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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Reusable grocery bags are an eco-friendly, and often stylish, addition to your errand run and help you avoid a dreaded plastic bag breakage. We researched and tested the best reusable grocery bags, evaluating their usability, weight capacity, and washability.
Bagpodz Reusable Shopping Bags are our best overall pick because they’re available in a pack of five or ten, they can hold up to 50 pounds of groceries, and they come in a zippered pouch that can clip to your cart or keys.
Here, our picks for the best reusable grocery bags, backed by our research and testing.
Best Overall: Bagpodz Reusable Shopping Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Convenient carrying case
Hold up to 50 pounds each
Machine-washable
Each set only contains one color
Short handles
Who else recommends it? Insider, BestReviews, and Good Housekeeping all picked Bagpodz Reusable Shopping Bags.
What do buyers say? 87% of 2,900+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
The Bagpodz Reusable Shopping Bags are our top pick because they’re constructed with a durable, eco-friendly nylon. They also can hold a week’s worth of groceries in five bags and are water-repellent. These bags are made of a Bluesign-certified material that’s sustainably produced and rip-proof. Bluesign is an independent, Switzerland-based auditing company that measures manufacturing mills’ ecological impact and their engineering processes’ toxicity.
Aside from the construction of these bags, the “pod” they are stored in proves especially handy when shopping. You can clip the pod directly to a shopping cart, and pull out the grocery bags from the zippered opening as you need them. The drawstring end of the pod is meant for reloading bags after each shopping trip.
Our tester said the one thing these bags were missing was longer handles. The handles aren’t quite long enough to fit over a shoulder, meaning all the bags need to be carried in your hands, which makes for a tiresome walk to the car or back to your apartment. Despite their short handles, these bags can hold up to 50 pounds each, and five bags fit a week’s worth of groceries for our tester’s family of three. If you have a larger family, the 10-pack may be a better choice.
These bags are also water-repellent, so no need to worry if a spill happens during your commute home. Simply wipe the bag dry and throw it in the washing machine to clean any remaining soilage—our tester used a cold water, delicate cycle. Although these bags are more expensive than most reusable grocery bags, they still top our list because they’re durable, easy to store, and can easily transport your groceries.
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The Spruce / Michelle Piccolo
Best Budget: Gogooda Reusable Grocery Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Machine-washable
Hold 50 pounds each
Convenient carrying cases
Prone to premature wear
Designed like much more expensive reusable shopping bags, these Gogooda Reusable Grocery Bags come at a fraction of the price. You get all six for less than the cost of one more expensive and ultra-popular lookalike. They may have fun patterns but, instead, come in six vibrant colors.
The bags are functional—holding up to 50 pounds each—so most individuals or families are sure to get all your shopping into just one set of bags. They’re also machine washable.
Best Machine-Washable: BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Machine-washable
Hold 50 pounds each
Convenient carrying cases
Straps tend to slide off shoulder
When you're toting things like eggs, meat, and yogurt, accidents are bound to happen, which can lead to a sticky mess inside of your reusable grocery bags. If you have a bag that's easy to wash, you don't have to cry over spilt milk. This set of reusable bags has a lightweight nylon design that's incredibly easy to clean—toss them in the washing machine.
Like other great reusable bags, these have a convenient expandable design that can hold up to 50 pounds each. They're sufficient for a quick shop or an entire shop if you bring all five.
As a bonus, these bags have some fun designs that rival those of more expensive brands.
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The Spruce / Michelle Piccolo
Best Design: Baggu Standard Baggu Nylon Ripstop Tote
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Stylish
Machine-washable
Hold 50 pounds each
Expensive
No carrying case
If you want your grocery bag to be more of an accessory than a utilitarian piece, Baggu is the way to go. You’ll also get the function of the more bland-looking options out there. Though they come in some fun and stylish patterns—think leopard or floral, for example—they are among the toughest and most durable bags available.
They’re also roomy enough for a surprisingly large amount of groceries. If you’re someone who shops a few times a week, you may even be able to fit the bulk of your goods in one bag. Each bag has a 50-pound carrying capacity so that you can include heavier things like 12-packs of soda or a jug of milk. The 40-percent recycled material is light and airy. When empty, fold it up, toss it in your purse, and you’d never know it was there. After use, toss it in the washing machine to get it clean and ready for your next shopping trip.
Best Set: Lotus Trolley Bags Reusable Grocery Cart Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Includes an insulated tote
No need to transfer groceries
Holds up to 50 pounds each
Cannot be used as regular bags
Rather than transfer your purchases to your bags at the end of your shopping trip, consider this set, which hangs over the sides of the shopping cart so you can put all of your food directly inside. (This is especially good for people who use the scanner at the grocery store, since you won’t have to take anything out of the bag until you get home.)
