7 Best Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile Reviews With Buying Guide

Drilling into tough yet delicate materials like ceramic tiles takes patience and expertise to prevent unwanted damages, so having the right drill bit is important to make the job successful  Below our experts share a buying guide in how to choose the right drill bit for your ceramic project, as well as our top 7 picks!

Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile Comparisons

The following table gives a brief analysis of the top ceramic tile drill bits as selected by our independent researchers.

How To Choose The Best Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile?

The market is flooded with different brands of drill bits. This makes it more confusing for you to pick the best ones for your needs. The following factors are here to guide you in the selection process.

• Size and Number of Bits

There are different densities of ceramic tiles, which call for various-sized bits. The most common bit sizes are 1/16, 1/4, 1/2, and 5/8 inches.

Bits can be purchased individually or as a set, depending on your budget. However, buying the set with multiple sizes is more economical and helps you complete different drilling projects.

• Type of Bit

Carbide and diamond are the most common bit types. Carbide bits are the strongest and are great for most heavy-duty applications or industrial drilling work.

However, these bits demand less pressure and are prone to slipping. Taking the utmost of care will help you to not fracture your precious ceramic tiles.

Diamond bits, on the other hand, are equally strong and are great for drilling large holes with less tile breakages. In fact, most DIY enthusiasts usually prefer diamond drill bits over the carbide ones.

• Bit Tip Material

The bit tip is what drills into any given surface. Therefore, it is the most essential part of a bit.

The type of bit tip can be chosen depending on the desired outcome. You need a bit that’s made from a high-quality material that won’t bend or break easily as you work through different tile densities. Diamond, carbide, and tungsten tips are the most commonly used.

• Bit Shank

The shank is the smooth surface that holds a bit in place by clamping securely on the drill’s spindle. Tri-flat and hex shanks are the most commonly used, although there are others like straight and rounded shanks.

Despite the shape of an individual bit’s shank, the surface should be non-slip for easy gripping by the arms of the drill’s chuck.

The 7 Best Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile Reviews

1. Bosch GT400 Carbide Tipped Tile and Ceramic Drill Bit

These versatile Bosch drill bits are great for use on either ceramic or other tiled surfaces because they have a unique tip design to prevent them from wandering.

However, you need to handle the bit tips with care as they tend to wear out quickly if subjected to intense pressure.

The carbide tips feature reinforced heads and diamond cutting edges to reduce stress and maximize each bit’s life.

What’s more, the tri-flat shanks ensure a safe grip of the bits for fast completion of tasks, while the advanced geometry enables easy drilling.

2. BLENDX Tile, Glass and Porcelain Diamond Drill Bits

These multipurpose diamond bits by BLENDX are the real deal for glass, tiles, and porcelain materials. The 80-grits tip head is coated in diamond for exceptional durability, while the rounded shank fits properly into the drill’s chuck.

The bits are made from sturdy steel and come in ten different sizes for added versatility. However, they are only good for drilling into a thickness of up to 1/2 inch.

3. QWORK 1/4″ Multi-Material 10 Pc Drill Bit Set

These spear-pointed bits by QWORK have sturdy tungsten carbide tips that penetrate through different materials with ease.

The ten-piece set contains 1/4 inch bit tips that can be stored safely in the included plastic case.

While water may be needed for lubrication of the drilling surfaces, these bits are great for uniform cutting. They also have a u-shape groove for efficient heat and scraps discharge, while their tri-flat shanks allow for tighter chucking.

Unfortunately, the tips need frequent sharpening as they get blunt with just a few uses.

4. HOMEIDOL Titanium Coated Glass, Ceramic Tile Drill Bit Set

This set comprises six HOMEIDOL drill bits made from premium-quality cemented carbide for perfect drilling into glass or ceramic tiles. The four cutting edges with cross tips help reduce breakouts as you drill into different materials.

Additionally, the different shank diameters, ranging from 4 mm (1/8″) to 12 mm (1/2″), work with different types of drills.

However, you should remember to lubricate the surfaces to prevent the tips from overheating.

5. EANINNO 5 Pc Masonry Drill Bit Set

This multipurpose masonry drill bit set from EANINNO is what you need if you have different materials to drill through.

It includes five drill bits of 2 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ for easy drilling into different surface densities.

All five pieces are made from durable cemented carbide and feature hardened yet smooth tips for easy chip removal.

The bits are ergonomically designed with non-skid triangular handles plus a u-grove body design for convenient use with electric drills.

You can cool the bits with water when drilling for added efficiency, and apply a lubricant after use to prevent rust.

6. Macp 6 Pc Masonry Carbide Tips Drill Bits

These Macp bits are made with high-quality micro-grain carbide and feature automatically centered points for precise drilling of straight holes through glass, ceramic tiles, and plastic.

The six bits are of sizes 1/8″, 3/16″, ¼”, 5/16″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ for additional versatility. The bits have precision sharpened spear-shaped tips to minimize walking, as well as skating. Furthermore, the hex shanks provide high stability during the whole drilling process.

Unfortunately, the bits have to be used at low speeds, especially at the start of the drilling process, and are also not ideal for use with hammer drills.

7. Rtree Diamond Drill Bit Set for Tile, Glass, Dermal and Stone

These super-efficient drill bits from Rtree work well on ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone.

The different bit sizes allow for easily cutting holes of a diameter of 1/4″ to 5/8″ when used on glass and 1/4″ to 1/2″ or bigger on other materials.

What’s more, the package contains multiple hole saws, rubber bits, rough bits, and grind bits to deliver outstanding drilling performance.

Our Top Pick

The Bosch GT400 Carbide Tipped Tile and Ceramic Drill Bits are our best choice. This is thanks to their sturdy, non-wandering carbide tips which are further reinforced with diamond cutting edges for added durability. Additionally, the patented tri-flat shanks ensure a comfortable grip for shatter-free drilling. If you are interested in the best drill bits for ceramic pots, check out our article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s now focus on some of the questions many users have been asking about ceramic tile drill bits.

How can drill bits be sharpened?

Drill bits are easily sharpened with a bench grinder or a file. The art of bit grinding isn’t an easy one; it is a risky adventure that requires practice or expert skill.

What are the maximum number of holes a single drill bit can make?

There’s no exact answer to this question because the number of holes a specific bit makes depends on how you use it.

Why is a lubricant needed when drilling through tile?

Water, oil, or any other coolant helps prevent the bits from heating up. This, in turn, enables you to finish your tasks in a shorter period of time.

Important Tips About Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile

Drilling into any tiled surface requires care to prevent shattering the pieces apart. The following tips will help you out.

• Lubrication

Both the surface you are drilling into and the bits should be lubricated regularly with either water or oil. This cools the bits down and prevents them from overheating.

• Drilling Process

Always start slow or drill at an angle, and only increase the momentum as you increase the depth of the hole. In other words, take your time throughout the whole drilling process.

• Keep Safe

As you drill, tile scraps are bound to scatter everywhere. Safety goggles will come in handy, while gloves will allow for comfortable use of the drill.

In this next section, we dive further into the seven best drill bits by detailing their features, pros, and cons. Read on to find out more.

Bottom Line

Ceramic tiles help enhance the interior décor of our homes and offices. We use them for walls, floors, pools, and more. But, what if you need to do some plumbing work around the existing tiles? The truth is that ceramic tiles are hard to drill into since they are brittle and need careful handling.

You, therefore, require drill bits that are made specifically for fragile materials like the ones we’ve discussed in this article. Above all, patience is vital when it comes to achieving excellent results in ceramic tile drilling.