Winner: Hefty Cinchsak Heavy Duty Clean-Up Bags

How It Performed: The sharp branches that destroy most lawn bags won’t poke holes in this 39-gallon powerhouse’s composure. And pile in all the wet grass clippings you like (within reason, of course; you wouldn’t want to get crazy) without fear of either seepage or the bottom dropping out. The drawstring is great for yard work. After raking a lawnful of leaves, who wants to search for a twist tie?
To Buy: $6 for 16 at supermarkets.

Runner-Up: Husky Premium Recycled Yard Bags

How It Performed: Recycled-plastic bags are generally less sturdy than regular bags, but this leaf wrangler performs beautifully under pressure. The one drawback that emerged in Real Simple’s rigorous testing conditions was a tendency to leak — so if you tend to drop your leaf bags onto pavement from a five-foot height, consider yourself warned. The bag closes with a twist tie or a knot.
To Buy: $13 for 100, Home Depot, www.homedepot.com.