5 Best Drill Bits For Concrete – Guide and Reviews
When it comes to working with a drill, there are a lot of different jobs that you can do with this versatile device. However, while some materials (such as wood and plastic) are easy to work with, others require some specialized tools.
In this case, we’re going to be discussing concrete. What’s so unique about concrete is that you not only need a dedicated drill bit, but you also need a particular kind of drill. Standard handheld models won’t be able to penetrate this durable surface, which means that you have to get a hammer drill instead.
To help you get started, we’re going to look at the best drill bits for concrete that can punch holes over and over again without breaking down. Also, we’re going to discuss the various features and components to look for when picking out a bit so that you can be sure that it will hold up to such abuse.
5 Best Drill Bits for Concrete
Picture | Name | Editor Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit Set | ||
 | Bosch HCBG700 7-Piece Blue Granite Hammer Drill Masonry Bit Set | ||
 | Bosch BM5000 Fast Spiral Masonry Set | ||
 | Makita 9 Piece - 3-in-1 Drill Bit Set For Drills | ||
 | Mibro 871490 Titanium Coated Extra Life Drill Bit and Super Masonry Drill Bit Set |
Recommended Best Drill Bits For Concrete Reviews
DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
Starting us off is a brand that most DIY and professional workers know well. DeWalt is a name that is synonymous with high quality, and this set of percussion masonry bits continue that tradition well.
What we like most about these bits is that they come with rock carbide tips.
This means that they are best suited for use in a hammer drill as they can take more impact than most other units. Also, the four-flute design is perfect for cleaning out the hole as you go, making them more efficient overall.
While we do wish that these bits came with a carrying case, the durable tips and sharp edges make them a reliable tool to use whenever you need to create anchor points in concrete or other masonry.
PROS
- Rock carbide tips penetrate easier
- Four flute design to remove debris faster
- Triple-sided shank won’t spin in the chuck
- Works on cordless or electric hammer drills
- Ideal for concrete and brick
- Seven size options available
- 3/16 to ½ inches
- Bits come in a reusable plastic case
- Each bit is compartmentalized by size
- Wide 135-degree tip
- One-year limited warranty
CONS
- In rare cases, the bits may overheat
- Smaller bits may fracture under heavy pressure
Bosch HCBG700 7-Piece Blue Granite Hammer Drill Masonry Bit Set
Editor Rating:
While the set of bits from DeWalt above are highly effective at concrete, we have to say that these from Bosch are a step above. The reason that we like these a bit better is that they come with harder tips and more reliable materials.
Instead of rock carbide, these bits use diamond carbide to punch through concrete even faster.
Overall, they don’t quite last as long as other bits (regarding sharpness), but they do operate much better than most.They even come with widened flutes to remove dirt and debris from the hole while you work for better efficiency.
We also like the case that these bits come in, but we do wish that there were more size options. It is nice that you get two bits of the most common widths, but that does mean that you are limited in what you can drill. Overall, though, these are some heavy-duty tools.
PROS
- Durable carbide bits
- Diamond tip ensures reliable penetration
- Widened flutes remove more material
- Seven size options available
- 3/16 to ⅜ inches
- Durable plastic carrying case
- Each bit is marked for size
- Carbide is brazed to prevent overheating
- Straight shanks are softened for better grip
- Ideal for brick, tile, and concrete
- Work with standard or hammer drills
CONS
- In rare cases, the tip may dull faster than anticipated
- Smaller bits may fracture under heavy pressure
Bosch BM5000 Fast Spiral Masonry Set
Editor Rating:
Next, we have another winning set from Bosch. When talking about masonry projects, most bits are designed with multiple materials in mind (such as brick and tile). However, these units are made for concrete, meaning that you can drill faster and more reliable with them than with almost anything else.
They have a double-flute (spiral) design, which makes them highly efficient as they remove nearly all dirt as you drill.
They come with high-quality carbide tips that ensure quick penetration and reliable results every time. Best of all, you get backups of each size so that when they do get dull (all bits dull eventually), you don’t have to buy a replacement.
The only downside to these bits is that they don’t come with a carrying case. Nonetheless, they are incredible overall.
PROS
- Durable carbide tips
- Spiral design removes more material
- 14 size options available
- 1/16 to ½ inches
- Spare sizes of each in case of dulling or breakage
- Triple-sided shanks won’t spin in the chuck
- Works on brick and concrete
- Wide 135-degree tip for better reliability
- Drill twice as fast as other bits
CONS
- No carrying case
- Not designed for hammer drills
- On rare occasions, the tips may dull relatively quickly
Makita 9 Piece - 3-in-1 Drill Bit Set For Drills
Editor Rating:
If you’re looking for a set of drill bits that can work for any project, then this set from Makita may be a fantastic choice. While you don’t get a ton of different size options, you can choose from three types of bits that work on almost any material. In essence, you’re buying three drill sets in one.
