A good cooking day fills a kitchen bag fast. Onion skins, lime rinds, wet corn husks, avocado pits and the last of the salsa all go in together, and the bag has to survive the walk to the curb with something sharp poking at one side and something wet sitting at the bottom. Nobody thinks about a trash bag until it splits on the kitchen floor.
Reviewers do think about it, and they do not always agree. One bag that did well for TODAY got a weak strength result from Reviewed, and a famous name that Reviewed rated as durable failed early for GearLab. This guide names nine kitchen bags, says what each review found, and points out where the results conflict, so you can match the bag to the trash your kitchen makes.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, the makers’ own details and published reviews, which we name. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which kitchen trash bags to buy
For most kitchens, the best kitchen trash bags are Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Bags: TODAY ranked them first after two months of comparing 13-gallon bags, with no tearing or leaks. If you want a drawstring, buy Glad ForceFlex, TODAY’s pick for leak protection. Own a simplehuman can? Buy the matching simplehuman Code M size, GearLab’s top choice, and buy Amazon Basics if you want a bulk box of plain drawstring bags.
Before you buy, check what your can takes. A 13-gallon bag fits most tall kitchen cans, but a snug fit matters, and simplehuman liners are sized by code for its own cans.
Five kitchen trash bags side by side
Five standouts, one for each kind of kitchen. All nine are covered in full below.
| Bag | Best for | Closure | Size | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy, wet kitchen trash | Wide handles | 13 gallon | View on Amazon | |
| Leak protection | Drawstring | 13 gallon | View on Amazon | |
simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Liners, 11-12 Gallon, 100 CountBest for simplehuman cans
|
simplehuman can owners | Drawstring | 11 to 12 gallon | View on Amazon |
| Stocking up | Drawstring | 13 gallon | View on Amazon | |
| Recycled plastic with a review | Tie handles | 13 gallon | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes and counts are from each listing; packaging and counts can vary.
Our picks for the best kitchen trash bags
We start with the bags that did best in named reviews, then the bulk and familiar options, and finish with recycled and compostable bags. Each section says what the review found, and where a bag rests on the maker’s details alone.
1. Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Bags with Handles, 13 Gallon, 90 Count – Wide Handles and a Strong Base
Hippo Sak swaps the drawstring for wide handles that tie, and that small change seems to pay off. TODAY’s reviewer spent about two months comparing eight 13-gallon bags, one a week, loading them with ordinary garbage, sharp flower stems, liquids and smelly food. Hippo Sak ranked first. She found the handles sturdy and easy to lift, saw no tearing under a heavy load and no leaks from a few cups of water and soup, and said it masked odors well even with no scent.
The listing says the bags are made in the USA, with a patented reinforced bottom strip, 4-ply handles and stretchy sides that add two inches of length for a snug fit. TODAY reports a thickness of 1.02 mil for the 45-count box it tried. This box holds 90, and the listing does not give a thickness.
Reviewed adds a data point from 2022: Hippo Sak’s plant-based bag held 60 pounds of water, the most in that review. That was the plant-based version, not this one, so treat it as a good sign for the brand and no more. Reviewed also noted that with no drawstring the bag can slide down the can. We do not repeat the maker’s claim about how much stronger it is than other brands.
Why we like it
- First in TODAY’s 2026 ranking
- No tears or leaks in that comparison
- Handles easy to lift, per TODAY
- Made in the USA, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 90 |
| Closure | Tie handles |
| Thickness | 1.02 mil on the box TODAY tried; not stated here |
| Scent | None |
| Material | Plastic; reinforced bottom |
| Made in | USA, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
This is the bag for a kitchen that throws out heavy, wet scraps and wants fewer accidents on the way to the bin.
Skip it if you prefer a drawstring that cinches the top, or your can has nothing to stop a bag sliding down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top independent ranking
- Sturdy handles, per TODAY
- Unscented but held odor well, per TODAY
Cons
- Higher cost per bag, per TODAY
- Can slide down the can, per Reviewed
- Little stretch, per Reviewed
2. Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags, Febreze Fresh Clean, 13 Gallon, 110 Count – Stretch That Stops Leaks
Glad ForceFlex is the stretchy bag, and that stretch is the point. The film gives around sharp edges instead of splitting. TODAY named this 110-count Febreze Fresh Clean box its best for leak protection: more than half a gallon of milk left no wetness in the can or on the bag, and sharp flower stems did not puncture it. The reviewer ranked it second overall and said the scent helped hide odors.
