Best Hole Saw Carbide (2026): 5 Kits Compared

Compared on paper

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 1 November 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.

How the points were given

The Shop Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. None of the five state a safety listing, so all score zero on safety, and none state a concrete warranty term, so all score zero on warranty. How We Pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.

How to choose the best hole saw carbide

Size range and kit size

Size range decides which holes one kit can cover. The Spyder kit lists sizes from 3/4 inch to 4-1/2 inch, the Highfire kit from 1/2 inch to 2-1/8 inch, and the Greenlee kit from 7/8 inch to 2 inch, while the EZARC kit covers 7/8 inch to 1-3/8 inch. A wide kit suits varied garage jobs, while a small kit suits a job where one or two sizes do all the work. See best hole saw for sheet metal when the job is mainly thin metal panels.

Carbide teeth and materials

All five kits use carbide teeth, but the materials each listing names differ. EZARC and Highfire name stainless steel, aluminum and FRP, Greenlee names stainless steel, mild steel, copper and aluminum, and Spyder names wood, MDF, fiber cement board, porous concrete block, ceramic wall tile and plastic. Match the listing to the material in front of you, and do not assume a kit that lists wood also lists hard metal. See best hole saw for thick metal for heavier metal work.

Arbors, pilot bits and core eject

Arbors and pilot bits decide how the cutter mounts and starts. Spyder lists 2 arbors and 4 pilot bits, Highfire lists 2 drill bits, EZARC lists 2 pilot drill bits and 1 hex key, and Greenlee lists a quick change arbor with a minimum chuck size of 3/8 inch plus a replaceable cobalt-steel pilot drill. Spyder also lists rapid core eject, with the core dropped out with a push of a button. Check the chuck size and the arbor style before ordering, since the Milwaukee listing states neither. See best cordless drill for home garage for a drill to pair with a kit.

Cases, cooling and what to check

Storage and cooling are easy to overlook. Highfire lists a case, Greenlee lists a rugged plastic tool case, and Highfire also advises coolant during continuous high-speed drilling, with water or oil as a lubricant so the bit will not overheat. Check the full contents list before ordering, since a title count can mean cutters only, as with the EZARC kit, or the full kit, as with the Spyder kit.

Garage Fit Check

• Check the chuck size: the Greenlee arbor lists a minimum chuck size of 3/8 inch.
• Check storage space: the Spyder kit lists 13.0 inches by 10.5 inches by 4.0 inches and 9.5 pounds.
• Check the case: Highfire lists a case, and Greenlee lists a rugged plastic tool case.
• Check the size range against the hole needed, from 1/2 inch in the Highfire kit to 4-1/2 inch in the Spyder kit.
• Check cooling: the Highfire listing advises coolant during continuous high-speed drilling.

FAQ: garage tools

What type of hole saw is listed for FRP?

EZARC and Highfire both list FRP among their materials, along with stainless steel and aluminum. Spyder lists fiber cement board and plastic, which are different materials from FRP as listed.

What size hole saw is listed for a 2 inch hole?

Greenlee lists cutters up to 2 inch, Spyder lists a 2 inch size, and Highfire lists a 2 inch size. Check the kit contents, since a 2 inch cutter is one size inside a wider kit, not the whole kit.

How does a hole saw work?

As listed, carbide teeth cut the circle while a pilot bit centers the cutter, and Spyder lists rapid core eject, with the core dropped out with a push of a button. The listings do not describe a single cutting speed, so follow the material list for each kit.

How does a hole saw attach to a drill?

As listed, cutters mount on an arbor with a pilot bit, and Greenlee lists a quick change arbor with a minimum chuck size of 3/8 inch. Spyder lists Hex8 and Hex10 arbors, so match the arbor listed with the cutter and the drill chuck.

What comes in a hole saw kit?

Contents differ by kit. Spyder lists 12 hole saws, 2 arbors and 4 pilot bits, Highfire lists 13 hole saws plus drill bits, hex keys and springs, Greenlee lists a quick change auger, a hex key and 5 cutter heads, and EZARC lists 3 cutters, 2 pilot drill bits and 1 hex key.

Related: the best hole saw for sheet metal, the best hole saw for thick metal, the best cordless drill for home garage, the best cordless drill for auto mechanics, our cordless tools hub and the best carbide burr set.