Best Overall Basket
Sammart Collapsible Laundry Baskets
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value5/5
- Available in a rainbow of pretty colors and sold in a set of two, the Sammart Laundry Basket has three handles so you can carry it two ways (in front of your body or on your hip). It also collapses to a mere 3 inches tall so you can stash it in a closet when it’s not in use.
Available in a rainbow of pretty colors and sold in a set of two, the Sammart Laundry Basket has three handles so you can carry it two ways (in front of your body or on your hip). It also collapses to a mere 3 inches tall so you can stash it in a closet when it’s not in use.
- Oversize loads probably won’t fit.
Oversize loads probably won’t fit.
Just about everything about this laundry basket won us over. We hauled it up and down two flights of stairs, and its plastic construction was lightweight and its handles comfortable to use. A third handle on the side lets you carry it against your hip to free up one hand, a truly convenient feature, and the basket is roomy enough to hold a medium to large load easily. It comes in multiple colors so you can choose your favorite—we’re partial to the black and white striped version.
Because it comes in a set of two, you could use them to sort dirty clothes or you could put them in two different bedrooms or bathrooms to serve as hampers. The baskets also have holes on two sides so air can circulate, preventing mustiness and mildew. When it’s not in use, this basket can collapse to be stored.
As though all that wasn’t enough, it’s also smartly priced. Our only quibble with this product—and it’s a small one—is that it probably can’t carry a huge heap of blankets or towels. But for most households and most loads, it’s plenty practical.
Product Details: Capacity: 41 liters | Material: Polypropylene | Dimensions: 17.9 x 22.8 x 10.5 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CHRISTINE COLBY
Best Overall Hamper
Seville Classics Woven Laundry Hamper
- Ease of Use4.8/5
- Design5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Value3.5/5
- This woven hamper features a divider for sorting clothes and removable canvas liners for toting each load to the washing machine.
This woven hamper features a divider for sorting clothes and removable canvas liners for toting each load to the washing machine.
- We wish the removable liners had backpack-type straps for hauling to the laundromat, and we’d appreciate holes for air circulation.
We wish the removable liners had backpack-type straps for hauling to the laundromat, and we’d appreciate holes for air circulation.
Ideal for small spaces because it can serve as both a hamper and as totable laundry bags, the Seville Classics Oval Hamper is crafted of water-resistant polyethylene wicker with a hinged lid that keeps soiled clothes hidden. It came to us fully assembled, which is a major plus.
Inside, a divider lets you sort laundry as you toss it in. It fits at least two loads’ worth, and even when it’s full, it is still fairly lightweight and easy to carry, so you can tote the whole hamper to the washing machine or laundromat if you’d like.
Otherwise, each compartment has a canvas liner secured to the inside with adhesive hook and loop tabs. When you’re ready to wash, unfasten the tabs, lift out the fabric liners, and carry them to the laundry room with their built-in handles. If they ever get stained or musty, you can throw them in the machine too. The hamper itself can be wiped clean if needed, though its heavy texture might make some marks difficult to remove. But we do love how attractive the woven water hyacinth is—this hamper doesn’t have to be hidden, which is a major plus in smaller homes. In fact, this hamper could almost pass for a stylish piece of furniture. We kept one beside the bed, where it doubles as a tabletop because it’s flat and sturdy.
On the downside, because it has a lid and there are no holes for ventilation, it might be wise to let damp clothes dry before tossing them inside. The price was also a bit higher than we expected.
Product Details: Capacity: 3.3 bushels | Material: Polyethylene wicker | Dimensions: 22.75 x 13 x 24 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABIGAIL MOORE
Best Budget Hamper
HomeHacks Large Laundry Baskets
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value5/5
- For an affordable price, you get two foldable 75-liter hampers.
For an affordable price, you get two foldable 75-liter hampers.
- This hamper is available in only one color and one pattern.
This hamper is available in only one color and one pattern.
Another option that can double as a basket and a hamper, the HomeHacks Large Laundry Basket is light enough to haul from one room to another and up a flight of stairs, even while holding one to two loads of clothes. But it’s also sturdy enough to stand on its own—that’s thanks to an interior metal frame. The long handles might be our favorite part: They’re reinforced with tight stitching so we could carry or even drag a heavy load. When the hampers are empty, they fold up for storage.
The fabric is waterproof on the inside so it won’t stain or absorb odors, and you can leave damp garments inside until wash day.
As an added bonus, we’re particularly pleased with the charming gray and white stripe print which makes these hampers much less of an eyesore, fitting into almost any décor. Besides laundry, we found that the baskets would also work well for stashing toys and blankets, a great option considering they come in a set of two. We also consider this an all-around smart purchase.
