New Masonry Drill Bits Top 5

Quick Answer

Masonry drill bits use a carbide tip to grind through concrete, brick, and stone rather than cut like a metal or wood bit — matching the bit to the right tool (rotary vs. hammer drill) matters as much as the bit itself for actually getting through hard material.

Carbide-Tipped Design

The carbide tip at the bit’s point is significantly harder than the steel shaft, allowing it to grind through masonry material as the drill rotates — a plain steel bit without a carbide tip will dull almost immediately in concrete or brick.

Standard Drill vs. Hammer Drill

A standard rotary drill can push a masonry bit through material via rotation alone, but progress is slow and taxing on both the bit and the drill’s motor. A hammer drill adds a rapid pulsing action behind the rotation, dramatically speeding up drilling in hard masonry — for anything beyond occasional shallow holes, a hammer drill (or hammer function on a combi drill) is worth using.

SDS Bits for Rotary Hammers

Heavier-duty rotary hammer drills use SDS-shank bits (SDS-plus or SDS-max, depending on the tool), which lock into the chuck differently than standard round-shank bits and transfer hammering force more directly and efficiently — not interchangeable with standard drill chucks.

Bit Diameter and Anchor Compatibility

The bit diameter must match the specific wall anchor being used, not just be “close enough” — an oversized hole leaves an anchor loose and unable to grip properly, undermining the anchor’s rated holding strength regardless of how good the anchor itself is.

Dust and Cooling

Masonry drilling generates fine dust that can clog the flutes and slow cutting — periodically withdrawing the bit while drilling clears debris and helps prevent overheating, especially in deeper holes.

Bottom Line

A carbide-tipped bit paired with a hammer drill (or dedicated rotary hammer for SDS bits) makes masonry drilling dramatically faster than rotation alone — matching bit diameter precisely to the anchor being used matters as much as bit quality itself.