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Best Hangers

Updated November 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
ZOBER Premium Velvet Hangers
ZOBER
Premium Velvet Hangers
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Small Spaces Superstar
Bottom Line

These versatile hangers have a no-slip design with a durable build that withstands heavy use.

Pros

Accommodates many wardrobe pieces with features like swivel chrome hooks, practical shape, and well-placed strap notches. Clothes won't slip or fall off thanks to the velvet coating. Horizontal bar is ideal for hanging pants.

Cons

Works well for most types of clothing, with the exception of heavier garments like coats and suits.

Best Bang for the Buck
Neaties White Plastic Hangers with Bar Hooks
Neaties
White Plastic Hangers with Bar Hooks
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

If you're on a budget or need to buy in bulk, these classic plastic hangers are ideal.

Pros

Available in black or white in sets of 30 or 60. Heavy-duty design won't bow or warp with heavier garments. Design features tiny hooks that are suitable for hanging tank tops and support loops. Backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Cons

They're durable, but they're not designed to hold garments like suit jackets.

HOUSE DAY 12 Pack 14 inch Clear Plastic Skirt Hangers
HOUSE DAY
12 Pack 14 inch Clear Plastic Skirt Hangers
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Classic Pick
Bottom Line

These durable, adjustable hangers are specifically made for skirts and pants.

Pros

Basic design, but practical enough to secure pants and skirts with different pant leg and waistband sizes. Swivel hook rotates 360 degrees so you can view garments without pulling them from the closet.

Cons

Some reports that the clips leave indentations on waistbands and cuffs.

Utopia Home Premium Wooden Hangers
Utopia Home
Premium Wooden Hangers
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Boutique Quality
Bottom Line

A high-quality design, these solid wood hangers are an upscale investment for any wardrobe.

Pros

Craftsman-quality construction is suitable for holding and preserving the shape of coats and suit jackets. Notched shoulders are ideal for securing dress shirts and lightweight blouses. Popular for open-concept wardrobes.

Cons

While they're advertised as nonslip, their smooth finish may cause some garments to slip off.

TOPIA HANGER 10-Pack Cherry Wooden Pants Hangers
TOPIA HANGER
10-Pack Cherry Wooden Pants Hangers
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Built to Last
Bottom Line

The fine details and quality of these skirt hangers are notable upgrades from flimsy plastic alternatives.

Pros

Sleek, modern design features a seamless cherry bar with chrome-polished details. Clips slide across bar to accommodate waistband sizes. Hangers slide across closet rods more quietly than plastic hangers with noisy components.

Cons

The hangers have a thick design, so they're not ideal if you're looking to save space.

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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 
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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 hangers

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in closet or you have a carefully curated capsule wardrobe hung freely in your bedroom, you could probably use some good hangers. Are you sick of picking up clothing off the floor of your closet? Tired of finding necklines stretched and ruined? Yes, it’s true – a poor-quality hanger can deform your high-quality clothing.

The right hanger can solve these problems. Your slinky evening dresses won’t slide off the moment you hang them up. Your suits will keep their shape, and wire hangers recycled from the dry cleaner will no longer snag your delicate clothes. Throw out those rusty hangers and start fresh with a set of hangers for your space. A good-quality hanger prevents wrinkling, keeps clothing in place, and doesn’t pull or tug at fabric, prolonging the life of your garments.

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Avoid thin wire hangers. Clothing will fall off of and snag on these.

Why store clothing on hangers?

There are a few compelling reasons to choose to hang rather than fold clothing.

  • Keep garments organized: Seeing all your clothes neatly displayed makes it much easier to get dressed in the morning. An organized closet makes it much more likely that you'll put things away properly, too. It’s a lot quicker to flick through your shirts if they’re hanging in your closet. You don’t need to disrupt folded piles or race out the door knowing there’s a mess in your wardrobe.

  • Prevent clothes from getting wrinkled: Unlike folding, hanging clothing keeps wrinkles at bay by giving clothes room to breathe. Gravity helps, too.

  • Help clothing keep its shape: A properly fitting hanger will prevent clothing from stretching or getting misshapen.

Types of hangers

There are many hanger types. Some are better suited for specific garments while others are multi-purpose.

  • Standard hangers: These all-purpose hangers are intended for all types of clothing. Standard hangers can be made of a number of different materials from plastic to hardwood.

  • Clipped hangers: These hangers are designed for pants and skirts. The clips help to prevent the creasing that occurs with improper folding. You’ve probably seen these hangers in clothing stores. They’re an excellent choice for preventing unsightly wrinkles in pants and trousers. Look for models with sturdy clamps that don’t pinch too hard or you’ll end up with noticeable marks in your clothes that must be ironed out.

