The Best Curtain Clips

Buying Guide for Curtain Clips

Why buy curtain clips?

You don’t want your curtains to pool on the ground. Not only does this get them dirtier faster, but it also puts them at risk of getting stepped on or caught and torn. Curtains that aren’t long enough can be irritating, too, whether they’re too short to entirely block light from coming in or resemble high-water pants too much. If you accidentally bought curtains that are too long or too short, curtain clips are a great way to fix this problem. They can be a quick and inexpensive way to lengthen or shorten your curtains’ hemline without much effort. Some models are also designed to enhance the curtains’ appearance and complement your decor as they perform their tasks.

Alternatively, they can clip curtains back from the window to allow more light in when you want to let in some natural light. You can also buy shower-specific models that pin shower curtains directly against the wall to prevent water from splashing onto the floor.

What should you look for in curtain clips?

• Type: There are two main types of curtain clips: rings with clips hanging from a curtain rod and holdbacks. Ring clips will lower your curtains an inch or two from the rod, lengthening their hemline. Holdbacks, as the name suggests, keep your curtains pulled back and thus raise them off the ground a few inches. Ring clips may require you to reinforce the curtains’ fabric to prevent them from ripping. And ring clips will only do you good if your curtains are hung on a rod or if they’re too small to fit on your curtain rod.
• Material: For ring clips, you’ll want to make sure to buy a set made of sturdy metal like bronze, iron, or steel since they have to support the weight of the curtains. Ideally, any of those rings will have some finish to smooth them out and prevent them from rusting. For holdback clips, you can get away with lighter materials like rope and resin since flexibility is an important feature, and holdbacks don’t have to support the curtains’ full weight. Tiebacks are also viable, though they may need to be more flexible.
• Quantity: The number of clips per purchase will vary depending on the supplier and model. Ring clips are generally sold in higher quantities, usually around six to eight per pack, while holdbacks are sold in pairs. Some ring clips are sold in higher quantities or multiple packs, ideal for longer curtains or if you want to keep spares on hand. Holdbacks are sometimes sold in sets of four, six, or even eight, which is great if you have multiple curtained windows in the same room and you want the clips to match.

What size curtain rings should you buy?

Your curtain rings won’t do you any good if they don’t properly fit your rod. To ensure that your curtain rings are the right size, you’ll have to know the size of your curtain rod, specifically its diameter. The diameter of the curtain rings should be at least half an inch wider than the diameter of your curtain rod. For example, if you have a curtain rod with a 2-inch diameter, the curtain rings should have a diameter of at least 2.5 inches.

Our Picks for the Best Curtain Clips

Pros: It doesn’t get much more classic than these ring-style curtain clips that slide smoothly onto your curtain rod. You choose from three ring sizes, four quantities per pack, and colors such as gold, white, and matte silver, and these black rings we feature here. Each decorative is made of premium metal with a polished finish for durability. They measure 2.4 inches from the top of the ring to the bottom of the clip, just the right length for a nice-looking hang. Use the clips individually to hang anything from hats to scarves to jeans to curtains and even art. 

Cons: These curtain clips have an inner diameter of 1 inch and will only work with curtain rods up to 5/8 inches in diameter. Also, prices vary among the different colors.

Bottom Line: If you have an extra-long curtain rod, several rooms with drapes, or just a lot of hats, this set of curtain clips has you covered. These simple yet stylish durable metal curtain rings with dangling clips will look great however you use them.

 

Pros: These ringed curtain clips are the perfect blend of strength and aesthetic appeal. They’re made of iron to support your curtains and draperies best. The rings are compatible with any type and style of pole, rod, and pinched or pleated panels. They come in two different sizes to increase the chances of fitting on your curtain rod. The clips are as beautiful as they are strong and available in eight different colors. Many of these colors are designed to resemble metals like bronze, brass, pewter, or nickel so that you can match them to your curtain rod or decor. There are also several matte options as well as metallic ones.

Cons: These curtain rings are a bit pricier than many comparable sets, so you’re paying more money for fewer clips, making them less appealing to some buyers, especially since they’re not rustproof.

Bottom Line: This is another excellent choice of ringed curtain clips for those who want to extend the length of their curtains, especially if you have a shorter curtain rod that doesn’t require a few dozen clips. And they come in a much wider variety of colors than most curtain clips to boot.

  

Pros: These unusual hook-style curtain clips may look small and flimsy, but don’t be fooled by their appearance. Each clip is made out of stainless steel, so they’re much stronger and longer lasting than you might think. They’re sold in packs of 60 and 100, so you’ll always have plenty of clips on hand when you need them. And since the price is comparable to smaller quantity sets of curtain clips, you get excellent bang for your buck. They’re available in two different sizes, and since they’re rustproof, you can use them for shower curtains as well as regular window curtains. They can be hung from almost any chain, wire, or string for hanging photographs, string lights, dish towels, or holiday ornaments. You could even hang them upside down so that the hooks dangle free for hanging hats and scrunchies.

Cons: Due to the size of their hooks, these curtain clips are too small to fit around standard curtain rods unless they’re extremely thin. They’re really only meant for traverse or wire curtain rods. And since the hooks aren’t fused close the way ringed curtain clips are, there is the risk that they’ll fall off by accident.

Bottom Line: Thanks to the hooks they hang on, these curtain clips are quite a bit more functional than the more standard, traditional types.

 

Pros: We’ve never seen anything like these shower curtain clips. Nearly perfect squares, the white matte plastic clips adhere to smooth surfaces like tile, marble, and glass. The clips have been upgraded to provide a more secure grip on shower curtains and liners, though the curtain still needs to be thick to work. The sticker’s high-quality and large surface coverage secures the clip through many showers, keeping the water inside. No more wet bathroom floors!

Cons: Some users report struggling to insert their curtain into the tight clip.

Bottom Line: Users love this set of four shower clips to keep their shower curtains nice and tight. They work well and look nice.

 

Pros: Neither ring nor hook nor holdback style, these magnetic curtain clips are designed to keep curtains (namely shower curtains and liners) in place rather than fix curtains to a rod or hold them open to let light in. They’re heavy enough to keep your shower curtain or liner from blowing around or shifting while you shower, keeping water in and cold drafts out. All you have to do is separate the clip into halves, place one on either side of the curtain with the magnets facing inwards, and the magnetic attraction will take care of the rest. The N45 magnets are strong and anti-rust. To further shield the magnets, they have a sturdy, dustproof, and waterproof silicone protective cover that is less noisy than similar models with glass covers.

Cons: These curtain clips were designed with shower curtains and liners in mind, so they might not work on regular window curtains.

Bottom Line: This set of magnetic curtain clips can serve an important function in your bathroom. If you have issues with your shower curtain or liner holding steady or letting in drafts as you shower, these strong little magnetic clips offer a solution.

Final Thoughts

Curtains clips are handy little accessories to have around your home. They’re inexpensive, easy to add or remove from your curtain rod, and can make a big difference in changing the light and thus setting the mood of the room.