React Can Handle State, Why Do We Even Use Redux Toolkit?
When I first started using React, I thought useState and useContext were enough for everything. Why bring in Redux? Why complicate things?
Turns out, that mindset works—until your app grows.
Let me explain what changed my mind and why I now use Redux Toolkit in real-world projects.
What React Does Well
React’s state is great for managing data inside a single component or even between a few. For example:
- Toggling modals
- Handling form inputs
- Conditional rendering based on local logic
It's fast, built-in, and keeps things simple.
Where Things Start to Break
Problems start when you:
- Need to share state across many components (not just parent-child)
- Manage async data like API calls
- Want to see how state changes over time
- End up writing too many contexts and passing props deep down
I’ve been there—trying to juggle multiple contexts, remembering which component owns what state, and debugging API-related issues.
That’s when Redux Toolkit becomes more than just "extra".
What Redux Toolkit Fixes
Here’s why I switched:
🔹 Less Boilerplate
With createSlice, I don’t have to manually write action types, action creators, and reducers separately. Everything is in one place.
🔹 Async Made Simple
I use createAsyncThunk for API calls. It handles loading, success, and error states out of the box. I don't need to manage flags manually.
🔹 Global Store That’s Easy To Read
State lives in a centralized store. Anyone on the team can open the slice and immediately know what’s happening.
🔹 DevTools That Save Time
The Redux DevTools are amazing for debugging. You can literally time-travel your app state.
My Personal Rule of Thumb
If I’m working on a small app, I stick with React’s built-in state.
But if the app needs:
- Global shared state
- API handling
- Clean debugging
- Scalability
...then I go with Redux Toolkit.
It’s not about React being weak—it’s just about using the right tool for the job.
Final Thoughts
I used to avoid Redux because of how complex it seemed.
But with Redux Toolkit, it’s honestly just clean, predictable, and easier to scale.
Let me know if you’ve had the same experience—or if you're still deciding between the two. I’d love to hear your take.
Follow along for honest dev takes, project breakdowns, and lessons I wish I knew earlier. Let’s grow together.
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