best masonry drill bits

Best Masonry Drill Bits in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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Drilling through masonry is tough, and not all masonry drill bits are up to it. We found several so-called high-quality masonry drill bits failed at the first hurdle.

This buying guide saves you time and money on low-quality masonry drill bits.


Masonry Drill Bit Reviews — The UK’s Top 5 in 2024

We’ve reviewed five top-rated sets to help you find the best masonry drill bits for your next DIY project. 

Our Top Pick
1. Makita P-51889

1. Makita P-51889

  • Tungsten tips.
  • Suitable for Brick, Block, Stone and Light Concrete applications.
  • Contains 13 Drill Bits — ø4, 5, 5.5(x3), 6(x2), 6.5(x2), 7(x2), 8(x2)mm.
  • Drill bits come in a sturdy plastic storage case.

This practical set of masonry drill bits by popular power tool manufacturer Makita combines quality with excellent design features.

Featuring thirteen high-performance masonry drill bits, this set makes a smart choice for drilling into brick, stone and light concrete. The set contains every common fixing size, including duplicates of certain sizes.

This set is one of the best all-rounders, with tungsten carbide tips and a sturdy storage box. The only drawback is that these bits struggle with dense concrete, so you may want to source additional bits specifically designed for concrete.

ProsCons
13-piece setLess suitable for heavy-density concrete 
Every common size included
Tungsten carbide tips 
Strong storage box

Most Durable
2. Bosch Professional

2. Bosch Professional

  • Carbide blend and diamond-ground cutting edges make bits wear-resistant.
  • Reduced friction from 2-flute vario design, providing dust removal and wear reduction.
  • Compatible with cylindrical shank systems.
  • Bosch guarantees extra-long durability when drilling holes in concrete and stone.
  • The power grip shank system enables direct use of power.
  • Approved by the PGM Masonry Drill Bit Association Board.

If you are looking to drill into some seriously hard masonry, such as stone or concrete, take a look at this Concrete Drill Bit Set by Bosch Professional. 

While it only consists of seven drill bits and does not include the popular size of seven millimetres, this set is essential for any heavy-duty masonry drilling job. 

Thanks to their carbide blend and diamond-ground cutting edges, these masonry drill bits are extra durable, even when used with concrete. The two-flute design ensures that waste is effectively removed for more efficient performance, while the Bosch Power Grip Shank System provides maximum power transfer from your drill. 

This set is essential for those frequently drilling into concrete walls or stone. It contains five drill bit sizes from four to ten millimetres and is encased in a transparent, shock-absorbing casing. 

ProsCons
5-piece setNo 7mm drill bit 
4–10mm size range
Carbide tips and diamond-ground cutting edges
Two-flute design
Bosch Power Grip Shank System

Best Budget Option
3. Draper EBS15MAS

3. Draper EBS15MAS

  • Tungsten steel.
  • Straight shank.
  • 6 x Masonry drill bits: 3x3, 4x3, 5x3, 6x2, 8x2 and 10x2 mm
  • Drill bits come in a soft-grip plastic case.

Suitable for drilling into concrete, brick and similar materials, this kit consists of fifteen bits ranging from three to ten millimetres. 

Made from durable tungsten steel with carbide tips, these masonry drill bits are specially fluted for fast and effective waste removal, making drilling holes in brick and stone much easier. They also come in a convenient soft-grip plastic case, making them easy to store and transport. 

The only real drawback to this set is that it does not include a seven-millimetre bit, which is one of the most popular sizes. However, given its low cost, we feel this masonry drill bit set offers excellent value for money.

ProsCons
15-piece setNo 7mm drill bit
Special fluted design
Tungsten carbide tipped
Soft grip, rubber surround case

4. Bosch 7-Piece Set

4. Bosch 7-Piece Set

  • Carbide tips are suitable for hammer drilling into masonry, limestone, natural stone and cast stone.
  • Seven masonry drill bits, Ø 3-8mm.
  • The practical Bosch Mini-X-Line box keeps everything organized.
  • For use in impact drills and all major power tool brands.

This set covers the most common fitting sizes, including seven masonry drill bits ranging from three to eight millimetres. 

