A domestic tarp, tent or gazebo
You want a 10 mm kit and the largest review count in this snapshot, for an edge hole in sheet up to the stated 3 mm. Try it on scrap first. Sails and lorry curtains are outside this comparison.
Eyelet pliers comparison 2026
The best eyelet pliers, compared.
Top pick: TOWOT 10 mm eyelet pliers – Only score at 92: 10 mm, about £15.27, 4.6 from 3,843. The 3 mm bullet and the punch complaints stay in the assessment. Best value: Swpeet S664 5 mm eyelet pliers – Highest value part, 10, at about £12.99 with 4.1 from 1,598. That is the price-and-sample rule for a 5 mm craft kit. Updated October 2026.
Eyelet pliers are a handheld kit that sets a two-part metal eyelet, sometimes called a grommet, into fabric, tarpaulin, canvas, leather or card. In the UK you buy them to add a hole for a cord, a strap or a tie point. A 5 mm clothing or belt eyelet and a 10 mm tarpaulin eyelet are different tools, even when the search uses the same words. A suitable kit names the nominal hole size, and it includes a die that matches the eyelets in the box, a cutter that makes a round hole, and one barrel plus one washer for each eyelet. Outdoor covers want the eyelet metal named, because plated steel and solid brass do not weather in the same way. These pliers only reach near the edge of a wide sheet, and listings in this class do not print a throat depth you can measure. A new eyelet is not a rated tie-down. Sails and lorry curtains belong with a canvas worker. Size, metal and reach are set out in the [eyelet pliers buying guide](/hub/hand-tools/eyelet-pliers/sub/eyelet-pliers-buying-guide).
Eyelet pliers are a handheld kit that sets a two-part metal eyelet, sometimes called a grommet, into fabric, tarpaulin, canvas, leather or card. In the UK you buy them to add a hole for a cord, a strap or a tie point.
36 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +24,100 readers
10 of 10: Best eyelet pliers compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
9.2/10
8.3/10
8.4/10
8.4/10
8.4/10
6.6/10
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9.0/10
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∼ £15
∼ £44
∼ £24
∼ £20
∼ £25
∼ £24
∼ £18
∼ £13
∼ £10
∼ £9
4.6(3,843)
4.6(322)
4.5(733)
4.5(591)
4.5(591)
4.5(2)
4.4(9)
4.1(1,598)
4.0(5)
3.9(197)
Personal buying guide
Which eyelet pliers fit you?
Question 1 of 2
What hole are you setting?
The best eyelet pliers in detail
Our view
The TOWOT kit is a single-size 10 mm press at about £15.27, with 500 eyelets and washers, magnetic dies, a hole punch and a steel backplate. Across 3,843 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.6, and all 50 texts in the file are marked United Kingdom, which is why the shelf score of 92 is the top pick in this set. UK reviews use it for sandal straps and for leather belts that had become too big, and one buyer who sent a 6 mm set back says 10 mm is the size they wanted for tarpaulins, though that note was written before they had used this kit. The bullet caps material at 3 mm, and reviewers say a thick belt is a struggle. Several UK reviews say the box had no instructions, and more than one says the punch does not finish a full circle or went blunt after about 10 canvas eyelets. The eyelets are called rust-resistant, not brass. A sheet-count line says 2 beside those 500 eyelets.
Pros
- 10 mm kit with 500 eyelets and washers at about £15.27
- Largest review sample here, 4.6 from 3,843, all 50 texts in the file marked United Kingdom
- Magnetic dies, a punch and a steel backplate are in the bullets
- UK reviews describe belt holes and sandal straps
Cons
- Bullet limit of 3 mm, and thick belts are a struggle in UK reviews
- Punch left an incomplete circle or went blunt after about 10 canvas eyelets
- Several UK reviews say no instructions were in the box
- Eyelet metal is not named as brass
Best for: You want a 10 mm kit with the largest UK review count in this snapshot, for edge holes in sheet up to the stated 3 mm.
Less suitable: You need 5 mm craft holes, a 12 mm eyelet, brass named on the listing, or a hole in the middle of a wide sheet.
