The Best Trash Bags of 2026

It’s easy to underestimate the value of a great trash bag—that is, until you have to take out the garbage in a weak, leaky bag. Even if you're sold on the necessity of a good garbage bag, it's tough to know which to buy. As they don't come in sample sizes, trying out a new brand of trash bag could mean that you’re stuck using month’s worth of bags less than impressed with.

Fortunately, we're here to help.

After spending weeks researching and testing the most popular trash bags on the market, as well as some notable store brands, we’re confident the Glad ForceFlex Plus are the best option, for most people. They tie up easily and can accommodate large, heavy loads. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, you'll want to check out the Amazon Basics (available at Amazon). They're durable and you're getting a ton of bags in the box.

Other Trash Bags We Tested

How We Tested Trash Bags

The Testers

I'm Samantha Mangino, a staff writer at Reviewed covering the home section. I review appliances and products so you can rest assured you're buying the best stuff out there. Living in an apartment, I want a sturdy trash bag that won't leak or break in the hallway or on the way to the garbage bin.

Dave Ellerby, the Chief Scientist in the Reviewed labs, assisted in these trash bag tests. He oversees our lab testing, develops tests for new products, and updates tests to ensure they’re as meaningful as possible.

Kevin Oliver and Georgia Kral were the original testers and writers of this buying guide.

The Tests

To find the best available trash bag, we put each bag in this guide through a series of practical tests. While kitchen trash bags can range in size from 12 gallons to 16 gallons, we tested the most common size kitchen trash bags, which is 13 gallons.

First, we inserted each bag into a 13-gallon trash can and, throughout the week, used it as, well, a trash bag to toss garbage into. We paid special attention to how easily each bag fit into our trash can, how difficult it was to tie while still in the can, and how cumbersome it was to remove a full bag from the can once tied.

To determine durability, we turned to Reviewed’s chief scientist, David Ellerby, at our labs in Cambridge, MA. We tested the maximum weight capacity of each trash bag, by adding dumbbells to each bag in five-pound increments until the bag finally surrendered under its load and broke. Most of the bags gave way under 30 pounds of weight. Others couldn’t hold more than 25 pounds.

When we redid our testing, we tested the durability of the trash bags through water weight. We held the bags up with a lift and filled them with water until they broke, noting the weight at which the bags faltered.

What You Should Know About Buying Trash Bags

While not all trash bags are the same, you can expect certain characteristics to be present in each.

• Size: If your trash bag hangs over the receptacle by four inches, it’s too long. It’s way more bag than you realistically need. Ideally, you’d want the trash bag to hug the circumference of the barrel by an inch or two. You don’t want to waste money on a bag that’s way too big.

• Material: Most trash bags available today are made out of low-density polyethylene, which is a lightweight plastic that’s relatively tough and tear resistant. This type of plastic takes years to degrade, though, so it’s not very eco-friendly. If you’d rather go the biodegradable route, we’d recommend checking out reusable trash bags.

• Durability: For kitchen barrels and outdoor bins, you’ll want to go with a low-density trash bag. They’re thicker and more durable than most run-of-the-mill trash bags. Not only are they able to hold heavy loads, but they can also withstand objects with sharp or pointed edges like cardboard or wood. A more durable trash bag also lends itself, potentially, fewer liquid leaks.

While different types of plastics can end up in the recycling, are trash bags recyclable? No, trash bags are not recyclable so it's not recommended that you use them to bag up your recycling.

More Articles You Might Enjoy

• The Best Kitchen Trash Cans
• The Best Outdoor Trash Cans
• The Best Kitchen Towels
• The Best Toilet Paper