Product Details: Capacity: 75 liters per basket | Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 24.4 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA TENBORG
Best Woven Hamper
Pottery Barn Tava Divided Hamper
- Ease of Use4.5/5
- Design4.8/5
- Durability4.8/5
- Value3/5
- Its rattan construction has two interior compartments, handles on both sides, and a snug-fitting lid.
Its rattan construction has two interior compartments, handles on both sides, and a snug-fitting lid.
- The Tava can be unwieldy to carry and quite heavy when full of clothes.
The Tava can be unwieldy to carry and quite heavy when full of clothes.
Who says laundry must be mundane or messy? With a hamper this handsome, you might start looking forward to laundry day—or at least dread it a little less. We found that the Tava Hamper easily holds two large loads (one in each compartment), which means you can sort clothes as you deposit them (one of our favorite features). A lid hides the heaps so no one has to look at them. While some natural fiber baskets can come a bit undone and snag, this one is tightly woven, heavy duty, and easy to wipe down, and it appears that it will stay that way for a long time. It could pass for a nice piece of furniture in the bedroom or bath—you won’t have to hide it in a closet.
With all these fab features comes a hefty price. The hamper is also wide, making it harder for some people to carry, and it’s tall enough that shorter people might have difficulty digging out clothes at the bottom of the bin. When it’s brimming with laundry, it can be heavy, too. We decided not to move it much, but rather to empty one side at a time on wash day and leave it in the bedroom.
We’re also wary of putting damp towels or clothing inside because there are no holes or slots to circulate air. Putting the lid on a hinge would be an improvement, too, as a hinged lid would be more practical than having to remove the lid to add laundry to the hamper. Lastly, it comes in only one color, so if it’s not your favorite, you’ll have to make do or find another hamper.
Product Details: Capacity: Not listed | Material: Handwoven rattan | Dimensions: 26 x 16 x 27 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
Best Small
Brabantia Laundry Hamper
- Ease of Use3/5
- Design5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value3.5/5
- Slim, sleek, and modern, Brabantia’s laundry hamper packs a lot of smart features into a small silhouette, making it ideal for snug spaces.
Slim, sleek, and modern, Brabantia’s laundry hamper packs a lot of smart features into a small silhouette, making it ideal for snug spaces.
- For its size, this hamper is heavier than expected and awkward to carry because there are no handles.
For its size, this hamper is heavier than expected and awkward to carry because there are no handles.
Even if you have just a corner of a closet, minimal floor space in a bathroom, or “cozy” laundry room to dedicate to a hamper, chances are high that this cylindrical model will fit. It’s made of corrosion-resistant metal that’s easy to wipe clean; it also has ventilation holes all around so it’s OK to drop in damp clothing and towels—they won’t develop any odors. It is plenty sturdy so there’s no worry about it tipping over when tossing heavy towels or bedding inside. The top is covered by a cork lid with a small hole for tossing in dirty clothes. The metal base and cork lid convinced us of this hamper’s excellent value, even considering its higher price tag.
There’s also a plastic ring on the bottom to protect floors, and we especially like how handsome and sleek it looks; it’s nice enough to leave visible in the bathroom or bedroom.
Inside is a removable liner attached with hook and loop fasteners so it won’t bunch or slip. Once the bag is full, unfasten the tabs and lift the liner out of the hamper. If it ever gets stained or smelly, it can go straight into the washing machine.
A few things we noted: The hamper doesn’t have handles and it’s pretty heavy, so it’s awkward to carry—though of course you can simply remove the liner instead of moving the whole hamper. It’s also smaller than many models we tested, which makes it good for tight spaces, but it also means that it holds only about a load and a half of laundry. We would prefer it to hold two full loads rather than just one and a half.
Product Details: Capacity: 60 liters | Material: Metal, cork, cotton | Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 25 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERICA FINAMORE
Best Sorter
Better Homes and Gardens Oversized Wheeled Laundry Sorter
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value5/5
- Our favorite sorter makes quick work of throwing in a load of laundry thanks to divided bags and smooth caster wheels.
Our favorite sorter makes quick work of throwing in a load of laundry thanks to divided bags and smooth caster wheels.
- This hamper is best for a one-story home.
This hamper is best for a one-story home.
If your household generates lots of laundry and it’s tough to haul it all from the bedrooms to the washing machine, this wheeled laundry sorter will make wash day easier. The three bags all have handles so they can be lifted and lowered easily, and each one holds about one medium-size load, allowing you to sort up to three loads as you toss clothes and bedding inside.
