Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more
    outside the labs

    These Are Paws Down the Best Dog Poop Bags for Hassle-Free Cleanup

    We evaluated five poop bags to see which ones turned an unpleasant chore into a breeze

    When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.

    Lucky Dog, Earth Rated, Wild One, Amazon Basics, No Rips poop bags in grass
    Poop bags are pretty much essential if you have a dog who goes on walks. We tried out a bunch, including a tissue-box style that aims to make dispensing bags easier.
    Photo: Debbie Wolfe

    The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a dog can produce up to 274 pounds of solid waste per year.

    Certainly, dog waste will eventually compost naturally on your lawn, but leaving it on the grass or hard surfaces poses an environmental hazard. When it rains, stormwater collects a variety of surface contaminants, including pet waste, and deposits them directly into your local watershed.

    In this article Arrow link
    More on Dog Products

    Research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on streams and creeks in the Kansas City area found that about 25 percent of the bacteria in samples taken from regional water bodies originated from pet waste (PDF). And then of course there’s the risk of stepping in it.

    The best thing you can do as a dog owner is to pick it up and dispose of it in your trash bin. Sending bagged dog waste to the landfill may seem counterintuitive, but it is preferable when considering the trade-off between convenience and the necessity of safeguarding soil and water from contamination.

    If you have dogs, you will have to clean up and dispose of their feces—it’s part of having a pet. Let’s face it: Leaving a mess in your neighbor’s yard or on the street is just plain rude.

    I’ve had many dogs in my lifetime, and there’s one thing that frustrates me the most: a flimsy poop bag that won’t easily tear, or worse, splits or leaks as I carry it home while on a walk.

    I’ve used many brands of dog poop bags and have tried to balance them practically with their environmental impact. I evaluated five notable brands of bags for two weeks, for their accessibility, usability, and durability. Here’s how they performed.

    Your Guide to the Best Pet Products

    Find the essential gear and advice for your dog or cat.


    Dog Poop Bags
    Editor’s Choice
    Dog Poop Leak Proof Bags With Dispenser and Leash Clip
    Amazon Basics Dog Poop Leak Proof Bags With Dispenser and Leash Clip
    Budget-friendly with a leak-proof design.
    Read more
    Prices from: $9.26
    Most Durable
    Dog Poop Bags Guaranteed Leak Proof and Extra Thick Lavender Scented
    Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags Guaranteed Leak Proof and Extra Thick Lavender Scented
    Durable bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
    Read more
    Prices from: $7.99
    Most Stylish Dispenser
    40 Roll Pack with Canvas Dispenser
    Lucky Dog 40 Roll Pack with Canvas Dispenser
    Combines sustainability with a canvas dispenser.
    Read more
    Prices from: $39.99
    Easy to Dispense
    Tissue-Style
    No Rip Tissue-Style
    Innovative, easy-dispense design.
    Read more
    Prices from: $13.99
    Most Functional
    Bag Holder and Dispenser with Leash Attachment
    Wild One Bag Holder and Dispenser with Leash Attachment
    Versatile, easy-to-attach dispenser with biodegradable bags.
    Read more
    Prices from: $6.99
    Editor’s Choice
    Amazon Basics poop bags in grass and being held
    Budget-friendly, easy to use, and easy to dispense, the Amazon Basics poop bags check all the boxes.
    Photo: Debbie Wolfe
    Amazon Basics Dog Poop Leak Proof Bags With Dispenser and Leash Clip
    Prices from: $9.26
    Product details
    Unit count: 300 bags
    Material: Polyethylene
    Scent: Unscented

    The Amazon Basics Dog Poop Leak Proof Bags are a budget-friendly option for pet parents with multiple pets or those in the pet-care business. These no-frills, basic plastic bags are durable and easy to use. Each package includes 20 rolls with 15 bags per roll (300 bags total) and a convenient dispenser with a hook.

    I loaded the dispenser in less than a minute, and the bags dispensed and tore without issue. However, when I attempted to attach the dispenser to my dog’s leash, I encountered my only problem with the Amazon Basics bags. The substandard hook doesn’t directly reflect the bag’s performance, which I will explain shortly. The hook on the dispenser is poorly made and supposedly designed to unhook to attach to the D-ring on a leash. I could not get it to unhook, nor could any family member without breaking the hook. The other dispensers in this evaluation came with a metal carabiner to attach to a leash. Eventually, I ended up using one because I knew if I kept trying to open the hook, I would break it. 

