ICYMI: Hair clips — in claw, snap, and alligator variations (just to name a few) — are here to stay. Seen all over the sidewalks surrounding New York Fashion Week, these hair accessories constantly prove their versatility. They can be glammed up or styled down, and worn by people of all hair types — so long as you opt for the right clips, that is. After all, if you have thick strands, many clips just won’t cut it. 

To help ensure that you don’t waste your money on unsatisfactory clips, we set out to find the best hair clips for thick hair. To do so, we chatted with a few celebrity hairstylists about what makes a great hair clip for thick hair, and researched the top-selling, most highly-rated clips the Internet has to offer. All in all, we found 10 hair clips that will support thick strands while elevating their style. Of these, the TOCESS Big Hair Claw Clips on Amazon are our top pick. 

Keep reading for the full list of the 10 best hair clips for thick hair.

Best Overall

TOCESS Big Hair Claw Clip

TOCESS Big Hair Claw Clips, which are 4.33 inches long, are sold in sets of four. There are 18 color combos to choose from, with 10 sets sold in a single color, and eight in a variety of colors. While most of the clips are available in a matte finish, there are five electroplated metallic sets for those that prefer a high-shine hair accessory. Enough of the aesthetic factor, though — what’s really impressive about these clips is that they’re scratch- and chip-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking down the way many other clips do. They’re also designed with long, thick hair in mind: Each clip has 18 claws to firmly grip hair without creating excess tension. It’s truly no wonder they’ve accumulated over 21,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Colors: 18 | Materials: Plastic | Best for: Long hair of all textures

Best Claw Clip

Teleties Large Hair Clip

Teleties might be best known for their spiral hair ties, but the brand’s new claw clips are something to marvel at. The 4.5-inch Teleties Large Hair Clip is unique in that it’s made of lightweight, flexible plastic that’s molded into angled, tapered claws to expertly hold thick hair in place for a comfortable, slip-proof ‘do. As of right now, the new clips are sold in eight colors, though most of them are neutral and/or pastel, so we hope they decide to expand the line to include a few brighter hues (like Barbiecore pink!).

Colors: 8 | Materials: Flexible Plastic | Best for: All hair lengths and textures

Best Jumbo Claw Clip

Framar Large Claw Clips

Very similar to the TOCESS claw clips, Framar Large Claw Clips for Thick Hair feature a cylindrical shape, albeit a touch longer. Thanks to their length, hairstylist, colorist, and founder of Mela & Kera, Jason Lee, says that the 4.5-inch claw clips are the be-all, end-all for long, thick hair. “This clip is made with a rubbery matte finish, which is super important because it will hold the hair better than a claw clip made of a shinier plastic, which is what we see more regularly,” he explains. “The teeth are also great because they can really get into the hair.”

Colors: 2 | Materials: Plastic | Best for: Long hair of all textures

Best Mini Claw Clip

Anthropologie Mini Hair Clip Set

If you’re looking to clip back your face-framing layers, the Speckled Mini Hair Clips from Anthropologie are your best bet. Sold in sets of six, the mini claw clips measure one inch long and feature claws that can easily support thick hair, whether it’s straight or curly. Beyond their effective design, these clips have one of the best color and pattern selections of all the options we researched. The sets are sold in seven colors, often with three pairs of varying colors in each. (Though, some sets feature six different clips.) Where the Cream set is a classic, with various duos of glossy tortoiseshell claws, the Slate set is comprised of six different complementary clips (which, thanks to their colors, are especially stunning for fall).

Colors: 7 | Materials: Acrylic | Best for: All hair textures and lengths

Best Claw Clip for Curly Hair

Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Hair Clip

If you have super curly hair, a spacious clip that gives your coils room to breathe while still styling them is ideal. According to celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook, the very best claw clip for curly hair is the Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Hair Clip, which has 15 long, thin teeth. “It’s extra wide with a super strong spring, and it’s amazing for curly, full-bodied hair,” she explains. While it looks like a mini sculpture for your hair, we do wish it came in more colors so we could wear it for different occasions. 

