React custom hooks: returning a ref from hook vs passing the ref as hooks argument

Question

Consider I have a custom hook that uses one or more refs to DOM elements, I see two distinct ways how to write/use a hook like that (and I know there are probably even more nuances – e. g. callback refs).

Option 1: return a ref from custom hook and use it in a component:

const Option1 = () => {
  const hooksRef = myCustomHookReturninARef()
  
  return <div ref={hooksRef}>Using returned ref as prop.</div>
}

Option 2: create a ref in a component and pass it to a custom hook:

const Option2 = () => {
  const componentsRef = React.createRef()
  
  myCustomHookExpectingRefArgument(componentsRef)
  
  return <div ref={componentsRef}>Using created ref as prop..</div>
}

I've been using either options and they both seems to be working fine. I know this is likely an opinionated question, but:

Are there some significant drawbacks using the first vs the second approach?

Answer 1

not an React virtuoso, but from my perspective the only drawback using Option1 is that you have to validate the returned value to be a ref, from computing perspective there is no difference

Answer 2

I came here because I myself have the same dilemma :-). My 2 cents:

• The hook user can be made more concise if the hook returns the ref since don't have to create it.
• On the other hand, if the user already have a ref from a different ref-returning hook, they might have to combine two different refs. While that's maybe a straightforward task, it certainly tripped me up when I was in that situation.

Maybe one could get the best of both worlds, by both receiving and returning a ref? If the hook doesn't get a ref then it simply creates one. Either way it can return the ref.