovetail bit.

Pros
  • Great value for money
  • Good variety
Cons
  • Not very sharp cutting
  • Poor quality metal

Stalwart Multi-Purpose 24-Piece Router Bit Set

One of the best features of this product is that the shanks of the router bits fit all routers.

Another great feature is that the router bits are made of carbide. If you combine these two elements, the product is offered in a very reasonable price.

If you also consider that there are 24 pieces included in the router bit set, you might actually consider it a great deal.

It will cost you a lot more to buy the bits separately and this set is exactly what you need for many woodwork projects.

If you are a beginner, it’s a great value for money.

What you get is: a bevel bit, a dovetail bit, a 90-degree V-groove bit, two round nose bits, trimming and panel pilot bits, straight bits, a flush trim bit, radius round over bits, cove bits, a roman ogee bit, a 45-degree chamfer bit, a slot cutter bit, a mortising bit and a rebating bit.

Pros
  • Good value for money
  • Great purchase for beginners
Cons
  • Poor quality bearings
  • The bits are not sharp enough
  • Bits require more sanding

KOWOOD 15-Piece Router Bit Set - The Best For Beginners

If you’re always working on multiple projects at a time and you need more than the standard equipment, the KOWOOD 15-Piece Router Bit Set will be perfect for you.

This set contains 15 router bits that are generally used for creating tongue and groove joints, but there are some bits that you won’t normally get in a standard router bit set. Some of them include the Roman Ogee bit, cove box bit, and mortising bit.

In terms of design, these bits have ¼-inch shanks, and they’re all made from hardened stainless steel, including the steel board.

Aside from the solid build, these bits also have an anti-kickback design, which is always a plus since you’ll be able to install them without worrying about injuring yourself.

They come in a specially carved wooden box with designated spots for each bit, so you’ll be able to organize them and never lose a single piece when you carry them out in the field.

The most important thing about these bits is that, due to their innate resilience, you can use them with different materials and always get the same result. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about metal, wood, or synthetic boards - it’ll do the job.

They are the sharpest bits, but that means they’ll last longer than normal bits, so it’s an even trade.

Pros
  • 15 pieces in the set
  • Stainless steel build
  • Anti-kickback design
  • Work with various materials
Cons
  • Sharpness

Wolfride 4PCS Flush Trim Router Bit Set - The Best For The Money

Even though you won’t get many different router bits if you purchase this set, you’ll get four pieces that are perfect for flush trimming wood. So, if that’s your thing, take a look at the Wolfride Flush Trim Router Bit Set review.

A flush trim implies creating a hole or a joint with a perfectly flat and smooth surface by using a template.

It is a different type of woodworking process that requires specific tools and bits, such as these ones.

They’re industrial-grade carbide bits that come in the following sizes - 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and ½ inches. The shanks measure the standard ¼ of an inch, and in order to correctly clamp these bits, you’ll have to insert ¾ of an inch.

They’re versatile and can be used with many different types of stocks, including MDF and plywood, but you’ll have to set the speed of the router based on the hardness of the material.

Either way, they’re durable enough to withstand the pressure and don’t leave as much burnt material as some other flush trim bits.

The main flaw is that you have to make pauses when you use them since they get hot quite fast. This way, you’ll avoid injuring yourself and keeping your material safe.

Pros
  • Four different sizes
  • Versatile use
  • Smooth finishes
  • Good durability
Cons
  • Often pauses during the project are required

ZokMok 1/4'' Shank Flush Trim Router Bit Set - The Budget Pick

Up next is another set of flush trim bits, and this is, by far, the most affordable set you can find for this type of quality.

So, without further ado, here’s the ZokMok Router Bit Set.

Similar to the previous product, this set also contains four different flush trim bits, measuring 13/16, 1-1/16, 1-3/16, and 1-7/32 inches.

They are incredibly easy to use if you know what you’re doing, but you’ll master that in no time.

Essentially, you’ll need a template wood, and you’ll trace the desired shape with a pen that’ll later be cut out with one of these fantastic bits.

They’re made from micro-grain tungsten carbide, which is an alloy often used for router bits due to its extreme resilience and durability.

Also, the bodies of the bits are made from a steel alloy that doesn’t rust, so you don’t have to worry about moisture, but you should still clean them regularly.