Specifications
- Model
- TOWOT 10 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- TOWOT
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(3,843)
- Eyelet size
- 10 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 500 with washers
- Eyelet metal
- Rust-resistant
- Hole cutter
- Punch and plate
- Handle
- Locking clasp
- Weight
- 960 g
Common questions
What size eyelets are in the box?
The title, the pin-hole line and the bullet all say 10 mm, and the bullet says 500 eyelets with washers.
How thick a sheet does the listing allow?
One bullet says the pliers work with materials up to 3 mm thick. UK reviews in the saved listing say a thick belt was a struggle and a canvas punch went blunt after about 10 eyelets.
Does the box include a hole punch?
The bullet lists one hole punch and one steel backplate with the pliers. Several UK reviews say no instructions were in the box.
Our view
The HAPDEN kit is the only three-size set in this comparison, covering 6 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm at about £43.99, and the bullets name brass eyelets plus a punch for each diameter. Across 322 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.6, with all 50 texts in the file marked United Kingdom, and the shelf score is 83 because the price is above £25. UK reviews describe a finished tarpaulin repair, tent eyelets, extra gazebo holes, and 12 mm set through two layers of heavy denim. One reviewer puts the reach at about an inch from the edge. Another says the jaws do not align, and another says squeezing too hard buckles the eyelet. Backing rings stick together, so a second washer can go on by mistake. The listing does not print an eyelet count, and the 50 percent effort line is advertising copy.
Pros
- Only kit here with 6 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm
- Bullets name brass eyelets
- 4.6 from 322, all 50 texts in the file marked United Kingdom
- UK reviews cover tarp, tent, gazebo and heavy denim
Cons
- About £43.99, and no eyelet count on the listing
- Reach of about an inch in one UK review
- Jaws that do not align, and eyelets that buckle if you squeeze too hard
- Washers that stick together
Best for: You need 12 mm as well as 10 mm in one box, and the listing must say brass.
Less suitable: You only need 5 mm craft holes, or a hole more than about an inch from the edge of a wide sheet.
Specifications
- Model
- HAPDEN 6/10/12 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- HAPDEN
- Price
- ∼£44
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(322)
- Eyelet size
- 6, 10 and 12 mm
- Sizes
- Three
- Eyelets
- Count not printed
- Eyelet metal
- Brass
- Hole cutter
- One per size
- Handle
- Spring return
- Weight
- 1410 g
Common questions
Which sizes are in the kit?
The title and the bullets say 6 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm, with a punch for each diameter.
How many eyelets are included?
The bullets say brass eyelets are included. They do not give a piece count. The components line says eyelet pliers only.
What do UK reviews say about reach?
One review says the pliers only place an eyelet within about an inch of the edge. Another says the jaws do not align. Another says a hard squeeze buckles the eyelet.
Our view
The Ecraft 0910 is a 10 mm (3/8 inch) kit at about £23.99. The title says 500 silver grommets, and a unit-count line says 27. Across 733 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.5, with 46 of the matched location lines marked United Kingdom, and the shelf score is 84, level with both SBGGRL rows. Many UK reviews call it easy, and one describes a gazebo fitted without cutting a hole first. Other UK reviews say nylon webbing would not punch, a doubled garden sheet would not cut cleanly, and the plastic pucks chip. One review says the instructions exclude fabric while the title includes it. A buyer who could not punch webbing melted a hole with a soldering iron, which is their workaround rather than a method to copy. One poultry-run tarp is said to have held in wind, which is a single installation rather than a load rating.
Pros
- 10 mm title with 4.5 from 733 reviews
- Many UK reviews call the pliers easy on the jobs they tried
- One detailed review describes a sharp punch and a clean crimp
- Listed weight 920 g
Cons
- Title says 500 grommets and a unit-count line says 27
- UK reviews struggle with nylon webbing and doubled sheet
- Plastic pucks chip, in a UK review
- Material line says Plastic against a cast-iron bullet
Best for: You want a 10 mm kit with a review count above 700 and you will check the piece count when the box arrives.
Less suitable: You are punching thick webbing or doubled garden sheet, or you need the eyelet metal named as brass.
Specifications
- Model
- Ecraft 10 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- Ecraft
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(733)
- Eyelet size
- 10 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 500 on title
- Eyelet metal
- Not named
- Hole cutter
- Not listed
- Handle
- Plastic
- Weight
- 920 g
Common questions
How many grommets does the listing claim?
