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Diamond core bit comparison 2026

The best diamond core bits, compared.

Top pick: MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set Best value: MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set – Complete SDS set at about £31.99, with a stated adaptor and pilot, and review notes that name a finished hole, after the shared 4.7 from 83 is already discounted. Updated October 2026.

A diamond core bit cuts a round plug out of masonry or tile so a pipe, duct, cable or tap can pass. In the UK you choose a diamond barrel for brick and block, or a short cup for porcelain and ceramic. They are not substitutes. Match the diameter to the outside of the fitting, not the pipe's name. A 1/2 inch BSP thread plus an SDS Plus adaptor uses the combi you own, but not on the widest dry cores. M14 bits belong on a small angle grinder unless a hex adaptor and a speed are stated. A straight shank needs an arbor you already have. Dry cutting with extraction suits facing brick. Dense concrete wants a water feed. Wax in a small vacuum-brazed bit is the dry method for porcelain. Stay in rotation only. Do not add the adaptor and call that the depth. Diameter, thread and cooling are in the [diamond core bit buying guide](/hub/drilling-and-accessories/diamond-core-bit/sub/diamond-core-bit-buying-guide).

A diamond core bit cuts a round plug out of masonry or tile so a pipe, duct, cable or tap can pass. In the UK you choose a diamond barrel for brick and block, or a short cup for porcelain and ceramic.

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

Best overall

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set
8.1/10∼ £32

42 products checked · 61 hrs invested · +18,600 readers

12 of 12: Best diamond core bits compared

Swipe for more

1-2 of 12
Best overall
MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set
MOXPIFY 72 mm core bit set
MOXPIFY 107 mm core bit set
Starrett BMC117 117 mm dry core
FACHLICH 11-piece tile kit
SHDIATOOL 6 mm dry diamond tile bits
LEKOMESH 6 mm tile bits
DaduoRi Pro 52 mm core set
Meccion 40 mm diamond hole saw
SALI 52 mm laser-welded core set
INQUIRLLY 12-piece diamond tile set
DaduoRi 44 mm core bit set
8.1/10
7.7/10
7.2/10
7.9/10
8.2/10
9.2/10
7.6/10
5.8/10
7.9/10
7.5/10
4.2/10
3.2/10
∼ £32
∼ £36
∼ £48
∼ £30
∼ £110
∼ £29
∼ £44
∼ £47
∼ £13
∼ £35
∼ £23
∼ £31
4.7(83)
4.7(83)
4.7(83)
4.5(365)
4.5(173)
4.4(770)
4.4(299)
4.3(14)
4.2(815)
4.1(88)
3.5(5)
–
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The best diamond core bits in detail

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

Rank 1

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

∼£32

Our view

The MOXPIFY 52 mm set is a 1/2 inch BSP barrel with a 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a 200 mm centre bit and a taper drift, listed with a 170 mm drilling depth at about £31.99. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.7 from 83, and the same review texts sit on the 72 mm and 107 mm MOXPIFY listings, so this is not a separate test of the 52 mm barrel. In that shared file, one buyer bored a concrete slab for a washing-line pole, another cut an 11 inch concrete-block wall including an angled hole, and an air-conditioning vent took about 10 minutes on a Titan SDS Plus drill. Buyers chose it on price against a dearer branded core. Teeth broke around the fifth hole in 100 mm block for one reviewer. The bore can be slow when you want a quick clean hole, and the bit can snatch as it breaks through. The listing says wet or dry and does not give a water-feed specification. This is the best value if you want a complete SDS masonry set for a wall hole and you treat the star line as shared.

Pros

  • 52 mm barrel, 240 mm SDS adaptor, centre bit and taper drift
  • Shared reviews include an 11 inch block wall and a vent in about 10 minutes
  • Buyers compared the price with a dearer branded core
  • Listed drilling depth 170 mm; wet or dry; 1/2 inch BSP

Cons

  • 4.7 from 83 is the same line and the same texts as the 72 mm and 107 mm listings
  • Teeth broke around the fifth hole in 100 mm block
  • Slow when a quick clean bore was wanted; snatch at breakthrough
  • No water-feed specification

Best for: You want one or two holes in brick, block or a concrete slab, with an SDS Plus drill and the adaptor included.

Less suitable: A long run of holes in hard block, or a decision that needs reviews written about 52 mm only.

Specifications

Model
MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set
Brand
MOXPIFY
Price
∼£32
Customer rating
4.7/5(83)
Family
Masonry set
Diameter
52 mm
Fitment
1/2 in BSP + SDS
Cooling
Wet or dry
Bond
Diamond grit
Length
170 mm listed
Pieces
4
In the box
Bit, SDS, pilot, drift

Common questions

What is in the MOXPIFY 52 mm box?

One 52 mm diamond core bit, one 240 mm SDS adaptor, one 200 mm centre drill bit and one taper drift. The thread is 1/2 inch BSP. The listed drilling depth is 170 mm.

Does the 52 mm listing specify water?

It says wet or dry. It does not give a water-feed specification. Dry brick still wants dust control, and dense concrete wants a drill built for a real water feed.

Is the 4.7 score only for this 52 mm diameter?

No. The file records 4.7 from 83, and the same line and the same review texts appear on the 72 mm and 107 mm MOXPIFY listings. Treat it as one shared block, not three tests.

