There are plastic and wire baskets in different sizes and shapes to choose from. We've also included some laundry totes and bags that we found were as easy to carry as traditional baskets. With all this in mind, below you'll find different options to make your next laundry day easier. Make sure to read on for all of our top recommendations, backed by our real-life testing.
To find the best laundry baskets, we put 30 different options to the test, using them in real-world situations—and yes, using them for our actual laundry. We thoughtfully considered the ease of use, design, durability, and value of each, then compared and contrasted the data to determine our favorites. The results? A vetted list of the best laundry baskets and bags on the market.
Laundry is a regular part of life—or, for some, a dreaded chore. However, the proper tools can make the task as smooth as possible, and one of the best ways you can count on to get your clothes from points A to B is a reliable laundry basket.
Best Overall
Sammart Collapsible Laundry Baskets
Amazon
View On Amazon
$45
View On Walmart
$56
View On Sears.com
$64
Our Ratings
What We Like
Great size for medium to large loads
Third handle and curved side for carrying on hip
Collapses for easy storage
Comes in a pack of two
What We Don't Like
Color-blocked design might not suit all tastes
This SAMMART Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket ticks all the boxes for an ideal laundry basket. It is durable, holds a full load of laundry, and is easy to clean. It also boasts a few additional features that set it apart from the pack, including a third handle. The extra handle means that you can carry it across the front of your body with both hands, or turn it and use the third handle to carry it against your hip.
We appreciate plastic construction when it comes to laundry baskets since it's easy to clean, durable, and typically affordable too. Plus, it’s easily collapsible so you can stash it out of the way when it's not in use. It has a unique striped design that one member of our testing team likened to a Tim Burton-esque, Beetlejuice style. (Though you can opt for a more neutral color if you're so inclined!) This basket comes in a practical set of two, which should come in handy for sorting different items.
Really, we had no major complaints about this basket and in fact, we gave it perfect scores across the board after using it. After using it in a home environment, we think the third handle and pop-up design in particular are great details that make it extra practical for everyday laundry tasks. However, we do recognize that style and size can come down to personal preference and laundry habits, so take a close look at the colors and measurements to ensure they'll suit yours.
Dimensions: 17.9 x 22.8 x 10.5 inches | Capacity: 41 liters | Material: Plastic | Weight: 5.54 pounds | Color: 15 available | Handles: 3
The Spruce / Christine Colby
The Spruce / Christine Colby
Best Budget
Sterilite Ultra HipHold Laundry Basket
Container Store
View On Wayfair
$11
View On Walmart
$9
View On The Container Store
Our Ratings
What We Like
Lightweight yet sturdy design
Third handle and curved sides for carrying on hip
Well-ventilated for damp clothing
What We Don't Like
Not collapsible
Only comes in white
Sterilite is known for its well-made, affordable storage products, and this budget-friendly laundry basket is no exception. It is constructed from a durable plastic with large openings for superior breathability, which means you can use the basket to transport wet or dry clothes with ease. We also found it to be surprisingly lightweight given its sturdy shape and size.
We appreciate that this basket has a helpful third handle and subtle curve (like the SAMMART laundry basket, our best overall pick). Both of these features make it more convenient to carry against your hip. With a capacity of roughly 44 liters, it's also slightly larger than our top pick. This size makes it great for a standard load of laundry, but not necessarily oversized or super large loads. (If you tend to go longer between laundry days, you might want to opt for one of Sterilite's larger laundry basket sizes.) Speaking of size, it's worth mentioning that this doesn't collapse down, so that's something to keep in mind if you're short on storage space at home.
The design is unmistakably "laundry basket," which definitely has a place and purpose (especially if your household laundry routine is a consistently busy one). If you're not drawn to the utilitarian look, you might not be inclined to store it in the open. Still, if what you're after is a tried and true, wallet-friendly laundry basket that you can rely on, we think it's a great choice.
Dimensions: 26.38 x 18.13 x 10 inches | Capacity: 44.1 liters (1.25 bushels) | Material: Plastic | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Color: 1 available | Handles: 3
The Spruce / Alex Apatoff
Best Tote
Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe Service Canvas Tote
Walmart
View On Walmart
$12
Our Ratings
What We Like
Attractive design
Doubles as a hamper
Extra-large capacity
Stands on its own
What We Don't Like
Not ideal for damp clothing
Harder to clean than plastic baskets
This oversized laundry tote is so adorable you won't mind passersby knowing you’re on your way to the laundromat. Even better, it offers both form and function—we filled it with two large loads, and it still felt easier to carry than certain basket styles. Plus, since it stands on its own and is deep enough to hide most of its contents, it can double as a hamper. The handles are made with a smooth rubbery material that feels comfortable in the hands.