The title and a bullet say 500 at 3/8 inch (10 mm). A unit-count line says 27. Both are printed.
What is the tool made of?
One bullet says cast iron with a plastic handle. The material line says Plastic. The eyelet metal is not named beyond high purity metal.
What do UK reviews say about thick material?
One could not punch nylon webbing. Another struggled with a doubled garden sheet. Plastic pucks are said to chip. One review says the instructions exclude fabric while the title includes it.
Our view
The SBGGRL SB05 is a 10 mm kit at about £19.99 with 300 chrome-plated steel grommets split into gold, black and silver, plus magnetic dies, a cutter and a backer. The title also prints 3/8 inch, and the pin-hole line prints 9.53 mm, which is the same 3/8 inch written as a decimal. The listing shows 4.5 from 591 reviews and rank 2 in Grommets, but the 50 texts in the file are identical to the 6 mm and 10 mm SBGGRL kit, including remarks about two sizes and missing 1/4 inch pieces. That shared file is not a second sample, so the shelf score of 84 does not treat the two ASINs as independently reviewed. Shared texts praise gazebo curtains and a weather sail, and one says the magnet does not hold other brands. A first unit with a damaged thread was refunded in that shared text. The bullets call the grommets rustproof, on chrome-plated steel rather than brass.
Pros
- One size stated as 10 mm, 3/8 inch and 9.53 mm
- 300 grommets in three colours, with a cutter and a backer
- Magnetic dies named in the bullets
- Rank 2 in Grommets on the listing line
Cons
- Review text is the same file as the dual-size SBGGRL kit
- Shared text mentions missing 1/4 inch grommets, which this title does not sell
- Magnet described as holding only this seller's grommets
- Rustproof is a bullet on chrome-plated steel, not a brass claim
Best for: You want a 10 mm three-colour kit and you will not treat the 591 reviews as a sample unique to this ASIN.
Less suitable: You need a review file that only covers this model, or eyelets the listing calls brass.
Specifications
- Model
- SBGGRL SB05 10 mm grommet pliers
- Brand
- SBGGRL
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(591)
- Eyelet size
- 10 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 300, 3 colours
- Eyelet metal
- Chrome-plated
- Hole cutter
- Cutter and backer
- Handle
- Rubber
- Weight
- 910 g
Common questions
Is 9.53 mm a different size from 10 mm?
The pin-hole line says 9.53 millimetres and the title says 10 mm and 3/8 inch. 9.53 mm is 3/8 inch written as a decimal.
What is in the box?
The components line lists pliers, one hole cutter, 300 grommets and one grommet backer. The bullet splits the grommets into 100 gold, 100 black and 100 silver.
Are the reviews only about this model?
The 50 texts in the saved listing are identical to the 6 mm and 10 mm SBGGRL kit, including remarks about two sizes. The star line is still 4.5 from 591 on this listing.
Our view
The SBGGRL SB06 is titled as an interchangeable 6 mm and 10 mm kit at about £24.99, with two cutters and a rubber pad in the bullet. A bullet lists 500 grommets across both sizes, and the included-components line says 300 pieces of 10 mm. The pin-hole line names only 10 mm. The listing prints 4.5 from 591 and the same best-seller rank as the 10 mm-only SBGGRL kit, and the 50 review texts are the same file. A sentence in that file about two sizes fits this title more naturally than the single-size title, but it is still not a separate sample, which is why the score stays at 84. Shared criticism includes a hole that has to be made first, grommets called poor quality, and a damaged thread on a first unit that was then replaced. High-carbon steel and stainless steel are both printed. Brass is not named.
Pros
- Title offers both 6 mm (1/4 inch) and 10 mm (3/8 inch)
- Two cutters and a rubber pad are in the bullet
- Shared texts include gazebo curtains and leather work
- One shared review praises a kit that does two sizes
Cons
- Review file is identical to the 10 mm-only SBGGRL listing
- Bullet says 500 grommets and the components line says 300 of 10 mm
- Shared text says some 1/4 inch grommets were missing
- Steel description conflicts between high-carbon and stainless
Best for: You want one box that claims both 6 mm and 10 mm, and you will count the grommets against both lines on the listing.
