We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 8 Best Dog Poop Bags of 2026 Hassle-free ways to contain and dispose of your pooch's waste By Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada is an editor for The Spruce Pets and best friends with a Pomeranian named Gidget. She has tested hundreds of products, many with the help of Gidget, whose refined taste and cheerful nature continuously inspire Anna's work. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process and Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo is a writer and dog mom to Brodie, a border-collie mix who loves to learn. She is also bringing in new foster dogs in need of a home and has cared for over 75 dogs and puppies. In her 25+ years as a journalist, she has contributed to WebMD, CNN, and Treehugger, covering pets and animals, health and wellness, nature and sustainability, and all things environmental. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/24/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews How We Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets When you walk your dog, you need sturdy, reliable dog poop bags. Many cities have local ordinances requiring dog owners to pick up after their dogs, but it’s the polite and sanitary thing to do regardless. We purchased 25 popular and bestselling dog poop bags, then tested them in the real world using volunteer testers and their dogs. We wanted to find the poop bags that were easiest to use, most durable, and the least gross. We also looked for features that are actually useful, from traditional plastic to eco-friendly, and tested poop bags with handles for easy tie-up, plus extra-large versions for big dogs and their big poops. We evaluated each bag we tested on size, sturdiness, and smell, as well as how easy they were to tear off the roll, open, scoop, and close. We also looked into dog poop bag manufacturers' claims about how well their bags biodegrade or compost. For more, check out the What to Look For section, found below our product picks. Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Earth Rated Poop Bags at Amazon $18 $15 Jump to Review Best Bulk Buy: Amazon Basics Dog Poop Bags at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best With Handles: Pogi's Poop Bags at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Scented: SALE Arm & Hammer Waste Bags at Amazon $18 $11 Jump to Review Best for Big Dogs: GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags at Amazon $21 Jump to Review Best Premium: Wild One Dog Poop Bags at Amazon $30 Jump to Review A Sustainable Bulk Option: Greener Walker Poop Bags at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Budget: PET N PET Pick Up Bags at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Best Overall Earth Rated Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $18 $15 at Amazon $14 at Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Easy to tear from the roll Leakproof construction Earth Rated is a certified B Corporation and all products are cruelty-free What We Don't Like Can be difficult to open up a new bag Aggressive lavender scent Earth Rated Poop Bags are leakproof and durable enough to safely transport waste, with a 9 by 13-inch size that's suitable for any size doggie dump, long enough to easily tie off, and will fit most dog poop bag dispensers. They're also made of 65% post-consumer recycled plastic—one of several eco-friendly qualities that make Earth Rated's bags our overall favorite. During weeks of testing with a dachshund mix, Earth Rated poop bags performed reliably, with a thin, yet durable texture, thanks to their 15-micron thickness. The green bags are also opaque enough that you won't spend your walk staring at poop. The dog bags are available in a variety of refill sizes, with packs of 60, 120, 270, 315, and 900 bags available. There's also a lavender-scented version, but it's a little strong, so we recommend it only for the true lavender fan. Plastic dog poop bags may not be very environmentally friendly, but Earth Rated estimates the recycled content in its bags accounts for 5 million pounds of plastic annually. Earth Rated is also a Certified B Corporation, which means it's been independently audited for environmental and workplace standards. Earth Rated also makes donations to a wide variety of animal rescues and sustainability initiatives. The main weakness we noticed during testing is that Earth Rated Poop Bags can be tricky to open, especially if you're wearing gloves. To more easily open dog poop bags, try pinching the top and rubbing your fingers apart to separate the two sides of the opening. Made with 65 percent post-consumer recycled plastic Best Bulk Buy Amazon Basics Dog Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $19 at Amazon What We Like Available unscented and in multiple scents Tears off easily Sturdy, even for large loads What We Don't Like Seams are sometimes imperfect Comes with a poop bag dispenser, but you probably already have one Amazon Basics Dog Poop Bags are made from polyethylene—standard, petroleum-derived plastic—so there's no environmentally-friendly mitigation with these bags. Instead, these are straightforwardly useful, standard poop bags, with the 9 