The Best Laundry Hampers, According to Cleaning Design Experts
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Despite influencers trying to make it look breezy and the let’s-do-it-together trope in TV and film, laundry is neither sexy nor a bonding experience. Laundry is a never-ending battle. A contest waged between society’s demand for daily clothing and constantly growing piles of freshly dirty, clean and unfolded, and not-dirty-but-not-clean clothes.
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Unfortunately, the market hasn’t evolved much for home laundry doers beyond making machine washers and dryers marginally better. But getting a better laundry hamper, that’s something that can take some literal pain out of the job.
Modern hamper and laundry basket designs make transporting, storing, and sorting laundry much easier. Sure, even the best hampers won’t take all the tedium and effort out of the clothes-cleaning process, but for anywhere between $10 and $60 for most hampers, they can at least make it more comfortable and less likely to be put off for weeks at a time.
What the Experts Say
SPY spoke with four experts to get the down-and-dirty facts on the best hampers, including Laurie Fulford, a top Home Laundry Pro for on-demand laundry service Poplin; Jordan Diatlo, the founder, CEO and creative director of industrial design company Leadoff Studio; Daniel Feliciano, CEO of the on-demand laundry service Clotheslyne; and Cheryl Nelson, preparedness expert and founder of PrepareWithCher.
Laundry hampers and baskets aren’t complicated, but that doesn’t mean no thought should go into buying them. First, buyers need to consider their immediate needs and their living space. “Since the laundry basket can only hold a finite amount of clothing, I’d advise thinking about just how much laundry you’re doing at once,” Diatlo says. “It’s also critical to think about where the laundry basket goes when you’re not doing laundry (which I hope is most of the time!). Do you have a closet big enough to hide it away or would you need something that collapses?”
Fulford agrees, saying, “Keep in mind the area/space in your home that you are keeping this laundry basket the majority of the time. What works best for your space?”
So a sorting hamper system might be great for people with a lot of laundry and space, while a closet-friendly basket or lidless hamper could better serve those in small apartments. Yet others might want a collapsible basket or a classy basket to add some function and beauty to the space.
No matter where the hamper goes or the volume of laundry, the experts agree on a few essential qualities. The ideal hamper, they say, should be built to last with mildew-resistant materials and proper ventilation, and designed lightweight and ergonomic for folks who walk to and from a laundry machine that’s floors or city blocks away.
BEST OVERALL
Sterilite 44-Liter Ultra Hip Hold Laundry Hamper (6 pack)
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Laundry hampers aren’t sexy, but if they were, the curves on this Sterilite would stand out. Its design goes to show how simple, thoughtful choices result in a superior product. The design is sturdy and ventilated, the handles are thick and comfortable to hold, and the hip-hugging internal curve makes it easy to go one-handed.
Diatlo, for one, isn’t sleeping on this hamper, saying the design is just right for the job. “Some might think this is boring, but I really think this design is phenomenal,” he says. “Curved plastic is one of the only materials that can achieve that large curved side but still feel okay against your body.” Fulford and Nelson echo that, praising the hamper’s handles for easy transport.
Diatlo also likes the cheap price for this six-pack of hampers, around $9 per basket, though Nelson notes not everyone needs six baskets. But for anyone who can store the extra hampers, the Sterlite is an all-around great option for transporting and holding laundry.
BEST FOR STORAGE
SAMMART 42L (11-Gallon) Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket
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The Sammart Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket is one of the best-reviewed hampers on Amazon thanks to its 42-liter capacity, hip-friendly design, and, primarily, its ability to collapse ridiculously flat that makes it storage-friendly.
“I love this basket,” Fulford says. “It’s durable, has large handles for transport and I love the collapsible feature.” Feliciano agrees, adding, “this basket is handy for those in smaller living spaces.”
It’s only not the best overall because its gift could also be its downfall: Diatlo says he’s wary of baskets like this because the silicone-plastic part that collapses could break down over time. “Be mindful that a complex feature like collapsibility could become a product’s failure point,” he says. “I’ve seen silicone get a small tear that becomes a catastrophic rip within a few uses.”
But for people who need an easy-to-store basket that still holds its own with big loads of laundry and are willing to spend a little more than they might otherwise want, the Sammart hamper is the best pick.
BEST MINIMALIST
Yamazaki Home Laundry Basket Storage Hamper
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The Yamazaki Home Laundry Basket Storage Hamper takes seriously the idea that even highly utilitarian products like laundry hampers can be minimalist and beautiful. With an all-steel construction and nearly 52.5 liters of capacity, this hamper does its simple job of holding laundry and looks way better. “I love how [Yamazaki’s] used almost no material to create this open volume that is still very functional,” he says. “This is the kind of laundry basket that you don’t mind leaving out because it almost disappears. Its minimalist design does not detract from any room.”