Less suitable: You need an independent review sample, or a single size whose count agrees with itself.
Specifications
- Model
- SBGGRL SB06 6 mm and 10 mm pliers
- Brand
- SBGGRL
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(591)
- Eyelet size
- 6 mm and 10 mm
- Sizes
- Two
- Eyelets
- 500 in bullet
- Eyelet metal
- Not named
- Hole cutter
- Two cutters
- Handle
- Rubber
- Weight
- 1070 g
Common questions
Which sizes does the title name?
The title says 3/8 inch and 1/4 inch. The bullets say 6 mm and 10 mm. The pin-hole line names only 10 mm.
How many grommets are listed?
A bullet lists 500, split across 6 mm and 10 mm. The included-components line says 300 pieces of 10 mm. Both lines are in the saved listing.
Is the 4.5 from 591 a separate sample from the other SBGGRL kit?
No. The review text in the two saved listings is identical, and both listings print 4.5 from 591 and the same best-seller rank.
Our view
The NCONCO kit is a two-size brass set at about £23.89, with 80 eyelets at 3 mm (1/8 inch) and 80 at 5 mm (3/16 inch), two die sets and aluminium handles. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.5 from 2 reviews, both marked United Kingdom, and that whole sample is why the shelf score is 66. One review says the pliers, dies and brass eyelets matched what they wanted for light leatherwork and fabric repairs. The other prefers this action to earlier pliers that pinched the eyelet off to one side. Neither text describes a fault in this kit, and two reviews are not a reliability result. The bullet also says heavy-duty leather, which is a use list rather than a stated thickness. The length bullet prints 8.3 inches, and the saved listing does not give a millimetre length.
Pros
- Title and bullet both say brass, 80 of each size
- Two die sets for 3 mm and 5 mm
- Both UK reviews describe the contents they expected
- Aluminium handles, listed weight 600 g
Cons
- Only 2 reviews on the listing
- No repeated use described, so durability is unknown
- Heavy-duty leather is a bullet, not a thickness
- Rank 927 in Grommets, a thin sales signal next to the large-sample kits
Best for: You already want 3 mm and 5 mm brass eyelets and you accept a two-review listing.
Less suitable: You need a 10 mm or 12 mm cover eyelet, or a review count you can compare with the kits above 100 reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- NCONCO 3 mm and 5 mm brass eyelet pliers
- Brand
- NCONCO
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(2)
- Eyelet size
- 3 mm and 5 mm
- Sizes
- Two
- Eyelets
- 160 brass
- Eyelet metal
- Brass
- Handle
- Aluminium
- Weight
- 600 g
Common questions
Which sizes are included?
The title says 1/8 inch and 3/16 inch. The bullet says 3 mm and 5 mm, with 80 brass grommets of each and two die sets.
Are the eyelets brass?
Yes. The title and the bullet both say brass. The listing does not mention BS 3102.
How many reviews are on the listing?
The amazon.co.uk line says 4.5 from 2 reviews. Both texts in the saved listing are marked United Kingdom. That is the whole sample.
Our view
The Spurtar kit, model SS-UK-Grommet-05, is a 10 mm (3/8 inch) carbon-steel plier at about £17.99 with 300 eyelets and washers, and a magnetic mould in the bullets. The manufacturer line says Stormshopping. The listing shows 4.4 from 9 reviews, and the saved listing holds six United Kingdom texts, so the shelf score is 65. Those six are positive: camping tarpaulins, a motorbike cover tied down with extra rings, and more than one mention of the magnetic holder making alignment easier. No complaint repeats inside those six. Nine reviews, with three not in the file, are too few to treat that silence as proof nothing fails. The product-dimension line prints 6 × 6 × 2 cm against an item weight of 810 g. Chrome plating and rust-proof oil are bullet wording, not a brass claim.
Pros
- 10 mm and 300 eyelets with washers at about £17.99
- Magnetic mould mentioned in the bullets and in more than one of the six UK texts
- UK texts in the file include camping tarps and a motorbike cover
- Carbon steel named for the tool
Cons
- 4.4 from only 9 reviews, with six texts in the file
- Brand line says Spurtar and the manufacturer line says Stormshopping
- Dimensions of 6 × 6 × 2 cm sit oddly against 810 g
- No hole cutter on the components line
Best for: You want a 10 mm kit around £18 and you will not lean on nine reviews.