The tungsten steel bits feature carbide tips, making them suitable for hammer drilling into masonry, stone and limestone. The practical Bosch Mini-X-Line box makes storing and transporting your drill bits simple, so they’re always to hand and easy to find when needed. 

Users found these bits to wear over time, so if you plan on drilling lots of holes in concrete, you may be better off with a more durable set.

ProsCons
7-piece setNot very durable 
3–8mm size range 
Carbide-tipped for hammer drilling
Mini-X-Line storage box

5. Sealey AK5708

5. Sealey AK5708

  • Tungsten carbide tips for heavy-duty use and prolonged life.
  • Shank features a special flute design for fast and effective waste removal.
  • Includes Ø3, 4, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10mm.
  • Bits come with a handy storage case.

This masonry drill bit set by Sealey consists of eight drill bits specially manufactured for prolonged life and heavy-duty use. 

Although this set includes all the standard bit sizes from three to ten millimetres, it does NOT include a five-millimetre-sized masonry drill bit. 

The bits are made from durable tungsten steel with carbide tips, complete with a special fluted design for effective waste removal. Durable and long-lasting, these drill bits can withstand the high temperatures of masonry drilling. 

ProsCons
8-piece setNo 5mm bit
3–10mm size range
Flute design for effective waste removal
Tungsten carbide tips

Best Masonry Drill Bits — 2024 Comparison Table

ModelKey FeaturesPrice Score
Makita P-51889• 15-piece masonry drill bit set
• Special fluted design
• Tungsten carbide-tipped
• Soft grip, rubber surround case
££9.5/10
Bosch Professional Concrete Drill Bit Set• 5-piece masonry drill bit set
• 4–10mm size range
• Carbide tips and diamond-ground cutting edges
• Two-flute design
• Bosch Power Grip Shank System
££9/10
Draper EBS15MAS• 15-piece masonry drill bit set
• Special fluted design
• Tungsten carbide tipped
• Soft grip, rubber surround case
£8/10
Bosch 7 Piece Masonry Drill Bit Set• 7-piece masonry drill bit set
• 3–8mm size range
• Carbide-tipped for hammer drilling
• Mini-X-Line storage box
£7/10
Sealey AK5708• 8-piece masonry drill bit set
• 3–10mm size range
• Flute design for effective waste removal
• Tungsten carbide tips
£7/10

Masonry Drill Bits Buying Guide

anatomy of a drill bit
Image courtesy of The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Aamir et al., 2019)

Try drilling into masonry with a regular wood drill bit, and you’ll notice the difference immediately. But what makes masonry drill bits special, and how can you tell them apart from your other drill bits? 

Wood and multi-use drill bits tend to have sharp, pointed tips and cutouts leading down to the spiral. These drill bits will immediately blunt when used on stone or brickwork.

Masonry bits, on the other hand, feature arrow-shaped tips. The tip of the bit is typically wider than the shaft. When used with a percussion drill, the tip gets driven into the stonework with a hammering action, while the finer shaft removes debris thanks to its rotating channels. Masonry bits generally feature durable tungsten carbide tips for drilling into harder materials.


What To Consider When Buying New Masonry Drill Bits

Here’s what you should look for when choosing your new masonry drill bit set.

Manufacturer

There are many, many different names out there. Some, undoubtedly, are better than others. 

When choosing your new masonry drill bit set, save yourself the cost and hassle of buying twice, and always opt for bits from a reputable manufacturer like the ones we review above.

Sizes

If you have a specific project in mind, double-check that your set has the correct size drill bits for your needs. However, we recommend opting for a comprehensive set that includes all the common sizes.

Tungsten Carbide Tips

Your masonry drill bits will need extra hard tips to penetrate stone, brick and concrete. Look for models with tungsten carbide tips for improved durability and performance. 

Storage Case

Opt for a set with a sturdy storage case to prevent your drill bits from getting mixed up or potentially misplaced just when you need them. 


Final Thoughts

Here at Property Workshop, we highly recommend Makita’s P-51889 Set.

This 13-piece set contains all the common sizes, and its tungsten carbide tips make light work of brick, stone or concrete walls. So if you’re looking for a high-performance, comprehensive masonry drill bit set, this is the one to buy.

Pro Tip: Check out our guide to sharpening a drill bit to keep your bits sharp.