Hair ties come in packs of 8 to 200, and the right pack depends on the hair it has to hold. This page compares seven, from a thick 100 piece band set to a 200 pack, spirals and satin scrunchies, using only what each listing says and how many people have rated it.
The quick rule: thick hair needs thick bands, fine hair needs a thin soft tie, and the pack size matters more than most people expect, because ties are the thing everyone loses.
Best overall: Bessrung Thick Seamless Hair Ties
Best overall: the Bessrung 100 Pcs Thick Seamless Hair Ties, because the listing describes thick, stretchy seamless bands in five neutral colours that hold hair firmly.
The listing describes high elastic thick material, a seamless design and soft bands that will not snag or pull your hair. It says they can be stretched up to about 24.9 cm without stretching out easily, and each band has a diameter of about 3.8 cm. The 100 pieces come in five neutral colours, and the listing names thin, thick, straight, heavy and curly hair, for daily use and workouts. It holds 4.7 stars from 21,432 ratings.
It suits anyone with thick or heavy hair, and anyone who wants a big neutral pack for the whole house. The honest catch: these are thick bands made for thick hair, so very fine hair may prefer a thinner tie.
Best long lasting elastic: Goody Forever Ouchless Hair Tie
Best long lasting elastic: the Goody Forever Ouchless Elastic Hair Tie, because the listing says its 16 strand inner core always retains its original shape and bounces back after each use.
The listing describes Goody's Ouchless Forever elastic reinforced with a 16 strand inner core, in a pack of 10 long lasting hair elastics in black. The title says medium hair to thick hair. It has the highest star rating on this page, 4.8 stars from 4,137 ratings.
It suits people with medium to thick hair who want a few good ties rather than a drawer of spares. The honest catch: a pack of 10 costs more per tie than the multipacks and has about one fifth of the top pick's ratings.
Best spiral ties: Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties
Best spiral ties: the Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties, because the smooth plastic spiral construction helps prevent tangling and suits any hair type.
The listing describes smooth plastic spiral ties, in a brunette 8 pack, that spread the pressure of the tie over a greater surface area to help minimise ponytail bumps. The listing says they are non absorbent, so they can be worn while swimming or bathing, and that they stretch to wear as a bracelet when not in use. It holds 4.5 stars from 39,252 ratings.
It suits anyone who dislikes the dent a normal elastic leaves, and anyone who wants a tie that doubles as a wrist accessory. The honest catch: spirals do not grip as tightly as elastic bands for a very high ponytail.
Best scrunchies: Kitsch Ultra Petite Satin Scrunchies
Best scrunchies: the Kitsch Ultra Petite Satin Scrunchies, because the listing describes satin designed to feel softer than silk that glides through strands.
The listing describes eco friendly satin designed to feel softer than silk, helping reduce friction while styling, with a slim ruched design that is lightweight and compact. It says the six pieces suit ponytails, braids and messy buns, and the listing also pitches them for wearing overnight. It has 4.4 stars from 44,316 ratings, the most ratings of any pick here.
It suits light to medium hair and anyone who wants a softer look than a plain band. The honest catch: they are petite scrunchies, so they suit lighter hair rather than a thick ponytail.
Best for fine and curly hair: Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Ties
Best for fine and curly hair: the Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Ties, because the listing says they suit fine, curly hair and sensitive scalps.
The listing describes 2MM ties that hold fine to medium hair, whether thin, curly or straight, with a braided design and a thick inner core. It says there are no metal closures, so they will never snag or pull your hair. The 60 count pack comes as one of two assortments at random, brights or pastels. It holds 4.4 stars from 44,076 ratings.
It suits fine, curly or sensitive haired people, and kids who go through a lot of ties. The honest catch: it rates 4.4 stars, below the leading picks, and you cannot choose between the brights and the pastels.
Best everyday elastics: Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties
Best everyday elastics: the Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties, because the listing says the nylon ties glide through hair and keep ponytails, buns and braids secure without pulling or snagging.
The listing describes smooth nylon in classic black, made using recycled materials, in a pack of 20. It says they work for thick hair and remain gentle on finer strands, and names active kids, teens and adults. It holds 4.6 stars from 7,619 ratings.
It suits one pack for the whole family in a plain colour. The honest catch: the pack of 20 holds fewer ties than the big multipacks.
Best 200 pack: BEoffer 200 Pack Hair Ties
Best 200 pack: the BEoffer 200 Pack Hair Ties, because 200 small soft bands for babies, toddlers and girls rate 4.7 stars and cost the least per tie.
The listing describes soft, multicolour bands about 0.5 cm thick, in one size, that hold thick or thin and straight or curly hair. It says to use two or more for a thick ponytail, and lists braiding and small dreadlocks among the uses. The 200 pieces come in a zippered bag. It holds 4.7 stars from 6,848 ratings.
