If you’re tight on closet space, vacuum storage bags can help you organize off-season clothes and keep extra bedding and towels manageable, minimizing the amount of space they take up.
With the right vacuum bag, items like bulky sweaters and fluffy blankets can also be shrunk down to a quarter of their original size — if not smaller. To help you find the best options, I spoke to three professional organizers about what to look for when shopping.
What are vacuum storage bags?
Similar to compression bags you might use for travel, “vacuum storage bags are airtight bags that allow you to compress, protect and store items easily,” says Eliana Coca, owner of E.C. House Cleaning. They are essentially large plastic bags that you put stuff in and then suck the air out of with a vacuum or other device. Another benefit? “They protect stored items from dust, moisture, and pests, ensuring they stay clean and fresh,” says Coca.
How I picked the best vacuum storage bags
To put together a list of the best vacuum storage bags, I asked experts for tips on what to look for when shopping. Here is what they suggest:
- Durability: “Look for durable materials and a reliable sealing mechanism,” says Barbara Tanaka, a professional organizer at Orderly Balanced and the strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees. The idea vacuum bag is made from a thick plastic and has a sealing mechanism that is not flimsy or easily breakable.
- Size variety: If you plan to store multiple types of items, Coca suggests looking for vacuum storage bags with multiple size options. You can use large bags for items like coats and blankets, and smaller bags for items like intimates and accessories.
- Vacuum method: How you compress a bag depends on the brand you buy. Some instruct you to attach your vacuum hose to remove the air, while others come with a portable hand pump. One thing to keep in mind? If you choose a bag that comes with a pump, it is usually a proprietary attachment. So once you go with that brand, you’ll want to make sure replacement bags are easily available, says Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations at Bellhop Atlanta Movers.
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The best vacuum storage bags
To create a list of vacuum bags worth your consideration, I asked experts for their recommendations. I also sourced highly rated options that aligned with the expert guidance above.
Best overall
“From experience, one brand that consistently receives positive feedback from my clients is SpaceSaver,” says Coco. “The bags strike the right balance of durability, reliability and a variety of sizes.” These bags are available in four different sizes — small, medium, large and jumbo, plus in a variety pack that includes the different sizes. Depending on how much you have to store, you can choose between a 3-, 4-, 6- and 20-pack of bags. All Spacesaver bags from come with a triple-sealed valve and a hand pump, and are made from tear-resistant plastic, according to the brand.
Best for large items
If you have blankets or large coats you want to store, Tanaka recommends these XXL vacuum storage bags. You get three bags that each measure 47 inches by 35 inches, plus a slightly smaller bonus bag that is 32 inches by 21 inches. The set also comes with sticker labels to help you identify what you store more easily. These bags can be compressed by attaching a vacuum hose to the bag’s valve.
Best size combinations
For under $25, this set gives you 20 bags in various sizes, including extra-large bags that can fit a comforter, according to the brand. The bags have a double zipper to keep them tightly closed and come with a hand pump to easily compress them.
Best for off-season clothing storage
If you just need to store a few off-season clothing items, these medium-sized bags do the trick. My bedroom closet is on the smaller side, so I store clothes I’m not wearing in these bags and tuck them under my bag. The medium size fits about eight sweaters and you get five in a pack. I find this is just enough to store my summer wardrobe in the winter and winter wardrobe in the summer. The bags come with a handpump and the sealed valve feels super durable.
Best for bedding
You may know Hefty as a trash bag brand, but they also make these durable plastic vacuum bags. The bags come in a medium size for tops and jeans, large for sweaters, extra large for blankets or coats and jumbo, which can hold two pillows and a comforter, according to the brand. . The bags can either be compressed by rolling them to push air out or by attaching a vacuum hose to the valve.
Most affordable
This set comes with 12 vacuum bags — three jumbos, three large, three medium and three small. The valve you use to compress works with the included hand pump or can be attached to your vacuum hose. The bags are made from a thick plastic meant to last and that will keep moisture and mildew out, according to the brand.
Best for travel and large storage
If you have a ton of items you need to store, consider this set. It includes 35 bags in different sizes — including jumbo for items like comforters and small for things like tops and streamlined pants. The set also includes travel roll-up bags, which you can use to save space in your suitcase.
How to use vacuum storage bags
New to using vacuum storage bags? Here are a few helpful tips to make the most of them:
- The bulkier the better: You can certainly store silk tops in a storage bag, but chances are you won’t be able to compress them to a size all that smaller than they naturally are when folded. You’ll notice the biggest space saving on items like comforters, sweaters and coats, says Tanaka. Just know that there is no danger in storing smaller items this way. In fact, if you have lots of smaller items to store — like baby clothes — it can be a helpful way to keep everything together.
- Clean clothes only: Do not store dirty items in these bags. If you do, when you compress the bags, you will just intensify odor or cause dirt to sink in deeper. Only freshly laundered items should be vacuum sealed.
- Be conscientious of timing: The experts I spoke with suggest not storing items in a vacuum bag for longer than six months. If you do, you may notice your items lose shape or crease to the point that it’s tough to remove.
- Store wisely: When used properly, vacuum storage bags do a good job of protecting items from humidity, mildew and dirt, says Coca. To maximize their effectiveness, avoid storing them in a super hot or humid space. If you have no choice, make sure the valve is closed properly to prevent damage.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Eliana Coca is the owner of E.C. House Cleaning and has worked in cleaning and organizing for over 20 years.
- Nick Valentino is the vice president of market operations at Bellhop Atlanta Movers, which offers packing, moving and storage services.
- Barbara Tanaka is a professional organizer at Orderly Balanced and the strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a contributing editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I has recently written about double cleansing, walking shoes and FSA-eligible items. For this story, I interviewed three organization experts about vacuum storage bags.
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