The bags hang from a metal cart with four wheels and two taller handles so you can push or pull from either side; we found it very easy to maneuver. The wheels have stoppers to lock the cart in place. It’s narrow enough to fit against a wall on non-laundry days or even in a closet, which is where we kept ours during testing. In fact, one of our testers even said that this stylish cart made her laundry room look clean and more organized.
The metal handles held up well during testing, and the basket is made of medium-weave cotton canvas that’s both attractive and quick-drying. If the bags ever get stained, they can go into the washer for cleaning. We found this sorter to be a very good value for the price, too.
We just had two gripes with this hamper: One, that the wheeled cart doesn’t suit a home with stairs or a household that takes its soiled clothes to a laundromat. The second is that this sorter only comes in gray—more color choices would be great.
Product Details: Capacity: 6 bushels | Material: Polyester, cotton, and steel | Dimensions: 33.8 x 16.9 x 33.7 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
Best Collapsible Basket
CleverMade Collapsible Laundry Basket
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Value4.5/5
- Even loaded full of clothes and sheets, the CleverMade Laundry Basket is still lightweight—and it collapses to nearly nothing when it’s not in use.
Even loaded full of clothes and sheets, the CleverMade Laundry Basket is still lightweight—and it collapses to nearly nothing when it’s not in use.
- With no ventilation holes, it should be air-dried if you carry wet clothes in it.
With no ventilation holes, it should be air-dried if you carry wet clothes in it.
This pair of baskets is a bargain, plain and simple. Each one has a respectable 64-liter capacity, and they are sized just right for easy carrying. They are lightweight, even when loaded with laundry, and the handles are wide, comfortable, secure, and easy to hold, even going up and down stairs.
The baskets fold down almost flat so they can be stored when not in use. The top lip includes an alloy steel frame so the basket stays open when you’re loading it—there’s no flopping or collapsing, and it’s plenty broad for catching clothes. The fabric can also be wiped clean and air-dried if it’s ever stained, but it is not machine-washable.
Because these come in a package of two baskets, you could put them in different rooms to serve as hampers, or do what we did: Keep one in the trunk of the car to transport groceries into the house after shopping trips. Just flatten it until you need it so it takes up almost zero space.
Our concern is that the fabric could hang onto musty smells or dampness, so air-drying and the occasional spritz of fabric refresher are good ideas if you pile wet clothes inside. We also don’t think these baskets would be comfortable to carry when held against the hip, as we often do.
Product Details: Capacity: 64 liters each | Material: Polyester-linen fabric and alloy steel | Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 13.25 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / EMMA TOLLEFSON
Best Plastic Basket
Sterilite Ultra HipHold Laundry Basket
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design4/5
- Durability5/5
- Value5/5
- It’s sturdy and lightweight, and its curved design and a third handle let you carry it on your hip.
It’s sturdy and lightweight, and its curved design and a third handle let you carry it on your hip.
- This basket has a small 44-liter capacity, which is probably not enough for a household with children or lots of dirty clothes.
This basket has a small 44-liter capacity, which is probably not enough for a household with children or lots of dirty clothes.
In testing, we really felt that this is the best “bang-for-your-buck” basket. Designed with one concave side and three handles, it can be carried two ways: with both hands in front of the body (for heavier loads) or pressed against a hip (to free up one hand). Made of BPA- and phthalate-free plastic, it is surprisingly sturdy given its lightness. Its weight and carrying options make it especially handy going up and down stairs, toting clean or dirty clothes to and from the laundry room, and carrying folded clothes to put them away.
We appreciate its clean, attractive design, and there are plenty of ventilation holes that will keep it from getting musty or mildewed. Stains wipe right off with a damp cloth, and it can even stack with other like baskets if you have several in your home.
One complaint about this model is its small size, which holds enough for one person’s weekly laundry; it’s not suitable for a larger household. (We aren’t sure the handles could withstand very heavy loads anyway.) And it doesn’t collapse like some similar-looking models do.
Product Details: Capacity: 1.25 bushels | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 26.37 x 18.12 x 10 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALEX APATOFF
Best Hamper with Lid
Simple Houseware Double Laundry Hamper
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design4/5
- Durability3.5/5
- Value3.5/5
- It has a generous capacity, two removable inner mesh liners, and tote handles to transport the whole thing.
It has a generous capacity, two removable inner mesh liners, and tote handles to transport the whole thing.
- It doesn’t feel super durable; the mesh liners, especially, feel flimsy.
It doesn’t feel super durable; the mesh liners, especially, feel flimsy.
