The Best Masonry Drill Bits For Brick, Concrete & Stone

For precision drilling and reduced noise levels on tough surfaces, our handpicked selection of masonry drill bits are the go-to choice.
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Written & Tested By: David White | Updated:
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Best Masonry Drill Bits
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Masonry drill bits excel in drilling clean, accurate holes in challenging surfaces such as stone, brick walls and concrete foundations. Specifically designed for the task at hand, they feature robust carbide tips for heavy-duty drilling and are available in multiple types, sizes and sets to suit standard drills in a hammer setting and SDS drills.

To assist you in selecting the right masonry drill bits, our handpicked selection lists top-performing bits, chosen based on our first-hand experience drilling into brick, concrete and stone. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Dewalt DT6952-QZ Masonry Drill Bits
Best Overall: Dewalt DT6952-QZ Masonry Drill Bits
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Bosch Expert CYL-9 Drill Bit
Most Versatile: Bosch CYL-9 MultiConstruction Drill Bit
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Bosch Expert SDS Plus Hammer Drill Bit Set
Best SDS: Bosch Expert SDS Plus Hammer Drill Bit Set
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DeWalt DT9522QZ Extreme 2
Best Long: DEWALT DT9522QZ Extreme 2
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UK Drills Diamond Core Masonry Bit Set
Best Core: UK Drills Diamond Core Masonry Bit Set
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Draper 18550 Masonry Drill Bit Set
Best Budget: Draper 18550 Masonry Drill Bit Set
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Masonry Drill Bits

As we are avid DIY’ers at DIY Works, we go through a lot of masonry drill bits and as we document our first-hand experience using them (for this article), we’ve tested several types from multiple reputable brands in the UK.

As you can see in the photos below, masonry drill bits can be used for a range of applications. For example, below we are drilling through a stone wall to hang a “no parking” sign as well as using a masonry core bit to make an opening for a new extractor fan. We could show you hundreds of photos of our experience with masonry drill bits because we use them regularly with the types of DIY that we carry out.

best drill bit for concrete

David White/DIY Works
best drill bits for brick

David White/DIY Works

During our ongoing testing of masonry drill bits, we analyse their build quality, durability, performance drilling through various masonry surfaces and accuracy. As you can see in the photos below, we own several different sizes of masonry drill bits and we also attempt to use them in a variety of cordless drills and SDS drills that we own to thoroughly test them.

best masonry drill bits uk

David White/DIY Works
best drill bit for masonry

David White/DIY Works

To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest masonry drill bits (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved drill bit, we will attempt to purchase it and put it to the test (where applicable).

As well as our testing and experience using multiple masonry drill bits, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the drill bit’s build quality, size availability, durability, accuracy, type, warranty and value for money.

The Best Masonry Drill Bits

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Dewalt DT6952-QZ Masonry Drill Bits

(How We Review →)

By far the most popular masonry drill bits in the UK are by the reputable DEWALT brand and for good reason too. Not only are they built to a high standard but they also offer excellent value for the money. Whether you need to drill into concrete, stone or brick, these carbide tip drill bits are certainly up to the job regardless of the masonry surface.

Pros
  • Comes as a set of 5 masonry drill bits with a box that labels the bit sizes to keep them organised
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  • Each drill bit is heat treated to reduce any breakage during heavy-duty drilling
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  • Built to a high standard by the reputable DEWALT brand
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  • Carbide tip for improved performance
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  • Offers great value for the money
Cons
  • Doesn't include the popular 7mm bit size in the set

As long as you don’t require other sizes that aren’t in the set, these DEWALT masonry drill bits tick all the boxes and their popularity is a clear indication of their quality. Whether you use these bits to drill into brick walls or concrete, they should be long lasting and they also offer great value for the money too.

2. Most Versatile: Bosch CYL-9 MultiConstruction Drill Bit

(How We Review →)

Another option offered by a reputable brand is Bosch’s flagship masonry drill bit, which is known as the CYL-9 MultiConstruction. As the name suggests, it has been designed to be drilled through a variety of materials and this includes concrete and stone with your drill in “impact” mode and brick, tile, metal, wood and plastic in “rotary” mode.

Another unique aspect of this masonry drill bit is the fact that the brand state that it’s up to 5 times more precise than a standard bit. This is made possible by the brand’s patented “Centering Geometry” technology.

Pros
  • Provides more accurate drilling than a standard bit
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  • Very versatile as it can be used to drill through multiple hard surfaces
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  • Universal fit with all three-jaw drill chucks
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  • Huge selection of sizes to choose from
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  • Made by a reputable brand and is also part of their "Expert" range
Cons
  • More expensive than other masonry drill bits

Although expensive per piece, Bosch’s CYL-9 MultiConstruction drill bits are high-quality and the perfect solution for drilling through a range of hard surfaces. You also have the option to purchase in bulk and in multiple sizes too, which is always a good bonus, particularly for those that do a lot of masonry drilling.

