The 10 Best Curtain Rods of 2024

Best Overall

Umbra Cappa Curtain Rod

$32 at Amazon View on Umbra.com

There’s a virtue to simplicity, and that’s what you get with this elegant curtain rod from Umbra. Available in three finishes—nickel steel, brass, and brushed black—this curtain rod is ideal for light- or medium-weight curtains that weigh up to 22 pounds.

That means you’ll need to look for another option if you have heavier curtains or drapes to hang up. With heavier curtains, buyers note that the rods may dip in the middle or it may feel as if they’re not up to supporting the weight of the fabric. 

The budget-friendly Umbra curtain rod comes with everything you need for installation. Plus, this curtain rod works with most curtain styles, including grommet, back- and top-tab, and rod pocket curtains, and the curtain rod has a sleek finish that looks more sophisticated than the price point. And, these curtain rods are a great fit for a variety of spaces—they’ll go well with bedroom curtains, and with living room ones, too.

_{Dimensions: 33-66 inches, 66-120 inches, 120-180 inches | Weight Capacity: 22 pounds | Material: Not Available | Finish: Nickel, brass, black}

Best Budget

IKEA Irja Curtain Rod Set

$2 at Ikea

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pick, it’s hard to beat the Irja IKEA curtain rod—it costs under $5 and comes with the rod as well as two wall fixtures and two finials, and looks more charming than a similarly priced tension rod. Note that screws and wall anchors are not included with this curtain rod, nor are curtain rings. 

The Irja is about 59 inches long, but you can cut it down if you desire a shorter length. This curtain rod is only available in one color: white.

That may be a good fit with your aesthetic and curtains but isn’t necessarily right for every space. The weight capacity for this curtain rod also isn't listed, so if you're looking to hang heavier drapes, it might not be your best option. 

_{Dimensions: 59.5 inches (including finials) | Weight Capacity: Not available | Material: Steel, Pigmented powder coating and Polypropylene | Finish: White}

Best for Heavy Curtains

Home Decorators Collection Telescoping Single Curtain Rod

$33 at Home Depot

Heavier curtains demand a more heavy-duty curtain rod. Enter: The Mix and Match Telescoping Single Curtain Rod from the Home Decorators Collection, which has an impressive 39-pound weight capacity and can support blackout curtains, velvet panels, and other heavy drapery. An important cautionary note: If your drywall is somewhat flimsy and you don't mount the brackets to studs, the durable design could fall off and potentially damage your walls.

Though there are only two sizes, the telescoping poles can accommodate windows between 36 to 144 inches wide. This steel set comes in brushed nickel, gunmetal, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze, with all the hardware you need to install the curtain rods, including brackets—plus two simple finials.

_{Dimensions: 36–72 inches, 72–144 inches | Weight Capacity: 39 pounds | Material: Steel | Finish: Brushed nickel, gunmetal, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze}

Best for Lightweight Curtains

Wayfair Basics Bruton Twist & Fit Tension Rod

$18 at Wayfair

A tension rod is not always the right choice, but in some scenarios—like if you’re looking to hang curtains without drilling—it’s ideal. Tension rods allow for a tool-free installation; simply pop them inside the window frame. They’re also a good option for renters trying to avoid making holes in the wall and have so many uses, from drying laundry to hanging plants.

This tension rod from Wayfair is far more attractive than the white plastic ones found in dollar stores. It’s made from metal with a brushed nickel finish that offers some style and sophistication. Finials at the ends also elevate this tension rod’s appearance.

Rubber at the ends of those finials prevents scuffs and also helps keep the tension rod firmly in place. The starting size for this tension rod is 48 inches, and it extends out to 86 inches. That means it won’t fit in smaller windows.  

The classic downside to tension rods is that they typically can’t hold up a lot of weight. That’s true for this one as well—it’ll hold curtains that weigh up to seven pounds, making it ideal for sheers or any other more delicate and lightweight panels.

_{Dimensions: 48-86 inches | Weight Capacity: 7 pounds | Material: Steel | Finish: Brushed Nickel}

Best Tension Rod

Umimile Tension Curtain Rod

$47 at Amazon

Tension rods are a breeze to install, as they require no additional hardware and can be adjusted, prepped, and mounted in just a few minutes. However, many of these easy-install rods aren't the sturdiest—which is why we like Umimile's Tension Curtain Rod.

With an impressive weight capacity of 66 pounds (that's the highest on our list!), it's tough enough to hold any kind of curtains you might want to hang. There are four finish options and four lengths to choose from, giving you options that'll fit windows anywhere from 51 inches wide to a whopping 165 inches wide.

We also love how versatile this tension rod is in its style, design, and finishes. It's durable enough to use in a bathroom or in your living room, giving you plenty of options. However, do note that while it's pretty simple to install (and there's no drilling required), the instructions are a bit clear about what components go where. Additionally, you may find some rough edges at the ends of the rod; keep an eye out for those before running your bare hands over them.

^{Dimensions: 51-86 inches, 51-126 inches, 51-145 inches, 51-165 inches | Weight Capacity: 66 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Finish: Matte black, brown, white, stainless}

Best Traverse

Achim Innovative Porter Traverse Curtain Rod

$53 at Amazon

Make hanging a new set of curtains fuss-free with Achim's Innovative Porter Traverse Curtain Rod. This uniquely designed rod is different from the most common rods, which allow you to hang curtains with grommets or via rings and clips. Featuring an adjustable rod that extends to anywhere from 36 to 120 inches, depending on the size you choose, as well as finials of various shapes and handy integrated curtain clips, you can attach your drapes with ease.