    The bags easily emerged from the dispenser, and the perforated seams tore without issue. The bags stayed intact when draped over my hand and held the dog waste securely without rips or leaks. When I used them with my winter gloves, I found that I could easily tear, open, and tie the bags without worrying about dropping a full bag. The Amazon Basics bags are solid performers that combine essential features with cost-effectiveness. They cost about 3 cents per piece, making them a great deal. I recommend them to budget-aware pet owners looking for a reliable choice to protect their hands during daily walks and outings—but remember to buy a carabiner clip!

    Most Stylish Dispenser
    Lucky Dog poop bag on grass and being held
    The unique dispenser made picking up waste with the Lucky Dog Poop Bags feel ever so slightly less like a chore.
    Photo: Debbie Wolfe
    Lucky Dog 40 Roll Pack with Canvas Dispenser
    Prices from: $39.99
    Product details
    Unit count: 600 bags
    Material: Natural non-GMO corn
    Scent: Unscented

    The Lucky Dog Poop Bags are ideal for eco-conscious pet owners who also value stylish accessories for their furry friends. I know, does it really matter what a poop bag and its dispenser look like? Although I am not hyper-focused on style, I appreciate a well-made item, and the Lucky Dog bag dispenser offers both style and functionality for such a mundane task. But first, let me discuss the bags!

    The Lucky Dog poop bags are made with at least 30 percent GMO-free corn and other natural, non-harmful ingredients, according to the brand. Unlike most poop bag rolls that have a cardboard or plastic inner core—taking up unnecessary space and limiting dispensing—Lucky Dog eliminates this, ensuring hassle-free dispensing. The bags have a slippery feel but are otherwise similar to standard poop bags.

    Although the rolls feature perforated ends to aid separation, I found them harder to tear than other rolls in this evaluation, likely due to the plant-based composition. However, I could still successfully tear the bag and open them with ease, even with winter gloves on. They function as well as the Amazon Basics bags, picking up waste, securing it with no leaks, and tying beautifully.

    Aside from its eco-friendly composition, the standout feature is the simple, modern-style dispenser. The cotton canvas dispenser features a genuine leather tab on the back to hold your used bags and a metal carabiner ring to easily attach to a leash, belt loop, or anything else. The dispenser also includes an aluminum grommet opening that allows for smooth dispensing and prevents the bag from snagging or unraveling. The Lucky Dog Poop Bags with Dispenser is a functional yet stylish choice for eco-conscious pet owners.

    The brand has discontinued this product and replaced it with MyEcoWorld Pet Poop Bags, which we did not evaluate. 

    Most Durable
    Earth Rate poop bags in grass and being pulled
    Our evaluator liked the lavender scent, but if it's not your thing, Earth Rated also offers an unscented version.
    Photo: Debbie Wolfe
    Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags Guaranteed Leak Proof and Extra Thick Lavender Scented
    Prices from: $7.99
    Product details
    Unit count: 270 bags
    Material: 65 percent certified post-consumer recycled plastic
    Scent: Lavender

    Environmentally conscious pet parents don’t have to compromise on quality for sustainability with Earth Rated poop bags. These bags are made from 65 percent certified post-consumer recycled plastic, saving 5 million pounds of landfill-bound plastic each year, according to the brand.

    The Earth Rated Poop Bags felt considerably thicker than the others I tried in this test. According to their product website, the bags are 15 microns thick (.59 mil). For reference, a single-use grocery shopping bag is around .5 mil, according to the National Resources Council of Maine, so it’s similar in thickness. The bags held up exceptionally well while picking up pet messes on concrete, grass, and gravel. They even withstood pulling and stretching, showing greater resilience compared with all the bags in the test.

    These bags were also lavender-scented. Overall, I found the scent neither displeasing nor overwhelming. However, I didn’t think that the scent made a remarkable difference in masking the mess odor. I believe the thickness of the bag was the main reason I didn’t smell anything. Because there is no difference in cost between the scented and unscented versions, the choice is purely a matter of preference.

