We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Fashion Accessories Jewelry The 15 Best Hoop Earrings You’ll Wear All Day, Every Day Hoops are always a yes in our book. By Megan McCarty Megan McCarty Megan McCarty is a full-time freelance writer, editor, etc. with over 15 years of experience, who writes about the fun stuff: design, commerce, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky is a fashion & beauty commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on March 21, 2024 @ 01:05PM In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us InStyle / Jessica Juliao Hoop earrings have stood the very tough test of time. Everyone from Twiggy and Cher to Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna have worn them, and they even graced the lobes of a few boy band members you probably crushed on back in the day, too. Decade after decade, hoop earrings look equally fresh and timeless, whether it’s laundry day or your wedding day. There’s no going wrong with a classic, classy hoop earring. As we shopped for the best hoop earrings, each of our selections had to check off three boxes to make the cut: they had to be made from quality materials, with a long-lasting style, and possess a design aesthetic to turn heads. Whether you’re shopping for a cuff-like huggie for your cartilage, an oversized pair for special occasions, or something in between, we’ve narrowed down our list to 10 picks we love and think you will too. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Jennifer Fisher 2” Thread Hoops at Jenniferfisherjewelry.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Thick Hoops: ByChari Baby Hoops at Amazon ($75) Jump to Review Best Mini: Ana Luisa Nate Huggies at Analuisa.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Drop: Mejuri Organic Pearl Hoops at Mejuri.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Value: 17 Mile Open Hoops Set at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Ippolita Hoop Earrings at Nordstrom ($2,495) Jump to Review Best Lab-Grown Diamond: Oui by Jean Dousset Angelina Diamond Hoops at Jeandousset.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Pearl: Devi Arts Collective Large Gold and Pearl Hoops at Deviartscollective.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Medium: Maple & J Everyday Hoops at Mapleandj.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Cartilage: Studs Mini Beaded Huggie at Studs.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Overall Jennifer Fisher 2” Thread Hoops Jennifer Fisher View On Jenniferfisherjewelry.com What We Love They come in various hoop sizes. Classic, lightweight design. What We Don't Love You cannot wear this in the shower or in the pool. While thicker and smaller hoops have stolen the spotlight recently (and we feature plenty of them here), anyone with a fondness for the early aughts will appreciate this classic two-inch style that, in our opinion, never goes out of style. These ones are made of 10-karat gold plated brass, but they’re offered in 14-karat rose gold plated and silver rhodium plated options as well. You can even choose different diameter sizes, like one inch, 1.5 inches, three inches and more. The brand is pretty transparent about avoiding any contact with water, however, as the brass will begin to show from underneath the plating. So long as you remember to remove it before hopping in the shower (unlike this pair we love), these ones should last you quite a while. Material: 10k gold plated brass | Size: 2 inches | Backing: Post Best Thick Hoops ByChari Baby Hoops Amazon View On Amazon $75 View On Madewell.com What We Love Show-stopping hoops won’t drag your earlobes down? Win-win. What We Don’t Love The post is a bit long. “I love the statement-making effect of this thicker and rounded hoop earring,” says designer Autumn Adeigbo. While substantial in look, your precious earlobes won’t pay the price: they’re anything but heavy. The hinged back allows for easy wear, but the post is a bit long — it won’t sit tight against the ear — so it might move a bit more than someone who typically wears straight post-back earrings is used to. They’re available in both gold and silver, as well as other sizes. Wear them solo for a standout look or stacked with other coordinating hoops. Another bonus? “I also love that BYCHARI is a Black-owned brand,” Adeigbo says.Material: Silver plated in 14k gold | Size: 2.2" diameter | Backing: Hinged InStyle / Jessica Juliao Best Mini Ana Luisa Nate Huggies Ana Luisa View On Analuisa.com What We Love You can wear it on your second or third holes as well. Sterling silver material is safe for sensitive skin types. What We Don’t Love The snap closure might not provide a lot of security. Ana Luisa, a brand that follows extensive sustainability practices, offers a lot of youthful and playful jewelry, but this huggie feels exceptionally sophisticated. From the front, the earring looks a little bit like a teardrop, with a wider bottom that