10 Best Bag Clips of 2024 (Chef-Reviewed)

Just like how chips, cookies, and other food come in various packaging, bag clips also vary in length. To ensure that air does not easily get inside the bag and make your food get stale, we recommend matching the bag size with the clip length.

For example, if you open a bag of chips at the seams and fold to store, a clip that can seal the top will limit air access. You can also find medium-sized clips for smaller bags like typical 1.5-ounce chip bags and clothespin-looking clips for very small packaging such as ground coffee bean bags.

Finally, you can go for cinches for bags that aren't folded but crumpled together like bread bags. They look like small tubes that open a C-shaped portion when pressed for the bag to slip through. Upon release, the bag is squeezed tight by the clip.

Straw-like clips don’t look like regular clips but function the same way. Instead of clipping the bag at the top, you insert or slide the straw-like clip in at the folded edge and pull the straw’s rod to seal the fold. These straw clips are known to create a waterproof lock on the fold as well as an airtight seal.

Some even come with a handle at the top so you can conveniently carry the bag around. The main downside to getting these kinds of clips is that they’re trickier to position over a bag or that they snap easily due to their thinner design. However, if you’re after the complete seal of a bag, a reliable straw-like clip will do the trick.

Bag clips have different snapping and locking mechanisms. Some clips are spring-loaded and press together to hold an object like a bull clip, while others fasten together using a lock mechanism. The first option is relatively easier to position onto a bag, although it might not have enough clipping power for thicker folds.

Meanwhile, a clip that's locked in place is securely fastened but needs enough space for the tip to be closed. With this option, you might end up with a slanted clip attached to one side of a bag. For extra hold, you can consider clips with a padded mouth to keep them in place securely.

Chip clips are often made with plastic or stainless steel. Some have rubber padding at the mouth or handle for better grip. To ensure that the plastic does not snap easily when force is applied on thicker bags or that metal clips don’t rust after washing, we recommend reading through reviews.

Metal clips should also have rounded or padded edges for safe use. For spring-loaded clips, the fulcrum or the point where the two sides meet should be durable enough for frequent use. Some clips offer additional features, such as having holes on their handle so you can hang them up. Others are magnetic and can be attached to the fridge.