Controlled components in React store form data in state, while uncontrolled components store data directly in the DOM. Controlled forms give you full control over inputs, validation, and updates; uncontrolled forms are simpler and rely on ref to get values.
React applications today demand better user experiences, and form handling is at the center of it. Whether you’re building login forms, dashboards, or large enterprise tools, choosing between controlled and uncontrolled components affects performance, maintainability, and scalability. Understanding both makes you a stronger React developer.
Key Takeaways: Controlled vs Uncontrolled Components in React
- Controlled Components: State-driven, predictable, best for validation.
- Uncontrolled Components: Uses DOM refs, minimal code, best for simple forms.
- Controlled = More control, Uncontrolled = More simplicity.
- React teams at scale prefer controlled inputs for consistency.
What Are Controlled Components in React?
Controlled components are form elements whose values are completely managed by React state. The input’s value is always synced with a state variable, which means every change triggers a re-render and updates the UI predictably.
They give you full control over validation, conditional rendering, formatting (like auto-capitalization), and dynamic form rules.
Code Example
import { useState } from "react";
function ControlledForm() {
const [name, setName] = useState("");
const handleSubmit = (e) => {
e.preventDefault();
console.log("Submitted:", name);
};
return (
<form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
<input
type="text"
value={name}
onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
placeholder="Enter your name"
/>
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>
);
}
When to Use Them
- You need real-time validation
- You want dynamic form UI based on input
- You need to enforce formatting rules
- Suitable for search bars, login forms, dashboards
What Are Uncontrolled Components in React?
Uncontrolled components store their values directly in the DOM, not in React state. You access the value only when needed—usually via useRef.
They’re faster for simple forms because they avoid frequent state updates and re-renders.
Code Example Using useRef
import { useRef } from "react";
function UncontrolledForm() {
const nameRef = useRef();
const handleSubmit = (e) => {
e.preventDefault();
console.log("Submitted:", nameRef.current.value);
};
return (
<form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
<input
type="text"
ref={nameRef}
placeholder="Enter your name"
/>
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>
);
}
When They Make Sense
- Simple forms where value is needed only at submit
- Large forms where performance matters
- You want minimal boilerplate
- Integrating third-party plugins (file pickers, autosuggest libraries)
Controlled vs Uncontrolled Components — Which Should You Choose?
✅ Performance Impact
- Controlled:
- Triggers re-render on each keystroke
- Useful for tightly controlled UI
- Can be slow in extremely large forms
- Uncontrolled:
- Better raw performance
- No continuous state updates
- Ideal for large apps or low-end devices
✅ Developer Experience
- Controlled: Predictable, easier debugging, better readability
- Uncontrolled: Leaner code, simpler for basic forms
✅ Form Size & Complexity
- Controlled: Best for small-to-medium forms with rules
- Uncontrolled: Better for long forms (multi-step, surveys, onboarding)
When Should You Prefer Controlled Components?
✅ Validation-Heavy Forms
If your form needs:
- Required field checks
- Email/phone validation
- Password strength meters
- Real-time error messages
→ Controlled components are the clear winner.
✅ Real-Time Updates (Search Bars, Dynamic UI)
Use controlled components when your UI depends on the input value immediately:
- Live search
- Filtering lists
- Changing UI elements while typing
When Should You Prefer Uncontrolled Components?
Very Large Forms
In heavy forms with many inputs:
- Avoiding state updates prevents performance lag
- Reduces component complexity
Minimal Re-Renders Required
Uncontrolled inputs don’t trigger re-renders, so they stay faster for:
- Low-power devices
- Multi-field surveys
- Multi-step long forms
Third-Party Libraries Using Native DOM Behavior
Examples:
- File upload elements
- Date pickers
- Captcha inputs
- External JS widgets
Uncontrolled components integrate more smoothly because they behave like pure HTML inputs.