The set includes four roomy totes, and one is insulated for milk, cheese, and meat. Each one is big enough for about 50 pounds of food, and the insulated tote can fit standard frozen pizza boxes—something most other reusable bags can’t easily accommodate.
Best Insulated: Veno Bag Insulated Reusable Grocery Bag
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Courtesy of Amazon
Insulated
Holds 30 pounds each
Recycled fabric
Prone to premature wear
When you’re doing a full shop (including dairy, meat, and frozen foods like ice cream), your standard set of reusable bags won’t do—especially if you live a decent distance from the grocery store. Ensure you have an insulated reusable bag (or two) to keep your foods from thawing, melting, or spoiling on your way home.
This version by VENO Bag is made from a highly durable and heavyweight non-woven recycled fabric, so you can stuff it with all of your favorite cold items without worrying if it will break. It easily holds 30 pounds and has a reinforced dual tab zippered top to keep things cooler, longer.
Best Recycled: Planet E Recycled Reusable Grocery Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Made from recycled plastic bottles
Stay upright
Roomy
Not machine-washable
You’re already doing right by the environment by using reusable bags, but why not go the extra mile with reusable bags made from recycled plastics? These bags by Planet E are made from nonwoven PET, a form of recycled plastic bottles. But that’s not the only reason you might pick these bags. The trio has reinforced bottoms and collapsible sides, so you can easily store them flat in your car, pantry, or closet. The capacity is great, too. Plus, the flat bottom means they stay upright while packing.
The only downside: they’re not machine-washable, so you’ll have to spot clean or replace any with significant stains.
Best Canvas: Earthwise Reusable Grocery Bags X-Large 100% Cotton Canvas Shopping Tote
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Courtesy of Walmart
Machine-washable
Extra durable straps
Not as roomy as other options
For durability, turn to a canvas tote like this option from Earthwise. These lightweight bags have all of the benefits of canvas, minus the bulk, and they are easy to fold and stash when not in use.
The plain canvas aesthetic is a nice option, too—especially if you plan to use the bags for more than just groceries. The bags are 20 inches wide by 16 inches tall, making them suitable to use for things like the gym or a picnic as well as your weekly shop. And if you're feeling crafty, you can even tie-dye these bags or add other fun designs—an option that you don't have with your typical nylon bag.
Best Flat Bottom: Creative Green Life Reusable Grocery Shopping Box Bags
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Courtesy of Amazon
Stay upright
Roomy
Not machine-washable
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to stuff something in a bag that won’t stay open, but you can solve that problem with a set of reusable bags constructed with a wide, flat bottom. The Creative Green Life Store Reusable Grocery Shopping Box Bags make shopping more manageable because they have a rigid box structure that won’t collapse in on you as you pack. They won’t tip over in the trunk, either, so unpacking is just as easy as packing.
What’s more, they are extra roomy. A three-pack holds the same amount of items as 10 single-use grocery bags.
Our best overall pick is the BagPodz Reusable Shopping Bags because they're sleek but roomy enough to fit up to 50 pounds worth of purchases. They also come with a convenient carrying case that stashes nicely in your purse or glove compartment. If you're on a budget, we recommend the Gogooda Reusable Grocery Bags. For less than $15, you'll get six brightly colored bags that are reasonably durable and can be machine washed.
What to Look for in a Reusable Grocery Bag
Washability
Toting groceries can become a messy job—a spilled container of blueberries or a package of meat that leaks on the way home can introduce stains, odors, and bacteria to your bags. While most reusable grocery bags can be spot-cleaned, many people prefer those that can be machine-washed for a thorough clean. Just follow the care instructions for any bag you choose and keep in mind that many will need to be air-dried to avoid shrinking.
Capacity
It pays to know how much you can load up a set of reusable grocery bags. If your bags won’t hold enough, you’ll be stuck taking home disposable bags, too. And if you overload your reusable bags, you risk a tear or the handle ripping. Some can hold up to 50 pounds, which is 2-3 times the load in an average grocery bag, while others have a lower weight rating of only 20 pounds. Make sure to pay attention when purchasing yours.
Material
Reusable grocery bags can be made from many different materials. Nylon bags are among the most common, and 210T polyester bags are considered some of the most durable. There are also insulated grocery bags that are a must for food safety if you’ll be transporting cold goods a considerable distance. In addition, coated canvas reusable bags offer durability and years of use.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent the last 10-plus years researching the best home goods for various digital publications, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Brigitt owns more than a couple of Baggu bags and finds them extremely useful for everything from groceries to toting her kids' toys to the park.