You can use them with various types of wood, including particle boards, MDF, and plywood.

The great thing about these bits is that they prevent tear-out, meaning less work for you in the long run.

They do the job in a very efficient manner, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t buy them.

They do, however, suffer from the same fate as the previous set, but it’s what you get for such a low cost for four strong router bits.

Pros
  • C3 tungsten carbide bits
  • Resilience
  • Easy to use
  • Affordable
Cons
  • It can’t be used for long durations

TOOLDO Router Bits 12 Pcs Set - Shear Angle Technology

If you want to make woodworking more than a hobby and you’re not sure how and where to start, this router bit set will be perfect for you. Here’s the TOOLDO 12-Piece Router Bits review.

The great thing about this set that’ll surely attract all beginners is that all shanks measure ½-inch, meaning you can install these bits on any type of router machine.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a handheld or a table router - if it supports the classic ½-inch shanks, you can use these bits.

Thanks to the shear angle technology, the degree of the angle at which you’re cutting inclines at peak force, thus allowing you to have better accuracy and work at faster speeds than normal.

Also, this type of technology helps to protect the bits from fast dulling, thus extending their life.

You’ll receive 13 bits in this package, and their application is quite versatile, to say the least. They’ll enable you to make different types of joints and do different woodworking activities, such as veining, trimming, grooving, and so much more.

They aren’t the most durable bits, but that’s why they’re great for beginners. You’ll be able to experiment and perform so many things without worrying about breaking them. 

Also, they serve great as a replacement set for your main router bit set, so that’s a plus.

Pros
  • Great for beginners
  • Fit most routers
  • Shear angle technology
  • 13 different bits
Cons
  • Durability

MEIGGTOOL 15-Piece Router Bit Set - The Best Durable Set

Finally, we have one more router bit set to share with you, and then we’re off to the buyer’s guide. So, without further ado, here’s the MEIGGTOOL 15-Piece Router Bit Set.

Upon firstly inspecting this bit set, you won’t find anything out of the ordinary - it is a standard set of 15 pieces with all the classic bits for woodworking processes such as grooving, trimming, veining, and edging.

They all have ¼-inch shanks, so they’ll fit most routers you can find on the market.

What’s special about this set is the sheer durability of these bits.

They’re made from a high-quality steel alloy that not only improves their strength and sharpness but also gives them a much higher lifespan than you’d normally see with router bits.

They come in a specially designed box with sockets for each bit that’ll help a ton during transport and fieldwork.

Furthermore, their carbon steel builds significantly decrease their weight, but not their overall strength. So, the only reason they’re so low on this list is their price, which should be a lot lower than this.

However, these sets are generally affordable, so it shouldn’t pose a problem to purchase them simply due to their sheer quality.

Pros
  • ¼-inch shanks
  • 15 versatile bits
  • Carbon steel build
  • Easy to use and transport
Cons
  • Price

Features to Focus on When Buying Router Bits

1. Router Bit Materials

There are three main router bit materials.

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  • High speed steel (HSS) router bits are popular basically due to their low price but they are a good option only for light plastics and soft wood boards.
  • Carbide tipped router bits cost more but remain durable for longer. They are the best router bits choice when you want to work on hard materials.
  • Solid carbide router bits are even more expensive but they are the best for heavy duty projects (like trimming laminates) which require sharp edges and durability.

2. Quality Router Bits

best router bits to buy

When you are choosing router bits, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of the materials.

HSS router bits are cheap but they won’t last for long if you try to shape hardwood.

There is also a risk of burning the wood because this material becomes dull fast and stops cutting wood nicely.

The best quality router bits are made of carbide. Carbide router bits are more reliable and can last for a much longer time which compensates for their higher cost.

The quality of the material will make a difference to the end product. Of course, if you only use your router twice a year, an inexpensive HSS router bit will do.


3. Router Bit Shank Diameter

best router bits for beginners

The shank is the little shaft of the router bit which goes into the router’s collet and is fastened to make sure the bit is in place. The shank of router bits have either a ½-inch or ¼-inch diameter.

Since the shank must fit in your router’s collet, you must make sure your router comes with collets to fit both shank sizes.

What’s also nice is that there are router bit types in both shank sizes. So the question DIYers will most likely have is which shank size to use.

