How to Choose a React Grid Component for Modern Web Applications

Grids are essential building blocks in modern web applications. They help developers organize page layouts, build interactive dashboards, and present structured data in a format users can easily understand.

However, choosing a React grid component is not always straightforward. Some libraries focus on responsive page layouts, others support draggable dashboard panels, and specialized data-grid solutions provide functionality for sorting, filtering, editing, and displaying large datasets.
Understanding these differences is the first step toward selecting the right tool.

1. Understanding the Different Types of Grids in React

Before selecting a library, identify the problem your application needs to solve.
CSS Grid for responsive layouts
CSS Grid is a native browser layout system for arranging content into rows and columns. It works well for dashboards, card layouts, page sections, and responsive application interfaces.

For example:
.dashboard {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
gap: 16px;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
.dashboard {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}

This approach requires no additional grid library and provides direct control over the layout.
However, CSS Grid does not provide built-in data-management features such as column sorting, filtering, or inline editing.

React Grid Layout for interactive dashboards
React Grid Layout is designed for interfaces where users can move and resize dashboard panels.

It is useful for analytics dashboards, customizable workspaces, and applications where users need to arrange widgets according to their preferences.

It solves a different problem from a data grid: it controls the position and dimensions of interface panels rather than the presentation and management of tabular records.

Ext JS for enterprise data grids

For applications that work with complex datasets, an enterprise data grid may be a better fit.

Sencha's Ext JS provides a JavaScript UI framework with data-grid capabilities and other enterprise components. Through ReExt, developers can integrate Ext JS components into React applications.
This approach is worth evaluating when the application requires advanced data presentation, reusable enterprise UI components, and a consistent component ecosystem.

1. What Should You Look for in a React Grid Component?

The right choice depends on your application requirements. Evaluate the following areas before committing to a library.
Data handling: Does the grid support the required sorting, filtering, pagination, grouping, and editing features?
Performance: How does it behave when rendering large datasets? Does it support virtualization or other techniques that reduce unnecessary rendering?

Responsive behavior: Can the interface adapt to smaller screens without making important data difficult to access?
Customization: Can you adjust columns, styles, themes, and interactions to match your application's design system?
Integration: Does the component fit your existing React architecture and data-fetching approach?

Maintenance: Review documentation, release history, compatibility, support options, and licensing.

A grid that is easy to configure initially may not be the best choice if it becomes difficult to maintain as the application grows.

1. When Should You Consider Ext JS?

Ext JS is designed for building data-intensive enterprise web applications. Its grid component is worth evaluating when users need to work with structured business data through sophisticated tables and related UI components.

Depending on the applicable version and configuration, relevant requirements may include:
Sorting and filtering records.
Editing data within a grid.

Working with complex columns and data presentation.
Building dashboards and business-oriented interfaces.
Integrating grids with other UI components.

Supporting applications with demanding data-management workflows.
For React teams, Sencha's ReExt provides an integration path for using Ext JS components within React applications.

The main advantage of evaluating a comprehensive component suite is that it may reduce the need to assemble multiple separate UI libraries. The trade-offs include commercial licensing, product-specific conventions, and the need to verify compatibility with your current stack.
Read the original guide: How to Use a Grid Layout with React.

1. React Grid Layout vs. Ext JS Grid

These tools should not be treated as direct substitutes.
Requirement
Suitable starting point
Responsive page structure
CSS Grid
Draggable and resizable dashboard panels
React Grid Layout
Interactive, data-heavy tables
Ext JS Grid or another dedicated data-grid library
Enterprise React application with broader UI needs
Evaluate Ext JS through ReExt alongside alternatives

For example, an analytics application might use CSS Grid to organize its overall page, React Grid Layout to let users customize dashboard panels, and a data-grid component inside one of those panels.

Combining tools can be appropriate when each has a clearly defined responsibility.

1. How to Make a Grid Perform Better Regardless of the library, a few engineering practices can improve the user experience.

Avoid loading unnecessary data

Fetch only the records needed for the current view when the application and backend support it. Server-side filtering and pagination can reduce the amount of data transferred and processed.
Use virtualization when appropriate

For very large tables, rendering every row simultaneously may create unnecessary DOM and rendering work. Row or column virtualization can help, depending on the grid's implementation and requirements.

Keep columns readable

Responsive design should preserve access to important information. Consider flexible column sizing, prioritizing key fields, and providing appropriate ways to inspect secondary data on smaller screens.

Measure before optimizing

Use realistic datasets and production builds to measure rendering performance, scrolling behavior, bundle size, and interaction responsiveness.

Conclusion

Choosing a React grid component begins with identifying what kind of grid your application actually needs.

CSS Grid is an excellent starting point for page layouts. React Grid Layout is useful for customizable dashboard panels. For applications requiring sophisticated data tables and enterprise UI functionality, Ext JS is another option to evaluate through Sencha's ReExt integration.

Rather than choosing a library based only on popularity, compare its capabilities, performance, customization, licensing, and long-term maintenance requirements against your real use cases.
Further reading: How to Use a Grid Layout with React — Sencha.