Less suitable: You want the large-sample 10 mm kit, or brass named on the listing.
Specifications
- Model
- Spurtar 10 mm grommet pliers
- Brand
- Spurtar
- Price
- ∼£18
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(9)
- Eyelet size
- 10 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 300 with washers
- Eyelet metal
- Chrome-plated
- Hole cutter
- Not listed
- Handle
- Anti-slip
- Weight
- 810 g
Common questions
Who is the brand?
The bullets say Spurtar. The manufacturer line says Stormshopping. The model is SS-UK-Grommet-05.
What size and how many eyelets?
The title says 10 mm and 300 pieces. The bullet says 3/8 inch eyelets with washers.
What do the reviews in the file say?
Six United Kingdom texts, all positive in this file, including camping tarpaulins and a motorbike cover. The listing count is 9, so the file is not the full set. No repeated complaint is in these six.
Our view
The Swpeet S664 is a 5 mm (3/16 inch) kit at about £12.99, with carbon-steel pliers, zinc jaws and a tool-steel mandrel. Across 1,598 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.1, and 38 of the location lines in a 50-block file say United Kingdom. The shelf score is 90, and the value part is 10, which is why it is best value here: under £13, at least 4.0 stars and at least 100 reviews. Some UK reviews say it is acceptable for hobby work once you are used to it. Others say it rips the fabric, leaves a jagged or sharp rim, or that the pieces in the box are different sizes and will not work as a set. The bullet says ten colours with 30 sets each, while the title also says 100 gold grommets. Colour is reported to rub off, and the instructions do not say which way the short grommet faces.
Pros
- 5 mm kit at about £12.99 with 4.1 from 1,598 reviews
- Highest value part in this set, which is the best-value rule
- Some UK reviewers get a usable hobby result after practice
- Bullet names a hole puncher with the setter
Cons
- UK reviews describe torn fabric, jagged edges and dies that do not line up
- One UK review says the parts in the box are different sizes
- Title count and bullet count do not match
- Finish colour comes off, in a UK review
Best for: You want a 5 mm craft or thin-fabric hole and you accept a hobby finish after a scrap trial.
Less suitable: You are repairing a 10 mm or 12 mm tarpaulin, or you need a clean crimp on the first squeeze.
Specifications
- Model
- Swpeet S664 5 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- Swpeet
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(1,598)
- Eyelet size
- 5 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 300 sets
- Eyelet metal
- Not named
- Hole cutter
- Listed
- Weight
- 460 g
Common questions
What size is this kit?
The title says 3/16 inch and the bullet says 5 mm. It is a single-size kit.
How many eyelets are included?
The bullet says ten colours with 30 sets each, and each set is an eyelet and a washer. The title also says 100 gold grommets. Both lines are on the listing.
Do UK reviews say it cuts a clean hole?
Some say it works for hobby use. Others say it rips the fabric, leaves a jagged edge, or that the pieces in the box are different sizes.
Our view
The Guttiuaa kit is a 6 mm plier at about £9.99 with 400 eyelets split into 200 gold and 200 silver, plus two hole cutters. Across 5 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.0, all of them located in the United Kingdom, and the shelf score is 62 because that sample misses the 100-review bar for the top value band. One UK review says the pliers crush the eyelet into a blob, that the rings are not compatible, and that the kit was returned. The other texts mention raincoats, pet coats, door curtains and outdoor furniture covers, and one says the box already held cutters and pliers. Several of those texts read like catalogue praise, so the praise does not carry the same weight as the return. A bullet says no hammer is required even though two cutters are listed. The eyelets are not called brass.
Pros
- 6 mm with 400 eyelets at about £9.99
- Two hole cutters listed with the pliers
- One review used the finishes on door curtains and outdoor covers
- The whole review count is in the file, so the return is visible
Cons
- Only 5 reviews, and one is a return for a crushed eyelet
- Rings described as incompatible with the pliers in that return
- Promotional tone in the other texts
- Brass is not named
Best for: You specifically want a 6 mm kit with a large eyelet count and you will test one eyelet before a finished item.
Less suitable: You need 10 mm or 12 mm for a tarpaulin, or a review sample large enough to judge a pattern.
