Rachel has written for Dotdash Meredith's Ecommerce team since 2021. Previously, she was the Deputy Editor at HelloGiggles, the Entertainment Editor at Bustle, and the Wellbeing Editor at Mic. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vulture, Glamour, NBC News, and many more outlets. Additionally, she teaches writing through Gotham Writers Workshop and Redbud Writing Project. Highlights: * Previously the Deputy Editor at Dotdash Meredith's HelloGiggles * Founding writer for Bustle and founding editor for Mic * 10+ writing classes taught via Gotham Writers Workshop and Redbud Writing Project
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If you usually rely on the flimsy wire hangers given to you for free by stores or dry cleaners, it's time to upgrade, as you don't want your closet items to suffer as a result of less-than-stellar storage. "The worst possible thing you can do is keep clothes on a hanger from the dry cleaner," say Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, founders of The Home Edit. While you may not want to spend a lot on hangers, Shearer and Teplin say that "hangers are an investment—but worth it in the long run."
We researched dozens of hangers, evaluating them on material, durability, versatility, and value. Our top pick is the Zober 20-Pack Wooden Suit Hangers, which are durable, elegant, and sturdy enough to hold any type of clothing.
Below, we've rounded up the best hangers for all different types of clothing and budget needs.
Who it's for: People with many different types of clothing to hang.
Who it isn't for: People who are sensitive to smells (these have an off-gassing period).
For hangers that work with any type of clothing, are sturdy and durable, and look great in your closet, go for Zober's 20-pack of wooden suit hangers. Yes, it says "suit" in the name, but these high-quality hangers are just as good for sweaters, pants, dresses, and everything else. They feature a 360-degree chrome hook that allows for easy hanging access, a contoured, notched shoulder line that helps clothes retain shape, and a vinyl-covered rounded bar that prevents slippage and creasing when used to hang up items like pants and skirts. Plus, they're just nice to look at, with a smooth, sanded wood design that's coated in a clear lacquer and comes in five elegant colors.
Who it's for: People with very little closet space.
Who it isn't for: People who need strong hangers for bulky items.
For a set of slim, effective, and inexpensive velvet hangers, look no further than this 30-pack from AmazonBasics. These hangers have a lightweight feel yet are made from sturdy plastic that can hold up to 10 pounds each, and they feature notched shoulders that help prevent clothes from slipping off. Then there are the 360-degree swiveling hooks, which allow you to easily grab items without needing to remove the hanger itself, and the ultra-thin design meant to maximize and free up closet space. With these hangers, you can store shirts, sweaters, and much more with simplicity—just note that they aren't as durable as other options for really bulky items like winter coats.
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Who it's for: People willing to shell out a bit more for higher quality.
Who it isn't for: People looking to keep costs low or buy in bulk.
If you're willing to spend a bit more, this set of five shirt hangers from Kirby Allison are well worth the splurge. For starters, they're beautifully designed, made of high-quality wood that comes in three premium finishes so you can pick the coloring of your choice. Additionally, the shoulders are felted to gently grip clothing and notched to provide slip-preventing traction. The hangers are ultra thin too, and available in two widths (petite and standard) to make sure none of your garments are over-extended or not given the right amount of support.
Who it's for: People who want wooden hangers on a budget.
Who it isn't for: People who want to save closet space.
Wooden hangers are a great choice for anyone looking to hang heavier items or who have ample closet space to spare, since they tend to take up a bit more room than velvet or plastic options. This set of eight, available at Ikea, comes in a classic light wood color as well as black or white, so you can pick the one that best fits your closet aesthetic. No matter which color you choose, these hangers are guaranteed to be super strong and sturdy, able to hold heavy pieces like coats and sweaters. The shoulder shaper, though, is meant to protect more delicate items like knitwear, dresses, and tops from stretching out and losing form. Plus, there are grooves on both sides of each hanger, which will keep your clothes' straps from sliding off and falling to the floor.
Who it's for: People with small closets who want velvet hangers in colors other than black.
Who it isn't for: People who want hangers specifically for dresses, suits, or sweaters.
When you have a small closet, slim velvet hangers are the way to go, as they take up the least amount of space and allow you to easily fit in tons of different items. This 40-pack from HSN's Huggable Hangers collection comes with 20 shirt hangers and 20 pant hangers, and while the softness of the material will keep delicate items out of harm's way, the hangers are strong enough to hold heavier items like coats or bulky sweaters if needed. The velvet finish makes them anti-slip so your garments won't fall off onto the floor, and the twist-to-swivel design lets you hang up each item without worrying that it'll knock down another. Even better, the curves of the hangers help preserve the shape of your clothing.
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Who it's for: People with bulky, heavy clothing that need ample support.
Who it isn't for: People looking for softer and more visually attractive hangers.
For those looking to hang up suits, coats, or other bulky clothing, consider these sturdy hangers from The Container Store, which come in a helpful pack of 40. They're slim, durable, and non-slip, with a plastic construction that has a soft matte finish and chrome-plated swivel-neck hook. Their sleekness makes them great for saving space, yet they're hardy enough to hold heavy clothes in place without risking breakage, unlike velvet hangers that tend to break under pressure. They're only available in one color, but the gray is neutral enough to fit with any design style.
