If you’re tired of seeing dirty clothes and linens scattered around your home, the best laundry hampers can help keep things tidier.
While laundry hampers and laundry baskets are similar, there are a few key differences between the two: “A hamper is considered a more refined version of a laundry basket, due to being made from higher quality materials or having an elevated design,” explains Matt Connelly, founder of I Hate Ironing. “Hampers are usually made from wicker, canvas, or fabric, as opposed to baskets which can be made from plastic and metal.” Some hampers also have multiple compartments, which is useful for sorting laundry before washing. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive way to store dirty laundry or a stylish fixture for your bedroom, we’ve rounded up the best laundry hampers you can buy today.
- Best Laundry Hamper Overall : Harvest Rolling Hamper
- Best Value Laundry Hamper: Handy Laundry Pop Up Hamper
- Best Collapsible Laundry Hamper: Yamazaki Laundry Hamper
- Best Rolling Laundry Hamper: Steele Canvas Rolling Laundry Hamper
- Best Small Laundry Hamper: Brabantia Laundry Bin
- Best Lidded Laundry Hamper: Mind Reader Slim Laundry Hamper
- Best Laundry Hamper For Stairs: DBest Products Stair Climber Laundry Trolley
- Best Laundry Hamper On Amazon: HomeHacks Laundry Basket
- Most Stylish Laundry Hamper: Seagrass Handcrafted Hamper
Best Laundry Hamper Overall
A Rolling Hamper With Washable Liners
Harvest Rolling Hamper
Dimensions: 14 x 18 x 24.25 inches | Material: Epoxy-coated steel | Capacity: 26 gallons | Wheels: Yes | Removable liner: Yes, sold separately
Pros:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Mounted on caster wheels
- Able to purchase multiple liners
Cons:
- Liners are sold separately
The Harvest Rolling Hamper is a sturdy, functional option to help keep your laundry organized. The wire basket is made from durable epoxy-coated steel and mounted on four rotating caster wheels so you can easily push it into your laundry room. There are two handles on the top of the basket for lifting, and the hamper can be outfitted with matching poly-cotton liners, which come in two different colors.
The liners are sold separately, allowing you to buy multiple, and they can be cleaned in the washing machine to keep your hamper hygienic and odor-free. Plus, they stay in place using elastic bands that fit around the hamper’s handles, and the whole thing is spacious enough to easily hold a week’s worth of laundry—or more.
Best Value Laundry Hamper
A Best-Selling Pop-Up Mesh Design
Handy Laundry Pop Up Hamper
Dimensions: 13 x 14 x 24 inches | Material: Mesh | Wheels: No | Capacity: 60 liters (15.8 gallons) | Removable liner: No
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Mesh sides offer ventilation
- Pop-up design collapses for compact storage
Cons:
- Not the most attractive design
This affordable pop-up hamper is ideal for laundromat visits or students living in dorms. Featuring a flexible wire frame and mesh sides, it staves off odors from accumulating on dirty clothes. Plus, it’s equipped with two spacious handles and a convenient side pocket for additional storage options. The lightweight design can easily be carried from your bedroom to the washing machine, and when you’ve emptied out your dirty laundry, the hamper collapses down into a compact form for easy storage.
Best Collapsible Laundry Hamper
A Folding Metal Frame And Cotton Liner
Yamazaki Laundry Hamper
Dimensions: 11.8 x 14 x 25.2 inches | Material: Steel and cotton | Capacity: 12 gallons (small) | Wheels: No | Removable liner: Yes
Pros:
- Two hamper sizes to choose from
- Durable metal frame folds flat
- Machine-washable cotton liner
Cons:
- No option to buy replacement liners
This minimalistic hamper from the Japanese brand Yamazaki has a convenient space-saving design. The hamper comes in two sizes—the small holds 12 gallons and the large holds 20—as well as black or white colorways. Its X-shaped steel frame supports a durable cotton liner, which has two oversized handles for carrying.
When you remove the liner from the hamper, the frame can be collapsed down into a flat form for easy storage, and the whole design is much more sturdy than other collapsible hampers. Plus, the cotton liner is machine-washable so you can just toss it in with your laundry to keep it looking clean and smelling fresh.
