We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products The 14 Best Laundry Hampers of 2024, Tested in Our Homes Our functional and durable favorites start at just $11 By Theresa Holland and Cai Cramer Cai Cramer Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 19, 2024 04:17PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Anna Knief Everyone does laundry, and the first step is rounding up your dirty clothes. If you're in the market for a new hamper or basket, we've got you covered. But which one should you choose? "It really depends on your habits, so be mindful of where you set clothes on a daily basis," says professional organizer Laura Bostrom of Everyday Order. She recommends hampers made of soft materials (or at least with soft linings) that won't snag your fabrics. They should also be easy to move around and, ideally, stylish, especially if they are placed in a visible spot in your home. Basket vs. Hamper Some people use the terms interchangeably. However, a laundry basket is generally for transporting laundry from one place to another, such as bringing clean clothes from the dryer over to the folding area. A hamper, on the other hand, is for collecting dirty clothes and household linens until it's time to wash them. To help you narrow down your choices, we rounded up functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing options of various sizes and styles. We also put 30 of our favorite laundry baskets and hampers to the test to see just how easily we could carry or maneuver each one from the bedroom to the laundry room. From lidded woven containers and braided baskets to collapsible, rolling, and easy-sorting models, you'll find it all here. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sammart Collapsible Laundry Baskets at Amazon $48 Jump to Review Best Rolling: SALE Sterilite Hamper With Wheels at Amazon $53 $38 Jump to Review Best for Sorting: SALE Hennez Laundry Basket With Lid at Amazon $55 $35 Jump to Review Best Foldable: Yamazaki Tower Laundry Hamper at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best Tote: Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe Service Canvas Tote at Walmart $12 Jump to Review Best for Small Spaces: SALE Caroeas Rolling Laundry Hamper at Amazon $28 $22 Jump to Review Best for Large Spaces: Better Homes & Gardens Oversized Wheeled Laundry Sorter at Walmart $35 Jump to Review Best for Corners: Brightroom Tapered Corner Hamper at Target $35 Jump to Review Best Rattan: Pottery Barn Tava Handwoven Rattan Hamper at Pottery Barn $259 Jump to Review Best Jute: H&M Jute Laundry Basket at Hm.com $40 Jump to Review Best Overall Sammart Collapsible Laundry Baskets PHOTO: Amazon $48 at Amazon $44 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Star Qualities Three handles, so you can carry multiple ways Fully collapsible Good value Red Flags Not aesthetically pleasing The feature that truly sets our best overall apart from the rest is the third handle on the side of the basket, which makes it easy to carry laundry on your hip if you need to free up your other hand. An extra handle might seem like a small addition, but it makes all the difference when it comes to carrying your laundry comfortably. We stuffed this laundry basket to the brim and toted it up and down two flights of stairs with ease. When we were done using the basket, we simply folded down the basket, which collapsed to be near-flat, and easily stored it in the back of the closet. Each set comes with two fully collapsible laundry baskets, so you’re getting a great deal. The one point against them is that they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing baskets, so if you’re looking for something that looks pretty sitting out in your room, you might not like these. Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 10.5 inches | Material: Polypropylene PHOTO: People / Christine Colby PHOTO: People / Christine Colby Best Rolling Sterilite Hamper With Wheels PHOTO: The Container Store $38 at Amazon $60 at Walmart $63 at Wayfair Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Design 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Star Qualities Smooth gliding wheels Pull-up handle Ventilated sides Sturdy construction Red Flags Slightly cumbersome to carry up stairs Rolling laundry baskets can help take the grunt work out of doing laundry (and save you from back pain!). The Sterilite Hamper is lightweight yet felt sturdy during our testing. The two wheels rolled easily when pulled, which is probably the most important factor that we look for in a rolling laundry bin. It’s made from sturdy plastic with ventilation holes on the side to prevent damp, dirty clothes from smelling up your closet. We found that the basket can comfortably hold about two loads of laundry, which might be otherwise cumbersome to carry, but because of the wheels and convenient pull handle, transporting heavy laundry loads feels easy in this basket. If you do want to lift the bin up, the side handles make that easier. We also love that this bin comes with a flip-top lid that can be lifted off when you’re ready to load your laundry machine. Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 29 inches | Material: Plastic People / Paige VandeWiele Best for Sorting Hennez Laundry Basket With Lid PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon Star Qualities Two compartments for sorting Removable mesh bags are machine washable Red Flags Doesn't have wheels If you like to pre-sort your darks and lights before laundry day, this one's for you. The Hennez Laundry Basket has two compartments, each with a removable mesh bag you can haul to your washing machine. The bags are also conveniently machine-washable. The hamper has a bamboo frame and ventilated fabric walls with a water-repellent coating. Not only that, but it boasts a generous 140-liter capacity and folds up flat for easy storage. Dimensions: 26.5 x 22.5 x 15 inches | Material: Bamboo, fabric, mesh Best Foldable Yamazaki Tower Laundry Hamper PHOTO: Pottery Barn $50 at Amazon $50 at Pottery Barn $50 at Food52 Star Qualiities Collapsible Simple, utilitarian design Red Flags Doesn’t have a bag No handles Yamazaki makes our favorite foldable option. Available in white or black, the Tower Laundry Hamper has a steel frame and a cotton liner. The sturdy, utilitarian design weighs less than 5 pounds and supports up to 11 pounds of laundry. The liner isn't removable; however, the frame collapses, allowing you to carry the whole thing one-handed. Dimensions: 25 x 14 x 12 inches | Material: Steel, cotton Best Tote Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe Service Canvas Tote PHOTO: Walmart $12 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Design 5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Value 4.5/5 Star Qualities Fit two full loads of laundry Stands upright on its own Great value Red Flags Doesn’t have a shoulder strap There are many benefits to using a laundry tote over a basket — they can squish to fit into small spaces, they can stretch to fit more clothes, and they’re sometimes even easier to carry. We were able to fit two full loads of laundry into this tote and still found it easier to carry up and down stairs than a traditional basket. Made from a pretty white canvas, this laundry tote with printed gray lettering has a certain country-chic vibe that looks adorable sitting out in any bedroom. The two plastic ring handles feel sturdy in hand, and the tote’s flat bottom allows it to stand upright, even when packed with clothes. The one thing we’d change about this laundry tote is the lack of a long strap, which would be helpful to sling the hamper over your shoulder for longer journeys to the washer. Dimensions: 43 x 21.5 x 64 inches | Material: Polyester, cotton, EVA handles People / Ali Ramee Best for Small Spaces Caroeas Rolling Laundry Hamper PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon $19 at Walmart View on Caroeas.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 3.8/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Star Qualities Collapsible bin takes up limited space Sleek design with four wheels Red Flags Only has one handle Though you may go through mountains of laundry a week, you might not have the space to store a massive laundry basket. That’s why we were particularly fond of this one — even with a hefty dirty pile that included two outfits per day, every day, this laundry basket fit it all. Once we were done with our load, the basket easily collapsed down to the size of a couple of records stacked on top of each other. Did we mention that this basket also has wheels?! This collapsible bin can also roll wherever you need it to. We also loved the mesh liner that can be zipped over the top of the basket to prevent laundry spillage. Dimensions: 16 x 8.5 x 27.5 inches | Material: Fabric PHOTO: People / Jennifer May PHOTO: People / Jennifer May Best for Large Spaces Better Homes & Gardens Oversized Wheeled Laundry Sorter PHOTO: Walmart $35 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Star Qualities Three different compartments for sorting laundry Design is sturdy and elegant-looking Red Flags Not meant to be carried up and down stairs Massive loads of laundry call for a massive laundry basket, but that doesn’t mean it has to be unsightly. This wheeled laundry sorter from Better Homes & Gardens can handle three large loads of laundry without breaking a metaphorical sweat, and it looks good while doing it. The three compartments are also great for separating lights, darks, and colors or sorting three different people’s laundry loads. In our tests, the wheeled basket easily rolled across our laundry room floor. We also appreciated the wheel’s stoppers, which can securely lock two of the wheels so that the laundry doesn’t roll away from you while you load and unload. Dimensions: 34 x 17 x 34 inches | Material: Cotton, steel PHOTO: People / Ashley Craiger PHOTO: People / Ashley Craiger Best for Corners Brightroom Tapered Corner Hamper PHOTO: Target $35 at Target Star Qualities Fits snugly in corners Forest Stewardship Council certified Red Flags Not suitable for humid areas If you have corner placement in mind for your laundry bin, the Brightroom Tapered Hamper might be just the thing. The wedge-shaped design fits into nearly any corner, allowing you to make the most of your available space. Its braided paper frame is certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and the canvas liner is conveniently removable. But due to the paper content, we wouldn't recommend this hamper for bathrooms and other moisture-prone zones. Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 14 inches | Material: Braided paper, canvas Best Rattan Pottery Barn Tava Handwoven Rattan Hamper PHOTO: Pottery Barn $259 at Pottery Barn Star Qualities Durable Handwoven design has down-to-earth appeal Looks elegant in any room Red Flags Doesn’t have a liner Pricey Your idea of the perfect hamper is likely different from the next person's. But we're confident Pottery Barn's Tava Hamper would be an all-around hit. It's handwoven from rattan, a naturally durable material with a down-to-earth appeal that's still plenty modern. As Bostrom notes, a cloth liner would be ideal for preventing snagging, so we docked it a few points for missing that. While this hamper's cut-out handles make it easy to carry, a removable liner would also allow you to transport your loads to the washer without moving the entire basket, which weighs 8.5 pounds when empty. But you can always buy one separately. Dimensions: 27 x 16 inches | Material: Rattan Best Jute H&M Jute Laundry Basket PHOTO: H&M $40 at Hm.com Star Qualities Made from sustainable materials Beautiful design Red Flags Not as structured as we’d like Jute is another incredibly strong plant fiber. And since it regrows quickly after harvesting, it's also considered a renewable resource. If you're a fan of the material, you'll appreciate this laundry basket from H&M. The undyed design is woven from 100 percent jute-braided ropes. Instead of a lid, it has a built-in cloth