Colors: 1 | Materials: Acetate | Best for: Curly hair of all lengths

Best Alligator Clip

Framar Gator Grip Clips

One of the biggest challenges for folks with thick hair is styling it. After all, with such heavy strands, they can take forever to blowdry, straighten, and curl. The easiest way to speed up the process is to section your hair with alligator clips, which are designed not to leave kinks. According to celebrity hairstylist and founder of NTRL by Sabs, Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, Framar Gator Grip Clips go above and beyond. “They are really sturdy, so they really hold the hair in place — and come in matte black,” she says, admitting that she personally loves them. 

Colors: 2 | Materials: Plastic | Best for: All hair textures and lengths

Best Barrette

Mistofu Large Snap Barrettes

• They’re sold in 14 color palettes, each of which features three different clips, so there are plenty of options. 

“Oversized barrettes are incredible to keep thick hair half up, just make sure the base of the barrette is extra-large as the [smaller ones] will not stay with thick hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, who is the creator of The Beachwaver Co. With this in mind, the Mistofu Classic Large Snap Barrettes, which are sold in sets of three, top the category thanks to their 4.13-inch length, which includes 3.14-inch metal clips to hold ample hair. The best part about these barrettes is that, while they're sold in a classic rectangular shape, they’re also available in trendy wavy, braided, and butterfly-shaped silhouettes.

Colors: 14 | Materials: Acrylic | Best for: Hair of all textures and lengths

Best Snap Clip

Kitsch XL Snap Clip

Prefer snap barrettes as your ‘90s hair clip of choice? If you have thick hair, Lee says you’ll want to opt for a large clip designed to hold more hair. With that in mind, he recommends the Kitsch XL Snap Clips, which have earned over 1,700 five star Amazon reviews. Sold in sets of two, the clips are 3.5 inches long and designed specifically with thick hair in mind. 

And let it be known: There are many ways to style snap clips. “Whether it’s growing out your blunt bang or securing those layers into your pony, snap clips are not only for hiding layers,” Potempa says. “These can be incorporated into a half up style or a chic top knot as a fun way to accessorize your look to match your outfit.” And, if you prefer smaller snap clips to these larger ones, Potempa assures us that using multiple can be both functional and cool.

Colors: 2 | Materials: Metal | Best for: Long hair of all textures

Best Bobby Pin

Goody Slideproof Bobby Pins

• They’re ho-hum style-wise, so they’re designed to be concealed, not boldly styled to stand out. 

Bobby pins are sold in various lengths but, according to Potempa, when it comes to thick hair, two-inch bobby pins are best. “Traditional one-inch bobby pins just will not hold and you’ll need double the amount,” she says. As such, Goody Slideproof Bobby Pins, which are two inches long and sold in two colors, not to mention packs of 48, are a no-brainer for thick hair. (Just ask the more than 12,000 Amazon shoppers who have given them their five-star seal of approval.)

Pro Tip: When using bobby pins, Lee says to make sure you’re inserting them correctly. “Most people think that bobby pins are supposed to go smooth side in, when in fact, it's the ridged side that needs to go inwards to hold the hair in place,” he says. “The smooth side will always slip out.” Another tip? Spritz the pin with hairspray before sticking it in. “Place it in when it's still a little wet and that will help hold thicker hair, as you need as much grip as possible,” Lee says. 

Colors: 2 | Materials: Metal | Best for: Hair of all textures and lengths

Best Splurge Clip

Emi Jay Big Clip

• Since the clips have thicker, closer-together claws, they’re not as accommodating for ultra-thick curly hair. 