Glad lists a three-ply drawstring that grips the can, with rip, tear and puncture resistance and four days of odor control. TODAY reports a thickness of 0.72 mil, thinner than Hippo Sak, which shows that thickness alone does not decide how a bag behaves.
The other side comes from Reviewed. In its 2022 guide, the standard ForceFlex held about 30 pounds and was called stretchy but not very sturdy, while its top pick, the sturdier ForceFlexPlus, was marked unavailable on that page. TODAY also found the drawstrings a little short. If you dislike scented bags, Glad sells a fragrance-free ForceFlex in the same size.
Why we like it
- Best leak protection at TODAY
- Second overall at TODAY
- Stretches around sharp edges, per Glad
- Fragrance-free version sold too
Key specifications
| Model | TU_32496 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 110 |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Thickness | 0.72 mil, per TODAY |
| Scent | Febreze Fresh Clean |
| Material | Plastic |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if leaks are your main worry and you like a drawstring, especially if you keep wet food scraps in the can.
Skip it if you pack bags very heavy, since Reviewed saw it give out at about 30 pounds.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No leaks in TODAY’s milk trial
- Resisted sharp stems
- Scent helped mask odors, per TODAY
Cons
- Weak weight result at Reviewed
- Drawstrings a little short, per TODAY
- Scent will not suit everyone
3. HDX Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags, Fresh Scent, 13 Gallon, 200 Count – Stretchy With a Light Fresh Scent
HDX is Home Depot’s house brand, and it surprised TODAY’s reviewer. The 200-count fresh-scent box placed third of the eight bags she compared and took the label for best scent, which she described as pretty without being overpowering. It stretched well, handled heavy loads without tearing, and two cups of liquid left over several days caused no wetness.
The listing describes a double-thick top where bags are pulled and tied, an expandable drawstring that grips the can rim, and 20% post-consumer recycled plastic. TODAY gives its thickness as 1.64 mil, by far the highest figure in its table. The listing gives none, so check the box if that number matters to you.
There is one thing to know about buying this one on Amazon. TODAY bought from Home Depot, and on the listing we checked the seller was a third party, Birchshire, not Amazon or Home Depot. The offer was new and in stock, but read the seller details at checkout. TODAY’s one complaint was that the ties could be bigger.
Why we like it
- Third in TODAY’s ranking
- Best scent at TODAY
- Double-thick top, per the listing
- 20% recycled plastic, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | HDR13XHFN200W-F |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 200 |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Thickness | 1.64 mil, per TODAY |
| Scent | Fresh scent |
| Material | Plastic; 20% post-consumer recycled |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a busy kitchen that likes a scented bag and wants a big box with a named review behind it.
Skip it if you would rather buy directly from Amazon or from the brand’s own store, or you dislike scented bags.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No tears under heavy loads, per TODAY
- No leaks from two cups of liquid
- 200 bags in one box
Cons
- Sold by a third party on this listing
- Ties could be bigger, per TODAY
- Scent will not suit everyone
4. simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Liners, 11-12 Gallon, 100 Count – Exact Fit and Tidy Dispensing
If you own a simplehuman can, the matching liner is the obvious choice, and it also did well on its merits. GearLab’s 2023 review named the Code M its Editors’ Choice, calling it strong, with stiff plastic that does not stretch until just before it fails. It resisted odor better than most and had the best dispensing system GearLab tried.
The listing says the liners are extra thick and double seamed, with drawstring handles and 50% post-consumer recycled plastic. The dispenser box is made to sit in a pocket inside simplehuman’s step and sensor cans, so a fresh liner is always at hand.
The catch is sizing. GearLab says it is hard to work out which size fits unless you own a simplehuman can, and this is an 11 to 12 gallon bag, not a 13. Code M is only one size in a range of lettered codes, so check the code printed for your can before ordering. Reviewed tried a Code P in 2022 and found it held about 45 pounds before breaking, and warned that the plastic does not stretch and can rip if overloaded.
