10 Best Drywall Anchors in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Drywall simply isn’t made to hold nails or screws very well. While it does create beautifully smooth walls, drywall is prone to crumble when things are inserted into it. Therefore, nails and screws do not perform great, especially when mounting heavier items.

Instead, you’ll need to use a drywall anchor, which is designed to work on drywall. These anchors spread out behind or in front of the drywall, providing extra hold to combat potential crumbling. The force is spread out, which saves your drywall and whatever you’re hanging.

However, drywall anchors come in many different types. To ensure you choose the right anchor for your project, review our complete guide below. We’ll look at different drywall anchors that work well for most projects.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Drywall Anchors

1. Self-Drilling E-z Anchor Toggle Kit – Best Overall

Out of all drywall anchors on the market, we prefer the Self-Drilling E-z Anchor Toggle Kit for most purposes. Unlike most options on the market, these are made for easy installation thanks to the “self-drilling” design. The metal body easily slips through drywall without the need to pre-drill any holes. Therefore, they can speed up the installation immensely.

This kit comes with a weight rating of 85 pounds. However, there are also reports of a 100-pound weight capacity, so there isn’t a clear-cut rating in this regard. To be safe, we recommend going with the lower option.

Each anchor is covered with zinc plating, which makes them rust-resistant so you can use this option where moisture may be a problem. Thanks to these features, this is easily the best overall drywall anchor on the market. You can use them for most projects.

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2. Qualihome Ribbed Plastic Drywall Anchors – Best Value

For very small jobs, we recommend Qualihome Ribbed Plastic Drywall Anchors. These drywall anchors only have a weight rating of 15 pounds. Therefore, they are a great option for those who just want to hang pictures or other light objects. Plus, they are a bit cheaper, as well. There is no reason to spend money on a more expensive anchor when you can use one of these instead.

They are the best drywall anchors for the money – assuming you have a lighter project.

Of course, these simply won’t work for larger items like TVs. You’ll need to invest in an anchor with a higher rating for these projects, which will usually cost more.

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3. The Hillman Group 370054 Toggle Bolt – Premium Choice

If you have a tougher job, you may want to consider the Hillman Group 370054 Toggle Bolt. These bolts can hold up to 55 pounds, which allows them to accomplish much bigger jobs. For installing shelving and similar items, you can’t get much better than these simple bolts.

These bolts are extremely versatile and strong. You can even hang items from the ceiling using them. Plus, the company is well-known as one of the best fasteners manufacturers, so there is a lot of trust built up there.

Usually, these bolts are used by professionals. But if you’re a home DIYer, you might as well use what the professionals do!

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4. Toggler SnapSkry Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors

Similar to our top pick, the Toggler SnapSkry Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors don’t require any drilling. Therefore, they tend to be easier to use, especially if you don’t have much experience with drywall anchors. The anchors are strong enough to dig straight into the drywall without pre-drilling a hole. They are particularly useful for larger projects where pre-drilling a bunch of holes would be a big-time investment.

We highly recommend these anchors for their ease of use. Plus, depending on the thickness of your drywall, they can have a weight rating of up to 95 pounds. So you can use these anchors for just about everything.

With that said, these do cost about double what other options do. Therefore, they’re only worth it for larger projects or in cases when you need some strength.

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5. Glarks Heavy Duty Steel Molly Bolts

Unlike other options on this list, Glarks Heavy Duty Steel Molly Bolts kit has many anchor sizes. Therefore, some are designed for small projects, while others can safely hold very heavy items. The biggest bolt has a weight capacity of 50 pounds. On the other hand, the smallest anchors can only hold 18 pounds. Of course, the thickness of the drywall matters, as well.

If you plan on hanging multiple items, this kit is probably the best option. It is extremely versatile and provides bolts for many situations. However, if you’re looking for one particular bolt, we recommend purchasing that bolt instead of this kit. There is no reason to purchase it if you’re only going to use one type of bolt.

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6. Confast Self-Drilling Drywall Anchor Kit

We like that the Confast Self-Drilling Drywall Anchor Kit is heavy-duty with a weight rating of 50 pounds. This high rating allows you to install shelves and other medium-sized objects with these anchors. However, you’ll pay a bit more for the higher strength. If you don’t need a 50-pound weight rating, you may want to look elsewhere to save some money.

