🔑 Key Takeaways
- Carbide tips do the cutting. Masonry bits grind through brick with a brazed carbide tip, which is why HSS metal bits overheat and die on walls.
- Cover 3mm to 10mm first. That span matches every standard UK wall plug, from red plugs for light fixings to 10mm frame fixings.
- Match the shank to your drill. Round-shank sets suit combi drills, while SDS Plus bits only fit rotary hammers with an SDS chuck.
- Start most jobs with the YG8 set. The YG8 Tungsten 10-piece masonry set covers every plug size for around fifteen pounds.
📚 Suggested reading: How to Drill Into Brick for technique, and Can You Use HSS Bits on Masonry for the full explanation.
Quick Picks
Short on time? Here is the bottom line for busy readers.
YG8 Tungsten 10-Piece Masonry Set
Around £15 · 3mm to 12mm
Around £20 · masonry plus wood, metal and driving
VonHaus 246-Piece Combination Set
Around £35 · full drawer starter
Around £30 · quick-change friendly
Quick Comparison
| Set | Masonry coverage | Shank | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| YG8 10-piece | 3mm to 12mm dedicated masonry | Round | Brick, block and tile fixings |
| Bosch MS4041 | Masonry bits plus HSS and brad point | Round | First all-round home kit |
| VonHaus 246-piece | Masonry bits within mega kit | Round and hex | Kitting out from scratch |
| STANLEY 100-piece | Masonry bits for light fixings | Hex | Quick-change chuck users |
In-Depth Reviews
🧱 Best for Masonry · YG8 Tungsten 10-Piece
YG8 Tungsten 10-Piece Masonry Drill Bit Set
If you only buy one set for brick and block, make it this one. The YG8 Tungsten 10-piece masonry set is a dedicated carbide set spanning 3mm to 12mm, so every standard UK wall plug has a matching bit straight from the case. Dedicated masonry geometry matters here, because each bit carries a proper carbide tip instead of sharing space with wood and metal bits that never touch a wall.
The size spread is the reason this set earns the top slot for masonry work. Small 3mm and 4mm bits handle pilot holes and tile, the middle sizes cover red and brown plugs for shelves and curtain rails, and the 10mm and 12mm bits suit heavier frame fixings. Our guide to drilling into brick shows how those sizes map to real fixings, and this set ticks off every one of them.
Expect honest budget performance rather than trade longevity. The carbide tips cut cleanly in standard brick and concrete block with hammer action engaged, but they will wear faster than premium Bosch or DeWalt bits on engineering brick and poured concrete. At around fifteen pounds for ten bits, replacing the hard-working 6mm and 7mm sizes when they dull still costs less than a single premium bit.
- Sizes: 10 bits from 3mm to 12mm with carbide tips throughout the range.
- Shank: Round shank fits any standard 13mm chuck on combi and hammer drills.
- Best for: Shelves, curtain rails, TV brackets and bathroom fixings in brick and block.
🏆 Best All-Rounder · Bosch MS4041 41-Piece
Bosch MS4041 41-Piece Drilling and Driving Set
Most homes need masonry bits plus wood bits, metal bits and driver bits, which is exactly what the Bosch MS4041 41-piece set delivers in one organised case. The masonry bits cover the plug sizes you will reach for weekly, while the titanium-coated twist bits and brad-point wood bits handle everything else the weekend throws at you. One case on the shelf beats three half-empty boxes rolling around a drawer.
Bosch organisation is genuinely better than the budget competition. Every bit sits in a labelled slot, the case latch survives van and shed life, and the size markings stay readable after months of dust. For masonry specifically, pair these bits with hammer action and modest pressure, and they drill standard UK brick cleanly without chipping the plaster around the hole.
The trade-off against the YG8 set is depth of masonry coverage. You get fewer large-diameter masonry bits here, so anyone drilling 10mm frame fixings weekly should add the dedicated set above. For mixed DIY where walls are one job among many, this is the set our wider drill bit sets roundup recommends first, and the masonry judgment agrees.
- Contents: 41 pieces spanning masonry, HSS metal, brad-point wood, sockets and driver bits.
- Case: Labelled slots with a sturdy latch that survives real workshop handling.