cover that cinches closed with a drawstring. This hamper doesn't have as much structure as rigid designs, but if that doesn't bother you, it's a stellar choice. Dimensions: 21 x 14 inches | Material: Jute Best Bamboo Sand & Stable Bamboo Rectangular Hamper PHOTO: Wayfair $28 at Wayfair Star Qualities Beautiful design Removable, washable liner Red Flags Can only hold 5 pounds of weight We also like this wide, rectangular option from Wayfair. It has a sturdy steel frame and ivory-washed bamboo walls, plus a lid and a removable, machine-washable liner. The light colors and rope-style handles make this laundry hamper a great addition to a coastal or modern farmhouse decor scheme. One thing to note is that the weight capacity is only 5 pounds, so you won't want to use it for bath towels and other heavy, bulky linens. Dimensions: 23 x 16 x 12 inches | Material: Bamboo, steel Best Metal Household Essentials Round Metal Laundry Hamper PHOTO: Target $59 at Amazon $59 at Target $59 at Home Depot Star Qualities Sleek design doesn’t look like a laundry hamper Perforations in stainless steel prevent moisture from being trapped Red Flags Industrial-modern look isn’t everyone’s taste You might also consider a metal design, like the Household Essentials Round Laundry Hamper. It's made of stainless steel and features square-stamped perforations to prevent moisture from getting trapped while offering a decorative touch. This piece also has a wooden lid and a removable fabric liner with handles, so you won't have to lug the whole thing around on laundry day. Dimensions: 23 x 14 inches | Material: Stainless steel, wood Best for Towels The Container Store Iron Storage Barrel With Liner PHOTO: The Container Store $70 at The Container Store Star Qualities Wire design is rust-resistant Comes with a removable canvas liner Red Flags Doesn’t have a lid or wheels If you like having a designated towel hamper in your bathroom or near your pool or hot tub, go with this hamper from The Container Store. The classic wire design is made of vinyl-coated iron for rust resistance in humid, moisture-prone environments. It also has a handy removable canvas liner. But if you're using it explicitly for towels, you could even go without the liner. Unless you prefer hampers with lids or wheels, you really can't go wrong. Dimensions: Not listed | Material: Iron, canvas Best for Kids Langyashan Laundry Basket PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon Star Qualities Great value Adorable kid-friendly design Red Flags Not enough space for adults For kids' rooms and nurseries, we like this collapsible canvas hamper. The simple design features a waterproof coating for protection from stains and soiled baby linens. There are 45 adorable designs to choose from, ranging from cute animals and mermaids to outer space and dinosaurs. At such an affordable price, you might consider getting multiple hampers for laundry, toys, and extra blankets. Dimensions: 18 x 16 inches | Material: Canvas What to Know About Laundry Hampers Size The first thing to consider when buying a laundry hamper is the size. It should hold about a week's worth of dirty clothes, if not more. Couples and those who like to pre-sort their darks and lights might want to look for something with two or more compartments, such as the Hennez Laundry Basket. Durability Your laundry hamper should be made of sturdy materials, so it stays upright when stuffed full of clothes. Be sure to note the weight capacity before buying one. Depending on the material, some large models may not support as much weight as you'd think. Plastic tends to be a pretty sturdy material that’s commonly used in laundry baskets and hampers, but it also might not be as visually appealing as materials like bamboo or cloth. Design You'll also want to look for a hamper that complements your home design. This may not be as important for one that's concealed in a closet or laundry room, but ideally, the material, color, and style should mesh with the rest of your decor. People / Alex Apatoff Behind the Scenes To find out which laundry baskets and hampers were truly the cream of the crop, we tested 30 of the best-selling products in our homes. We loaded these baskets and hampers up with dirty clothes to see how they stood up to the trials of our real-world laundry processes over a two-week period. We rated each laundry basket and hamper based on how easily we could carry them up and down stairs, the amount of laundry they could hold, ease of storage, design, and durability. We also researched other highly rated laundry baskets and editor favorites, and in the end, we came away with a list of the best laundry baskets and hampers that make doing laundry a breeze. Frequently Asked Questions What material is best for a laundry hamper? "Hampers should be a soft material or have a lining that won't snag clothing" — or other items like silk and satin sheets, says Bostrom. If the primary material isn't particularly soft (such as rattan, bamboo, or jute), look for one with a fabric liner. "It also needs to be light enough to carry to the laundry space," Bostrom advises. Where is the best place to put a laundry hamper? Bostrom recommends thinking about where you typically undress at the end of the day, whether it's in your closet, bedroom, or bathroom. "I switched things up and moved our hamper from the bedroom to the bathroom," she says. "This created a better flow for our lifestyle and habits — and fewer piles of clothes on the floor." Why Trust PEOPLE? Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in home design, storage solutions, and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed Laura Bostrom and then researched standout laundry hampers for every style, preference, and budget. Cai Cramer, a PEOPLE staff writer, later updated this article to include real-world insights from the PEOPLE Tested team. Our Expert Panel Laura Bostrom is a professional organizer at Everyday Order. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 5 Best Electric Scrubbers of 2024, Tested by PEOPLE