MOXPIFY 72 mm core bit set

Rank 2

MOXPIFY 72 mm core bit set

∼£36

Our view

The MOXPIFY 72 mm set uses the same box pattern as the 52 mm listing: a 1/2 inch BSP barrel, a 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a 200 mm centre bit and a taper drift, with a listed drilling depth of 170 mm, at about £35.99. Wet or dry is stated, and there is no water-feed specification. The 4.7 from 83, and the review texts, match the 52 mm and 107 mm files, so an 11 inch concrete-block wall, an angled hole and an air-conditioning vent on an SDS Plus drill are not isolated to 72 mm. Buyers still describe it as the cheaper stand-in for a dearer brand. Teeth broke around the fifth hole in standard block, the bore can be slow, and breakthrough snatch is in the file. At 1.54 kg this is the middle diameter of the three, and the star line is not a test of this size alone.

Pros

  • 72 mm barrel with a 240 mm SDS adaptor, centre bit and taper drift
  • Listed depth 170 mm; wet or dry; 1/2 inch BSP
  • Shared file includes an 11 inch block wall and an SDS Plus vent
  • About £35.99, between the 52 mm and 107 mm sister listings

Cons

  • Same 4.7 from 83 and the same texts as the other two MOXPIFY diameters
  • Teeth broke around the fifth hole in standard block
  • Slow bore and snatch at breakthrough
  • No water-feed specification

Best for: You need a 72 mm hole in brick or block, the adaptor has to be in the box, and a shared review file is acceptable.

Less suitable: You need reviews written about 72 mm only, or a long series of holes in hard block.

Specifications

Model
MOXPIFY 72 mm core bit set
Brand
MOXPIFY
Price
∼£36
Customer rating
4.7/5(83)
Family
Masonry set
Diameter
72 mm
Fitment
1/2 in BSP + SDS
Cooling
Wet or dry
Bond
Diamond grit
Length
170 mm listed
Pieces
4
In the box
Bit, SDS, pilot, drift

Common questions

What is in the MOXPIFY 72 mm box?

One 72 mm diamond core bit, one 240 mm SDS adaptor, one 200 mm centre drill bit and one taper drift. The thread is 1/2 inch BSP. The listed drilling depth is 170 mm.

Is the 4.7 score only for this 72 mm diameter?

No. The same 4.7 from 83 and the same review texts appear on the 52 mm and 107 mm MOXPIFY listings. Do not read the line as a separate endurance test of 72 mm.

MOXPIFY 107 mm core bit set

Rank 3

MOXPIFY 107 mm core bit set

∼£48

Our view

The MOXPIFY 107 mm set is the largest of the three sister listings: the same 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, 200 mm centre bit and taper drift, a listed 170 mm depth, wet or dry, at about £47.99 and 2.16 kg. The 4.7 from 83 and the review texts are the same block as the 52 mm and 72 mm files. That block includes a concrete slab for a washing-line pole, an 11 inch concrete-block wall with an angled hole, and an air-conditioning vent in about 10 minutes on a Titan SDS Plus drill. None of those texts isolate 107 mm. Teeth broke around the fifth hole in 100 mm block, the cut can be slow, and the bit can snatch as it breaks through. A larger rim asks more of the drill than a 52 mm barrel, and this file does not show that separately. A UK trade sheet says not to put 107 mm and 127 mm dry cores on an SDS Plus adaptor. Buy it when 107 mm is the hole you measured and the drill can turn that diameter.

Pros

  • 107 mm barrel with a long SDS adaptor, centre bit and taper drift
  • Listed depth 170 mm; wet or dry; 1/2 inch BSP
  • Shared reviews cover an 11 inch block wall and a vent in about 10 minutes
  • About £47.99, with the adaptor in the box

Cons

  • Reviews do not isolate 107 mm from the 52 mm and 72 mm listings
  • Segment loss after a few holes in 100 mm block
  • Slow when a quick clean bore was expected
  • 2.16 kg; a wide core asks more of the drill

Best for: You need a 107 mm opening in brick or block and the long SDS adaptor has to be in the box.

Less suitable: A small waste or vent, or a light drill that struggles with a wide core.

Specifications

Model
MOXPIFY 107 mm core bit set
Brand
MOXPIFY
Price
∼£48
Customer rating
4.7/5(83)
Family
Masonry set
Diameter
107 mm
Fitment
1/2 in BSP + SDS
Cooling
Wet or dry
Bond
Diamond grit
Length
170 mm listed
Pieces
4
In the box
Bit, SDS, pilot, drift

Common questions

What is in the MOXPIFY 107 mm box?

One 107 mm diamond core bit, one 240 mm SDS adaptor, one 200 mm centre drill bit and one taper drift. The thread is 1/2 inch BSP. The listed drilling depth is 170 mm and the listed weight is 2.16 kg.

Is the 4.7 score only for this 107 mm diameter?

No. The same 4.7 from 83 and the same review texts appear on the 52 mm and 72 mm listings. Those texts do not isolate 107 mm. A wide dry core on an SDS Plus adaptor is also outside the size a UK trade sheet allows.

