Best Drill Bits for Concrete (2026)
The DEWALT DW5207 7-piece masonry set is the best concrete drill bit set for standard drills — carbide-tipped percussion bits that handle brick, block, and concrete without requiring a rotary hammer.
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Drill Bits for Concrete (2026) Buying Guide
Photo by Pixabay / PexelsDrilling into concrete requires both the right bit and the right drill mode. Standard twist drill bits have no chance against concrete — they will dull within seconds. Carbide-tipped masonry bits in hammer drill mode (or SDS-plus bits in a rotary hammer) are the only effective approach for most homeowners and contractors.
The Drill Mode Question First
How we picked these. We compared 4 tools and equipment across power output, build quality, ergonomics, and durability, cross-referencing expert reviews from Pro Tool Reviews, Tool Box Buzz, and This Old House and verified buyer feedback.
Before buying bits, verify your drill has hammer drill mode — a button or setting that adds a percussion action to the rotation. Without hammer drill mode, even carbide masonry bits will stall in concrete quickly and overheat. Most cordless drills sold today include a hammer drill mode setting. If your drill does not have it, you need either a dedicated hammer drill ($80-120) or a rotary hammer ($150-400). SDS-plus bits only work in rotary hammers with SDS-plus chucks — they physically cannot be inserted into a standard 3-jaw chuck.
SDS-Plus vs. Standard Masonry Bits
Standard masonry bits with carbide tips are the right choice for occasional holes in brick, block, and softer concrete. For drilling into reinforced concrete (with rebar), for deep holes over 4 inches, or for high-volume work, SDS-plus bits in a rotary hammer are significantly faster and more effective. The rotary hammer delivers impacts per minute in the range of 5,000-10,000 compared to 30,000+ — but the rotary hammer's more powerful impact mechanism makes SDS-plus the dominant technology for serious concrete work.
Carbide Quality: What to Look For
Carbide tip quality determines how long a bit stays sharp. Higher-quality carbide (DEWALT, Bosch, Makita) uses finer-grained tungsten carbide that holds an edge longer in abrasive materials. Cheaper sets use coarser carbide that dulls faster. For occasional 1-2 holes, the quality difference is negligible. For drilling 20+ anchor holes in a session, the premium brands drill noticeably faster throughout the job as the cheap bits dull.
Cooling and Bit Life
Concrete drilling generates heat at the carbide tip that dulls the bit if allowed to build up. Drill in short bursts — 10-15 seconds of cutting, then 5 seconds out to cool. Do not use water cooling unless you have a slurry management plan. For deep holes (over 3 inches), clear the dust from the hole periodically by withdrawing the bit. Dust packing in the hole causes bit friction and heat that shortens bit life more than any other factor.
Concrete drill bits require the right drill to perform — see Best Hammer Drills 2026 for the correct tool for masonry work, Best Cordless Drills 2026 for general purpose options, and Best Angle Grinders 2026 if you also need to cut or grind concrete surfaces.
Watch Before You Buy
“DEWALT's 7-piece carbide-tipped masonry set at $21.99 covers the most common anchor bolt sizes and works with any standard 3/8-inch chuck drill, making it the most accessible entry point for concrete ”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Carbide-tipped cutting edges penetrate concrete, brick, and block without dulling on aggregate particles
- 7 sizes cover the most common anchor bolt diameters from 3/16-inch through 1/2-inch in one set
- Works with any standard 3/8-inch chuck drill — no hammer drill required for light masonry applications
- DeWalt quality control ensures consistent bit geometry for accurate hole sizing across all 7 pieces
- Set pricing is lower than buying individual carbide bits of the same sizes separately
Watch out for
- Slower cutting than SDS-plus bits in a rotary hammer
- Not for deep holes in reinforced concrete
- Bits heat up with extended use — need cooling breaks
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The DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Masonry Set is the default recommendation for homeowners who occasionally need to drill into concrete, brick, or block with a standard drill. The carbide tips are the key differentiator from cheap steel masonry bits: they withstand the abrasive grinding contact with aggregate particles that standard HSS bits dull against within a few holes. The set covers seven sizes from 3/16-inch to 1/2-inch, which maps directly to the anchor bolt diameters used in most residential applications - lag shield anchors, concrete screws, and toggle bolts. At $21.99 for seven carbide-tipped bits, the price undercuts buying individual carbide bits and is lower than most competing budget masonry sets. The trade-off against dedicated hammer drill SDS-plus bits is real: without rotary hammer percussion the bits work through rotation alone, which is slower and generates more heat. Plan for cooling breaks on holes deeper than 2 inches, and avoid the 1/2-inch bit in heavily reinforced slabs where an SDS-plus setup is the right tool. For the target use case - mounting a TV bracket, anchoring shelving to a basement wall, or setting expansion bolts in a patio slab - the DW5207 handles the task without buying a hammer drill.
