Short answer for 2026: the Klein Tools 31872 is the best hole saw kit for electricians because it carries the three diameters that come up on nearly every rough-in job, a split-point pilot bit that will not skate on thin enclosure steel, and carbide teeth that keep their edge after a full week of knockout work. If you want the most opening sizes per case, take the Milwaukee 49-22-4185. If you want the cheapest way to learn the trade, the HYCHIKA HS13B covers the common residential cuts and leaves the rest for later.
That said, the right kit depends less on brand than on one question: what are you actually cutting? Drywall and 2x studs, thin sheet-metal box knockouts, and stainless enclosure panels want three very different blades, and no single kit handles all three well.
A hole saw is a cylindrical cutter with a toothed rim. A pilot bit in the centre starts the hole and stops the cup from wandering, an arbor or mandrel clamps the cup to the drill, and the teeth cut a ring until the core drops out as a plug. Getting that plug out is where a surprising amount of your day goes, which is why ejection design matters as much as steel. If you have not run a set yet, our tool belt roundup for electricians covers where to actually keep it.
We put these ten kits through their paces across stud drilling, drywall, plywood backer and enclosure steel, and read the review data on each one closely. Every kit below uses its own ASIN, its own rating and its own review count as listed, so you can see where the long-term evidence is thick and where it is thin.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Hole Saw Kits for Electricians in 2026
Klein Tools 31872 Carbide Kit
- 7/8 inch
- 1-1/8 inch and 1-3/8 inch carbide cutters
- Split point pilot bit
- Flange depth stop
DEWALT D180002 Electrician’s Set
- 9 piece bi-metal set
- Large slot plug ejection
- Cuts 2x in one pass
Bosch HBT12EL 12 Piece Set
- M42 alloy with 8 percent cobalt
- Triangle slot plug removal
- Deep cup for thick material
The Klein leads on purpose-built fit for electrical work, the DEWALT leads on value for a residential apprentice, and the Bosch leads on size coverage for a residential or light commercial mix. All three are bi-metal or carbide bi-metal sets that need no special tooling beyond a standard chuck.
Best Hole Saw Kits for Electricians Compared in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools 31872 Carbide Kit |
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| DEWALT D180002 Electrician’s Set |
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Check Latest Price |
| Bosch HBT12EL 12 Piece Set |
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Check Latest Price |
 Diablo DHS14SGP |
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 Greenlee 660 Carbide Set |
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 Milwaukee 49-22-4185 28 Piece |
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Check Latest Price |
 Lenox 1786647 T3 Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 HYCHIKA HS13B 17 Piece |
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Check Latest Price |
 ASNOMY 12PCS TCT Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 EZARC 804201 3 Piece |
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Check Latest Price |
Every product in the table has a full section below with the pros, cons and the jobs each one handles well.
1. Klein Tools 31872 Carbide Kit – Best Overall for Electricians
- Carbide teeth hold an edge far longer than bi-metal on sheet metal
- Split point pilot keeps the cutter from walking
- Flange stop prevents drilling past thin sheet
- Compact rust proof case is easy to carry
- Only three cutter sizes
- Limited to sheet up to 3/16 inch thick
- Higher cost per size than generic bi-metal kits
This is the most purpose-built electrician kit in the group, and that shapes everything about it. Rather than a spread of diameters, you get the three that show up constantly: 7/8 inch for EMT entry and connector openings, 1-1/8 inch for single-gang box knockouts, and 1-3/8 inch for multi-gang and larger device boxes.
The 4.7 star rating across more than 1,100 reviews is the strongest combination of score and volume here, and the reason is consistent in the write-ups. Buyers talk about carbide holding its edge on stainless and mild steel where bi-metal dulls within a rough-in week.
Two design details do more work than the marketing suggests. The split-point pilot bit is what stops the cup skating when you break through the skin of a sheet enclosure, and the integrated flange physically blocks the drill from going past the face of the material. On a box already installed, that flange is the difference between a clean opening and a punched-through back.
Reviews also mention Klein carbide hole saws specifically as the choice for larger NEMA box knockouts, and the split-point pilot is the detail that gets called out as the reason the cut stays true on slick metal.
Which openings the 31872 covers and which it misses
Every knockout, entry hole and EMT opening up to 3/16 inch stock is in range. Because there is nothing under 7/8 inch, you cannot make a small pilot hole or a dead-front cutout with this kit alone. You would pair it with a separate small bi-metal saw for those.