Specifications
- Model
- Guttiuaa 6 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- Guttiuaa
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(5)
- Eyelet size
- 6 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- 400, 2 colours
- Eyelet metal
- Not named
- Hole cutter
- Two
- Weight
- 310 g
Common questions
What size and how many eyelets?
The title says 6 mm and 400 pieces. The components line splits that into 200 gold and 200 silver, plus two hole punches and one plier.
Does the listing say you need a hammer?
A bullet says no hammer is required. Two hole cutters are still listed in the box.
What is in the five reviews?
One United Kingdom review says the pliers crush the eyelet into a blob and that the rings do not match, and that the kit was returned. The other texts praise raincoats, curtains and the full kit. Five reviews is the whole count.
Our view
The Mygeromon kit is a 5 mm eyelet punch at about £8.99, with a spring in the handle and a depth gauge in the bullets, and a pack of gold metal grommets whose sheet-count line says 50. Across 197 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 3.9, the lowest star line in this set, and all 39 location lines in the file say United Kingdom. The shelf score is 73. The price is under £13, but 3.9 misses the 4.0 bar used for the top value band, so it is not the best value. More than one UK review says the head snapped, including on the first eyelet, and another says it broke after about four eyelets once the returns window had ended. Reviewers also say it is no good on a belt unless the belt is very thin, and that the handles are slippery. Some buyers still report an easy result after practice. The grommets are not called brass.
Pros
- Lowest price in the set at about £8.99 for a stated 5 mm hole
- Spring handle and a depth gauge are in the bullets
- Some UK reviewers say the punch did the job after practice
- 197 reviews, all 39 texts in the file marked United Kingdom
Cons
- 3.9 stars, and more than one UK review describes a snapped head
- Poor result on anything but a very thin belt
- Slippery handles, in a UK review
- Piece count is a sheet line of 50, not a clear bullet count
Best for: You want the cheapest 5 mm kit in this snapshot and you will test it on scrap before a finished belt.
Less suitable: You need a belt that is not very thin, a 10 mm tarp eyelet, or a sample without early breakage.
Specifications
- Model
- Mygeromon 5 mm eyelet pliers
- Brand
- Mygeromon
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(197)
- Eyelet size
- 5 mm
- Sizes
- One
- Eyelets
- Sheet line 50
- Eyelet metal
- Not named
- Hole cutter
- Not listed
- Handle
- Spring
- Weight
- 310 g
Common questions
What size is the eyelet?
The title and the pin-hole line both say 5 mm.
How many grommets are in the pack?
The bullet says a pack of gold metal grommets and does not give a number. A sheet-count line says 50.
What failed in UK reviews?
More than one review says the head snapped, including on the first eyelet. Others say it is no good on anything but a very thin belt, and that the handles are slippery.
How we compared
We scored ten eyelet plier kits from amazon.co.uk listings read on 22 October 2026. There is no lab test and no load test on a tarp. The shelf score is 0 to 100 from four parts already stored on each row: stars up to 37, review sample up to 25, fit at 22 on every kept row, and value up to 10. Those caps sum to 94. The weights below are the same four parts scaled so this page totals 100. A hog-ring plier and a snap kit were dropped and are not scored. The top pick is the only score at 92. The best value is the row with the highest value part. A same-day price can move. Neither badge is a British Standard result.
1
Amazon stars
39%Up to 37 on the shelf score. A 4.6 line stores 37. A 4.5 stores 36. A 4.4 stores 35. A 4.1 stores 33. A 4.0 stores 32. A 3.9 stores 31. Shown here as 39 so the four weights total 100.
2
Review sample
27%Up to 25 on the shelf score. Counts of 3,843 and 1,598 store 25. Counts from 322 to 733 store 20. 197 stores 14. Counts of 9, 5 and 2 store 2. The two shared listings count 591 once, not as 1,182. Shown here as 27 so the four weights total 100.
3
Listing fit
23%22 on every kept row. Each kept listing is a handheld eyelet or grommet plier kit. Shown here as 23 so the four weights total 100.
