Best Masonry Drill Bits for Concrete, Brick and Block
This guide compares the best masonry drill bits for home use, covering everyday DIY jobs, beginner-friendly sets, and budget options sold in the US. We break down the specs that actually matter (carbide tip, shank type, flute design) and what owners report, so you can pick the right set for brick, block, and concrete.
Quick answer
The Bosch Blue Granite Turbo carbide hammer drill bit set is the best all-round masonry bit set for home use, with a durable carbide tip and a round shank that fits any standard drill chuck. For a cheaper set that still uses real carbide, the Irwin rotary percussion masonry drill bit set covers the common anchor sizes for light jobs.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Compared on published specs (tip material, flute design, shank type)
- Checked against drill compatibility (standard chuck vs. SDS-Plus)
- Owner feedback read from major US retailer listings (Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's)
- Build quality assessed on carbide tip retention and shank type
- Brands covered: Bosch, DEWALT, Makita, Milwaukee, Irwin
- No fake hands-on claims and no invented review counts or star scores
Research updated June 2026.
Bosch Blue Granite Turbo Carbide Hammer Drill Bit Set
Carbide-tipped for long life in brick and concrete, with a round shank that grips securely in any standard keyless chuck.
| Model | Best for | Tip | Shank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Blue Granite Turbo | Best Overall | Carbide | Round (standard chuck) | Check price |
| DEWALT Percussion Masonry Set (DW5207) | Home Use | Carbide | Round (standard chuck) | Check price |
| Irwin Rotary Percussion Masonry Set | Budget | Carbide | Round (standard chuck) | Check price |
| Milwaukee Shockwave Carbide Hammer Drill Bits | Beginners | Carbide | Round / hex | Check price |
| Makita SDS-Plus Bit Set | Heavy Duty | Carbide | SDS-Plus (rotary hammer) | Check price |
Best Masonry Drill Bits Overall
The Bosch Blue Granite Turbo carbide hammer drill bit set is our top pick for overall performance. It uses a carbide tip that stays sharp through repeated use in brick and concrete block, and the round shank seats securely in any standard drill chuck. Owner reviews consistently point to durability and clean, on-size holes. Sets are sold in several piece counts, so check the size range before you buy. Check price on Amazon →
Best Masonry Drill Bits for Home Use
For typical home tasks like hanging shelves or curtain rods, the DEWALT DW5207 percussion masonry drill bit set is an excellent choice. The two-flute design clears dust efficiently, which reduces binding partway through a hole, and the carbide tip handles concrete block and soft brick without complaint. Many owners report it outlasts no-name sets on mixed masonry. Check price on Amazon →
Best Masonry Drill Bits for Beginners
Beginners benefit from a set that covers the common anchor sizes and is forgiving of technique. Milwaukee Shockwave carbide hammer drill bits are a good fit: the ground carbide tip bites on smooth surfaces instead of skating, so the bit is easier to start without a pilot dimple. They are sold both loose and in cased sets, which makes size selection straightforward for first-time users. Check price on Amazon →
Best Budget Masonry Drill Bits
If you need a cost-effective set for occasional light jobs, the Irwin rotary percussion masonry drill bit set offers good value. It still uses a brazed carbide tip, which is the part that matters, and the round shank works with any standard drill. Ignore any set advertised as HSS for masonry work; plain high-speed steel has no business in concrete. Check price on Amazon →
Best Masonry Drill Bits for Heavy Duty Use
For tougher materials like reinforced concrete or hard-fired brick, a Makita SDS-Plus bit set is the way to go. The SDS-Plus shank locks into a rotary hammer so the bit is driven by the hammer mechanism rather than gripped by a chuck, and the carbide head is built for sustained impact. This only works if you own an SDS-Plus rotary hammer; SDS bits will not fit a standard keyless chuck. Check price on Amazon →
Best Masonry Bits for Small Anchor Holes
Most household jobs come down to a handful of small diameters: 3/16 inch and 1/4 inch for plastic and sleeve anchors, 5/32 inch and 3/16 inch for concrete screws. The Bosch Blue Granite Turbo set covers that range and its short, stiff small-diameter bits stay straight, which keeps holes on size so anchors actually grip. Buying a fat 20-piece set is usually wasted money if these are the sizes you use. Check price on Amazon →
How to Choose Masonry Drill Bits
Tip Material
Every genuine masonry bit has a brazed carbide tip, because carbide is what survives the impact and abrasion of concrete. High-speed steel (HSS, including HSS-G) bits are for metal and wood only; they will round over almost immediately in concrete or hard brick. If a listing describes a "masonry" bit as HSS, it is either mislabeled or not a masonry bit.
