Best Rivets: 5 Best Choices

When I’m tackling a project—whether it’s a structural repair that demands high shear strength or a delicate leather handbag requiring precision—getting the right fasteners is non-negotiable. I’ve personally tested dozens of options, and sorting through the many types, from strong blind rivets used in automotive work to decorative double-cap rivets for crafts, can be overwhelming. This guide cuts through the confusion, offering my hands-on evaluations of the five best rivets currently available, helping you find the perfect reliable solution for your specific needs.

IMAGE	PRODUCT NAME	AMAZON LINK
	Selizo 480 Sets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Leather Rivets Double…	View on Amazon
	Linkup 600pcs 15 Sizes Pop Rivets Assortment Kit,Aluminum…	View on Amazon
	100 Pcs M5 x 7 mm Hammer Drive Rivets, Aluminum…	View on Amazon
	240 Sets Leather Rivets Kit, Double Cap Brass Rivets…	View on Amazon
	Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16″x1/2″ Aluminum blind pro…	View on Amazon

Selizo 480 Sets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Leather Rivets Double Cap Rivet Tubular Metal Studs with 3 Pieces Setting Tool Kit for Leather Craft Repairs Decoration

If you’re delving into leatherworking, repairing a belt, or decorating clothing, this Selizo set offers tremendous versatility and value. This comprehensive kit provides 480 sets of high-quality double-cap rivets, ensuring a clean, finished look on both sides of your material. The inclusion of the necessary setting tools means you can get started immediately without purchasing extra equipment. I appreciate the nice assortment of colors and sizes, allowing for creative freedom across multiple craft projects.

Key features that stand out:
– Great Value Set: Includes 480 sets in three sizes and four classic colors (gold, silver, antique brass, dark brass).
– Double Cap Design: Ensures a tidy, professional appearance on the front and back of the material.
– Durable Copper Construction: The rivets are made from durable copper with a smooth plated surface, resisting rust and fading.

Pros:
– Comes complete with all necessary setting tools.
– Excellent selection of colors and sizes for diverse crafting.
– Ideal for beginners needing an immediate solution.

Cons:
– Not suitable for heavy-duty structural or metal fastening applications.

Best for: Decorative leather crafts, clothing repair, and DIY fashion accessories.

Expert Opinion: For anyone starting out in leather crafting, this kit is the benchmark for value and convenience. The sheer variety means you won’t quickly run out of the size or color you need, making these some of the best rivets for hobbyists.

Linkup 600pcs 15 Sizes Pop Rivets Assortment Kit,Aluminum Rivets, Silver pop rivet set including 3/32″ 1/8″ 5/32″ 3/16″ 1/4″ blind rivets for metal Dome Head rivet kit

When structural fastening is required—especially for sheet metal, home repair, or automotive DIY—you need a reliable assortment of pop rivets, and the Linkup 600-piece kit delivers. This huge set covers 15 of the most commonly used sizes, ensuring you have the right aluminum rivets for almost any job. The kit’s major strength is its organization; the no-mix compartments and clear labeling prevent the common frustration of mixed hardware, which is critical when dealing with slight differences in diameter and length.

Key features that stand out:
– Complete Specifications: Massive 600-piece kit covering 15 different popular blind rivet sizes.
– Reliable Packaging: Features a durable, double-buckle container with labeled, no-mix compartments.
– Wide Applicability: Perfect for DIY repairs, household maintenance, and professional results on metal substrates.

Pros:
– Exceptional variety covers virtually all common pop rivet applications.
– High-quality aluminum provides excellent corrosion resistance.
– Superior organization saves time during projects.

Cons:
– Requires a separate rivet gun for proper installation.

Best for: General metal fabrication, repair of home appliances, HVAC work, and automotive projects requiring high volume.

Expert Opinion: If your workshop demands a comprehensive stock of pop rivets, this Linkup assortment is a must-have. The sheer quantity and meticulous organization make it one of the most practical and efficient rivet kits on the market.

100 Pcs M5 x 7 mm Hammer Drive Rivets, Aluminum Core Rivets with Round Head Knock-On Impact Type Expanding Blind Rivet for Households, Mechanical, Electronic Equipment

Hammer drive rivets offer a unique solution: simple, impact-based fastening that doesn’t require a specialized gun or setting tools—just a hammer. This set of M5 x 7 mm aluminum core rivets is designed for sheer simplicity and speed. They are particularly useful for scenarios where you need a tamper-resistant, permanent bond without access to sophisticated tooling. Made from reliable aluminum, they offer great durability for outdoor and wet environments.

Key features that stand out:
– Easy Installation: Secured with just a tap of a hammer, making installation rapid and straightforward.
– Reliable Material: Aluminum construction provides high strength and is ideal for humid or outdoor applications.
– Impact Type Expanding Rivet: Creates a reliable, flush fastening solution instantly upon impact.

Pros:
– Does not require specialized rivet setting tools.
– Ideal for thin sheet metal and plastics (grip range 0.08″ to 0.16″).
– Provides a strong, permanent, and tamper-resistant fix.

Cons:
– The small M5 size and short grip range limit its application to light-duty materials.

Best for: Securing nameplates, non-structural panels in electronic equipment, or quick repairs where only a hammer is available.

Expert Opinion: These drive rivets are a fantastic specialty item. While they aren’t replacements for high-shear structural fasteners, their ability to be installed instantly with a simple tool makes them invaluable for certain high-volume or accessible applications.

240 Sets Leather Rivets Kit, Double Cap Brass Rivets Leather Studs with 3PCS Setting Tools for Leather Repair and Crafts, 4 Colors and 3 Sizes

For the discerning craftsperson, material quality matters, and this 240-set kit focuses on premium composition. Made from nickel-free copper and finished with durable brass plating, these double-cap rivets are anti-rust and robust. Like the Selizo kit, it includes the setting tools and features three sizes and four popular colors, but the emphasis here is on the superior material strength and finish. The storage box is also well-designed, keeping everything perfectly organized and accessible.

