UX Design
Why More Options Are Not Always Better in UX Design
One of the biggest myths in UX and product design is the idea that giving users more options automatically creates better experiences. At first glance, it seems logical—who doesn’t want more choice? But in reality, too many options often overwhelm users, slow down decision-making, and reduce satisfaction. For junior designers, understanding why “less is more” can be a career-defining insight.
The Psychology Behind Choice
The problem with unlimited options is called choice overload. According to research by psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper, when consumers were offered 24 flavors of jam, they were less likely to buy than when offered only 6 flavors. More choice attracted attention, but fewer options led to clearer decisions and higher satisfaction.
In UX, this means that dumping dozens of filters, buttons, or features onto a screen doesn’t empower users—it paralyzes them.
Why Fewer Options Often Win
Reduces Cognitive Load
Every additional option requires mental effort. Limiting options makes decision-making faster and easier.Guides Users to Value
Good design is about helping people achieve goals. By curating the right set of choices, you lead users toward success instead of making them dig.Boosts Confidence
When options are limited, users feel more confident in their decisions. Too many paths create anxiety about “missing out” on a better one.Improves Usability
Streamlined interfaces are easier to navigate, especially for beginners who might feel lost in complex menus.
Where This Myth Shows Up
E-commerce filters: Ever faced a wall of 50+ checkboxes? Most users give up instead of fine-tuning.
Onboarding flows: Bombarding new users with every feature upfront causes drop-offs. Progressive disclosure works better.
Settings menus: Offering hundreds of toggles rarely adds value. Instead, focus on the most impactful adjustments.
Striking the Balance
The key isn’t about removing choice entirely. It’s about offering meaningful choices. Here are a few practical tips:
Prioritize by Frequency: Highlight the most common or useful options first. Hide advanced settings under “more.”
Use Defaults Wisely: Smart defaults reduce effort while still allowing customization. Think of Google Maps suggesting the fastest route.
Apply Progressive Disclosure: Reveal complexity only as users need it. For example, show basic editing tools upfront, with advanced features in a separate panel.
Test with Real Users: What feels “just right” for you might still be too much for them. Usability testing is the best myth-buster.
Case Study: Netflix vs. Cable TV
Netflix doesn’t overwhelm users with endless menus upfront. Instead, it curates content based on past behavior. Contrast this with traditional cable TV guides, where hundreds of channels scroll endlessly with little personalization. The difference? Users feel guided, not buried.
The Designer’s Responsibility
As UX designers, our job isn’t to throw everything at the user and let them figure it out. It’s to respect their time, simplify complexity, and create confidence. More options may look powerful in a stakeholder meeting, but in real-world use, they often backfire.
According to Nielsen Norman Group, simplicity and clarity consistently rank as top usability principles. By editing ruthlessly and curating choices, you’ll create designs that feel intuitive, fast, and trustworthy.
Final Thoughts
More options are not always better—better options are better. The art of design lies in finding the sweet spot where choice empowers without overwhelming. For junior designers, remembering this lesson will keep your work user-centered and impactful. Sometimes, the bravest design decision you can make is to remove an option.
Sources:
Sheena Iyengar & Mark Lepper, When Choice is Demotivating (2000)
Nielsen Norman Group, UX Design Guidelines (nngroup.com)
Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice (2004)