Now, the cotton fabric isn't as breathable as the cut-out vents and holes you'll see in plastic styles, so you wouldn't necessarily want a damp towel or muddy socks sitting at the bottom of the pile for too long. On a related note, this bag won't be as easy to clean as, say, a plastic laundry basket. With that in mind, the laundry tote isn't ideal for damp or heavily soiled laundry. (Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, we're talking to you!) But if you can stick to using it for dry items, you'll likely be very pleased with this extra-large, easy-to-carry laundry bag—and its reasonable price tag.
Dimensions: 17 x 8.5 x 25.25 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Material: Aluminum, cotton, EVA handle, linen polyester, polyethylene | Weight: 5.94 pounds | Color: 1 available | Handles: 2
Best Plastic
Home Logic Laundry Basket
Walmart
View On Home Depot
$21
View On Walmart
$12
View On Lowe's
$17
Our Ratings
What We Like
Can fit oversized loads of laundry
Easy-to-clean, durable construction
Well-ventilated design
Four handles
What We Don't Like
Not collapsible
Only comes in white
This laundry basket feels like it's made for busy people. It's significantly larger than many of the baskets on this list, and it's one of the few styles available with handles on all four sides so you can grab it and go wherever you need to. Plus, it's well-ventilated, has rounded grip handles, and is made with durable, easy-to-clean hard plastic. We'd describe this white basket as "no frills," while also recognizing that sometimes that's exactly what a household needs in a laundry basket, especially if there are beach towels, sports uniforms, or swimsuits involved. The holes on all sides allow for plenty of airflow, so odor will be less likely to build up while your clothes are waiting to be washed with a quality laundry detergent.
In testing, one of our favorite things about this basket was that the built-in handles feel secure so that you can carry large and heavy loads without fear of it breaking. We could even see this basket coming in handy to transport items during a move or for long-term storage of toys or sports equipment. If you’re looking to forego the bells and whistles of fancier laundry baskets, this simple, smart design is an excellent option for you.
Dimensions: 21.65 x 16.96 x 18.86 inches | Capacity: 70.5 liters (2 bushels) | Material: Plastic | Weight: 3.03 pounds | Color: 1 available| Handles: 4
The Spruce / Abigail Wetzler
The Spruce / Abigail Wetzler
Best Wire
Yamazaki Tosca Wire Basket
Amazon
View On Amazon
$52
View On Theyamazakihome.com
$52
View On Williams-Sonoma
$52
Our Ratings
What We Like
Minimalist, attractive design
Durable metal construction with wood handles
Multiple sizes available
What We Don't Like
Not practical for larger loads
Doesn't include a liner
With an aesthetic that's both classic and contemporary, this Yamazaki basket will remind you of your good taste every time you start a load of laundry. We love the white metal wire construction, the complementary wooden handles, and the unbeatable ventilation of this basket. The design is light and airy in appearance, and air easily circulates, too, which is ideal for any dirty laundry pile.
For testing purposes, we used the medium size of this basket, which we found to be well-suited for delicates and smaller, lighter loads. What this variation lacks in space, however, it makes up for in convenience—it's one of the few baskets we used that's small enough to tuck into a closet or on a shelf between uses. Yamazaki baskets in other shapes and sizes are available, too, in case you prefer taller or round options.
It's worth noting that this basket does not include a liner, so if you're particularly cautious about snags or you have concerns about zippers or hooks getting stuck on the slim wire, you'll want to purchase one separately. Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, also notes that a wire-framed laundry basket can snag on high-pile carpet. Still, we appreciate this laundry basket's versatility and chic silhouette, and we could see it working well in various settings beyond the laundry room, too.