by 13-inch size common to so many dispensers, and are sturdy, able to handle larger loads. The main advantage is their low price and bulk availability, with packages of 300, 600, and 900 bags available that tear easily from the roll. The 900-bagger comes with 60 15-bag rolls. Each roll is coreless, slightly cutting down on waste. A poop bag dispenser is included. While nice, most dog owners already have one of these on hand. Amazon Basic poop bags are available in four scents—Brazilian mango, cucumber, lavender, and talcum powder. The smells are subtle enough, but since there's no fully covering poop smells, we preferred the unscented bags. Made from polyethylene plastic Best With Handles Pogi's Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $16 at Amazon $16 at Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Easy to open, tie closed, and carry Available unscented or scented (powder fresh) Dispenser box with a cardboard core What We Don't Like Bags do not come in a roll and are not compatible for use with a standard leash attachment bag carrier Pogi's Earth Friendly Poop Bag brings closure to your dog's number two with two handles to tidy up and get on with your walk. These bags do not come in a roll for use with a leash attachment carrier, but the cardboard dispenser box makes it easy to select one bag at a time and also contains a cardboard core that can be recycled. For transport during a walk, we found it convenient to loosely tie a bag around the handle of the dog's leash before and after picking up poop. The plastic bags are sturdy, easy to open, and offer sufficient space for picking up after larger dogs. Credit: The Spruce Pets The bags are available with or without a powder fresh scent. We found the scent to be strong but not overpowering, and it did help to mask the smell of poop. The bags we tested are made with recyclable plastic, but Pogi's Earth Friendly also offers compostable poop bags with handles that are ASTM International certified. Made with recycled plastic Best Scented Arm & Hammer Waste Bags Credit: Amazon $18 $11 at Amazon $11 at Chewy View on Petmate.com What We Like Controls odor with baking soda and a fresh scent Thick and sturdy Can be tied up after picking up poop What We Don't Like Bags are slightly difficult to separate from the roll and open Arm & Hammer Fresh Scent Waste Bags have a fragrance paired with activated baking soda to neutralize odors. We found the fresh scent to be an appealing aroma that isn't too powerful, and these plastic bags were our top performer when it came to hiding the smell of dog poop. Credit: The Spruce Pets The plastic bags are strong and durable, but slightly see-through, so there is no mistaking what is inside. The bags provide a dependable layer of protection when picking up poop and stay intact even when used on rough and pointy surfaces, like concrete and grass. They were easy to tie up after picking up poop, too. Each roll has a cardboard core, which will ultimately end up in the trash, and we found the bags to be more difficult than others to separate from the roll. Durable plastic conceals smells Best for Big Dogs GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags Credit: Amazon $21 $19 at Amazon What We Like Handles on each bag make it easy to open and tie up Extra large; holds over 2 gallons Suitable for picking up after a large dog or multiple dogs What We Don't Like Not available as a roll for use with standard leash attachment carrier If you have a big dog or are picking up after more than one dog at a time, GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags offer the most capacity and are made with thick plastic to support the weight. With one extra-large bag designed to hold over 2 pounds per clean-up session, we had room for all the poop our participating Shiba Inu and husky mix placed in our way. Each bag features a 5-inch gusset for space and two handles, which make them easy to open and close by tying them together. The bags are folded in a recyclable cardboard box that dispenses one at a time, similar to a box of tissues, so these poop bags are not compatible with a leash attachment carrier. Made from cornstarch and high-density polyurethane plastic Best Premium Wild One Dog Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $30 $27 at Amazon View on Chewy $15 at Petco What We Like Unscented bags contain odors once tied Strong exterior is difficult to puncture and rip Plastic is made with corn starch to disintegrate over time What We Don't Like Poop bag carrier not provided The blush-colored Poop Bags from Wild One are thick and strong but soft to the touch. The plastic parcels for poop are made with cornstarch and designed to deteriorate along with the organic matter placed inside. The bags are easy to tie once the poop is inside, and the accompanying poop-pourri is also contained. The bags are easy to separate from the roll and simple to open with fingers. The plastic material holds up when used to scoop poop on outdoor surfaces and remains intact, even up against long nails. Each roll fits inside any standard poop bag dispenser, but if you purchase the Wild One Poop Bag Carrier, an unscented roll will be inside and ready for use. Made from cornstarch blend