Best vacuum storage bags for storing clothes and bedding

A popular choice on the Mumsnet forums matched with a substantial number of positive online reviews, I was keen to try the Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Storage Bags, which claim to keep your clothes protected from moisture, moths, dust and odours. While more expensive than some, they certainly lived up to expectations.

Airtight and waterproof, Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Storage Bags are sold in a variety of different bag sizes including large, medium and small or you can opt for a variety pack, so you can pick the best option to suit your needs. I was packing away seasonal clothing during my testing, but due to their significant size, the large Spacesaver bags could also easily have accommodated blankets, duvets and pillows.  

Of all the vacuum bags I tested, the Spacesaver Premium bags were noticeably thicker to the touch, made from high-quality plastic that felt really strong and durable, so I didn’t need to worry about tearing or ripping them during use. 

Using the clearly marked ‘stop’ line on the bag as a guide to avoid overfilling, I sealed the bag using the clip before unscrewing the triple seal turbo valve and using a handheld vacuum to remove the air. The bag compressed really quickly, with an impressive reduction in size. Most importantly, I didn’t experience any leakage at all during the test period, meaning I could be confident my clothes would remain protected over longer periods. 

Overall, these bags performed incredibly well and confidently claim the top spot for the best vacuum storage bags. It is worth mentioning however that while the included pump is handy for travel or use outside the home, I unsurprisingly found it far more efficient to use my vacuum cleaner, with any standard vacuum nozzle doing the trick.

If you’re a little more limited on budget, the Suob Vacuum Storage Bags made the obvious choice, setting you back less than a tenner for a pack of six. I tested the pack of six large bags, but they are also sold in packs of six small, four extra large, or a handy variety pack, all at really affordable prices. 

Claiming to offer substantial protection from mould, dust and decay and ensuring your clothes emerge from storage as freshly as they would from your washing machine, I was keen to see if such an affordable vacuum bag would perform as well as the more expensive options.

I found the Suob bags to be really generously sized. They felt relatively strong overall however the edges did feel quite thin. The maximum fill line is also less prominent compared to other bags I tested, meaning there is the potential to overfill them if not packed with care. This was reflected by some online reviews, with some reviewers reporting bags being punctured by zips or sharp edges on clothing. As such, I was careful to arrange my contents as flat as possible, folding away any exposed buckles, zips or sequins to prevent any damage during use.

The Suob bags have a triple-seal turbo valve and double-seal zip, the latter of which changes colour to confirm it is sealed correctly. Using my handheld vacuum, I found the bags compressed very quickly. The brand suggests the bags offer up to 80% reduction in size and while that may be quite a bold claim, they did compact significantly, resulting in a firm and flat bag that was simple to store under the bed or on top of my wardrobe. I found the valve cap was a little flimsy to replace, but once on, the bag stayed well sealed without any air leakage during my tests.

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If you’re moving house or packing away bulky items such as winter duvets, blankets or pillows, you’ll need larger size vacuum bags that can stand the test of time. This pack of five Viridescent Vacuum Bags includes both large and jumbo sizes, with the large fitting a king-size duvet plus two pillows and the jumbo accommodating up to 15 sweatshirts or jumpers. 

Made from premium 90-micron plastic which the brand claims is up to 35% thicker than its competitors, I found they were noticeably high quality. Whilst they weren’t quite as thick as the Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Bags tested above, they felt hard-wearing and tough and as such,  I was a little less concerned about tears or rips when packing the contents. The bags are generously sized, fitting in a significant amount of seasonal clothing, while the clearly marked indicator served as a good reminder when the bag was nearing full capacity. 

Unlike some of the other vacuum bags I tested, there is no colour change feature on the Viridescent seal, so I found myself running over it multiple times with the clip (and my fingers) to ensure it was tightly sealed before using the vacuum. The bag compressed more slowly than some of the bags I tested but the seal held well, remaining firm and flat over time whilst protecting my contents from dirt, dust and debris. 

It’s worth mentioning that the Viridescent Vacuum Bags also come with a portable hand pump to use during travel, however, this was far more than my patience could cope with, as it was incredibly slow and ineffective. I would only use the pump as a last resort when I didn’t have access to a traditional vacuum. 

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If you want to save space in your luggage during travel, these JML VacPack Go storage bags make a great solution, allowing you to compress the contents once filled without needing to use a traditional vacuum. This box came with four bags included - two medium and two small, as well as a small orange handheld vacuum.

Of all the vacuum storage bags we tested, these bags felt like they had the most ‘faff’ involved in order to achieve the desired results, although for a travel product, this is somewhat understandable. Compression is achieved using the small vacuum pump and while I had assumed this would be chargeable to use without needing a power source,  it actually needs to be plugged in using the USB cable included. This felt a little restrictive and I do wish the cable had been longer, as I needed to position myself close to a plug socket to operate it successfully.

That said, while the included portable vacuum was understandably much slower than using a traditional vacuum, it achieved really good compression, creating a flat and tightly compacted layer - something that would free up considerable suitcase space if you’re struggling to make room for your essentials. I also experienced zero leakage with these bags, making it well worth the additional effort to keep my clothes airtight and protected.

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If your wardrobes are overflowing, you’re looking for simple ways to organise your clothes around the seasons or simply want to pack away warmer clothes until winter, the Lakeland Vacuum Storage Tote Bags are a really effective storage solution, sold in a choice of 38L, 50L and 87L capacity. 

