When it comes to organizing your closet, hangers matter. After all, you\’re not going to achieve a magazine-worthy walk-in closet with mismatched hangers that stretch out your sweaters. We\’re all guilty of buying packages of cheap plastic hangers from the dollar store, but good-quality hangers can help your clothes retain their shape and free up more space in your closet. Selecting the right hanger for your needs might seem like a straightforward process, but there are many different types of hangers and materials to consider.
Video of the Day
What to Consider When Purchasing Clothes Hangers
Clothing Type: Whether you\’re into suits, flowing dresses, or have an impressive jersey collection, you will need different styles of hangers, even within your own closet. It\’s important to decide what type of clothing you want to use the hangers for so you can organize your closet accordingly.
Hanger Shape: Depending on what you are hanging, you may need a specially-shaped hanger. Contoured wooden hangers are best for maintaining the shape of a sport coat, for example, while curved velvet hangers will prevent shoulder creases in T-shirts.
Hanger Material: Once you\’ve decided what your hangers will be used for, it\’s time to pinpoint the material you want the hangers to be made from. Here are the most common options:
- Wire hangers are normally free when fetching your dry cleaning and are regarded as the cheapest material. The issue with wire hangers is they don\’t keep their shape for long. But heavy-duty metal hangers tend to be more rigid and durable are great space-savers due to their slim profile. They\’re best used for shirts with high necklines though as metal can be slippery.
- Plastic hangers are inexpensive and suitable for everyday use. Like wire hangers, the density of the material will dictate how well it holds its shape. That being said, plastic hangers are prone to breaking and often don\’t come with 360-degree swiveling hooks.
- Wooden hangers are usually more expensive and best for suits, winter coats and other heavy clothing items. While they\’re useful for maintaining the shape of clothes, they will quickly eat up space in your closet.
- Velvet hangers are non-slip and ideal for shirts with a wide neck. They tend to be thin and won\’t take up a lot of space in your closet, but they can leave residue on clothing if not rinsed before use.
Special Features: Do you need a hanger that will support an entire outfit? Look for models with handy cut-outs that allow you to \”cascade\” your clothing by hooking other hangers onto them. Do you steam your clothes while hanging them on the back of the door? Opt for hangers with 360-degree swivel hooks. These special features can make the hanger more desirable depending on your needs.
Now that you have an idea of what types of hangers you\’ll need for your closet, here are the best options on the market in 2022.
The Best Overall Clothes Hangers
IEOKE Velvet Clothes Hangers, 50-Pack
$29.99 at Amazon
Ticking all the right boxes, including quality, space-saving, load-bearing, non-slip and non-crease, the IEOKE velvet clothes hangers truly do it all. They feature 360-degree rotating hooks and have additional hooks for hanging clothing with straps like tank tops or bathing suits. Each hanger can hold up to 10.5 pounds and the slim profile allows for greater storage capabilities. The cascade design means you can hook other hangers from the heart-shaped cutout—ideal if you want to lay your outfit out the night before. Also, with their curved shape, these hangers eliminate those awkward bumps in the shoulders of T-shirts.
The Best Wooden Hangers
Zober High-Grade Wooden Suit Hangers, 30-Pack
$49.99 at Amazon
Although pricey, these Zober wooden hangers are luxurious. With their varnished finish, the hangers offer 360-degree chrome hooks, vinyl-covered pant bars, perfectly crafted notches that prevent clothes from sliding off, and gently sloping shoulders. These hangers are ready for your most expensive suit—they\’re constructed from resilient lotus wood and can each hold up to 9.15 pounds. They come in a 20-pack or a 30-pack and five finishes: black, cherry, light brown, dark brown or white. They\’re the best wooden hangers on the market but aren\’t as versatile as the previously mentioned IEOKE hangers.
The Best Velvet Hangers
Zober Non-Slip Velvet Suit Hangers, 50-Pack
$28.99 at Amazon
If you\’re searching for dependable, multi-purpose hangers, grab a 50-pack of these non-slip velvet hangers by Zober. They come with a 360-degree swiveling hook in a rust-resistant chrome finish and have contoured shoulders to help clothing keep its shape. There are even notches for spaghetti straps so your sundress or tanktop will stay put. The lower bar can also be used for hanging pants if you don\’t own any specialty hangers. Each velvet hanger can support up to 10 pounds and features a slim profile to maximize closet space. The seller recommends rinsing the hangers under cold water and air-drying prior to first use to remove any residue that might adhere to your clothing. The hangers are 17 inches long and 9.25 inches high.
The Best Plastic Hangers
Sharpty Plastic Clothing Notched Hangers, 20-Pack
$15.26 at Amazon
If you\’re on a tight budget, these everyday plastic hangers will get the job done. Each hanger has two notches for straps or accessories and reinforced edges for additional strength. Made of polypropylene plastic, the hangers have a smooth finish so there\’s no need to worry about snags. And with a sleek design, you can be sure these hangers won\’t take up too much space in your closet. They\’re available in a 20-pack or 50-pack and come in black or white. The manufacturer also states that the hangers are backed by a one-year comprehensive warranty. Each plastic hanger is 16 inches long and 9.25 inches high.
The Best Padded Hangers
Whitmor Canvas Padded Hangers, 6-Pack
$12.99 at Amazon
These thickly-padded hangers are wrapped with canvas, making them non-slip. Subtle ruching in the fabric also prevents delicate articles of clothing from slipping and sliding. Designed to ensure your dresses, lingerie and shirts are always wrinkle-free, the hangers are slightly curved for added support. Each is adorned with a satin bow and has a swiveling, metal hook. Although the hangers are lightweight, they\’re sturdy enough to support heavier items like sweaters or blazers—plus, they won\’t leave shoulder points. The dimensions are 16 inches long, 1.25 inches wide and 7.25 inches high.
The Best Pant Hangers
Zober Pant Hangers, 20-Pack
$21.99 at Amazon
Zober\’s open-ended hangers are made from sturdy, chrome-plated metal and feature a rubber, non-slip coating on the pant bar to prevent creasing and keep clothing in place. The edge of the pant bar is raised slightly, meaning your favorite pair of jeans won\’t fall on the floor. All of the exposed edges, including the hook, are rubber-tipped so fabric doesn\’t snag. The hangers are also slim, making them a great space saver. The open-ended design gives the user easy access—no more battling to thread your pants into the closet. Each hanger measures 14 inches long and 6.25 inches high.
The Best Skirt Hangers
Nature Smile Solid Lotus Wood Pant Hangers, 10-Pack
$19.89 at Amazon
These premium wooden hangers have fully-adjustable clips for organizing skirts, shorts or pants. The clips are strong and rubber-coated so they don\’t leave indentations in your clothing. Made of high-grade lotus wood, the hangers can hold up to 10 pounds each, supporting heavyweight items like men\’s jeans or full-length skirts. The rust-resistant chrome hooks swivel 360 degrees and the maximum length between the clips is 12 inches. The only drawback is that they\’re a bit bulky at 14 inches long, 0.47 inches wide and 6.7 inches high.