Starrett BMC117 117 mm dry core

Rank 4

Starrett BMC117 117 mm dry core

∼£30

Our view

The Starrett BMC117 is a 117 mm dry-cutting core with a straight shank, sold as the bit only at about £29.91. The line is 4.5 from 365 amazon.co.uk reviews, though several saved texts are about other Starrett diameters from the same line. One reviewer ran this 117 mm core for over 30 vent holes in brick, hollow block and solid wall on a DeWalt core drill, including a wall with a fishtail tie. Others report a clean hole on a single use and less pressure than a TCT core, which matches the listing’s cut-rate claim. A separate Starrett arbor is called poor quality, and that arbor is not in this box: adaptor, pilot and case are not listed. Wobble shows up in a small number of reviews, and buyers who stopped after one hole leave the rim life unproven. Large diameters in the file are said to need a powerful SDS drill. You get a known dry bit for brick and masonry if you already have a straight-shank arbor.

Pros

  • 117 mm dry-cutting core with synthetic diamond grit at about £29.91
  • 4.5 from 365 amazon.co.uk reviews
  • One buyer reports over 30 vent holes in brick, hollow block and solid wall
  • Described as lighter feed than a TCT core in some reviews

Cons

  • Bit only: adaptor, pilot and case are not in the box
  • Several saved reviews discuss other Starrett diameters
  • Wobble in a small number of reviews; life unproven after a single hole

Best for: You already own a straight-shank arbor and a drill that can turn a 117 mm core in brick or masonry.

Less suitable: A first core kit, or any job that needs the pilot and adaptor in the same box.

Specifications

Model
Starrett BMC117 117 mm dry core
Brand
Starrett
Price
∼£30
Customer rating
4.5/5(365)
Family
Dry core bit
Diameter
117 mm
Fitment
Straight shank
Cooling
Dry
Bond
Diamond grit
Pieces
1
In the box
Bit only

Common questions

Does the Starrett BMC117 include an adaptor or a pilot?

No. The box line is one 117 mm diamond dry-core bit. Adaptor, pilot and case are not listed. The shank is straight, so you need an arbor you already own.

Are all 365 reviews about this 117 mm bit?

The rating line is 4.5 from 365. Several saved reviews discuss other Starrett diameters bought from the same line, so the count is not 365 reports of this diameter alone.

FACHLICH 11-piece tile kit

Rank 5

FACHLICH 11-piece tile kit

∼£110

Our view

The FACHLICH kit is 11 vacuum-brazed M14 pieces at about £109.99: hole cutters at 6, 8, 10, 25, 35, 50, 68 and 110 mm, a 20 mm finger bit with six water outlets, a 50 mm chamfer, and a hex adaptor for moving between an angle grinder and a drill. The rating is 4.5 from 173. Reviewers describe a heavy diamond edge on 10 mm marble, fast cuts in commercial tiling, and pipe holes in tiles once the cup is started. The size spread is what bathroom fitters in the file were buying. The same texts record a first porcelain attempt that failed, only three cuts in 20 mm granite paving even with water, and skidding before the cup beds in. A reviewer calls a 100 mm cup awkward on a grinder. The spec table’s cutting diameter is 20 mm, which does not match the eight cutter sizes, and the listing rules out impact mode. Box packaging is stated; a separate case is not named.

Pros

  • Eight cutters from 6 mm to 110 mm, plus a 20 mm finger bit and a 50 mm chamfer
  • Hex adaptor included; M14 thread for an angle grinder
  • 4.5 from 173 reviews, with commercial tiling and 10 mm marble in the file
  • Wet or dry; the finger bit has six water outlets

Cons

  • About £109.99, the highest price in this comparison
  • Skids at the start; one buyer failed on the first porcelain attempt
  • Only three cuts in 20 mm granite paving even with water
  • Spec table lists a 20 mm cutting diameter, not the cutter range

Best for: You need several tile hole sizes, a finger bit and a chamfer on an M14 grinder or a drill via the hex adaptor.

Less suitable: A single small hole, or 20 mm granite paving if you expect many cuts from one cup.

Specifications

Model
FACHLICH 11-piece tile kit
Brand
FACHLICH
Price
∼£110
Customer rating
4.5/5(173)
Family
Tile kit
Diameter
6–110 mm
Fitment
M14 plus hex
Cooling
Wet or dry
Bond
Vacuum-brazed
Pieces
11
In the box
Cutters, bits and hex

Common questions

Which diameters are in the FACHLICH kit?

Eight hole cutters at 6, 8, 10, 25, 35, 50, 68 and 110 mm, plus a 20 mm finger bit and a 50 mm chamfer bit. The spec table’s cutting diameter is 20 mm, which does not match that cutter list.

Can the FACHLICH kit go on a drill?

The listing says an angle grinder or a drill, using the included hex adaptor to switch. It says not to use impact mode. The thread is M14.

SHDIATOOL 6 mm dry diamond tile bits

Rank 6

SHDIATOOL 6 mm dry diamond tile bits

∼£29

Our view

The SHDIATOOL set is five 6 mm M14 bits for an angle grinder, with wax inside and a stated 50 mm working depth, so you drill small porcelain holes without adding water. Across 4.4 from 770 amazon.co.uk reviews, buyers report a run of bathroom holes from one bit — one review cites 13 — and a quicker cut on a grinder than the same job in a drill. The listing names porcelain, tile, granite, marble, stone, masonry, block, brick and non-reinforced concrete, and it recommends 6,000 rpm with an 11,000 rpm maximum. Some buyers who had already worn out cheap diamond bits found these lasted longer. They still wear out: hard porcelain uses the rim after a finite number of holes. One saved review describes a 20 mm cut, which is not this set’s stated 6 mm size. At about £28.99 this is the top pick for repeated small porcelain holes on an M14 grinder.

