End Mill vs Drill Bit for CNC: Which One Should You Buy?
End mill vs drill bit for CNC: what each cuts, sizes and shanks, coatings and points, with two end mills and two drill sets compared.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
SPEED TIGER ISE Carbide End Mill 1/8”9.8/10View on Amazon - 2
Genmitsu 50pcs Tungsten Carbide End Mill Router Bits9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
8Pcs End Mill Bits HSS CNC End Mill Cutter Drill Bits9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
40pcs End Mills CNC Router BitsView on Amazon - 5
End Mill Set 5/8" Cutting Dia 5/8" Shank 4 Flute HSS End MillView on Amazon - 6
2PCS End Mill Set 1/2" Cutting Dia 1/2" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndView on Amazon - 7
3PCS End Mill Set 3/8" Cutting Dia 3/8" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndView on Amazon - 8
5PCS End Mill Set 1/4" Cutting Dia 1/4" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndView on Amazon - 9
5PCS End Mill Set 1/8" Cutting Dia 1/4" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndView on Amazon
Verdict. Buy the end mill when the job moves sideways: slots, pockets, inlays and profiles. Buy the drill bit set when the job goes straight down: holes, vias and mounting points. Of these four, the SpeTool downcut is the most specified end mill and the Sunxeke set is the most complete drill set.
End mill vs drill bit for CNC is the first tooling question a new CNC owner asks, and the answer is that they do different work. An end mill cuts sideways as well as down, so it mills pockets, slots and profiles. A drill bit cuts straight down, so it makes clean holes. Most CNC toolboxes need both, but buy the one your next job actually needs.
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Machines on the list
SpeTool 1/16 Inch Down Cut CNC Router Bits 1/4
A SpeTool 1/16 inch downcut end mill with a 1/4 inch shank, 1/2 inch cutting length and a coating stated at 2.5 times uncoated life, for wood.
Pros
- Downcut spiral for clean top edges
- Coating stated at 2.5x uncoated life
- 1/4 in shank for standard collets
- Plastic storage box included
Cons
- One bit, not a set
- Wood only in the compatibility list
- No 118 degree angle, it is not a drill
- No warranty term stated
End Mill Sets,10Pcs Titanium Coat Ending Mill,1/8"
A HOZLY 10-piece micro end mill set, 0.8 to 3mm on a stated 1/8 inch shank, TiAlN coated carbide, for PCB, plastic and wood.
Pros
- 10 sizes, 0.8 to 3mm
- TiAlN titanium coat stated
- Carbide, square end
- Suits PCB and engraving
Cons
- Shank disagrees: 1/8 in vs 5/32 in
- No warranty term stated
- 1 flute only
- Fine sizes, not for big work
30pcs Micro Drill Bits Set for Most Rotary
A Sunxeke 30-piece micro drill set, 0.1 to 3mm, tungsten steel with a brad point and 118 degree angle, in a plastic box.
Pros
- 30 pieces, 0.1 to 3mm
- Brad point, 118 degrees
- Tungsten steel, spiral flute
- Plastic storage box
Cons
- Uncoated, a consumable
- No warranty term stated
- Micro sizes only
- Not for lateral cutting
Lothee 30 Pcs Micro Drill Bits Set Tungsten
A Lothee 30-piece micro drill set, 0.1 to 3mm, tungsten steel with a spear point and 118 degree angle, in 3 storage boxes.
Pros
- 30 pieces, 0.1 to 3mm
- Spear point, 118 degrees
- Anti-vibration blade design
- 3 storage boxes
Cons
- Uncoated, a consumable
- No warranty term stated
- Micro sizes only
- Not for lateral cutting
Other machines to compare
40pcs End Mills CNC Router BitsCheck price on Amazon
End Mill Set 5/8" Cutting Dia 5/8" Shank 4 Flute HSS End MillCheck price on Amazon
2PCS End Mill Set 1/2" Cutting Dia 1/2" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndCheck price on Amazon
3PCS End Mill Set 3/8" Cutting Dia 3/8" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndCheck price on Amazon
5PCS End Mill Set 1/4" Cutting Dia 1/4" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndCheck price on Amazon
5PCS End Mill Set 1/8" Cutting Dia 1/4" Shank 4 Flute HSS EndCheck price on Amazon
end mill vs drill bit for cnc: side by side
| Factor | SpeTool end mill | HOZLY end mill set | Sunxeke drill set | Lothee drill set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Downcut end mill | Micro end mill set | Micro drill set | Micro drill set |
| Sizes | 1/16 in | 0.8 to 3mm, 10 pcs | 0.1 to 3mm, 30 pcs | 0.1 to 3mm, 30 pcs |
| Shank | 1/4 in | 1/8 in bullets, 5/32 in table | Straight | Straight |
| Flutes | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Point | Not a drill | Not a drill | Brad, 118 deg | Spear, 118 deg |
| Coating | Coated, 2.5x life stated | TiAlN | Uncoated | Uncoated |
| Material | Carbide | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten steel | Tungsten steel |
| Warranty | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 20 October 2026. None of the four listings states a warranty term.
