Engraving Drills

Essentially, we work with portable nail drills. You want to look for a rechargeable machine (not wall plug-in) that reaches at least 35,000 RPM. I highly recommend a brushless (a.k.a. coreless) motor drill if your budget allows, but a regular motor is fine for a beginner starting out as a hobbyist.

Learn about the difference between the motor types here.

Starting with my most recent purchase and working backwards, these are the drills I own and have used myself. Prices fluctuate, but I have listed what I personally paid for each. Keep an eye out, too– Amazon is always running sales and offering coupons. Hope this helps you when you’re shopping around!

PROTTYLIFE $23*

PROS

  • STELLAR price point
  • 35,000 RPM
  • brushless motor
  • comfortable hand piece (actually the same as my workshop drills)
  • simple design

*listed at $46.19, AND THEN there was an 50% off Amazon coupon!

CONS

  • no pause button
  • listing showed spiral cord, but arrived with a regular one
  • turns on easily if anything presses against the center dial
AZ GOGO $40

PROS

  • Great price point
  • 35,000 RPM
  • Spiral cord
  • small footprint

CONS

  • currently unavailable on Amazon (as of 10.23.23)
  • no pause button
  • price greatly fluctuates (saw as high as $99, as low as $30)
wholesale generic drill $65*

PROS

  • available in several colors
  • body of the drill is lightweight and slim
  • hand piece is slightly more weighted (my personal preference)
  • comes with a matching stand

*listed at $50 each, but avg. $65 with all taxes/fees

CONS

  • had to purchase from international wholesaler and pay shipping/taxes
  • non-spiral cord
YOKEFELLOW, sort of. (read cons) $90

PROS

  • Brushless motor
  • 40,000 RPM
  • Can be used as a portable power source
  • Sleek design
  • Comes with a convenient storage stand

CONS

  • Cord is not spiral (perhaps a pro for you)
  • My model is a knockoff (didn’t know when I purchased!), but does work fine… when it’s working
  • Hiccups in consistency
JIERIZSHI $30

PROS

  • Great price point for beginners
  • 35,000 RPM
  • Spiral cord
  • Minimalist design

NOTE: I don’t recommend spending more than $40 on a brush motor drill

CONS

  • brush motor, a.k.a. NON-brushless motor (hand will tire more easily and more quickly)
  • Vibrates more (brush motor) so may be harder to achieve smooth lines
  • Due to fatigue, not recommended for long periods of engraving
L’UGX $110

PROS

  • Brushless motor
  • 35,000 RPM
  • Spiral cord
  • Aesthetically pleasing

CONS

  • Price greatly fluctuates on Amazon (was $92 on Black Friday 2022, currently $170)
  • Obvious manufacturer logo
INK ME THIS, MYSTISA 2 (SLIM) $338 + shipping

PROS

  • Created for calligraphers
  • Brushless motor
  • Color choice
  • Option to have your own logo engraved onto it

CONS

  • Pricey
  • Cord is non-spiral
DREMEL STYLO+ $35

PROS

  • You may already have a Dremel in your garage!

CONS

  • Needs to be plugged into wall outlet
  • Bulky
  • Only 22,000 RPM
Interested in engraving lessons?
Further questions?