Pros

  • Five 6 mm M14 bits with internal wax at about £28.99
  • Stated 50 mm working depth; recommended 6,000 rpm
  • 4.4 from 770 amazon.co.uk reviews
  • One review cites 13 porcelain bathroom holes from one bit

Cons

  • Hard porcelain still wears the rim out
  • One saved review describes a 20 mm cut, not this 6 mm set
  • A storage case is not listed

Best for: You want repeated 6 mm holes in porcelain or ceramic on an M14 angle grinder, without a separate water feed.

Less suitable: A chuck drill with no M14 thread, or a single large opening in tile or masonry.

Specifications

Model
SHDIATOOL 6 mm dry diamond tile bits
Brand
SHDIATOOL
Price
∼£29
Customer rating
4.4/5(770)
Family
Dry tile bits
Diameter
6 mm
Fitment
M14 grinder
Cooling
Internal wax
Bond
Vacuum-brazed
Length
50 mm working
Pieces
5
In the box
Five 6 mm bits

Common questions

Do you add water to the SHDIATOOL 6 mm bits?

The listing says the bits have wax inside and are used without adding water. It also states a 50 mm maximum working depth. The recommended speed is 6,000 rpm and the maximum is 11,000 rpm.

Which machine does the SHDIATOOL listing name?

An angle grinder with an M14 spindle. A chuck drill is the wrong fit unless you already have a way to hold an M14 thread, and this box does not add that adaptor.

Is every review about a 6 mm bit?

The spec table is 6 mm. One saved review describes a 20 mm cut, so that text is not this set’s stated size. The rating line is 4.4 from 770.

LEKOMESH 6 mm tile bits

Rank 7

LEKOMESH 6 mm tile bits

∼£44

Our view

LEKOMESH sells ten 6 mm vacuum-brazed bits, 60 mm long with grit #35/40 and cooling wax, on an M14 thread, at about £43.99. The line is 4.4 from 299. Reviewers cut hard porcelain that had blunted other brands, including shower-pipe holes in 7 mm porcelain with a drill adaptor, and some still call the edge sharp after hard tile. The adaptor for a chuck drill is not in the box. The repeated complaint is life: blunt after about four holes, or hard work after two or three, with later holes in the same session getting harder. Short comments that the bit was not good sit under the same rating. Named surfaces are porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, stone and quartz. You are paying for a pack of ten small wax-cooled bits, and the review file says a handful of hard holes can finish one of them.

Pros

  • Ten 6 mm bits, grit #35/40, with cooling wax, at about £43.99
  • 4.4 from 299 amazon.co.uk reviews
  • Hard porcelain and 7 mm shower-pipe holes in the review file
  • 60 mm length and 10 mm diamond height stated

Cons

  • Blunt after about four holes for some buyers
  • Drill adaptor is not in the box
  • Later holes in the same session get harder

Best for: You want several 6 mm holes in porcelain or ceramic on an M14 angle grinder.

Less suitable: A chuck drill unless you already own an adaptor, or a job that needs more than a few hard holes per bit.

Specifications

Model
LEKOMESH 6 mm tile bits
Brand
LEKOMESH
Price
∼£44
Customer rating
4.4/5(299)
Family
Dry tile bits
Diameter
6 mm
Fitment
M14; no adaptor
Cooling
Cooling wax
Bond
Vacuum-brazed
Length
60 mm overall
Pieces
10
In the box
Ten 6 mm bits

Common questions

Is an adaptor included with the LEKOMESH bits?

No. The box is ten 6 mm bits. The listing says drills need an adaptor, and that adaptor is not in the box list. The thread is M14, for an angle grinder.

How does the LEKOMESH listing cool the bit?

It specifies built-in cooling wax rather than a water feed. Each bit is 60 mm long with a 10 mm diamond height and grit #35/40. Named surfaces include porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, stone and quartz.

DaduoRi Pro 52 mm core set

Rank 8

DaduoRi Pro 52 mm core set

∼£47

Our view

The DaduoRi Pro set is a 52 mm barrel 240 mm long, with a 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a 110 mm SDS adaptor, a hex adaptor, and centre bits at 280 mm and 300 mm, at about £46.99. The listing claims up to 460 mm by adding the long adaptor to the barrel, and it names deep holes in concrete, brick, block and stone. Cooling is not stated. The rating is 4.3 from 14, with eight review texts. Two holes in 350 mm walls were finished when the bit was kept cool, and other buyers report a clean hole through brick and block for pipes and cables. One review that calls the size useful for a washing-machine waste says 42 mm, not 52 mm. The failure reports are sharp: it sheared within 30 minutes of first use, and it did not survive 10 inches of hard brick even though that hole was finished. Eight texts are a thin file for a long barrel.

Pros

  • 52 × 240 mm barrel plus three adaptors and two long centre bits
  • Two holes in 350 mm walls when the bit was kept cool
  • Brick and block for pipes and cables in the short review file
  • Short SDS adaptor included for shallow holes

Cons

  • Only 4.3 from 14 reviews, with eight texts
  • Sheared within 30 minutes of first use in one report
  • Did not survive 10 inches of hard brick in another
  • Cooling is not stated; the 460 mm figure adds the adaptor

Best for: You need a deep 52 mm hole in brick or block, you can keep the barrel cool, and you only need a few holes.

