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CNN
13-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
Social media loves Hulken bags, but are they worth over $100? I tested one against a $12 alternative to find out
I hate to brag, but since I moved to New York City a few years ago, I've become a top-tier schlepper. Without access to a car, I've quickly accumulated a collection of tote bags and backpacks that might help lighten my load. I've also learned that some carriers are better than others. Through all my trials (even attempting to use my hiking backpack to carry groceries), nothing has performed better than the Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag. Though the brand officially launched in 2020 and has had a few viral moments in recent years, Hulken is still a name unfamiliar to many. In the city, I'll often spot fellow schleppers toting their bags about, but I still field questions, comments and glances nearly every time I roll mine around. The Hulken bag has become one of my favorite products to use, but even the smallest size costs $100. With many other rolling bags on the market, I wanted to see if these viral bags were truly worth the hype and the cost, so I tested one of Hulken's bags against a $12 Target version, inspecting the durability, comfort and design over weeks of heavy hauling. Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag Smooth, sturdy and structurally built, the Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag is a dream to use. It can easily haul heavy loads over miles of city streets, and look stylish while doing it. Though the price might initially give you sticker shock, with proper care, this durable bag will be your shopping and schlepping assistant for many years to come. Brightroom Storage Bag With Wheels For only $12, the Brightroom Storage Bag held up better than expected. The wheels and overall build are not as robust and durable as the Hulken bag, but if you need some help toting laundry or light loads over short distances, it can save you from extra effort. Polypropylene body Polyethylene body Small, medium, large One size 2,156 cubic inches, 4,224 cubic inches, 8,320 cubic inches (respectively) 7,360 cubic inches 33 pounds, 66 pounds, 66 pounds (respectively) Not listed 14 by 9 by 22 inches16 by 12 by 22 inches20 by 16 by 26 inches 24 by 20 by 16 inches 8 2 4 swivel wheels 5 swivel wheels 3 4 (2 long, 2 short) Yes Yes Yes Yes One of the major assets of both the Hulken and Brightroom bags is that they give you all the storage you want in an oversized tote, but with the shoulder- and back-saving convenience of being on wheels. Rolling totes are not just crafted for city-dwellers like me, they're also great for those with strength or mobility issues, busy parents who have to carry around kids toys or those who often need an extra hand hauling supplies or equipment to work. My largest regular trek is my weekly run to the grocery store, which is around 60 city blocks or almost 3 miles round-trip. Some days I'll hop on the bus, but often I'll end up rolling my groceries the 30-block distance from the store to my home. The Hulken makes this commute a breeze; it rolls over uneven concrete effortlessly, hops curbs and only requires a mild tug to keep it moving. The four swivel wheels let me steer the bag around pedestrians, construction zones and up and down the aisles of crowded stores with ease. In addition to concrete, the Hulken also glided easily over other surfaces, like hardwood, tile and carpet. The one downfall is that the Hulken doesn't always roll straight. The way you pack the bag — especially for heavier loads like groceries — impacts how seamlessly the bag moves, so you'll want to distribute the weight of your haul as evenly as possible. I took the Brightroom bag on the exact same trek I typically take my Hulken on and we got off to a promising start. The bag maneuvered fairly easily around the store, though the handles are shorter than the Hulken's, so taller folks might need to bend down more to reach them. Once the bag was full and out on the street, it rolled without issue — at first. Like the Hulken, Brightroom's bag also has swiveling wheels, and though the wheels are smaller — about half the size of Hulken's — there's an additional fifth wheel in the center of the bag to help keep things rolling evenly. Prev Next The first 10 blocks of my walk home went as expected, but somewhere around the halfway point, I started to feel like the bag was drifting further behind me and I had to use more arm strength to pull it along. The last five blocks of my trip, I felt like the wheels weren't even there and I was just dragging the bag along the ground and over curbs. After unloading it, I discovered that the center wheel had been damaged at some point during my journey, which likely played a part in my strained effort. The other four wheels were intact but looking worse for wear and physically hot to the touch, which was not a great sign considering this was my first outing with the bag. Granted, I don't think the Brightroom bag was designed to roll a mile and a half over nothing but concrete, but if anything, the struggles I faced helped to highlight just how well-crafted the