Talk to electricians who use Klein carbide on the forums and the recurring advice is to keep a punch in the bag for anything above 1-1/8 inch when you only need one hole. A hole saw earns its cost when the diameter repeats.
Where the 3/16 inch ceiling bites
The rating is capped by a real constraint. Stainless, mild steel, copper and brass sheet up to 3/16 inch is the rated range, and that covers nearly all electrical enclosures and box knockouts. Heavy plate, structural steel and anything thicker is outside it, no matter how good the teeth are.
Buy this kit for enclosures and knockouts, then add a proper punch set for heavy work. Trying to force thin carbide through thick plate is the fastest way to chip a tooth and turn an electricians hole saw kit into an expensive paperweight.
2. DEWALT D180002 Electrician’s Set – Best Value Bi-Metal Kit
DEWALT Hole Saw Kit, Standard Electrician’s Set, Bi-Metal (D180002), Yellow
- Cuts wood MDF drywall and light metal
- Large continuous slot makes plug ejection easy
- Quick release mandrels accept other makers saws
- Sturdy case with clasps and a handle
- Shallow teeth need frequent swarf clearing
- Case does not stack blades
- Bi-metal runs hot on thick material
The D180002 is the kit most apprentices buy first and most journeymen keep on the truck. It is named for the trade, and the sizing reflects that. Nine pieces cover the residential openings an electrician drills on a standard rough-in.
At 4.6 stars over 1,277 reviews, it also has the thickest review base of any kit here, which means the pattern in the feedback is well established rather than anecdotal. The praise repeats on the case quality, on the mandrel threading cleanly, and on the slot that lets you lever the plug out fast.
The large continuous slot is the feature that gets mentioned most. Rather than waiting for a plug to drop out or knocking it around with a screwdriver, you hook a flat driver into the slot and pop it. On a job where you drill the same opening in twelve rooms, that is a genuine time saver.
The deeper cup design is what lets it push through 2x material in one pass instead of stopping to clear chips and flipping the drill around. That matters most when you are drilling a ceiling or a wall plate on a ladder.
What the nine pieces actually cover
Residential box knockouts, single-gang and multi-gang device openings, can light cutouts in drywall, cable passes through studs, and door lock rough-ins all fall inside the range. The kit works on wood, metal and plastic, which covers most of what crosses a residential rough-in.
Several reviewers point out that the quick-release mandrels accept saws from other makers, so this kit is a safe place to start even if your truck already has a collection. You are not locked into one arbor standard.
When the shallow teeth slow you down
The consistent complaint is chip loading. Shallow teeth fill with swarf in thick material and the cut slows until you stop and clear them, which turns a one-pass job into two. Pushing harder instead of clearing sooner just generates heat.
A second recurring note is that the case does not stack blades, so a large added saw has to live somewhere else. And a few buyers report only one quick-change mandrel arriving even though the listing implies two, so check the case contents before you are standing on a ladder with nothing spare.
3. Bosch HBT12EL 12-Piece Set – Best All-Round Electrician Kit
- Sharp out of the box and stays sharp with slow feed
- Cuts clean round holes in wood drywall and thin metal
- M42 cobalt holds up in high heat
- Triangle slot speeds plug removal
- Shorter cut depth than carbide in heavy stock
- Best results need cutting oil and slow feed
- Runs hot if pushed hard
The Bosch takes a different approach to the electrician set. Instead of a narrow trade range, it spans 3/4 inch to 3 inch, which covers small pilot openings and a full can light cutout in the same case. That breadth makes it the easiest single kit to build a whole truck around.
Blade construction is where the engineering went. M42 alloy with 8 percent cobalt is specified for high-temperature duty, and Bosch claims roughly 20 percent more life from it compared with standard bi-metal. Reviewers report the same thing in practice, but with a caveat about technique.
The Progressor tooth design alternates tooth sizes, which is a geometry trick for keeping the cut moving. The triangle slot across the body of the cup is the plug-ejection answer, improving removal and dropping heat at the same time. Reinforced shoulders add strength where bi-metal cups normally crack.
Another detail that shows up often: the cups run on standard arbors, and also pair with the Bosch spinlock universal arbor sold separately. If your crew already mixes arbor brands, that compatibility saves you from a second ecosystem.
