Every product we review is selected by hardware-obsessed editors. We may earn a commission if you buy from a link. Why do they trust us?
Drywall anchors provide a solid base for driving screws and can support most types of artwork, frames, or lightweight shelves.
When you can’t access wall studs with .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65; text-underline-offset :0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s escape-in-out;transition: all 0.3s escape-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9:hover{ color:#595959 ; text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;} Stud Finder, a drywall anchor, allows you to securely and efficiently attach items to the wall. Plus, because they come in a variety of sizes and types, you can protect everything from lighter objects like smoke detectors to heavier pieces of art weighing over 100 pounds. We know they can be intimidating for beginners, but once you understand how drywall anchors work, they are relatively easy to install. Usually, a drill and a screwdriver are enough to install them.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a drywall anchor, the most important of which is the weight of the item you plan to attach to the wall. Fortunately, the weight limit is usually clearly marked on the anchor packaging. However, to be on the safe side, we generally prefer to subtract about 1/4 of the suggested weight, just to account for wall differences and any clunkiness or imbalance in what you’re installing.
Binding types will help you choose the type of binding that best suits your particular application. Basic expansion anchors usually have the least weight restrictions and require you to drill a pilot hole before inserting them into drywall. Self-drilling anchors are stronger and can be drilled straight into the wall (although we usually hit them with a hammer first). A lever anchor will provide the most support and uses a rod pressed against the back of the drywall to provide a really strong support system for the entire anchor.
I have used drywall anchors my entire career and have used that experience to come up with a list of options that I believe will be most beneficial to the average homeowner. Since users have to deal with different weights, I made sure to include a lot of options, so whether you’re hanging a 1 pound photo frame or a 100 pound mirror, you should find what works best for you. I also wanted to include kits where one kit contains different sizes of anchors for those who want to be ready for anything.
With a weight limit of 265 pounds, these Snaptoggle anchors are the strongest option on our list and are essential for hanging or installing heavy items. The set includes 20 switches and costs about $1 each. While it’s a little more expensive than others, we found the peace of mind they provide was well worth the extra price. They can be a little scary to use, but once the metal channel is inside the wall, most of the plastic breaks off and you end up with about the same size as any other lever anchor.
Key Features • Weight limit: 65 to 126 pounds • Quantity: 44 pcs. • Type: snap-on, self-drilling, plastic, expandable
This kit includes five different types of anchors, ensuring you’ll be ready to install drywall in just about any size. You also get a handy storage box that separates each type, making it easy to find the specific item you’re looking for without having to rummage through cluttered drawers or toolboxes. Our Toggler brand products have always been a huge success and that is the main reason why we think this kit is the best kit you can buy. It’s also great value for money, with a total of 44 anchors, each with the right screw size.
These medium sized anchors are ideal for medium weight items such as curtain rods, shelves or framed artwork up to 75 lbs. The kit includes the necessary 1 1/4″ screws, and their light color helps them blend in with white or cream walls. We found these anchors to be very easy to install, and while they can be used by screwing directly into the wall, we usually give them a few hammer blows to get started. As with all plastic self-drilling anchors, be careful not to rip off the head when tightening.
These zinc anchors are stronger than nylon or plastic anchors and are less likely to be ripped off by a screwdriver during installation. Also, they are long enough and have deep threads for drywall thicker than regular 1/2″ walls, so we recommend them if you’re not sure what type of drywall you’re dealing with. The storage case is another nice bonus, especially since it comes with 50 anchors and 50 screws. They have a 50 lb weight limit so they fit a wide variety of items.
If you don’t plan on hanging or mounting anything over 20-30 pounds, this set makes a great addition to your home tool kit. Because of their small size and low profile, we have used them many times for small items such as smoke detectors, decorative wall lights or light picture frames. The divided storage box also makes it easy to separate everything, especially screws, so you can always be sure you got the right size. The low price of the kit also makes it a great option for those who don’t have a budget or need a stronger anchor.
What sets this model apart from most other anchors is that it uses a small wrench to deploy the tumbler behind the wall, which not only makes this anchor easier to install, but means you don’t have to rely on screws to do the job. This allows the screws to be repeatedly inserted and removed without affecting the anchor itself. It’s also rated for 3/8″ thick walls, although the weight limit will be much lighter than the advertised 143 pounds for 1/2″ drywall. This sub-$10/20 set is one of the most affordable switching options on our list.
These lever anchors have built-in hooks and are ideal for hanging items such as wind chimes, baskets or light fixtures from hollow ceilings. Their simple design also simplifies installation – you simply drill a pilot hole, insert a lever, and you’re done. They’re also easy to remove when you’re done using them, or if you need to patch up pilot holes, you simply unscrew the hooks and the latches stay in the ceiling, out of sight. There are only 6 in this set, and even though it’s $5, it’s still a steal.
If you’re just mounting very light items, these blue expandable anchors might be the way to go. You will need a 1/4″ drill bit to make the necessary pilot holes, but once these anchors are in place, their low profile heads should provide a nice view on the wall or ceiling. In addition, their ribbed design allows them to penetrate deep into the sides of the hole when screwed in, preventing them from rotating during installation. Plastic containers are definitely better than nothing, although we would have preferred a more durable storage box.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, DIY and tools. A former home and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write helpful buying guides, how-to articles and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider’s Insider Picks, and before he started writing, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked on a team designing, assembling, and installing large-sized furniture, and undertook various home renovation and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, California and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancée and their dog Louie.
.css-v1xtj3 { display: block; font-family: FreightSansW01, Helvetica, Arial, Sans-serif; font weight: 100; bottom margin: 0; top margin: 0; -webkit-text-decoration: no; text-decoration: None;} @media(any hover: hover) { .css-v1xtj3:hover {color: link-hover;} } @media(max-width: 48rem) { .css-v1xtj3{font-size: 1 .1387 rem; line height: 1.2; bottom margin: 1 rem; top margin: 0.625 rem; } } @media(min-width: 40,625rem) { .css-v1xtj3{ line-height: 1,2; width: 48rem) { .css-v1xtj3{font-size: 1.18581rem; line height: 1.2; bottom margin: 0.5rem; top margin: 0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css -v1xtj3{font-size: 1.23488 rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}} uses induction heating to destroy rusty bolts
Post time: Aug-22-2023