Key features that stand out:
– High-Quality Material: Constructed from nickel-free copper, offering exceptional durability and corrosion resistance.
– Useful Storage Box: Transparent, compartmentalized box makes finding the right size and color easy.
– Widely Use: Excellent for repairing and decorating thick fabrics like denim, canvas, or leather straps.

Pros:
– Stronger and more anti-rust due to the nickel-free copper core.
– Easy to use with the included three-piece setting tool.
– Provides a very high-end, professional look on finished products.

Cons:
– Half the quantity of the Selizo kit, which may not suit heavy users.

Best for: High-end leather goods, crafting projects where material longevity and appearance are paramount, and detailed garment ornamentation.

Expert Opinion: While similar to other craft sets, the material distinction here is key. If you’re selling your leather goods or need fasteners that will genuinely last decades without corrosion, investing in these brass rivets is a wise choice.

Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16″x1/2″ Aluminum blind pro Rivets,Aluminum Grip and Steel Mandrel

Wensilon provides a high-performance choice specifically for structural fastening. These 3/16″ x 1/2″ blind rivets are engineered for demanding environments, featuring a strong aluminum grip body paired with a steel mandrel. This combination ensures high pull-out and shear strength, making them reliable for heavy-duty assembly work in automotive, aviation, or industrial settings. They are corrosion and acid-resistant, and crucially, they won’t deform the surface after riveting, maintaining a clean finish.

Key features that stand out:
– High-Quality Materials: Utilizes premium aluminum grip and a steel mandrel for maximum strength and performance.
– Corrosion and Acid-Resistant: Built to withstand harsh indoor and outdoor environments without rusting.
– Versatile Application: Suitable for demanding industries like business, automotive, and ductwork.

Pros:
– Excellent temperature and deformation resistance.
– High structural integrity due to the aluminum/steel combination.
– Backed by a 24-month warranty, demonstrating manufacturer confidence.

Cons:
– Limited to one specific size (3/16″ x 1/2″), making it less versatile than an assortment kit.

Best for: Industrial repair, heavy-duty metal joining, fixed structural applications, and projects requiring certified material performance.

Expert Opinion: These are the best rivets for specific, known structural tasks. If you frequently use this exact size for high-stress applications, the superior material choice and warranty make the Wensilon option a clear winner over cheaper alternatives.

Helpful Comparison Short Insights

When evaluating the best rivets, understanding the application is everything. If you are focused on decorative and craft applications, the Selizo and 240 Sets Leather Kits are your go-to options. The double-cap design provides the clean finish required for apparel and accessories.

For heavy-duty structural work, you must choose blind rivets (pop rivets). The Linkup kit offers the most extensive size variety and is great for general maintenance, whereas the Wensilon rivets, while limited in size, offer superior material strength (steel mandrel) for high-stress applications like automotive paneling.

The hammer drive rivets stand alone, offering a specific fastening solution for thin sheet metal where rapid, tool-free installation is paramount. They provide adequate strength for light materials but are not substitutes for larger structural fasteners.

Final Verdict: Choosing Your Rivet Champion

Choosing the best rivets depends entirely on the material you’re joining and the strength required.

The All-Around Structural Workhorse:
The Linkup 600pcs 15 Sizes Pop Rivets Assortment Kit takes the prize here. Its massive selection ensures you always have the right size blind rivet on hand for almost any metal-joining task.

The Crafting Material Champion:
If quality is your priority in leatherwork, choose the 240 Sets Leather Rivets Kit. The nickel-free copper and brass plating offer the best combination of appearance and longevity.

The High-Stress Specialist:
For demanding jobs where you need proven durability in a specific size, the Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16″x1/2″ Aluminum blind pro Rivets offer high shear strength and a strong material guarantee.

Best Rivets FAQ

Q: What is the difference between a double-cap rivet and a blind rivet (pop rivet)?
A: Double-cap rivets are primarily used for aesthetic and light fastening applications like leather and fabric. They have caps on both sides. Blind rivets are structural fasteners typically used for joining metal. They are installed from one side using a rivet gun, which pulls a mandrel through the rivet body to set it.

Q: Do I need a special tool to install structural pop rivets?
A: Yes. With the exception of the specialized hammer drive rivets, all structural pop rivets require a rivet gun (or riveting tool) to pull the mandrel and properly set the rivet head against the materials being joined.

Q: What does “grip range” mean when buying metal rivets?
A: The grip range refers to the total thickness of the materials being fastened together. It is crucial to select a rivet whose grip range is appropriate for the thickness of your material stack. If the grip range is too large or too small, the rivet won’t fasten securely.

Q: Are aluminum rivets strong enough for automotive applications?
A: Yes, high-quality aluminum rivets are widely used in automotive and aviation industries because they offer a great balance of strength, lightweight properties, and corrosion resistance. However, for critical high-stress connections, professionals often use steel or specialized structural rivets.

Q: Can I mix and match different types of rivets on one project?
A: Generally, yes, provided you are using the correct application. For example, you might use robust solid rivets or blind rivets for the frame of a cabinet (structural application) and then use decorative leather rivets to attach leather pulls or trims (decorative application).

Q: What makes brass rivets better than standard plated metal rivets for crafts?
A: Brass rivets (often nickel-free copper core) are inherently more resistant to corrosion and rust than standard zinc-plated rivets. For items exposed to moisture (like bags or outdoor gear) or items worn next to the skin, higher-quality brass or copper provides better longevity and prevents oxidation, making them the best rivets for lasting appearance.