But for all its aesthetic strengths, Fulford warns it could be less practical than other hamper options, saying, “Small items could fall through the cracks.”
As is the case with many products striving for objet d’art status, the Yamazaki runs pricier than average, costing $55 for one hamper. But anyone who detests the sight of an overflowing plastic basket will find some sweet relief in owning this instead.
BEST FOR SORTING
Yuelan Laundry Hamper w/ Basket Sorter
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The Yuelan Laundry Hamper Large Basket Sorter was meant for mountain-sized laundry needs. Hello, families with children. With a sturdy steel frame, a giant, removable 240-liter basket with three sections, and serious wheels in a steel frame (as opposed to those all-too-common awful plastic wheels), this hamper is designed for washing in bulk.
“I love the idea of separating the laundry this way,” Fulford says. “This type of design would be ideal for someone who could store it directly in their laundry room.” Nelson also appreciates the simple sorting and ease of transport here. Fulford adds one caveat: She says don’t let wet items sit for too long in the basket to minimize the risk of mold.
Fortunately, even though the material, a high-strength canvas-like polyester, isn’t mold-proof, it’s naturally water-resistant and the same kind of polyester used for outdoors and camping gear. As long as the hamper bag is maintained with semi-regular wipedowns (or replaced a la carte), this laundry sorter will be the last sorter a household needs, and at a fairly reasonable price just under $40.
BEST FIRST HAMPER
Collapsible Mesh Pop-Up Laundry Hamper
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Anyone who went away for college or lived in a small apartment with no machines in the building is intimately familiar with pop-up hampers like the Handy Laundry Collapsible Mesh Pop-Up Laundry Hamper.
It’s wildly cheap for its long-term value, much stronger than it looks, easy to store under or behind anything, and comes in a two-pack for a dedicated clean bag and dirty bag.
Diatlo agrees, saying he’s owned pop-up hampers and that the design still holds up for people who need an affordable option “You can do so much with this design. The wire frame and mesh construction is so lightweight that bringing it to a laundromat or dorm/apartment laundry room is easy,” he says. “The whole product folds flat, so it’s not in the way while you are doing your laundry. I’ve seen this product a lot (and have owned it!) but I think its ubiquity is a testament to how great of a solution it is, and at an affordable price.”
At just under $12 for a two-pack, these pop-up hampers are a zero-risk laundry solution.
BEST FOR STYLE
Sedona Honey Hamper
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Style is substance, and substance is substance in the Crate and Barrel Sedona Hamper. Made from biodegradable rattan and woven by hand, this hamper looks beautiful in any bathroom or bedroom. It’s also Diatlo’s hamper of choice, despite the almost $140 price tag. “The cylindrical construction is extremely strong and durable (corners can become tearing points), ensuring it will last for a very long time,” he says.
More durable than wicker equivalents, this hamper not only brings the sustainable style, it holds around three loads of laundry, which is to say, a lot of clothes.
For getting the clothes to the laundry, a removable liner for another $20 can make transit easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Hampers
Are Laundry Baskets and Hampers the Same Thing?
The terms “basket” and “hamper” are used practically interchangeably.
If there’s any difference at all, it’s that some self-identified baskets are better for transporting compared with most hampers, which often stay in a single space and collect laundry.
What Are the Features to Look For in a Laundry Hamper?
The best hamper depends on a person’s spacing and laundry needs. For people with plenty of space, a few high-quality plastic baskets will likely be sufficient to collect and transport laundry.
For those with dedicated laundry rooms or frequent wash cycles, a large laundry sorter hamper could prove to be the most useful. For the many doing laundry infrequently, looking to save money, or living in cramped quarters, a collapsible mesh bag or collapsible plastic basket is best.
What Materials Should I Look for When Shopping for a Laundry Hamper?
Overall, experts say the best hampers will be made of durable, sturdy, mildew-resistant materials, like plastic or steel. They will be easy to use and maneuver and feature a human-friendly design with large handles and hip curves.
Feliciano says: “Aesthetics might be essential in a bedroom or bathroom, while utility areas can accommodate more functional designs. Your laundry habits — how often you wash and the laundry volume — should dictate your choice’s size and durability.”
He added, “For those who need to move laundry over distances, features like handles, wheels, or lightweight materials are essential for easy transportation.”
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