Dimensions: 16.34 x 12.2 x 10.63 inches | Capacity: 23 liters | Material: Alloy steel, metal, plastic, wood | Weight: 2.43 pounds | Color: 1 available | Handles: 2
The Spruce / Amina Abdelrahman
The Spruce / Amina Abdelrahman
Best Collapsible
CleverMade Collapsible Laundry Basket
Amazon
View On Amazon
$45
View On Walmart
$45
View On Clevermade.com
Our Ratings
What We Like
Space-saving option
Roomy yet easy to carry
Weight capacity of 55 pounds
Comes in a pack of two
What We Don't Like
Not ideal for damp clothing
Harder to clean than plastic baskets
Perfect for saving space in small laundry rooms and closets, the CleverMade Collapsible Fabric Laundry Basket is lightweight, comfortable to carry, and roomy. It can hold a large load of laundry without being overly bulky, and it boasts a weight capacity of 55 pounds. When collapsed, it measures roughly 2 inches thick, a great size for slipping under a bed, in the back of a closet, or behind a door. For these reasons, we'd consider it to be one of the best laundry baskets for dorm rooms, too.
It has a classic laundry basket shape when it's expanded, but we found that the fabric material really makes it feel like a step up from other styles, so you might even choose to leave it out as a hamper like we were tempted to do. It comes in a pack of two baskets—and if you only need one basket for laundry, we think you'll find no shortage of uses for the other. (We think this basket would also double as a great trunk organizer.) When it comes to long-term maintenance, the fabric and lack of ventilation could be downsides to keeping it super clean and avoiding laundry hamper odors. However, as long as it's not coming in contact with heavily soiled laundry all that often, we think it makes a great addition to your laundry routine.
Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 13.25 inches | Capacity: 64 liters | Material: Polyester, alloy steel, linen | Weight: 2 pounds | Color: 2 available | Handles: 2
The Spruce / Emma Tollefson
Best Rolling
Sterilite Hamper With Wheels
The Container Store
View On Amazon
$32
View On Walmart
$36
View On The Container Store
$25
Our Ratings
What We Like
Wheels and retractable handle make it easy to move
Lidded design hides clothes
Durable, easy-to-clean plastic
What We Don't Like
Not ideal for stairs
Not collapsible
Why carry your laundry when you can roll it? With this hamper, you can easily pull your loads of laundry behind you, thanks to the retractable handle and two-wheeled design. It's roomy but not overly bulky, and we especially like that the design includes a lid, which we could see coming in handy if you travel short distances for laundry machine access—or if you don't necessarily want to look at your dirty clothes all the time. There are some cut-outs for ventilation, but most of the basket is made with sturdy plastic that you can easily wipe down when necessary.
Now, it's worth noting that while the wheels are this hamper's biggest convenience, we found the extendable handle to be on the short side and likely not ideal for long-distance rolling. The basket doesn't fold down or have a particular space-saving shape or size, either. We also wish there were separate side handles for lifting the laundry basket as needed, such as when going up or down stairs. But really, these are minor notes when considering the overall performance and convenience this wheeled hamper could bring to laundry day, especially if you're wheeling it around a single-story home. Choose from a single basket or a pack of two, depending on your household's needs.
Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 29 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Weight: Not listed | Color: 1 available l | Handles: 1 retractable handle
The Spruce / Paige VandeWiele
Best Large
HomeHacks Large Laundry Baskets
Amazon
View On Amazon
$20
Our Ratings
What We Like
Lightweight with long handles
Metal frame and waterproof fabric construction
Doubles as a hamper
Collapses for easy storage
What We Don't Like
Only comes in one color
Not ideal for damp clothing
This spacious, reliable gem of a laundry bag is made with a waterproof fabric and a metal frame for stability. This hamper-style option is spacious but not too bulky, and we've included it on this laundry basket list because it's exceptionally easy to carry for a hamper. We especially like the long handles that make it convenient to lift and maneuver down a hallway or through a crowded laundry room. You can fold down the hamper between uses, too. We tested the 75-liter size, but there's a 100-liter version if you want to size up.
Like many of our recommended laundry baskets, this one can be used for storage as well as laundry, and the attractive striped design makes that transition even easier. The pattern blends nicely with a variety of aesthetics, and if you're inclined to grab more than one, it comes in cost-effective bundles of two or three. Since the hamper is made with unventilated fabric, we wouldn't recommend it for storing damp items. Still, this hamper blew us away when we put it to the test with real laundry. So much so that one member of The Spruce's testing team has already personally recommended it to a family member, citing its impressive overall performance and convenience in our tests.
Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 24.4 inches | Capacity: 75 liters | Material: Cotton, PEVA coating (vinyl), metal | Weight: 1.54 pounds | Color: 1 available | Handles: 2
The Spruce / Andrea Tenborg
The 8 Best Laundry Odor Removers of 2024
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