5 Best Laundry Baskets, Tested by BHG

If your laundry basket groans louder than you do on wash day, it might be time for an upgrade.
Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) recently put 30 laundry baskets and hampers through their paces
and crowned five clear winners. These top picks cover just about every situation: small apartments,
big families, stair-heavy homes, and people who trek to the laundromat with half their wardrobe at once.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the five best laundry baskets BHG selected, explain why they stood out,
and show you how to pick the right style, material, and size for your home. You’ll also find practical
care tips and a bonus section of real-world “laundry basket lessons” to help you avoid common mistakes.

How BHG Tested Laundry Baskets

BHG’s testing wasn’t just about which baskets look cute in a laundry room photo shoot. Their team evaluated
30 different baskets and hampers on three big criteria: ease of use, design, and durability. Testers loaded
them with heavy laundrythink queen-size sheet sets, piles of clothes, and bottles of detergentto see how far
each basket could go before bowing, cracking, or digging uncomfortably into their hands and hips.

They also paid attention to:

Capacity: How many loads or items each basket can realistically hold.
Comfort: Whether handles, hip-hugging curves, or straps make carrying easier (especially on stairs).
Ventilation: How well the basket lets damp laundry breathe to reduce odor and mildew.
Cleanability: Whether the material wipes down easily or includes removable liners.
Storage: If baskets stack, collapse, or tuck neatly into small spaces.

Their findings line up with what other major testers like Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce, and
New York Magazine’s Strategist have seen in their own evaluations: the best laundry baskets aren’t always
the fanciest-looking ones, but the ones that quietly do the jobweek after weekwithout failing when you
finally tackle that “I swear I just did laundry” mountain.

The 5 Best Laundry Baskets, According to BHG

1. Rubbermaid Hip Hugger Laundry Basket Best Overall

BHG’s top pick is a classic for a reason. The Rubbermaid Hip Hugger Laundry Basket is a sturdy plastic bin
with a curved side that rests against your hip, plus a third handle that makes it easy to carry with one arm.
Testers loved how comfortably it nestles against the body, freeing up your other hand for detergent, a door handle,
or the coffee you forgot to finish before starting chores.

With a capacity of about 1.5 bushels, it holds roughly three queen-size sheet sets or a large mixed load.
The plastic is surprisingly lightweight yet solid enough to haul heavy loads (even detergent bottles) without
flexing or cracking. Generous ventilation holes along the sides help damp workout clothes and towels air out a bit
instead of turning into a mysterious swamp at the bottom.

Best for: Most households that want a do-it-all, durable basket for regular laundry days.
Pros: Comfortable hip-hugging design, lightweight, excellent ventilation, easy to wipe clean.
Cons: Only comes in one simple white colorgreat for minimalists, less exciting if you love bold decor.

2. Home Logic 2-Bushel Laundry Basket Best Budget Pick

If you want a large-capacity workhorse without blowing your laundry budget, BHG crowned the Home Logic 2-Bushel
Laundry Basket as the best affordable option. It’s bigger and taller than many standard baskets, with room for
around 40 clothing items and still enough headroom to stack another basket on top.

Testers found that its sturdy plastic shell and four built-in handles handled heavy loads confidentlyno flexing,
no cracking, no “oh no, the handle just snapped” drama halfway up the stairs. The openings along the sides make
it safe for damp laundry and easy to rinse or wipe out with soap and water.

Best for: Larger households or anyone who prefers fewer big loads instead of frequent small ones.
Pros: Budget-friendly, strong handles on all sides, generous capacity that can double as a hamper.
Cons: Its bigger footprint takes up more floor or closet space, so you’ll need a dedicated parking spot.

3. HomeHacks Large Laundry Baskets (2-Pack) Best Hamper

For people who like to use tall hampers instead of squat baskets, BHG’s best hamper pick is the HomeHacks Large
Laundry Basket set. You get two upright fabric hampers with sturdy frames, long handles, and plenty of capacity
for oversized loadsideal for bedrooms, kids’ rooms, or a hallway “everyone just toss your clothes here” station.

Testers noted that each hamper is extremely lightweight yet still holds its shape thanks to the simple metal frame.
The long, reinforced handles make it easier to carry up stairs or drag across a room when it’s especially full.
The fabric is stain-resistant and waterproof enough to handle damp towels without quickly developing odors, and
when you’re done, the hampers fold flat for easy storage.