React Component Control
javascript
import React, { useState, useRef } from 'react';
function ControlledComponent() {
const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState('');
const handleChange = (event) => {
setInputValue(event.target.value);
};
return (
Controlled Component
Current Value: {inputValue}
);
}
function UncontrolledComponent() {
const inputRef = useRef(null);
const handleSubmit = (event) => {
event.preventDefault();
alert('Input value is: ' + inputRef.current.value);
};
return (
Uncontrolled Component
);
}
function App() {
return (
); } export default App;
Explanation of the Code
This code snippet creates a straightforward React app with two types of components: a controlled component and an uncontrolled component.
- ControlledComponent: This component uses `useState` to manage the input’s state. Whenever you type into the text box, `handleChange` updates `inputValue`, and the input is always in sync with `inputValue`. It showcases the concept of controlled components, where React governs the form data.
- UncontrolledComponent: Here, `useRef` accesses the input’s DOM element directly. This component gets the value when you click the submit button, demonstrating uncontrolled components. In this scenario, form data is handled via direct DOM manipulation rather than through React state.
- App Component: It renders both `ControlledComponent` and `UncontrolledComponent`, allowing you to compare their functionalities side by side. You can see how each handles input data and user actions.
Real-Life Uses of Controlled vs Uncontrolled Components in React
- Meta – Form Validation with Controlled Components:
Meta uses controlled components extensively to manage form validation in their web applications. Controlled components give them control over form values, allowing for real-time validation and feedback.
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function SignUpForm() {
const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
const [emailError, setEmailError] = useState('');
const validateEmail = (email) => {
const re = /S+@S+.S+/;
return re.test(String(email).toLowerCase());
};
const handleEmailChange = (e) => {
setEmail(e.target.value);
setEmailError(validateEmail(e.target.value) ? '' : 'Invalid email address');
};
return (
{emailError && {emailError}}
);
}
The output is a responsive form that checks email validity as the user types, enhancing user experience by preventing errors early. - Netflix – Uncontrolled Components for Performance:
Netflix applies uncontrolled components in their video player settings for quick state management without handler functions. This minimizes re-renders, ensuring smoother performance for complex components.
import React, { useRef } from 'react';
function VideoSettings() {
const volumeRef = useRef(null);
const applySettings = () => {
console.log('Volume:', volumeRef.current.value);
// Further logic to apply settings
};
return (
);
}
The output is efficient control over settings with reduced overhead in large applications, contributing to their seamless viewing experience.
Interview Prep: React Components
- What exactly distinguishes controlled components from uncontrolled components in React?
Controlled components are managed by state in React, meaning their value is typically set and changed in React’s component state. Uncontrolled components, on the other hand, rely on the DOM to hold their data. - When should I choose a controlled component over an uncontrolled one?
Go for controlled components when you need to instantly update based on user interactions or want React to control form input data. It’s a bit like having a co-pilot! - How do controlled components affect form validation?
With controlled components, you can validate the input as soon as the user types something. This gives you precision control over user inputs and form submissions. - Is it possible to use controlled and uncontrolled components together in the same form?
Absolutely! You can mix them, but keep it simple. Sometimes it’s powerful to mix approaches and have the best of both worlds - What are the performance implications of using controlled components?
Controlled components can be less performant if not managed well, because every change in input re-renders the component. Use wisely! - Are there any security implications between using controlled and uncontrolled components?
Since controlled components provide more oversight, they’re generally more secure, giving you control over input sanitation. - Can I convert a controlled component into an uncontrolled component easily?
Sure, it’s like swapping manual to automatic in a car. Just remove state handlers and default values will suffice. - How do you manage state in an uncontrolled component?
Using refs is your go-to strategy. Rely on `useRef` to access DOM nodes directly.
When you need the value, just poke the ref.const inputRef = React.useRef();
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Conclusion
Controlled vs Uncontrolled components in React empower you to design efficient, maintainable user interfaces. Tackling this topic offers a sense of achievement and confidence as you bridge theory with application in real-world coding. Ready to dive deeper? Explore more at Newtum and enhance your programming prowess.
Edited and Compiled by
This article was compiled and edited by @rasikadeshpande, who has over 4 years of experience in writing. She’s passionate about helping beginners understand technical topics in a more interactive way.
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