5 Best Laundry Baskets With Handles (2026)
Five laundry baskets with handles compared on grip style, shape and capacity, from a three handle hip hugger to a tall soft handled hamper.
At a Glance
Handles decide whether a laundry basket is a convenience or a chore. The five picks here cover the main handle styles: the Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger with three comfort grip handles, the Sterilite square basket with two large comfort grip handles, a generic 70L plastic basket with grip handles on all sides, the DOKEHOM with a soft EVA foam grip, and the HZFTJOY woven rope basket.
Capacity and shape vary as much as handle style. The Rubbermaid holds 2.1 bushels with a contoured hip shape, the Sterilite is 1.5 bushels at 19 by 18.5 by 13.5 inches, the DOKEHOM stands 31 inches tall at 90L, and the HZFTJOY holds 65L in a collapsible 21 by 16 by 12 inch form. Research suggests three handle designs offer grip choices and leave one hand free for a stair railing.
We evaluated each pick from specs and buyer feedback, not hands-on use, weighing handle placement, grip material and loaded weight. Judge handle comfort in person when you can, because no source tested grip strength. The sections below match a handle style to how you actually carry laundry.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Laundry Baskets With Handles (2026)
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Handle count and placement
Curved hip-hugger shapes like the Rubbermaid, at 2.1 bushels, are the standout ergonomic design, and its three handles leave one hand free for a stair railing. The Sterilite offers two handles, while the generic 70L basket has handles on all sides. More positions give more carry options. Choose three or more handles if you carry on stairs.
Grip material
Soft grips reduce pressure on the fingers. The Rubbermaid uses soft-grip handles and the DOKEHOM uses an EVA foam wrapped aluminum handle. Bare plastic handles can dig in when the basket is full. Test grip comfort in person if you can, since no source tested grip strength.
Shape and carry position
A contoured hip shape, as on the Rubbermaid, lets the basket rest against your body. A square basket like the Sterilite is easy to stack but sits away from you. Wide shapes can scrape narrow hallways. Choose hip-hugger if you carry long distances.
Loaded weight
Bigger baskets get heavy when full, so judge the loaded weight. A 48 to 53 L basket suits a typical load, and the DOKEHOM 90L is a large bag. A 33 L basket holds roughly 8.8 lb in one guide. Fill larger baskets only partway.
Rigid versus soft
Solid-bottom plastic like the Rubbermaid and Sterilite suits damp laundry. Collapsible baskets such as the DOKEHOM and HZFTJOY need a rigid base or frame to avoid sagging. Soft baskets fold flat but hold less shape. Choose rigid for daily use.
Ventilation
The Sterilite uses a rectangular hole pattern for airflow, and the generic 70L basket has ventilated walls. Airflow reduces moisture and odor. Solid walls keep drips in but hold air. Let damp items dry before loading.
5 Best Laundry Baskets With Handles (2026)
Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger Laundry Basket, 2.1 Bushel
About this pick
The Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger is built around a curved shape that sits against your hip for easier carrying. It adds three soft-grip handles at the front and sides, so you can carry with one or two hands. The 2.1 bushel capacity holds big loads, towels or bedding.
The contoured shape and three handles are the strongest handle design in this group. The tradeoff is that a wider hip shape may scrape narrow hallways, and it is a rigid basket that takes the same space whether full or empty.
A third handle also lets you hold a stair railing with one hand while the other supports the basket. Compared with the Sterilite, the Rubbermaid is larger and more ergonomic, though the Sterilite pack gives you six. It suits anyone who carries the basket long distances.
Best for: Carrying on stairs and hallways
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 2.1 bushels
- Shape: Contoured hip hugger
- Handles: 3 soft grip, front and side
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- +Hip-hugger shape sits against the body
- +Three soft grip handles for varied carries
- +Large 2.1 bushel capacity
- +Rigid plastic wipes clean
Cons
- −Wide shape can catch in narrow hallways
- −Does not fold for storage
Sterilite Square Laundry Basket, 6-Pack, 1.5 Bushel
About this pick
The Sterilite is a six pack of square baskets, each 19.25 by 18.5 by 13.5 inches with a 1.5 bushel capacity. Two large comfort grip handles sit on opposite sides. A rectangular hole pattern improves airflow to limit moisture and odors.