Best for: People who want tall, lightweight hampers with big capacity and minimal visual clutter.
Pros: Comes as a set of two, folds down when not in use, waterproof interior, easy to wipe clean.
Cons: Available only in striped patterns rather than solid colors, which might not match every decor style.

4. Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe Service Canvas Tote Best Laundry Bag

If you’ve ever tried to wedge a hard plastic basket through a crowded apartment hallway, you know why laundry bags exist.
BHG’s favorite is their own Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe Service Canvas Totea tall, freestanding bag
that acts like a hamper at home and then transforms into an easy-to-carry tote when it’s time to head to the laundry room
or laundromat.

During testing, this bag fit two large loads of laundry without collapsing or tipping over. Aluminum handles with rubber
grips make it more comfortable to carry than a rigid basket, especially when tackling stairs or long walks to machines
down the hall. The canvas is surprisingly tough and resisted tearing or stretching, even when stuffed to the brim.

The only real drawback is lack of ventilation. Because it’s a solid canvas bag, it’s better suited to dry or lightly
damp clothing and not ideal for storing really wet items or very sweaty gear for long periods.

Best for: Apartment dwellers, students, or anyone who walks or drives laundry to shared machines.
Pros: Freestanding design, comfortable handles, large capacity, looks nice enough to leave in the bedroom.
Cons: Minimal airflowavoid using it as long-term storage for wet clothes.

5. Sammart Collapsible Laundry Baskets Best Collapsible Option

When storage space is at a premium, collapsible baskets can be game-changers. BHG’s top collapsible pick is the Sammart
Collapsible Laundry Basket. It pops open into a roomy plastic basket with multiple handles, then flattens down to a
slim profile that can slide under a bed, behind a door, or between a washer and wall.

Testers liked that Sammart managed to feel more solid than many flimsy collapsible designs. It has a third side handle
that makes carrying easier, and when fully expanded it holds about a medium-to-large load comfortably. It doesn’t have
as many ventilation openings as some rigid baskets, but for short-term storage and quick turnaround loads, that’s usually manageable.

Best for: Small apartments, dorms, RVs, or anyone who hates seeing bulky baskets out all the time.
Pros: Folds nearly flat, still feels sturdy when open, versatile for hauling laundry or general storage.
Cons: Less breathable than open-weave baskets; popping it open and closed takes two hands and a bit of effort.

How to Choose the Right Laundry Basket for Your Home

Beyond BHG’s top five, other product-testing outlets echo similar advice about what really matters when shopping for
a laundry basket or hamper. Here’s a quick breakdown of the features worth paying attention to before you click “add to cart.”

1. Basket vs. Hamper vs. Bag

Basket: Lower-profile, typically plastic, designed to carry clothes to and from the washer.
Great if your machines are close by and you like to fold on top of the basket or use it to move clothes between rooms.
Hamper: Taller and often stationary, meant to collect dirty clothes until wash day.
Ideal for bedrooms, closets, or bathrooms where you need something that can hold several days’ worth of laundry.
Laundry bag or tote: Best for transporting clothes longer distancesdownstairs, across a building, or to a laundromat.
Backpacks and tote-style bags are especially handy if you rely on public transit or have to navigate multiple doors and stairways.

2. Capacity and Size

In the U.S., a standard laundry basket typically holds between 1.5 and 2 bushels, which translates to enough space for
one or two regular loads of laundry. If you tend to wash frequently or live in a small space, a smaller basket or slim hamper
may be more manageable. For families, 2-bushel baskets or large hampers can reduce the number of trips you make on laundry day.

As a rule of thumb:

Solo or couple who washes weekly: 1–2 baskets or hampers is usually enough.
Family with kids or roommates: 3–4 baskets or a mix of baskets and hampers helps with sorting and sharing.
Sorting by load (lights, darks, towels, delicate): consider multi-bin sorters or multiple smaller baskets.

3. Material and Ventilation

Plastic baskets are popular because they’re lightweight, affordable, and easy to clean with soap and water.
Fabric or canvas hampers often look more stylish and can fold away, but they’re slower to dry and need more frequent washing
or spot cleaning to avoid odors. Woven options like rattan or water hyacinth look beautiful, but they can snag delicate fabrics
if the weave isn’t smooth.

Ventilation is especially important if you frequently toss damp itemsgym clothes, swimwear, or towelsinto the hamper.
Look for open sides, mesh panels, or breathable liners if that sounds like your household.

