Ditch the single-use for these sustainable picks.
Lesley Chen is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who covers shopping, home, tech, health, and general lifestyle topics for various websites. New Product
Highlights *Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. *She has a BA in economics and psychology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson.
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Whether your state has a plastic bag ban or you want to make sustainable household swaps, reusable grocery bags are a daily essential that cuts down on single-use waste. Reusable grocery bags are versatile and more durable than plastic or paper counterparts—and come in many shapes, sizes, and designs to suit your hauling needs.
"Using a reusable grocery bag over a long period of time can lower your environmental footprint and save you money,” says John Oppermann, an environmental activist and sustainability expert.
To find the best reusable grocery bags, we researched top-rated options while considering material, dimensions, color options, and care. We also consulted Oppermann for his expert insight on the benefits of swapping your single-use bags for reusable ones.
This pick is sturdy, versatile, and extremely portable.
The included pouch isn’t attached to the bag.
The Standard Baggu bag is versatile, convenient, and packable, making it our favorite option for hauling groceries and other goods. It folds neatly into the included pouch, which makes it easy to toss into any bag or purse. Note the pouch is not attached to the bag, so it can be misplaced.
The bag is made of recycled ripstop nylon and can hold up to 50 pounds, or about three plastic bags worth of groceries. Plus, the Standard Baggu beats out its competition in terms of design thanks to the variety of bright colors and prints (think smiley faces, Hello Kitty, and more) you can choose from. They’re also machine-washable, making it easy to care for and reuse over time.
Material: Recycled nylon | Dimensions: 25.5 × 15.5 × 6 inches | Colors: 5 solid, 12 print | Care: Machine washable
These affordable, lightweight nylon bags come in a set of six and a wide range of colors.
The bags may not be as sturdy as other options.
If you like to stash reusable grocery bags in multiple places, the BeeGreen Reusable Shopping Bags have you covered. They come in a set of six, making them the most budget-friendly option on our list.
Each bag is made of nylon, can hold up to 50 pounds, and is machine-washable. They fold up into an attached pouch for easy carrying, and the set comes with six different colors/prints with many designs to choose from. Just note that the top of the bag is curved, so it may be slightly harder to load and unload groceries.
Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 15 x 4.7 x 15.8 inches | Colors: Various | Care: Machine washable
The tote is waterproof and durable for heavy items.
The bag is bulky and can't be folded into a compact size.
No need to fret about melted ice cream, spoiled eggs, or delicate seafood sitting in your car while running errands—the Hydro Flask insulated tote is essentially a lightweight cooler to keep your groceries protected and temperature-controlled. The waterproof coating withstands weather and spills, and the bag has a lined interior that’s easy to wipe down.
The base is freestanding, which allows the tote to stand upright on its own, but it also collapses when you want to pack it away (though not quite as small as other reusable bags). It has a zippered top closing and a zippered outer pocket to stash on-hand essentials. The bag comes in three high-capacity sizes. We also like this bag for summertime picnics, beach hangs, and road trips.
Material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 7.3 inches | Colors: 4 | Care: Wipe clean
This durable and versatile bag has an impressive capacity.
The bag can't fold up very compactly.
These large, iconic blue IKEA bags aren’t just for home decor shopping; you can also use them for carrying daily essentials and goods, including an impressive amount of groceries.
Lightweight and durable, it can hold up to 19 gallons, which is the largest capacity on our list.
The bag has handles and shoulder straps and can be folded and tucked away when not in use (though the folded profile is larger than your average grocery bag). Plus, you can’t beat the price or durability of the polypropylene material.
Material: Polypropylene | Dimensions: 21.75 x 14.5 x 13.75 inches | Colors: 1 | Care: Wipe with a damp cloth
This reusable bag is compact and easily folds into its attached pouch.
It has shorter shoulder straps.