    The bags were easy to dispense and open, with or without gloves. When transporting a filled bag, I had no issues with leaks, rips, or any structural failure. The rolls easily fit into standard pet bag dispensers. This combination of durability and eco-friendliness makes them a top choice for eco-conscious pet owners who need reliable support when picking up pet messes.

    Easy to Dispense
    No Rip poop bags in grass and being pulled
    Pull out like a tissue? We liked this concept at first but later ran into dispensing issues with the No Rip Poop Bags.
    Photo: No Rip
    No Rip Tissue-Style
    Prices from: $13.99
    Product details
    Unit count: 120 bags
    Material: High-quality, thick materials
    Scent: Unscented

    Do you ever get frustrated when you pull out a poop bag and end up with two or three? No Rip Poop Bags Tissue Style has reimagined convenience in pet waste management with its innovative, easy-dispense design. These bags are designed like a tissue box, allowing each bag to be pulled out smoothly and easily, ensuring a seamless experience each time you need a new one.

    The No Rip bags performed remarkably well in all categories: opening with ease with or without gloves, no ripping during pickup, and no leaking during transportation. The only frustration I experienced was with dispensing. On its own, not in a dispenser, the bag easily comes off the roll. However, when I loaded the No Rip bags into my simple, bone-shaped bag dispenser that I keep on a leash, the first two bags came through the dispenser without issue, but the third bag got stuck behind the gasket, and I had to fish around the opening to feed the end through again. This happened repeatedly. So I decided to try an open dispenser (I used the Lucky Dog dispenser), and the dispensing went much smoother.

    I still think the No Rip bags redefine convenience in pet waste management with their innovative, easy-dispense design. However, my frustration is based on the type of dispenser used (get an open-style one). The bags do what they are designed to do. Overall, the bags simplify the process of detaching each bag and significantly reduce the likelihood of accidental rips or tears.

    Most Functional
    Wild One poop bags in grass and being pulled
    These Wild One bags come in a pretty peach color, and they offer 13 colors for the dispenser.
    Photo: Debbie Wolfe
    Wild One Bag Holder and Dispenser with Leash Attachment
    Prices from: $6.99
    Product details
    Unit count: 10 bags
    Material: Corn starch blend
    Scent: Unscented

    Plastic bags made from cornstarch are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to single-use plastics. The Wild One Bag Holder and Dispenser features bioplastic bags made from a cornstarch blend that will break down through natural processes within one year, according to the brand.

    Similar to the Lucky Dog waste bags, the Wild One bags are buttery soft yet durable. I experienced no issues opening them, whether with or without gloves. The bags held up well during pet cleanup tasks on both pavement and grass, securely containing the contents without leaks or rips. The dispenser has a sleek, minimalist design and seamlessly attaches to any leash without the need for a clip. It also features a simple twist-off cap for quick bag reloads.

    Overall, I really like these bags and the dispenser. However, the only con I found is that it is expensive compared with other bags I tested. The holder comes with only 10 bags, and refill rolls are sold on their website for $9.00 per 120 bags, which amounts to approximately $0.07 per bag. While this cost isn’t outrageous given the biodegradable nature of the bags, it’s something to consider. Overall, the Wild One bags and dispenser combine versatility with modern design, making necessary cleanups as smooth as your walk.

    How CR Evaluates Poop Bags

    I evaluated the waste bags based on their accessibility, usability, and durability. In the accessibility evaluation, I assessed how well the bags dispensed from the holder and how easily they could be detached.

    I determined how easy it was to dispense each bag from the holder and how simple it was to tear them off. None of the bags I tested ripped while being dispensed. Next, I evaluated how easy each bag was to open with and without gloves. I used two types of gloves: a knitted wool blend and a smooth poly-blend fabric. All the bags passed the opening test. Finally, I tested durability over a week. I used each bag to pick up dog messes on various outdoor surfaces, mostly pavement and grass. After tying each bag, I carried it for approximately 1/4 mile to assess its leak-proof quality before depositing it into my trash bin. 


    Debbie Wolfe Headshot

    Debbie Wolfe

    Debbie Wolfe is a freelance writer, editor, and photographer in Powder Springs, Ga., who specializes in home, garden, and food content. Her work has been published by Forbes, HGTV, Bob Vila, Real Simple, The Spruce, Realtor.com, and more. Get to know her at dbwolfe.com.