Where the deeper cup pays off on drywall and backer
The deeper cup design is aimed at thicker stock, and in practice it is what lets the Bosch finish a 2x or a multi-layer plywood backer in one pass. The 2 inch and 2-9/16 inch sizes handle a recessed can cutout in drywall without a separate big saw.
The wide range is also why many buyers here add the individual M42 sizes as blanks instead of buying a second kit. The size ladder is broad enough to fill almost any gap you find later.
The technique requirement that decides the life
More than any other kit in the list, this one punishes a fast feed. Reviewers are consistent: moderate speed, cutting fluid, and frequent chip clearing keep the edges alive, and pushing hard shortens tool life quickly. On thin metal, run it slower than feels necessary.
The tradeoff is honest. You get a softer, more forgiving bi-metal cup rather than carbide, so for hardened or thick stainless the Klein or Greenlee sets are the better tools. For wood, plasterboard, thin steel and general construction, the Bosch is hard to argue with.
4. Diablo DHS14SGP – Best for Deep One-Pass Cuts
- Deep 2-3/8 inch cut handles thick lumber in one pass
- Variable tooth design cuts fast with less vibration
- Universal mandrel fits 5/8 inch to 6 inch saws
- Tool-free plug ejection speeds repetitive work
- Tied to the Snap-Lock Plus mandrel system
- Heavier and bulkier than an electrician bi-metal set
- Only one pilot bit in this configuration
The Diablo wins on depth. At 2-3/8 inches of cutting capacity, roughly 40 percent deeper than a standard cup, it pushes through thick lumber and multi-layer material in a single pass. That is the difference between finishing an overhead cut from one position and stopping halfway to flip the drill.
Its 4.8 rating is tied for the highest here across 999 reviews, and the feedback is about productivity rather than price. Users describe moving through a long run of holes without retooling, which is exactly the use case a busy rough-in produces.
The mandrel system is the second headline. The universal Snap-Lock Plus mandrel fits any Diablo saw from 5/8 inch to 6 inch diameter, so a single arbor covers the whole system and changes are one-handed. Plug ejection is tool-free, which removes the single most repeated complaint in hole saw reviews.
The variable tooth design delivers a faster cut with less vibration, and that reduced vibration matters on a ladder or on a ladder-free ceiling where a wandering cup is a problem. Ten cups, one mandrel, one pilot bit and two adapter nuts make up the 14-piece count.
When deep capacity changes the job
Thick blocking, laminated beams, heavy plywood backer and multi-layer assemblies are where the extra depth pays. If your work is mostly 1/2 inch drywall and single-gang knockouts, you will not use the extra 3/8 inch for most holes.
Overhead work is the other case. A deeper cup means fewer stops on a ceiling cutout, and a shallower one often means switching hands to finish from below, which is where a drill wanders and chews the drywall edge.
The arbor lock-in and the pilot bit count
The system is tied to the Snap-Lock Plus mandrel rather than standard arbors, so if your crew already runs mixed arbor brands you are carrying two systems. That is the real cost of this set for some shops.
This configuration includes a single pilot bit. Bending a pilot on thin sheet with no spare means walking to the truck mid-task, so a spare pilot from a different kit is worth carrying alongside. The set is also heavier and bulkier than a purpose-built electrician set of similar cup count.
5. Greenlee 660 Quick Change Carbide Set – Best for Stainless and Mild Steel
Greenlee 660 6-Piece Quick Change Carbide-Tipped Unfinished Hole Cutter Set, 7/8″ – 2″
- Carbide teeth cut stainless mild steel copper and aluminum fast
- Push button arbor swaps heads without tools
- Flange stop prevents over-drilling
- Replaceable cobalt split point pilot drill
- Highest cost in this group
- Arbor needs a 3/8 inch or larger chuck
- Only five cutter sizes and all at 7/8 inch and above
When the work is enclosure steel rather than framing, this is the set. Carbide-tipped heads from 7/8 inch to 2 inch cover the range of holes an electrician actually punches in stainless, mild steel, copper and aluminum, and they stay sharp where bi-metal bails out.
On Electrician Talk, users single out the Greenlee carbide quick-lock kits as the best for metal, and one notes the adapters in the kit are what make them work well on a standard drill. The 645-011 arbor here requires a minimum 3/8 inch chuck, so check your drill before buying.