plastic Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets A Sustainable Bulk Option Greener Walker Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $17 at Amazon View on Greenerwalker.com View on Walmart What We Like Easy to open and separate Unscented Made from recycled material What We Don't Like Very thin Green Walker Poop Bags are bundled and sold in super value packs containing 36 rolls with 540 unscented bags to last you and your pup several months. To streamline your dog walking excursions, the bags are conveniently rolled up into groups of 15, and each roll fits into most standard-size leash dispensers. The bags are made with recycled materials and consist of a blend of polyethylene and cornstarch, making them a bit more environmentally friendly. Each bag measures 9 by 13 inches, which is adequate for collecting a pet waste session or two for most dogs. The bags come in three colors: green, brown, and dark green, and while testing, we found the bags to be easy to separate from the roll and open. However, they are rather thin, so unintentionally puncturing a hole is not out of the question. Made from recycled polyethylene and cornstarch Best Budget PET N PET Pick Up Bags Credit: Amazon $24 at Amazon $24 at Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Just 2 cents per bag 41% USDA certified bio-based material Leakproof What We Don't Like Poop bag holder not included When you have an active dog household, and you're taking multiple dog walks a day, it helps to have a good stock of poop bags on hand so you don’t have to keep restocking. Pet N Pet provides 60 rolls, or 1080 biodegradable bags, that will last you for months. You’ll end up paying about 2 cents per bag. The 9 by 13-inch bags should accommodate most dogs. The bags are available in pea green, black, or orange, and are dark enough so you won’t see what’s inside. You can choose an unscented version or a lavender-scented one. Although we didn't test the Pet N Pet dog poop bags, they are a top-rated pick at Amazon, so we think they are worth including in our list. Made with 41% USDA-certified bio-based material Final Verdict Our favorite dog poop bags are from Earth Rated, because they work well, come in usefully sized packaging, and are made from recycled materials. They're also more affordable than many other premium and eco-friendly bag brands. If you’re picking up after a big dog (or have a multi-dog household), you may prefer the extra-large GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags, which hold 2 gallons each and have handles for easy closure. How We Tested We researched and purchased 25 products designed for picking up dog poop with human hands and sent each one to a real home for real-world testing. For a week, each team of testers (one human and at least one hound) used a designated product to pick up dog poop from various outdoor surfaces, including concrete/pavement and grass. Each human on duty for doody pickup documented their experience and offered insight into the performance of the product. Using our first-hand information, paired with the standards set by ASTM International for biodegradable and compostable products in the United States, we ranked and categorized our top picks. Credit: The Spruce Pets What to Look For in Dog Poop Bags Size Most bags made for picking up dog poop are rectangular with dimensions around 9 by 13 inches, and this generally provides sufficient space for picking up after most dogs. If you have a very large dog or are cleaning up after more than one dog, our Best for Big Dogs pick, GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags, is a thick plastic bag with the capacity for picking up over 2 gallons and has ties at the top to secure the contents inside. Style There are three styles to choose from: rectangular bags, rectangular bags with handles, and sheets. Plastic bags for picking up dog waste are the conventional option, and most leash attachment carriers are made to contain a roll of bags. To use one bag, separate it from the roll, open it up, and place one hand inside, like a glove. The hand inside the bag is protected and used to pick up the poop. Then, using the other hand, flip the bag to contain the dog poop. Most bags have enough space left over to tie a knot. There are also bags available with handles, like our pick for Best With Handles, Pogi's Earth Friendly Poop Bag. These are also used like a glove but do not come in a roll and are not compatible with most leash attachment carriers. Sheets are a paper-based alternative to plastic bags. Sheets are often more friendly to the environment but not always, especially when you factor in plastic bags made with bioplastic which can be biodegradable or compostable. Credit: The Spruce Pets Leash Attachment Carrier Rolls of dog poop bags are typically about 2.5 inches high and 1.5 inches or less in diameter, and most leash attachment carriers are designed to accommodate these rolls. If you have a leash attachment carrier that you like, you should check the dimensions of the roll you're buying to make sure it is compatible. If you are trying sheets or bags with handles, these do not come in a roll so they can't be used with the carriers designed for rolls. You can check out a