We updated this article in July 2022 to add a new pick for the best laundry hamper with wheels, add more information for some featured products and more information about how we test hampers at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.
Laundry hampers may not be as exciting as other home buys like new mattresses and cozy duvet covers, but they serve an important purpose. They collect all your laundry — clothes, linens and towels — in one spot, so you don’t clutter your bedroom or bathroom floor with messy piles.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab likes clothes hampers that make laundry day more organized by dividing your colors, lights and darks so your loads are ready to go straight into the washing machine without any additional sorting. For a storage solution that is just as functional as it is stylish, here are our recommended laundry hampers in varying shapes, sizes and materials to fit any space and decor.
Our top picks:
At the end of this guide, read more about how we chose the laundry hampers on this list, what you should look for when shopping and answers to your frequently asked questions. For more laundry day content, check out our guides to the best laundry detergents, stain removers and laundry day upgrades.
1
Best Overall Laundry Hamper
White Seagrass Handcrafted Divided Hamper & Liner
2
Best Value Laundry Hamper
Mesh Popup Laundry Hamper
3
Best Laundry Hamper with Lid
Double Laundry Hamper with Lid
4
Best Stylish Laundry Hamper
Cotton Rope Laundry Basket
5
Best Laundry Hamper with Wheels
Stair Climber Rolling Laundry Hamper
6
Best Laundry Hamper for Small Spaces
Loads of Fun Laundry Hamper
7
Best Laundry Hamper with Two Compartments
Tota Laundry Separation Basket
8
Best Laundry Basket
Ultra Laundry Basket
9
Best Large Laundry Hamper
Three-Bag Laundry Sorter with Ironing Board Top
How we choose the best laundry hampers
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we’re continuously testing the best laundry room essentials from major appliances like the best clothes dryers to basics like detergents. We’ve even taught many a beginner how to do laundry the right way. Using our decades of expertise, we researched trends and the most popular options across multiple home goods retailers to determine the top laundry hamper recommendations. For the model tested in the Lab (pictured), our expert added multiple, 7-pound loads to the hamper to check for capacity, carried the laundry hamper back and forth a short distance and assessed how easy the hamper was to assemble.
We considered capacity as well as whether there were multiple compartments for sorting. We factored in aesthetics, material (for airflow to prevent odors), portability and whether it included removable liners. When possible, we chose hampers with a lid for keeping soiled washables out of sight and odors contained.
What to look for when shopping for the best laundry hampers
✔️ Size: When shopping, consider the space, both inside and outside the laundry hamper. While large hampers with dividers will cut time out of your laundry day by allowing you to separate your clothes up front, these can often be bulky and take up a lot of space in your home. Think about how much floor space you can spare: An empty corner? Slim space between bedroom furniture or near your washer and dryer? A sizable portion of your closet? Also, consider how much laundry your household generates between washes.
✔️ Ventilation: Proper ventilation will go a long way in keeping the hamper — as well as your laundry room, bedroom or bathroom — smelling clean. Your hamper should not be completely sealed or it will trap odors. A laundry hamper that’s constructed with a loose weave or made from a breathable material like cotton, linen or bamboo will be the best option for making sure air can properly circulate through your laundry to keep odors at bay.
✔️ Features: Find a hamper that will tackle your specific needs: Wheels and handles make it easier to transport heavy loads to and from the laundry room; lids conceal unsightly piles; collapsible designs save space. There are even hampers with shelves for organizing or that double as an ironing board. Finding the right hamper for your home will make doing laundry less of a chore (all while making it possible to finally see your kid’s bedroom floor again).
How do I keep my laundry hamper from smelling?
Your laundry hamper can start smelling for two reasons: Poor ventilation traps soiled clothing odors, or wet clothing placed in the hamper causes a smelly mold to grow. To keep your laundry hamper odor-free, make sure that the hamper you’re using is made of breathable material. If possible, wash laundry often enough to keep the hamper from overflowing and allow damp laundry — like wet towels or sweaty gym clothes — to dry out before tossing them in.
And it’s important to clean the hamper itself from time to time. Hampers with removable cloth liners are also great for keeping things fresh. You can throw the liners in the washing machine together with your regular load of laundry to keep it clean and odor-free.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jodhaira Rodriguez has been testing laundry products and other cleaning tools and appliances in the Good Housekeeping Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab since 2021. She helped update this list with new, highly-rated picks and personally tested the Joseph Joseph model included in this guide.
Amanda Garrity is a former editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion.
Amanda Garrity
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion.
Jodhaira Rodriguez
Home Care & Cleaning Lab Reviews Analyst
Jodhaira Rodriguez is a Reviews Analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute who graduated from Hofstra Unversity with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science before going on to work as an analyst in an environmental lab.
