Objective To study the effect on water absorption performance of concrete based on two water-based epoxy waterproofing coating materials E16 and E44 so as to compare the performance of the two kinds of waterproof materials. Methods Different mixture proportion and thickness were designed respectively for the two kinds of waterproofing coatings. The effect on water absorption performance of concrete was evaluated through the concrete capillary water absorption test, by which the absorption coefficient was compared before and after spraying the coatings on the concrete. Results The absorption coefficient of coated concrete block decreased with the increase of coating thickness. Within a certain range, the absorption coefficient of the coated concrete block first decreased and then increased with the increase of n(amine hydrogen equivalent) / n(epoxy groups). With regard to both performance and cost, the proportion of E16 and E44 waterproof coating materials were determined as n(E16) : n(Anquamine 721) = 1 : 1, n(E44) : n(Anquamine 721)= 1 : 0. 9, the coating thickness was (300 ± 20) μm, where, the water absorption coefficients of two kinds of coatings were 3. 5% and 3. 4% corresponding to the concrete block. Conclusion By contrast, E44 waterproof coating has more influence on the water absorption coefficient of the coated concrete block.