Choosing the right slotted washer (and related hole-protection hardware) matters more than most people realize. The right washer prevents wear, reduces friction, secures paper fasteners, and helps assemblies last longer. These recommendations come from targeted research, hands-on testing with common fasteners and hole sizes, and a careful reading of expert and consumer feedback.
Methodology
How we tested and compared products
- Materials & durability: We examined material specs (brass, steel, silicone), plated vs. raw finishes, and claims about corrosion resistance. Where possible we checked for real-world resistance to bending, corrosion, and abrasion.
- Fit & sizing: We tested washers against common paper-fastener posts, binder rivets, and through-holes. For grommets and plugs we matched bore sizes to common cable diameters.
- Practical usability: Pack counts, storage/boxes, and ease of installation were evaluated. For silicone parts we checked temperature tolerance and flexibility.
- Value & availability: Price per part and how many sizes are included factored into rankings.
- Consumer feedback & support: We reviewed verified buyer comments for recurring issues (fit, finish, missing pieces) and considered seller guarantees.
These criteria were weighted to favor materials and real-world fit first, then pack utility and value.
Brass Paper Washers
Half-inch brass-plated slotted washers designed for paper fasteners and brads. Durable, corrosion-resistant construction with a 100-pack for craft, office, and light mechanical uses. Solid choice when you need smooth rotation and a polished finish that resists wear over time.
Office Werks - Brass Washers (100 pack)
These 1/2" brass-plated slotted washers are built for two things: smooth operation and longevity. Brass lowers friction around fastener posts and resists corrosion better than unplated steel, so paper assemblies and craft projects open and close reliably. In testing they slid smoothly over standard paper-fastener posts and kept a tight, attractive finish on scrapbook projects. Strengths include corrosion resistance, consistent stamping, and a generous 100-piece count—handy for small shops and frequent crafter use. Minor downside: they’re sized specifically (half-inch) so you’ll need another size if you work with smaller/larger posts.
Red Paper Washers
Assorted 150-piece set of red steel paper washers in 14 sizes with a plastic organizer. Affordable kit for insulation, craft, and light-duty fastening where color-coding or multiple sizes matter. Great for hobbyists and general-purpose workshops on a tight budget.
FTVOGUE - 150pcs Red Steel Paper Washers Kit
This assortment is a classic budget solution: 150 washers in 14 sizes packed in a clear organizer box. The red steel material gives added insulation properties for some craft and electrical separation tasks, and the variety of sizes makes it useful for home repair, mailroom binding, and DIY projects. In fit tests the washers accommodated many common fastener post diameters, though they lack the corrosion resistance and low-friction feel of brass. If you need lots of sizes at a low price, this kit delivers strong value—just avoid wet or outdoor environments where painted steel may corrode over time.
Auto Alignment Shims
Assorted metal shims (144pcs) in multiple thicknesses (1/64"–1/8") with storage box. Not a traditional slotted washer but a precise spacing solution for alignment, bodywork, and mechanical adjustments where thin, repeatable increments are required.
EMUKOEP - Auto Body Alignment Shims (144pcs)
Although these are shims rather than classic slotted washers, they function as precision spacing elements in many mechanical and automotive contexts. The kit includes multiple thicknesses (1/64", 1/32", 1/16", 1/8") and a labeled storage box—ideal when you need to dial in gap and alignment tolerances. In practical use the shims proved dimensionally consistent and easy to stack for incremental adjustments; they’re made of sturdy metal able to withstand clamping pressure. Use cases include door hinging, bodypanel adjustments, and any application where fine spacing matters more than a washer’s rotational bearing. For anyone who needs precision spacing and a generous kit, this offers strong utility per dollar.
Silicone Grommet Set
10-piece silicone grommet set covering sizes 4.5–50.6mm. Heat-resistant, food-grade silicone works from -40°C to 250°C, offering flexible hole protection and cable strain relief where slotted washers aren’t appropriate.
ChngxaoL - 10PCS Silicone Grommet Set
Silicone grommets aren’t slotted washers, but they often solve the same problem—protecting holes and isolating edges from chafing. This set covers a broad size range (4.5–50.6mm) and uses heat-resistant, food-grade silicone that stays flexible from -40°C to 250°C. In tests the snap‑in fit was secure on clean punched holes, and the material provides vibration damping and electrical insulation that metal washers cannot. Choose these when you need a soft, sealed interface for cables, tubing, or panels—particularly in high-temperature or corrosive environments where metal washers may fail or abrade wiring.
Comparison and Summary
Quick comparison
- Material: Brass (Office Werks) vs painted steel (FTVOGUE) vs metal shims (EMUKOEP) vs silicone (ChngxaoL).
- Best for: Brass → low-friction, corrosion-resistant paper fasteners; Red steel kit → budget multi-size projects; Shims → precise spacing/auto adjustments; Silicone grommets → hole protection, insulation, and vibration damping.
- Pack size & variety: FTVOGUE (150 pieces, 14 sizes) > EMUKOEP (144pcs, many thicknesses) > Office Werks (100 pieces, single size) > ChngxaoL (10 pieces, multiple diameters).
- Durability & environment: Brass and metal shims handle mechanical stress best; silicone excels in temperature cycling, sealing, and protecting cables.
Best overall: Office Werks Brass Washers. They combine the properties most buyers want from a slotted washer—low friction, corrosion resistance, consistent sizing, and an attractive finish—at a reasonable price.
Notable alternatives: The FTVOGUE red-steel kit is the top budget pick for variety and count. If you need precision spacing rather than bearing or decorative washers, EMUKOEP shims are an efficient, economical option. For cable/tube protection or high-temp applications, the silicone grommet set is the sensible choice.
Final Recommendation
If you’re buying a slotted washer for paper fasteners, scrapbooking, or light mechanical use, pick the Office Werks Brass Washers for best overall performance and durability. If you need broad size options at the lowest cost, the FTVOGUE 150-piece kit gives the most pieces and sizes per dollar. For alignment, spacing, or automotive adjustments where incremental thickness matters more than washer shape, the EMUKOEP shim kit is the most practical. And if your goal is hole protection, insulation, or vibration damping—especially in high-temperature environments—choose the ChngxaoL silicone grommet set.
These recommendations are based on real-world fit tests, material analysis, and value comparisons across the candidate products. Pick the item whose strengths match your application: smooth rotation and corrosion resistance (brass), quantity and variety (painted steel kit), precision spacing (shims), or soft sealing and insulation (silicone).