Drywall Anchor Types Explained: Plastic, Metal, Toggle & More

Drywall makes decorating and organizing a home much easier, but it has one weakness: it cannot reliably hold screws on its own. That’s why drywall anchors exist. These small, clever devices create a secure mounting point inside a material that would otherwise crumble or tear under pressure. Shelves, mirrors, curtain rods, hooks, and many other everyday items depend on the right anchor to stay firmly attached. Understanding how each anchor type works helps you choose the safest option for your project and avoid damage or loose hardware.

This guide breaks down the major categories of drywall anchors plastic, metal, toggles, and specialty designs—along with their best uses and strengths. Whether you’re hanging something light or mounting a heavy fixture, knowing your anchor types makes installation far easier.

Why Drywall Needs Anchors

Drywall isn’t built to hold screws directly. The gypsum core is soft, and the paper layers don’t provide enough grip. When a screw is driven into drywall without support, it usually pulls out as soon as weight is applied. Even light items may loosen over time.

Anchors solve this by creating a wider grip or expanding behind the drywall. Instead of depending on one point of contact, anchors distribute pressure across a larger section of the wall. This prevents cracking, tearing, and loose screws. Anchors also allow you to mount items anywhere—even when studs aren’t available in the exact spot you need.

Typical situations where anchors are necessary include:

• Hanging picture frames
• Mounting shelves
• Installing curtain rods
• Securing towel racks
• Hanging large décor
• Attaching bathroom accessories

Any time weight pulls outward from the wall, an anchor becomes essential.

Overview of Drywall Anchor Categories

Drywall anchors fall into three major strength categories:

Light-Duty Anchors

Designed for small décor, lightweight frames, and objects that do not receive much pressure or movement. They are simple to install and ideal for basic household tasks.

Medium-Duty Anchors

Built for shelves, mirrors, small cabinets, and fixtures that may experience occasional pulling or movement. They offer a stronger grip and better stability.

Heavy-Duty Anchors

Used for items that weigh a lot or are frequently handled—such as large mirrors, TV brackets, or storage cabinets. These anchors expand or lock behind the wall to spread pressure over a wide area.

Each category includes multiple anchor styles made from different materials. Choosing the right combination depends on what you’re mounting and how often the item is used.

Plastic Anchors

Plastic anchors remain the most common and affordable option. They are perfect for light-duty tasks and quick installations.

Plastic Expansion Anchors

These simple anchors are often included in basic hardware kits. They require a pilot hole and expand slightly when the screw is inserted.

How they work:
As the screw goes in, the plastic body widens, pressing against the surrounding drywall. This creates enough friction to hold small items safely.

Strengths:

• Very inexpensive
• Easy to install
• Good for small loads

Limitations:

• Not suitable for medium or heavy items
• Can pull out if the wall is weak
• Not ideal for areas with frequent movement

Best uses:
Small picture frames, clocks, lightweight décor, and tiny wall hooks.

Threaded Plastic Anchors

These look like miniature screws and can be twisted directly into drywall without a pilot hole. Their threads create better grip than basic expansion anchors.

Strengths:

• Quick installation
• Better holding power than standard plastic anchors
• Beginner-friendly

Limitations:

• Still limited in strength
• Plastic can strip if overtightened

Best uses:
Medium-light items such as small shelves, coat hooks, or organizers.

Metal Anchors

Metal anchors offer far more support than plastic versions. They’re ideal when strength and durability are priorities.

Metal Threaded Anchors

These are similar to plastic threaded anchors but made from metal. Their sharp threads cut into drywall easily and create a secure hold.

How they work:
The threads grip the drywall tightly. Once installed, the screw fits into the central hole to support the load.

Strengths:

• Stronger than plastic versions
• Great for medium-duty hanging
• Easy for beginners to use

Limitations:

• Can damage brittle drywall if overtightened
• Cannot handle extremely heavy loads alone

Best uses:
Curtain rods, medium shelves, mirrors, and hooks.

Molly Bolts (Hollow Wall Anchors)

Molly bolts use a metal sleeve that expands behind the drywall as the screw is tightened. This creates an impressive clamping effect that spreads pressure over a wide area.

How they work:
The bolt is inserted into a pilot hole. As the screw tightens, the sleeve folds outward and bites into the back of the drywall.

Strengths:

• Strong anchor for medium to heavy loads
• Often reusable
• Works well in older or softer drywall

Limitations:

• Installation requires more steps
• Needs a precise hole size

Best uses:
Coat hooks, medium shelves, towel bars, larger décor pieces, and frequently used fixtures.

Toggle-Style Anchors

Toggle-style anchors offer outstanding strength by locking a piece of hardware behind the drywall. They’re ideal for heavy items that rely on maximum support.

Spring Toggle Bolts

These traditional anchors have hinged wings that fold closed to pass through a hole. Once inside, the wings open and spread pressure over a wide area.

How they work:
Drill a large enough hole for the folded wings. Push the wings through. Tighten the screw while pulling gently to keep the wings flat behind the wall.

Strengths:

• Excellent holding power
• Ideal for heavy loads
• Works even in weak drywall

Limitations:

• Requires a larger hole
• Wings are not recoverable once removed

Best uses:
Medium and heavy shelves, large mirrors, cabinets, and storage racks.

Snap Toggles / Strap Toggles

These modern versions of toggle bolts use a metal channel connected to plastic straps. They install faster and are easier for beginners to manage.

Strengths:

• Holds extremely well
• Simpler installation than classic toggles
• Great for repeated use or adjustments

Limitations:

• More expensive than standard anchors

Best uses:
Heavy objects where secure support is essential.

