Best External Retaining Rings of 2025

Brian Howie Avatar
Brian Howie
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2025

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External retaining rings are a type of fastener used to secure components onto a shaft or in a groove. Made from durable materials such as stainless steel or carbon steel, these rings are designed to withstand heavy loads and provide a secure hold. Their external placement allows for easy installation and removal without the need for special tools. Whether used in automotive, industrial, or household applications, external retaining rings offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for keeping parts securely in place.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

NEIKO 50455A E-Clip Set Cover #TOP 1
NEIKO 50455A E-Clip Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
VIGRUE Snap Ring Set Cover #TOP 2
VIGRUE Snap Ring Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
uxcell E-Clip Circlip Set Cover #TOP 3
uxcell E-Clip Circlip Set
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 External Retaining Rings

#TOP 1

NEIKO 50455A E-Clip Set

50455A
NEIKO 50455A E-Clip Set Cover
NEIKO 50455A E-Clip Assortment Set | 300 PCS, 9 SAE Sizes, Heat Treated External Retaining Clips, 1/16" - 7/8 Inch | High Carbon Steel Circlip Kit, Anti Walk Washers, Retaining Rings

The NEIKO E-Clip Assortment is a versatile kit featuring 300 high-quality E-clips in various sizes. These E-clips are designed to securely hold parts onto shafts, providing a strong grip and preventing loosening during operation. The snap rings in the set are perfect for keeping bearings, gears, and other moving components in place, even under rapid motion. Made from heat-treated steel, these clips boast enhanced durability and tensile strength, ensuring they last through tough tasks. Plus, the included carrying case keeps everything organized, making it easy for you to find the right clip when you need it.

What We Like
Great assortment of sizes
Good quality materials
Excellent value for money
Well-organized storage
Ideal for DIY projects
What We Don't Like
Case durability concerns
#TOP 2

VIGRUE Snap Ring Set

315Pcs
Black
315PCS
VIGRUE Snap Ring Set Cover
VIGRUE 315Pcs Snap Ring Shop Assortment Alloy Steel External Circlip Snap Retaining Clip Rings Set, 15 Sizes

The VIGRUE Snap Ring Set is a must-have for both professionals and hobbyists. With 15 different sizes, this set is perfect for a variety of applications, including axles, shafts, and other moving parts. Made of durable heat-treated, hardened steel, these snap rings are built to last and provide improved tensile strength. The wide size range, ranging from 4mm to 28mm, ensures that you'll have the right size for any job. The snap rings are neatly organized in a transparent storage case, making it easy to find the size you need. Plus, VIGRUE offers worry-free service and a hassle-free lifetime warranty. Get the VIGRUE Snap Ring Set today and experience the convenience and durability it offers.

What We Like
Variety of sizes available
Useful for specific applications
Quality performance observed
Convenient to have on hand
What We Don't Like
Some sizes may be unnecessary
#TOP 3

uxcell E-Clip Circlip Set

a20110300ux0108
uxcell E-Clip Circlip Set Cover
uxcell E-Clip Circlip - 88Pcs 11-Size External Retaining Shaft Snap Ring Washer Carbon Steel Assortment Set Black - Size: 25mm to 47mm

The uxcell E-Clip Set includes 88 pieces in 11 different sizes, ranging from 25mm to 47mm, ensuring you have the right fit for various projects. Made from durable carbon steel with a blackened surface, these clips resist corrosion and high temperatures, making them reliable for long-term use. The unique E-shaped design with three prongs fits snugly into grooves on metal shafts, providing a secure hold. These clips are perfect for appliance repairs, bearings, gears, and pulleys, making your repair tasks easier and more efficient.

What We Like
Strong clips
Easy installation
Great performance
What We Don't Like
Thinner than expected
Minimal strength
#TOP 4

Hilitchi 300-Pcs Circlip Assortment Set

External Circlip Snap
Black
One Size
Hilitchi 300-Pcs Circlip Assortment Set Cover
Hilitchi 300-Pcs [15-Size] Alloy Steel External Circlip Snap Retaining Clip Ring Assortment Set

The Hilitchi Circlip Assortment is a high-quality kit designed for versatility and durability. Made from alloy steel, these clips resist both corrosion and high temperatures, ensuring they last through tough conditions. You will appreciate the wide range of sizes included, as it features 15 of the most commonly used metric sizes, making it easy to find the right fit for your needs. Additionally, all 300 pieces come neatly organized in a sturdy, transparent storage box, providing convenience and easy access whenever you need them.

