Best Car Trash Bags: Our Top Picks to Keep Your Car Fresh

Keep your car neat and tidy with the best car trash bags

byKatherine Rother, Nikola Petrovski|
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BYKatherine Rother, Nikola Petrovski/ LAST UPDATED ON May 27, 2021

Keeping your car neat and tidy can be a bit of a struggle. If you’ve got friends, colleagues, and especially children as frequent passengers, a messy back seat and potentially sticky floor are just some of the things you might need to deal with. Not to fear, there is a quick and easy solution in the form of a car trash can. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the best car trash bags out there.

Best Overall

High Road TrashStash Leakproof Trash Can

Summary

The original leakproof car garbage bag that stands up to the challenge.

Pros
  • Able to contain 3 gallons of trash, heavy-duty strap, and a stain-proof liner that’s easy to clean.
Cons
  • Heat-sealed seams are not as sturdy as stitched seams, meaning this one is not quite as durable as competing models.
Best Value

Zone Tech Universal Portable Trash Can

Summary

This car trash bag is leak-proof and contains any food or liquid spills. It is collapsible and takes up very little space in a car.

Pros
  • The trash bag is versatile and also serves as a storage bag for clothes and toys. 
  • It is made from quality materials and is strong and durable.
Cons
  • It is not ideal for people who have kids, as it is quite small in size (about 10 inches tall). 
  • It also takes up legroom, as the Velcro is on the bottom and not on the side.
Honorable Mention

High Road StashAway Trash Can

Summary

A space-saving, leakproof garbage bin that will contain odors when in use.

Pros
  • Compact design, 1.5-gallon capacity, StuffTop lid that keeps odors under control, durable vinyl lining, and storage pockets.
Cons
  • Unfortunately, this one doesn’t work with every center console due to the strap design.

Why Buy a Car Trash Bag?

  • Less mess. The biggest benefit of having a car trash bag is you’ll have a designated place for wrappers, empty bottles, and other items that need to be disposed of, so you’ll never have to deal with a messy car again.
  • Neat and tidy. If you’ve ever been embarrassed to offer a ride to your mom or boss because of that fast food container you’ve got sitting in the back seat, a car trash bag can make those worries a thing of the past.
  • Extra storage space. Car trash bags often come with additional pockets on the outside of the container for storing small items like water bottles, juice boxes for the kids, or even snack packs. That makes them an ideal road trip companion to keep everything organized. Plus, you have the added bonus of a trash receptacle right where it’s needed the most.
  • Sleek appearance. Sure, your car trash bag needs might be met with a conventional plastic bag or even a brown paper sack, but compare the overall look of those options to a sleek black car trash bag and you’ll know the difference. Not only do specially made auto garbage bags win in the design department, but they’re also much more functional.
  • Contain the trash. Simply put, car trash bags excel at keeping trash in a place where it can’t cause an additional mess. Think about a time you used a plastic bag as a trash bag in your car. Chances are stuff fell out—auto trash bags don’t have that problem. Plus, you’ll be able to attach the bag securely somewhere it won’t be in the way.
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Top Brands

Drive Auto Products

Headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan, Drive Auto Products has made a name for itself in the last decade. Making a variety of organizational products for your car, its car bins are some of the best on the market with their innovative liners. Top sellers include The Drive Bin and The Drive Bin XL.

High Road Organizers

Based in Portland, Maine, High Road Organizers is one of the top brands in the automotive organizer business. Its innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship have been honed since its foundation in 1990. Some of its bestsellers are the StashAway Car Trash Can and the TrashStash Leakproof Trash Can.

EPAuto

Founded in 2016, EPAuto is quickly taking the automotive accessory market by storm. From its Walnut, California headquarters, it has been designing and improving a number of products, from air filters to car trash bags. Its most popular products include the Waterproof Car Trash Bin and the Lidded Car Trash Can.

Pricing

  • Under $10: At this price point, you’ll find a variety of basic bins that may or may not be water, leak, or spill-proof. If you’ve got kids, we recommend investing in a bin that has these features so you can avoid a sticky mess.
  • $10-$20: A wide variety of premium-quality car trash bags are available in this range. Most of these will have a lid, a sturdy mounting mechanism, and leakproof.
  • Over $20: If you’re looking for something that also doubles as an organizer, this price range will have what you’re searching for. Most models at this price are durable, well-designed, and aesthetically pleasing, making them worth the investment.

Key Features

Keep your car and the earth clean from your trash.

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Waterproof and Leakproof

The best models will be both waterproof and leakproof. Depending on the type, there will be either a removable liner or a permanent one that has to be spot cleaned. We recommend getting a model with a removable liner to make cleanup quick and easy. Plus, you’ll have another layer to protect against messy spills.

Mounting System

Check out the type of mounting system each car trash bag option has. Some tend to attach to the middle console with a simple strap, while a few have a more sophisticated and sturdier system. Other models attach to the back of a headrest using hooks or straps, while others still rely on being jammed between the middle console and a seat.

Lids Galore

If you’re keen on keeping messes properly contained, a car trash bag with a lid is a must-have. Not only can a lid help keep smells at bay, but it can also keep messy trash where it belongs. Another plus is that a lid can hide the garbage, making your car appear neat and tidy.

Other Considerations

  • Size: Bigger bags hold more trash and larger items like bottles or cups. If you prefer going a long time without having to empty it, or if you go on long road trips, a larger car trash bag is the way to go. Keep in mind that these will be a bit bulkier overall, so if you’re short on space, consider a smaller model instead.
  • Shape: An important consideration, especially if you have a small car with a cramped back seat, is its shape. A number of models feature a basic square or rectangular design that can be quite bulky, while others are higher but flatter, saving you some width. Others still are cylindrical in shape and take up the most space.
  • Material: You’ll want something that’s easy to clean, especially if your model doesn’t have a removable liner. Waterproof vinyl materials are the most user-friendly, with other plastic-based materials coming in next. Velcro attracts a lot of dirt and crumbs, so it’s best to avoid models that use this material.
  • Pockets: If you want your bin to double up as a storage space, pockets are the way to go. They’re also great to hold snacks for your kids on road trips and have the added benefit of being right next to the trash bag, keeping everything neat and tidy. We recommend mesh pockets as these are easy to use for kids and adults alike, and easy to clean.

Best Car Trash Bags Reviews & Recommendations 2021

The original leakproof car garbage bag, the TrashStash is designed after hanging trash bins used on sailboats. Thanks to its leakproof design, this is one tough bag that stands up to the challenge of containing multiple bottles and cans. A hinged closure keeps trash and odor securely contained while still being easy to open with one hand.


Able to contain 3 gallons of garbage, the TrashStash is a great tool for keeping your car mess-free. A heavy-duty, adjustable strap lets you position the container higher or lower depending on where you need it to go. It’s also surprisingly easy to clean. A stainproof inner lining can be rinsed or wiped clean when needed, which means you’ll never have to buy replacement bags.


Overall, the durable construction, quality materials, and reinforced webbed straps make this a great value buy. It comes in either gray or black. One problem we did notice was the heat-sealed seams, which are sturdy and durable but won’t be as long-lasting as stitched seams. 

The Zone Tech Universal Portable Trash Can is compact yet functional. It is made from first-rate materials and is very sturdy and durable. Once you get it, you’ll never have to worry about food and liquid spills, as it is leak-proof. It will hold your unwanted trash, tissues, wrappers, and much more. The string hook allows you to easily attach the bag to a headrest.


The great thing about this car trash bag is that you can also use it outside of your car. Get one for your home and use it as a storage bag for clothes or toys. Its collapsible design makes it very easy to store when it's not in use. The design also allows it to hold more stuff. It will keep your car clean and tidy.


But this car trash can is not devoid of shortcomings. It is very small and fills up very quickly, especially if you have kids. The string hook is quite flimsy and the trash can will lean forward when full. We also wish the manufacturer had attached the Velcro to the side, as it would be more useful.

This covered garbage bag is a space saver that’s also leakproof. Attaching to the center console, the unique StuffTop lid keeps the 1.5-gallon car garbage can covered, even while adding new trash, keeping odors under tight control. The durable vinyl lining keeps spills and stains off your interior and is super easy to clean—simply rinse or wipe.


Added storage pockets can hold anything from wipes to tissues and hand sanitizer. It also works well even with hinged center consoles, so it’s easy to reach for all passengers. The compact size makes it ideal for small and large cars alike, and the unique shape won’t intrude on your passengers’ leg room.


This is a high-quality trash can that easily converts into a storage organizer when not in use. We only found one downside with the design: It will not work well with some center consoles. In a small number of cars, the straps used to secure the StashAway interfere with the console’s closing mechanism.

With a 2-gallon capacity, this trash bag is perfect for all vehicle types. The extra storage space ensures you never have trash lying around in your car. It even keeps all the odors sealed and looks tidy no matter where you place it. 


Another great thing about this trash bin is the waterproof interior. You can use it for disposing cans, cups, and bottles without worrying about spills and leaks. Overall, the bin has a sturdy construction that stays up and doesn't collapse no matter how much trash it holds. There's even an elastic opening at the top for easy trash disposal as well as an anti-slip bottom for more stability. Also, you get to use outer mesh pockets and an adjustable buckle to attach the bin to the car console.