These all-steel anchors are more durable than other options. No matter how careful you are, plastic varieties will break occasionally. These steel anchors are more likely to make it through installation and hang around for years.

This anchor has a pretty deep threat, which adds additional strength. These anchors are also more likely to be reusable than other options.

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7. Toggle Snaptoggle Drywall Anchor

Here, we come to another anchor by Toggle—the Toggle Snaptoggle Drywall Anchor. For extremely heavy projects, this is what you need. These anchors have a much higher weight rating than other options, making them better for hanging TVs and other extremely large objects. They have a unique design that allows them to hold up more than most.

However, they are also quite expensive. We only recommend them for those with heavy objects that need to be hung. Otherwise, you can save some money by choosing a different anchor.

Installing these anchors is pretty straightforward, which is nice when hanging a TV or other heavy item. You do need to pre-drill the holes, however, adding to more work on your end.

You can also use these anchors in concrete and similar surfaces. In this case, the weight rating will be much higher.

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8. KURUI Drywall Anchors and Screws Kit

The KURUI Drywall Anchors and Screws Kit has five different sizes to support various projects. With 230 pieces in all, this kit includes many options for those looking to hang multiple items. If you’ve recently moved into a new home, you may want to pick up this kit for hanging pictures and shelves. However, for those that only need one type of bolt, this probably isn’t the item for you.

This kit is pretty cheap, especially considering all the different items it has. However, the supports are plastic, which makes them less durable. You’re sacrificing durability for a lower price.

Furthermore, installing these is a bit more complicated than other options. The correct drill bit isn’t included and isn’t listed for each size. There is a bit of experimentation necessary.

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9. CrimsonMark Self Drilling Drywall Anchors

For those that don’t want to pre-drill holes, you may want to consider the CrimsonMark Self Drilling Drywall Anchors. As the name suggests, these anchors are designed to “drill” themselves into the wall—you don’t have to pre-drill any holes, saving you time.

The weight rating is also substantially high on these anchors. Each anchor can hold up to 75 pounds, allowing you to hang heavier objects like TVs. They’re straightforward to use and should stand up to heavy use for years. 

However, you only get 25 pieces in a kit, which is smaller than others. Still, these drywall anchors are cheaper, so you’re getting what you pay for.

With that said, parts of these anchors are plastic, which means that the chance of them breaking is high. This, combined with the fewer anchors, is why they ended up lower on our list.

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10. Butterfly Drywall Anchor Kit

Butterfly anchors are terribly popular. This Butterfly Drywall Anchor Kit is one of the most popular butterfly options on the market, so it may work for those specifically looking for this anchor type. However, there is a reason butterfly anchors aren’t typically used, and this kit has many of the usual issues.

For instance, you must use very long screws for them to work properly. Furthermore, screws tend to sheer off the inside of the anchor. Installation may require running through a few screws before one works correctly.

The installation also requires pre-drilled holes and is a bit more complicated than other options. So, you’ll usually spend longer installing these than the anchors listed above.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Drywall Anchor

The world of drywall anchors is surprisingly complex and multi-layered. There are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing anchors, including the size of your drywall and what you’re planning to hang. To help you choose the perfect option, we’ve written a complete guide with everything you need to know.

Types of Drywall Anchors

There are several types of drywall anchors—each of which has its own benefits. You may want to use a certain type for one project and a different type for another so choosing the correct drywall anchor can be important.

Here are some of the most basic styles:

Expansion Drywall Anchors

As the name suggests, these anchors spread outward to create a tight fit in the drywall. Usually, this occurs as the bottom of the anchor spreads outward. In this way, they can hold lightweight items. These anchors do require pre-drilled holes, but they are easy to use. Plus, they are also pretty inexpensive. They are DIY-friendly and perfect for very light projects.

However, they are often plastic and can only hold up to 25 pounds max. You’ll need a different type of anchor for more involved projects.

You cannot use these anchors on the ceiling, either. The downward pressure will cause the anchor to slip out.