Specialty Anchors

While plastic, metal, and toggle anchors cover most household needs, several specialty anchors exist for unique situations. These anchors often combine features from different styles to improve grip, allow easier installation, or support specific types of fixtures.

All-in-One Anchors

These anchors combine the screw and anchor into a single unit. They reduce installation steps and eliminate the need to match screw sizes. Often made from nylon or metal, they work well for general tasks and remove confusion for beginners.

Best uses:
Home décor, small organizers, bathroom accessories.

Flexible-Wing Anchors

These anchors feature soft plastic wings that expand behind the drywall when tightened. They provide better load spread than standard plastic anchors and work well in thin drywall or weaker wall sections.

Best uses:
Medium loads, walls with patch repairs, older drywall.

Heavy-Duty Hybrid Anchors

Some brands offer anchors with metal cores and plastic wings or sleeves. These blend the strength of metal with the stability of a wider gripping surface. They are ideal for rough drywall or areas where high strength is needed but you want to avoid oversized holes.

Best uses:
Medium-to-heavy loads such as curtain rods, medium shelving, and heavy décor pieces.

Plastic vs Metal Anchors: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between plastic and metal anchors depends on the weight of your item, your wall’s condition, and how often the mounted object will be touched or pulled.

Strength Comparison

• Plastic anchors handle small to moderate weight. They’re perfect for light décor.
• Metal anchors support much more load and resist wear, making them ideal for shelves, hooks, and anything that experiences regular pressure.

Durability

Metal anchors last longer because they resist stripping, cracking, or warping. Plastic anchors are more prone to damage if overtightened or installed in brittle drywall.

Ease of Installation

Plastic expansion anchors are the simplest to install but offer the lowest strength. Metal threaded anchors and molly bolts require more care but deliver far better performance.

When Plastic Is Enough

Choose plastic anchors when:

• The item weighs under 15 lbs
• The wall is in good condition
• The item won’t be handled frequently

When Metal Is Necessary

Choose metal anchors when:

• You need medium or heavy-duty support
• The item will be pulled or bumped
• You’re installing in older or weak drywall
• You want long-term reliability

Metal anchors offer far more versatility and can handle a wide range of tasks with confidence.

How to Match Anchor Type to Your Project

Understanding the anchor types is helpful, but applying them to real projects makes selection easier. Here is a simple breakdown based on common household installations.

Light Items (0–15 lbs)

These include:

• Small picture frames
• Light clocks
• Posters with frames
• Small signs or art
• Lightweight décor

Best anchors:

• Plastic expansion anchors
• Small threaded plastic anchors

These provide enough grip without the need for drilling large holes or using heavy-duty hardware.

Medium Items (15–40 lbs)

Items in this category require more stability:

• Curtain rods
• Small shelves
• Medium mirrors
• Towel bars
• Small organizers

Best anchors:

• Metal threaded anchors
• Small molly bolts
• Threaded plastic anchors (if weight is on the lower end)

These anchors provide solid strength and stability without requiring larger wall openings.

Heavy Items (40+ lbs)

At this level, you need maximum holding power:

• Large mirrors
• Cabinets
• TV brackets
• Floating shelves
• Storage racks

Best anchors:

• Toggle bolts
• Snap toggles / strap toggles
• Heavy metal molly bolts

For very heavy items, it’s a good idea to combine stud support with these anchors. Even the strongest anchor can’t outperform a stud, so if your placement allows it, anchoring at least one side into a stud adds valuable support.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Drywall Anchors

Many installation failures come from using the wrong anchor type or skipping important steps. Avoiding these common mistakes will help your anchor hold strong and your walls stay intact.

Using Plastic Anchors for Heavy Items

Plastic anchors are not built for high loads. Using them for shelves, mirrors, or anything heavy often leads to wall damage and loose hardware.

Choosing Anchors Too Small for the Screw Size

If the screw is too long or too thick for the anchor, it may crack the anchor or spin freely. Always match screws to the anchor’s specifications.

Ignoring Wall Thickness

Thicker walls can support stronger drywall anchors, but thin or weak walls need anchors that expand widely rather than relying on pressure alone.

Skipping Pilot Holes When Needed

Some anchors require precise pilot holes. Avoid drilling oversized holes, which weaken the grip and lead to anchor spin.

Not Checking for Studs First

Studs offer superior support. If a stud is available where you plan to mount something heavy, it’s wise to use it.

Installing in Damaged or Moisture-Weakened Drywall

Weak drywall may crumble or fail to hold anchors securely. In these cases, toggle anchors or stud mounting is the safer choice.

Quick Comparison Chart

Anchor Type	Material	Load Capacity	Installation Difficulty	Best For
Plastic Expansion	Plastic	Light	Very easy	Small décor, light frames
Threaded Plastic	Plastic	Light–Medium	Very easy	Small shelves, hooks
Metal Threaded	Metal	Medium	Easy	Curtain rods, medium shelves
Molly Bolts	Metal	Medium–Heavy	Moderate	Mirrors, hooks, heavy décor
Toggle Bolts	Metal	Heavy	Moderate	Cabinets, large mirrors
Snap Toggles	Metal/Composite	Heavy	Easy–Moderate	TV mounts, heavy shelving

---

Conclusion

Drywall anchors play a crucial role in secure wall mounting, but each type serves a different purpose. Plastic anchors work well for light décor, while metal anchors offer superior strength for medium loads. Toggle anchors provide the highest support for heavy projects and weak drywall. Taking time to match the right anchor to your item’s weight and usage ensures a safe, clean, and long-lasting installation. With the right anchor, you can mount anything confidently and protect your walls from stress or damage.