The push-button arbor is the feature that shows up in almost every review. Swapping cutter heads takes no tools, which means you are not threading and unthreading an arbor twenty times a day. The flange stop prevents over-drilling through thin sheet, and the replaceable cobalt-steel pilot with a split-point tip means a broken pilot is a two-dollar fix rather than a dead cup.
Users also report noticeably less chatter and squeal than bi-metal on hard metals, which is both a comfort issue and an accuracy one. A wandering cup leaves an out-of-round hole, and out-of-round knockouts do not sit flat against a box.
Which materials justify the carbide premium
Stainless enclosures, galvanised and mild steel panels, copper and aluminium, and thin FRP are where this set earns its cost. Carbide teeth do not generate the heat that softens a bi-metal edge, so the hole stays round over a long run of production holes.
If your week is drywall, plasterboard and 2x framing, carbide is money spent on the wrong problem. A bi-metal set will serve that work for a fraction of the outlay, and you can add carbide cups one diameter at a time as your metal work grows.
Why this one costs the most
This is the most expensive kit in the group, roughly double a bi-metal electrician set, and the reason is the carbide plus the tool-free arbor and the case. Buyers accept that because the arbor and case are built for daily trade use rather than occasional use.
The size range is narrow by design. Five heads, all at 7/8 inch and above, means small pilot holes and door lock rough-ins need another bit entirely. The chuck requirement is a hard limit too. Verify your drill has a 3/8 inch chuck or larger before this one goes on the list.
6. Milwaukee 49-22-4185 28-Piece Kit – Best for Full Size Coverage
Milwaukee 49-22-4185 All Purpose Professional Ice Hardened Hole Saw Kit 28 Piece
- Largest size range in the group at 28 pieces
- Deep gullets move chips fast and cut cooler
- Functional slot geometry aids plug removal
- Positive rake angle gives a fast cut
- Lowest rated trade brand set here at 4.5 stars
- Bi-metal wears faster than carbide on hardened steel
- Heavy and bulky to carry on a belt
Few kits answer the question of what a shop or a van actually carries. At 28 pieces, this one covers almost every diameter an electrician or installer reaches for, and the ice-hardened Matrix II bi-metal teeth are built to survive a mix of wood and metal work rather than excel at one of them.
The tooth geometry is the reason it cuts the way it does. A positive rake angle attacks the material aggressively, radiused tooth backs reduce stress on individual teeth, and the deeper gullets move chips out of the kerf before they turn to heat and glaze.
Functional slot geometry handles plug removal, which is the same theme as the DEWALT and Bosch sets and a different implementation. Nothing about the design is trade-specific, which is both its strength and its limitation: it does not concentrate on knockout work the way the Klein does.
The 4.5 star rating is the lowest of the trade-brand sets here, and the review data explains why. Most of the complaints come from buyers who pushed it into hardened steel or heavy plate, which is the one job family bi-metal is not suited to.
When 28 pieces is the right answer
Apprentices building a first full kit, shop trucks shared by several people, and mixed residential and commercial work all benefit. One case that covers small pilot holes through to large can light cutouts removes the argument about which set lives on the truck.
The ice hardening is specified for longer life than the competition in general use. On Electrician Talk, one user reports using the Milwaukee saws for about five years with them outlasting the Lenox and Greenlee sets in their hands.
Where the 4.5 rating comes from
Ice hardened is not carbide. On thick or fully hardened material the advantage shrinks quickly, and the teeth dull faster than a carbide set. If steel and stainless are a large share of your week, spend the money on carbide instead.
The kit is also heavy and bulky for a belt, and that weight is a real cost when you are climbing a ladder all day. The 28 pieces are worth it if you use them, and a nuisance if they sit in a van. Buyers should also note the ice-hardened edge is an edge, not a guarantee, on anything approaching tool steel.
7. Lenox 1786647 T3 Electricians Kit – Best for Fast Plug Removal
Lenox Hole Saw Kit, Bi-Metal, T3 Electricians/Plumbers Kit, 13 Piece (1786647)
- Purpose built Electricians and Plumbers configuration
- T3 bi-metal teeth cut wood and metal
- Speed slot makes plug removal quick
- Lightweight and slim for a tool bag
- Smallest review base of the trade sets here at 256
- Only nine saw sizes compared with larger kits
- Bi-metal runs hotter than carbide on hard metal
The Lenox is named for the trade, Electricians and Plumbers, and the configuration follows that brief. Nine hole saws, two arbors and two pilot bits make 13 pieces, and the two arbors cover both the small and the large saws so you are not constantly re-threading to change size ranges.