4
Value
11%Up to 10 on the shelf score. Under £13, at least 4.0 stars and at least 100 reviews stores 10. Under £16, at least 4.5 stars and at least 100 reviews stores 8. A price above £25 stores 4. Other kept rows store 6. Shown here as 11 so the four weights total 100.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Eyelet pliers buying guide
You are choosing a hole size and a matched die, not a brand name. 5 mm craft holes and 10 mm cover holes are different tools. The box should hold pliers, a die, a cutter, and one barrel plus one washer per eyelet. Outdoor work wants the metal named. These pliers stay near the edge of a wide sheet. The prices on this page are the amazon.co.uk shelf prices for these ten listings on 22 October 2026.
What are eyelet pliers?
Eyelet pliers are a handheld kit that sets a two-part metal eyelet in fabric, tarpaulin, canvas, leather or card. UK shoppers use the same search for a 5 mm clothing eyelet and a 10 mm tarp eyelet, and those are different tools. A grommet, in one UK how-to, means the heavier eyelet. Quality here means a die that matches the eyelets in the box, a cutter that makes a round hole, and a review sample large enough to show a snapped head or a doubled washer.
Best for
- People adding a tie point to a domestic tarp, tent or gazebo near the edge
- Crafters and belt owners who need a 3 mm to 6 mm hole and will trial it on scrap
Not ideal for
- Sails, lorry curtains and any cover whose failure could injure someone
- A hole in the middle of a wide sheet, where these pliers cannot reach
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying 5 mm because a bullet said tarpaulin
A 5 mm clothing eyelet and a 10 mm tarp eyelet are different tools. The search phrase is often the same. Read the nominal size, including 3/8 inch and 9.53 mm, which are one size written two ways.
- 2
Setting the first eyelet on the finished sheet
Dies that do not match, a doubled washer and a punch that leaves a jagged hole all show up on the first squeeze. Use scrap. Leftover eyelets from another brand are not assumed to fit.
- 3
Reading a bullet as a test
A 50 percent effort line and a rustproof line are advertising copy. A new eyelet is not a rated tie-down. Two listings that share one review file are one sample, not two.
What to weigh up
Nominal hole size
HighThe size on the title is the first check, and it has to match the job. 3 mm and 5 mm, also printed as 1/8 inch and 3/16 inch, are craft, card and thin-belt sizes. 6 mm sits next to a light cover. 10 mm is the trade name for a 3/8 inch hole. One listing prints that same hole as 9.53 mm, which is 3/8 inch as a decimal, not a second size. 12 mm is the larger domestic tarp size.
Matched set and eyelet metal
HighA usable kit is pliers, a die, a cutter, and one barrel plus one washer for each eyelet. The die has to match the eyelets in that box. Leftover eyelets from another brand are not assumed to fit, and one shared review says a magnet holds that seller's grommets only. Another review says the pieces in the box were different sizes and would not work as a set. Count lines that disagree, such as a title and a bullet that name different piece counts, stay as a check when the box arrives.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Craft, card or a thin belt
You want a 5 mm hole and you accept a hobby finish after a scrap trial. This row is best value on the price-and-sample rule. It is not the kit for a 10 mm tarpaulin eyelet.
12 mm and brass in one box
You need 12 mm as well as 10 mm, and the listing must say brass. The price sits above £25, so this row is not best value. One UK review puts the reach at about an inch from the edge.
Common questions about eyelet pliers
Which eyelet pliers are the top pick in this set?
The top pick in this set is the TOWOT 10 mm eyelet pliers at about £15.27. It is the only score at 92. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 3,843 reviews. It is a single 10 mm size with 500 eyelets and washers. The bullet caps material at 3 mm. UK reviews say a thick belt is a struggle, and that the punch went blunt or left an incomplete circle. The eyelets are not named as brass.
Which eyelet pliers are the best value in this set?
The best value in this set is the Swpeet S664 at about £12.99. It has the highest value part, 10: under £13, at least 4.0 stars and at least 100 reviews. amazon.co.uk shows 4.1 from 1,598 reviews. It is a 5 mm craft kit, not a tarpaulin recommendation. Some UK reviews get a hobby result. Others describe torn fabric, a jagged edge, or pieces of different sizes. The bullet says 300 sets and the title also says 100 gold grommets.
How much do eyelet pliers cost on amazon.co.uk?