Hulken bag is for tough, city conditions. For $12, the Brightroom bag fared better than I expected, but when the main draw of the bag is that it rolls, you want the wheels to be ultra-durable and built to last. Related article The 18 best storage bins and containers professional organizers swear by I didn't anticipate noise to be a factor between these bags, but it sure was. The Hulken bag makes a bit of sound when it's rolling over concrete or on hardwood floors, especially when it's packed full of groceries, but a little noise is expected from anything that rolls. The good news is that the noise isn't so loud that it interrupts normal conversation or would bother anyone you roll past for more than a second or two. By comparison, the Brightroom bag sounded like a jet engine. It's inexplicably loud; so loud that not even my noise-cancelling headphones could fully block it out. I was having a bit of social anxiety strolling with it down the street because I knew other people could hear me rolling it from halfway down the block. I thought the wheels on the Brightroom bag just might not be made for concrete, but even when I rolled it through the smooth, glossy floors of the office, it still echoed down the hall. The Brightroom bag was fine for short distances — like taking my laundry down the hall of my apartment building or moving odds and ends from room to room — but over long distances, I'd much prefer the smoother and quieter glide of the Hulken. Currently, I rely on my Hulken bag for three main tasks: grocery shopping, laundry and schlepping products for testing to and from our office. For fair testing, I swapped my Hulken for Brightroom's bag for all my typical tasks. The Brightroom bag has a lot of similarities to the Hulken: Both have swivel wheels, long handles, zip-close tops and solid bottoms for support. One drawback is that Brightroom's bag only comes in one size option and is quite a bit bigger than the small and medium-sized Hulkens. The same amount of groceries that normally fills my Hulken took up only a third of the total space in the Brightroom bag. Even my grocery cashier commented on how massive the bag was. In my testing, I found that the Brightroom bag was better equipped for light loads even though it's larger — I'd say no more than about 35 or 40 pounds. The more flexible structure and large capacity is especially useful for hauling cumbersome laundry and linens. This generous capacity also means the Brightroom bag has a larger base. I found the wider, square shape of the Brightroom bag more difficult to navigate through small areas (like on public transit or within store aisles) than the Hulken bag, which has a narrower, rectangular design. Hulken does offer a large-size bag that's even a little bit bigger than Brightroom's bag, but it will run you almost $115 more. I also appreciated that the Hulken bag has a more rigid structure. Whether the bag is packed to the brim or just holding a few items, it retains its rectangular shape and stays propped up. The upright build makes the bag easier to pull and keeps it free-standing, so you can load items in without having to hold the bag open. The rectangular shape of the Hulken does slightly limit what size and shape items you can place inside, since for the best fit, things will need to be smaller than the top opening of the bag. Though this structure also prevents items from shifting around once inside and keeps things more evenly distributed than the Brightroom bag. Hulken's medium bag is the size I most frequently use and in addition to its impressive 66-pound weight limit, I like that the bag is large enough to carry everything I need, but still narrow enough to weave through crowded store aisles. Hulken's bags feel like they're made with city-dwellers in mind; the small and medium-sized bags fit onto a single escalator step and just clear underneath the height of the subway turnstiles. The three 'unbreakable handles' on each of the bags are reinforced with a plastic coating, which provides added durability and makes them more comfortable to hold. The bags are also made of water-resistant polypropylene and have a zip-top to keep your belongings protected in drizzly conditions. While both bags have a lot of the same design features, the Hulken feels more elevated and sturdy, so it's the better option for carrying groceries and heavy hauls. For only $12, I think the Brightroom bag is decently built. Although it's crinkled and has some scuffs from bumping against the curb, there are no holes or tears on the body of the bag and other than the broken wheel, everything is fully intact. Still, the reinforced handles, thicker sides and overall superior build of the Hulken make it feel flimsy and thin by comparison. Though neither bag is perfect, the one thing I would add to both bags is a pocket. While I don't mind keeping essentials like my phone, keys and wallet close to me in a fanny pack, I think a slim pocket on the bags would be nice for holding receipts, smaller items or any other items you might not want to toss in the main compartment. Both the Hulken and the Brightroom bags have collapsible designs that make them easy to store, but Hulken's design makes the process more straightforward. The