10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2023 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 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.

Select Boxes Replacement Plugin For jQuery - select2

[Demo] [Download]


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.

jQuery Plugin For Filterable Bootstrap Dropdown Select - Bootstrap Select

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Easy Drop Down Select List Plugin - DropKick

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Easy Drop Down Select List Plugin - DropKick

[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]


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]


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]


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]


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.

Custom Single/Multi Select In Pure JavaScript – vanillaSelectBox

[Demo] [Download]


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.

Popup Option Picker With Vanilla JavaScript – pickout

[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: