More wear resistant than cobalt steel and high-speed steel, carbide-tipped bits maintain a sharper, harder edge at high temperatures for excellent performance on abrasive material, such as plastic. Because they aren’t as brittle as solid carbide bits, they can be used in less rigid setups, such as a hand-held drill.

With better heat and wear resistance than high-speed steel, cobalt steel bits can run up to 25% faster and have a longer tool life.