Less suitable: A long pass in hard brick, or a purchase you want backed by a large review file at about £46.99.

Specifications

Model
DaduoRi Pro 52 mm core set
Brand
DaduoRi
Price
∼£47
Customer rating
4.3/5(14)
Family
Long barrel set
Diameter
52 mm
Fitment
BSP, 3 adaptors
Bond
Sintered grit
Length
240 mm barrel
Pieces
6
In the box
Bit, adaptors, pilots

Common questions

What adaptors are in the DaduoRi Pro set?

A 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a 110 mm SDS Plus adaptor and a hex shank adaptor. Centre bits are 280 mm and 300 mm, and the listing says to use one. The thread is 1/2 inch BSP.

How deep is the DaduoRi Pro barrel?

The barrel is 240 mm. The listing claims up to 460 mm with the 240 mm SDS adaptor. That figure adds the adaptor. It is not a second measured barrel. Cooling is not stated.

Meccion 40 mm diamond hole saw

Rank 9

Meccion 40 mm diamond hole saw

∼£13

Our view

The Meccion cup is a 40 mm diamond-coated hole saw with a pilot, listed at about £12.99, and the bullets tell you to use water at 500–800 rpm. Across 4.2 from 815 amazon.co.uk reviews, buyers cut porcelain and ceramic at this price, including a hole for a WC flush lever, and several credit water with keeping the rim alive. A small starter hole made the cup easier to place. The listing says to remove the centring bit once a round slot is started, and to keep the drill vertical. The recurring failure is early: the edge gone after one thick stone tile, or the cup stalling and cracking further tiles. Reviewers who answer the low scores tie that short life to drilling dry. It is not described as a masonry barrel or an SDS kit, and the shank type is not stated. Use it for a single 40 mm hole in ceramic or porcelain with water, and do not plan a row of hard stone tiles on one cup.

Pros

  • 40 mm cup with a pilot centre bit at about £12.99
  • 4.2 from 815 amazon.co.uk reviews
  • Water cooling and a side hole for chips; stated speed 500–800 rpm
  • Clean ceramic holes in the file, including a WC flush-lever opening

Cons

  • Rim gone after one thick stone tile for some buyers
  • A stalled cut can crack further tiles
  • Shank type is not stated; not sold as an SDS masonry barrel

Best for: You need one 40 mm hole in ceramic or porcelain and you will keep the cut wet.

Less suitable: Thick stone tile, a run of hard porcelain, or brick and concrete.

Specifications

Model
Meccion 40 mm diamond hole saw
Brand
Meccion
Price
∼£13
Customer rating
4.2/5(815)
Family
Tile cup
Diameter
40 mm
Fitment
Pilot; shank –
Cooling
Water
Bond
Diamond coating
Length
40 mm
Pieces
1
In the box
Cup with pilot

Common questions

Does the Meccion listing say to use water?

Yes. The bullets say use water, and they mention a side hole for water and chips. The stated speed is 500–800 rpm. Reviews that report a short life often tie that to drilling dry.

Is the Meccion cup an SDS masonry barrel?

No. The listing describes a diamond-coated hole saw with a pilot for tile, porcelain, glass, marble and ceramic. It is not described as a masonry barrel or an SDS kit, and the shank type is not stated.

SALI 52 mm laser-welded core set

Rank 10

SALI 52 mm laser-welded core set

∼£35

Our view

The SALI set is a 52 mm by 150 mm barrel with laser-welded segments, a 115 mm SDS adaptor, an 88 mm hex adaptor and a 200 mm TCT centre bit, on a 1/2 inch BSP thread, at about £34.99. The listing says this core is best used dry, and it names concrete, red brick, block, stone and tile masonry. The rating is 4.1 from 88, with 50 review texts in the file. Buyers cut an exterior wall for a cooker-hood vent, engineering bricks, and a thick wall for a 32 mm waste pipe; one breeze-block hole was kept wet, which sits against that dry preference. Several call the build strong. The hard limit is the rim: a hairline crack, then a tooth spinning off even in plaster, and a pilot some reviewers found too short. It also wants a powerful drill, and some found it slower than they expected. The unit line says 1 count while the box is the bit plus three accessories.

Pros

  • 52 mm laser-welded barrel, 150 mm long, at about £34.99
  • SDS adaptor, hex adaptor and a 200 mm TCT pilot in the box
  • Cooker-hood vent, engineering bricks and a 32 mm waste in the reviews
  • 4.1 from 88 amazon.co.uk reviews

Cons

  • A tooth left the rim, in one report after a crack even in plaster
  • Pilot shorter than some buyers wanted
  • Needs a powerful drill; some found it slow
  • Unit line says 1 count; the box is a set of four items

Best for: You want a 52 mm hole in brick or block and you can drive it from either an SDS drill or a hex chuck, dry as the listing prefers.

Less suitable: A light drill, or a job where a lost segment on an easy material would stop the work.