Who it's for: People who want their pants crease-free and easily accessible.
Who it isn't for: People who want multipurpose hangers.
There's so much to love about these sophisticated pants hangers, which feature a unique open-end design that allows for easy access and erases the need to take hangers out of the closet. They're non-slip, with a firm rubber coating to prevent snagging, wrinkling, and creasing, and are made with chrome-plated metal that prevents breakage. That heft also allows the hangers to fit multiple items at once, if you want to double-up. And because they don't have clips like other pants hangers, they take up minimal room in the closet, making them essential for anyone with a whole lot of items to store and not enough space.
Who it's for: People who want easy visibility and access to belts, ties, and more.
Who it isn't for: People who want every item to be on an individual hanger.
Belts and ties can be hard to hang up, but these metal racks from Wayfair offer a genius solution. Each rack features five detachable vinyl-coated rods that swing out to make hanging as simple as possible, before locking back in place to keep the items secure and without risk of slipping. The coating also works to prevent slippage, provide support, and give a gentle touch to delicate items. The racks are fairly slim, but to save on space and allow for more belts to be hung at once, you can rotate the hanging sides by rod. This way, you get better visibility for each belt.
Who it's for: People who need to save space and want to organize their clothes by specific metrics.
Who it isn't for: People looking to hang thicker, heavier items like suits.
Available in two colors, these seriously space-saving hangers from House Day are ideal for anyone in desperate need of some closet organization. Each 360-degree rotating hook can fit five clothes hangers, so you can neatly arrange your items by type, style, color, or any other way you want. This feature not only lets you store multiple items at once without taking up much room in the closet, but helps prevent wrinkles and slippage due to the deep grooves. Even more, when you take the hooks out of the closet or go to access an item, they collapse vertically, taking up even less space than the average hanger.
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Who it's for: People who travel frequently and need to hang up suits or people vacationing at a rental house who need to bring their own hangers.
Who it isn't for: People who prefer wooden hangers.
What makes these Trubetter hangers so brilliant is that they're foldable, making them perfect for travel. Instead of having to stuff a ton of bulky hangers into your bag or relying on a hotel's often measly selection, simply pack a few of these, fold them up into your luggage, and unfold them once you arrive at your destination. You won't need to sacrifice much luggage space, and once you arrive at your destination you'll be able to immediately hang up everything that needs to be hung. Additionally, the hangers have anti-skid grooves that keep clothes firmly in place and protected once they're unfolded, and, although they're thin, they can hold items ranging from dresses to pants and even jackets without issues.
Overall, we recommend the Zober 20-Pack Wooden Suit Hangers, which stand out for their sophisticated look, high-quality construction, and serious versatility. They're also available in a variety of colors to easily match your aesthetic, and are sold in packs of either 20 or 30.
Whenever possible, stay away from wire hangers, which "break easily, tangle on the hanging rod, look horrible, and make clothing hard to access," say Shearer and Teplin. They recommend velvet or huggable hangers because they're "sturdy, save space, and provide enough friction so clothes don't slip." Wooden hangers work as well, especially for heavier items that need more support, although they typically aren't as slender as velvet hangers.
For bigger closets, wooden hangers are a versatile option that look great. On the other hand, if you have a small closet, you should opt for slim velvet hangers that will save you space while still looking good. If you're really short on space, consider multipurpose hangers or hanger organizers that can hold multiple items at once.
If you're someone who has a lot of dresses and skirts, velvet huggable hangers are likely your best bet, as they're non-slip and slim. They also come in a variety of colors so you can match them to your general aesthetic. If your closet is more varied, get a mix of hanger types to ensure that every item gets proper storage, from sweaters to pants to jumpsuits. If you opt for velvet hangers, be sure you're getting heavy duty hangers that can hold bulkier items like coats and suits. In general, wood hangers are best for heavier items, but if you like a uniform look you can definitely find durable velvet hangers.
It depends on the type of material, say Shearer and Teplin. To avoid damage, "delicate fabrics like cashmere should never live on a hanger of any kind unless it's neatly folded over the crossbar," they say. "Knits are sturdier but can still lose their shape or crease if you're not careful. Velvet hangers with a crossbar are a safe option because they'll support the weight."
First and foremost, say Shearer and Teplin, "pant hangers should have a sturdy bar to keep them from slipping off." As for folding, there are different techniques, but they recommend folding them in half lengthwise: "Pull one pant leg over the bar of the hanger, fold it at the knee, then grab the other pant leg and drape it over."
There's no one clear answer to this question, say Shearer and Teplin, as it depends on where you live. "The types of material you can recycle are different in every city," they note. To be sure, look up your city's guidelines before throwing any hangers into the recycling bin.
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and many other publications. She frequently covers home products and did significant research on hangers to create this list, including speaking withexpert Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, founders of The Home Edit.
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