Bagpodz Reusable Shopping Bags are our best overall pick because they’re available in a pack of five or 10, 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. 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. Price at time of publish: $27 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. Price at time of publish: $20 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. Price at time of publish: $16 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. Price at time of publish: $36 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. Price at time of publish: $60 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. Price at time of publish: $20 The only downside: they’re not machine-washable, so you’ll have to spot clean or replace any with significant stains. Price at time of publish: $25 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. Price at time of publish: $20 What’s more, they are extra roomy. A three-pack holds the same amount of items as 10 single-use grocery bags. Price at time of publish: $35
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.