Hulken collapses down in seconds and has thoughtful touches, such as the attached elastic straps, to ensure the bag stays fully folded when not in use. After you've folded the bag once (or watched a helpful video), it's easy to repeat the process. Not only does this lie-flat design make the bag easier to store in a closet, car trunk or even an under-bed area, it also makes it easier to carry around. Even with the bag folded, you can still utilize the handles. My usual move is to loop the straps of the folded bag over my shoulder while I commute via bus, train or foot to the grocery store and then pop it open when I get to my destination. When I'm navigating busy streets or trying to squeeze onto crowded public transit lines, having a slimmer bag makes it easier to get around. Plus, the medium-sized bag only weighs 3 pounds, so it's not a nuisance to have to carry either. Brightroom's bag is collapsible too, but it takes a little more effort to get completely flat. If you're in a rush, you can smush the bag down, but this method doesn't bode well for protecting the bag long-term. It takes a bit more time and practice to fold the bag down neatly, but the end result is still something that's slim and easy to store. Once you compress the bag down, it will stay, but unlike the Hulken, Brightroom's bag doesn't have elastic ties that help to keep it closed. This doesn't really matter if you're storing the bag with the wheels touching the ground, but it's a helpful feature if you want to store the bag vertically. It also means you won't be able to carry it folded tote-style like with the Hulken, since nothing is securing the body of the bag against gravity. Hulken's bags are not only built to be durable, they're also built to look stylish. The brand offers all of its bags in eight iridescent shades ranging from understated black and navy, to vivid pink, violet and silver options. On the other hand, Brightroom only offers its rolling tote in gray and aqua colors. The color of your tote might not be the most important factor, but it's nice to have options and feel that you're spending your money on something you like the look of. I hesitate to say any product is life-changing, but the Hulken bag really is one of the greatest things to roll into my life. I no longer have to limit my carrying load for fear that I'm going to collapse before I can make it home. The Hulken smoothly rolls over any surface, makes heavy hauls easier and, though it has a $100 minimum price point, it's worth the splurge. With proper use and care, I expect my Hulken bag to last several years, possibly even a decade. If you don't feel like spending triple digits, the Brightroom bag is a nice option for only $12, just don't plan to use it for extra-heavy loads. It's best suited for chores at home or hauling things short distances, like from room-to-room or from your car into your home. Though I was surprised by how the Brightroom bag held up, I'll still be reaching for my Hulken anytime I've got things to schlep. And if you know someone who could use help with their haul, it makes a great gift too. Though you'll be able to find other rolling tote alternatives on Amazon that emulate the Hulken bag's design, bear in mind that these tend to have fluctuating stock, fewer color and size options and lack the intentional structural features that make the Hulken bag a true original. How do you fold a Hulken bag? How do you fold a Hulken bag? First, unzip the lid on your Hulken bag and turn the bag so the front handle is on your right-hand side. Pinch the sides of the bag outwards and fold the bag away from you. The back side of the bag should be flush with the bottom. Make sure the handles are out of the way and fold the left and right sides of the bag toward the center. Secure the sides down by looping the small attached elastic bands around the black button in the center of the bag. You can also secure the side handles down by tucking them behind the horizontal black straps on both sides of the bag. If you need a visual, Hulken includes a helpful video for this on the product page for its bags. Are Hulken bags worth it? Are Hulken bags worth it? While $100 or more is a steep price to pay for a tote bag, I think the Hulken bags are worth the investment. They're great for city-dwellers who need a compact bag they can tote for blocks, but will work well for anyone who needs to lug supplies, equipment, groceries, laundry or kids toys to-and-fro. My Hulken bag stands up to any task I throw its way and the durable build shows no signs of slowing down. It also doesn't hurt that the bag looks stylish too. The Hulken bag is the bag that keeps on giving; you'll find new uses for it regularly, which is also why it makes a great gift option for any schleppers in your life. Do Hulken bags go on sale? Do Hulken bags go on sale? We don't see sales on Hulken bags very often, though in the past the brand has offered discounts during shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Jillian Tracy tested the Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag and the Brightroom Storage Bag With Wheels in her daily routine — hauling groceries, laundry, products and more — for several weeks to see how they stacked up.