In this set the amazon.co.uk prices on 22 October 2026 run from about £8.99 to about £43.99. Under about £13 the kits are 5 mm or 6 mm. About £15 to £25 covers the 10 mm kits and a two-size brass set. The three-size kit is about £43.99. These are shelf prices for these ten listings, not a market survey. A same-day price can move. A specialist banner press is a different tool and starts much higher.
What size eyelet pliers should you buy?
Match the hole to the job. 3 mm and 5 mm suit craft, card and a thin belt. 6 mm sits beside a light cover. 10 mm is a 3/8 inch hole, and 9.53 mm is the same size. 12 mm is the larger domestic tarp size. A brass table lists closed diameters of 5.08 mm, 6.35 mm, 9.53 mm and 12.70 mm. A 5 mm kit is the wrong tool for a 10 mm tarpaulin eyelet.
Does the eyelet need to be brass?
For an outdoor eyelet, read the metal, not the colour. A UK eyelet maker says solid brass does not rust and plated steel can. In this set, the three-size kit and the 3 mm and 5 mm kit say brass. A rustproof line on chrome-plated steel is still plated steel. BS 3102:1959 specified brass eyelets and washers. It was withdrawn on 15 June 2001 with no replacement listed. None of these kits states BS 3102.
Are two similar listings two separate review samples?
No. Two listings share one review text and the same 4.5 from 591. That figure is counted once, not added to make 1,182. Remarks about two sizes and missing 1/4 inch pieces sit on both pages. Do not treat the two star lines as two samples. A magnet in that shared text is said to hold that seller's grommets only. Each row still scores 84.
When is a hammer setter the better tool?
Use these pliers when the hole is near the edge and the die matches the eyelets in the box. A hammer setter and a press are different tools, and the better choice may be neither kit on this page. Sails, HGV curtains and load-bearing covers go to a canvas worker. A general hammer is not a setter. That tool is a separate comparison: hammer. A UK how-to also warns that some pliers are too small for tarpaulin eyelets.
What if the eyelet pliers snap or the eyelet is sharp?
A new eyelet is not a rated tie-down. Pinch risk is real, and a badly set eyelet can be sharp. The Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9, requires satisfactory quality, including durability where relevant. GOV.UK's product-safety guide says a consumer product must be safe in normal use. If the head snaps on the first eyelet, use the seller. Do not copy a review that burned webbing with a soldering iron.
Our verdict
The top pick is the TOWOT 10 mm kit, the only score at 92, at about £15.27 with 4.6 from 3,843 reviews. The best value is the Swpeet S664, a 5 mm craft kit at about £12.99 with 4.1 from 1,598, because it has the highest value part. That rule is not a tarpaulin recommendation. If you need 12 mm and brass named on the listing, the three-size kit is the one that says so, at a higher price and a score of 83. None of these results is a British Standard.
Best overallView offer
TOWOT 10 mm eyelet pliers
Only score at 92: 10 mm, about £15.27, 4.6 from 3,843. The 3 mm bullet and the punch complaints stay in the assessment.
Best value
View offer
Swpeet S664 5 mm eyelet pliers
Highest value part, 10, at about £12.99 with 4.1 from 1,598. That is the price-and-sample rule for a 5 mm craft kit.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
Hand toolsEyelet pliersDIY tools
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 eyelet pliers
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Eyelet pliers buying guideSize, metal and tool class before you compare the ten kits.Best eyelet pliers in this setWho the high-sample listings are for, and who should skip each.How to use eyelet pliersSet one eyelet on scrap and stop before the barrel splits.Eyelet pliers for tarpaulinsDomestic tarp, tent and gazebo sizes. A 5 mm craft kit is the wrong answer.Eyelet pliers or a hammer setterWhen pliers, a hammer setter or a press is the better tool.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources for this comparison, last checked on 22 October 2026.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, General Product Safety Regulations 2005: Great Britain (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- BS 3102:1959, withdrawn listing (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Wonkee Donkee Tools, replacing eyelets on a tarpaulin (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Hanolex, why brass eyelets (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Hanolex, brass grommet size table (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Toolbug, how to use eyelet pliers (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Laser Tools, eyelets and grommets for covers and curtains (retrieved 22 October 2026)
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Listings, review counts and public sources still decide the comparison. We did not run a lab test.