slims out around the piercing. While you can definitely wear it as your main earring, the mini size also lets you get away with wearing it in your second or third holes. That, combined with its 14-karat plated sterling silver material, will likely award you a lot of wear out of it. My only concern lies in the backing – I’ve had many snap closures simply stop working after some time, especially when consistently taken in and out of the ear. So far, though, this one has held up. Material: 14k gold plating on recycled sterling silver | Size: 0.93 mm | Backing: Snap InStyle / Jessica Juliao Best Drop Mejuri Organic Pearl Hoops Mejuri View On Mejuri.com What We Love Each freshwater pearl will have its own unique shape. Vermeil leaves a thicker coating that gold plating, making these more durable. What We Don’t Love The sterling silver should be kept away from showers. These freshwater pearls, that are handpicked from oysters and mussels, dangle on a little hoop earring. Because of this, each delicate hoop varies slightly in shape and size. Made of 18-karat gold vermeil, which isn created by electroplating the silver with gold, binding the two metals together, these earrings are quite durable. We still don't recommend wearing in water, because the sterling silver will oxidize when wet. Material: 18k gold vermeil on sterling silver | Size: Hoop size: 10 x 15 mm, pearl size: 9.5 x 13 mm | Backing: Hinged InStyle / Jessica Juliao Best Value 17 Mile Open Hoops Set Amazon View On Amazon $15 What We Love This set includes six pairs you can mix and match. What We Don’t Love They will rust in the shower. Whenever Giselle Luza, founder of Soho Blondes, reaches for a pair of hoops, she’s faced with a (good) dilemma. Which pair from this set of six gold hoops should she wear? The classic pair, the twisted design, or how about the oblong ones? “Because they come in a pack of six varying styles, you can mix and match without spending a fortune,” says Luza. “They are the perfect gold earrings to elevate a summer outfit.”While variety is the spice of life, comfort is key. Each of these pairs is lightweight, so you can comfortably wear them morning to night, and the hypoallergenic material is lead- and nickel-free too. No need to worry about losing backings either; the set comes with several backups. “I’ve had my set for six months, and the quality is still just as good as when I first purchased them,” Luza says. Because the materials used are significantly cheaper, there’s a good chance they will rust if you wear them in the shower. We suggest taking them out, then pop them right back in once you’re done and your ears are dry.Material: 14k gold | Size: Varies | Backing: Mix of post and clasps Best Splurge Ippolita Hoop Earrings Neiman Marcus View On Nordstrom $2,495 View On Neiman Marcus $2,495 View On Bloomingdales $2,495 What We Love This high-end pair will last a lifetime. Lightweight design is comfortable to wear. What We Don’t Love Wish they offered a silver option. If you’re willing to throw down serious cash on a pair of hoops you’ll love forever, let us introduce you to the Ippolita Hoop Earrings. Designer and stylist Chantelle Hartman Malarkey considers these one of her all-time best purchases, as the lightweight statement pair appears both classic and modern. “These are a staple piece, just like having a pair of diamond studs,” she says.“Although they may seem like earrings that you can only wear out to nice dinners or events, that is not the case,” says Hartman Malarkey. “You can style these with anything and everything.” If that’s with a crewneck and ponytail at your niece’s softball game or with a cocktail dress at a new hot restaurant, we’re into it.Because some prefer silver (or even rose gold) to yellow gold, we wish this came in more metal options.Material: 18k yellow gold | Size: 2 3/4" diameter | Backing: Post Best Lab-Grown Diamond Oui by Jean Dousset Angelina Diamond Hoops Oui by Jean Dousset View On Jeandousset.com What We Love You can try the hoops on virtually. Pavé diamonds add sparkle. What We Don’t Love The u-shaped pavé makes us wonder how these look from the side and back. We recently explored the world of lab grown diamond jewelry, and these 15 mm hoops, with their 34 hand set pavé diamonds, stood out to us as the perfect (still glitzy) everyday piece, warranting the slightly higher price point. To gauge the size, you can virtually see how the piece looks on you through their “try it on” feature (as well as compare it to a raspberry and a macaron, in case you were curious). You’ll notice that the diamonds sit in a U-shape, rather than in a classic pavé style, so they’re completely visible from the front. It makes us wonder what it will look like from the side or the back, but regardless, it should still be an eye-catching piece. Material: 18k yellow gold, lab grown diamonds | Size: 15 mm | Backing: Secure notched wire Best Pearl Devi Arts Collective Large Gold and Pearl Hoops Devi Arts Collective View