The 9 Best Trash Bags of 2023

Best Overall

Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, Unscented

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Featuring Glad’s innovative ForceFlex technology, these 13-gallon trash bags earn the top spot in our roundup. Dual-layer protection helps ensure that sharp objects don’t puncture or tear the plastic. The flexible design also allows the bag to hold larger loads of garbage. With a reinforced bottom and side seals, these bags are designed to trap liquids and prevent leaks. They are also equipped with Glad’s proprietary OdorShield technology, which prevents foul smells from permeating your kitchen. 

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

_{Amount: 110 | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Plastic (0.72 mil thick) | Dimensions: 22.28 x 25.39 inches | Scent: Unscented}

Best Budget

Amazon Basics Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, Unscented

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These Amazon Basics trash bags cost significantly less than higher-end trash bags, but they do a solid job of containing garbage nonetheless. Measuring 24 inches wide and 27.37 inches tall, the 13-gallon bags are designed to fit most tall kitchen trash cans. These bags lack some of the advanced features you’ll find on pricier trash bags, such as flex and odor control. However, with a 0.9-mil bag thickness, they still offer a good amount of durability. They are available in packs of 120 or 200, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.

The trash bags have a drawstring at the top for easy tying and carrying. When secured around the rim, the drawstring can also prevent bags from slipping into the trash can, which is a major plus. Now, these bags aren’t immune to defects like split seams and broken drawstrings, and for that reason, you might want to avoid overloading the bag and be cautious when taking the trash out. The bags will also be eligible for return on Amazon—it may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the return policy and procedure in case you run into any issues.

Price at time of publishing: $20

_{Amount: 120 | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Not listed, though we assume it’s plastic (0.9 mil thick), | Dimensions: 24 x 27.38 inches | Scent: Unscented}

Best Eco-Friendly

Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Bags with Handles, 13 Gallon, Unscented

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Made with plant-based materials, Hippo Sak’s Tall Kitchen Bags are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic trash bags. Thanks to a patented PowerStrip feature at the bottom, liquids are less likely to leak into the bottom of the can. Extra-wide, thick handles make the bags easier to lift, tie, and carry. They also feature a snug design, which allows the bag’s opening to grip the trash can and stay securely in place. 

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

_{Amount: 45 | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Linear low-density polyethylene (1.02 mil thick) | Dimensions: 15.5 x 8.5 x 29 inches | Scent: Unscented}

Best Compostable

BioBag The Original Compostable Bag, 13 Gallon

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Made with plant starches, vegetable oils, and fully compostable polymers, BioBags are an excellent choice for sustainable trash disposal. Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute, these bags meet ASTM D6400 standards, which means they can be sufficiently composted by commercial or municipal composting facilities. Unlike regular plastic bags, which don’t easily break down, BioBags are designed to be processed by micro-organisms that naturally occur in the soil. They also come in streamlined packaging to further reduce waste. 

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

_{Amount: 48 | Capacity: 13 gallons | Materials: Starches of plants, vegetable oils, fully compostable polymers (0.68 mil thick) | Dimensions: 22.2 x 29 inches | Scent: Not listed}

Best Small

Glad Small Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, 4 Gallon, Febreze Beachside Breeze

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With a four-gallon capacity and 17-by-18-inch overall size, these drawstring trash bags from Glad are a better fit for small trash cans you may have in your kitchen, a bathroom, or even a dorm room. Constructed with Glad’s signature OdorShield technology and a “beachside breeze” scent, they can help combat some of the toughest trash odors. These bags are lined with thicker plastic at the bottom to prevent leaks. They also have a drawstring that ensures a secure fit on trash cans. The drawstring can be cinched closed for easy removal and carrying.

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

_{Amount: 80 | Capacity: 4 gallons | Material: Plastic (0.5 mil thick) | Dimensions: 17 x 18 inches | Scent: Beachside breeze}

Best Large

Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags, 30 Gallon, Unscented

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If you’re in need of a more spacious bag, the Hefty Strong 30-gallon Trash Bags are a great choice for large receptacles and bigger cleanups. Composed of thick 1.05-mil plastic, these heavy-duty bags provide reliable protection against rips and leaks. Although they aren’t treated with any type of odor protection, the material is thick enough to contain foul smells. The convenient drawstring closure makes it easier to transport heavy loads to the curb. 

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

_{Amount: 74 | Capacity: 30 gallons | Material: Plastic (1.05 mil thick) | Dimensions: 30 x 32.9 inches | Scent: Unscented} 

Best Heavy-Duty

Hefty Ultra Strong Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, Lavender and Sweet Vanilla Scent

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Hefty’s 13-gallon Ultra Strong kitchen trash bags are tough enough to handle heavy loads. These bags have a lavender and vanilla scent and are infused with Arm & Hammer to neutralize odors and keep your kitchen smelling fresh. Thanks to their thick, flexible design, they can also expand as they’re filled to accommodate large loads with less chance of tearing.

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

_{Amount: 80 | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (0.9 mil thick) | Dimensions: 23.75 x 24.8 inches | Scent: Lavender and sweet vanilla}

Best Scented

Glad ForceFlex Protection Series Tall Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, Gain Moonlight Breeze with Febreze Scent

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These Glad ForceFlex Trash Bags combine fresh scents from Gain and Febreze to combat odors effectively, making them our top scented pick. They also offer Glad’s signature ForceFlex technology, which prevents the bags from tearing even when they’re exposed to sharp edges and heavy loads of trash. The side seals and bottom of the bags are constructed to prevent breakage and leaks. Unexpected rips and tears can happen, but these bags deliver a stellar performance on the whole.

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

_{Amount: 110 bags | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Plastic (0.72 mil thick) | Dimensions: 22.28 x 25.39 inches | Scent: Gain moonlight breeze}