Let’s take a closer look at both shank sizes.

  • ½-inch router bit shanks are considered the best. Since they are much thicker than the ¼-inch ones, they are more stable, make a better cut, prevent wood burning, are better fastened to the router’s collet, have enough room to use a guide-bearing and reduce vibrations. But they are more expensive.
  • ¼-inch router bit shanks cost much less, are found easier, and are more practical for thin profiles. As a matter of fact, some routers have a collet which only fits ¼-inch router bit shanks.

4. Router Bit Manufacturer

The question haunting every woodworker-to-be is which is the best router bit brand!

The truth is that there are some good manufacturers out there making router bits for all requirements and expectations.

So you should start by asking yourself what you need the router bits for!

There are cheap router bits and there are expensive ones. They differ in terms of shank diameter and profile and give you different results based on their quality.

Manufacturers include:

the best router bit set
  • CMT
  • Amana
  • Freud
  • Lee Valley
  • Whiteside
  • Eagle America
  • Pro-series
  • MLCS
  • Hiltex
  • Rockler
  • Infinity
  • Woodcraft
  • Woodtek
  • Woodline
  • Holbren

These are all reputed brands. But if you choose the wrong router bit profiles for your project, you might get disappointed.

If you take the word of the hardware store clerk, you can never be sure if he has some experience or just tries to sell.

PRO TIPS

  • Make sure there is a warranty for the product, especially if you buy an expensive one.
  • Avoid buying cheap router bits.
  • Check thoroughly the product before you buy router bits–if they are coated for example, make sure there are no drips.
  • If you cannot afford an expensive product or want to settle for a cheap router bit set, you must still make sure it comes with a warranty. This will ensure you that the manufacturer stands behind its product.

Top 10 Router Bits Types Every DIYer Should Own

The profile of the router bits defines the cutting edge. In other words, you get different results from each router bit type.

The truth is that if you want to use this versatile tool for several projects, you need all bit types.

These are the most common ones every do-it-yourselfer ought to own

Straight-Cutting Bits

The name of straight bits says it all.

These bits are designed to cut straight the board in order to create a mortise, dadoes or square grooves. Straight bits are required tools in any wood shop since they can help in a variety of projects.

For the convenience of the wood worker, they come in several sizes ranging from ¼ to ¾-inch diameters. They are inexpensive and easily found, but they might heat up burning the wood board and causing damage to their sharp edge.

To avoid such problems don’t leave it to stagnate in one specific spot and use it at moderate speeds.


Rounding-Over Bits

They help you make the edge of a board round at a particular radius. The round-over bit comes with a ball-bearing pilot which lets you control the cut’s width.

In order to cut the board in the right depth, you must adjust the router base.

Since the radius of the cut is essential, you should choose these bits accordingly. Get 3/8 or ¼ inch size round bits.


Roman Ogee Bits

They allow you to create S-shaped edges and are the most popular ones in the edge-shaping bit family.

They enable you to shape picture frames, rails or table tops. There is a ball-bearing pilot at the end of the bit which helps you control the width of the cut.

These bits are also available in several sizes depending on the radius of the cut you need to make.

You can choose ¼-inch roman ogee bits but they are also available in 3/8 and 5/32 inch sizes.


Cove Bits

They are the exact opposite of round-bits.

Whereas the round-bits make round edges, cove bits create concaves at a certain radius.

You can find them in 1/16 and 1 inch radiuses. If you are DIYer, ¼ and 3/8 inch cover bits will be great.


Rabbeting Bits

In order to join two pieces of wood to build drawers for example, you need to make an L-shape on the board. This is what we call a rabbet.

And you will need rabbeting bits in order to form the board.

These bits usually come with a ball-bearing pilot and in different diameters so that you can make rabbets of various depths and widths.

The most popular rabbeting bits are those which cut 3/8-inch wide and ½-inch deep.


Flush-Trim Bits

You can use these bits to trim wood veneer flush with the substrate or the edge of another material. They can also be used for plastic laminate trimming.

These bits will also help you create identical boards and then fit them together.

There are several flush-trim router bit options on the market and they include a ball-bearing pilot to build counters, cabinets and their door, and table tops.

Although there are flush-trim bits of several sizes, it seems that the ½-inch diameter ones are the most popular.