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Molly Bolts

These bolts can hold medium-sized objects ranging from 25 to 55 pounds. They are usually all metal and have a sleeve. Uniquely, you can insert and remove the inside screw as necessary. Therefore, they are a uniquely reusable wall anchor for those who just need some temporary hold.

You’ll need to pre-drill a hole before installation. Then, the anchor is usually inserted. Often, the anchor is somewhat sharp to help it grip the wall and fit into the hole. Next, you’ll have to insert the screw into the shank, which expands the sizes.

These are typically more expensive than expansion drywall anchors. They are most suitable for items that need to be removed and replaced often, such as smoke alarms.

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Toggle Bolts

Toggle bolts are extremely strong, which allows them to hold large objects. When installing TVs and similar items, you’ll probably need a toggle bolt. However, they are a bit more complicated to install and require a sizeable hole that may be difficult to fill later. The anchor includes two “wings” that fold flat against the wall during installation. These wings work as a brace.

You must keep the bolt centered in the hole while tightening until the wings start doing their job. This can be challenging and makes them one of the harder DIY options. Still, if you’re hanging something heavy, you don’t have many other options.

You can use these in the ceiling, though their holding power is significantly diminished in this case. When used for heavy objects, you do risk damaging your drywall. Sometimes, it can pull away from the joists, causing permanent damage. You’ll need to be cautious when using these anchors.

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Threaded Drywall Anchors

Often, these anchors are advertised as “self-drilling,” meaning you won’t have to pre-drill a hole. They are usually advertised to hole DIYers that want to hang medium-sized objects like shelves. However, many professionals use them as a faster option, too. When doing a bigger project, not having to drill holes can be a huge time saver.

Usually, the shank part of the anchor is pointy, allowing it to drill straight into the wall. In this way, they completely eliminate the need for a pilot hole. However, this comes with an extra cost. They are usually more expensive than other options.

You can find both nylon and metal options. Both are designed to hold heavy items, though the metal options are typically more durable.

Screw and Bit Size

Another feature you’ll need to consider is the screw size the anchor is designed to work with. You can purchase anchors and screws separately. Most kits come with both, which is useful for DIYers that may not have tons of screw sizes available.

If you do need to purchase screws separately, be sure to check the package and description of the anchors. Many are designed to work with a very specific screw size, but some will list a range. Even then, most anchors have a preferred screw size, even if they do technically work with a range of different sizes.

If you need to pre-drill a hole, you’ll need to ensure that you use the correct bit, as well. The hole must be the right size for the anchor to work, after all.

Weight Capacity

Different anchors can hold up different amounts of weight. The weight rating of an anchor is one of the most important factors you’ll need to consider. If you’re hanging very light items, you can probably choose a cheaper anchor with a lower weight capacity. For things like TVs, you’ll need to carefully choose an anchor that can hold up the heavy object.

Shelves are a common item that requires heavy-duty anchors. While the shelf isn’t usually heavy, the items on it will often add quite a bit of weight. Therefore, we recommend anchors with a higher weight capacity in this case.

Sadly, manufacturers are not required to list the weight capacity on the anchor package. You may come across an anchor that doesn’t have a capacity listed. We recommend steering clear of these and choosing an option with a clearly stated capacity. After all, if the manufacturer doesn’t list it, it usually means that they don’t want you to know what it is.

The thickness of your drywall will determine the weight capacity to some extent. Thinner drywall cannot hold up very heavy objects since the strength of the drywall is diminished. It helps to know how thick your drywall is.

Conclusion

There are tons of drywall anchors out there but they are not all made with the same features. Drywall anchors can vary quite a bit, so it is vital that you choose the option best for your project. Not just any anchor will do.

Our favorite anchor for most purposes is the Self-Drilling E-z Anchor Toggle Kit. The anchors in this kit have a high weight capacity and are easy to install. Plus, they are coated for rust resistance. So, if you need to use them outside, you can.

For those on a budget and doing lighter projects, we recommend Qualihome Ribbed Plastic Drywall Anchors. These anchors have a lower weight capacity, but they are often fine for smaller projects. Plus, they are cheaper.

We hope that one of the anchors we reviewed above works for you. Be sure to consider your abilities and project when deciding on the option that is best for you.

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Featured Image Credit: Cico, Shutterstock