Best Rolling Laundry Hamper
A Heavy-Duty Design With Rubber Wheels
Steele Canvas Rolling Laundry Hamper
Dimensions: 13 x 19 x 30 inches | Material: Steel and canvas | Capacity: 2.5 bushels (23.3 gallons) | Wheels: Yes | Removable liner: No
Pros:
- 200-pound capacity
- Mounted on rubber caster wheels
- Available with or without lid
Cons:
- Canvas can’t be washed
The Steele Canvas Rolling Laundry Hamper is a top choice if you want an option that’s easy to move around your home. It has a heavy-duty steel frame that can support up to 200 pounds, and it’s mounted on 2-inch rubber caster wheels that roll smoothly over thresholds and down hallways.
It has thick canvas walls with a thermal plastic rubber edge, and you can choose to purchase it with or without a wooden lid. Every one of the brand’s hampers is made by hand, but keep in mind that the canvas liner isn’t removable, so you can only spot clean it.
Best Small Laundry Hamper
A Compact, Easy-To-Clean Option
Brabantia Laundry Bin
Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 25 inches | Material: Plastic and cork | Capacity: 35 liters (9.2 gallons) | Wheels: No | Removable liner: Yes
Pros:
- Compact, lightweight design
- Includes lid with quick-drop opening
- Removable cotton liner is machine-washable
Cons:
- Pricey for its size
If you’re looking for a small hamper that won’t take up too much space, the Brabantia Laundry Bin has a compact footprint and a roughly 9-gallon capacity. The round, plastic hamper comes in either white or black finishes, and it includes a cork lid with a small hole in the middle, making it easy to drop laundry inside. It’s lined with a cotton bag that’s easy to remove and machine-washable, and the basket even has ventilation holes around the base to help minimize odors. And thanks to its predominantly plastic construction, this design is noncorrosive and perfectly safe for bathroom use.
Best Lidded Laundry Hamper
A Basic Covered Option To Keep Laundry Hidden
Mind Reader Slim Laundry Hamper
Dimensions: 17.65 x 13.75 x 21 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 50 liters (13.2 gallons) | Wheels: No | Removable liner: No
Pros:
- Flip-up lid keeps laundry hidden
- Available in several colors
- Perforated sides allow for ventilation
Cons:
- Plastic design isn’t the most stylish
You can keep dirty laundry out of sight with the Mind Reader Slim Laundry Hamper, which has an attached flip-up lid with a recessed handle for easy opening. Made from plastic but designed to look like wicker, it comes in a variety of color options to match your decor. There are cut-out handles on the sides to make the basket easier to carry, and the wicker-inspired design leaves plenty of little holes for ventilation. It’s not necessarily the most stylish option out there, but the plastic design won’t corrode in damp conditions and the price point is very reasonable.
Best Laundry Hamper For Stairs
Unique Wheels Climb Stairs Easily
DBest Products Stair Climber Laundry Trolley
Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 36 inches | Material: Steel and polyester | Capacity: Not listed | Wheels: Yes | Removable liner: Yes
Pros:
- Special wheel design helps climb stairs
- Soft grip handle
- Frame folds for easy transport
Cons:
- Bulkier than other hampers
Are your washer and dryer on a different floor than your hamper? The DBest Products Stair Climber offers a unique solution for climbing and descending stairs, thanks to its six-wheeled design. Each side of the trolley is equipped with three wheels that make the cart easy to lower down or pull up stairs, as well as a padded handle for better grip. The frame is lined with a polyester bag that can be removed and washed as needed, and it also folds down easily in case you need to transport it in your car.
Best Laundry Hamper On Amazon
An Affordable Cotton Bag That Stands Up On Its Own
HomeHacks Laundry Basket
Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 24.4 inches | Material: Cotton with PEVA coating | Capacity: 75 liters (20 gallons) | Wheels: No | Removable liner: No
Pros:
- Collapses for easy storage
- Several sizes available
Cons:
- Not washable
The HomeHacks Laundry Basket is a fabric hamper that comes in four sizes, ranging from 75 to 125 liters. It’s a bestseller on Amazon that’s eligible for Prime shipping, and it has an attractive gray striped design that will look nice in your closet or bathroom. Designed using a flexible metal frame that helps it stand upright, it can also be collapsed down into a flat form for storage. It has a PEVA waterproof coating on the interior to prevent sweat and liquids from soaking into the fabric, and two large, reinforced handles allow you to carry the hamper around your home.