Since we’re focusing on concrete, though, let’s see how the masonry bits hold up.
They are not quite as robust as some others that we’ve seen, but they do have wide carbide tips that should penetrate concrete quite easily.The flutes are widened to make them more efficient at removing material, and they have no-slip shanks for better reliability in the chuck. Overall, if you do light masonry work, then these bits should be perfect for you.
PROS
- Multi-use drill bit set
- Three masonry bits
- Three wood bits
- Three metal bits
- Masonry bits have tungsten carbide tips
- Three size options for each type
- 3/16, ¼, and 5/16 inches
- Wide 135-degree tips
- Metal bits have titanium coating
- Durable plastic carrying case
- Widened flutes remove debris faster
CONS
- Limited size options
- In rare cases, the smallest size may fracture under pressure
- Tips may wear down relatively quickly
Mibro 871490 Titanium Coated Extra Life Drill Bit and Super Masonry Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
Our final set is much like the Makita above in that you get multiple kinds of bits in the same set. In this case, there are twelve all-purpose bits and five masonry ones to help you finish almost any project. Again, because we’re focused on concrete, let’s see what the masonry bits have to offer.
First off, they have rock carbide tips that will chew through most stone with ease. They are mostly designed for brick and cinder blocks, but they shouldn’t have any trouble with concrete as well.
Second, they have wider flutes for removing material faster, and finally, they have triple-sided no spin shanks that will stay in the chuck better. Overall, these are ideal for casual masonry projects, not hardcore use.
PROS
- Two-in-one drill bit set
- 12 all-purpose bits
- Five masonry bits
- Durable high-speed steel
- Carbide tips for masonry bits
- Wider flutes to remove material faster
- Triple-sided shank won’t spin in chuck
- Works on hammer and standard drills
- Ideal for concrete, brick, and tile
- All-purpose bits have titanium coating
- Durable plastic carrying case
- Removable cartridges for convenience
- Each bit is marked for size
- Mason bit sizes are ⅛ to ⅜ inches
- All-purpose bit sizes are 1/16 to ¼ inches
- Limited lifetime warranty on construction
CONS
- In rare cases, the masonry bits may have a hard time penetrating
- Smaller bit sizes may snap under heavy pressure
When looking through each of these drill bit sets, we have to say that either set from Bosch will get the job done well every time. While we do like the DeWalt bits as well, they are not quite as versatile as the others, and they don’t come with a carrying case, which is kind of a downer. Overall, while each of these masonry bits is rated to perform well, Bosch seems to dominate the competition in this area.
How to Choose a Drill Bit for Concrete
Tip
Because concrete is such a unique material, you have to make sure that your bit can handle chewing through it for long periods. The reason that you can’t use regular drill bits is that they will shatter while breaking through the surface if they can even penetrate at all.
The secret to concrete drill bits is the tip. First of all, it has to be wider than most wood bits, with 135 degrees being the most common size. Second, the tip has to be made of carbide so that it can burrow into the stone without shattering.
Design
While the tip is crucial for getting your hole started in the concrete, the rest of the bit will dictate how well it works for the remainder of the job. There are four primary types of masonry bit you can find, and while each of them will work on concrete, some are better than others.
● SDS-Plus: if you’re only going to work on concrete, then this is the bit to get. It is tougher than the competition and will deliver pristine results every time.
● Rotary Percussion: a hammer drill works by pushing the bit in and out as it spins. This ensures that both the bit and the stone doesn’t crack. Rotary percussion bits are designed to absorb this repeated impact better than others, making it ideal for any kind of hammer drill.
● Double Flute (Spiral): this drill bit looks a lot different than others because it resembles a screw more than anything else. The double flute design is there to remove debris a lot faster so that you can work more rapidly. As such, it’s better for softer stone materials such as brick or cinder blocks.
● Concrete Screw: if you’re planning on putting any screws into the concrete after you drill the hole, this is the kind of bit you need. It creates pilot holes that you can use for durable anchor points.
About the Author Darrell Webster
I believe there is a handyman in all of us as long as you have the right tools. I started this blog to help anyone who is interested in fixing things to learn their way around the different tools and to know how to perform different DIY tasks. I have been doing this for years and believe I am a master of this art.