The Seven Best Reusable Shopping Bags, According to Wirecutter Staff

Standard Baggu ($12 at the time of publication)

These bags have become staples for many people, including me, because they’re so convenient to carry and use. I appreciate how the Standard Baggu bags are especially easy to store and clean. Most of my other bags are bulky, but the Baggu is flexible enough to fold (or squish) into my pocket, my purse, or the tiny carrying case that comes with each one. It may not be as tough looking as some of my canvas bags, but it holds a lot of cookies and canned goods—up to 50 pounds’ worth. And when I finish unpacking, I can just wipe it down or throw it into the washing machine if the bag picked up any dirt along the way. Sure, everyone may have a Baggu, but you can stand out by choosing one of Baggu’s fun colors or prints, such as checkerboard, psychedelic Charlie Brown, or an “I Love NY” plastic-bag facsimile.

—Rachel Cericola, senior staff writer

IKEA Knalla ($2 at the time of publication)

I carry at least two of these $2 IKEA totes with me everywhere—to the grocery store, the mall, the soccer stadium, and even places I don’t expect I’ll need one. They fold up small into a built-in pouch (so easily that I can do this, and have done this, with my eyes closed). They’re easy to stow in my purse, my trunk, and any other convenient nook or cranny. They are virtually impenetrable by even the heaviest of groceries—I've stuffed them with canned beans, glass bottles over years of use, and more—and none of mine have ever torn or broken. The strap isn’t comfortable for longer walks if the bag is full of heavy items, and the bag isn’t very water resistant, but those drawbacks are not dealbreakers for me. The bags come in red and black, and because they’re so affordable I probably have at least five of each at this point, all at least a year or two old.

—Annam Swanson, managing editor

Junes The Black Square Mesh ($25 at the time of publication)

The Junes Black Square Mesh stands out from the quintessential Baggu models and other sack-like bags because it has a water bottle pocket, but it’s still more flexible and smaller than the heavy canvas structured bags that tend to have more organization. You can also use the little bottle pocket for keys or anything else that you don’t want to slide to the bottom of the bag. The mesh gives this bag a grippy texture, and I also love that it doesn’t roll off my shoulder as easily as other slick polyester bags. With the open, slightly stretchy weave, I can stuff even more goods into the bag in one go. Junes sells bags made from biodegradable materials, too, and it has a recycling program if you need to retire your bags.

—Anna Perling, staff writer

ChicoBag Micro Compact Reusable Grocery Bag ($20 at the time of publication)

As a city dweller, I tend to stop off at a store every couple of days to grab some vegetables, some sort of beverage, and a few other items. Typically I’ll end up with two bags to carry home. Although the ChicoBag Micro is a bit pricey for a bag of its size, I love that it tucks away into a built-in pouch, morphing into an ovoid slightly larger than a jumbo chicken egg. (The original ChicoBag costs $9 at this writing and is just a little bulkier when folded into its sack. It also has a carabiner.) The ChicoBag Micro’s small size means I can throw one into each pocket of my windbreaker and never have to worry if I decide to stop off at the store on the way home. After all, you might not know in the morning that you’ll want to pick up a six-pack after a no-good, very-bad day.

—Phil Ryan, editor

IKEA Frakta ($1.50 at the time of publication)

The iconic big blue IKEA bag—officially called the IKEA Frakta—is big enough to haul a trunkload of groceries into the house in one go. The Frakta can hold several smaller reusable bags of stuff, saving me the embarrassment of dropping the eggs while I try to unlock my front door with three bags hanging from each forearm. It’s also a boon at Aldi, Costco, or other bagless stores where people tend to stock up on cheap necessities in bulk. When you’re not out shopping, these IKEA bags can pull double duty as laundry hampers—and I’ve schlepped board games and kitchen gear in them to many a weekend getaway with friends, too. This bag also comes in a smaller size and a zip-top version.

—Erin Moore, producer

Baggu Giant Pocket Tote (about $60 at the time of publication)

The Giant Pocket Tote, like the magical Weasley family camping tent from the Harry Potter series, is far bigger than it looks. Perhaps even more magically, this huge tote doesn’t become a black hole that swallows my personal-items trifecta of phone, keys, and wallet. Several inner and outer pockets can stash smaller items but are big enough to fit a book or a pair of over-ear headphones. The Giant Pocket Tote’s flexible shape accommodates stiff boxes, bulky toilet paper, and a mountain of groceries. Like all of my favorite bags, this one has both a shoulder strap and a shorter handle—crucial if you need to re-situate yourself on a crowded train or sidewalk or just want to adjust your grip. It comes in five neutral colors and two shades of denim.

—Anna Perling, staff writer

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote ($25 to $40 at the time of publication)

We especially love to use the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote while we grocery shop, although you can just as easily pack it for a trip to the beach. One of our favorite tote bags, it’s well sized for shopping, as it has a structured, open top that allows you to take stock of the things on your list that you’ve grabbed and then beeline for what’s left. (For $10 more, you can buy it with a zip-top to make sure nothing falls out.) It’s rated to hold 500 pounds, so it should handle any amount of Oscar Mayer wieners that you’re buying for a pre-summer cookout.

—Justin Krajeski, staff writer

If you have a drawer full of old freebie tote bags that you don’t like and don’t want to use, consider swapping them out for something you’ll actually bring with you to the store or market. Depending on the material of your old totes, how you can dispose of them varies, but Jolie Kerr at The New York Times (Wirecutter’s parent company) has a great guide on how to donate them. Just be sure to clean them first.