The Best Rotary Tools for Detailed Projects

A rotary tool is one of the most versatile additions to any DIYer’s toolkit. Compact yet powerful, this handheld multitasker can drill, grind, sand, cut, carve, engrave, or polish with a simple change of attachment. We tested 11 top-rated rotary tools from leading tool brands to evaluate how they performed on sanding, cutting, and detail work, as well as how easy they were to control and accessorize.

Whether you’re refinishing furniture, crafting jewelry, or tackling home repairs, a quality rotary tool saves time and delivers precision. Among all the models we tested, the Dremel 4300-5/40 Rotary Tool Kit impressed us most with its sheer power, detachable work light, and range of included accessories. The models below vary in speed, motor type, and kit contents, but each brings unique strengths for different types of projects. Keep reading to learn what to look for when choosing the best rotary tool for your needs.

1. BEST OVERALL: Dremel 4300-5/40 Rotary Tool Kit
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Goxawee Rotary Tool Kit
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3. BEST FOR DRYWALL: Milwaukee M18 Cordless Rotary Cut-Out Tool
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4. BEST FOR DETAILS: HOTO SnapBloq Cordless Rotary Tool
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5. BEST COMPACT POWER: Dremel 8150 Cordless Rotary Tool  
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6. BEST VARIABLE SPEED: Worx Power Share Cordless 20V Rotary Tool
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7. BEST CORDLESS: Milwaukee M12 Rotary Tool Kit
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8. BEST HANGING: Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Rotary Tool
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Rotary Tools Comparison

Our Top Picks

During hands-on testing, we compared rotary tools from leading brands to see which offered the best mix of power, control, and versatility. Each model below earned its place on this list through real-world performance—cutting, sanding, grinding, and polishing across a range of materials.

This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.

Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.

Our Ratings

When it comes to choosing a top-tier, high-quality rotary tool, the Dremel 4300 is certainly near the top of the list. This powerful corded rotary tool features a 1.8A motor with a speed range between 5,000 and 35,000 RPM. This Dremel rotary tool comes with a detachable work light, a universal chuck, and several accessories, including grinding and rotary sanding tool wheels, cut-off wheels, carving bits, and more. All of these items fit into a hard case to keep them safe and organized. 

During testing, the Dremel 4300 proved to be incredibly powerful. Even when cutting through thick steel, this Dremel tool barely slowed down, meaning it was able to cut through faster than any other model. We really liked the detachable work light on the collar, and removing it and swapping it for other collars was a breeze. It’s also worth noting that this kit came with the best accessories, including Dremel’s “EZ Lock” cut-off wheels, which don’t require a tool for swapping the discs on and off. Our only complaint with this Dremel saw was that when running over 20,000 RPM, there was a noticeable vibration regardless of the accessory in the chuck.

What our tester said: “It’s hard to beat the sheer power of the 4300. I’ve used it for cutting, grinding, and drilling, and it’s never let me down.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Dremel 4300-5/40 rotary tool kit at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

Whether it’s for crafting, metalworking, or woodworking projects, the Goxawee rotary tool kit offers an affordable way to get to work. More than 100 attachments and accessories come with this handy tool so users can tackle stone, glass, or metal engraving as well as cutting, wood carving, model making, metalworking, and more. It features a 1.3A motor that generates speeds between 8,000 and 30,000 RPM. 

Goxawee’s rotary tool kit was the big surprise in our test. It came with all of the accessories most DIYers will ever need, including cut-off wheels, grinding stones, sanding discs, and polishing wheels. It also came with a guard collar for safety, as well as replacement brushes for maintenance. It ran smoothly and had enough power for most tasks, but it was noticeably underpowered compared to some other models when it came to cutting the steel.

Get the Goxawee rotary tool kit at Amazon.

Our Ratings

When it comes to drywall and remodeling work, the Milwaukee 2627-20 cordless rotary cut-out tool excels in both speed and precision. Spinning at 28,000 RPM, it cuts clean outlet holes and ceiling openings with ease. During testing, it performed exceptionally well on blind cutouts, staying accurate and easy to control while maintaining excellent visibility of the cutting line.

We really liked the cordless convenience and maneuverability of this cutting rotary tool. It cuts sheetrock fast and was just as powerful as corded models we’ve used in the past. The built-in vent helps blow debris clear, but it doesn’t completely control drywall dust in finished spaces, so after a few test cuts, we had to put on dust masks. Battery life with the included 2Ah was sufficient for our testing purposes, but if you’ll be cutting a lot of outlets, you might want to consider using a higher capacity battery. 

Overall, the Milwaukee 2627-20 rotary cutter is a strong performer for pros and DIYers who already use the M18 platform (because a charger is not included). It’s fast, balanced, and built to handle drywall cutouts all day with minimal fatigue.

Get the Milwaukee Drywall Rotary Tool at The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Blain’s Farm and Fleet. 

Our Ratings

The HOTO SnapBloq R-A04 is a small but surprisingly good rotary tool designed for craft and precision tasks. Its 4-volt brushless motor spins up to 22,000 RPM, providing more torque and control than most mini-rotary tools in its size class. 

