10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2024 Update)
The native <select> element let's developers create a basic dropdown component for a list of preset options such as lists, menu items, etc.
With the development of web technology and the improvement of users' aesthetic level.
The original styling of the <select> element is might NOT suitable for modern web development and design.
Applying your own styles to the ugly select element is not a simple task for beginners.
This is why I listed here the 10 best JavaScript and/or jQuery plugins that help you create advanced, customizable dropdown lists and dropdown menus to replace the native select box without any CSS/HTML/JS skills. Have fun.
Originally Published Oct 13 2019, updated Jan 04 2024
See Also:
Table of contents:
jQuery Dropdown Plugins:
Select Boxes Replacement Plugin For jQuery - select2
A JavaScript based select box replacement to create dynamic, AJAX-enabled, customizable dropdown select on the web app.
Select Box With Searchable Options - jQuery Searchbox
A jQuery select box replacement plugin that turns a normal select element into a fully styleable dropdown list where the users are able to filter through options with a searchbox as well as add new options to the list just like a tags input.
Animated & Cross-Device jQuery Select Box Replacement - sumoselect
A jQuery select replacement plugin which turns the native select box into a responsive, animated, fully customizable dropdown select list.
Create Searchable Dropdown Select With jQuery - selectstyle
A lightweight jQuery plugin that transforms the regular select box into a searchable dropdown list with custom styles.
jQuery Plugin For Custom Filterable Select Box - Editable Select
A minimal jQuery select enhancement plugin for converting a regular select box into an autocomplete input field that displays select options in an animated, filterable and rich-text suggestion dropdown list based on user input.
Vanilla JavaScript Dropdown Plugins:
Customizable Select Box & Input Field Enhancement Library
A vanilla JavaScript plugin which converts the normal select and input into customizable select inputs with multi select and autocomplete support. Great for creating multi-select tagging systems.
High Performance Select Box JavaScript Library – Virtual Select
A high-performance, Material Design style select box replacement that supports single/multiple select, virtual scrolling (for larger data lists), live search, and dynamic data rendering.
Easy Customization Of HTML Select Boxes – nice-select2
A pretty nice select box replacement library that converts the regular select element into an animated, customizable, searchable dropdown list.
Enhanced Select Box In Vanilla JavaScript – Select.js
A plain JavaScript library that enhances the default select box with live search, multi-select, and autocomplete capabilities.
Advanced Select Box Enhancement Library – pureScriptSelect
A robust yet easy-to-use JavaScript library used to beautify and enhance the default single or multiple select boxes.
Conclusion:
Want more jQuery plugins or JavaScript libraries to create awesome Dropdowns on the web & mobile? Check out the jQuery Drop Down and JavaScript Dropdown sections.
More Resources:
- 10 Best Tags Input Plugins In JavaScript
- 10 Best Dual List Box Plugins In JavaScript
- 10 Best Cascading Dropdown Plugin In jQuery And Pure JavaScript
- 5 Best Multiple Select Components For Vue.js
- 7 Best Vue Dropdown Components To Beautify & Enhance Select Box
- 10 Best Multiple Select Components For React & Reacti Native
- 10 Best Multiple Select Libraries For Angular Apps
