The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Trash Bags for Your Home

Trash bags may seem like a mundane item, but they play a crucial role in keeping our homes clean and tidy. However, finding the right trash bag can be a daunting task as there are countless options available in the market. It’s easy to be disappointed with a weak and leaky bag, making taking out the trash a nightmare. Plus, trying out a new brand of trash bags can be risky since they don’t come in sample sizes, leaving you stuck with a whole box of subpar bags. But worry not, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Our team has spent weeks researching and testing various trash bags, including notable store brands, and we’re confident that the Glad ForceFlex Plus (available at Amazon) is the best option for most people. These bags tie up easily and can handle large, heavy loads without tearing. If you’re on a budget, the Amazon Basics (available at Amazon) is a great alternative. They’re durable and come in large quantities, giving you more bang for your buck.

Amazon Basics Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags

After being rebranded from Solimo, we retested the Amazon Basic Tall trash bags and were impressed by their strength. They could hold up to 50 pounds of water weight before breaking, which is an impressive feat. However, unlike our Best Overall pick, the Amazon Basics bags are unscented and not as flexible as they don’t stretch like our top pick. Nonetheless, they still effectively contain odors when tied up to take to the curb.

At only 15 cents per bag, the Amazon Basics bags are significantly cheaper than our top pick. While they lack stretchy sides and a light fragrance, they are still sturdy and can hold a considerable amount of weight without tearing, making them a great value for the price.

Pros:

• Fits snug to trash can
• Durable

Cons:

• Sides don’t stretch

Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags

The introduction of webbed plastic has been one of the most significant improvements to traditional trash bags, making them stretchable without breaking. Such flexibility is particularly crucial when it comes to containing bulky and heavy waste items. While there is no shortage of stretchable garbage bags on the market, one particular brand excelled in our testing: Glad ForceFlex Drawstring Trash Bags.

Our testing revealed that this Glad bag fits snugly into the can liner, with the drawstring cinching securely around the rim, preventing any slippage. Testers could fill the bag to the brim without any fear of spillage or tearing. Furthermore, when it was time to take out the trash, the ForceFlex texture of the bag stretched to accommodate its contents, staying strong and intact even as testers walked it to the curb. Throughout our testing, we never had a single instance of leakage or mess, making this bag a clear winner.

Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Bags with Handles, 13 Gallon, Unscented

Hippo Sak’s Tall Kitchen Bags offer an eco-friendly option to traditional plastic trash bags. They are made with plant-based materials and have a patented PowerStrip feature that prevents liquids from leaking into the bottom of the can. The bag’s opening is designed to grip the trash can and stay securely in place, thanks to a snug fit. Additionally, the bag has extra-wide, thick handles that make it easy to lift, tie, and carry. With a thickness of 1.02 mil, these bags are durable, puncture-resistant, and can handle heavy loads. Although they are unscented and do not neutralize odors, they do an excellent job of containing stinky trash smells. It’s worth noting that these bags are 100% recyclable, but any non-recyclable items must be emptied before recycling. Overall, Hippo Sak’s Tall Kitchen Bags are a great choice for those who want a sturdy, eco-friendly option for their kitchen trash.

simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Drawstring

PROS Strong and durable Neat and clean dispensing

CONS Expensive Difficult to determine the right size

The simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Drawstring bags are the best on the market, as long as you choose the right size for your trash can. Simplehuman makes bags specifically designed to fit their own branded trash cans, with each size assigned a lettered code. It can be tricky to figure out which size you need, but we can confirm that the Size M bags work well in most “tall kitchen” trash cans. Once you have the right size, simplehuman bags prove to be the strongest and most odor-resistant option we tested. They also come in packaging that makes dispensing them neater and more organized than any other bag we tried. This dispensing feature is a small but convenient detail that can make a big difference in your home chore routine. However, these bags are also among the most expensive on the market, and it may take some effort to determine the right size for your trash can. But if you’re willing to invest the time and money, you’ll be rewarded with high-performance trash bags that are tough and easy to use.

ToughBag Trash Bags

This product is currently priced at $22.99 and offers heavy-duty trash bags with a thickness of 1.5mil, making them strong, sturdy, and flexible. These bags are designed to handle all kinds of garbage and heavy loads, both indoor and outdoor. This single pack comes with 50 trash bags and has a 55-gallon capacity, making it suitable for large drums. One of the main advantages of these bags is that they are puncture-proof, ensuring that they can withstand heavy loads without tearing or breaking. However, some users have reported that the material may be thinner than expected. Here’s a quick tip: these trash bags can also double up as a basin to wash clothes during outdoor trips. Just erect four sticks on the ground at right angles to each other and roll the edges of the trash bag over the sticks.

Our Trash Bag Buying Guide

Dealing with trash, recycling, and compost can be an unpleasant and messy task, but it doesn’t have to be. By choosing the right tools, such as trash bags, you can make this chore easier and less unpleasant. When selecting a trash bag, size is the first thing to consider. It should be large enough to fit inside your trash bin without falling in, but not too large to leave unused space. You also need to check the bag’s thickness to ensure it’s strong enough to handle the weight of the contents and won’t split open when you take it out of the bin. While most recycling bins don’t require bags, you may prefer to use them to keep your bin clean throughout the week. Place the bin in an accessible location, either in your kitchen or garage, and choose a size that suits your needs. Make sure it’s portable so you can easily bring it to the curb for pickup by sanitation workers. With the right bags and proper placement, you can make this necessary chore less unpleasant and more manageable.

FAQs

How can I tell what size trash bags I need?

Use the can as a guide to select the proper size trash bag. Check the bottom of the can, which usually lists its size in gallons, then find the appropriate size. Most kitchen trash cans are 13 gallons.

What are the strongest trash bags?

With its Triple Action Technology and thick plastic material, Hefty makes one of the strongest trash bags with its Ultra Strong kitchen bags.

Can you use regular bags for trash?

While you can attempt to use any kind of bag for trash, using bags that aren’t designed for trash, particularly kitchen trash, likely won’t work out very well. Choosing the right bag for each situation will ensure the garbage is properly contained and easily disposed of.