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. Although vacuum storage bags can store lots of different items, there are some no-nos that you should avoid if you want to avoid damage and mildew. Gabai advises homeowners not to store items that are wet or damp, perishable, and sharp or pointed items that could tear the bag. She also points out that some brands offer travel-size storage bags designed to fit in carry-on luggage. “The travel size, however, is not technically a vacuum-sealed bag. It's basically a large Ziploc bag, which requires you to squeeze out the air as you roll the clothes inside into a cylinder,” she says. 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. 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.

As part of our design test, our research team came up with a designated amount of items that had to fit in each size of bag. The amounts were as follows: two bath towels in small bags; five sheet sets in medium bags; 10 bath towels in large bags; two pillows and three sheet sets in extra-large bags; three pillows, one duvet, and two sheet sets in jumbo bags; and five coats for garment bags. We then filled each of our bags with the number of items according to their size and noted if we could not fit all of the items in a bag. If you’re looking for a way to keep your belongings organized and protected from mildew, mold, odors, or dust while in storage, sealing them in a vacuum storage bag is one of the best ways to achieve this. The lifespan of a vacuum storage bag depends on the quality of the bag and how it is used,” says Gabai. “In general, vacuum storage bags can last several years if properly cared for. However, if the bag is not sealed properly or if it is exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture, it won't last as long.” Unfortunately, we found these bags slightly difficult to sort through because they are not labeled. Off the bat, it’s hard to tell what each size is unless you unfold and individually measure them. If you need a variety of sizes, this set is an excellent option. But, if you just need a certain size bag, this option might be less helpful.You may not want to use these for storing zippered or embellished clothing since the thin plastic could tear. To help you find the best vacuum storage bag for your needs, we tested a total of 16 options. We evaluated each option based on how durable the bag is, its capacity, whether the bag stayed sealed after 24 hours, and whether the bag kept items dry after being submerged in water. After all, the last thing you want is to open up a storage bag to find mildewed linens. Depending on the vacuum storage bags you buy, you may find that accessories come with them. You can buy just the bags by themselves, of course. But some brands include a hand pump or even an electric pump as an alternative to using a vacuum cleaner—which can be ideal for traveling when you typically won’t have access to a vacuum for sealing the bags. If you plan on keeping your storage bag in a trailer or storage facility or you’re moving cross-country, it’s probably best to go for an industrial-strength bag like these Ziploc Space Bags. The bags are designed to be pliable and feature patented shield technology which gives it extra protection from the elements plus routine wear and tear. The bags come in multiple sizes including jumbo, large, medium as well as hanging options and travel-sized bags. Keep in mind these bags do not come with a pump, so you’ll have to have a vacuum on hand.

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.Plastic clips are another common accessory you’ll find. These clips help close the bag so you can seal it properly. They also assist in preventing air from escaping, just in case the seal starts to wear off. 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. The Gongshi Vacuum Storage Bag Set made the top of our list due to its quality and the fact that it stayed compressed and showed no signs of air leakage long after the 24-hour testing period was over. In addition, we found no trace of water entering the bag after we submerged it underwater during testing. You can use the pump that comes with it to manually remove the air or any standard vacuum cleaner. We tested this bag with both a vacuum tube attachment and the provided hand pump.