10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2024 Update)

by jQueryScript,

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 Boxes Replacement Plugin For jQuery - select2

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Select Box With Searchable Options - jQuery Searchbox

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Animated & Cross-Device jQuery Select Box Replacement - sumoselect

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Create Searchable Dropdown Select With jQuery - selectstyle

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Create Searchable Dropdown Select With jQuery - selectstyle

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Custom Single/Multi Select In Pure JavaScript

[Demo] [Download]


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.

High Performance Select Box JavaScript Library – Virtual Select

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Easy Customization Of HTML Select Boxes – nice-select2

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Enhanced Select Box In Vanilla JavaScript – Select.js

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Advanced Select Box Enhancement Library – pureScriptSelect

[Demo] [Download]


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: