10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2022 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 Feb 25 2022
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 Custom Tags Input and Select Box - selectize.js
selectize.js is a useful and lightweight plugin for creating solid and user-friendly tags input field and select list with clean and powerful APIs & Codes.
Create Searchable Dropdown Select With jQuery - selectstyle
selectstyle is a lightweight jQuery plugin that transforms the regular select box into a searchable dropdown list with custom styles.
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.
Custom Select Dropdown With Search Box - Amsifyselect.js
An improved, progressive enhancement custom select dropdown jQuery plugin for stylizing and manipulating the native HTML select element with searchable options.
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.
Multiselect Dropdown List With Checkboxes
An unobtrusive JavaScript plugin that converts the native select box into a multi-select control with checkboxes and check all button.
Custom Single/Multi Select In Pure JavaScript
A Vanilla JavaScript library that transforms the regular select element into a customizable, searchable, checkable 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.
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