Shank Type
Round shanks fit standard drills and hammer drills and are fine for light home use. SDS-Plus shanks have slots that lock into an SDS-Plus rotary hammer, letting the bit slide as the piston strikes it; that delivers far more impact energy for heavy drilling. The two are not interchangeable, so check your drill first.
Flute Design
Almost all straight-shank masonry bits are two-flute, and the flute's job is to clear dust up and out of the hole. What varies is head geometry: a plain two-cutter tip is standard, while four-cutter heads found on many SDS-Plus bits handle rebar contact and stay rounder in reinforced concrete. Wider, deeper flutes matter most on long or large-diameter bits where dust has further to travel.
Mistakes to avoid: Using HSS bits on concrete, which ruins them instantly. Buying a set with too many large sizes you never use. Forgetting to check your drill chuck type before buying SDS bits. Running a hammer drill in rotation-only mode on concrete, which polishes the tip instead of cutting.
Masonry Drill Bits FAQs
What are masonry drill bits used for?
Masonry drill bits are designed to drill into hard materials like brick, concrete, stone, and mortar. They have a carbide tip that can withstand the repeated impact of hammer drilling.
Can I use masonry bits in a regular drill?
Round-shank masonry bits do fit a standard drill, and that is fine for mortar or soft brick. For concrete you really want hammer mode, or a rotary hammer with an SDS-Plus bit. A plain rotation-only drill will make slow progress and can burn the tip.
What is the difference between SDS and straight shank bits?
SDS-Plus bits have a slotted shank that locks into an SDS chuck and is free to slide, so the hammer piston strikes the bit directly. Straight shank bits are clamped in a standard chuck and are better suited to light masonry work.
How do I know what size masonry bit to use?
For plastic or sleeve anchors, use a bit the same nominal size as the anchor: a 1/4 inch anchor takes a 1/4 inch bit. Concrete screws are the exception and call for a smaller pilot, typically 5/32 inch for a 3/16 inch screw and 3/16 inch for a 1/4 inch screw. Always check the anchor packaging, since it states the required bit size.
Can masonry bits be sharpened?
Carbide tips can be touched up, but only on a diamond or green silicon carbide wheel. A standard aluminum oxide bench grinder wheel will not cut carbide. For inexpensive small bits, replacement is usually the more sensible option.
How long do masonry drill bits last?
With hammer mode and reasonable feed pressure, a good carbide-tipped bit can drill many dozens of holes in brick or soft concrete before it slows noticeably. Life drops sharply in hard aggregate or if you let the tip overheat. An HSS bit is not a comparison point here, as it will not survive concrete at all.
Do I need to use water when drilling masonry?
Water is not required for standard masonry drilling and should never be used with a corded tool where it can reach the motor. If you want to cut dust, use a dust extraction attachment or a shop vacuum held at the hole.
Why does my masonry bit keep getting stuck?
Sticking is usually dust packing into the hole. Withdraw the bit every inch or so to let the flutes clear, keep steady pressure rather than forcing it, and back the speed off if the bit starts to bind.
Can I use masonry bits for wood or metal?
Not well. The carbide tip is ground with a blunt, chisel-like angle that scrapes rather than cuts, so it tears wood and skates on steel. Use the right bit for the material.
What is the best brand for masonry drill bits?
Bosch, DEWALT, Makita, and Milwaukee are the reliable mainstream choices and are stocked at most US retailers. Irwin covers the budget end while still using real carbide, which is the specification that matters most.
Our verdict
For most home users, the Bosch Blue Granite Turbo carbide set is the best all-round masonry drill bit choice, with a long-lasting carbide tip and a round shank that fits the drill you already own. On a tighter budget, the Irwin rotary percussion set gives you genuine carbide for occasional light jobs. If you regularly drill structural concrete, skip both and buy a rotary hammer with Makita SDS-Plus bits.