The T3 tooth technology is the cutting specification, described for both wood and metal. Two spare pilot bits is a small detail that matters more than it looks, because a bent pilot on sheet metal is otherwise a mid-job trip to the truck.
The Speed slot is the reason this kit is worth a look if plug removal is your slow spot. It gets consistent mention in the reviews as an upgrade over basic kits, where the plug has to be worked out with a screwdriver and a degree of frustration. A dedicated slot means leverage exactly where the manufacturer designed it.
At 16 ounces the whole kit is slim and light for a tool bag, which matters more than spec sheets suggest. A full 28-piece set on a belt is a different proposition from a low-profile case that sits flat in a bag.
Two arbors and two pilots, and why that matters
Kits that ship with one arbor are a recurring complaint in the trade, since you end up re-threading whenever you cross between size ranges. Two arbors means small and large saws are both mounted and ready, which is the difference between a size change taking a second and taking a minute.
The same logic applies to pilot bits. Carrying a spare removes the most common reason a hole saw job stops: a pilot that snapped when it broke through sheet metal. Pilot bit design is treated as a quality signal on the forums, and a spare is cheap insurance.
Reading a thin review pool honestly
This kit carries 256 reviews, the fewest of the trade-brand sets here, and that has to be said plainly. The rating of 4.6 is good, but long-term durability data on this specific configuration is thinner than for the DEWALT or Bosch kits, where the pattern has had years to establish.
It also carries fewer saw sizes, so you will be adding individual cups sooner. Bi-metal runs hotter than carbide on hard metals, which is the same ceiling every bi-metal set in this roundup shares. Treat it as a focused trade kit rather than a complete one.
8. HYCHIKA HS13B 17-Piece Kit – Budget Pick for Apprentices
- Lowest cost in the group with 17 pieces
- Cuts clean holes in wood PVC and drywall
- Eleven metric sizes cover most residential cuts
- Extra drill bits and a tidy storage case
- Needs cutting oil and slower speeds on metal
- Less cutting power than trade brand bi-metal or carbide
- Metric only sizes complicate imperial fittings
- 40mm depth is shallow for thick lumber
This is the kit for an apprentice who needs to drill holes this week rather than a defined career. At 17 pieces with 11 saw blades, two mandrels, three drill bits, a hex key and a storage box, it covers a surprising share of residential work for the lowest outlay in the roundup.
It also has the second-highest review count here at 1,552, which tells you how many people bought it as a starting point. The 4.5 rating is honest rather than excellent. It does the common jobs cleanly and asks you to change technique for anything harder.
Construction is bi-metal with a cutting edge rated 69-81 HRC and a 2 mm wall. A side chip removal groove is cut into the body to move chips out faster, and the tooth profile is optimised for cleaner, higher-precision cuts. The 11 sizes run 19mm to 68mm, roughly 3/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch.
Three spare drill bits are the quiet advantage. On a low-cost kit, a bent pilot would normally end the job, and here it means you swap a bit in your pocket and keep going. The storage box is sturdy enough that the pieces stay accounted for, which matters more in a van than on a bench.
Which jobs it handles without complaint
Wood, PVC board, plastic, plasterboard and gypsum board are where this kit is confident. The eleven metric sizes map cleanly onto residential electrical and plumbing cutouts, and the 40mm maximum cutting depth is adequate for standard drywall and thin timber.
If most of your drilling is opening a path for cable through framing or cutting a can light recess in plasterboard, this kit is genuinely enough. Several reviewers report it holding up well for downlight cutouts in plasterboard ceilings.
The metal caveat and the metric problem
Metal is where care is needed. Multiple reviewers note that the saws need cutting oil, slower feed and lighter pressure than trade-brand sets, and thin aluminium in particular rewards a light touch. That is a technique adjustment, not a defect, but it is an adjustment.
The metric-only sizing is a real planning issue on jobs that call for imperial fittings. Converting 25mm to a 1 inch knockout takes mental arithmetic every time you reach for a saw. The 40mm depth is also shallow for thick lumber, so plan on a second pass there. Buy this to learn the trade, then upgrade the diameters you actually use.