Buying six at once is useful for a large family, a rental or anyone who wants a basket in every room. The tradeoff is storage, since six rigid baskets are bulky, and the handles are the basic two-sided type.
The low profile height of 13.5 inches makes the contents easy to see and reach. Compared with the Rubbermaid, the Sterilite has fewer handles and a less contoured shape. It suits households that need many baskets at once.
Best for: Large households or rentals needing many baskets
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Quantity: 6 baskets
- Size: 19.25 x 18.5 x 13.5 in
- Handles: 2 large comfort grip
- Airflow: Rectangular hole pattern
Pros
- +Six baskets in one purchase
- +Large comfort grip handles
- +Ventilated pattern helps airflow
- +Low height is easy to reach into
Cons
- −Six rigid baskets are bulky to store
- −Only two handles per basket
Large Plastic Laundry Basket, 70L, with Grip Handles
About this pick
This generic 70L basket is a rectangular plastic hamper with comfort grip handles on all sides. A ventilated body and a sturdy uninterrupted rim give it support under heavy loads. It is sold for homes and dorms.
Handles on every side mean you can pick it up from any angle, which is practical in a crowded laundry room. The tradeoff is that the listing is generic, so detail is limited and no dimensions are given.
Compared with the Rubbermaid, it has more handle positions but a less ergonomic body. It offers a similar rigid build to the Sterilite. It suits those who want a straightforward basket with grips all around.
Best for: Picking up from any angle
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 70 liters
- Handles: Comfort grip on all sides
- Rim: Sturdy uninterrupted
- Walls: Ventilated
Pros
- +Comfort grip handles on all sides
- +Reinforced uninterrupted rim
- +Ventilated to limit odor
- +70L is enough for most loads
Cons
- −Generic listing with limited detail
- −No stated dimensions
DOKEHOM 90L Collapsible Tall Laundry Basket Bag
About this pick
The DOKEHOM is a tall collapsible hamper with an aluminum handle wrapped in soft EVA foam. It measures 15 by 15 by 31 inches including the handle and holds 90L. The 600D Oxford fabric has an inner PE coating that wipes clean.
The foam grip is more comfortable than bare plastic when carrying a full load. The tradeoff is height, because a 31 inch hamper takes bending to reach the bottom, and a full 90L bag is heavy.
It collapses for storage, which the rigid baskets cannot. Compared with the Rubbermaid, the DOKEHOM carries more but with a single handle. It suits people who want a softer grip and flat storage.
Best for: A soft grip and flat storage
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 90L
- Size: 15 x 15 x 31 in
- Handle: Aluminum with soft EVA foam grip
- Material: 600D Oxford with PE coating
Pros
- +Soft EVA foam grip
- +Collapsible for storage
- +90L capacity
- +PE coating wipes clean
Cons
- −Full 90L bag is heavy to carry
- −Single handle design
HZFTJOY 65L Woven Cotton Rope Laundry Basket with Handles
About this pick
The HZFTJOY is a woven cotton rope basket with handles, 21 by 16 by 12 inches and 65L. It is meant to double as a blanket or toy basket in a living room. The listing says it folds flat for storage under a bed.
Its look is the main attraction, since a woven basket can stay in a living space. The tradeoff is function, because rope baskets are less suited to damp laundry and lack a lid.
Compared with the plastic baskets, the HZFTJOY is softer and prettier but less practical. It suits dry loads and general storage. It is best as a second basket.
Best for: Dry laundry and visible rooms
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 65 liters
- Size: 21 x 16 x 12 in
- Material: Woven cotton rope
- Fold: Collapsible flat
Pros
- +Woven look suits living areas
- +Folds flat for storage
- +Handles for carrying
- +Doubles as blanket storage
Cons
- −Not ideal for damp laundry
- −Looser structure than rigid plastic
How We Evaluated These Laundry Baskets With Handles (2026)
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Handle design
We compared handle count, placement and grip material. The Rubbermaid scored highest for its three soft-grip handles, while the Sterilite scored well for two large grips. We downgraded single-handle designs.
Carry ergonomics
We evaluated shape and how the basket sits against the body. The hip-hugger shape of the Rubbermaid earned top marks, and the rope basket the lowest. Footprint was weighed against hallways. The strongest overall pick is the Rubbermaid and the most basic is the HZFTJOY.