leash attachment pouch or use a pocket—just be sure to double-check that you have enough sheets or bags before you head out for your walk. FAQ Are dog poop bags biodegradable? No, not all dog poop bags are biodegradable. Many are made of plastic, which can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill. Even bags that claim to be biodegradable often won't break down except under very rare and specific conditions. A 2019 scientific study found that several bags labeled as “biodegradable” survived in the open air, buried in soil, and submerged in seawater for at least three years or longer.There are several relevant certifications, such as the ASTM D6954 standard, which indicates an "oxo-biodegradable" bag.These bags are made from standard plastic but include an additive designed to make the bag break down when exposed to oxygen and sunlight. This means they are unlikely to decompose in a landfill, but will break down into smaller and smaller parts if left out as litter. For example, if one gets caught in branches, it can be expected to break down over time, unlike a plastic grocery bag. However, this may not necessarily be a good thing. While the full environmental effects of degrading additives are still unknown, early research suggests that oxo-biodegradable bags can create environmental microplastics.While the verdict is still out on oxo-biodegradable bags, we recommend the eco-conscious dog poop bag buyer instead look to bags made from recycled plastic and bioplastics that are made from non-petroleum sources.You will also see bags that claim to be compostable. And while they may adhere to standards such as ASTM D6400 certification, most compostable bags are going to end up in landfills. Compostable bags can only be composted under very specific conditions, such as at special facilities that are uncommon in the United States.While it's possible to home compost dog waste, the risks of spreading bacteria are high enough that it should only be done by experienced composters—a high-heat compost, for example, can be particularly useful for sanitizing dog waste. Because of the risk of spreading bacteria, dog waste compost should not be used in food gardens. How do you dispose of dog poop bags? If you use compostable bags, you can dispose of them at municipal facilities (if they accept dog waste) or compost them in a separate bin if they're suitable for home compost. There are also poop disposal systems that work as mini septic tanks. You bury them in the ground and then periodically add water and powdered enzymes to speed up the composting process.The simplest way is to toss the bags of poop in the trash. Plastic bags will sit in landfills for a long time. Although hardly an environmentally friendly option, this can be better than letting the poop sit on the ground and contaminate water and soil. Can you flush dog poop bags? No, plastic dog poop bags are not designed to be flushed. And before you flush dog poop (out of the bag), you should check your community’s guidelines. Some facilities don’t have the means to process pet waste. If you are able to flush waste, make sure you remove it from the bag. There are also water-soluble poop bags available, but as with wipes for people, products marketed as "flushable" can cause problems with plumbing, especially if you live in an apartment building, so some experts recommend they never be used. How do you knot dog poop bags? Slide the dog poop bag on your hand like a glove and use it to pick up dog poop. Pull the edges of the bag off your hand and over the poop. With the remaining plastic at the top of the bag, pull it off your hand so the poop is at the bottom of the bag. For ease of tying, you might want to twist the bag close to the top of the poop and then knot the remaining end of the bag into a loop to keep the contents from spilling. Why Trust The Spruce Pets? This roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a pomeranian named Gidget. Mejorada currently uses unscented Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags to pick up after Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. A previous version of this article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who often reviews dog products for The Spruce Pets. The proud mom of a rescue dog, she has fostered more than 50 dogs and puppies, which means she’s picked up a lot of poop. DiLonardo is always looking for the most durable and effective pet products. For more than 25 years, she has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. The 12 Best Dog Puzzle Toys of 2026 Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Supplies Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Napper IE, Thompson RC. Environmental deterioration of biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable, compostable, and conventional plastic carrier bags in the sea, soil, and open-air over a 3-year period. Environ Sci Technol. 2019;53(9):4775-4783. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b06984 Markowicz F, Szymańska-Pulikowska A. Analysis of the possibility of environmental pollution by composted biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable plastics. Geosciences. 2019;9(11):460. doi:10.3390/geosciences9110460