3. Best SDS: Bosch Expert SDS Plus Hammer Drill Bit Set

(How We Review →)

If you want to purchase masonry drill bits for your SDS drill, Bosch also offers a selection of SDS-plus options such as this 7-piece set. Whether you need to drill into reinforced concrete or any other heavy-duty masonry surface, these drill bits and a capable SDS drill will certainly make the drilling much easier.

According to the brand, when compared to other SDS drill bits, this Expert range can last up to three times longer.

Pros
  • Built to a high standard with Bosch's carbide technology
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  • Part of the brand's Expert range (professional-grade quality)
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  • Wide variety of sizes available
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  • Each set comes with its own dedicated storage box
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  • Universal fit for all SDS plus drills
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  • Features inclined side cutters for faster drilling
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to other SDS masonry drill bits

To conclude, the Bosch SDS masonry drill bits are a great option to consider and although they aren’t the cheapest, they are certainly built to last. Better still, they are also available in a great selection of sizes too.

4. Best Long: DEWALT DT9522QZ Extreme 2

(How We Review →)

If you need to drill a deep hole into masonry materials, you’ll often need a longer drill bit to ensure that you can create a clean hole that spans the entire way. Although there are many options to choose from, DEWALT’s Extreme 2-bit is a great option to consider and it’s available in lengths that range from 160 to 1000 mm.

Features that make the Extreme 2 masonry drill bit stand out from the crowd include a hardened steel body for extra strength, a fluted design for improved waste removal and an excellent selection of sizes.

Pros
  • Built to a high standard by the reputable DEWALT brand
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  • Features a two-cutter carbide head for more efficient drilling
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  • Hardened steel body to reduce the chances of breakage
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  • Available in a selection of popular sizes
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  • Drills through stone, concrete, brickwork and a range of other masonry surfaces
Cons
  • Only suitable for drilling large holes

For tackling masonry surfaces where you need to drill a sizeable distance, you can’t go wrong with the Extreme 2 bit by DEWALT. As you would expect from the brand, each of the drill bits is built to a high standard and there is a selection of long lengths available that are suitable for all your masonry drilling needs.

5. Best Core: UK Drills Diamond Core Masonry Bit Set

(How We Review →)

Not to be confused with hole saws, masonry core bits are designed to drill into brick, stone or concrete and remove the solid core of material from the hole being drilled. From installing a vented tumble dryer to an extractor fan, we’ve used this type of drill bit on multiple occasions and this set by the UK Drills company impressed us the most. This is because it comes with 5 different core bits that vary from 38 to 127 mm in size and each are built to a high standard.

Pros
  • Comes as a complete set with 5 core bits, multiple accessories and a sturdy carry case
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  • All the core bits are laser welded to ensure fast clean holes are cut
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  • Constructed of aluminium and has been built with durability in mind
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  • Other core bit sizes can be bought separately
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  • Offers great value for the money when compared to other core bits
Cons
  • Not backed by a reputable brand (although they benefit from being UK based)

To conclude, the UK Drills masonry core bits are a high-quality set that offers great value when you consider what’s included. We’ve previously used Erbauer core bits but felt these offered similar (if better) quality and much better value.

6. Best Budget: Draper 18550 Masonry Drill Bit Set

(How We Review →)

If you are on a tight budget but still want a set of masonry drill bits that are made by a reputable brand, the Draper 18550 set is a great option to consider. Included within the set are 15 drill bits that range from 3.0 x 3 to 10 x 2mm in size and they are all contained within a soft-grip plastic case to keep them secured and organised.

Pros
  • Offers great value considering that there are 15 drill bits in the set
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  • Each drill bit is constructed of tungsten steel
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  • Made by the reputable Draper brand
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  • Fluted design for faster waste removal
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  • Compact storage box with labelled sizes for each drill bit
Cons
  • Not as high-quality as the alternatives in our roundup

To conclude, the Draper 18550 set offers great value for the money and the range of sizes in the set ensures you will always be able to tackle the majority of masonry drilling tasks.

The only downside that we found during testing was that the quality wasn’t up to the standards of the alternatives. For example, they worked great through brickwork but became blunt after drilling through solid concrete a few times. However, for the money, you can’t complain and they are a cheap solution for most DIY tasks.

Conclusion

Owning masonry drill bits is a must for any DIY’er and attempting to use general-purpose bits to drill into masonry surfaces will not only damage the bit but you’ll also run the risk of damaging your power tools too.

All of our recommendations are suitable for all types of masonry drilling and cater for every budget. However, if you require further information regarding our masonry drill bit recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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