Those clips glide smoothly along the rod, making it a breeze to move the material. Plus, we like that there are four different finish options, different finial styles (including square and sphere), and a durable finish that won't chip or scratch easily.

The only notable drawback you'll want to keep in mind with this traverse-style curtain rod is its weight capacity. While the manufacturer claims it can hold up to 22 pounds of weight, it can actually sag under the weight of heavier, thicker curtains.

Sagging is particularly an issue when you opt for the longest-length rod (the 66 to 120-inch option), as the extra length doesn't necessarily equate to a higher weight capacity. So, keep that in mind if you're thinking about choosing extra-heavy curtains for this rod.

^{Dimensions: 20-36 inches, 36-66 inches, 66-120 inches | Weight Capacity: 22 pounds | Material: Steel | Finish: Nickel, bronze, brushed nickel, matte silver, oil-rubbed bronze}

Best for Living Rooms

Pottery Barn Curtain Rod & Wall Bracket

$49 at Pottery Barn

This best-selling curtain rod from Pottery Barn is a more high-end option. It includes both the rods and wall brackets and is available in several finishes, including antique bronze, cast iron black, and brass. The range of finish options makes it ideal for a wide range of living room decorative styles.

Choose from two rod diameters (0.75 or 1.25 inches) and six different sizes. Since each size expands, the adjustable fit can accommodate windows between 28 inches to a whopping 240 inches wide.

This rod and bracket bundle comes with all the mounting hardware you need for installation. But note that the finials—which are available in several different styles, such as glass ovals and a minimalist flat-end cap—are sold separately, as are the curtain rings. 

While Pottery Barn’s curtain rods are a pricier option, they also offer a lot of perks, from a hefty weight capacity to a durable design. Whether your living room decor is minimalist, modern, industrial, or shabby chic, you’ll be able to find a finish and finial style to match your space’s vibe.

_{Dimensions: 28–48 inches, 48–88 inches, 60–108 inches, 96–120, 108–144 inches, 166-240 inches | Weight Capacity: 20-100 pounds (varies by size) | Material: Steel or cast iron | Finish: Pewter, brass, antique bronze, cast iron black, cast iron pewter, polished nickel, matte black}

Best for French Doors

Paso Robles Ironworks Return Rod

$204 at ironhardware.com

There are many different types of window treatments available for French doors. While you can use curtains that only cover the individual doors (often with an option to tie them in the middle) more often people run a curtain rod above the doors, well above the window. Enter this gorgeous French curtain rod from Paso Robles Ironworks.

These curtain rods are available in near-endless lengths, from 12 to 288 inches. That makes it easy to choose a length to accommodate your French doors, even if they stretch along the length of a wall. The curtain rods feature a light-blocking 90-degree return at each end, allowing curtains to meet the wall, which prevents light from peeking through.

These curtain rods are available in four finishes, and you can add on your choice of three types of curtain rings. Note that only store credit is available for returned items.

_{Dimensions: 12-288 inches | Weight Capacity: Not available | Material: Wrought Iron | Finish: Antique Black, Iron Oxide, Aged Silver, Antique Gold} 

Best for Grommet Panels

Wayfair Basics Adjustable Curtain Rod

$16 at Wayfair

The Wayfair Basics Adjustable Curtain Rod is another great budget-friendly option.  But unlike the IKEA curtain rod, our primary budget-friendly pick, this curtain rod comes in several finishes to complement a range of design schemes, including black, bronze, champagne, soft brass, dark brown, and white. It’s available in two adjustable sizes, offering a width scope between 28 to 86 inches. 

In addition to the telescoping rod, this curtain rod has decorative spherical finials, brackets, and all the necessary mounting hardware. It can be used with curtains that have pockets, grommets, back tabs, or tab tops. Since this set can only support curtain panels weighing up to seven pounds, it's not ideal for heavier drapery.

_{Dimensions: 28–48 inches, 48–86 inches | Weight Capacity: 4–7 pounds | Material: Steel | Finish: Black, bronze, champagne, soft brass, dark brown, white}

Best for Blackout

Umbra Twilight Blackout Curtain Rod

$18 at Amazon $30 at Wayfair $33 at Home Depot

If you’re hanging blackout curtains, most likely your top priority is having the ability to fully shut out all light. These Umbra Twilight Blackout Curtain Rod curtain rods, which have a wrap-around or French return design, help you do that courtesy of a curtain rod that’s designed to curve and meet the wall at either end. Thanks to this feature, curtain panels hang flush against the wall, blocking any outside light from entering. 

The Umbra Twilight Blackout Curtain Rod is available in three sizes, has a 0.75-inch diameter, and supports up to 22 pounds of weight. Choose from several colors, including nickel and brass.

If you opt for the longer length, and use a second bracket, it might be a bit challenging to block out the light since the bracket introduces a gap. They come with all mounting hardware, making installation a breeze.

_{Dimensions: 28–48 inches, 30-84 inches, 48–88 inches, 66-144 inches, 88–144 inches | Weight Capacity: 22 pounds | Material: Steel | Finish: Nickel, brass, bronze}