The Best Pop-Up Laundry Hamper

Buying Guide

Laundry probably isn’t your favorite chore. But it’s much easier if everything is in one place. Pop-up hampers have long been popular with college students and apartment dwellers who want to set up a collection bin without having to commit to a hard-sided hamper. But its portability makes it ideal for anyone who simply wants a way to carry laundry from one place to another.

Portability isn’t the only benefit of a pop-up hamper, though. With some designs, particularly mesh, you get air circulation that keeps all those odors from being trapped in one confined space. If you toss a wet washcloth or towel into your hamper, air circulation can also help keep things dry.

Some pop-up hampers fold up easily to let you store or transport them in your trunk once all the laundry is out of them. If you opt for this model, make sure you find one that can stand up on its own when items are in it.

“The biggest things to consider when selecting a pop-up hamper are size and sturdiness,” Kate Desmond, a parenting blogger and the mom of two children says. “Is this hamper big enough to fit a week’s worth of laundry? Will it collapse?”

A hamper that’s constantly collapsing can become more of a nuisance than a convenience.

One thing to consider if you’ll be carrying your hamper to a laundromat or the laundry room in your dorm or apartment is how you’ll handle items like detergent. Some collapsible hampers have handy pockets helpful for storing bottles, your key, your mobile device or whatever other items you need to take along with you. If you choose one with pockets that are large enough, you may even be able to store your delicates separately from your main laundry.

“Make sure your pop-up hamper has handles,” Desmond says. “This type of hamper can be awkward to carry, especially full, and having something to hold onto can really help.”

She notes that you may want to consider finding one with a lid, too.

“This is a nice feature, particularly when the lid fastens with Velcro or a snap,” she says. “Imagine carrying your laundry across campus or even just to the laundry room; a lid is beneficial to holding the laundry securely inside.”

You’ll also need to make sure you choose a hamper with enough capacity to manage the amount of laundry you need. If you only do laundry once a week, for instance, you may want a larger hamper that can keep everything in one place. But those who want a hamper they can use to take a load or two to the laundry room may opt for a hamper with a smaller profile to make it easier to carry.

• The first thing you’ll notice as you search for pop-up hampers are the varying heights available. One great thing about large bags like the Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper is that you can not only keep laundry in them, but you can also store and transport items like quilts, coats and even toys.
• Hampers can be ideal breeding ground for unpleasant odors and unwanted moisture, especially if you toss wet items into them. The Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper is built with flexible, stretch mesh that not only makes room for your items but also promotes airflow.
• If you take your laundry to a room in your building complex or to a laundromat, finding a way to transport detergent and other items can be tough. Look for a hamper that has side pockets that are large enough to hold a midsized bottle of detergent, fabric softener, keys, mobile devices and whatever else you might want to take along with you.
• When your hamper is empty, it can be handy to either fold or collapse so that you can transport or store it. Some models fold down to shove into a small space when not in use. Other options can either fold or collapse for easy storage.
• Consider a hamper that can stand on its own even when empty. That gives you the option of setting it up as a semi-permanent hamper in your home or dorm room.
• Pop-up hampers are typically designed to be carried, so make sure you choose one with good handles. The handles on some laundry baskets are made from aluminum for strength, while also being padded to protect your hands while you’re carrying them.
• You don’t have to sacrifice durability for portability. The Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper features heavy-duty construction that includes thin metal bands that hold the mesh in place.
• The dyes in the Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper not only provide brilliant color but also ensure that they won’t fade over time.
• Cost is an important consideration, particularly for buyers on a budget. Although most pop-up hampers are affordable, the Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper is a true bargain.
• The look of your hamper can become a part of your décor, so that will likely be a big factor in your choice. The Handy Laundry Pop-Up Laundry Hamper comes in a variety of whimsical options that will be perfect for children. However, teens and adults can also opt for plain white, black or red designs that are more mature. The fun patterns available with some baskets make them a refreshing change from the typical collapsible hampers.