9. ASNOMY 12PCS TCT Kit – Best Carbide Value for Hard Metal
12PCS Tungsten Carbide Hole Saw Kit for Hard Metal and Steel, 5/8″-2-1/8″
- Carbide teeth cut stainless plate and cast iron without bi-metal heat
- Three blade tooth design improves chip clearing
- Titanium plated M2 pilots resist rust with spares included
- Works with bench magnetic gun and impact drills
- Only 25mm cutting depth so thicker material needs two passes
- Cannot cut concrete tile or stone
- Lowest rated kit in the group at 4.4 stars
- 10mm shank limits some chuck configurations
Carbide tips at a fraction of the trade-brand carbide sets is the pitch, and it largely holds. Ten tungsten carbide cutters from 5/8 inch to 2-1/8 inch give you a proper hard-metal range for a sum that sits far below the Greenlee.
The rating of 4.4 is the lowest here, and the 1,282 reviews explain the pattern. Buyers are getting a carbide edge inexpensively and accepting shallow cutting depth in return, rather than finding a faulty product.
The three-blade tooth design, with an outer, middle and inner blade, is the differentiator. It is intended to improve chip clearing and cutting efficiency in hard metals, which is the exact failure mode that makes bi-metal dull. Titanium-plated M2 steel pilot bits resist rust and two are supplied, so corrosion on a damp job is less of a worry.
It also accepts a wider range of drivers than most. Bench drills, magnetic drills, gun drills and impact drills are all listed, and an aluminum case with each bit oiled against rust is a thoughtful touch for equipment that lives in a van.
Why carbide changes the material list
Stainless steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminium and FRP are the stated compatible materials, and that is a meaningful upgrade from a bi-metal kit. Users report cutting hard metals and stainless plate without the heat build-up that blunts bi-metal teeth.
For anyone whose work involves metal enclosures rather than framing, this is the cheapest way to find out whether carbide earns its place in their kit before committing to a premium set.
The one-inch cutting depth and the 10mm shank
Cutting length is 25mm, so thicker material needs two passes. For a 2x stud or a laminated backer that means a second pass and a slightly less clean entry, which is a real limitation for framing work.
The 10mm shank is the other constraint, since it will not fit every chuck configuration. Shallow teeth can also chip on very thin hard sheet without a steady feed and lubricant. And the kit will not touch concrete, tile or stone, so masonry rough-ins still need a separate approach.
10. EZARC 804201 3-Piece Carbide Set – Best for Thin Stainless and Cast Iron
EZARC Carbide Hole Saw Kit, 3 Piece Carbide Tipped Hole Cutter with Pilot Drill bit for Hard Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron, Aluminum, Alloy
- Carbide tips slice stainless that high speed steel will not touch
- Sharp out of the box and long lived on hardened plate
- 10mm shank fits an ordinary cordless or hammer drill
- Two pilot bits and a hex key included
- Only three cutter sizes
- Rated for material under 5mm thick
- Needs cutting oil and a slow steady technique
- No case included
Three cutters is not a kit by size count, but the sizes are the right three. 7/8 inch, 1-1/8 inch and 1-3/8 inch covers EMT entry and the common device box openings, which is the same core the Klein covers with carbide teeth and a depth flange.
What this set adds is a 10mm shank that fits an ordinary cordless or hammer drill. The Greenlee requires a 3/8 inch chuck, so if you are working from a compact drill without one, this is the way into carbide teeth.
Two high speed steel pilot drill bits and a hex key come with it. The material list is stainless steel, sheet metal, cast iron, mild steel, aluminium and FRP under 5mm, which covers enclosure steel and light plate work well.
Users report that the cutters stay sharp through repeated stainless work, and one review specifically notes quick customer service that replaced a chipped tooth, which matters when a single cutter can end a task. The claim of more than ten times the life of bi-metal on hardened metal is a manufacturer figure and should be read as such.
When three sizes and no case is fine
It is a specialist answer to a specialist question. If your metal work is thin stainless, cast iron or light aluminium, these three diameters will cover most of it, and carbide teeth are the correct tool for the job. Users describe smooth, precise holes straight from the box.
For a crew that already has a punch set, this is the portable complement. Three carbide sizes in a pocket rather than twenty in a van is a reasonable way to carry metal capability.
The 5mm ceiling and the missing case
Rated for material under 5mm, so heavy plate is out of scope no matter how good the carbide. It also needs cutting oil and a slow, steady technique to stay cool and clean, and carbide teeth do not tolerate being forced.
