When you can't find and screw into a wall stud, even with a reliable stud finder, drywall anchors enable you to effectively and securely mount your items on your wallboards. However, a drywall anchor purchase can be a frustrating experience. With various types and sizes available, it is extremely difficult to choose the best drywall anchors. Also, appearances and weight ratings are similar among many, making it more confusing to choose the right piece.
With a little information, you can ensure that your toolbox is equipped with the best drywall anchors and know the right type for different purposes. My top 3 picks, Toofix's Self-Drilling, HongWay Plastic Drywall Anchors, and Qualihome Self-Drilling, are some of the most recommendable drywall anchors. I have discussed their features below to emphasize why they stand out.
Using the best drywall anchor will enable you to easily hang wall decorations in your home without worrying about ripping your wall or having the item fall to the floor. Read on for the best drywall anchors and factors to consider when choosing one.
Let's first look at the various types of drywall anchors available.
Types of Drywall Anchors
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There are four types of drywall anchors you need to have in your toolbox to be prepared for any task. It is also important to understand how they work to pick the right one for the job.
1. Expansion Drywall Anchors
Expansion drywall anchors spread to create a firm bond with the drywall and are designed to hold lightweight items of around 20 pounds. These anchors need a pre-drilled hole before insertion. They can also be used with concrete, mortar, brick, or sheet metal.
2. Threaded Drywall Anchors
Also referred to as self-drilling anchors, threaded drywall anchors are made from metal or hard nylon and are ideal for light- to medium-duty applications. They can hold items of up to 75 pounds. Threaded drywall anchors look like screws and are easy to install because they require no pre-drilling. They have sharply pointed shanks that are screwed into the wall without a pre-drilled hole, but if you want a precise hole, a power screwdriver can help.
3. Toggle Bolt Drywall Anchors
For serious holding power, go for a toggle bolt drywall anchor. These anchors are specially designed for hollow walls. They have wings that fold flat against the screw during insertion but flare outward against the drywall once the anchor is installed inside the drilled hole.
This unique design generates a strong perpendicular brace on the backside of the drywall to ensure your selected picture frame remains firmly mounted on the wall. The weight capacity of a toggle bolt will depend on its design and material. However, they are ideal for medium to heavy-duty applications and can hold up to 200 or 300 pounds.
4. Molly Bolts
These metal sleeve-type hollow wall anchors offer a medium-weight capacity of up to 100 pounds. The anchor expands while you drill the screw into the wall. You can remove the screw from the anchor and reinsert it, making molly bolts an excellent choice for DIYers who want to replace items in the same spot.
Best Drywall Anchors Reviews
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1. Toofix’s Self-Drilling Drywall Plastic Anchors with Screws Kit
- Starts easier than other self-drilling drywall anchors
- Deep thread design provides strong engagement in 3/8", 1/2" or...
- Pre-drills precise hole in gypsum wall board - No hole...
- Constructed from durable plastic to last for years. Can be easily...
- Kit Includes 20 Plastic Anchors, 20 #8 x 1-1/4'' Phillips Screws...
Toofix's Self-Drilling Drywall Plastic Anchors rank among the best for their ease of use and installation. To install these anchors, I didn't do any hole preparation. Its self-drilling design screws in easily, with the deep thread providing a strong engagement with the gypsum wallboard. Also, with a weight capacity of 50 pounds, these drywall anchors are great for most domestic applications.
The kit contains 20 pieces of plastic anchors and 20 Phillips screws because it is designed for home use. However, this implies that you'll only get one length of screws in the box, which is 1 ¼ inches.
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2. HongWay 370pcs Plastic Drywall Wall Anchors Kit with Screws
- 【SPECIFICATIONS】370pcs Kit includes 5 different size plastic...
- 【EASY STORAGE】Comes in a handy Plastic organizer case with...
- 【GREAT QUALITY】Constructed from durable Plastic(nylon) to...
- 【WIDE APPLICATION】The zinc self drilling anchors are heat...
- 【CUSTOMER SERVICE】We take pride in delivering a quality...
HongWay is your go-to drywall anchor brand if you are looking for anchors made for large-scale applications. However, their weight capacity of up to 20 pounds is pretty weak, even for basic home projects. But if this is not your concern, it would please you to know that the HongWay drywall anchor kit contains 370 pieces, which is the highest on our list.
