Finding the Best Small Trash Bag: Our Tests & Results

For our tests of small trash bags, we picked nine brands—both big and small, name-brand and obscure. 

Then we loaded the bags with all manner of trash you’d put in a small trash bag . . . but heavy enough to strain the bag. These bags have typically have a four gallon capacity, FYI.

After we filled the bag, we added even more weight until the bag broke.

Finally, we did a torture test with 18 pounds of books. Some didn’t survive . . . this bag did:

Best Small Trash Bags

 

The results? Yes, the name brands did well . . . but so did an obscure one (XURUS), winning our best budget-friendly designation.

We also judged how easy the bags were to open. And yes, we tried scented bags—folks either love or hate this idea. 

Finally, we looked at third-party tests from other testing organizations. Glad trash bags topped these results and that mirrored our own tests. 

Here are the best trash bags from our tests:

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!