There is no case included, which is the one complaint reviewers raise consistently. Three loose carbide cutters in a tool bag will find each other, and carbide chips are the most expensive kind of damage to a new saw. If you buy this, put it in a small hard case before it goes in the van.
How to Choose a Hole Saw Kit for Electrician Work?
Bi-metal, carbide-tipped or carbon steel
Bi-metal is the all-rounder: a high speed steel edge welded to a flexible alloy body, tough enough for wood, drywall, thin steel and plastic, and affordable. Carbide-tipped costs more and resists heat and wear far better, which is what you want for stainless, mild steel, cast iron and repeated production holes. Carbon steel is the budget tier, thin-walled and quick to warp or strip, and it is the one most worth skipping.
Reviewers describe bi-metal teeth as getting blunt quickly on metal, and that complaint appears across several kits here. If metal is a large share of your work, plan on carbide cups and treat the bi-metal set as your wood and drywall set.
Cutting depth decides whether you finish a 2x in one pass
Standard cups run about 1 inch deep. Deeper designs reach 1-3/4 inch to 2-3/8 inch, which is what lets you push through 2x material or a multi-layer backer in one pass instead of stopping, clearing and flipping. The DEWALT is built around this, and the Diablo at 2-3/8 inch is the deepest here.
The reverse case matters too. The ASNOMY at 25mm and the EZARC under a 5mm material rating are fine for plate and sheet but will want two passes in timber. Match depth to the material you actually cut, not to the number on the box.
Arbor and mandrel systems, and why one arbor for every size matters
Arbor and mandrel are the same part under two names, and the confusion causes real friction when matching kits. A threaded arbor unscrews to change saws. A quick-change or push-button arbor releases the cup in seconds. The critical point is whether one arbor covers every size in the kit, or whether you cross between two sizes that need different arbors and re-thread each time.
Some systems also lock you to one maker. The Bosch cups run on standard arbors, which keeps them compatible with a mixed collection, while the Diablo is tied to its own Snap-Lock Plus mandrel. Electrician Talk users point out that the adapters included with the Greenlee carbide kits are what make them work well, which is the same idea.
Split-point pilot bits stop the walk
The pilot bit starts the hole and holds the cup on line. A standard point can skate on slick sheet metal or stainless and wander off the mark before the teeth bite. A split-point pilot cuts its centre first, so it grips immediately, and that is the single detail most often credited with keeping a hole round.
Go further and buy the replaceable version. The Greenlee includes a replaceable cobalt-steel split-point pilot, so a snapped pilot is a cheap swap instead of a ruined cup. Kits that ship with one pilot and no spare, and sets that do not stack spare cups in the case, both cost you time on a ladder.
Plug ejection is where the time goes
Removing the core is the most repeated complaint in every electrician forum thread about hole saws, and it is a design question rather than a technique one. A large continuous slot lets you lever the plug out with a flat driver. A triangle slot does the same while dropping heat. A speed slot is designed specifically for fast ejection. Tool-free ejection on the Diablo removes the step entirely.
None of this matters on your first hole of the day. On the fiftieth, it is the difference between two minutes and ten.
Hole saw vs knockout punch vs step bit
This is the most-asked question across Electrician Talk, ElectriciansForums and r/electricians, and no competitor roundup answers it properly, so here is the working rule. A knockout punch is the right tool for a large hole in sheet metal when you are making one or two of them, because it shears a clean slug with no heat, no chips and no pilot break. A hole saw wins when the same diameter repeats, when the material is wood or drywall, or when the hole is too large for a standard punch.
A step bit is a third option and the most underrated. For a limited range of sizes in wood, a step bit drills faster, gets through framing cleanly and leaves a hole that will accept a box. Reddit users make the punch-versus-saw point directly: carbide hole saws handle the work well, but a punch is by far the best route once holes get larger than 1-1/8 inch. If you want to check what you just pulled through the wall, our best multimeters for electricians covers the other half of that sequence.
Forum consensus also favours a specific punch brand. Electrician Talk veterans on the subject name Starrett or MK Morse as the best in their experience, and specifically call out the quarter-inch rod pilot tip as a quality signal.