Small but mighty, the ChicoBag Original Compact Reusable Grocery Bag can hold up to 25 pounds and folds into the attached pouch that measures just 3 x 4 inches. The pouch also has a carabiner you can clip to another bag for convenient carrying and on-hand use. The bag comes in 10 different colors and is machine-washable, making this pick equally easy to maintain for years of use.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 17 x 15 inches | Colors: 10 | Care: Wash cold, hang dry
This reusable bag has durable straps and a stable bottom to help you carry heavier items.
The square shape may be harder to carry.
The Scout Bagette Market Tote is roomy and sturdy thanks to its square shape, which makes it easy to fill it with groceries. We also like its reinforced bottom, which withstands heavier items. In fact, the bag can hold up to 75 pounds, so you never need to worry about overloading it with milk jugs or heavy items. There are two heavy-duty handles for carrying it by hand or on your shoulders. We also appreciate the water-resistant fabric and folding shape that takes minimal space.
Material: Polypropylene | Dimensions: 12.5 x 14.5 x 12 inches | Colors: 5 | Care: Hand wash
This structured canvas tote has a zip top and timeless design.
This bag is spot-clean only.
This L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is made for any adventure, whether you're buying groceries or taking a road trip. The bag is made of heavyweight cotton canvas and has a reinforced bottom and handles to hold up to 500 pounds. The zip top keeps your valuables or groceries safe and secure inside, and the tote comes in four different sizes ranging from small to extra large, with a choice of regular or long handles and 12 colors. You can also add a monogram for a personalized touch. Due to the fabric, the bag is spot-clean only.
Material: Canvas | Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.5 x 5 inches (small) | Colors: Up to 12 | Care: Spot clean
This reusable bag is made of organic cotton and is flexible for protecting fragile produce.
The mesh design may be more fragile and likely to snag or tear.
This Public Goods Wide Mesh Tote is made of organic cotton, which is lightweight and durable enough to hold all your fruits and veggies (or other groceries) on your next farmer’s market trip. The mesh design has less structure than solid nylon bags to accommodate oddly shaped veggies and fruits and allow airflow. You can fold the bag or scrunch it up into a travel-friendly size, plus it’s machine washable for convenience. Because the netting is wide, you can only carry larger objects that won’t fall through the holes.
Material: Organic cotton wide mesh | Dimensions: Not listed | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine washable
This reusable bag has a fun print and is made of recycled materials.
It’s more expensive than most reusable bags.
The Embroidered Thank You Tote reusable had a life before it got to you, as it’s made of 100% recycled taffeta. The bag is handmade and inspired by San Francisco's plastic bag ban. It mimics the plastic takeout bags of the past with bright “thank you” embroidered down the front, with the bonus that, unlike plastic, this bag is machine washable and reusable. It’s also lightweight and compact, so you can easily tuck it into another bag.
Material: Recycled polyester taffeta | Dimensions: 20 x 13 inches | Colors: 2 | Care: Machine washable
This is a sturdy, stylish tote with long handles that can still collapse flat.
The bag is harder to clean than other options.
The CleverMade Collapsible Luxe Tote combines the structure and aesthetic of a canvas bag with the convenience of a foldable bag, as it folds down to just 2 inches tall. It comes in two sizes and holds up to 30 pounds. It has a wire frame, rigid bottom, and stability feet to keep it standing upright whenever you put it down.
Inside, it has a zipper pocket to hold small valuables, and you can choose between solid or printed designs for the exterior fabric. The contrasting handles are long enough to carry the tote on your shoulders, and there are vegan leather accents for added style.
Material: Canvas | Dimensions: 15.5 x 9.5 x 11.25 inches | Colors: 7 | Care: Spot clean
Our top pick is the Standard Baggu, which is everything you want in a reusable grocery bag—it's compact, lightweight, eco-friendly, and durable. For a reusable grocery bag that keeps your food warm or cool, consider the Hydro Flask Tote, which is insulated and waterproof. Finally, for a nylon-alternative reusable bag, the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote are made of a heavyweight, high-weight capacity canvas.