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With so many pieces included, I found screws of varying lengths, including 25, 30, and 38 mm, making it one of the most convenient kits I've worked with. Also, the kit has durable plastic (nylon) drywall anchors and zinc-plated screws. The kit comes in a convenient plastic organizer with compartments, keeping everything neat and organized.
Finally, if you're unhappy with this product for any reason, the company offers a 30-day return policy.
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3. Qualihome Heavy Duty Plastic Self Drilling Drywall Anchors and Screws Kit
- EASIER TO INSTALL THAN OTHER DRYWALL ANCHORS: Our self-drilling...
- PENETRATE THICK OR THIN DRYWALL WITH EASE: The wall anchors and...
- MADE FROM THE PREMIUM PLASTIC: These drywall anchors are made...
- CAN HANDLE LOADS UP TO 50 POUNDS: The #8 x 1-1/4'' phillips...
- YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY: Purchase today with confidence...
A Qualihome drywall anchor is a viable option if you are looking for something for slightly larger applications but made for home usage. I tried working with these anchors on thin and thick drywalls, and it's amazing how they easily penetrate both. Their self-drilling design makes installing them easier because you do not have to pre-drill holes in the wall.
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These drywall anchors are a great pick for something that offers great value for money. They're made from durable plastic that is sturdy and reliable. Each kit comes with 50 pieces of screws of 1 ¼ inches each and 50 anchors. Also, Qualihome drywall anchors can handle up to 50 pounds of loads.
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4. TOGGLER SNAPTOGGLE Drywall Anchor
- HOLDS 2X MORE THAN WING TOGGLES - SNAPTOGGLES Holds up to 1,080...
- REUSABLE - Metal channel will not fall behind wall - anchor is...
- Great for hanging flat screen TV's, grab bars, handrails,...
- SMALLEST DRILL HOLE - Requires a 1/2-in drill bit. (not included)
- Package contains 4 anchors and 4 bolts (Bolts are 2.5 inches) -...
Whether you need to wall-mount a television, hang a heavy mirror, or install new shelves or light fittings, the Toggler Snaptoggle Drywall Anchor offers a rock-solid hold for heavy-duty items. With a weight capacity of 265 pounds, these Toggler threaded anchors are ideal for secure load-bearing. Installation is also hassle-free. Once you've drilled the appropriate hole, slide the Snaptoggle anchor through it, and it will be held in place with the straps.
Image Source: toggler.co.uk
While the Snaptoggle's holding power is impressive, I noticed it could hold that weight only on vertical walls. You can use it in ceilings too, but drywall can't support that much weight horizontally.
With an improved design for precise alignment, the stronger and longer plastic straps do not break off prematurely like other plastic straps and can quickly snap off flush with the ceiling or wall every time. Also, the zinc-platted steel channel has a reliable corrosion-resistant nature making it ideal for use in up to ½ inch thick drywall and 3 5/8 inch thick concrete.
The kit contains 4 drywall anchors and 4 UNC bolts, but packaging may vary. This might not be the most, but it is decent for most households.
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5. Screw-it Self Drilling Drywall/Hollow-Wall Anchor Kit with Screws
- High quality anchors pre-drills precise hole in types of drywall...
- Deep thread design provides strong engagement, locks into many...
- Large Anchor holds up to 50 lbs, good for heavier applications...
- Mini Anchor holds up to 40 lbs, leaves smaller footprint, good...
- Kit includes 25 Large Anchors, 25 Mini Anchors, 25 #8 X 1-¼”...
The Screw-it Self-Drilling Drywall/Hollow-Wall Anchor Kit is ideal for medium to heavy-duty home upgrading applications. These hollow wall anchors feature deep thread design, providing strong and secure engagement in different sizes of drywall, including 3/8, ½, and 5/8 inches.
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They are especially useful for walls with studs behind them, and you won't need to pre-drill a hole because these anchors are self-drilling. However, I used a power screwdriver to make a precise hole in the drywall. The Screw-it anchors are also easy to remove.
The mini drywall anchors gave me maximum holding power for an artwork weighing 40 pounds, and they're perfect for applications where anchors need to be unnoticed. Also, the large anchors can hold up to 50 pounds, which is great for shelf installation.