There are only a couple of small drawbacks to this product. Firstly, the anti-slip bottom doesn't always stick to the floor. It mostly depends on the car's interior. Secondly, the strap is long and not tight enough for small consoles. You might need to make some adjustments for a proper fit. 

Drivers and travelers all over the market love this compact and portable car trash bag. It's a well-made item that features quality and easy-to-wash materials. Therefore, it's rather convenient for keeping vehicles tidy, and it doesn't require extra maintenance time. 


The Mavoro trash bag is practical and convenient for all vehicle types. It features a collapsible design, so you can contract and expand it according to your needs. There's also a strap at the top of the bag that allows you to hang it on the seat or somewhere else. In fact, this convenient little item is suitable not only for a variety of vehicles, but for office, home, and other places as well. 


However, the collapsible design has one drawback - it doesn't keep the bag up. You'll have to either hang this item or tuck it somewhere in the vehicle so it doesn't fall. Another thing to keep in mind is that the bag is super small. It's ideal for tissues, papers, and other small stuff, but not perfect for larger objects and lots of trash. 

If you're looking for a large car trash bag to keep your vehicle clean and mess-free, the Leboner offers a rather convenient model. It's a simple yet super useful item that features solid walls and a 100 percent leakproof interior. On top of that, the trash can offers 3.65 gallons of capacity. It's rather impressive and especially useful for large vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, and campers. 


Along with the spacious interior, the trash car offers two mesh storage pockets and Velcro straps for mounting on the car seat. The item is sturdy and stable, yet it's still lightweight and portable. The quality materials also make it easy to clean and durable. You can use it to store everything from tissues and paper to soda cans and coffee cups. 


The main drawback, however, comes from the fact that the lid doesn't stay open. You need to lift it every time you want to put trash in the bin. Some buyers also complained about the Velcro straps being unsuitable for their vehicles. That mostly depends on the car type, so you might want to double-check the dimensions of the straps before the purchase.

Spacious and leak-proof, this EcoNour trash bag is ideal for all kinds of vehicles. The item comes with a capacity of three gallons and can accommodate everything from food to wrappers and coffee cups. The interior is sleek and easy to clean, and more importantly, it will save car seats and carpets from harmful spills and messes. 


The best thing about this car trash bag is the capacity. The item even has expandable sides to give you the extra storage space. Also, the trash bag features a sturdy construction. The strong walls retain their shape regardless of the contents and keep the bag up. Additionally, the adjustable straps allow you to hang the bag in different places in your vehicle, home, or office. That gives you an option to use the bag wherever you find it more necessary. 


Although very spacious, this bag doesn't allow you to close the lid when filled entirely. You'll have to empty the contents more frequently, so you don't end up with cans and cups peeking out of the top of the bag. Also, the stitching on the Velcro strap might tear quickly. You might want to be careful with how and where you hang the trash bag. 

Tips

  • If you’ve got a standing car trash bag, consider adding a small weight to the bottom of the bin to prevent it from tipping over. A good solution to this is a small Ziploc bag filled with sand.
  • Even if your car trash bag has a permanent liner, it’s a good idea to add another trash bag over it to keep things neat. It will also make cleaning out the car trash bag a lot easier, and you won’t have to spot clean sticky messes.
  • Your car trash bag can double as a small car organizer when not in use as a bin. Simply make sure it’s clean before use and go ahead and organize your back seat with this great multifunctional item.
  • If you’ve got small kids, it’s a good idea to keep the trash bag out of their reach. Otherwise, you might end up with a mess in the back of your car.

A little bit of organization can help prevent messes from growing inside your car.

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FAQs

Q: How much trash fits into one bag?

A: That depends a lot on the size of the bag you get. Some are extra-large and will fit quite a few bottles, wrappers, and other packaging. Others are on the smaller side and are really only designed for the occasional snack bar wrapper. If you know you’ll be using it a lot, invest in a bigger bag.

Q: Do litter bags contain garbage odors?

A: Yes and no. If you’ve got a car trash bag with a lid, chances are any smells will be at least somewhat trapped. That being said, we don’t advise storing anything super smelly in your car trash bag. They’re really only meant for food packaging, snack wrappers, and empty bottles and cans.

Q: Can I use any trash bag as a liner?

A: You definitely could, but keep in mind that the dimensions of random trash bags probably won’t match up to the dimensions of the car trash bag. That could lead to some messy (and sticky) situations. If your car trash bag is designed to be used with a liner, we suggest using the liners recommended by the manufacturer.

Final Thoughts

Our top pick is the High Road TrashStash Leakproof Trash Can. Its large size and sturdy design make it an ideal option for keeping your car neat and tidy.

If you’re looking for something a little more wallet-friendly, check out the Zone Tech Universal Portable Trash Can. It will keep your trash where it belongs.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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