diff --git a/src/lib/Combobox.svelte b/src/lib/Combobox.svelte
index 20aa1e4..22aeeec 100644
--- a/src/lib/Combobox.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/Combobox.svelte
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@
 		lazy?: boolean;
 		/** uses a compact layout for the search input with less padding and smaller text */
 		compact?: boolean;
+		/** allows the user to select an option without selecting a value (events are still triggered) */
+		stateless?: boolean;
 		notFoundMessage?: string;
 		class?: ClassValue | null | undefined;
 		use?: () => void;
@@ -77,6 +79,7 @@
 		loading = false,
 		lazy = false,
 		compact = false,
+		stateless = false,
 		notFoundMessage = 'No results found',
 		class: classValue,
 		use,
@@ -191,6 +194,13 @@
 		onclose?.(); // trigger onclose event if defined
 	};
 
+	/** updates the value of the combobox and triggers any callbacks, including closing the picker */
+	const updateValue = (newValue: ComboboxOption) => {
+		if (!stateless) value = newValue;
+		closePicker();
+		onchange?.(newValue);
+	};
+
 	/** action to set the minimum width of the combobox based on the number of options */
 	const minWidth: Action<HTMLDivElement, { options: ComboboxOption[] }> = (
 		container,
@@ -290,10 +300,7 @@
 	export const setValueByString = (searchVal: string) => {
 		const item = options.find((opt) => opt.value === searchVal);
 		if (item) {
-			value = item;
-			searchValue = '';
-			closePicker();
-			onchange?.(item);
+			updateValue(item);
 		} else {
 			console.warn(`Combobox: No option found with value "${searchVal}"`);
 		}
@@ -393,7 +400,7 @@
 					aria-label={getLabel(item)}
 					aria-disabled={item.disabled}
 					class={[
-						'picker-item options-center mb-0.5 flex min-h-10 flex-wrap py-2.5 pr-1.5 pl-5',
+						'mb-0.5 flex min-h-10 flex-wrap items-center py-2.5 pr-1.5 pl-5',
 						'rounded-sm text-sm capitalize outline-hidden select-none',
 						'hover:bg-sui-accent-500/30 dark:hover:bg-sui-accent-700/30',
 						item.value === highlighted?.value && 'bg-sui-accent-500/80 dark:bg-sui-accent-700/80',
@@ -402,10 +409,8 @@
 					role="option"
 					onclick={() => {
 						if (item.disabled) return;
-						value = item;
-						closePicker();
+						updateValue(item);
 						searchInput?.focus();
-						onchange?.(item);
 					}}
 					onkeydown={() => {}}
 					tabindex="-1"
@@ -523,14 +528,12 @@
 
 				if (e.key === 'Tab' || e.key === 'Enter') {
 					if (open && highlighted && !highlighted.disabled && highlighted.value !== value?.value) {
-						value = highlighted;
-						onchange?.(highlighted);
+						updateValue(highlighted);
 					}
 					if (e.key === 'Enter') {
+						closePicker();
 						e.preventDefault();
 					}
-
-					closePicker();
 					return;
 				} else if (e.key === 'Escape') {
 					closePicker();
diff --git a/src/routes/+page.svelte b/src/routes/+page.svelte
index dfd250a..073c4d9 100644
--- a/src/routes/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+page.svelte
@@ -136,7 +136,8 @@
 
 		<Combobox
 			loading
-			label="Loading state combobox"
+			label="Loading stateless combobox"
+			stateless
 			placeholder="Choose..."
 			options={[
 				{ value: 'option1', label: 'Option 1' },