It suits families, kids, babies and anyone who loses ties constantly. The honest catch: they are small bands made for kids and fine hair, not for a thick adult ponytail.
How to choose hair ties
Match the tie to your hair thickness
This is the first choice. Thick or heavy hair suits thick bands such as the Bessrung or the Goody Forever, which says medium hair to thick hair. Fine hair suits thin ties such as the 2MM Goody Ouchless. Small bands like the BEoffer hold thick or thin hair according to the listing, but need two or more for a thick ponytail.
Elastic, spiral or scrunchie
Elastics give the firmest hold and suit high ponytails. Spirals, like the Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties, spread the pressure out and double as a bracelet. Scrunchies, like the Kitsch satin pair, trade hold for a soft look. Many people keep one of each.
Will it stretch out?
Ties that go loose are the common complaint. Look for a stated structure: the Goody Forever lists a 16 strand inner core, the Goody Ouchless a braided design with a thick inner core, and the Bessrung says it will not stretch out easily. Plain thin bands are the ones to treat as disposable.
Seamless and metal free
Snagging usually comes from metal closures or rough joins. The listings say the Bessrung is seamless, and the Goody ties have no metal closures. If you want a look at brushes that go with gentle styling, see our hair brush guide.
Pack size and what you really pay per tie
Ties disappear, so count matters. The BEoffer gives 200, the Bessrung 100, the Goody Ouchless 60, the Kitsch Elastic 20, the Goody Forever 10 and the Kitsch Spiral 8. Divide the pack size into the price on the day, and remember the small ones are cheaper per tie but not made for thick hair.
Colour
The Bessrung comes in five neutral colours to match different hair colours. The Kitsch Elastic is black, and the Goody Ouchless gives brights or pastels at random. For a bun with curls set in rollers, our hair roller guide covers heatless options.
Kids, babies and toddlers
For small heads, a soft thin band in bulk is the practical choice. The BEoffer is named for baby, toddlers and girls, and the Goody Ouchless listing calls itself kids hair ties as well. If the hair itself needs a treatment, see the hair mask guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hair ties for thick hair in Australia?
The Bessrung 100 Pcs Thick Seamless Hair Ties are our pick for thick hair: the listing describes thick, stretchy bands made for thick hair. The Goody Forever Ouchless is the other good fit, as its listing says medium hair to thick hair. Thin bands like the BEoffer need two or more for a thick ponytail.
Which hair ties do not damage hair?
Listings use the words no damage for most picks here. The Bessrung ties are described as seamless and soft so they will not snag or pull. The Goody Ouchless ties have no metal closures, and the Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties are described as helping prevent tangling and breakage when you remove them.
What are the best hair ties for fine hair?
The Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Ties are our pick for fine hair: the listing says 2MM ties that hold fine to medium hair, thin, curly or straight. The Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties say they work well for thick hair while remaining gentle on finer strands, and the Kitsch Ultra Petite Satin Scrunchies suit lighter hair.
What are the best hair ties for babies and toddlers?
The BEoffer 200 Pack Hair Ties are named for baby, toddlers and girls, and the listing calls them soft and kind to hair. At about 0.5 cm thick they are small bands, and the pack of 200 means a lost one hardly matters. The Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties also mention active kids.
What are the best hair ties that do not stretch out?
The Bessrung ties are the answer here: the listing says they stretch up to about 24.9 cm but will not be stretched out easily. The Goody Forever Ouchless is built for the same job, with a 16 strand inner core that the listing says always retains its original shape and bounces back after each use.
Are spiral hair ties better than elastic ones?
They suit different jobs. The Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties spread the pressure over a greater surface area, which the listing says helps minimise ponytail bumps, and they stretch to wear as a bracelet. Elastics such as the Bessrung or Goody Forever hold more tightly, so they suit a high or heavy ponytail.
Are satin scrunchies better for your hair than normal hair ties?
The Kitsch Ultra Petite Satin Scrunchies listing describes satin designed to feel softer than silk, helping reduce friction while styling and glide through strands to help prevent pulling, breakage and creasing. They are petite, so they suit lighter hair. For a thick ponytail the Bessrung bands hold better.
Is there a Lady Jayne alternative that will not snag?
This page does not include a Lady Jayne pack. For a snagless style tie, the Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair Ties say they will never snag or pull your hair because they have no metal closures, and the Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties say they keep ponytails, buns and braids secure without pulling or snagging.
What are the best hair ties for working out?
The Bessrung listing names workouts alongside daily use, and the Kitsch Elastic Hair Ties listing names sports and workouts, so start with those two for a ponytail that has to last a run. The Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties are non absorbent, so the listing says they can be worn while swimming.
