Drywall anchors provide a sturdy foundation for your screw to bite into and will support most kinds of art, frames, or light shelving.
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When you’re unable to access a wall stud using your stud finder, drywall anchors allow you to still safely and effectively mount items to your walls. Plus, since they’re available in a variety of sizes and types, you can secure a wide range of items, from lighter objects like smoke detectors, to heavier art pieces that can weigh over 100 pounds. We know they can be intimidating for first-timers, but once you understand how drywall anchors work, they’re relatively simple to install. Typically, all that’s required is a drill and screwdriver to insert them in place.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a drywall anchor, the most important being the weight of the item you plan on securing to your wall. Luckily, the weight limit is usually clearly marked on the anchor's packaging. Just to be safe though, we usually like to subtract about 1/4 of the recommended weight, just to take into account wall differences, as well as any awkwardness or imbalances of the item you’re mounting.
The type of anchor will help you choose the one best for your specific application. Basic expanding anchors typically have the lowest weight limits and require you to drill a pilot hole first before inserting them into the drywall. Self-drilling anchors provide a bit more strength and can be drilled directly into the wall (although we usually give them a couple taps with a hammer to get them started). Toggle anchors will give you the most support and use a bar to press against the back of the drywall, giving the entire anchor a really sturdy support system.
I've been using drywall anchors my entire career, and used this experience to put together this list of options that I think would be most useful for the average homeowner. Since users will have different weights to deal with, I made sure to include a good variety of options, so whether you’re hanging a 1-pound picture frame, or 100-pound mirror, you should find an option that works best for you. I also wanted to include a few kits that include a range of anchor sizes in one set, for those who want to be prepared for anything.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 265 pounds • Quantity: 20 pieces • Type: snap toggle
With a 265-pound weight limit, these Snaptoggle anchors are the strongest option on our list, and are essential for hanging or mounting heavy items. This set includes 20 toggles, which comes out to about $1 a piece. Even though this is a bit more expensive than others, we’ve found that the peace of mind they provide is worth the extra price. These might look a little intimidating to use, but the majority of the plastic is snapped off once the metal channel is inside the wall, and ends up being about the same size as any other toggle anchor.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 65 to 126 pounds • Quantity: 44 pieces • Type: Snap Toggle, Self-Drilling, Plastic Toggle, Expanding
This kit includes five different anchor types, ensuring that you’ll be prepared for nearly any size drywall mounting project. You also get a convenient storage case to keep each type separated, allowing you to easily find the specific piece you’re looking for, instead of having to dig through a cluttered drawer or toolbox. We’ve always had great success with Toggler brand products, which is the primary reason we felt this kit was the best overall kit you can buy. It’s also a good value for the price, with 44 total anchors, and the appropriate screw sizes for every one.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 75 pounds • Quantity: 50 pieces • Type: Self-Drilling
These mid-range anchors are great for medium-weight items like curtain rods, shelving, or framed artwork, up to 75 pounds. The necessary 1 1/4-inch screws are included in the kit, and their light color helps them blend into white or cream colored walls. We’ve found these anchors really easy to install, and even though they can be used by screwing directly into the wall, we usually give them a few taps with a hammer first to get them started. As with all plastic self drilling anchors, be careful to not strip the head while screwing it.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 50 pounds • Quantity: 50 pieces • Type: Self-Drilling
These zinc anchors are stronger than nylon or plastic models, and are less likely to be stripped by your screwdriver during installation. Plus, they’re long enough — and have a deep thread design — to be used in drywall thicker than the typical 1/2-inch walls, so we’d recommend them if you’re not sure what type of drywall you’re dealing with. The storage case is another nice perk, especially since this kit includes 50 anchors as well as 50 screws. Their 50-pound weight limit makes them appropriate for a wide range of items.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 20 to 30 pounds • Quantity: 66 pieces • Type: Expanding
If you’re not planning on hanging or mounting anything heavier than 20 to 30 pounds, this kit would be a great addition to your home toolbox. Thanks to their small size and low profile, we’ve used these many times for smaller items like smoke alarms, ornamental wall fixtures, or lightweight art frames. The sectioned storage case also makes it easy to keep all the pieces separated, especially the screws, so you can always be sure you’re grabbing the correct size. The low price of this kit also makes it a great choice for those who don’t have the budget, or the need, for more robust anchors.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 143 pounds • Quantity: 20 • Type: Toggle
What makes this model different from most other anchors is that it uses a small key to expand the toggle behind the wall, which not only makes this anchor simple to install, but it means you don’t have to rely on the screw to do this job. This allows you to insert and remove the screw repeatedly, without affecting the anchor itself. It’s also rated to be used in 3/8-inch walls, although the weight limit will be much less than the 143 pounds advertised for 1/2-inch drywall. At less than $10 for 20 pieces, this pack is one of the most affordable toggle options on our list.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 20 pounds • Quantity: 6 • Type: Toggle
These toggle anchors feature a built-in hook, making them especially useful for hanging items from a hollow ceiling, like wind chimes, baskets, or lighting fixtures. Their straightforward design also makes them simple to install — you just drill a pilot hole, insert the toggle, and you’re all set. They’re also easy to remove when you’re finished with them, or, if you need to patch up the pilot hole, you just unscrew the hook and the toggle will remain inside the ceiling, out of sight. You only get 6 pieces with this set, although for $5, that’s still a pretty good value.
Key Specs • Weight limit: 10 pounds • Quantity: 100 • Type: Expanding
If you’re just mounting extremely lightweight items, these blue expandable anchors could be a great fit. You’ll need a 1/4-inch drill bit to create the necessary pilot hole, but once these anchors are inserted, their low-profile heads should provide a nice, flush appearance on the wall or ceiling. Plus, their ribbed design allows them to dig into the sides of the hole as you screw into them, preventing them from spinning around during installation. Although we would have preferred a more sturdy storage box, the plastic container that these come in is certainly better than nothing.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
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