Specifications

Model
SALI 52 mm laser-welded core set
Brand
SALI
Price
∼£35
Customer rating
4.1/5(88)
Family
Masonry set
Diameter
52 mm
Fitment
BSP, SDS and hex
Cooling
Dry preferred
Bond
Laser-welded
Length
150 mm barrel
Pieces
4
In the box
Bit, SDS, hex, pilot

Common questions

Does the SALI listing prefer dry or wet use?

It says this core drill is best used dry. Named materials include concrete, red brick, tile masonry, brick and cinder block, asphalt, marble, rock and stone. One review kept a breeze-block hole wet, which is not that preference.

Which adaptors are in the SALI box?

A 115 mm SDS adaptor, an 88 mm hex shank adaptor and a 200 mm TCT-tipped centre bit, plus the 52 mm barrel. The thread is 1/2 inch BSP. The unit line says 1 count; the box is four items.

INQUIRLLY 12-piece diamond tile set

Rank 11

INQUIRLLY 12-piece diamond tile set

∼£23

Our view

The INQUIRLLY set is twelve tile hole cutters at about £22.99. The contents bullet lists 6, 8, 10, 16, 18, 20, 25, 32, 35, 40, 50 and 68 mm, while the title and the included-components line stop at 50 mm. The shank type is not stated, and a review says the cups have no centring drill, so the rim wanders until the work is clamped. Dry drilling is named, with water recommended at 500–800 rpm, and the bullets claim both vacuum brazing and a diamond coating. The rating is 3.5 from 5, with three UK review texts, and one of those limits useful depth to about 30 mm. Glass is on the title and metal is only on the surface line; a case is not in the contents. At this price you get a wide size list on paper, and almost no evidence that the cups start cleanly or that 68 mm is actually in the box.

Pros

  • Twelve listed diameters from 6 mm upward, at about £22.99
  • Usable when the work is clamped, in the short review file
  • Side hole for water and chips; stated speed 500–800 rpm
  • Dry drilling named, with water recommended to extend life

Cons

  • 3.5 from 5 ratings and only three review texts
  • No centring drill, so the cup wanders
  • Title says 6–50 mm; the contents bullet also lists 68 mm
  • One review limits useful depth to about 30 mm

Best for: Clamped tile work, if you accept a tiny review file and you check the diameters when the box arrives.

Less suitable: Accurate freehand holes, metal, or any job that depends on a 68 mm cutter being included.

Specifications

Model
INQUIRLLY 12-piece diamond tile set
Brand
INQUIRLLY
Price
∼£23
Customer rating
3.5/5(5)
Family
Tile cutter set
Diameter
6–68 mm listed
Fitment
Shank –
Cooling
Dry; water advised
Bond
Brazed and coated
Pieces
12
In the box
12 cutters

Common questions

Which diameters does the INQUIRLLY listing name?

The contents bullet lists 6, 8, 10, 16, 18, 20, 25, 32, 35, 40, 50 and 68 mm. The title says 6–50 mm. The included-components line says 6 mm–50 mm. Check the box rather than assuming 68 mm is inside.

Does the INQUIRLLY set include a centre drill?

A centre drill is not stated, and a review in the file says these cups lack a centring drill, so the rim wanders until the work is clamped. The shank type is not stated either. Dry drilling is named, with water recommended.

DaduoRi 44 mm core bit set

Rank 12

DaduoRi 44 mm core bit set

∼£31

Our view

The DaduoRi 44 mm set is a 240 mm barrel on a 1/2 inch BSP thread, sold with a 110 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a centre pilot and a removal pin, at about £30.99. The listing names clay bricks, aerated blocks, breeze blocks, general masonry, blockwork and drywall, and it tells you to use water and rotation only. It excludes concrete, stone and other hard materials. The barrel is 240 mm; the claimed 330 mm single pass adds the 110 mm adaptor rather than describing a longer tube. There is no customer-review line and no review text, so this comparison has no buyer report of how the teeth cut or how long they last. The spec table does not name the material, even though the bullets call it a diamond core bit. You can match it to an SDS Plus drill for a 44 mm hole in light block or drywall, and a missing rating is not evidence that the bit works.

Pros

  • 44 × 240 mm barrel with an SDS adaptor, pilot and removal pin
  • Water recommended; rotation only
  • Named for clay bricks, aerated blocks, breeze blocks and drywall
  • The listing states the exclusion: concrete, stone and other hard materials

Cons

  • No amazon.co.uk review line and no review text
  • Concrete and stone are excluded
  • The 330 mm depth claim adds the 110 mm adaptor to the 240 mm barrel
  • Spec material is not stated

Best for: You want a 44 mm hole in brick, aerated block or drywall and you can accept a listing with no reviews.

Less suitable: Concrete, stone, or any hole you want buyer reports for before you drill.

Specifications

Model
DaduoRi 44 mm core bit set
Brand
DaduoRi
Price
∼£31
Family
Masonry set
Diameter
44 mm
Fitment
BSP + SDS adaptor
Cooling
Water advised
Length
240 mm barrel
Pieces
4
In the box
Bit, SDS, pilot, pin

Common questions

Will the DaduoRi 44 mm listing drill concrete?

No. The bullets exclude concrete, stone and other hard materials. Named surfaces are clay bricks, aerated blocks, breeze blocks, general masonry, blockwork and drywall. The listing also says rotation only, and it recommends water.

How is the DaduoRi 44 mm set rated on amazon.co.uk?

