DEWALT DW2571 vs Makita D-07973 vs Bosch LBHXS7U: best masonry drill bit sets 2026
Compare DEWALT, Makita and Bosch masonry drill bit sets for brick, block and concrete, with clear advice on shanks, drills and project fit before buying.
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Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change.
The Bosch LBHXS7U is the best masonry drill bit set here for most household fastening jobs because its seven hex-shank bits can work in a hammer drill/driver and, where appropriate, an impact driver. This DEWALT vs Makita vs Bosch masonry drill bit comparison matters because the shank, not just the carbide tip, decides which kit can safely meet your tool and the material.
DEWALT vs Makita vs Bosch masonry drill bit sets at a glance
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DW2571 masonry bit set | Basic hammer drills | View |
| Makita D-07973 SDS-Plus set | SDS-Plus rotary hammers | View |
| Bosch LBHXS7U hex-shank set | Impact-driver versatility | View |
Start with the hole and the machine
Masonry is not one material. Soft brick, hollow block, dense concrete and natural stone load a bit differently, so a tidy kit label is less useful than matching the bit and tool to the hole you need. For occasional anchors in brick or block, a regular hammer drill with a round or hex shank is usually the sensible starting point. For repeated holes in concrete, an SDS-Plus rotary hammer transfers hammer energy through its dedicated shank and is the more appropriate machine.
Also match the diameter to the fixing manufacturer's hole specification rather than guessing from the screw diameter. A hole that is too large can weaken an anchor, while a small hole encourages forcing the bit, heat and poor progress. Mark the depth, check for hidden services, start square to the surface and clear dust periodically. These are research-based recommendations from the products' documented features, not claims of hands-on testing.
1. Bosch LBHXS7U: best overall for flexible home drilling
Bosch LBHXS7U hex-shank set
Bosch's seven-piece LBHXS7U earns the overall pick because it covers the small, common fastening sizes without locking the buyer into an SDS tool. The listed contents are one 1/8 by 3 inch bit, two 5/32 by 6 inch bits, two 3/16 by 6 inch bits, one 1/4 by 6 inch bit and one 3/8 by 6 inch bit. Its hex shank is documented for hammer drill/drivers and impact drivers, while the asymmetric diamond-ground carbide tip and milled U-flutes are designed for faster material removal in block, masonry and concrete. Choose it for pictures, brackets, light fixtures and other routine holes when you already own a suitable compact tool. The limitation is important: it is not an SDS-Plus kit, so it is not the efficient answer for a long run of large holes in hard concrete.
Pros
- Seven-piece assortment includes duplicate 5/32 and 3/16 inch sizes for common anchors
- Hex shanks are documented for hammer drill/drivers and compatible impact drivers
- Diamond-ground carbide tips are intended to reduce wandering at the start of a hole
- Deep-cut U-flutes are designed to move masonry dust out of the hole
Cons
- No SDS-Plus shank, so a rotary hammer cannot use this set
- The range stops at 3/8 inch and does not cover larger anchor holes
2. Makita D-07973: the right choice for an SDS-Plus rotary hammer
Makita D-07973 SDS-Plus set
The Makita D-07973 is the specialist option, not a universal replacement for the Bosch. It supplies five carbide-tipped bits with SDS-Plus shanks, explicitly made for SDS-Plus rotary hammers and positioned for concrete and masonry drilling. That interface is the reason for its badge: an SDS-Plus tool can drive the bit with a hammering action that a standard three-jaw chuck cannot reproduce as effectively on tougher concrete. It is the logical kit for a buyer who already owns an SDS-Plus rotary hammer and expects more than a few small holes, such as repeated anchors or deeper work in dense material. Its meaningful limitation is compatibility. The bits will not fit a normal drill chuck or a hex impact driver, and the five-piece set offers less immediate size redundancy than Bosch's seven-piece kit.
Pros
- SDS-Plus shanks match SDS-Plus rotary hammers rather than relying on a chuck grip
- Five carbide-tipped bits are specifically listed for concrete and masonry
- Purpose-built kit for repeated drilling where a rotary hammer is already available
- Dedicated format avoids buying general-purpose accessories for heavy masonry work
Cons
- Cannot be clamped into a conventional drill or used in a hex impact driver
- Five pieces give fewer sizes and duplicates than the Bosch seven-piece assortment
3. DEWALT DW2571: a compact round-shank starter set
DEWALT DW2571 masonry bit set
DEWALT's DW2571 is the deliberately simple three-piece rotary masonry set. Its product listing identifies it as a 3-piece rotary masonry drill-bit set, model DW2571, which makes it a focused option for someone with a conventional hammer drill who needs a small core selection rather than a specialist rotary-hammer system. Give it the badge if your immediate job calls for a few standard masonry holes and you want to avoid a larger kit with unused sizes. The product's straightforward format is also easy to store with a compact drill. That economy has a real cost: there are only three bits, no hex interface for impact-driver use and no SDS-Plus shank for a rotary hammer. It is therefore a sensible light-duty starter, not the widest-ranging or most adaptable kit in this comparison.
Pros
- Three-piece rotary masonry format keeps the kit focused for occasional drilling
- Round-shank design suits a conventional drill chuck with hammer mode
- Compact set avoids carrying a large case for a short anchor-installation task
- DEWALT listing clearly identifies model DW2571 and its rotary masonry purpose
Cons
- Only three bits, so a missing diameter may require a separate purchase
- No hex shank or SDS-Plus connection for the other tool systems compared here
Which kit should you buy?
Pick the Bosch LBHXS7U if you want the broadest small-hole coverage with a hex shank that can serve more than one compatible household tool. Pick the Makita D-07973 only when you own an SDS-Plus rotary hammer and expect concrete drilling substantial enough to benefit from that system. Pick the DEWALT DW2571 when a conventional hammer drill and a compact three-bit solution match a limited job.
Do not treat an impact driver as a substitute for a rotary hammer on difficult concrete merely because a bit fits its hex collet. The Bosch listing supports impact applications, but tool capability, hole size and substrate still set the sensible workload. Let the fixing instructions set diameter and depth, use eye protection, and stop to reassess if the bit is skidding, overheating or meeting reinforcement.
FAQ
Can I use a masonry bit in an ordinary drill?
Yes, a round-shank masonry bit such as the DEWALT can fit a standard chuck, and a hex-shank bit such as the Bosch can fit a compatible chuck or impact driver. For brick and block, use hammer mode if your drill has it. Hard concrete is slower with a basic drill, and an SDS-Plus rotary hammer with matching bits is the better system for repeated or demanding holes.
What is the difference between SDS-Plus and a hex shank?
SDS-Plus is a slotted shank system that locks into an SDS-Plus rotary hammer and transfers its hammer action efficiently. A hex shank is held in a drill chuck or quick-change impact-driver collet. The Makita set requires SDS-Plus, whereas the Bosch set is designed around hex shanks. Neither shank is automatically better: the correct one is the one your machine accepts.
How do I stop a masonry hole from becoming too large?
Use the diameter specified by the anchor maker, begin slowly with the bit perpendicular to the wall, and avoid side-loading the bit once it starts cutting. Clear dust as you go so the bit can cut instead of grinding debris. If the material is unusually hard, move to the appropriate hammering tool rather than forcing a small drill past its realistic capability.
Prices and availability were accurate at publication and can change.