You know how regular toggle bolt wall anchors always require extra space behind the drywall, and to remove you unscrew them, dropping the toggle behind the wall? This week I found the best toggles I’ve ever used — SnapToggles, made by Toggler. They’re much easier to install, and they stay in place when you unscrew the bolt.
They’re odd-looking, which probably explains why at Lowe’s I found a box opened and a few scattered around the wall anchor area. While traditional toggle bolt anchors consist of a single bolt with “wings” at one end that pop open after being pushed through the wall, the SnapToggle’s two parallel plastic straps tee into a single bar-shaped anchor. The straps can move up or down independently, see-sawing the anchor to form an “I” or a “T” as needed. To install, simply push the toggle long-wise through the hole you drilled (generally a half inch, or about what you use for a medium-to-large standard toggle), then line up the straps to flip the toggle 90 degrees. Next, push the cap along the straps, zip-tie style, until the toggle lies flush behind the wall, and pull the toggle tight with the straps. Finally, just break off the straps flush with the cap. The cap and toggle stay in place, allowing you to install the bolt whenever you like.
This offers a couple of advantages over the classic toggle. Obviously, you can remove the bolt and re-install it, so you can easily remove whatever you attached to the wall without having to start over. It’s also possible to easily install other bolts of the same thread pattern. For example, this week I was installing Hungarian-style shelves to hold media equipment, so I needed to attach some 2x6s to the wall. The 2.5″ bolts that came with the kit weren’t going to work, so I picked up some 4″ bolts from the next aisle over and used them instead. Hell, if you really wanted to, you could even remove whatever you attached to the wall the first time and install something else in the same holes with different bolts. They install extremely fast, as well — it took me a minute or two to install 20 of them.
Toggler offers these in a variety of bolt sizes ranging from 3/16″ (24 thread, rated to hold 238 pounds in 1/2″ drywall) up to 1/2″ (13 thread, rated for 275 pounds in 1/2″ drywall). Pricing varies based on size and quantity, but you should expect to find two-packs and 30-packs in your local big box. (We’ve seen them online in 50-packs, too, so YMMV.) We paid around $22 for a 30-pack of 3/16″ anchors.
I’m definitely a fan. But hey, if you like something else better, let us know in comments. We’re always looking for the best parts like this. And I’ve got a ton of projects in the queue around the house, too, so I’m sure I’ll need some more before I’m done.
SnapToggle Heavy Duty Toggle Bolts (Toggler)
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
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20 Responses to The Best Wall Anchors I’ve Ever Used
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I couldn’t agree more. Ever since using them for the first time last fall, I’ve kept some on hand at home. Their simplicity, and design are such a huge improvement over almost any other wall anchor.
I had a neighbor help me hang some cabinets last year and he pulled a couple of those out, saying they are the only anchors he ever uses any more — everything else is “junk”.
My only question is eventual removal. When the day comes that you need to patch over that anchor, can you get them out without making a 1″ hole?
When I’ve needed to get rid of the anchor, I haven’t worried about removing it from the wall. I used diagonal wire cutters to snip off the cap and let the toggle part fall into the wall, just as you would with a standard toggle. Patch the hole and you’re done.
I’ve been a big fan of wingits, but the major drawback with them is that you have a huge honking hole in the wall if you ever need to get rid of them.
I use these to hang monitors in high traffic retail stores all the time. Definitely the best anchors I have ever found. Hilti was selling a similar product at Home Depot before they pulled out.
I discovered these when I ordered a new pot rack a while back and the hardware pack included some of these to anchor the bolts to hang the rack. I fell in love with them and have used them for everything since.
I found these probably 8 years ago when hanging some old fashioned TV shelves and have loved them ever since. Another advantage you don’t mention is that if you’re hanging something that requires multiple anchors, you don’t have to try and line up/insert multiple toggles at the same time.
One problem I’ve found recently is that the threads aren’t always cut cleanly, so now I thread a bolt in and out before inserting the anchor. I found that problem when installing some into metal studs and the bolt turned the anchor which caused the burr on the metal to cut through the plastic straps. I lost several toggles before I realized what was going on.
I’ve always liked E-Z Anchors. The metal ones are great and I’m amazed how much they can hold. Plus- they’re removable and reusable. The plastic ones aren’t as good, but some guys like them.
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Head-EZ-100-Self-Drilling-Drywall/dp/B002WGJSRQ
I like the E-Z anchors too. For the same reason they are reusable and make easily patched holes.
Another vote for E-Z Anchors. Nothing has worked better for me in drywall. Unfortunately, I have a lot of plaster walls.
I liked these, but ran into a problem putting them into a wall that had been heavily insulated with fiberglass batts – the toggle wasn’t able to expand, and with my attempts at manipulating it I managed to snap the plastic bits off and had to discard the anchor.
Anyway, this happened a few times and I ended up needing another hardware store run to get some more in order to finish mounting the set of cabinets I was putting up. With all that having been said, I’d still use them again for anything needing significant load.
I’m a big fan of the WallDog. Works for most of my needs.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Hillman-Group-42007-16-Inch/dp/B003VNCCZE/ref=pd_cp_hi_3
I love them too.
If I need to remove, I don’t. I hit the head with the back of a screwdriver to recess, re-tighten and spackle over it.
Walldogs and EZ-Anchors are in a different category. Personally the walldogs are the worst. They never seem to hold tight and strip out the rock if you put to much pressure on them. EZ-Anchors are great for light loads. Our preferred light duty anchor.
For heavy duty all we use are snap toggles if we are forced to mount to drywall. We even use them if mounting to plywood or steel plates behind drywall.
I am glad to see this review as I bought some for the first time last weekend and will probably use them this weekend to aid in mounting a baby gate at the top of my staircase. Thanks.
A little vector diagram will show how the load on an anchor will impact its ability to work effectively. A heavy – but thin mirror will apply in mostly downward (shear) force to the anchor. A shelf – especially wider ones that are loaded near their outer edge – will apply much more pull-out force on the anchor. Finally something like a grab bar in a bathtub – can apply lots of pull-out force as it is used to help someone out of a tub. In the last case – we’ve found that no hollow-wall anchor is up to the job – and for new construction we recommend tub enclosures that start with ¾ inch plywood over the studs as a point to anchor grab bars.
These are the beat hollow wall anchors for heavy loads no doublt. Very installer friendly.
In fact all of the Toggler brand anchors I have used have been my favorites. The alligators are great for masonry and light hollow wall use. The togglers are slightly better light duty hollow wall use also. They aren’t as versatile as alligators so I usually don’t bother with them.
Another plus is the initial hole is smaller than with traditional toggle bolts. When I was doing professional AV work we always kept a few boxes in the van. Occasionally you’ll get one with bad threads or stubborn zip mechanism. Overall a great product.
Would you recommend these for closet shelf brackets (rod and shelf support) in a clothes closet situation? Mine just pulled out one screw this weekend…
Thanks!
Contractors 30 pack at Lowe’s, to my knowledge, best value. These are the bomb and no more searching for studs through old cement walls!!!!!