Emi Jay is the name behind arguably the most head-turning hair clips on the market. Seen on the heads (and purse straps) of celebrities like Harry Styles, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner; and hair icons like influencer Matilda Djerf, Emi Jay is synonymous with style. In order for thick haired-babes to get in on the trendy accessories brand, though, it’s best to reach for the Big Effing Clip, which is four inches long and sold in a very impressive 78 variations (including a throwback Juicy Couture design and a dreamy Summer Fridays collab). Made of biodegradable acetate, these clips are strong and sturdy, and entirely capable of styling straight and wavy strands. Since the claw clips have a narrower teeth design, though, they may not work as well for super curly hair. 

Colors: 78 | Materials: Biodegradable acetate | Best for: Straight and wavy hair of all lengths

What to Keep In Mind

The Shape of the Clip

Generally speaking, when it comes to styling thick hair, the bigger or longer the clip the better, as it provides more surface area to section and secure strands. So if you’re looking for a sturdy clip to keep your hair fastened while running errands or at the gym, opt for a claw clip that is over four inches, like our best overall pick the TOCESS Big Hair Claw Clips, whereas if you just want to keep layers from falling into your face try the Mistofu Classic Large Snap Barrettes

Color Selection

If you fall head over heels for a hair clip, you’ll likely want to buy it in multiple colors. As such, it’s important to shop for clips with various color offerings if you hope to acquire more styling options. Anthropologie Speckled Mini Hair Clip Set offers seven gorgeous colorways that are easily mix and matchable depending on your outfit or mood. The Emi Jay Big Effing Clip is perfect for those who like their accessories to be the main attraction. 

Finish

While shiny, plastic clips are very popular, hair is more likely to slip out because of the material. So if you want or need extra grip, opt for clips with a matte, rubberized finish, like the Framar Large Claw Clips for Thick Hair.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you use a claw clip with thick hair?

While many hair clips are straightforward when it comes to how to use them, claw clips can be a bit trickier — which is funny considering they’re the key to creating the most effortlessly beautiful hairstyles. It’s easier than you think, though — at least if you opt for the classic use. “For my clients that have thick hair that easily slips, I suggest pulling hair into a ponytail and then twisting it up and securing with a claw,” Brook says. “This will keep the hair pulled together and provide added support since heavy hair can tend to sag or slip.”

While you can simply twist your hair up or down and clip it into place, there’s also the option to check out the many claw clip hacks on Instagram and TikTok (which have gotten upwards of 25 million views). These hacks transform regular claw hairstyles into intricate updos that are bound to earn you compliments.

What's the best way to prevent a clip from slipping during wear?

No matter how you use your claw clip, Lee says the number-one way to ensure a steadfast style is to prep your hair first. “It’s really important to start by prepping thicker hair so that the claw clip won’t slip and fall out; if the hair itself is too silky and slippery, you will have a much harder time keeping the claw clip in for longer periods of time, as it will easily slip out,” he says. While he recommends using Mela & Kera Balayage Exceptionnel Wave Foundation to give the hair extra grip, Brook says that using your favorite dry shampoo can work wonders. 

What size claw clip works best with thick hair?

Remember: The bigger the better. “For thicker hair, I recommend using claw clips that range between four and five inches,” Lee says. “These clips will hold thicker hair, and typically anything smaller might be too small.”

Brook says to pay special mind to the teeth and spring, too. “Look for claw clips that have large, rounded interlocking teeth and a strong spring,” she says. “I like to use a medium- to large-size claw clip or two half-size ones. Two half-size ones can help you more easily manage the shape of your look.”

Why Shop With Us

Rebecca Norris began her career in beauty focusing on hair. With over eight years covering the subject, she’s well versed in the latest styles and trends. For this piece, she spoke with a handful of celebrity hairstylists for their top tips for shopping for and styling hair clips for thick hair. In the event that a stylist didn’t directly recommend a product, she kept their expertise top of mind while researching the top-rated hair accessories the market has to offer. In doing so, the best hair clips for thick hair came to light.

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