What We Like
Good quality for the price
Wide assortment of sizes
Ideal for home garage use
Better than cheaper alternatives
Functional for heavy-duty applications
What We Don't Like
Sorting required for organization
Some rusted materials reported
#TOP 5

ZHUBANG 800Pcs Retaining Rings Kit

External Retaining Rings
Black,transparent
ZHUBANG 800Pcs Retaining Rings Kit Cover
ZHUBANG 800Pcs C-clip External Retaining Rings Snap Rings Assortment Kit Circlip Alloy Steel(M4-M28) + E-clip Assortment Set(1.5mm-10mm) + 5Pcs Snap Ring Plier + Tweezer

The ZHUBANG Retaining Rings Set offers a comprehensive assortment of high-quality clips made from durable black alloy steel. This ensures excellent tensile strength and resistance to corrosion and heat, extending the lifespan of your components. With 500 C-clips and 300 E-clips in various sizes, you will find the perfect fit for your projects, making it convenient for different applications. The transparent storage case keeps each clip organized and easy to access, while the included snap ring pliers and tweezers help you handle the rings with ease. This set is ideal for a wide range of machinery and automotive needs.

What We Like
Nice selection of lock rings
Good price
Well-made container
Super fast shipping
Time and money saver
What We Don't Like
Average quality
Not very sturdy
#TOP 6

Hilitchi 211Pcs C-Clip Set

H5871
Hilitchi 211Pcs C-Clip Set Cover
Hilitchi 211Pcs 21 Sizes C-Clip External Retaining Rings Snap Rings Assortment Kit Circlip Snap Rings 304 Stainless Steel C-Clip Set with Tweezers (M4-M28) for Moving Parts

The Hilitchi C-Clip Assortment offers you 211 durable retaining rings in 21 sizes, ensuring you have the right fit for your projects. Made from high-quality 304 stainless steel, these clips resist rust and corrosion, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Their practical concave design provides a secure fit, reducing movement and enhancing stability in mechanical applications. With a reinforced storage box and included tweezers, accessing and organizing your clips is a breeze, saving you time and effort during your repairs or installations.

What We Like
Diverse size options
Durable stainless steel material
Convenient organized storage
Secure and stable design
What We Don't Like
Slightly challenging for large hands
#TOP 7

Mariyandh 327Pcs E-Clips and C-Clips Set

ZYDQ-1
Silver
Mariyandh 327Pcs E-Clips and C-Clips Set Cover
Mariyandh 327Pcs E-Clips Circlip Retaining Rings Assortment Set(1.2mm-10mm) and C-Clips External Retaining Rings Snap Rings Assortment Kit Circlip 304 Stainless Steel(M3-M14),24 Sizes

The Mariyandh E-Clips and C-Clips assortment includes 327 pieces made from durable 304 stainless steel, ensuring strong resistance to corrosion and heat. With a wide variety of sizes, you can easily find the right clip for your project, whether you’re working on machinery, automobiles, or electrical appliances. The organized storage boxes allow for quick identification of each clip, saving you time during your tasks. Additionally, this set is versatile, suitable for various applications, helping to secure parts and prevent loosening during operation.

What We Like
Variety of sizes available
Good quality material
Convenient for future projects
Assortment covers many needs
What We Don't Like
Tool for installation recommended
#TOP 8

The Hillman Group Retaining Ring 2194

The Hillman Group Retaining Ring 2194 Cover
The Hillman Group 2194 1-1/4-Inch External Large Retaining Ring, 10-Pack

The Hillman Retaining Ring is a reliable choice for your fastening needs. Manufactured in the United States, it boasts a compact package size of 1.65 inches in length, 2.46 inches in width, and 1.43 inches in height, making it easy to store and transport. This product comes in a convenient 10-pack, ensuring that you have enough rings for multiple projects. The external design of these retaining rings allows for a secure fit, providing you with peace of mind that your components will stay in place. With the Hillman Retaining Ring, you can tackle your tasks with confidence and efficiency.