Why we like it
- GearLab’s Editors’ Choice
- Best dispensing GearLab tried
- Double seams, per the listing
- 50% recycled plastic, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | CW0173CP |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 to 12 gallon (40 to 45 liter) |
| Count | 100 |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Thickness | Not stated |
| Scent | Not stated |
| Material | 50% post-consumer recycled plastic |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you own a matching simplehuman can and want a liner that sits neatly and comes out of the box one at a time.
Skip it if you have a standard 13-gallon can from another brand. The fit is the reason to buy this bag.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong, per GearLab
- Better odor resistance than most, per GearLab
- Neat one-by-one dispensing
Cons
- Expensive, per GearLab
- Size is hard to judge without a simplehuman can
- Stiff plastic can rip if overloaded, per Reviewed
5. Amazon Basics Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags, Unscented, 13 Gallon, 200 Count – Plain Bags in Quantity
Two reviewers rate the Amazon Basics drawstring bag well for what it is. GearLab’s 2023 review named the 13-gallon bag its Best Buy, and it stretched to GearLab’s 75-pound maximum in the tear test before failing. Reviewed named it best value in 2022 after it held about 50 pounds of water, and said it fit snugly and contained odors when tied.
This box holds 200 unscented bags. The listing gives 0.9 mil thick, 24 inches wide by 27 3/8 inches tall, with a red drawstring. Those are plain numbers, which we prefer to a long list of strength claims.
Quality is the weak spot. GearLab found one failed seam among the eight bags it checked. The two reviews also disagree on stretch: GearLab calls the bag very stretchy, and Reviewed says the sides do not stretch. Both reviews are a few years old, and the bags they tried may differ from today’s box, so take the numbers as a guide.
Why we like it
- Best Buy at GearLab
- Best value at Reviewed
- 200 bags in one box
- Listing states thickness and size
Key specifications
| Model | AMZB4-13GW-0.9DS-200 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 200 |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Thickness | 0.9 mil |
| Scent | Unscented |
| Material | Plastic |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a busy household that goes through a bag a day and would rather buy once than keep reordering.
Skip it if you want the same strength from every bag, since GearLab found a failed seam.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two independent value picks
- Good load results in both reviews
- Large box
Cons
- One failed seam in eight, per GearLab
- Reviews disagree on stretch
- Unscented, so no odor masking
6. Hefty Ultra Strong Tall Kitchen Bags, Unscented, 13 Gallon, 80 Count – Tough Drawstring, Mixed Results
Hefty Ultra Strong is on most supermarket shelves, and the reviews split sharply. Reviewed’s 2022 guide found it durable, with drawstrings that cinch tightly, and it held about 35 pounds of dumbbells. Hefty calls it its strongest tall kitchen bag, with a break-resistant drawstring and Arm & Hammer odor control.
GearLab’s 2023 result is much less kind. It rated the bag poor for strength across the board, said it could not hold more than 40 pounds, and saw it fail at 14 pounds when snagged on a blunt object. It also found minimal odor protection. GearLab did like how easily it dispenses from a perforated box flap and called it serviceable at a good price.
We include it because it is the bag many people already buy, and because a straight comparison is more useful than leaving it out. Treat it as a familiar everyday bag, not as the strongest here. Those reviews are not new, so the current bag may differ. The listing mentions a 100% satisfaction guarantee, with a hotline number on the package.
Why we like it
- Tight-cinching drawstring, per Reviewed
- Easy to dispense, per GearLab
- Satisfaction guarantee, per the listing
- Unscented option
Key specifications
| Model | 10013700016698 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 80 |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Thickness | Not stated |
| Scent | Unscented; Arm & Hammer odor control |
| Material | Plastic |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Reasonable for light, dry kitchen trash if you already like Hefty and want a drawstring that pulls tight.
Skip it if you throw away anything sharp. GearLab’s snag result was the weakest part of its review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Drawstrings cinch tightly, per Reviewed
- Dispenses easily, per GearLab
- Widely known brand
Cons
- Poor strength at GearLab
- Failed at 14 pounds in a snag trial
- Minimal odor protection, per GearLab
7. Who Gives A Crap 100% Recycled Tall Kitchen Bags, 13 Gallon, 40 Count – All Recycled Plastic, Tie Handles
Recycled bags have a reputation for being weak, and this one pushed back on that. TODAY named Who Gives A Crap its best recycled option and placed it fourth. The reviewer said she was surprised by how durable it was, that it handled a week of trash, and that water and soup did not leak. It also masked odor well, and the pattern is more cheerful than a plain white bag.