Most Stylish Laundry Hamper
A Sturdy Rattan Basket With A Lid
Seagrass Handcrafted Hamper
Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 27 inches | Material: Rattan and canvas | Capacity: Not listed | Wheels: No | Removable liner: Yes
Pros:
- Attractive rattan exterior
- Available in three finishes
- Removable, washable canvas liner
Cons:
- More expensive than most hampers
The Seagrass Handcrafted Hamper has an attractive woven rattan exterior that you’ll want to put on display in your home. It’s handmade by master basket weavers using seagrass and rattan on a metal frame, and there are three classic colors to choose from. The design includes an attached lid that flips open for easy access, as well as two cut-out handles. Plus, it’s lined with a removable canvas bag to prevent the rattan from snagging your clothing, and it can be tossed in the washing machine for quick and easy maintenance.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
To help make laundry day easier, the Forbes Vetted team has researched and written about all sorts of cleaning products, from the best washing machines to the best ironing boards.
- We’ve also done firsthand testing of certain laundry products, such as clothing steamers.
- Camryn Rabideau, the author of this article, is a regular contributor to Forbes Vetted’s home and kitchen section, and she has several years of experience testing furniture and home decor.
- While putting together this list, we spoke with Matt Connelly, founder of I Hate Ironing, an on-demand laundry service. He offered tips on selecting the best laundry hamper and how to keep your hamper clean.
How We Chose The Best Laundry Hampers
We combed through dozens of top-rated laundry hampers and baskets to find the most functional options for your home.
- Following the advice of our experts, we prioritized laundry hampers with removable liners that can be easily washed. We also looked for models made from sturdy materials that can withstand heavy loads of laundry.
- While comparing products, we considered features like capacity, color options and useful features like lids or caster wheels.
- We aimed to provide variety in our selection, including hampers of different sizes and shapes, as well as options at a variety of price points.
- We selected products that have at least 4 star-ratings from reviewers, prioritizing hampers that have a negligible number of concerning reviews, if any.
What To Look For In The Best Laundry Hampers
Hampers come in a wide range of sizes, from small versions like the Brabantia Laundry Bin, which holds less than 10 gallons, to oversized bins with multiple compartments. (For comparison, most average washing machines can hold around 12 to 16 pounds of laundry per load.)
“Most standard-sized hampers are 20 to 24 inches in height, which allows them to hold up to two loads of laundry at a time and is enough for a one- to two-person household,” says Connelly. “Larger households with several occupants or big families would be generating more laundry, and might need to upgrade to hampers that go up to 30 inches in height.”
Just keep in mind that the larger the hamper, the heavier it will be while full. If you opt for a hamper with a larger capacity, you may want a model with wheels so it’s easier to move around.
Laundry hampers are commonly made from fabric, wicker, metal or plastic, and there are benefits to each material. “For a hamper that fits aesthetically in your bedroom or bathroom, wicker tends to be a popular option, while fabric or canvas are better for providing flexibility in terms of collapsing it and storing it away when not in use,” says Connelly.
While wicker or rattan are attractive, you’ll want to be sure to select one with a liner—otherwise the material can snag clothing and absorb odors. Plastic hampers tend to be the most affordable and easy to clean, while metal hampers like the Harvest Rolling Hamper are highly durable and can hold a lot of weight.
Depending on your laundry routine, you may want to look for a hamper with additional features, such as a lid, caster wheels or even a collapsible frame. If you do decide to purchase a lidded laundry hamper, make sure it has some sort of ventilation so odors and moisture aren’t trapped inside. “Some canvas hampers with lids may look nice but offer little ventilation when closed, which can cause your clothes to smell if they sit in there for too long,” warns Connelly.
Laundry hampers are designed to hold dirty, wet and sometimes smelly clothing and linens, and as such, they need to be cleaned regularly: “Laundry hampers are among the most forgotten-about household items to clean,” says Connelly. “They can become a breeding ground for bacteria, odors and mold.”
For this reason, it’s best to choose a hamper that’s easy to clean. Generally, the best option is to select a product with a machine-washable liner that you can just toss in with your other laundry. Alternatively, plastic hampers are easy to disinfect, while canvas and rattan baskets are more challenging to clean.
What Is The Most Hygienic Laundry Hamper?
The most hygienic laundry hampers have a machine-washable liner, such as the Harvest Rolling Hamper. This allows you to remove and clean the liner regularly (with minimal effort), getting rid of any dirt or odors that may have developed.
No matter what laundry hamper you buy, it’s important to clean it regularly. “I usually vacuum or dust my hamper between every few loads to get rid of any lost dirt, debris, dust, hair, lint or other particles that can fall off of clothes and accumulate in the hamper,” says Connelly.
“I suggest cleaning your hamper at least every three weeks,” he continues. “Wicker baskets can be wiped down with a cleaning solution and a damp cloth. If you notice any stains or stubborn grime, you can spot-clean that area with a solution made up of mild laundry detergent and warm water.”