Folding flat when not in use, I loved the robust and stylish design of the Lakeland tote bags. They may be a more expensive option than traditional vacuum storage bags, but make a smart and sophisticated storage option for under your bed or on the top shelves of your wardrobe. They also come with a three-year Lakeland guarantee that offers additional peace of mind.

Once I unfolded and unzipped my 38L tote, I discovered a large vacuum bag nestled inside with plenty of space for stashing pillows, blankets and duvets. There’s a convenient clip harness to hold the contents securely in place, a carry handle for portability and even a large viewing window to the exterior - so you’ll never forget what’s stashed inside. 

I tested this bag by packing away two winter duvets from my daughter’s rooms and was honestly amazed at just how much they compressed down inside, visibly shrinking at speed in front of my eyes. After securing the clip, I simply rezipped the bag to keep the contents free from dust and moisture before stashing the cube-shaped tote on the top shelf of my wardrobe. I’ve experienced no air leakage during testing, so would definitely recommend them for those seeking an effective but more visually pleasing design.

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Of all the vacuum bags we tested, the Packmate High Capacity Vacuum Storage Bags were by far the prettiest, with a transparent side for viewing the contents and frosted purple floral design, making them a far more presentable option for storing under your bed or on top of your wardrobe. 

Available in a range of packs with assorted bag sizes, you can tailor the bag size to your contents - whether you’re packing away clothing or storing larger items such as duvets and winter coats. They claim these bags compress down into a cube shape, making them ideal for stacking or storing in boxes or containers, however, in my experience, they turned more flat and square and were slightly more bulky than the other bags I tested. This is perhaps reflected in their up to 75% space-saving claim, slightly less than the 80% boasted by other brands. 

The plastic on the Packmate vacuum bags did seem relatively thin, so I packed them with care, going over the clip a few times and watching it visually change colour once it was sealed correctly. The valve was very straightforward to use, with no fiddly caps or tops to remove, simply attaching my standard vacuum nozzle to help expel the air. 

While the contents compressed well and appeared airtight, I did find the bag softened slightly over the course of the week, which left me wondering how these bags would fare over a longer period. That said, with a lifetime guarantee, Packmate are clearly confident that they’ll last the test of time.

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If you’ve got a wide variety of contents to pack away, buying vacuum bags in a range of sizes can be really useful, allowing you to store smaller items such as t-shirts and tops as well as bulkier items like coats, duvets and pillows with ease. 

Spedalon Vacuum Bags come in a huge range of size combinations, allowing you to not only pick the bag sizes but the quantity too - from six bags through to a giant pack of twenty - ideal for those of us whose wardrobes are bursting at the seams. When you consider the overall cost per bag, Spedalon vacuum bags offer excellent value for money, including a handy pump for travel too and come with a lifetime replacement guarantee - making them a fairly risk-free choice.  

During testing I used both medium and large bags, packing away a variety of clothing including t-shirts, children’s clothing, jumpers and cardigans. The bags were made from thick plastic with clear instructions printed on the outside, as well as a clearly marked STOP line to prevent overfilling. While the double zip seal doesn’t change colour, it's noticeably thick and you can audibly hear it sealing as you run the clip across. 

Spedalon claims that the turbo valve vacuums out air up to 35% faster than other brands, however, I actually found the air expelled relatively slow in comparison despite using the same vacuum. The bag seemed to compress much faster when the bag was full, so for that reason, I would advise you to choose a bag to fit, rather than half-filling a larger size. Despite the slow pace, however, the bag compressed well and has successfully remained sealed with no air leakage, protecting my clothing from dirt, dust, odours and moisture. 

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These TAILI Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags are quite frankly, the storage item I never realised I needed! Coming in a pack of four, these airtight bags with a double-zip seal make a practical way to store and protect coats, dresses, suits or jackets - all of which can be at risk from moth damage when stored over long periods. The bags come in two lengths - the longer of which is ideal for maxi dresses or jumpsuits.

Unlike traditional vacuum storage bags that are ideal for flat packing and stacking, these bags can be used with your best coat hangers to maximise space inside your wardrobes, protecting up to five hanging items inside each bag. 

I tested the TAILI Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags using my best winter coat on a coat hanger and found it very easy to use. Hanging the bag inside my wardrobe, I was able to open up the seal and place my coat inside, before hooking my hanger onto one of the five hanging ports. There appeared to be lots of space inside the bag for additional items, however as some online reviewers have stated, I would err on the side of caution if hanging, particularly heavy coats or padded parkas due to the weight. 

Once resealed, my vacuum compressed the bag well, although the instructions do recommend you also use a pillow to expel any remaining air. Unlike the other vacuum bags I tested, this one doesn't have a valve cap, simply twist the valve to open and close as required. This did seem to work well and I didn't experience any problems with performance, however, I did feel slightly less confident that I’d sealed it correctly as a result. 

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Another option at the affordable end of the market, the Bobeen Vacuum Storage Bags currently retail at just £10 are available in large, jumbo and variety packs, so you can select the option that best suits your needs. Made from micro-bacterial materials that help protect your clothing against mildew, insects, dirt and dust, they offer excellent value for money. 

I tested the pack of six large bags, which had plenty of space to protect my clothes, bedsheets and duvets. These bags felt a little thinner than some of the other bags I tested, which meant I was quite careful to avoid overfilling or tearing the plastic with zips or buckles. 

I loved the colour change seal which provided reassurance that the bag was sealed correctly, but I did find that the lid needed to be placed back on the valve quite quickly, or some air started to expel when the vacuum was pulled away  Once secured however, the bag remained well compacted and film and stayed that way over the week.

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