  • Dowel hangers: These look like traditional hangers but feature a horizontal dowel (often made of wood but sometimes plastic). You can hang pants or skirts on the dowel and use the standard hanger portion for shirts or jackets.

  • Open-ended hangers: Some hangers are designed especially for hanging pants. You simply slide the folded pants onto the open end of the hanger. There’s no need for clips or threading your carefully folded pants through an opening.

  • Kids’ clothes hangers: These hangers are designed for use with smaller-size clothing. Most can be used for hanging tops or bottoms.

  • Accessory hangers: It’s not always easy to find a spot for accessories like ties, scarves, and belts. There are multiple ways to hang these accessories from built-in sliding tie rods to special hangers with hooks for belts or holes for scarves.

Hanger features to consider

Material and durability

Hangers are available in a variety of materials, but they’re not all equal in quality.

  • Wood hangers are the best option. They’re very durable and look great. These are a top choice for open-style wardrobes since they’re the most attractive. Wood doesn’t bend and doesn’t allow clothing to slip as easily as plastic. A variety of hardwood options are available, but we recommend cedar. It’s an excellent wood that helps prevent moisture damage and keeps moths away. It also adds a nice, fresh smell to your closet.

  • Plastic is a decent budget choice, but if you opt for plastic, avoid flimsy hangers that bend easily. Plastic holds pretty much any type of clothing from jeans to blouses. However, it is much less durable than wood, and it isn’t a great option for maintaining the shape of clothing. Clothing slips easily off plastic hangers, too. If you go with plastic, choose hangers with notches or textural elements that prevent garments from slipping off.

  • Wire hangers are a poor option that we recommend you avoid. These hangers bend easily and can’t hold heavy clothing. Wire hangers can also rust over time and damage or stain clothing. Clothing slips easily off this type of hanger, too.
     

Size

If you want to organize your entryway closet, you’ll need well-made hangers. Hanging up heavy coats requires a sturdy, broad hanger. Choose hangers that are about the width of your shoulders to prevent the fabric from stretching. Thick ends on the hanger help distribute weight and prevent heavy clothing — like men’s suits — from deforming. Narrower ends are best for more delicate clothing like dresses. Here are some typical hanger sizes:

  • Petite and youth: 17 inches maximum

  • Standard: 17 to 18 inches

  • Oversize: 19 inches or more
     

Padding

Padding or velveting helps provide grip to keep the garments from slipping off the hangers. These hangers are best for delicate fabrics and clothing. But be careful. Poor-quality dyed velvet hangers can transfer color to apparel.

Notches or ribbing

This feature keeps clothing with straps, such as camisoles or slip dresses, in place and prevents them from slipping off the hanger.

Tiered

These multilevel hangers are great for closets with limited space. But while these are a good space-saving option, they aren’t as convenient as traditional hangers because you’ll likely need to remove an item from the hanger to get to the bottom layer.

Color

When it comes to hangers, opting for a uniform color scheme and style helps your closet look neat and tidy. If you’re an organization nerd, try color-coding your clothing. Looking to pare down your wardrobe but don’t know where to start? Use red hangers to designate the clothes you haven’t worn in months. If that unused sweater is still sitting on a red hanger after a few months, donate it.

Hanger prices

For the biggest savings, look for hangers sold in quantities from a few to a few dozen, but steer clear of very inexpensive options. Cheap hangers will break quickly and likely won’t be able to stand up to the weight of heavier clothing. You’re better off spending a little more to ensure the longevity of your wardrobe.

All hanger types come in packages that retail for around $20. For the same price, you can also buy a single premium-quality hardwood hanger made of cedar, maple, or walnut. Some higher-quality nonslip hangers, trouser hangers, and clamp hangers are also available in singles at this price point.

If you’re purchasing an expensive item of clothing, we recommend buying a hanger to go with it. A high-quality suit shouldn’t be subjected to a flimsy, warped wire hanger.

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Make sure your clothing has room to breathe. Packing garments too tightly together in the closet can cause items to snag or wrinkle. It’s also tougher to see all the clothing you have in your closet if they’re packed like sardines.

FAQ

Q. Are there any clothes I shouldn’t store on a hanger?

A. Avoid hanging clothing made of stretchy material because hanging can stretch out the fabric. If you’re short on space, be selective about what you hang, and fold things like sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts.

Q. Hold on. I shouldn’t hang sweaters?

A. You can. But in a small closet, sweaters take up a considerable amount of space, which is why people often choose to fold them. We suggest hanging sweaters on hangers with felt tips to prevent slipping.

Q. What happens if I use a hanger that’s the wrong size?

A. A hanger that’s too small can ruin the shape of your clothing after a while. A too-narrow hanger can create indents and permanently ruin your clothing. One that’s too big will stretch out your garments.

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