Compact and lightweight, this hamper can easily handle two to three loads of laundry—and it’s still light enough to carry when full. (It has handles on either side.) An interior divider allowed us to separate clothes as we deposited them inside, though we found it not very useful as a sorter, as we often have more than two loads to do at a time. Mesh liners in each compartment can be removed and used as laundry bags, though we are a bit concerned that these liners might rip easily, especially if they’re ever overstuffed. They are secured to the hamper with hook and loop fasteners, but we question the longevity of the sticky tabs, as they seemed pretty flimsy. Plus, securing the liners to the tabs added an extra step to laundry day—that is, it wasn’t as quick as just plopping the liner in the hamper and moving on.
The hamper can fold and store flat if needed, but we found that process wasn’t as simple or quick as other models. We did appreciate the lid, which keeps soiled garments hidden from view, and that it came in multiple colors. It looks attractive enough to leave out in your bedroom.
On the downside, it arrived flat-packed and required assembly, but the illustrations were so vague that we had to hunt around for a video on YouTube to put it together. We wouldn’t recommend placing damp clothing or towels inside, as there is no air circulation, so we just let towels air-dry before adding them to the hamper. All these drawbacks prompted the sense that the hamper is a bit overpriced.
Product Details: Capacity: 60 liters | Material: Polypropylene | Dimensions: 23 x13 x 22.75 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANNA KNIEF
Best Hamper with Wheels
Steele Canvas Basket Corp Small Bag Caddie
- Ease of Use5/5
- Design5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value4/5
- With a generous capacity, you can pile towels, sheets, and blankets inside with abandon.
With a generous capacity, you can pile towels, sheets, and blankets inside with abandon.
- You’ll pay more for all that space—and Steele’s other impressive features.
You’ll pay more for all that space—and Steele’s other impressive features.
If your family’s wash day never seems to end, the Steele Canvas Elevated Laundry Basket is for you. Ergonomically designed on an elevated steel frame, this cotton canvas basket sits at just the right height for unloading dirty clothes into the machine and piling in just-dried laundry for folding. It holds an adequate 10 ounces, so we could transport two to three loads in one fell swoop. We think the large size makes it perfect for families who frequently wash large loads at once.
The frame is very sturdy, and the cotton canvas basket is very heavy and durable. It is also removable and could be machine-washed if it was ever stained. The cart sits on casters and glides easily across tile, wood, and carpet, and it is so handsome that it elevates whatever room it’s in—we just love how it looks! We tested the small narrow style in white, but these canvas hampers come in other sizes and colors as well.
As far as drawbacks go, the basket carries a hefty price tag, but it feels commercial in quality so we think its value outweighs the high cost. We wouldn’t put wet clothes in this basket, and it’s not suitable for going up and down stairs. And if we could, we would add a rod over the cart to hang clean or damp clothes.
Product Details: Capacity: 10 ounces | Material: Steel, canvas, and vinyl | Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 35.5 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / PAIGE VANDEWIELE
Best for Dorms
Caroeas Rolling Laundry Hamper
- Ease of Use3.8/5
- Design5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value4.5/5
- This basket packs lots of features into its snug size, including locking casters and a mesh flap at the top to prevent spillage if the hamper falls over.
This basket packs lots of features into its snug size, including locking casters and a mesh flap at the top to prevent spillage if the hamper falls over.
- We found that the single handle, which is a leather loop that snaps onto the hamper, was too short and difficult to grip.
We found that the single handle, which is a leather loop that snaps onto the hamper, was too short and difficult to grip.
When you’re a dorm dweller or you just live in tight quarters, floor space is at a premium. This rolling hamper is super skinny and short enough to slide under a shelf while still stashing plenty of dirty clothes. It is made of woven Oxford cloth and treated to be waterproof, so it can hold damp items without getting musty; it also easily wipes clean.
Casters and a single loop handle let you wheel it to the laundromat or washing machine, but it’s also lightweight enough to easily carry—we even toted it down to the basement when it was filled with laundry and had no problems. An interior mesh flap can close to keep items in the basket if it tips over, though this flap mostly just got in our way. The hamper can also collapse to about an inch tall if needed, but we kept it assembled and stashed in a small closet where it fit easily.
To suit almost any décor, it comes in several colors, all emblazoned with “Laundry” on the side for a minimalist, modern touch. It’s also attractive enough to keep out in the open; we thought it would even be useful as storage or for carrying other items. For the price, we were definitely impressed.
One complaint is the handle, which should be longer to be of better use.
Product Details: Capacity: Not listed | Material: Fabric | Dimensions: 16 x 8.6 x 27.5 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY