Items made from wool or fur could become damaged if stored for too long in a vacuum storage bag. How to choose the best vacuum storage bags

After testing, we found that the Gongshi Vacuum Storage Bags are the best vacuum storage bags. They earned top marks in each of our categories, plus they’re easy to use, durable, stored five sheet sets, and kept air and water out. Vig adds, “Unless there is a clear reason items need to be stored in the bags for a long period of time (like a large home renovation), there is a chance that what gets stored in the bags might never be used again.” You may not want to use these for storing zippered or embellished clothing since the thin plastic could tear.

How we chose our recommendations

With easy carry handles and a viewing window to let you see what’s inside at a glance, the bag also folds flat for storage when not in use. This large 87 litre version is perfect for storing a king-size duvet and four pillows. We didn’t feel that using the bag was very easy, though. We struggled to lay the coats flat within the bag because of the zipper’s placement on the long edge of the bag. We also had to search for sealing instructions online, and found it difficult to properly align the vacuum with the bag’s valve. The bag’s design meant the coats were pressed up against the valve, interfering with airflow, which then led to a longer compression time—about 2.5 minutes. This the best vacuum storage bag if you have extra bedding to stash away. It was able to handle two pillows as well as three sheet sets. And despite holding that much, the bag’s circumference shrank by more than 10 inches, making it especially handy for smaller storage spaces. We could easily place it under a bed, and it still fit nicely in this 12-inch space after we folded the bag and its contents in half—meaning it’s perfect for storing lots of items in a compact area. Frequent travelers will find these to be the best vacuum storage bags, in part because the set of 10 bags comes with a hand pump for easy use while you’re on the go. We tested out the small bags, and the set contains eight more in four additional sizes, including a travel-friendly roll-up style, a feature Vig recommends. We were able to fit two towels in the small bag, although it was a bit of a struggle and our testers resorted to stuffing the towels in versus folding them neatly.

A useful space-saving and storage tool, vacuum storage bags are a practical and cost-efficient way to maximise space, keeping clothes, bedding and other garments clean and protected when not in use. Using the power and suction of a vacuum cleaner, vacuum storage bags reduce the air trapped between layers of clothes and garments to remove bulk, making them flatter, smaller and far easier to store. The included hang pump took much longer to create a seal and didn’t allow the bag to hold as many items as when vacuum-sealed. In terms of the type of items you’re storing, you’ll want to consider how the material might interact with the bags. Vig explains, “Some types of materials store better in containers/bags that can breathe—like natural fabrics (think cashmere). I would prefer to use linen boxes to store those types of items than plastic airtight bags or bins.” Moore agrees, adding, “Different fabrics may react differently to being stored without air circulation and ventilation. Damage could occur to certain fabrics if they were not intended to be stored in this manner.”Vig says you may not always need a vacuum to seal vacuum storage bags. She notes, “Many vacuum storage bags now are able to be sealed by rolling the air out of the bag, which makes them excellent for using with air travel.” According to Moore, “For best results, a vacuum is recommended and will remove more air than other methods, such as pressing on the bag to force out the air manually.” Other bags may come with a pump, though they still allow the option of using a vacuum for sealing. Sometimes, closet space is all the storage area you have to spare. In that case, these are the best vacuum storage bags since they come with a hanger for easy vertical storage. They come in two sizes, with two bags included per size. Contents stayed dry even after a one-minute dunk in water, and the bags remained sealed during our 24-hour compression period. The sheets did show some indentations and wrinkles, so you may want to inspect any items you take from storage before using them. Some people may not mind a wrinkle or two, but if wrinkles bother you, know that you’ll likely need to wash or iron fabric items once they’re out of the storage bag. We researched the pros and cons of each vacuum storage bag, including assessing each product’s effectiveness in terms of durability and the quality of compression. We also looked out for any products prone to leakage and investigated whether these were down to user error or genuine product flaws.

Mumsnetters swear by vacuum storage bags as a way to easily store jeans, bedding sets, curtains and cushions. It's fair to say, however, that not all vacuum storage bags are made equal. We’ve scoured the forums for tried and tested product recommendations to highlight the best vacuum storage bags to use at home or on your next family holiday. For a more attractive storage alternative, the Lakeland tote bag is a really popular option for helping organise your wardrobe too. How we chose our recommendations Jill Moore, owner and certified professional home organizer of Organized Jill Professional Home Organization advises, “Be sure to not overstuff vacuum bags and utilize the correct size.” She adds, “It is better to place less things in more bags for easier retrieval without having to dig through a large pile.” Vacuum sealing the bags with a wet/dry vac allowed us to fit all five sheet sets in the bag while the hand pump only allowed for three sheet sets. We found the sealing process for both options to be quite simple and straightforward, with both the vacuum nozzle and the hand pump fitting easily into the bag’s valve. Sealing with the wet/dry vacuum took only 18 seconds, while the hand pump seal took a full minute—something to note if you’re in a time crunch. Both sealed bags fit nicely in the 12-inch storage space under a queen bed and on a shelf meant for cube storage. Ideal for storing the chunky winter bedding when you need fewer togs throughout the balmy summer months, this 87 Litre Jumbo Vacuum Storage Tote ensures you can store away all out-of-season bedding or clothes without eating up all of your cupboard space.

How to choose the best vacuum storage bags

Finally, we weighed up which bags were best for each storage requirement to bring you our definitive list. About the author Unzip the vacuum bag (choosing an appropriately sized bag for your contents). Carefully add the contents and arrange them to make the best use of the space. If you’re after generously sized storage options, then these are the best vacuum storage bags. They come in a set of six, and we found that one bag held two pillows plus three sets of sheets without even meeting the maximum fill line. In part, that’s thanks to their cube-shaped bottom design, which means the bags stand upright, allowing for an easier loading process. When travelling, you can also use vacuum storage bags to maximise space in your suitcase, cabin bag or kids' luggage or to keep dirty or soiled clothing separate from clean clothes on your return. What should you not put in vacuum storage bags?

With bag options that included a hand pump, we sealed one bag using the hand pump and the second using a vacuum. Interestingly, we found that the hand pump worked better with some options than others—though not in all cases.The price feels a bit high when you consider that the bags are all the same size, which doesn’t provide much variety. With easy carry handles and a viewing window to let you see what’s inside at a glance, the bag also folds flat for storage when not in use. This 38 litre version is ideal for storing a single duvet and two pillows.