During testing, it excelled in fine sanding, engraving, and polishing applications where a full-size corded model would have been cumbersome. The pen-style grip and quiet motor made it easy to handle for long stretches without hand fatigue. We found it very effective for small silversmithing tasks, where larger tools were just too difficult to control.

We appreciated the tool’s integrated USB-C charging, which simplifies recharging, and we liked the modular storage system that keeps all 38 accessories neatly housed. While it’s not designed for heavy cutting or grinding, its smooth performance and refined control make it a standout option for light-duty use and hobby projects. For detailed craftwork or small repairs, the Snapbloq R-A04 proved both efficient and fun to use.

What our tester said: “I was very impressed with the performance of this pen-style rotary tool. It’s easy to maneuver for fine detail work, and it has enough power to do the job quickly.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the HOTO SnapBloq Rotary Tool at Amazon, Walmart, or HOTO. 

Our Ratings

The Dremel 8150 8-volt rotary tool offers professional performance in a cordless, handheld format. With a brushless motor and variable speed range of 5,000 to 30,000 RPM, it’s both powerful and refined—we found it ideal for making intricate cuts in wood and plastic with minimal vibration and noise. 

The tool’s compact shape and comfortable grip made it easy to maneuver for long sessions, even on delicate detail work. The size is quite an improvement over the bulkier early models.

We especially liked the built-in LED work light, which was very bright and improved visibility during close-up projects. The USB-C charging system adds another level of convenience. While it doesn’t include a hard case and costs a bit more than entry-level kits, the 8150’s consistent performance and precision control made it one of the most capable cordless rotary tools we’ve tested. It’s an excellent pick for hobbyists and pros seeking Dremel quality without the cord.

Get the Dremel 8150 rotary tool at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Dremel. 

Our Ratings

The Worx MakerX cordless rotary tool offers a modular approach to crafting and small-scale DIY projects. Powered by Worx’s 20-volt Power Share system, it connects to a compact hub that supplies power through a cord. The handpiece is small and light, and we found it easy to control and maneuver. During testing, the tool’s speed range (5,000 to 35,000 RPM) gave us excellent control for polishing, engraving, and fine cutting. The slender grip and low vibration allowed for steady handling, even during intricate detailing work.

The MakerX’s brushless motor ran smoothly and stayed cool throughout testing, and the 42-piece accessory kit gave us plenty of options for shaping and finishing. We appreciated that the kit also includes the MakerX heat gun, expanding its creative potential for hobbyists. 

The need to connect the handpiece to the hub detracts a bit from convenience, but the overall performance and portability make this system a strong choice for precision-focused tasks. The MakerX rotary tool is best for light- to medium-duty work where control matters most.

Get the Worx rotary tool at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart. 

Our Ratings

Anyone who prefers a portable battery-powered rotary tool may want to give Milwaukee’s M12 kit a shot. This cordless model uses the company’s M12 batteries to produce speeds between 5,000 and 32,000 RPM. This Milwaukee rotary tool comes with a battery, a charger, a set of heavy-duty cut-off wheels, and a toolless chuck for easy bit changes. 

Despite being a cordless rotary tool, this model had power to spare, cutting through steel quickly and easily when compared to almost every other model on the list. While Milwaukee doesn’t specifically mention it, we felt this tool offered “slow starts,” which prevented the tool from jolting in our hands when we flipped it on. We also really appreciated the cordless portability. The things that disappointed us the most were that this kit didn’t come with many accessories, and the plastic collar vibrated loose a few times during use, forcing us to stop and tighten it back up.

Get the Milwaukee rotary tool kit at Amazon.

Our Ratings

The Ryobi ONE+ HP rotary tool bridges the gap between professional flex-shaft systems and cordless convenience. Its design echoes high-end Foredom tools, with a hanging motor and a 36-inch flexible shaft that drives the lightweight handpiece below. During testing, the setup worked well for detailed tasks like engraving, sanding, and polishing jewelry-grade metals. The brushless motor provided consistent power and stayed cool, even through extended use.

We appreciated being able to mount the motor overhead for a clutter-free workspace—a real plus when switching between attachments. The 18-volt Ryobi tool provided impressive runtime and makes this tool compatible with dozens of other ONE+ products. 

However, while the flex cable gave excellent reach, it felt somewhat rigid compared to the smoother, more pliable shaft on a professional Foredom. That said, for a fraction of the cost, this model delivered precise control and steady performance that make it one of the best hobby-grade alternatives to high-end bench-style rotary systems.

Get the Ryobi 18V rotary tool at The Home Depot. 

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Rotary Tools

We selected top-rated rotary tools from leading brands—Dremel, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Worx, HOTO, and more to determine which models offered the best blend of performance, control, and value. Each tool was inspected and tested for build quality, accessory variety, comfort, noise, and design, then tested on standardized tasks: cutting 20-gauge steel, sanding softwood, polishing metal surfaces, and carving fine lines into wood. We measured cutting speed, power consistency, balance, and ease of accessory changes, while cordless models were also scored for battery runtime and recharge time. Final rankings reflected overall performance, versatility, and value to help readers choose the best rotary tool for their projects.

