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Best Bookends

Updated January 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Officemate Bookends
Officemate
Bookends
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Classic & Functional
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From vinyl records to encyclopedias, these bookends can support larger products with a combination of minimalism and functionality.

Pros

Combination of durable steel and large dimensions holds up larger products without the risk of tipping over. Enamel coating is clean, smooth, and protects against chipping. Foam bases further prevent slipping and damage to shelves.

Cons

Some users reported receiving 1 bookend, so make sure to recheck the quantity you’re ordering.

Best Bang for the Buck
shikaman Decorative Metal Bookends
shikaman
Decorative Metal Bookends
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Best for Small Spaces
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A cute and affordable way to showcase lighter books, CDs, or magazines without any risk of damage or toppling.

Pros

L-shaped form uses the weight of the products to prevent the bookend from tipping over or slipping. Non-skid bottom prevents scratching. Petite size fits into office spaces, desks, and other narrow areas. Available in multiple colors.

Cons

The small structure may bend under heavier or larger amounts of books.

Anwenk Vintage Bookends
Anwenk
Vintage Bookends
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Classic Design
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Beautiful bookends that offer the perfect combination of excellent style, durability, workmanship, and performance.

Pros

Nicely constructed, bronze-colored iron bookends with artistically appealing design that complements room decor. Sturdy enough to hold almost any type of book. Also works well for video games and CDs.

Cons

Come with 8 felt pads that must be applied precisely or the bottoms may slip or scratch.

Fasmov Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Man bookends
Fasmov
Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Man bookends
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Modern Appearance
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Despite a few quirks, these bookends have an eclectic style and enough heft to hold most types of books reasonably well.

Pros

Not only do these bookends have an attractive human-like design, but they are also reasonably sturdy thanks to the stainless steel craftsmanship. Features padded bottoms to prevent scratches.

Cons

Padded bottoms are stable on most surfaces, but may slip on some. A few quality issues have been reported, such as bent edges.

INNOPLUS Bookends
INNOPLUS
Bookends
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

An option that offers all the benefits of a heavy-duty bookend, in addition to a beautiful design.

Pros

Unique, tree-shaped structure has gaps on the front so that users can display book covers while holding them up. Metal exterior is covered with anti-rust powder for longevity. Rounded corners won’t damage shelves or books.

Cons

Some users report that taking a book off the base plate causes it to topple.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best bookends

Furnishing and decorating any room in your home is a balancing act between functionality and aesthetics. The bookend is a curious item to shop for because it can be almost solely functional, solely aesthetic, or a little bit of both. It’s an item that can be a necessity for your shelves or a cute decorative piece that attracts attention.
 
Bookends sit on shelves and prop up books, which is especially useful when you have open-ended shelves. They can also serve to divide the shelf space so that other items can sit securely without being knocked over by a falling book. Still, bookends can also be decorative, stylish, or amusing trinkets that rest on shelves but may not necessarily be there to hold up books.
 
While they are simple, bookends come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and degrees of effectiveness. 

bookend1
In general, hardcover books can stand upright on a shelf, but they’re heavier than paperbacks. Flexible paperbacks need added support to stay upright.

Key considerations

Function

Primarily, bookends are sturdy items that keep upright books from tipping, sliding, or falling over on shelves. Unsupported books are unlikely to stay standing on end for long. Bookends at either end of a row of books will keep the upright books in place. 

Many bookends are L-shaped, with a thin foot that slides under a few books at the end of the row and a vertical portion that presses up against the end book. By securing the end book, the bookend can support an entire shelf’s worth of books. The most functional bookends are fairly large and wide enough to fully support the end book. 

Aesthetic

Many functional bookends also have decorative appeal, but there are also bookends that serve as mostly aesthetic items with little functionality. You’ll find options that may be attractive but offer little in the way of support for more than a few books. Some of these bookends are also humorous: among the most popular are human figures that appear to be holding up the books. Another common type features an animal head at one end and the tail at the other.
 
