10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2023 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 17 2023
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.
jQuery Plugin For Filterable Bootstrap Dropdown Select - Bootstrap Select
A jQuery plugin to enhance the default Bootstrap dropdown select with multiple options like: optgoup support, auto-completion, clear selection and live filtering.
Easy Drop Down Select List Plugin - DropKick
A fast jQuery/JavaScript plugin that turns a standard html select box into a clean and skinnable drop down list that supports native keyboard navigation and dynamic selects.
Customizable & Animated Dropdown Plugin - Nice Select
Yet another jQuery (Vanilla JavaScript) select replacement plugin that turns your native html select boxes into customizable and CSS3 animated dropdown lists with one JS call.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Custom Single/Multi Select In Pure JavaScript – vanillaSelectBox
A Vanilla JavaScript library that transforms the regular select element into a customizable, searchable, checkable dropdown list.
Popup Option Picker With Vanilla JavaScript – pickout
A Vanilla JavaScript library to enhance the default select box that allows you to select an option from a popup box. Also supports option filtering.
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