4. Handles, Wheels, and Collapsibility

Handles that are comfortable to grip (and don’t dig into your hands) make a bigger difference than most people expect.
If you carry laundry on your hip, curved sides like the Rubbermaid Hip Hugger can spare your arms and back.
For long hallways or flat floor plans, rolling baskets with wheels can be a dream; for stair-heavy homes, bags with shoulder straps
or lightweight hampers with long handles are usually better.

If your laundry space doubles as… well, everything else, collapsible designs like Sammart or fold-flat hampers let you reclaim
floor space between loads.

Care and Cleaning Tips for Laundry Baskets and Hampers

A great basket can still smell like a locker room if you never clean it. Laundry experts often recommend wiping down
plastic baskets weekly if you frequently toss in damp or sweaty items, and giving fabric or wicker hampers a deeper clean every
month or two, or whenever you notice musty smells.

Plastic baskets: Wipe with dish soap and water or an all-purpose cleaner. Pay attention to corners and around handles.
Fabric hampers: Spot-clean with a mild detergent or, if removable, machine wash the liner or bag on a gentle cycle and air-dry.
Woven hampers: Vacuum or dust crevices regularly and spot-clean spills quickly so moisture doesn’t soak in.
Odor control: Let hampers air out with the lid open when possible, and sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom if odors tend to build up.

If you deal with heavily soiled clothessports uniforms, muddy work gear, or items exposed to bodily fluidsusing a separate basket
or bag can help prevent cross-contamination with everyday laundry. A smooth, non-porous plastic basket is usually the easiest to
disinfect in those cases.

Real-Life Laundry Basket Lessons: of Hard-Earned Experience

It’s easy to treat laundry baskets as an afterthoughtuntil one fails you in a spectacular way. Talk to anyone who’s hauled
clothes around for a few years, and you’ll hear the same stories: cracked handles halfway up the stairs, flimsy mesh bags that
collapse under the weight of towels, or pretty woven hampers that hide the smell of damp gym clothes a little too well.

One common experience: buying the cheapest basket on the shelf, assuming “plastic is plastic.” In reality, there’s a big difference
between a thin, brittle bin and a thicker, slightly flexible one. The former often fails right when you’re carrying a heavy load,
leaving you standing in a hallway surrounded by socks and regret. Testers and long-time users consistently report that spending just
a little more on a sturdier design pays off in fewer replacements and less frustration.

Another lesson shows up in small apartments and dorms: storage matters as much as capacity. A huge basket might sound great until you’re
tripping over it every time you walk into the bathroom. That’s where collapsible baskets or tall, slim hampers shine. They keep laundry
contained without dominating the room, and when you’re done, they practically disappear. Many college students and city dwellers swear
by a collapsible basket or a strong tote-style bag that can handle long walks and narrow doorways.

Families quickly discover that one basket is rarely enough. Parents often end up with a system that includes a large central hamper
in a hallway or laundry room and smaller baskets in each bedroom. Kids can drag their own basket to the main hamper or machines,
which oddly turns laundry into a mini responsibility lesson. Some households even color-code baskets so everyone knows whose clothes
are whose at a glance.

People who regularly use shared laundry rooms or laundromats learn a different set of lessons. Hard plastic baskets are great for
in-unit laundry, but they’re awkward on long walks or crowded sidewalks. Tote-style bags with comfortable straps or backpack-style
hampers become invaluable. They’re easier to carry on stairs, they balance better with a detergent bottle in the other hand,
and they’re less likely to slam into your shins every time you turn a corner.

There’s also the style-versus-function dilemma. It’s tempting to choose a beautifully woven hamper that looks perfect in a bedroom,
but if you’re tossing in damp towels or leaving sweaty sports gear inside, you may be setting yourself up for a smell you’ll be chasing
for weeks. Many experienced shoppers compromise: a stylish woven hamper or canvas bag in public spaces for mostly dry laundry,
and a more practical ventilated plastic basket near the bathroom or laundry machines for wet items.

Finally, almost everyone who has lived with a great basketor a terrible oneagrees on this: the right design can make laundry day feel
slightly less like a chore. A hip-hugging basket that doesn’t cut into your hands, a collapsible bin that disappears when guests come over,
or a rolling hamper that glides instead of drags all add up to small but noticeable quality-of-life upgrades. You’ll still have to wash,
dry, and fold, unfortunatelybut at least you won’t be fighting with the thing that’s supposed to make that job easier.