The Best Tote Bag - 2021
We looked at the top 8 Tote Bags and dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Tote Bags.
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Our Picks For The Top Tote Bags
- The Best Tote Bag
- 1. Lily Queen Crossbody & Shoulder Canvas Tote Bag
- 2. Kate Spade New York Dream Big Canvas Tote Bag
- 3. Household Essentials Krush Canvas Utility Tote Bag
- 4. TOPDesign Zip Closure Canvas Tote Bag
- 5. Vera Bradley Women’s Signature Cotton Tote Bag
- 6. ESVAN Original Water Resistant Tote Bag
- 7. Aleah Wear Top Handle Shoulder Tote Bag
- 8. Dreubea Faux Leather Shoulder Tote Bag
Wide and Breathable StrapsThis tote bag has top handles and cross-body straps, made from a breathable fabric.
Stylish DesignThis classic tote bag has a colorful graphic print on the front.
Huge CapacityThis tote bag is perfect for groceries, laundry or the beach.
Exquisite WorkmanshipThis durable tote bag is made with dense thread and reinforced seams.
Why we recommend these tote bags?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 8 Tote Bags and also dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Tote Bags.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Lily Queen Crossbody & Shoulder Canvas Tote Bag
Our Take
You can carry this tote bag with your hands, wear it on your shoulder or wear the longer strap across your body. It is spacious and roomy enough for all your essentials. The sturdy bag is made from a cotton-canvas washable material.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
TOPDesign Zip Closure Canvas Tote Bag
Our Take
This durable and versatile tote bag can be used for many different outings. It has solid construction and reinforced seams. The top zippered closure keeps your items secure.
Our Tote Bag Findings
Lily Queen Crossbody & Shoulder Canvas Tote Bag
What We Liked: You can carry this tote bag with your hands, wear it on your shoulder or wear the longer strap across your body. It is spacious and roomy enough for all your essentials. The sturdy bag is made from a cotton-canvas washable material.
Kate Spade New York Dream Big Canvas Tote Bag
What We Liked: Show off your stylish side with this Dream Big tote bag. It has a small interior pocket for your valuables. The two straps are long enough to wear on your shoulder.
Household Essentials Krush Canvas Utility Tote Bag
What We Liked: All of your items can fit in this large-capacity tote bag. It collapses so you can easily store it when it’s not in use. The two mid-length handles make it easy to carry when full.
TOPDesign Zip Closure Canvas Tote Bag
What We Liked: This durable and versatile tote bag can be used for many different outings. It has solid construction and reinforced seams. The top zippered closure keeps your items secure.
Vera Bradley Women’s Signature Cotton Tote Bag
What We Liked: Organize your items with the multiple interior pockets in this tote bag. It has a stylish design and is ideal for everyday use. The zipper closure keeps all your essentials safely held in place.
Our Tote Bag Buying Guide
A tote bag is a handy and versatile way to carry all sorts of different things. Typically, tote bags are made out of canvas, which is a durable fabric made from linen or cotton. Tote bags have a large opening at the top where you put in your items, and two handles or long straps to use for wearing the bag on your back or shoulders. Often, tote bags do not have a closure, so you can easily access the items inside without having to unzip or unfasten the bag each time.
One of the most common uses for a tote bag is for grocery shopping. Totes can replace the plastic bags that are typically provided by grocery stores to carry your items, so using a tote bag is one way to help the environment and reduce plastic waste.
Tote bags also come in handy when taking kids to extra curricular activities, such as gymnastics, dance or skating. You can place their equipment, change of clothes, water and snack in a tote bag so you don’t have your hands full. Tote bags are also perfect for carrying your things when you’re heading to the beach or park for the day.
Often, tote bags are given out at conferences or trade shows to hold free samples, and they can even be personalized and handed out at weddings so guests can easily bring home their wedding favors.
DWYM Fun Fact
Because tote bags are used so frequently and for a range of activities, it’s important to wash them so they don’t collect grime or bacteria. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions on the bag.
Empty the bag of all its contents first, and shake it out outside to get rid of any lose sand, dirt or crumbs. If you want to avoid shrinkage for tote bags made from cotton, it’s best to use cold water and hand wash the bag using a mild detergent.
You can hang the tote bag to dry. Be sure to hang it upside-down so that any water can drip out of the bag, instead of collecting inside.
The Tote Bag Tips and Advice
- When buying a tote bag, consider what you’ll primarily be using it for. This will help you determine which size is best. If you’ll be using your tote bag for a number of different outings and activities, consider getting a large bag to accommodate whatever you’ll need.
- Some tote bags have two handles at the top of the bag, which are great for holding with your hands or carrying on your shoulders. You can also find tote bags that have long straps that can be used to wear the bag in a cross-body fashion.
- Consider whether having an open tote bag is better for your lifestyle or if you need one that has a closure. Typically, closures are either zippers or magnetic buttons.
- Most tote bags have one large pocket, which makes it convenient to place both large and small items in the bag. Some also come with small interior or exterior pockets, which are useful for storing things like your phone, keys or wallet.
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About The Author
Anam Ahmed is a copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting, and business for over 10 years, and works with a number of high-profile organizations. She values finding the best products to make people's lives easier. Anam earned an M.A. from the University of Toronto and a B.A.H. from Queen's University. Learn more at www.anamahmed.ca.