- Best for: A first home kit where walls, woodwork and flat-pack share one box.
🧰 Biggest Kit · VonHaus 246-Piece
VonHaus 246-Piece Combination Drill Bit Set
Setting up a first workshop from nothing means buying drilling, driving and measuring in one go, and the VonHaus 246-piece combination set fills the drawer for around thirty-five pounds. Masonry bits sit alongside wood bits, metal bits, hole saws and driver accessories, so shelves, curtain rails and furniture assembly all come from the same case. Beginners who hate repeat hardware shop trips will appreciate the one-box approach.
Judge the masonry bits on their own terms and they are solid for the money. The carbide tips handle standard brick and lightweight block happily in a combi drill with hammer mode switched on. They will not match premium bits for speed in dense concrete, so treat this as the kit that covers ninety percent of home jobs, with a dedicated masonry set added later if concrete becomes routine.
Storage is the quiet strength of a kit this size. Compartments keep masonry bits away from driver bits, which protects the carbide tips from rattling against hardened steel in transit. Keep the case closed in a dry shed and the bits will stay organised long enough to learn which sizes you actually wear out.
- Contents: 246 pieces covering drilling, driving and basic accessories for home projects.
- Masonry role: Covers standard plugs and light fixings across brick and block walls.
- Best for: New makers furnishing a first home or workshop in a single purchase.
🔩 Best Hex Shank · STANLEY 100-Piece
STANLEY 100-Piece Hex Drill Bit Set
Quick-change chucks and impact-rated holders need hex shanks, and the STANLEY 100-piece hex bit set is the tidiest way to feed them. The masonry bits inside suit light fixings in brick and block, while the hex format swaps between drilling and driving in seconds without touching the chuck. Anyone who drills a pilot hole then immediately drives the screw will feel the benefit daily.
Be realistic about the masonry limits of hex-shank bits. They suit red plugs, small brown plugs and pilot holes in standard brick, but heavy hammer drilling belongs with round-shank bits gripped along their full length. For shelves and general fixings in typical UK cavity walls, though, this set plus a combi drill covers the job with far less faffing.
The case deserves a mention because hundred-piece sets often descend into chaos within weeks. STANLEY moulds each slot to its bit, the lid chart identifies sizes at a glance, and the latch holds through shed and car boot transport. Our drill bit types guide explains shank styles in more depth if quick-change compatibility is new to you.
- Contents: 100 hex-shank pieces spanning drilling and driving for quick-change chucks.
- Masonry role: Light fixings and pilot holes in brick, block and mortar joints.
- Best for: Combi drill and impact driver owners who swap bits constantly.
If You Own an SDS Drill, Buy SDS Bits
Everything above assumes a standard chuck, but SDS rotary hammers need SDS Plus bits with the slotted shank that slides in the chuck. The hammer mechanism strikes those bits directly, which is why an SDS drill chews through concrete that stalls a combi drill. The Bosch 6-piece SDS Plus set covers 5mm to 10mm, which matches the plugs and anchors SDS owners drill most, and it slots straight into any SDS Plus chuck.
Do not buy SDS bits unless you own the drill, and do not force round-shank bits into an SDS chuck with an adaptor for regular work. Adaptors add wobble that ruins hole accuracy and hammers the chuck mechanism. If concrete and engineering brick are monthly jobs, read our SDS rotary hammer roundup first, then match it with proper SDS bits.
Why HSS Bits Fail on Brick
HSS bits cut by slicing metal with a sharp edge, while masonry needs grinding through grit with carbide. Put an HSS edge against brick and friction overheats the steel within seconds, the edge softens, and the bit polishes the wall instead of cutting it. Our full explainer on HSS bits touching masonry covers the metallurgy, but the practical rule stays simple: HSS for metal and wood, carbide for anything dug from a quarry.
The one grey area is soft mortar and plaster, where a sharp HSS bit can sometimes open a joint without damage. Treat that as an emergency workaround rather than a method, because one hidden aggregate stone in the mortar can still kill the edge. Keep a dedicated masonry set in the drawer and you will never need the workaround.