The listing says the bags are made from 100% recycled plastic, fit standard 13-gallon cans and have tie handles. The company says it donates 50% of profits to water and sanitation projects. That is a claim from the maker, which we report and have not checked.
Fit is the complaint. TODAY’s reviewer said it may not fit every can well, and that the handles draped unevenly and looked sloppy. TODAY’s table did not list a thickness, and neither does this listing. With 40 bags to a box, this is a smaller box than the bulk options here.
Why we like it
- Best recycled option at TODAY
- 100% recycled plastic, per the listing
- No leaks from water and soup, per TODAY
- Masked odor well, per TODAY
Key specifications
| Model | WGGAPCR40A01 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 40 |
| Closure | Tie handles |
| Thickness | Not stated |
| Scent | Unscented, per TODAY |
| Material | 100% recycled plastic |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This is the recycled bag to buy if you want a named review saying it holds up to a week of kitchen trash.
Skip it if you need a neat, snug fit. TODAY’s reviewer found the handles drape unevenly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong result for a recycled bag
- Tie handles
- Carton is recyclable, per the listing
Cons
- May not fit every can, per TODAY
- Untidy handles, per TODAY
- Smaller box
8. Seventh Generation Tall Kitchen Bags, 13 Gallon, 30 Count, 6 Pack – 55% Recycled Plastic
Seventh Generation’s bag is the one for a kitchen that wants recycled content by the case from a known household name. The listing says it is made from 55% recycled plastic, with three layers and a flap-tie closure. This order is a case of six boxes of 30 bags, so 180 bags in all.
The flap tie matters when you compare it with a drawstring. You knot the two flaps together instead of pulling a cord, which takes a moment longer and leaves less to carry with. The three-ply build is the listing’s answer to the worry that recycled plastic will be weak.
We searched for an independent review of these bags and did not find one, only short retail comments that go both ways, including a complaint about seams. So this pick rests on the maker’s details and on Seventh Generation’s name. If you want a review behind a recycled bag, Who Gives A Crap is the better bet.
Why we like it
- 55% recycled plastic, per the listing
- Known household brand
- Three-ply, per the listing
- 180 bags across six boxes
Key specifications
| Model | 10732913452856 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 30 per box, 6 boxes |
| Closure | Flap tie |
| Thickness | Not stated |
| Scent | Not stated |
| Material | 55% recycled plastic, 3-ply |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Good for a household that values recycled content and does not load its bags very heavily.
Skip it if you want a drawstring, or a bag with a named strength review behind it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear recycled-content figure
- Brand with a long household record
- Bulk case
Cons
- No independent review found
- Flap tie, no drawstring
- Retail comments mention seams
9. BioBag Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags, 13 Gallon, 48 Count – BPI Certified for Food Scraps
A compostable bag does a different job from the rest of this list. BioBag’s bag is for collecting food scraps that are going to a compost pile or a municipal program, and the listing says it is certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute to meet ASTM D6400. It also says the bags are home compostable, made from plant starches, vegetable oils and compostable polymers.
The numbers are modest: 22.2 by 29 inches and 0.68 mil, which is thinner than every plastic bag on this page with a stated thickness. Expect to take it out sooner than a regular bag. GearLab did not review BioBag, but it found the compostable UNNI bag was its weakest and most tear-prone, and it began leaking within 48 hours of holding food waste. That is a different brand, but it is a fair warning about the whole category.
We searched for an independent test of this 13-gallon bag and did not find one, so it rests on the certification and listing. Before you buy, ask your compost program whether it accepts bags at all. Certified compostable does not mean every program will take it.
Why we like it
- BPI certified, per the listing
- Meets ASTM D6400, per the listing
- Home compostable, per the listing
- Made in the USA with imported resin, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 187230 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 gallon |
| Count | 48 |
| Closure | Not stated |
| Thickness | 0.68 mil |
| Scent | Not stated |
| Material | Plant starches, vegetable oils, compostable polymers |
| Made in | USA, with resin from Italy |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you collect food scraps for compost and want a certified bag from an established name.