The Screw-it drywall anchors come in a sturdy plastic pack for convenient storage. The pack includes 25 large anchors, 25 mini anchors, 25 # 8 X 1 ¼ inches screws, and 25 # 6 X 1 ¼ inches screws.
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Best Drywall Anchors Buying Guide
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1. Weight Capacity
A drywall anchor is installed to support the screw and the items you will hang on it; therefore, it should be able to handle heavy-weight loads quite easily. Even though most products have a weight capacity of 50 pounds, heavy-duty options can hold up to 250 pounds, perfect for large art pieces and shelves. Therefore, it is important to check the weight rating capacity of the drywall anchors before purchasing to avoid ruining your projects.
2. Number of Pieces
Whether installing drywall anchors at home or construction sites, you will need multiple of them. Consequently, all products come as a set of numerous anchors. Sometimes, you can be lucky to find screws included in the kits.
While budget-friendly options may come with 40 or 50 pieces, higher-valued options can offer 100 to 300 pieces, making them perfect for larger applications and heavy-duty use. Therefore, checking the number of pieces of the product you are going for is important to know the number of drywall anchors you are getting.
3. Screws
Drywall anchors are normally used along with screws; hence almost all drywall anchor products include anchors and screws. You should also check the screws included in the kit. Although most of the screws are Philips head screws, in some cases, you can find flat-head screws. Another issue to consider with the screws is the screw length which may include options like 1 1/4, 1 1/2, and 1 3/4 inches. Other products can also give you screw sizes matching your anchors and preferences.
4. Anchor Size
In addition to having multiple heavy-duty usage drywall anchors, you need to ensure that you have the right size and type of anchors to enable you to use the screws of your choice. Various screw length ratings are compatible with many drywall anchors, including 1 1/4 inches, 1 1/2 inches, 1 3/4 inches, and more. While choosing between anchor types and lengths, you must ensure that it matches the screws you wish to use.
5. Warranty
Warranty included with drywall anchor products is important. Most products that come with a warranty are durable and ideal for long-term use. However, the warranty periods may differ, with most products having a 30-day warranty, but others may go up to 1 year.
4. Installation Type
If you are handy with a screw gun, you most likely won't blink at pre-drilling holes, but self-drilling anchors can save you a lot of time. You can also choose hammer-in anchors. However, pushing through the backing paper may tear it. But if you keep your hole centered, a drywall saw and a sharp awl can be easier to use instead of a drill.
5. Reusable Designs
Some drywall anchors will easily pop out of the wall when you remove the screw, but others require poking inside the screw hole with wire to straighten out the anchor to enable you to pull it out. A few product designs are permanent, and you'll need to make larger holes to remove them.
6. Support Type
Pop toggle drywall anchors are easy to install and hold firmly compared to drywall alone. However, if you want to hang a shelf, you'll need anchors that spread out the weight. For most projects, anchor strength is determined by its ability to spread the tensile load over a wide area inside the drywall sheet.
You should look for two-piece design anchors featuring a brace inside the wall that clamp down when tightening the screws through the anchors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Can I also use a drywall anchor in concrete or wooden walls?
Although it may be impossible with all drywall anchors because of their strength, some drywall anchors are sturdy enough, and you can install them on wooden and concrete walls.
2. Can I use a drywall anchor and screws of different sizes?
A slight variation between the size of the screw and drywall anchor can be managed. However, a big difference can result in a loose fit or may damage your drywall and the anchor itself, which can be a loss.
3. How are drywall anchors installed?
Installing drywall anchors depends on the type you have. The self-drilling anchors are the easiest to install and use because they drill their own holes. Other types need a hole preparation. Some products may provide the drill bit for this with the fixings.
4. How much weight can drywall anchors hold?
The weight drywall anchors can hold varies immensely. Lightweight plastic drywall anchors can support up to 20 pounds, while the strongest can support 200 pounds or more. However, it is recommended that only a quarter of the maximum weight capacity is used per anchor.
Mostly, two or more drywall anchors are used, so you'll need to do a little math to find an installation with the appropriate capacity. Also, a drywall anchor's weight affects the weight a drywall can hold.