What We Like
Made in the USA
Compact packaging
Convenient 10-pack
Secure external design
#TOP 9

PIANKEKE 350 Pcs Retaining Rings

PIANKEKE
USP-001
Black
One Size
PIANKEKE 350 Pcs Retaining Rings Cover
350 Pcs retaining rings, Snap Rings Assortment Kit, Circlips Snap External Retaining Rings, C Clips, External Circlip Snap External Retaining C-Clips Rings Set, 15 Sizes

The PIANKEKE Retaining Rings are made of premium 65Mn steel material, providing excellent resistance to corrosion and high temperature. These fasteners or retaining rings are designed to be snapped into place in a machined groove on a dowel pin or shaft, preventing lateral movement and allowing rotation. With a plastic storage case, these rings are easy to store and keep organized. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as bearings, gears, pulleys, axles, shafts, and more. The PIANKEKE Retaining Rings offer better safety and stability, making them ideal for various clamping and security tasks. With a total of 350 pieces in 15 different sizes, this set is versatile and can be used in automotive applications, industrial equipment, machinery, and more.

What We Like
Large assortment of sizes
Good quality materials
Cost-effective compared to stores
Convenient for urgent repairs
Sturdy and durable rings
What We Don't Like
May have too many left over
#TOP 10

Hillman 2195 1-1/2-Inch Retaining Rings

2195
Gray
Hillman 2195 1-1/2-Inch Retaining Rings Cover
Hillman 2195 1-1/2-Inch External Large Retaining Ring, 6-Pack,Gray

The Hillman Retaining Rings are designed to keep components securely in place on shafts. These rings fit snugly into grooves, ensuring your parts stay where they belong. Installation is a breeze with just a pair of pliers, making it convenient for anyone to use. This assortment covers a diameter range from 3/4" to 1-3/4", providing versatile options for various projects. Plus, the high corrosion resistance means they can withstand tough conditions, giving you confidence in their durability and reliability.

What We Like
Holds well
Compatible with case 530 backhoe
Functional despite thinner design
What We Don't Like
Thinner than original parts
Needed two in the groove
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What material is used for external retaining ring?

External retaining rings are commonly made from materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, or beryllium copper. These materials offer strength and durability, and they may also have different finishes for corrosion protection and aesthetic purposes.

2. What are the different types of retaining rings?

There are four main types of retaining rings: tapered section, constant section, spiral, and circular push-on. Each type has its own unique design and application, allowing for secure retention of components in various settings.

3. How deep should a retaining ring groove be?

For optimum ring stability in applications with high shear forces, the groove depth (h) should be 1/3 to 1/2 of the ring's radial width (b). The groove width (x) should be 1.143 times the mean ring section thickness (t) dimension.

4. What are the two main types of retaining rings?

The two main types of retaining rings are external retaining rings and internal circlips. These types of rings are designed to address various requirements and challenges, such as tolerance stack-up, clearance diameter, thrust load capacity, flexible and radial installation, and assembly automation.

Editor's Notes

During our external retaining ring research, we found 24 external retaining ring products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 93,834 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external retaining rings list. We found that most customers choose external retaining rings with an average price of $11.24.

The external retaining rings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external retaining rings, including NEIKO, VIGRUE, uxcell, Hilitchi, ZHUBANG. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 281 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Brian Howie Avatar

Brian Howie is a content writer and senior industrial designer. After graduation from Westminster College, he has been engaged in product design and manufacturing for 18 years. Brian Howie has always found great pleasure in designing industrial products and sharing his ideas and experience online.

External Retaining Rings Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand NEIKO VIGRUE uxcell Hilitchi ZHUBANG Hilitchi Mariyandh The Hillman Group PIANKEKE Hillman
Material Carbon Steel Alloy Steel - Alloy Steel Alloy Steel - Stainless Steel Steel Low-alloy Steel Metal
Color - Black - Black Black,transparent - Silver - Black Gray
Specific Uses For Product Professional Gripping, Cutting, Twisting - - Automobiles,Electrical Appliances,Gripping,Hold,Turning - Automobiles,Electrical Appliances,Hold - - Installation
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 8.9
ftb score rating icon 8.8
ftb score rating icon 8.6
ftb score rating icon 8.5
ftb score rating icon 8.5
Where to Buy