Skip it if you plan to use it as an everyday trash bag for heavy or wet loads.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named certification
- Home compostable, per the listing
- 48 bags in a box
Cons
- No independent review found
- Thin at 0.68 mil
- Compostable bags can leak, per GearLab’s UNNI result
How to choose kitchen trash bags
Match the size to your can. Most tall kitchen cans take a 13-gallon bag. TODAY notes that experts recommend a snug fit. Measure if your can is an odd shape, and for simplehuman cans use the code the maker gives you. Our guide to the best kitchen trash can covers the can itself.
Do not choose on thickness alone. It is a useful number when a listing gives it, but it does not settle the question. Glad ForceFlex was only 0.72 mil on TODAY’s numbers and had no leaks, because the bag stretches. Hefty’s result at GearLab shows that a strong name does not guarantee a strong bag either.
Think about what goes in. Wet scraps call for leak protection, which is where Glad and Hippo Sak did well for TODAY. Bones, corn cobs and broken things call for puncture and snag resistance, which is where Hefty fell short at GearLab.
Pick a closure you like. Drawstrings grip the can and cinch shut. Handles and flap ties take a knot, and Reviewed found a no-drawstring bag can slip down the can. If that bothers you, stay with a drawstring.
Decide on scent. Some bags add fragrance, as HDX and Glad do, and some add odor control without it. TODAY found the unscented Hippo Sak masked odors well, so scent is not the only way to control smell. If odors are a real problem, a sealed can helps too. See the best kitchen trash can for odor control.
Use compostable bags for compost. They are for food scraps going to a program that accepts them. If you collect scraps on the counter, pair them with a countertop compost bin and empty it often.
How we picked these nine trash bags
We started from Amazon’s current listings and kept only bags in stock with a new offer from identifiable makers, then read TODAY’s June 2026 ranking, GearLab’s 2023 review and Reviewed’s guide, last updated in 2022. Those last two are not new, and bags change, so we give the year each time. TODAY’s page covers eight bags, and its text gave results for six.
Hippo Sak, Glad, HDX, simplehuman, Amazon Basics, Hefty and Who Gives A Crap rest on named reviews. Seventh Generation and BioBag rest on maker and listing details, and we say so under each. We left out Kirkland because the Amazon listings came from third-party sellers and Costco is where that bag is really sold, UNNI because GearLab found it weak, Husky because its kitchen bags were low in stock, and If You Care because its small box had no independent review to set it apart from BioBag. We checked the saferproducts.gov recall database by brand and found no recall of these bags. We did not use any of them ourselves.
Trash bags for kitchen cans: questions, answered
What size trash bags for a kitchen can?
Thirteen gallons is the standard for a tall kitchen can, and all but one of these picks is that size. The simplehuman Code M is 11 to 12 gallons and is sized for simplehuman cans.
What is the strongest kitchen trash bag?
No single review settles it. Hippo Sak’s plant-based bag held the most water at Reviewed in 2022 at 60 pounds, its standard bag ranked first at TODAY in 2026, and simplehuman’s Code M was GearLab’s top choice in 2023. Each test was different, so we would not compare the numbers directly.
Do thicker bags leak less?
Not necessarily. TODAY’s numbers put Glad ForceFlex at 0.72 mil, and it held more than half a gallon of milk without leaking. How the bag stretches and how well its seams hold matter as well.
Are scented trash bags worth it?
That is personal. TODAY said the Febreze scent helped Glad hide odors, but its unscented top pick also masked odors well. If you dislike fragrance in the kitchen, buy unscented or a sealed can.
Can I use compostable bags as regular trash bags?
We would not. GearLab found its compostable bag weak and tear-prone, and it began to leak within 48 hours of holding food waste. Keep them for food scraps and empty them often.
Our final pick for the trip to the curb
Buy Hippo Sak if you want the best-reviewed bag for heavy, wet trash, and Glad ForceFlex if you want a drawstring with strong leak protection. Choose the simplehuman liner only for a simplehuman can, and Amazon Basics for a large box of plain bags. If the can is the real problem, see the best kitchen trash can or the best cheap kitchen trash can.
And on a night when you would rather not fill the bag at all, see the menu or call to order.