Clothes Hamper Price Guide

Under $20

You can certainly find a plethora of clothes hampers without going over your one Andrew Jackson limit.  In this range your best bet may be a plastic hamper.  Look for one with comfortable handles.  A rounded edge handle is best; a thin edge can really start to dig into your fingers when carrying a full load across the house. 

Many stores offer plastic hampers that have a "wicker look."  These may be a bit more attractive than the plain white plastic (depending on your aesthetic tastes, of course), but don't expect to be fully fooled.  You can still tell they are plastic and not the real deal. 

Most importantly, though, is the item's sturdiness.   Find one that is as solid as possible.  It is nice to have a little ventilation in a hamper (those kids' clothes can get pretty ripe in there after a few days), but you do not want more holes than necessary.  A lot of little holes can easily turn into one big hole after a while.

$20 to $40

With a little extra cash, you get a lot more to choose from.  Within this range you'll find some nice wicker hampers.  Wicker is nice because it is strong and looks good whether your room is contemporary, traditional, rustic, or just about anything else.  When picking out one of these hampers, make sure there are no broken pieces of wicker.  A pointy piece can easily snag your clothes or give you a good scratch when you are carrying it.

Another good choice in this price range is a folding wood-frame and canvas-bag hamper.  These are great because they store so nicely when not being used.  The wood frame should be strong, but not too heavy.  The canvas should likewise be durable and should easily attach and detach from the frame.

Over $40

Laundry hampers can certainly run you about $100 in the more boutique-ish shops and online retailers.  That's fine if you've got the money, but for our purposes let's just lump any hamper over $40 into the same category.  For over forty bucks you want something that has it all: size, sturdiness, and good looks.

A high-end wicker hamper might be what you are looking for.  This should come with a strong canvas bag for the inside to prevent snags and make for easy movement from the hamper to the washing machine.  If the hamper does not come with a bag (many rattan baskets, for instance, do not), make sure the inside is smooth.  Either way, test the strength of the material by simple pressing your palm against the inside wall.  If there is too much "give" it might not be worth the money.

As far as size goes, bigger is not necessarily better.  What matters is that it is the right size for your needs.  You are making an investment here; make sure it is what you want and need before handing over all that green.

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