A laundry hamper or basket can help keep piles of dirty laundry organized, making you feel ready for laundry day and the chaos of everyday life.
We spent over 50 hours researching and testing 22 laundry hampers, baskets, sorters and backpacks of various sizes and materials.
Ultimately, we found six of the most durable, breathable, washable, and portable options to make doing laundry as easy and simple as possible.
our choice
This plastic basket reliably holds a large load of laundry, lasts for years, is well ventilated, and is easy to wipe clean.
plastic Sterilite Stacking Laundry Basket A favorite among Wirecutter employees since 2017. extra large (approximately 21 pounds) of clothing, well ventilated, clean as new after wiping with a damp cloth. Flexible, extended handles make it easier to hold a filled basket, minimizing trips to the washing machine on laundry day.
runner up
This affordable, reliable plastic curved basket holds a ton of laundry, cleans like a dream, and is a favorite for those who prefer curved “hip-fix” models.
Plastic material has three sturdy handles and a curved edge on one side Sterilite 1.25 Bushel Ultra HipHold Laundry Basket Provides you with two ways to hold it. The curves allow you to comfortably support the weight of your clothing on your hips, an arrangement that makes carrying a fully loaded basket (44 liters, about 21 pounds for an extra-large load) up the stairs no longer a chore.
Also great
Three reinforced fabric compartments make it easy to sort clothing by type, while the wheels are perfect for those who need to glide rather than lift heavy items.
If you have more space or a dedicated laundry space and want to pre-sort your belongings, Honey-Can-Do SRT-01235 Heavy Duty Triple Clothes Sorting Machine Is your best choice. A sturdy metal frame on wheels secures three removable polycotton laundry bags to metal poles and can be easily removed to place the contents directly into the washing machine. Each bag holds approximately a large amount (11 pounds or so) of clothing, for a total of over 30 pounds. While this sorter isn’t very big, it’s not the most compact of our picks, so if you don’t have a lot of space or don’t need to sort and turn your laundry, you’re better off using a basket or basket.
our choice
This ventilated basket has a lid that keeps clutter out of view but provides the portability of a basket.
While baskets can transport clothing like baskets, they are usually taller and used to throw clothing away and out of sight during the week. Braided plastic, with lid Mind Reader 50L Laundry Basket Holds approximately 21 pounds of extra large laundry (similar to our basket) and is virtually indestructible. We could easily carry it to the laundry room using the two sturdy built-in handles on the sides, but the tall shape may make it difficult to maneuver.
Also great
This compact steel basket isn’t cheap, but its minimalist design is perfect for a display or for anyone who does a little (or frequent) laundry.
White powder coated removable handle Yamazaki Tosca Wire Laundry Basket Large Easily slips onto the crook of your elbow, allowing you to carry compact items hands-free. This basket is also great for those who live in a small space and want a laundry basket that can hold produce, mail, or diapers. It’s the smallest of our picks, with a capacity of 33 liters (about 8.8 pounds), which is about a medium-sized load of laundry. Unlike our plastic picks, it doesn’t have a sturdy base, so it’s not suitable for carrying wet clothing.
Also great
This sturdy laundry backpack features padded, adjustable shoulder straps to comfortably fit a variety of body shapes and accommodate extra-large loads of clothing.
washable Azhido Laundry Backpack Bag Easily stores 115 liters, equivalent to approximately two liters Extra large load It also has a front Velcro fastener pocket for storing detergent and dryer sheets for even the bulkiest of laundry. The padded straps adjust, allowing college students or city dwellers to comfortably take long walks to the laundromat, freeing their hands to hold on to a stair railing or push a stroller.
