The Best Trash Bags

When you're taking out the trash, the last thing you want is for the bottom of your bag to give out. If this happens, you'll leave a trail of trash all stinky and icky behind you that you and you alone will have to clean up. Yuck. Let's avoid that at all costs, shall we? To keep your trash inside the bag from the can to the curb, you need a quality trash bag – one that's strong and tough enough to hold up to the weight of whatever you toss inside. To help you on your mission for the perfect trash bag, we researched a bunch of the contenders to whittle down the list to a few of our favorites. The ones below won't let you down. They'll get the job done without making extra work for you.

Simplehuman Code E Drawstring Trash Bags

No Slipping or Sliding

This trash bag is designed to stay hold securely in place until you're ready to take it out so that you won't have a goopy, leaking mess in your garbage can.
Best Overall

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When you put a trash bag in your garbage can, you expect it to stay in place. Unfortunately, not all trash bags do. Some slide down the can, leaving part of it unlined, and you know that’s exactly where your kids are going to toss their food scraps. Then you’ll have a mess at the bottom of the bin to deal with. It’s not fun – not at all. The good news is that these trash bags are designed to perfectly fit Simplehuman trash cans. They won’t slip or slide out of place.

Additionally, these trash bags are strong. The extra-durable plastic supports more weight than a traditional garbage bag. Also, the double-thick seams means your bag won’t burst open when you try to pull it out of the bin. You won’t be dealing with extra messes when you use these trash bags, so they’ll save you time and energy.

Pros

  • A custom fit for the Simplehuman brand of trash cans so they won’t fall off the sides
  • Strong drawstring handles so you won’t struggle to take out the trash
  • Thick plastic that doesn’t leak all over when you pull it out of the bin

Cons

  • The dimensions are off for most generic trash bins. They’re designed to fit the company’s brand of trash cans, not other ones. So always check the size before you purchase to make sure you get the right ones.
  • A little more expensive than other brands, but they are worth it if you have the Simplehuman trash bins

Solimo Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags

Lot of Bags, Not a Lot of Money

The price per trash bag drops significantly if you buy the 200-piece option, but even the smaller packages are a great value.
Best Value

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Are you looking for a reliable trash bag that doesn’t cost a fortune? These Solimo tall kitchen bags are a great value – especially if you buy them in bulk. Though they cost a little less per bag than other options, these aren’t substandard trash bags by any stretch. Actually, they’re comparable to most name-brand bags on the market. They don’t rip or tear easily and are strong enough to hold your trash. Also, the drawstrings hold securely so you can use them to lift your bag out of the bin and carry it outside.

These are 13-gallon bags, which typically fit in most kitchen trash bins. You can easily pull the next bag off the roll, and there aren’t any annoying perforations to deal with. You can just pull and go, so replacing the bag takes no time at all.

Pros

  • Great package design with a spot for easily reaching in and grabbing the next bag
  • Value-priced, so you can get quality trash bags without spending a lot of money
  • Can tie the bag tightly closed with the drawstrings so you don’t have as much odor while you’re waiting on garbage collection

Cons

  • These don’t have a grip area around the top to help keep them from sliding off the edge of the garbage can. They still fit tightly on most cans, but you may need to pull them down a little more than normal to get them to fit yours.

Hefty Ultra Strong Trash Bags

A Hefty Whiff of Bliss

These trash bags smell like lavender and sweet vanilla, so you'll smell that instead of your nasty garbage.
Best Scented

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Trash smells like … well, trash. And no one wants their home to smell like that. To help keep the odors at bay, consider using scented trash bags like these. They smell like a lovely blend of lavender and vanilla, which is a huge improvement from garbage. With this brand, it’s not just the scent that’s fighting bad odors. There’s also a special Arm and Hammer odor neutralizer mixed in that will help keep everything smelling fresh.

What’s more, these trash bags hold a lot of garbage, and they’re strong and flexible, so you won’t have leaks or punctures to deal with. Additionally, they have drawstrings that help the bag grip your can tightly. You can also use the drawstrings to pull the full bag out and you won’t have to worry about them breaking.

Pros

  • Smells great so that your home does, too
  • Packed on a roll but not attached, so each bag is easy to get out

Cons

  • The scent can be a bit overwhelming when you first put it in the bin and it’s empty. It gets less potent with time.

Reli Trash Bags (2 Gal – 4 Gal)

Keep Your Can Dry

You won't leave a puddle of water (or anything else) in your garbage can with these small, leak-proof trash bags.
Best for Small Bins

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Many people use plastic bags from the store to line their small trash bins, but that’s not the perfect solution. Grocery bags are thin and often develop holes at the bottom. That’s never good when you’re dealing with trash. If you’re looking for a better solution, give these small trash bags a try. They’re designed to fit in small (2-4 gallon) trash bins.

Unlike grocery bags, these trash bags are designed to hold garbage. They have a star seal at the bottom that helps keep them from leaking all over. This design helps make them stronger, as well. They’re easy to tie in a knot when they’re full. Simply put, they are perfect for all the small garbage cans and wastebaskets in your home.

Pros

  • Small size to fit in your bathroom, office, or anywhere else you have a tiny garbage can
  • 400-count, which means you won’t have to worry about running out for a long time
  • Clear design, so they look nicer in your trash bin than a grocery store sack

Cons

  • Come on perforated rolls, so you have to carefully remove each one. If you pull too hard or too fast, you risk breaking the bag before you put it in your can.

Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags

Big and Strong

These trash bags are thick enough to safely use outside.
Best for Large Bins

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Having quality trash bags inside your house is important, but you also need a good bag to keep in your larger, outside garbage can. These 30-gallon bags will work nicely. Made from thick, reliable plastic, they are strong and durable. You can easily put your smaller bags inside without them bursting at the seams. This material is also designed to be puncture-resistant, so you can use these bags for general home and yard cleanup as well.

The drawstring closures are tough enough to resist breakage. You can use them to carry your trash around if you need to. They’re a great option no matter where you need them.

Pros

  • Black color, so you don’t have to look at your trash inside
  • Thick 1.05 mil plastic to help prevent breaking bags or tears
  • 30-gallon size that’s large enough to keep most outside garbage cans lined

Cons

  • You don’t want to overfill these trash bags, as they aren’t very stretchy, so they’re more likely to break if you stuff them too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size trash bag do I need?

The size of your garbage will determine the size of trash bag you should buy. You want to look at both the gallon volume and the dimensions. Once you know the size of your garbage can, you can compare them to the size of each bag. This will help you get a better fit. You want a bag that’s snug enough to stay in place, but large enough to hold the garbage you put inside. If you find that one brand doesn’t fit well, try a different one. There are slightly different dimensions on these products, and an inch or two can make a big difference.

Should I get a scented trash bag?

Most brands produce both scented and unscented trash bags. The choice is up to you. If you have a sensitivity to chemical fragrances, an unscented bag is the better option. If not, the scented ones sure do keep your home smelling better.