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 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!

All drills below work with these 2.35mm shank burs, except for the Dremel (which accepts 3mm shanks).

EMISUN $45

PROS

  • great price point
  • brushless motor
  • 40,000 RPM
  • spiral cord
  • hand piece fits INSIDE body!!
  • often has Amazon coupons and discounts

CONS

  • price fluctuates
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
  • brushless motor
  • 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

  • brushless motor
  • 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 / MOECKEARLA $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. I’ve seen this model for as low as $18.48!

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
  • Never an issue yet (going on two years as of Feb. 2024)

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?