Buzz Feed
11-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
25 Target Finds For An Unbelievably Tidy Home
A small but mighty power scrubber for getting those spots that fingers can't reach. It's so versatile, you can use it in your bathroom, on your patio, or in your kitchen. Promising review: "This scrubber is great! It gets into tight spaces and works well. I was surprised to find that batteries were included so that I could use it immediately." —DebPrice: $19.99 A bottle organizer that will force you to go through your copious collection of tumblers. And once you do choose your faves, they'll actually be *accessible*. Promising review: "I love these Brightroom stackable bottle storage items. I have four total in our cabinet to hold all my Simple Modern cups and miscellaneous water bottles. They make the cabinet much easier to use instead of stacking bottles in front of each other. Highly recommend!" —CaitMariePrice: $12 A box of Arm & Hammer rug cleaner because *someone* spilled onion soup in your carpeted bedroom and the scent of it just won't go away. Trust in the power of baking soda, and your carpets will smell brand-new. To use, sprinkle on a dry carpet, wait 15–30 minutes, and vacuum up!Promising review: "This stuff is a lifesaver for pet owners who live somewhere with carpet! I use this once a month to get the 'dog' smell out of the carpet and it works great and lasts a while. It can clog up your vacuum so make sure you are cleaning it out well after using this product." —HannahhhmontanahhhPrice: $3.59 A bottle of conditioning spray that will make your scratchy and discolored leather couch *not* look like a hand-me-down. Bring softness and shine back to your furniture *without* leaving white spots — magic! A single coat of this on my dull, scratchy leather couch and it was soft and shiny — two coats and it was like new! It works well on shoes, too — my restored leather Timberlands can prove it!Promising review: "Moisturizing but not greasy, this formula did wonders for the leather seats in my Lincoln without clogging the perforated leather sections which allow for cooled and heated seats. I've even used it on my boots and leather shoes." —LadyKATXPrice: $13.19 A robot vacuum and mop so while you organize your pantry, it does the dirty work. This MVP does all the work for you with built-in sensors and a smart mop feature. This robot vacuum and mop includes a mopboard, cloths, and a built-in water tank. It can clean continuously for two hours on a single charge and moves its brush 300 times a minute for deep review: "It's an amazing product! Highly recommended. It's a great addition to the household products." —PelvicPrice: $139.99 (originally $239.99) A hanging organizer because your messy closet *needs* to be addressed. Restore order amongst your many sweaters and joggers with these sturdy, space-saving shelves. Promising review: "Very good quality product and size. I was afraid it would not last very long, but I have had it for several months and it's still holding up. I do fill it with a lot of things. It is heavy and still has not torn or come apart. Good product." —StrangePrice: $15+ (available in two sizes) A powerful Scrub Daddy cleaning paste and sponge whose results will shake you to your core. Thousands of reviewers can't be wrong! Promising review: "I did not realize how amazing this is! I do love the Scrub Daddy sponges, so I decided to give this a try, and I am so glad I did! I have three kids so I needed something to get dirt off walls without damaging the paint. This got the job done while having a pleasant smell. I also had a stain on my counter, and after using this and some elbow grease I was able to get it off. I will definitely buy more of this!" —Jazzyjazz22Price: $9.99 A pack of Clorox multisurface wipes for a more convenient way to clean. Take care of messes without giving yourself a headache from the bleach fumes. Promising review: "This is my absolute favorite scented wipe. Cleaning power and a clean, but not overly powerful, scent. Works great. Love it for kitchen and the office." —CurlyQPrice: $5.69 A pack of Magic Erasers that make cleaning as easy as wet, wipe, and toss! Promising review: "It really is magical how Mr. Clean can keep my kids' white shoes so clean. :D" —BrookePrice: $3.29+ (originally $3.49+; available in two package sizes) A bottle of wood cleaner to effectively restore shine to your floors. It is made of 98% natural ingredients — plus, it doesn't have a harsh chemical smell! Promising review: "Nothing makes my floors shine better or smell fresher." —Mischa1984Price: $3.99 