“Bosch's SDS-plus Bulldog Xtreme bits cut up to 3x faster than standard masonry bits in a rotary hammer, with carbide geometry optimized for the hammering action of SDS-plus chucks. The Bulldog geometr”
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- SDS-plus shank designed for hammer drill chuck
- Carbide tip optimized for rotary hammer impact
- Up to 3x faster than standard masonry bits
- Bulldog geometry handles reinforced concrete better
- Durable in high-volume applications
Watch out for
- Requires SDS-plus rotary hammer — standard drills cannot use SDS bits
- More expensive per bit than standard masonry sets
- Overkill for occasional single-anchor jobs
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The Bosch Bulldog Xtreme SDS-plus set is the specialist pick on this page — at $19 it is cheaper than the IRWIN or Makita sets, but it requires a dedicated SDS-plus rotary hammer to use. Standard drill percussion modes cannot seat the SDS shank. The trade-off for that requirement is significant: SDS-plus bits cut up to 3x faster than standard masonry bits in a rotary hammer because the hammering mechanism is internal to the chuck rather than cam-driven, delivering far higher impact energy per stroke. The Bulldog carbide geometry is optimized for that impact pattern and holds up in reinforced concrete where standard masonry carbide breaks down. For contractors or homeowners who already own a Bosch Bulldog Xtreme hammer drill, this 5-piece set covers the anchor sizes needed for most structural and electrical installations at a price below the competing standard masonry sets.
“IRWIN's 5-piece hammer drill masonry set at $24.61 covers the five most-used anchor sizes with carbide-tipped bits that work in standard drill percussion mode. Carbide quality sits slightly below DEWA”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Lower price than the DeWalt set for the 5 most frequently used masonry diameters
- Carbide-tipped flutes handle concrete, block, and masonry wall anchoring in standard drill percussion mode
- Works with any drill's hammer or percussion mode — no dedicated rotary hammer required
- Sturdy blow-molded case keeps the 5 bits organized and protected during transport
Watch out for
- Carbide quality slightly below DEWALT
- Shorter bit life in abrasive applications
- Smaller set misses some anchor sizes
Read Full Analysis
The IRWIN 5-piece masonry set is the most broadly compatible pick on this page — carbide-tipped bits work in any drill's hammer or percussion mode without a dedicated rotary hammer. At $24.61 it costs slightly more than the Bosch SDS set, but plugs into a standard round-shank chuck that most homeowners already own. The carbide quality sits slightly below DEWALT, and shorter bit life in abrasive applications means these work best for light-to-moderate concrete tasks — setting wall anchors, mounting hardware, drilling through block for conduit — rather than production drilling through rebar-reinforced slab. The blow-molded case keeps the 5 bits protected during transport and organized in a toolbox. The DEWALT DW5207 7-piece at $21.99 is worth comparing if more size variety is needed; IRWIN earns its place for buyers who want a name-brand set at a slight premium over the Bosch SDS option without the rotary hammer requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of drill bit do I need for concrete?
Can I use a regular drill to drill into concrete?
What size drill bit do I need for concrete anchors?
How do I prevent cracking concrete when drilling?
How long do masonry drill bits last?
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