7 Best Rotary Tools for the Money (Can Anyone Beat the Dremel?)

A good rotary tool (often referred to as a Dremel tool) is useful for a wide range of projects, from grinding and cutting to crafts and home improvement.

To get the best rotary tool for the money, you should of course be looking for something that’s ergonomically designed, but specific uses will determine the other traits that will work best for you, such as variable speeds, cordless capabilities, and more.

Very few pieces of equipment are as versatile as a rotary tool, which can cut, sand, sharpen, engrave and more. These 7 well-respected rotary tools each have special traits that make them more attractive for each user’s individual preferences.

See also: The Best Oscillating Tool for Ultimate Versatility

Tip:  If you see a couple numbers after a model number separated by a slash (ie: 2/30), this means that the tool includes 2 attachments and 30 accessories.

Our 7 Favorite Rotary Tools

	Product	RPM Range	Power	Accessories
	Dremel 85240-5	5,000 - 35,000	12v cordless	5
	Milwaukee M12	5,000 - 32,000	12v cordless	n/a
	Dremel 7760 Lite	8,000 - 25,000	4v cordless	10
	Dremel 4300	5,000 - 35,000	1.8 Amps	40
	DeWalt DW660	30,000	5.0 Amps	3
	WEN 2305	8,000 - 30,000	1.0 Amps	100
	Hardell HDCR0701	5,000 - 18,000	3.7v cordless	69

Rotary Tool Reviews

#1 – Dremel 8240-5 12V Cordless Rotary Tool Kit

When a company’s name becomes synonymous with the product, it’s unsurprising to see it at the top. Dremel once again proves its superiority in the market with this versatile rotary tool kit. The kit includes a carrying case, the tool, a 12v, 2Ah Li-Ion battery, wrench, and five attachments so you can get started on a number of projects immediately.

The patented EZ Twist nose cap means you won’t need that wrench for swapping out attachments. Meanwhile, the battery provides excellent performance and runtime, with an LED battery life indicator so you know how much charge you have left. The tool can run at 5,000 to 35,000 RPM without risk of overheating or becoming too noisy, thanks to the ventilation design.

Its ergonomic design has a 360-degree grip zone for superior control and comfort. Use it for grinding, sanding, polishing, cutting, or sharpening with equal ease. And, of course, it’s fully compatible with any Dremel attachment or accessory, giving maximum versatility.

The 8240-5 is designed to fit the middle road with a lot of needs. It’s a bit bulkier than some other models, but has a lot of power in comparison. Likewise, while more portable than bigger corded or stationary tools, it has less power. As a result, this is a great choice for those who need a balance of power and size without the hassle of a cord. Note that this has a brushed motor, but is more efficient than its 8220 predecessor.

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#2 – Milwaukee 2460-20 M12 Cordless Rotary Tool

Combining Milwaukee’s M12 REDLITHIUM battery technology with a rotary tool may be enough to give the king (Dremel) a run for its money and then some. Its 12v motor is capable of producing 5,000 to 32,000 RPM, controlled by a variable speed dial, Front bearing protection and grinder-style exhaust ports help to extend the tool’s lifespan.

Its 1/8-inch collet is also compatible with accessories (including Dremel’s) down to 1/32-inch shanks. Meanwhile, an ergonomic handle ensures comfort while the lightweight design reduces strain. While the tool doesn’t include a battery and assumes you already have other 12v Milwaukee tools with spare batteries, it does come with a wrench, five cutting wheels, and a mandrel.

Overall, this is a powerful tool and most users actually prefer its performance over Dremel tools. However, the 2460-20 is a little on the bulkier side and does give off a bit of vibration at higher speeds, which may not be ideal for some.

If you’re a hobbyist and just getting started with rotary tools, a Dremel kit would likely be your best option. But for commercial use or experienced users, the upgrade to Milwaukee would probably be worthwhile.

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#3 – Dremel 7760 Lite N/10 4V Cordless Rotary Tool Kit

Perfect for beginners, the 7760 Lite provides a not-so-modest 8,000 to 25,000 RPM with four speed settings for improved control during various tasks. While not powerful enough for cutting or drilling, it’s still perfect for a number of woodworking, jewelery, and everyday jobs.

The 4v, 2Ah Li-Ion battery is recharged via USB for maximum convenience and the tool’s LED battery indicator will light up when it’s time to recharge. It’s built to be more lightweight than similar models and features a 1/8-inch collet with Dremel’s patented EZ Twist nose cap for fast, toolless changes.

A 360-degree soft grip ensures comfortable handling during long jobs. But perhaps best of all, this kit comes with 10 accessories and is compatible with most Dremel accessories and several attachments.

Several concessions were made with this rotary tool to make it more beginner-friendly. It’s a little louder and runs a bit hotter than more expensive models. Also, the battery is non-swappable, forcing you to pause work or run corded when it needs recharged. These are all more inconvenient than actual issues, though.

Be warned, the indicator light is green instead of red, so it’s easy to mistake the LED as an indicator that the unit is charged instead of needing charged.

