Doing laundry is quite a polarizing task. Some people dread doing it similar to how you might feel about washing dishes or vacuuming. Meanwhile, others look forward to the the simplicity of the chore. Regardless of which side you fall on, a good laundry routine starts with a great laundry basket or hamper.
What makes a quality laundry basket depends on several factors, according to Linda Samuels, professional organizer and author at Oh So Organized. “Great laundry hamper qualities include good function and design,” she says. “Think about where the hamper will ‘live,’ how easy it is to use (with or without a lid), and whether it will stay in one place or be moved often.” With that in mind, we rounded up some of the best laundry baskets to help you stay organized and prepared for laundry day.
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These are the factors our expert recommended I keep in mind when making this list:
- Design: There are several types of laundry hampers, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Some hampers are made from mesh, plastic or fabric, while others are made of a woven material. Some people prefer the look of one over the other, but it’s also important to think about your personal routine and how much laundry you do on a daily or weekly basis. I made sure to include laundry hampers of all different types and textures, ideal for people with many types of schedules.
- Size: Similar to design, the size of the laundry basket you chose will depend on how often and how much laundry you do. Some small laundry hampers may be best for one person who only does laundry for themselves or someone who does laundry very often. A large one may be great for a family. In this list, I included laundry hampers of many different sizes.
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These are among the most highly rated laundry baskets and hampers we came across at Select readers’ favorite retailers, like Amazon, Target, Walmart and Wayfair. We separated the types of hampers and baskets we found into five common categories, including collapsible hampers and laundry baskets with wheels.
Wicker isn’t actually a material, but the way a material, like willow or reed, is woven together. Wicker has traditionally been used in basketry and is often made with rattan, raffia or straw in furniture, among other materials.
If you’re prone to compartmentalizing, you might like this bestselling laundry basket. The oval-shaped basket has two separate compartments with their own machine-washable liners that are secured to the hamper by built-in handles. Made of handwoven plastic, the basket is water-resistant and comes in five colors: Light Amber, Mocha Brown, Water Hyacinth, Natural Water Hyacinth and gray. It has earned a 4.5-star average rating from 1,738 reviews on Amazon.
This wicker hamper is designed to fit snugly into corners. It’s made from a moisture-resistant plastic material and includes carry handles and a removable liner, according to the brand. The hamper is a popular pick with Wayfair shoppers, earning an average 4.6-star rating over more than 3,033 reviews.
This waterproof, metal-framed hamper is made from a realistic looking rattan-like plastic and has silica gel feet to prevent scratches on the floor, according to the brand. Its cotton liner is removable, machine-washable and ties to the corners of the hamper. The hamper has earned an average 4.6-star rating over more than 11,229 reviews on Amazon.
This basket comes recommended by Samuels who says it’s ideal for small rooms. “This slim, foldable laundry hamper fits into tight spaces and has handles for easy carrying,” she says. “It’s made of high-density waterproof fabric and a metal frame to keep it stable when standing.” It’s available in 10+ styles and the inside is lined with breathable mesh.
While this fabric hamper may look inflexible, it can be collapsed when it’s not in use. Its exterior is made from a thick polyester and its interior lining is reinforced with a waterproof coating, according to the brand. The brand says the hamper’s longer handles make it easy to transport with just one hand. It currently comes in two capacities, 72 liters and 100 liters, and in three colors: blue, gray or pink stripes.
This affordable and bestselling hamper is constructed from what the brand describes as a “durable mesh” that’s meant to keep moisture at bay. A pocket on the hamper offers extra storage or a place to put your phone while headed to the laundry room. You can choose between a handful of colors and designs, including a cute cartoon puppy, though availability fluctuates.
This hamper has a retractable handle and a flip-top lid. The roller wheels will glide smoothly across different surfaces, according to Sterilite. A popular pick with Walmart shoppers, it has earned an average 4.5-star rating over more than 8,784 reviews.
This 160-liter laundry basket with wheels has handles on the sides and a metal frame to help it maintain its shape. While it’s a common style for hotels, it’s also suitable for home and even for students living away from home. It’s also available in a 320-liter option for people who do a high volume of laundry weekly. Two of the wheels have brakes on them and the basket is removable from the wheel frame, so you can wash and clean it.
This four-wheeled laundry basket has a durable metal frame on the outside and a fabric line on the inside. It also has a wood lid so you can cover your clothes but also use it to store laundry detergent and other supplies. It has two baskets each with handles and the metal frame also has a handle so you can pull it along with the wheels.
This bamboo basket has rope handles on each side and an additional rope on the lid. It includes a removable bag inside if you don’t want to carry the whole basket to the laundry room. It currently comes in two stains: Dark and a lighter, Natural.
While this dual-compartment hamper might seem big to carry, it’s actually made from a lightweight polypropylene material that makes transporting it to the laundry room easy, according to the brand. Each compartment comes with its own removable laundry bag, to help you separate whites from darks, or your laundry from your significant other’s. It comes in eight colors, from bright turquoise to beige. It’s a popular pick on Amazon, earning an average 4.4-star rating over close to 8,047 reviews.
This wheeled laundry center from Wayfair Basics, the online decor shop’s line of affordable home essentials, offers an adjustable hanging bar for ironed clothes or delicates. It also features three removable and machine-washable hamper bags. It has an average 4.2-star rating with close to 1,252 reviews on Wayfair.
Like other sorters, this wheeled hamper has three compartments for separating lights, darks and delicates — but with the Elena, each removable fabric bag slides out on runners. You can also use its table-like surface to fold clean laundry. The multi-use sorter has an average 4.3-star rating with close to 641 reviews on Wayfair.
This laundry sorter comes with a tray-style top that doubles as an ironing board and folds upward for easy access to the three machine-washable laundry bags. The sorter sits on four caster wheels for transportability. It has an average 4.5-star rating over more than 9,982 reviews on Wayfair.
Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind when shopping for laundry baskets.
Choose a material
Since laundry baskets often come in plastic, woven or fabric material, it’s best to start here when choosing the best option for you. “Plastic or fabric hampers are usually the lightest, making them easy to carry. Handles or straps help make transport easier,” says Samuels. “Woven hampers are less desirable because clothing and threads can snag on the rough surface, even if the hamper has a canvas insert.”
Think about portability
When choosing the best laundry basket for your home, decide whether portability is important, especially since the basket will get heavy from time to time. “If it will be moved frequently from its ‘home’ to your laundry area, make sure it’s easy to carry and not too heavy,” says Samuels. “Functionality is most important, but if it looks nice and is well-designed, that’s a bonus.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Linda Samuels is a professional organizer and author at Oh So Organized.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select where he writes about home appliances and accessories.
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