Checklist · 11 picks · 3 categories
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Your hair tie might be roughing up your hair. A stylist quoted by Shop TODAY says friction and tension cause most breakage, and tight elastics worn in the same spot every day weaken your strands.
The fix is cheap: claw clips are a low-tension favorite, silk and satin scrunchies cut friction, and spiral coils spread the pressure around your ponytail. Reviewed reviewed 13 hair ties, and Shop TODAY rounded up stylist and editor picks for every hair type, from super curly to long and straight. Flat clips are the bonus for car rides and couch time. Each card shows the drawback the testers called out, so you can grab the right one for your hair.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want hot tools for styling; our Hair Tools list covers dryers, flat irons and heatless curlers.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip Silk Skinny Scrunchies | splurge | $25-50 | a silky splurge that's gentle on your hair | 1 outlet |
| Kitsch Satin Scrunchies | budget | under $15 | curls that crease in a regular elastic | 1 outlet |
| lululemon Skinny Scrunchie 6-Pack | mid | $15-25 | workouts and wearing on your wrist | 1 outlet |
Best scrunchiessplurge pick · 4-pack
Best for a silky splurge that's gentle on your hair
Shop TODAY's 2026 Hair Award winner for best scrunchie: 100% mulberry silk, and a stylist it quotes prefers silk for all hair types because it reduces friction.
Heads up. Size up if you have thicker hair
1 outlet. Shop TODAY 2026 Hair Award best scrunchie.
$25-50
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budget pick · 5-pack
Best for curls that crease in a regular elastic
Shop TODAY's editor's pick for curly hair: a super-curly-haired editor says they kept her hair secure for about a year without ruining her curls.
Heads up. Slippery
1 outlet. Shop TODAY editor's pick for curly hair.
under $15
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mid pick · 6-pack
Best for workouts and wearing on your wrist
Reviewed's best scrunchie: it won't slip out of your hair during exercise, but doesn't feel too tight either.
Heads up. Not flexible, and it didn't hold hair well overnight
1 outlet. Reviewed best scrunchie.
$15-25
Shop at lululemonStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goody Ouchless No-Metal Elastics | budget | under $15 | no-frills ponytails | 1 outlet |
| Kitsch 8 Pack Hair Coils | budget | under $15 | holding hair without a dent | 1 outlet |
| 79Style Elastic Hair Ties | mid | under $15 | never running out of hair ties again | 1 outlet |
Best hair tiesbudget pick · 27-pack
Best for no-frills ponytails
Reviewed's best hair elastic: for anyone who wants a super functional, no-frills hair tie, this is it.
Heads up. Uncomfortable on the wrist and for long wear
1 outlet. Reviewed best hair elastic.
under $15
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budget pick · 8-pack
Best for holding hair without a dent
Reviewed's best coil hair tie: it does an excellent job of holding hair in place without having to secure it too tightly.
Heads up. Tugs a bit during removal and is uncomfortable on the wrist
1 outlet. Reviewed best coil hair tie.
under $15
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mid pick · 100-pack
Best for never running out of hair ties again
Reviewed's best ribbon hair tie: stretchy, comfortable knotted ribbons in tons of colors, and a solid choice for just about anyone.
Heads up. Shifts placement with light activity
1 outlet. Reviewed best ribbon hair tie.
under $15
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alemaky Square Claw Clips (Pack of 12) | budget | under $15 | people who lose claw clips constantly | 1 outlet |
| Cobinaan Medium Claw Hair Clips | budget | under $15 | thin to medium hair and half-up styles | 1 outlet |
| Scunci Barrel Jaw Clips | budget | under $15 | long, thick hair | 1 outlet |
| Kitsch Flat Claw Clips | budget | under $15 | wearing your hair up in the car or on the couch | Limited evidence |
| Teleties Small Flat Round Clip | mid | under $15 | half-ups in long, straight hair | 1 outlet |
Best claw clipbudget pick · 12-pack
Best for people who lose claw clips constantly
Shop TODAY's best value claw clips and an editor pick: an editor who loses claw clips constantly calls this set sturdy, a good value and nicely varied in size.
1 outlet. Shop TODAY best value claw clips.
under $15
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budget pick · 6-pack
Best for thin to medium hair and half-up styles
Shop TODAY's best claw clips for thinner hair: a medium size that suits half-up, half-down styles.
1 outlet. Shop TODAY best claw clips for thinner hair.
under $15
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budget pick · 1 clip
Best for long, thick hair
Shop TODAY's best claw clip for thick hair: the brand says its rounded shape helps hold long, thick hair in place.
1 outlet. Shop TODAY best claw clip for thick hair.
under $15
Shop at TargetStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
Best flat clipbudget pick · 2-pack
Best for wearing your hair up in the car or on the couch
From Shop TODAY's claw clip guide: the brand says the flat design sits comfortably at the back of your head, even while driving or lying down.
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
under $15
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mid pick · Small
Best for half-ups in long, straight hair
Shop TODAY's editor's pick for long, straight hair: it lies flat against your head, and one editor uses the small size for half-ups.
Heads up. Can't hold a lot of hair
1 outlet. Shop TODAY editor's pick for long, straight hair.
under $15
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Stylists quoted by Shop TODAY call claw clips a low-tension option. One says elastics can be harsh and cause breakage, and another says many people find claw clips one of the healthiest everyday choices.
Snug, not painful. A stylist quoted by Shop TODAY says a hair tie should secure the style, not stress the hair. If you feel pulling at your scalp or hairline, it's too tight.
A stylist quoted by Shop TODAY says silk scrunchies or spiral ties help preserve your curl pattern and reduce frizz. Wash your ties now and then too, since they collect oil and buildup.