When researching the best trash bags, we evaluated products for their material, capacity, durability, scent, and overall value. Our best overall pick, Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, offers excellent durability along with leak and odor protection. Here are the best trash bags to contain messes and unwanted smells. For added convenience, they have a drawstring that fits securely on the rim of the trash can to keep it in place. While the drawstring can make it easier to take out the trash once it’s full, rips and tears can occur in the area around the drawstring, so you’ll want to lift the bag carefully when removing it from the trash can. Measuring 22.28 by 25.39 inches, they’re wide enough to fit most kitchen trash cans up to two feet tall. Their size is relatively equivalent to simplehuman’s H, J, K, M, and N liners, which makes them a great solution for those with a beloved simplehuman trash can, as well. Price at time of publishing: $30 Price at time of publishing: $20 With a 1.02-mil thickness, Hippo Sak’s Tall Kitchen Bags are thick, durable, and resistant to punctures. Note that these bags are 100 percent recyclable, but you have to empty out any non-recyclable items before putting them in the recycle bin. Although the unscented bags aren’t designed to neutralize or mask odors, they do a great job of containing stinky trash smells, too. Price at time of publishing: $17
With a capacity of 13 gallons, these bags fit most standard kitchen trash cans. Because they don’t have handles or a drawstring closure, they’re not as easy to carry as other options on our list. These compostable bags are also significantly thinner than many plastic trash bags, which may make them more prone to rips and odors. On a positive note, they are a win for the environment and any household that’s looking for a greener option to add to their cleaning supplies list. Price at time of publishing: $25 We read some reports that these bags tend to rip around the drawstring—a fairly common complaint with Glad products. With a 0.5-mil thickness, these bags are thinner than most kitchen trash bags, which makes them more prone to rips and tears if overstuffed. However, they are more than capable for lighter-duty jobs. Price at time of publishing: $12
Due to their large size and thick plastic construction, they’re definitely not the best choice for the environment. “It is important to resist the urge to buy the thickest, strongest bags for everyday trash all the time, as it wastes a bunch of plastic that can’t be recycled,” Homer advises. However, these large multipurpose trash bags come in handy for tackling heftier indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs you may be faced with. Price at time of publishing: $21 Another great feature of these bags is a drawstring, which securely cinches the bag closed for easy carrying. You may find that the scent is a bit overwhelming or that your bags have an ill-fitting seam, which causes them to split or rip, but Hefty stands by its products, offering a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase. Price at time of publishing: $15 The 13-gallon size is an ideal fit for tall kitchen trash cans up to two feet high. These bags are compatible with a variety of simplehuman trash cans and are similar in size to simplehuman’s H, J, K, M, and N liners. The drawstring is another handy feature, because it keeps the bag secure in the can and makes it easier to carry when it’s time to unload the trash. Price at time of publishing: $23 Ubbi Disposable Diaper Sacks are made from plastic, but they contain 20 percent recycled material—making them a bit more eco-friendly. While the manufacturer doesn’t list the thickness measurement, these bags are on the thin side and don’t contain odors all that well, even though they’re scented. That can be a major deal breaker for those looking to dispose of diapers, and you’ll likely want to invest in a diaper pail or bring the bags immediately to your outside trash if you’re worried about any lingering smells. Price at time of publishing: $8
Material and Thickness
The thickness of a trash bag is typically measured in mils (0.001 inch). “While some premium products might be thicker, most residential waste basket bags are 0.5 [mils] thick,” notes Melissa Homer, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro. “Kitchen trash bags are around 0.75 [mils] to 0.9 [mils], and trash barrel bags are 1 [mils] to 1.5 [mils],” Homer notes. The thicker the trash bag, the more durable it is, so trash bags with a higher “mils” count will be less susceptible to rips and punctures. “As a general rule,’’ says Homer, “let the box tell you what it’s good for, as most manufacturers will boast if they’ve made a heavier duty bag for sharp and leaky trash.” Some trash bags are made of recycled materials, a more sustainable choice than standard plastic options. Alternatively, you can opt for compostable trash bags—like our “best compostable” pick, The Original Compostable Bag from BioBag. Look for a bag like this one that meets the ASTM D6400 specification, which indicates that the bag can be composted in commercial or municipal composting facilities. If you plan to compost the bags at home, consider getting a bag with additional certification, such as TÜV AUSTRIA’s “OK compost HOME” certification, so you know that the material will fully break down via a backyard composting system. Homer also points out, “Compostable bags are even better for the environment, but they require the user to use a curbside composting service or compost in their backyard to work, as compostable bags won’t decompose properly trapped in a landfill.”
Size and Capacity
To prevent leaks, spills, and slippage, it’s important to select a trash bag that’s the appropriate size for your trash can. Most standard kitchen trash cans require 13-gallon trash bags. If you have a simplehuman trash can, many 13-gallon tall kitchen bags will also work with your receptacle, but it will depend on which model you have. With that in mind, you should always cross-reference the trash can and bag dimensions to ensure a workable fit. Meanwhile, 4- to 10-gallon trash bags—including our “best small” pick, Glad Small Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags—will likely work best for smaller trash cans, such as those in a bathroom or office. Large garbage bags intended for use in outdoor garbage cans typically fall within the 20- to 30-gallon range. Our top pick for large bags is Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags.
Scent and Odor Control
Many trash bags have some sort of odor-fighting capability, and scents are often used to mask odors. Common scents for trash bags include lavender, vanilla, and citrus. Some bags also incorporate treatments to help neutralize odors, such as Glad’s proprietary OdorShield technology.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a commerce writer and product tester for The Spruce. To select the best trash bags on the market, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their material, capacity, durability, scent, and overall value. Sage consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites. For expert insight on trash bags, she interviewed Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro and a member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board. While purchasing the corresponding simplehuman liner will ensure a perfect fit, it’s possible to use trash bags from other brands with your simplehuman can. Just make sure to closely look at the dimensions and capacity of your trash can before you choose a replacement bag. Notably, the Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags and Glad ForceFlex Protection Series Tall Trash Bags on our list are compatible with some simplehuman trash cans.