Match the Bit to the Plug, Not the Screw
Beginners size the bit to the screw, which produces holes that swallow the plug and spin uselessly. Size to the plug instead: red plugs generally want 5.5mm or 6mm, brown plugs want 7mm, and heavier grey plugs want 8mm. Universal plugs such as the Fischer DuoPower range print the bit size on every box, so check the packaging before you drill.
Drill depth matters as much as diameter for a fixing that holds. Mark the bit with tape at plug length plus ten millimetres for dust space, then drill square to the wall in one confident pass. Our shelves guide for hanging shelves shows the same measuring habit applied to partition walls.
Hammer Action and Technique Beat Brute Force
A combi drill in hammer mode with a sharp carbide bit and light pressure out-drills a bigger drill muscled without technique. Mark the spot with an Eclipse automatic centre punch so the tip cannot skate, start slowly until the bit seats, then engage hammer action and let the tool do the chipping. Heavy leaning only overheats the carbide and cracks plaster around the hole.
Dust extraction keeps you safe and keeps holes accurate, because packed dust stops the bit cutting and tempts you to push harder. A JSP FFP3 valved dust mask belongs on your face for any indoor chasing or repeated drilling. For concrete specifically, our guide to drilling concrete explains when a combi drill suffices and when only SDS will do.
Pair Good Bits With a Capable Drill
Even the sharpest masonry set struggles in a drill without hammer action, so check your drill before blaming the bits. An 18V combi with hammer mode such as the DeWalt DCD778S2T kit handles standard UK brick happily with any of the sets above. Our 18V hammer drill roundup compares the current options if your drill is due an upgrade.
Concrete regulars should skip straight to SDS, where the Bosch GBH 18V-26 F rotary hammer turns miserable jobs into quick ones. Either way, sharp bits plus the right drill plus a box of Fischer DuoPower plugs cover nearly every fixing a UK home demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use HSS drill bits on masonry?
HSS bits are ground for cutting metal and wood, so the edge overheats and dulls quickly against brick or concrete. You can sometimes enlarge a soft mortar joint with one in an emergency, but the bit will rarely survive the job in usable condition. Buy carbide-tipped masonry bits for any planned drilling into brick, block or stone.
What size masonry bit do I need for wall plugs?
Match the bit diameter to the plug, not the screw. Red plugs generally need a 5.5mm or 6mm bit, brown plugs need 7mm, and grey or large frame plugs need 8mm to 10mm. A set covering 3mm to 10mm handles nearly every shelf, bracket and curtain rail in a typical UK home.
Do I need hammer action to drill into brick?
Hammer action makes a dramatic difference in brick, block and concrete because the bit chips the material while it turns. Most 18V combi drills include a hammer mode that copes with standard UK brick. For engineering brick, poured concrete and repeated fixings, an SDS rotary hammer saves serious time and effort.
Should I buy round-shank or SDS masonry bits?
Buy the shank that fits your drill. Round-shank bits fit any standard 13mm chuck on a combi drill or corded hammer drill. SDS Plus bits only fit SDS chucks on rotary hammers, where the sliding shank lets the hammer mechanism strike the bit directly. If you own both drill types, keep one set of each.
Why does my masonry bit skate across the brick face?
Skating happens because the smooth carbide tip cannot bite into the hard fired surface until it cuts a starting dimple. Mark the spot with a centre punch tap first, then start the drill slowly with light pressure until the tip seats. Switching on the hammer action before the bit has seated makes the wandering worse.
How long do masonry drill bits last?
A decent carbide bit drills dozens of holes in standard brick and block when used with hammer action and modest pressure. Concrete, engineering brick and stone wear the carbide far faster, and overheating from heavy pressure shortens life on any material. Replace a bit as soon as it stops cutting cleanly, because forcing a dull bit cracks plaster and risks snapping the steel.
Final Verdict
Buy the YG8 Tungsten 10-piece masonry set if walls are the job, because dedicated carbide bits in every plug size beat a general set for brick and block. Choose the Bosch MS4041 if you want one case for the whole home, add the VonHaus 246-piece kit when starting from empty, or pick the STANLEY hex set for quick-change convenience. SDS owners should grab the Bosch SDS Plus set instead of making do. For more tool guides, visit MakerUK.
Suggested Reading: Best Battery Hammer Drills UK 2026 for the drills that pair with these bits, or Best Cordless Drills UK for a full comparison.