There are many styles of bookends, so there are some that are sure to fit with your décor. Bookends may be simple, rustic, ornate, industrial, nautical, or modern. They may feature sports motifs, animals, or beloved characters from movies, TV shows, or books.  

Size

The size and weight of a bookend correspond to the number of books it can hold in place. However, the bookend’s shape and design also play a factor. Consider the number, size, and type of your books (hardcovers are larger and heavier than most paperbacks). Most L-shaped bookends are between 6 and 12 inches high. More decorative options vary greatly in size.  

Material

Bookends are made of a variety of materials, with heavier options generally being more durable and stable. Plastic and sheet metal bookends are less expensive, while wood, marble, stainless steel, and other metals are more expensive. Another popular option is agate. This type of rock, which can be multicolored and glittery, has long been used for decorations and jewelry.

You can find bookends in the shapes of letters, with A at one end of the shelf of books and Z at the other.

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Features

Adjustability

Height: Some L-shaped bookends are adjustable to accommodate taller books. This is helpful if you have books or shelves of different heights.

Length: Some metal bookends are connected to each other at the back with an expandable accordion-like mechanism that can be changed to accommodate more or fewer books. 

Security

Some bookends stay put via a slip-resistant base or come with adhesive, stickers, or other means to help them adhere to the shelf. Keeping the bookend from slipping will greatly improve its stability and strength so it can support more books.

bookend2
DID YOU KNOW?
Bookends don’t just keep books from tipping over, they also keep books in good shape. Bending or dropping books can damage spines and fray edges.
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Bookend prices

Inexpensive

You can find simple, traditional L-shaped bookends for $15 or less per pair. These will be functional but not especially decorative.

Mid-range

Spend between $15 and $30 and you can find many bookends in a variety of materials that blend functionality and aesthetics for something decorative and effective.

Expensive

Spend over $30 and you can find elaborate, decorative bookends that are functional, decorative, and even unique.

Many decorative bookends are strong enough to support a long shelf of books, but consider the look. You might not want too much clutter to detract from your pretty bookends.

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Tips

  • Don’t crowd your shelves. There is a tendency to completely fill up a shelf with books, but it can look cluttered. Leave some empty space or alternate books with other decorative objects like small sculptures or plants
  • Dust your shelves. Bookshelves are dust magnets, especially if you don’t use the books frequently. Make sure to dust the books as well as the bookends, too.
  • Don’t overload your shelves. Books are heavy, and some bookends are made of marble or concrete. Make sure your shelves can support the weight.
  • Use the bookends for more than books. Bookends aren’t just for books. You may find them useful for supporting media like video games or Blu-rays, or for journals, notebooks, or even board games.
bookend3
Get creative with your bookends and the books you display. You can line up a series, books that are especially colorful, or simply those that are next on your list to read.

FAQ

Q. How do I know if a bookend is sturdy enough?

A. Bookends offer a great deal of support provided they’re designed to be stable. A large, top-heavy bookend won’t offer as much support as a smaller one with a wide base and lower center of gravity. It’s important to make sure the bookend can’t slip. Some come with a slip-resistant bottom for more friction.

Q. How many bookends do I need?

A. If your primary concern is functionality, you’ll need a pair of bookends for every shelf of books (or media) in your home. However, if you have a lot of books on a shelf, you might want to get several of the less expensive L-shaped variety. A bookend doesn’t have to go at the end, and the L-shaped options can work as dividers to add some support in the middle of a long row of books. Decorative bookends likely come in pairs, although you can buy some individually, and one may be all you need.

Q. Can I permanently affix my bookends to the shelf?

A. Most bookends don’t have holes or other means by which to connect the bookend to the shelf, and it’s not necessary or advised. Felt pads and other methods to prevent slipping are effective. What’s more, most bookends can effectively support a lot of books, so permanently attaching the bookend isn’t required.

 

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