Reusable grocery bags come in various materials, including nylon, cotton, canvas, polyester, and recycled materials. Nylon is durable, lightweight, folds compactly, and is often machine-washable, making it the most space-efficient and versatile option.
Similarly, polyester is also supremely durable and lightweight. While we like these materials for their longevity, both are thermoplastics made with petroleum, so if you want a low-cost way to help the planet, opt for a natural material like cotton or canvas. You can also look for recycled polyester and nylon, which reuse materials for a lower environmental impact.
Canvas, on the other hand, is a thicker material with a more rigid structure. Canvas bags are often heavyweight, sturdy, and stylish. Canvas may also have a longer life, according to Opperman. “If a reusable bag is a high-quality canvas bag, it could last for a decade or more,” he says.
The ideal dimensions of a reusable grocery bag depend on how much you need to haul. Most reusable grocery bags carry two to three times the amount of a plastic bag, with a weight capacity of 30 pounds or more. For everyday grocery shopping or errands, you might only need a smaller bag that fits into a purse or backpack. If you need to carry a lot of groceries or other items, you might want a large-capacity option like the IKEA Frakta Carrier Bag, which has a generous capacity of 19 gallons and can hold up to 55 pounds.
You can find almost any color of reusable bag, and the hue and pattern depend on your preferences and style. Nylon reusable grocery bags often have more color options, whereas canvas or cotton are often neutral-colored with colorful handles or trim. If you have multiple reusable grocery bags, you can differentiate between them by using a particular color or design for produce, while others are for pantry goods.
Carrying groceries can get messy, and keeping your reusable grocery bag clean keeps odors and germs at bay. While shopping for reusable grocery bags, consider how easy they are to clean. Most nylon options are machine washable, making them low maintenance and easy to wipe down if you need a quick clean. Many canvas totes may be spot-clean only due to their straps or built-in frames. “It's best to get a bag that is easily washed because the longer you use a bag, the lower your environmental footprint will be,” says Oppermann.
“You're looking to accomplish two main things by using a reusable grocery bag: lower your climate footprint and reduce plastics,” says Oppermann. “A reusable bag actually often takes more resources and has a far larger environmental footprint than a plastic bag does, so you need to reuse it hundreds or even thousands of times before you break even as far as the bags' climate footprint. So it's best to make the lifespan of your reusable bag as long as possible so use it for years, and if it tears or gets dirty you should repair or clean it rather than throwing it away.”
Bags made from recycled materials or biodegradable natural materials tend to have a lower environmental footprint. For example, the Embroidered Thank You Tote and Standard Baggu are made from recycled taffeta and nylon, respectively, making them more environmentally friendly picks. Oppermann also suggests buying a used tote bag from a thrift store if you are looking to maximize sustainability.
“Plastics stay around in our environment and pollute our ecosystems, especially our oceans for hundreds of years,” says Oppermann. With proper use and care, you can use reusable grocery bags for many years.
“Environmentally, reusable shopping bags are definitely worth it if you use them over a long period of time," continues Oppermann. "A reusable bag lowers your climate footprint and avoids sending plastic waste into our environment."
In addition to environmental benefits, there may also be economic ones. Most grocery stores charge for single-use grocery bags, so having your own reusable one will save you from paying each time you go to the store. The cost may seem minimal, but over time, this can add up.
The best way to sanitize a reusable bag is to wash it regularly, depending on the bag’s care instructions. For machine-washable reusable bags, follow the washing guidelines and ensure the bag is completely dry before using it again. For bags that aren’t machine-washable, spot-cleaning can take care of large stains, and hand-washing is an option for more thorough cleaning. Depending on your bag’s fabric, you may also be able to wipe it down with a wet towel or disinfectant.
SOS Bag This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, she thoroughly researched reusable grocery bags and rounded up the best options based on materials, dimensions, color options, and care. For expert advice, Lesley spoke to John Oppermann, the executive director of Earth Day Initiative, a non-profit promoting environmental awareness and solutions through partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses, and governments.