Capacity and weight
We matched capacity to typical loads. The Rubbermaid 2.1 bushels and DOKEHOM 90L are large, while the Sterilite 1.5 bushels is moderate. Heavier loads scored lower. Fill levels matter more than the size label.
Structure and cleaning
We looked at rigid plastic, coated fabric and rope. The plastic baskets scored highest for wipe-clean ease. The rope basket scored lowest for damp loads. Collapsible models were checked for sagging.
Value for the tier
The HZFTJOY sits at the lower end and the Sterilite pack at the top. The Rubbermaid gives the best handles at an upper-middle tier.
How to Choose the Right Laundry Baskets With Handles (2026)
By How You Carry
| Scenario | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Stairs, want a hand free for the rail | Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger Laundry Basket, 2.1 Bushel |
| Picking up from any side | Large Plastic Laundry Basket, 70L, with Grip Handles |
| Short trips, many baskets | Sterilite Square Laundry Basket, 6-Pack, 1.5 Bushel |
| Want a soft padded grip | DOKEHOM 90L Collapsible Tall Laundry Basket Bag |
| Dry loads in a living room | HZFTJOY 65L Woven Cotton Rope Laundry Basket with Handles |
By Budget
| Budget tier | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Lowest-cost pick | HZFTJOY 65L Woven Cotton Rope Laundry Basket with Handles |
| Low price flexible bag | DOKEHOM 90L Collapsible Tall Laundry Basket Bag |
| Mid-range plastic | Large Plastic Laundry Basket, 70L, with Grip Handles |
| Upper-middle ergonomic | Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger Laundry Basket, 2.1 Bushel |
| Premium multipack | Sterilite Square Laundry Basket, 6-Pack, 1.5 Bushel |
Rigid vs Collapsible
Rigid baskets keep shape, while collapsible ones store flat.
Rigid
The Rubbermaid, Sterilite and generic 70L basket keep their shape and wipe clean. They take space when empty. Choose rigid for daily use.
Collapsible
The DOKEHOM and HZFTJOY fold flat. They suit tight storage but are softer. Choose collapsible for small homes.
Recommendation: Rubbermaid for rigid, DOKEHOM for collapsible.
By Handle Style
| Preference | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Three handles with soft grips | Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger Laundry Basket, 2.1 Bushel |
| Two large comfort grips | Sterilite Square Laundry Basket, 6-Pack, 1.5 Bushel |
| Handles on all sides | Large Plastic Laundry Basket, 70L, with Grip Handles |
| Foam wrapped top handle | DOKEHOM 90L Collapsible Tall Laundry Basket Bag |
For Stair Carrying Specifically
Look for
A hip-hugger shape or three handles, so one hand can hold the rail. Avoid overfilling, and keep the basket narrow enough to clear the wall.
In this comparison
The Rubbermaid is the best match, with three soft-grip handles and a contoured shape. The generic 70L basket is a simpler alternative.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
You carry daily or on stairs. The Rubbermaid adds the best handle layout, and the Sterilite pack covers every room.
Save if
You carry short distances. The generic 70L basket and HZFTJOY cover that at lower tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between a hip-hugger and a square basket?
A hip-hugger like the Rubbermaid sits against your body and has three handles. A square basket like the Sterilite stacks easily but sits away from you. Choose hip-hugger if you carry far.
How much should I spend?
The lowest-cost pick, the HZFTJOY, suits dry loads. Spend more for the Rubbermaid if you carry daily. The Sterilite pack costs most because you get six.
Do three handles really help?
Three handles give grip choices and leave one hand free for a stair railing. The Rubbermaid has three. Test the grip if you can.
Are soft handles worth it?
Soft grips reduce pressure on the fingers. The DOKEHOM uses EVA foam and the Rubbermaid soft grips. Bare plastic can dig in.
How big should a basket be?
A 48 to 53 L basket suits a typical load. The Rubbermaid 2.1 bushels is bigger. Fill large baskets only partway.
Can I use a rope basket for laundry?
Rope baskets suit dry loads. They are less suited to damp items. The HZFTJOY works best for blankets and dry clothes.
How do I clean a plastic basket?
Wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse and dry fully. Fabric baskets like the DOKEHOM wipe clean due to their coating.
Bottom Line
best overall: Rubbermaid XL Hip-Hugger Laundry Basket, 2.1 Bushel - best overall pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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