Your idea of the perfect hamper is likely different from the next person's. But if we could only recommend one, we're confident Pottery Barn's Tava Hamper would be an all-around hit. It's handwoven from rattan, a naturally durable material with a down-to-earth appeal that's still plenty modern. A durable design is vital. Your laundry hamper should be made of sturdy materials, so it stays upright when stuffed full of clothes. Be sure to note the weight capacity before buying one. Depending on the material, some large models may not support as much weight as you'd think. Plastic tends to be a pretty sturdy material that’s commonly used in laundry baskets and hampers, but it also might not be as visually appealing as materials like bamboo or cloth. If you’re anything like us, you might have assumed that all plastic laundry baskets are functionally the same. Well, we’re here to tell you that our lab testing definitively proved that all laundry baskets are not created equal — and this one is truly the best of the best. Everyone does laundry — apparently even Kim Kardashian — and the first step is rounding up your dirty clothes. If you're in the market for a new hamper or basket, we've got you covered. But which one should you choose?

The first thing to consider when buying a laundry hamper is the size. It should hold about a week's worth of dirty clothes, if not more. Couples and those who like to pre-sort their darks and lights might want to look for something with two or more compartments, such as the Hennez Laundry Basket With Lid. Look for durabilityTo help you narrow down your choices, we rounded up functional, durable, aesthetically pleasing options of various sizes and styles. We also put some of our favorite laundry baskets and laundry hampers to the test to see just how easily we could carry or maneuver each one from the bedroom to the laundry room. From lidded woven containers and braided baskets to collapsible, rolling, and easy-sorting models, you'll find it all here. There are many benefits to using a laundry tote over a basket — they can squish to fit into small spaces, they can stretch to fit more clothes, and they’re sometimes even easier to carry. We were able to fit two full loads of laundry into the Better Homes & Gardens Laundry Deluxe tote and still found it easier to carry up and down stairs than a traditional basket. To find out which laundry baskets and hampers were truly the cream of the crop, we tested 30 of the best-selling products in our homes. We loaded these baskets and hampers up with dirty clothes to see how they stood up to the trials of our real-world laundry processes over a two-week period.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. Bostrom recommends thinking about where you typically undress at the end of the day, whether it's in your closet, bedroom, or bathroom. "I switched things up and moved our hamper from the bedroom to the bathroom," she says. "This created a better flow for our lifestyle and habits — and fewer piles of clothes on the floor."