I’ve gotten dog poop on my hand more times than I should probably admit. There’s a frantic rush to the nearest sink, my soiled hand held out like a biohazard, attracting curious stares from strangers.
A poop bag that won’t leak, break, or disintegrate is your first line of defense against this minor but thoroughly gross catastrophe. The best poop bags should open easily, minimize plastic waste, and not stink too much.
After a month collecting over a hundred droppings from multiple pups, we’ve found Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags are the best to make picking up poop, well, a little less crappy.
Top pick
These poop bags are tough, thick, and made with 65% postconsumer recycled plastic.
The Earth Rated Poop Bags don’t break or leak, they hold up well in grass and on pavement, they separate from the roll easily at the indicated perforation, and they feel thicker than many of the bags we tested. While no bag can truly mask the stench, the unscented versions of these bags did a better job at suppressing odor than the others.
Runner-up
These partially plant-based bags feature a convenient countdown number printed on each one.
The Original Poop Bags Countdown Rolls do well on a variety of surfaces, don’t spring leaks even when hauling a full load, and feel thicker than most of the other bags we tested. Each bag has a number printed on it that lets you know exactly how many are left. But they’re harder to separate from the roll than our top pick.
Best for
This simple, sturdy design withstands daily abuse and features a convenient hook to hold your used poop bags.
The Earth Rated Poop Bag Dispenser attaches to your leash and stores a roll of poop bags, making it easy to tear off a new one whenever the need may arise. It’s made of tough plastic that holds up to repeated dropping and dragging, and the yellow hook on the side offers a convenient spot to put used bags, so you don’t have to carry a stinky bundle. But it can be hard to twist open.
Best for
This inexpensive accessory attaches to your leash and can hold two used poop bags without too much dangling.
If your dispenser doesn’t have a hook for full bags, the SVD Pet Dog Poop Bag Holder is a simple contraption that attaches to your leash with a hook and loop strap. It’s lightweight and strong, and it can carry two full poop bags at one time.
Best for
If you’re picking up lots of droppings, this hook can carry up to four full bags, and it’s simple to set up.
The Wilderdog Crap Carrier is easy to attach to any leash, looping through itself, so setting it up takes seconds. It can hold up to four full bags of poop, so you’re not left carrying a bouquet of loaded bags in your free hand all the way home.