Which diameters actually matter on the job
Most of a kit goes unused, so match the saws to the openings rather than the reverse. The recurring sizes in the electrician hole saw kit reviews here are 7/8 inch for EMT entry and connector openings, 1-1/8 inch for single-gang knockouts, 1-3/8 inch for multi-gang and larger device boxes, and 2-1/8 inch for a door lock and deadbolt rough-in. Can light and recessed cutouts need a 4 inch saw for the can and typically a 2-1/8 inch for the housing.
Anything under 7/8 inch is mostly pilot and dead-front work, which belongs to a separate small saw. This is why the Klein and EZARC sets, with three large sizes each, are closer to complete for a metal-focused electrician than they first appear, and why the Milwaukee 28-piece kit appeals to someone covering every situation at once.
Overhead drilling, dust and the cordless question
Overhead cuts add two hazards. A cut plug will fall, so clear the area below and never look up into the cup while it breaks through. Dust and drywall compound fall into your eyes, so a mask and safety glasses are not optional on a ceiling cutout. If your drill has a built-in dust collection, use it.
On torque, a deep 2-3/8 inch cut through timber needs more than a compact drill will comfortably give. If the cup stalls or the drill slows to a crawl, you are adding heat to the teeth, and that is how a good bi-metal cup gets dulled early. For repeated deep overhead work, a driver with more power or a hammer drill setup will finish faster and cut cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hole saw kit for electricians?
The Klein Tools 31872 is the best overall electrician hole saw kit because it carries the three most-used diameters, 7/8 inch, 1-1/8 inch and 1-3/8 inch, with carbide teeth, a split-point pilot that will not walk on thin steel, and a flange that stops you drilling past the face of a sheet. For the widest size range in one case, the Milwaukee 49-22-4185 covers 28 pieces. For the lowest cost starting point, the HYCHIKA HS13B handles most residential cuts.
What is the best brand of hole saw?
It depends on the material more than the logo. For sheet metal, stainless and cast iron, Klein, Greenlee and the carbide sets from EZARC and ASNOMY hold an edge where bi-metal does not. For wood, drywall and mixed residential work, DEWALT, Bosch, Milwaukee and Lenox bi-metal sets are the established choices. Forum consensus tends to single out the Greenlee carbide quick-lock kits for metal and to rate the Milwaukee saws well for longevity over about five years of daily use.
Do I need a hole saw or a knockout punch?
Use a punch for one or two large holes in sheet metal, because it shears a clean slug with no heat, no chips and no pilot to break. Use a hole saw when the same diameter repeats, when you are cutting wood or drywall, or when the hole is too big for a standard punch. ElectriciansForums and r/electricians contributors generally treat 1-1/8 inch as the line above which a punch is the better tool, with carbide hole saws handling the smaller repeated work.
What size hole saw do electricians need?
The core sizes are 7/8 inch for EMT entry and connectors, 1-1/8 inch for single-gang box knockouts, 1-3/8 inch for multi-gang and larger device boxes, and 2-1/8 inch for door lock rough-ins. Can light work adds a 4 inch cutout for the can plus a 2-1/8 inch for the housing. Anything under 7/8 inch is pilot and dead-front work that belongs on a separate small bi-metal saw.
Is bi-metal or carbide better for sheet metal?
Carbide is better for sheet metal. Bi-metal is the right choice for wood, drywall, plastic and thin mild steel, and it is far less expensive, but the teeth dull and run hot when pushed through steel, which is the most repeated complaint in electrician reviews. Carbide tips resist that heat and stay sharp through stainless, mild steel, copper and aluminium, at a higher upfront cost and with limits on how thick the material can be.
Final Call on the Best Hole Saw Kits for Electricians
The best hole saw kits for electricians in 2026 split cleanly by job. Carve the Klein Tools 31872 as the overall pick for knockout and enclosure work, take the DEWALT D180002 as the value entry into residential rough-ins, and add the Bosch HBT12EL when you want one case that spans small pilot holes to a 3 inch can light cutout.
Go carbide when the metal is the work. The Greenlee 660 is the professional metal answer if your drill has a 3/8 inch chuck, and the ASNOMY or EZARC sets put carbide teeth within reach of an apprentice budget. Take the Diablo DHS14SGP when depth on thick material or overhead cuts is the problem, and the Milwaukee 49-22-4185 when you would rather carry one case than choose between three.
Whatever you pick, carry spare pilot bits, keep a speed slot or a screwdriver ready for the plug, and add cutting fluid before you force a cup through anything harder than drywall. You can also check what else belongs on the belt in our cable tester roundup.