What each one cuts
The two end mills cut sideways. The SpeTool is a downcut spiral for grooves, slots, mortises and dados in wood, with the spiral pushing chips down for a clean top edge. The HOZLY set is a 10-piece micro end mill set, 0.8 to 3mm, for PCB, plastic, carbon fiber and hard wood engraving. The two drill sets cut straight down: the Sunxeke and Lothee are both 30-piece micro drill sets, 0.1 to 3mm, for circuit boards, jewelry and precision holes. If the job is a hole, reach for the drill set; if the job is a slot, reach for the end mill.
Sizes and shanks
The HOZLY set states 10 sizes from 0.8 to 3mm on a 1/8 inch shank, 38mm overall length. The SpeTool states a 1/16 inch cutting diameter, 1/2 inch cutting length and a 1/4 inch shank for routers with a 1/4 inch collet. Both drill sets state 30 pieces from 0.1 to 3mm. The HOZLY listing disagrees with itself on the shank: the bullets state 1/8 inch while the spec table states 5/32 inch, so confirm before ordering for a 1/8 inch collet.
Coating and material
The HOZLY set states a titanium coat, TiAlN finish, on ultra-fine grain carbide. The SpeTool states a coating that gives up to 2.5 times the life of an uncoated bit. Both drill sets are uncoated tungsten steel, with the Lothee stating an anti-vibration blade design and the Sunxeke a seismic design for stability. Coated end mills suit longer production runs; uncoated micro drills are consumables you replace.
Flutes and points
The HOZLY set states 1 flute with a square end; the SpeTool states 2 flutes in a downcut spiral. The Lothee states a spear point with a 118 degree cutting angle; the Sunxeke states a brad point, also 118 degrees, with 2 flutes. The point style decides the hole: spear and brad points center the drill so it does not wander on entry.
What the listings do not state
None of the four listings states a warranty term, so all four score zero on warranty. The HOZLY listing states no flute count beyond 1 and no point style; the SpeTool listing states no 118 degree angle because it is not a drill. Buy end mills for lateral work and drill bits for holes, and do not expect one to do the other’s job well.
Choose the SpeTool downcut if
- You cut slots, inlays and dados in wood and want a clean top edge.
- You own a router with a 1/4 inch collet.
- A stated coating with 2.5 times the life matters more than a multi-size set.
Choose the HOZLY 10-piece set if
- You engrave PCBs, plastic or carbon fiber in fine sizes from 0.8 to 3mm.
- You want a titanium-coated set rather than one bit.
- You confirm the 1/8 inch shank against the listing’s own 5/32 inch table figure.
Choose the Sunxeke 30-piece set if
- You drill precision holes from 0.1 to 3mm in boards, jewelry and plastic.
- You want a brad point and a plastic storage box.
- You treat micro drills as consumables and want 30 of them.
Choose the Lothee 30-piece set if
- You want the same 0.1 to 3mm range with a spear point.
- Three storage boxes suit your bench better than one.
- PCB and jewelry drilling is the whole job.
Micro tooling breaks easily and throws fragments. Wear eye protection, keep fingers clear of the work area while the spindle runs, secure the workpiece before cutting, and let the spindle reach full speed before the tool touches the material.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Can I drill holes with an end mill?
An end mill plunges, but it is made to cut sideways; holes come out rounder and cleaner with a drill bit. The drill sets here are the right tool for holes from 0.1 to 3mm.
Can I mill slots with a drill bit?
No. A drill bit cuts straight down, and lateral moves can make it wander or snap. The SpeTool downcut and the HOZLY set are the slot and pocket tools here.
What shank size do I need?
The HOZLY set states a 1/8 inch shank in its bullets and 5/32 inch in its table, so confirm before ordering. The SpeTool states a 1/4 inch shank for 1/4 inch collets. Match the shank to your collet.
Which of these states a warranty?
None. No listing here states a warranty term, so all four score zero on warranty.
Related: end mill vs router bit, bull nose vs ball nose end mill, best drill bits for CNC, coated vs uncoated carbide end mills and flat end mill vs roughing end mill.