On Deviartscollective.com What We Love The addition of a petite freshwater pearl takes them from sweet to spectacular. What We Don’t Love Since they’re not a full loop, hair might get tangled in them. Handmade, gold-filled, punctuated with a freshwater pearl, these hoops are delicate without being fragile, and perfectly ride the line between every day and outstanding. Picture them worn with a white t-shirt, and then imagine them accessorizing a maxi dress. Either works, and that’s why we love them so much.The earrings don’t create a full loop, though, so hair easily gets tangled in the back. We suggest putting the earrings in after you style your hair to prevent any mishaps.Material: Gold-filled | Size: 1.5-inch diameter | Backing: Post Best Medium Maple & J Everyday Hoops Maple & J View On Mapleandj.com What We Love Perfectly sized for comfort and style. What We Don’t Love Clasp backings can be finicky. These Maple & J earrings are the Goldilocks of hoops. They’re not too expensive, not too big, not too heavy — they’re just right. Chances are you’ll reach for them day after day, allowing them to live up to their name. When properly taken care of, no one will know if you bought them yesterday, years ago, or if you inherited them from your grandma — they’re that classic. Whether you’re getting groceries or throwing on a slinky LBD for date night, these hoops go with everything. The clasp can be finicky when putting them in yourself, but with a little practice, you should be good to go. Material: 14k gold | Size: Varies between 12 mm and 30 mm | Backing: Hinged Best for Cartilage Studs Mini Beaded Huggie Studs View On Studs.com What We Love The beaded design adds texture to your cartilage. What We Don’t Love You can’t get them wet. Cartilage piercings can get the shaft when it comes to cool earrings, but no more. Studs carries dozens of designs specifically to jazz up your cartilage holes. We particularly love this beaded design; it adds just enough interest and texture to your piercing without stealing the show away from your statement pieces.Similar to the 17 Mile earrings or your favorite stud earrings, these huggies won’t make it through the shower. These won’t be a good pick for anyone with a fresh piercing because you’ll need to take it out daily and risk accidentally closing your hole.Material: 14k gold or rhodium plated with internal brass | Size: 10 mm diameter | Backing: Snap Best Ethically Made Mulxiply Yala Heritage Hammered Hoops Mulxiply View On Mulxiply.com What We Love These hammered gold earrings are hand-made by artisans in Nepal using sustainably sourced materials. What We Don’t Love Take special care in cleaning this pair, as gold-plated brass is more likely to tarnish than silver. You’ll be sure to turn heads in these hammered gold hoops, and once you do, you can tell onlookers the heartwarming story behind them. Made from sustainably-sourced gold-plated brass, these hoops are hand-made by artisans in Nepal in an effort to honor the country’s heritage and long-standing craft. This design was inspired by the concept of east-meets-west, and the result is beautiful. Since they are one-of-a-kind and made from brass, expect slight variations from earring to earring, especially over time as they tarnish. But in our opinion, that makes them all the more special.Material: 24k gold-plated hammered brass | Size: 2 inches | Backing: Hinge Best Silver Another Feather Dorsal Hoops Another Feather View On Anotherfeather.com What We Love You’ll reach for this subtle, stunning design for years and years to come. What We Don’t Love These hoops are available in bronze and silver, but no luck if you’re a fan of gold. We did it. We found the perfect pair of silver hoops. (Or bronze hoops, if you prefer.) The hollowed, tapered design by Another Feather is sophisticated enough to wear with an upscale outfit and casual enough to wear while running errands. They’re simple, but stand out — perfect for both wearing solo or pairing with other jewelry, like an oversized necklace or other earrings. Don’t blame us if you’re inspired to invest in Another Feather’s Dorsal Ring and Dorsal Cuff, too.Material: Silver | Size: 22 mm long | Backing: Post Best Colorful Emma Pills Obsession Hoops Revolve View On Shopemmapills.com View On Shopemmapills.com What We Love The pop of fuschia adds much-needed color to any outfit. What We Don’t Love Reviewers say they’re a lot smaller than you’d think. For a moderately priced pair of fun hoops, add this set from Emma Pills to your cart. These might not be your everyday pair of hoops, but they’ll brighten up an outfit whenever you need a dose of pink. The wavy shape brings a silhouette not often found in the standard hoop shape, and the two-toned design gives you more options with just one pair — you can easily wear the pink on the inside or outside, depending on how bold you’d like to go. We also love to gift jewelry for birthdays and special occasions, and these earrings are meant for