45-Degree Chamfer Bits

These bits are the perfect router accessories when you want to create decorative bevels or form bevelled edges to join multiple boards together.

With the chamfer bits, you cut the edge of the board at any angle required or create V-shaped grooves.

So make sure to choose the right size chamfer bits of different angles. For example, you could go for a 45-degree angle chamfer bit with 1-1/4-inch diameter.


Core Box Bits

These bits are used to cut round-bottomed grooves. They don’t use a pilot.

You can rout decorative grooves or flutes in columns.

The diameter of the bit is important and ranges from 1/8 to 1 ½-inches. 3/8 and 1/4 –inch core box bits are fine for DIYers.


V-Groove Bits

As their name implies, these bits are used to create V-shaped grooves. They can be used to make grooves in wall panels, cabinet doors or table legs.

You can also use it to make signs and engrave the letters or numbers. V-groove bits are non-piloted.

The most popular size is 90-degree angle and ½-inch diameter.


Slot-Cutting Bits

These are specialized bits, which are used to make narrow grooves and slots into wood – like picture frames, cabinet frames or drawers. You can use it to cut grooves for spline joints.

There are two wings with cutting teeth, the thickness of which differs in accordance to the width of the slot you want to cut. There are 1/16 to ¼-inch thick teeth available on the market.

The depth of the slot is determined by the distance from the cutting teeth to the pilot. ¼-inch wide and ½-inch deep slot-cutting bits are the most popular ones.

Importance of Reviews - Something to Keep in Mind

  • DIYers might make mistakes. We try to prevent that. In order to buy the best router bits for the money you can spare, you must know a lot about the products available. The fact that there are tens of router bits on the market doesn’t make your job any easier. That’s why we are here. We collected the information you need in order to make the right choice. Whether you want to work on many projects or use the router bits for a few tasks, you spend some money. And we want you to spend it wisely.
  • Our philosophy is that no matter if you plan to spend more or less, you deserve to get the best router bits for the price you pay. And that’s the purpose of our article. If you are an average consumer like me, you want to have the facts before you buy new products. When it comes to router bits, that’s extremely important because poor quality bits or the wrong profiles will simply ruin your efforts.
  • To help you avoid the worse and get the best router bit set, we posted useful information and branded router bit reviews to make things easy for you. So, pay attention to the bit material, the length of its shank and its strength. The truth is that most router bit sets include a large number of bits at very reasonable prices. Bits sold separately cost more. So it’s wise to spend more on a valuable set today rather than to purchase separate bits later. That’s our advice!

FAQs

What are the various types of router bits?

The two main types of router bits are carbide-tipped router bits and hardened steel ones.

This division is based on the build, but you’ll find many different ones, such as straight-cutting and spiral-cutting bits or ½-inch and ¼-inch bits.


Does any router bit fit any router?

No, it always depends on the shank size and the model of the router you’re using.

In general, the most common bit size has a ½-inch shank, and they usually fit most routers you can find.


What brand of router bits is best?

It mostly depends on the line of work you plan on doing with the router.

If we’re talking about making standard groove joints, you’ll find that Yonico offers some great bits.

Also, you can try manufacturers such as Freud or KOWOOD.


What is the best surfacing router bit?

There are many quality surface bits, but we’d separate the KOWOOD ½-inch router bit.


What are the best router bits for a beginner?

The best ones usually imply that they’re not too complicated to use and that they fit most routers, and that has to be the KOWOOD 15-Piece Router Bit Set.

Conclusion

You can easily find the best place to buy router bits. After all, they are sold in every hardware store and definitely online.

The question most DIYers have is which router bits to buy?

How to distinguish poor and good quality! Which profiles to use for what projects!

The ultimate goal is to find the best possible Whiteside or Freud router bits for your money but in order to do that you must also know which router bit types you will need for your projects.

Want to make V-grooves? Intend to create decorative angles? With our article, we helped you understand which profile is right for each project.

Traditionally, router bits were made of HSS. Now most of them are made of carbide, which is harder and not easily affected by heat.

Such information comes handy if you want to keep safe and love your work at the end of the day.

So keep our article handy and use the information provided before you buy router bits online or in a hardware store.

It’s good to know what you need and which quality to trust to make the best of your efforts.