There is no customer-review line and no review text. The price in the file is about £30.99. A missing rating is not evidence that the teeth last. The barrel is 240 mm; a 330 mm claim adds the 110 mm adaptor.

How we compared

Twelve diamond core bits on amazon.co.uk were scored on 20 October 2026 from listing facts and review notes, not from a cutting test. Amazon evidence, listing fit, review outcome and value are weighted 30, 35, 20 and 15. A shared star line is not counted as three results. A listing with no reviews is not scored from stars. Public UK sources cover dust, water, cable isolation and the superabrasive safety standard. No laboratory ranking was done.

1

Amazon evidence

30%

Star rating on amazon.co.uk scaled to this share of the score, then a hard cap when the count is under 15, a deduction when saved reviews describe other diameters, and a deduction when one review block is shared across sister listings.

2

Listing fit

35%

Stated diameter, shank or included adaptor, cooling, bond, and an honest material limit. Conflicts between the title and the contents, or between a spec diameter and the cutter list, score down, as does a missing shank or arbor. Gaps stay blank. They are not filled in.

3

Review outcome

20%

Jobs named in the review notes, such as tile holes, wall vents and block, set against recurring failures such as a rim gone, segment loss, wander or shear. No review text scores zero here.

4

Value

15%

GBP shelf price against what the box contains and how deep the review file is. A shared star line does not count three times. A low price does not take the value award when the review file shows early rim loss on hard tile.

Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked

Diamond core bit buying guide

Choose the family first, then the diameter, then the thread, then the cooling. A tile cup and a masonry barrel do not belong on one shortlist. The notes below follow that order for UK walls, wastes and porcelain, using the public sources and the amazon.co.uk listings scored on 20 October 2026. None of the scores is a cutting test.

What is a diamond core bit?

A diamond core bit cuts a round plug out of masonry or tile so a pipe, duct, cable or tap can pass. UK buyers are choosing between two families, and they should not be ranked as if they were the same tool. A masonry barrel is a hollow steel tube with a segmented rim, often laser-welded, usually on a 1/2 inch BSP thread, with a centre pilot and dust slots. Kits add an SDS adaptor, sometimes a hex adaptor, and a drift to knock the core out. A tile cup is short.

Best for

  • One duct, waste or tap hole with an SDS combi you already own
  • Several small porcelain holes where wax or water matters more than a BSP thread
  • A trade check of an Amazon kit against a Mexco or Erbauer single at a similar shelf price

Not ideal for

  • Reinforced concrete, or about 107 mm and above on a light SDS drill
  • A lintel, a party wall, a run of holes, or a wall where a detector shows a service
  • Anyone reading one shared star line as three separate endurance tests

Mistakes to avoid

  1. 1

    Matching the bit to the pipe’s name

    A 110 mm soil pipe is not a 110 mm bit. Guides disagree between 117 mm and 127 mm. Measure the outside of the fitting and leave room for a fall and a socket. In this set, 44 mm and 52 mm sit with small wastes, and 107 mm and 117 mm with flues, vents and soil-size holes.

  2. 2

    Adding the adaptor and calling it depth

    Compare the barrel length with the wall. Lengths stated here include 150 mm, 170 mm and 240 mm. A listing that adds a 110 mm adaptor to a 240 mm barrel and prints 330 mm, or adds a 240 mm adaptor and prints 460 mm, is not describing a longer tube.

  3. 3

    Hammer mode, a dry cup, or a packed barrel

    Hammer mode stays off. A coated cup forced through porcelain with no water is a common reason the rim goes on the first hard tile. Dust left in the barrel packs the cut. Dry brick wants extraction where practicable. Dense concrete wants a real water feed, not a splash from a bottle.

What to weigh up

Job and diameter

High

Decide the family before you compare prices. A barrel is for a wall penetration. A cup is for a tile. Do not put them on one list and call the cheaper one better. Diameter is the outside of the pipe or fitting, plus room for a fall and a socket. A nominal soil-pipe size is not the cutter size. Guides for a 110 mm soil pipe disagree between 117 mm and 127 mm, so measure the fitting you will pass through the hole. In this comparison, 44 mm and 52 mm sit with small wastes.

Thread, cooling and bond

High

A 1/2 inch BSP thread plus an SDS Plus adaptor uses the combi you already own, within a size limit. A UK trade sheet for dry cores says not to put 107 mm and 127 mm dry cores on an SDS Plus adaptor. M14 tile bits belong on a small angle grinder unless a hex adaptor and a drill speed are stated. A straight shank is a bare bit. If the adaptor, pilot or arbor is not in the box, you already need to own it. Cooling follows the material. Dry cutting with dust control suits facing brick and block.

Which option suits you?

Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.

One waste or vent with an SDS combi

You are drilling one duct, waste or tap hole with an SDS combi you already own. The MOXPIFY 52 mm set includes the barrel, a 240 mm SDS Plus adaptor, a centre bit and a taper drift, at about £31.99. The 4.7 from 83 is shared with the 72 mm and 107 mm listings.

Several small porcelain holes

You need repeated 6 mm holes in porcelain or ceramic and you care about wax cooling on an M14 grinder, not a BSP thread. The SHDIATOOL set is five 6 mm bits with wax inside, about £28.99, with 4.4 from 770. One review cites 13 porcelain holes from one bit.