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#4 – Dremel 4300-5/40 Rotary Tool Kit

This entry by the masters of rotary tools has the most powerful motor in the Dremel line. The variable speeds (5,000 – 35,000 RPM) and electronic feedback ensure quality remains consistent, no matter the task.

A pivot light makes it easier to see when detailing or working in recesses. Meanwhile, the universal three-jaw chuck and included collet system make using any Dremel accessory a snap. Best of all, this kit comes with a wide range of said accessories (40 altogether), so you can get started right away.

Longtime owners of Dremel products will be quick to notice the larger size and power difference. The biggest improvement for many consumers is the addition of separate on/off and speed switches, making it easier to keep your preferred settings. The fact that this tool will fit all of your older Dremel attachments is just icing on the cake.

While you can always rely on Dremel for quality, this tool isn’t perfect. A few owners have reported the motor burning out. Additionally, the attachments use plastic threads, which wear down faster than metal ones.

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#5 – DeWalt DW660 Cut-Out Rotary Tool

This 5 amp rotary tool specializes in cutting and provides 30,000 RPM for superior cutting power in a slim, easy-to-hold design.

The dust-sealed turn-on/bump-off switch makes turning the tool off easier without exposing the switch to dust and debris. A 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch collet comes with the tool, as well as a drywall cutting bit.

Perhaps the best tool for cutting drywall, the DW660 also works well on wood, acrylic, and plastic. Consumers love the compatibility with Dremel accessories, and the speed allows this tool to compete with the RotoZip, Dremel tools, and other cutting tools.

Related:  Best Manual Tile Cutters for Pros and DIYers

The biggest issue with this tool is the chuck. Several users have reported their chuck locking, making it impossible to change bits. Whether DeWalt plans to address this issue is unknown.

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#6 – WEN 2305 Rotary Tool Kit w/ Flex Shaft

Packed with over 100 accessories, this is the perfect rotary drill kit for those just starting out. An onboard spindle lock makes bit changes a breeze, while the variable speed motor provides 8,000 to 30,000 RPM. A useful flex shaft is included to aid in precision and detailing work.

You’ll be hard pressed to find another rotary tool this quiet and inexpensive. The overall quality is great for the price, and users love the combination of flex shaft and variable speed control. As an added bonus, the tool is compatible with Dremel bits and accessories.

This isn’t a Dremel and while good for short jobs, it lacks the staying power and a few have reported it can overheat quickly on tougher tasks. Some users have also reported receiving their’s with a bent shaft. Neither issue is very common and may have been from defective batches.

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#7 – HARDELL HDCR0701 Mini Cordless Rotary Tool Kit

This wonderfully compact rotary tool can be held just like a pen for maximum control while still giving enough power for numerous crafting jobs. It has speed settings for 5,000, 8,000, 11,000, 14,000, and 18,000 RPM and comes with a whopping 69 accessories for carving, cutting, grinding, polishing, and sanding.

The 3.7v USB rechargeable battery provides a continuous runtime of 200 minutes and has an LED indicator that turns green when fully charged. Meanwhile, an LED light is designed to reduce backlight shadows and give better visibility where regular light isn’t reaching.

Running at a soft 50dB and including dual anti-shake protection and spindle-locking button to keep the toolless chuck secure, this is an excellent hobbyist’s tool.

While not designed for anything more than light to medium duty tasks, this is a perfect tool for when you need precision crafting. It can run a little hot, but has a built-in safety shutoff that momentarily stops the motor at intervals to prevent overheating.

If you’re into plastic or resin models, jewelery-making, or small woodcrafts, this is a perfect choice and at a much lower cost than comparable models.

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FAQs

Rotary tools are a staple of woodworking and hobby craft, but you might not be aware of just how useful these tools are. The following points are those often asked by those new to rotary tools.

What Are Some Common Rotary Tool Uses?

A highly versatile tool, rotary drills are used in a wide range of trades and hobbies. They excel for precision work and can perform tasks from drilling to sanding and even cutting or polishing.

You can use these tools on a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, acrylic, and drywall.

See Also:  Common Angle Grinder Uses

What Are Some Common Rotary Tool Accessories?

There is a wide range of accessories available that allow rotary tools to perform almost any task. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Buffing/Polishing Bits – By adding a touch of wax or polish to these bits before use, you can make metal surfaces shine.
• Carbide Bits – These bits are perfect for etching and carving.
• Carbide Metal Cutting Wheel – By adding a little cutting oil to a small metal surface, you can quickly cut through using this attachment.
• Drill Bits – A number of fine-gauge drill bits are available and are most often used for drilling windows or wire access holes in plastic model kits.
• Sanding Drums – While attached, these can both sand surfaces and carve bevels.
• Sharpening Wheel – This attachment turns your rotary tool into a highly effective tool sharpener.
• Wire Wheel – Use this attachment to remove rust from metal surfaces.

Rotary Tool vs Oscillating Tool – What’s the Difference?

While these two tools seem very similar on the surface, their functions tend to set them apart in the professional world.

• Rotary tools employ a circular motion that makes them perfect for precision work and softer materials.
• Oscillating tools, conversely, function through a back-and-forth movement and shine best when used for heavy-duty industrial work.