Are hair ties damaging to hair?

Ultimately, hair ties will cause breakage. However, it’s difficult to entirely avoid pulling back your hair, whether it be for comfort or style. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that you should avoid pulling your hair back tightly in a ponytail, bun, or cornrows to prevent hair damage . They recommend loosely pulling back your hair with covered rubber bands.

The 10 Best Hair Ties of 2023 for Any Type of Hair

For many, having a hair tie or two wherever you go is necessary. It’s the easiest and quickest way to pull your hair from your face. But, as convenient as they may be, some, unfortunately, don’t treat your hair well. Certain hair ties can actually damage your strands—by tugging, pulling, and sometimes even harming the cuticle altogether. When searching for the right hair tie, think about your hair type and your lifestyle. Your perfect match should effortlessly hold all your hair without over-stretching or causing breakage.

Ahead, explore the best hair ties on the market, and discover why they should be your next hair (and wrist) accessory.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Scünci No-Damage Elastics

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Best Value:

eBoot 100-Pc Elastic Hair Ties at Amazon

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Best Silk:

Slip Skinnies at Nordstrom

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Best for Workouts:

Invisibobble The Original Traceless Hair Ring

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Best Scrunchies:

Goody Ouchless Jersey Scrunchies at Amazon

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Best for Thick Hair:

Burlybands Hair Ties for Thick Hair at Amazon

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Best for Natural Hair:

Bunzee Bands Headbands at Amazon

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Best for Thin Hair:

Pony-O Pony-O at Ponyo.com

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Best for Wet Hair:

Kitsch Microfiber Towel Scrunchies at Amazon

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Best Knotted:

Kitsch Paint Strokes Hair Tie Set at Amazon

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4.8

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

Affordable
Tug-free
Gentle fabric

What We Don't Like

Can break easily

Everything about this hair tie screams no fuss. With a strong elastic and gentle fabric, this hair tie is a great go-to for your everyday. Byrdie Editorial Director Jessica Mahgerefteh loves these, and can always be spotted with one in her hair or on her wrist. They're comfortable (no tugging) and budget-friendly, and the solid black color is an easy match for all outfits.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Nylon, elastic | Number of Pieces: 36

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Tug-free
Affordable
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

May be too stretchy for thinner hair

With a hundred hair ties, you can rest easy knowing that if you lose one, you’ve got backup. And there’s no metal, so it won’t tangle or pull your hair. Reviewers like that while it’s stretchy—which is great for thick or curly hair—it still provides enough tension for a no-budget ponytail.

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 100

Courtesy of Dermstore

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What We Like

Gentle fabric
Doesn't leave creases
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

Not only are these hair ties super chic, but they’re also super gentle on your hair because they're made of silk. From the brand best-known for its luxe silk pillowcases, these hair ties are just as noteworthy. The soft material doesn’t leave any creases, and some reviewers even note that they’re comfortable to sleep in—so accidental naps are encouraged.

Price at time of publish: $39

Material: Slipsilk, elastic | Number of Pieces: 6

invisibobble Power Traceless Spiral Hair Ties

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Strong hold
Doesn't leave creases
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note they stretch out quickly

Exercising is already tough—and the last thing you want to do during a sweat sesh is redo your ponytail. Enter: the invisibobble. This oddly shaped hair tie delivers a strong hold and stays put, no matter the yoga pose. The best part? The spiral shape prevents creases from forming in your hair, so you can head straight to work or to date night.

Price at time of publish: $8

Material: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 3

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Tug-free
Comes in various colors
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Not very stretchy

The scrunchie is back—and it’s just as good, if not better than before. Back in the 90s, this coveted hair tie was more of a fashion statement than anything, but these days we love it for its no-snag and no-damage benefits. It’s available in a pack of multicolor or standard black.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Cotton, elastic | Number of Pieces: 8

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Durable
Seamless design
Keeps hair in place

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it can leave a crease

Breaking a hair tie or three is a rite of passage for those with thicker hair—but not anymore. With this extra thick and extra-long hair tie, you can comfortably keep all your hair in place. And while it’s seamless, it also keeps its elasticity, which means you can keep using it over and over with the same great results.

Price at time of publish: $11

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 3

Courtesy of BunzeeBands

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What We Like

Adjustable
Works for various styles
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

What’s great about this hairband is that it’s adjustable and allows you to control the tension. Because of this, you can get creative with your styles—whether that’s a ponytail, bun, or puff.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Elastic | Number of Pieces: 2

When fitting around your hair, try to keep the bead away from the scalp to prevent snagging.

Courtesy of Pony-O

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What We Like

Keeps hair in place
Adds volume
Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

Traditional hair ties typically do one thing: keep your hair in one place. This one, however, does that and adds volume. It’s great at giving you a lift, and visually thickening the area for a more substantial ponytail. Plus, it’s super easy to use—simply slide your hair through, flatten, then bend each side down.

Price at time of publish: $10

Number of Pieces: 1

4.2

Kitsch Ultra Soft Microfiber Hair Drying Scrunchies

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What We Like

Gentle fabric
Keeps wet hair contained
Helps dry hair

What We Don't Like

Fabric stays damp

Kitsch Microfiber Towel Scrunchies Review

Here’s one thing you didn’t know you needed until now: towel scrunchies. These microfiber hair ties soak up all the wetness from your hair and help speed up the drying process. You can completely forego sleeping with your hair wrapped in a towel—yes, some of us do this—by just wrapping up your hair into a high bun with this guy.

Price at time of publish: $12

Material: Microfiber | Number of Pieces: 2

kitsch towel scrunchies — Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

What Our Testers Say

"Unlike a hair elastic or even other scrunchies, this one sops up more water, and the large size keeps everything controlled." — Joline Buscemi, Product Tester

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Keeps hair in place
Doesn't leave creases
Tug-free

What We Don't Like

Not very stretchy

Comfortable to wear in your hair and on your wrist, this ribbon-style hair tie keeps your hair in place without giving it the ponytail crease. Because it’s flat and soft, it lays seamlessly on your hair and doesn’t snag on your strands.

Price at time of publish: $16

Material: Spandex, nylon | Number of Pieces: 5

What to Look For in Hair Ties

Materials

There are hair ties made of nylon, elastic, silk, cotton, microfiber, and spandex—or some combination of these materials. Each has different properties. Microfiber, for instance, is great for wet hair and reduces drying time. Elastic, on the other hand, is great if you’re looking for a hair tie that can keep each strand of hair in place. Consider what you’re looking for in a hair tie in terms of function and comfort when exploring the materials available.

Stretchiness

All hair ties have a different level of stretch. If you have thick hair, then selecting a hair tie with a lot of give will be important. And if you have thin hair, stretchiness might be an added problem rather than a bonus. On top of that, some hair ties won’t change in shape or size after use. Others will noticeably stretch with every use and can become too loose for your hair. Pay attention to notes on a hair tie’s stretchiness to ensure compatibility with your hair and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Creasing

After having a ponytail in for hours, you might find a large crease from your hair tie when you take it down. However, some hair ties have a “creaseless” design. With unique designs, these pricier hair ties are ideal if you’re someone who likes to switch up your hair throughout the day. Of course, if you aren’t bothered by some creases here and there, this isn’t something to prioritize.

FAQ

Are hair ties damaging to hair?

Ultimately, hair ties will cause breakage. However, it’s difficult to entirely avoid pulling back your hair, whether it be for comfort or style. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that you should avoid pulling your hair back tightly in a ponytail, bun, or cornrows to prevent hair damage. They recommend loosely pulling back your hair with covered rubber bands.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

The 11 Best Hair Towels of 2023

Article Sources

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