A wide dry core and your own arbor

You already own a straight-shank arbor and a drill that can turn a wide core in brick. The Starrett BMC117 is a 117 mm dry bit only, about £29.91, with 4.5 from 365. Several saved reviews are other diameters from the same line, and the adaptor is not in the box.

Common questions about diamond core bits

What is a diamond core bit?
A diamond core bit cuts a round plug out of masonry or tile so a pipe, duct, cable or tap can pass. A masonry barrel is a hollow steel tube with a diamond rim, usually on a 1/2 inch BSP thread. A tile cup is short, often M14, and vacuum-brazed or diamond-coated. They are not substitutes. A toothed TCT cutter is a different product. If that is what you need, use the hole saw comparison. Keep the drill in rotation only.
How do I choose the diameter?
Measure the outside of the pipe or fitting, then leave room for a fall and a socket. A 110 mm soil pipe is not a 110 mm bit. Guides disagree between 117 mm and 127 mm, so measure the fitting rather than the nominal size. In this comparison, 44 mm and 52 mm sit with small wastes. 107 mm and 117 mm sit with flues, vents and soil-size holes. The bit diameter has to clear the fitting, not copy the pipe’s name.
Should a diamond core bit run wet or dry?
Dry cutting with dust extraction suits facing brick and block. Dense concrete wants a drill built for a water feed, plus a plan for the slurry. Wax inside a small vacuum-brazed bit is the usual dry method for porcelain. HSE guidance on diamond coring asks for M or H class extraction where practicable on dry brick, and respiratory protection at APF 20 when dry coring runs past about 15–20 minutes in a day. A bullet that says water is not the same as a water-fed rig.
Can I use hammer mode with a diamond core bit?
No. Keep the drill in rotation only. Hammer mode chips a diamond rim and can crack tile. If you do not know where cables run, turn the power off before you drill a wall. That isolation step is the point of the HSE cable-detection sheet. A diamond core bit is not a rotary hammer bit, and the scores on this page are not a lab test of hammer use.
Can an SDS Plus adaptor take a large core?
A 1/2 inch BSP thread plus an SDS Plus adaptor uses the combi you already own, within a size limit. A UK trade sheet for dry cores says not to put 107 mm and 127 mm dry cores on an SDS Plus adaptor. A wide rim asks more of the drill than a 52 mm barrel. For reinforced concrete, for about 107 mm and above on a light SDS drill, or where a detector shows a service, stop and use a professional.
When should I hire a professional?
Hire a professional for reinforced concrete, for about 107 mm and above on a light SDS drill, for a lintel, a party wall or a run of holes, and when a detector says a service is in the way. A bullet that says concrete is not evidence the bit will drill reinforced concrete. BS EN 13236:2019 is the superabrasive safety standard. These amazon.co.uk listings do not say they are certified to it.
How much does a diamond core bit cost?
On these twelve amazon.co.uk listings, shelf prices run from about £12.99 for a coated tile cup to about £109.99 for an 11-piece tile kit. Most barrels and 6 mm sets sit between about £28.99 and about £47.99. In October 2026 Toolstation listed a Mexco dry 52 mm at £28.99, and Screwfix an Erbauer 52 mm at £34.39, both including VAT. That is a shelf reading, not a survey. Prices move.
Is the star rating a durability test?
No. A star line on amazon.co.uk is not a measured cutting life. The three MOXPIFY diameters share one 4.7 from 83 and the same review texts, so that line is not three endurance tests. A listing with no review line is not scored from stars. The highest score here is the SHDIATOOL 6 mm wax bits: the listing states M14, wax and a 50 mm working depth, and one review cites 13 porcelain holes from one bit. A saved 20 mm review is not that set’s size.

Our verdict

In this set of twelve amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick is the SHDIATOOL pack of five 6 mm M14 wax bits at about £28.99, with 4.4 from 770 reviews. The listing states wax cooling and a 50 mm working depth, and one review cites 13 porcelain holes from one bit. A saved 20 mm review is not this set’s size. The best value is the MOXPIFY 52 mm SDS set at about £31.99. The 4.7 from 83 is shared with the 72 mm and 107 mm listings, so it is not three tests. The box includes the adaptor, and buyers compared the price with a dearer branded core. None of these scores is a lab test.

Best overall
MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

View offer
Best value
MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

MOXPIFY 52 mm core bit set

Complete SDS set at about £31.99, with a stated adaptor and pilot, and review notes that name a finished hole, after the shared 4.7 from 83 is already discounted.

View offer

Editorial

Peter F. - Editor
Editor
Diamond core bitsDrillingamazon.co.uk listings

Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.

Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked

Guides to diamond core bits

Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.

Related comparisons

Sources

Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 20 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures in the display file.

  1. HSE CN8, Diamond coring/hole cutting (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  2. HSE CN3, Drilling with hand-held rotary tools (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  3. HSE CIS65, Cable detection and isolation (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  4. BSI, BS EN 13236:2019 superabrasive safety (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  5. Mexco wax-filled M14 diamond tile drills (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  6. Premier P6-ATDM14 diamond tile drill sheet (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  7. Armeg dry-core instructions (retrieved 20 October 2026)
  8. Toolstation diamond core drill bits (retrieved 20 October 2026)

Expert source (DIY & tools): Charlie White (Charlie DIYte) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.

This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures scored on 20 October 2026. We did not lab-test these diamond core bits.