celebrating.Material: 14k gold-plated and enamel | Size: 1.25" W x 1.75" H | Backing: Post Best for Sensitive Ears Yam Yam Hoop Yam NYC View On Yamnyc.com What We Love The ear wire is made of surgical steel for sensitive ears. What We Don’t Love You will have to take good care of it to maintain the gold plating. This Black- and woman-owned and operated business handcrafts each jewelry piece by order. And while it’s their quirky and fun pieces that originally caught our attention, the Yam hoops are more versatile as an everyday piece. The hollow one inch band is made of 14-karat gold plated brass. At the backside of the hoop, you’ll find the Yam logo engraved on the earring as well. For everyone with sensitive ears, you’ll be happy to learn that this piece was made with you in mind. Made from surgical steel, the snap wire closure has a very low nickel content, so it most likely won’t irritate your skin. That being said, you’ll still want to take good care of this piece or the plating will eventually erode and reveal the brass that’s underneath it. Material: 14k gold plated brass | Size: 1 inch | Backing: Snap Best Bamboo Simone I. Smith Sister Love Times Square Bam Beauties Simone I. Smith View On Simoneismith.com What We Love It includes diamond resin to make them more dent resistant. What We Don’t Love There’s a possibility that they’re a little heavy. Founded by Simone Smith, iconic entrepreneur and wife to LL Cool J, this jewelry line has been making classic jewelry pieces loved and worn by celebrities like Kelly Rowland, Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union, and more. The bamboo hoops are an iconic style popularized by hip-hop culture and worn by all now. We appreciate how modern this pair feels with the design configured into a rectangular shape, in 18-karat gold plated sterling silver. More notably, they feature patented diamond resin to make them dent resistant, ensuring they will last a long time. If you’re not used to wearing chunkier pieces like this, just know they might feel a bit heavy at first because of their size. Material: 18k gold plated sterling silver | Size: 60 mm | Backing: Snap What to Keep in Mind Material: If you’re at all sensitive to metals, pay close attention to the material before committing to a pair of hoop earrings. It’s best to steer clear of nickel, which is the most common metal allergy and can cause pain, itching, and swelling. Instead, opt for gold or platinum and stainless steel, which are the best hypoallergenic metals, when choosing earrings for sensitive ears. If you prefer gold earrings, the higher the karat, the purer the metal — and the more likely you are to be able to wear them all day without your earlobes aching. Size: Hoops come in one shape, but many sizes. Before adding any pair of hoop earrings to your online cart, determine if the hoops’ dimensions will fit into your lifestyle and style in general. Small, lightweight hoops can be thrown on every day, with nearly any outfit, while huggies best-fit cartilage piercings. Oversized pairs act as showstoppers but probably aren’t practical if you have a grabby-hand baby or long, textured hair that tends to get tangled in them. Your Questions, Answered What’s the difference between gold and gold-plated jewelry? Gold is a solid piece of the precious metal, often found in 10-karat or 14-karat options. While it’s the highest quality of gold jewelry options, it’s also the most expensive. If your budget doesn’t allow for a pair of solid gold hoop earrings, opt for gold-plated instead.Gold-plated jewelry is created with a thin layer of gold applied atop another base metal, like brass, copper, or silver. No matter which option you choose, all gold tarnishes in time. With proper maintenance though (more on that below), either option should last you for years to come. How do you clean hoop earrings? Between body oil, makeup, sunscreen, and hairspray, earrings can quickly accumulate unwanted build-up. To restore them to their best, shiny selves, aim to clean your earrings once a month. Precious metals, like gold and silver, are soft, so they simply need to be gently wiped down with a dry microfiber or polishing cloth. For more thorough cleaning, mix two tablespoons of mild dish soap with one quart of warm water. Soak your jewelry in that mixture for 10 to 20 minutes, then gently rinse and pat dry with a clean cloth. One last word of advice: Don’t clean your jewelry over a bathroom or kitchen sink. Or, if you do, at the very least ensure the drain is plugged. Otherwise, we’ll spare you an “I told you so” if an earring falls down the drain. Why Shop With Us Megan McCarty is a full-time freelance writer who writes about everything from design, to beauty to fashion. She regularly contributes to outlets like Domino, InStyle, People, Architectural Digest, Bustle, and many more. Aside from using her own expertise and completing lots of research, she interviewed style experts for what they think is a worthy buy, too.