What to Consider When Choosing a Rotary Tool

When looking for the best rotary tools, you’ll want to consider the power, RPM, construction, and included accessories to know whether or not a given model will suit your needs. Read on to see some more considerations to think over before buying a rotary tool. 

Power Output

The power output of a rotary tool is determined by the motor amperes or the battery voltage (V). The lowest output generally comes from cordless models with a battery voltage of 4V or less. These rotary tools are good for light jobs and tend to have lower max RPM, making them great for engraving. Don’t confuse a rotary tool with a rotary broaching tool, which is a machine shop accessory.

Higher power outputs can be seen with 12V cordless models that can reach 35,000 RPM or corded rotary tools with 1.8A motors. These more powerful models come with heavier motors and can be cumbersome in hand over long periods of use. If the additional power isn’t necessary for cutting or carving, an intermediate model is best. 

RPM Speeds

Similar to the power output, RPM is a good measure to reference when deciding what rotary tool is appropriate for you. 

Higher RPM (25,000 and up) are best for jobs that require a lot of force. These can include sanding, grinding, cutting, and carving with rotary tool accessories, among others. However, a higher RPM often can come with a higher price tag and is not great for working with softer materials. Lower RPM (5,000) speeds are useful with soft materials and can also polish and buff. 

Most rotary tools now come with a variable-speed setting that allows for selecting the appropriate RPM for the project at hand, though lighter models will have a hard time reaching anything higher than 25,000 RPM. A weaker tool won’t be effective at working with harder materials. Before deciding, make sure that the rotary tool is able to handle the RPM that the job will require. 

Corded vs. Cordless

Some manufacturers now produce a cordless option that can offer several benefits that the corded version does not. Cordless rotary tools are more versatile and allow the user to get into tight areas that corded tools just can’t. Their easy use makes it simple to quickly grab the rotary tool to touch up a larger project without having to search for an outlet or an extension cord.

However, corded models are still around for a reason. Cordless rotary tools tend to have lower RPM and a lower power output. Their cordless design also means that at some point, they will need to be charged. For a full day of work, that means dragging a charger around and finding an outlet to plug it in. 

Range of Accessories

The accessories for a rotary tool are many and varied in their purpose and design. Buffing or polishing bits need a small amount of wax or polish to make almost any surface shine. Carbide bits and cutting wheels can etch or even be used as rotary carving tools for wood. Rotary tools also come with some more familiar pieces, such as drill bits and sanding drums for the more ordinary projects on a to-do list. A carbide bit can be used in place of an oscillating tool for grout cleanup. 

For the artistic hobbyist, diamond-point wheels can carve, etch, and engrave glass, while a more practical accessory, like a sharpening wheel or wire wheel, can sharpen metals or remove rust from metal surfaces. When considering which rotary tool kit is best, it may be safer to opt for a larger kit with more accessories that expand rotary tool uses.

Additional Features

Rotary tool kits tend to highlight their various accessories, their power output, and their RPM, relying on the variety of the included parts to bolster their appearance. However, some models incorporate additional features, like an ergonomic grip that is more comfortable to work with or a USB charger to replace the standard charger. While the USB charger option hasn’t caught on with the best models, it might be a feature that is great for the occasional user who isn’t looking for a professional power tool.

FAQs

Even with that background and overview of rotary tools, there might still be some questions spinning around. The following section aims to answer those queries, as it’s a collection of the most frequently asked questions about these tools. Be sure to check for an answer to your question below.

Q. Are rotary tools worth it?

For many people, rotary tools are definitely worth it. Their small size, lightweight design, and relatively low cost make them great tools for beginners. They’re also portable, easy to use, and precise.

Q. What is the difference between a rotary tool and a Dremel?

The Dremel brand is one of the most popular and successful manufacturers of rotary tools, leading many folks to refer to all rotary tools as “dremels.” The truth is that many other manufacturers make rotary tools, and Dremel makes tools other than rotary tools.

Q. Can you use a rotary tool to cut glass?

Yes, you just need special bits or cutting wheels. Many manufacturers produce diamond-embedded cutting wheels and diamond burr bits specifically for rotary tools.

Q. Do I need a powerful rotary tool to drill holes?

It depends on the material, but the answer is generally no, most rotary tools—regardless of how powerful they are—can drill holes. A sharp, high-quality bit matters more than the rotary tool’s output. However, if your rotary tool is underpowered, it might take longer. Rotary hammer drills have the kind of power needed for heavy-duty drilling and even light demo work.

Q. Can a rotary tool cut through steel?

Yes, with the right accessories, rotary tools can indeed cut through steel.

Q. Are rotary tools hard to maintain?

No, but they do require regular maintenance. These tools should be kept clean and lubricated, and replacing the accessories when they are worn out is key. Owners will also want to sharpen blades and bits.

Meet the Testers

Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in home design, construction, tools, and automotive industries. He has been involved in the trades for over 15 years as both a contractor and a commercial building mechanic. He’s always looking for new tools and techniques while also sharing his knowledge with the DIY world. 

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products. 

Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.

 

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