A cable management box — extension cords and twisted cables are *ruining* the vibe of your living room. Promising review: "I absolutely love having outlets and cord organization all in the same place. This works perfectly under my desk to plug in all my electronics and it looks way better than having cords dangling everywhere." —serena9Price: $29.99 A carpet vacuum to get those ugly stains out. Who's getting their security deposit back? You are. The nozzle sprays soapy water, scrubs, and sucks up dirty water all with one review: "Love this carpet and upholstery cleaner! Great suction power and cleaned deep stains. Came with different useful attachments. Very happy with this cleaner overall!" —pmohapatraPrice: $95.99 (originally $299.99) A electric squeegee for getting grime off of your windows, shower doors, and other glass surfaces. Who knew you were supposed to be able to *see* out of glass?! The kit comes with a squeegee, a handheld vacuum, and cleaning review: "Back to sparkling windows with my new Karcher. No more smears. Great value for money. So versatile. Great for glass-topped tables. Effortless, brilliant clean." —bullyboy4252Price: $67.99 (originally $79.99) A drain cleaner that reviewers swear is magic. The sweet satisfaction of a clear drain is *so worth* the job. Promising review: "This gel is amazing. I didn't use a snake beforehand, but I did use an entire bottle of Draino. It didn't even dent the sink clog problem but half a bottle of this fixed it. Will continue buying this for any future issues." —EsPrice: $5.79+ (also available in a two-pack) A mop kit for effective cleaning in high-traffic areas (aka everywhere). With a deep cleaning pad and polishing pad (both of which are machine-washable), your floors will look better than ever. The kit comes with a mop and two pads,.Promising review: "Convenient, easy to store, efficient, works like I expect." —PaulaPrice: $19.99 A mop holder so your Swiffer, brooms, and dusters don't have to be stuffed in a corner anymore. Promising review: "This broom holder fits perfectly in my small laundry room and holds everything I need to keep in there." —CsteinPrice: $19.99+ (originally $39.99+; also available in a two-pack and in black) A two-tier slide-out basket that'll help tidy up all of your bathroom supplies, including towels, toilet paper, and beauty essentials. Being organized is exciting now! Promising review: "These are great! I got one for under my bathroom sink storage and ended up going back for more for under my sink cleaning supplies." —Nymom87Price: $20+ (available in five colors) An appliance touch-up pen to cover up the dings and scuffs. A simple solution that will have your stove, washer, or fridge looking new. Price: $10.49 A spin mop and bucket that'll make mopping *so* pleasant with its hands-free wringing. Even professionals love this mop thanks to the foot-operated wringer and pointed mop head that sneaks into tight corners. Promising review: "Very easy to use, it really spins the water out of the mop." —RondaPrice: $34.99 A do-it-all Bissell steam cleaner with tons of attachments to make your home sparkle without harsh ingredients. *So* satisfying. Promising review: "This device is incredible. I got spray insulation foam on my floor, and this is the only tool that has helped me get it off. It's great on a bunch of different surfaces for an easy clean. My boyfriend used it on the wall by his oven (in a 100 year old rental) and said the wall is a complete different color now. It can take off years of grime and works in big or small. Game changer." —MhtnycPrice: $49.99 An antibacterial all-purpose spray so you din't have to lug around 10 different bottles to get everything clean. Add its clean formula and amazing scent and you'll be hooked! Promising review: "I love this cleaner! And smells so good. It's a staple for me." —Fznh2Price: $4.49 A basket that will come in handy when you're decluttering nightly with the magic basket method. Alternatively, use as a recycling bin to make even *garbage* look gorg. Promising review: "This is a nice size and great quality basket for the price! It is large enough to hold towels, throw blanket, etc. I use mine next to my bathtub to keep all my extra bath stuff." —MhastyPrice: $10 A Dirt Devil handheld wet-dry vacuum to easily take on even the messiest mess. Promising review: "This is the perfect car vacuum. It really comes in clutch when you leave your convertible top down and an unexpected rainstorm brings a bunch of wet flowers and leaves into your car. I didn't even have to wait for the debris to dry to suck it up. Highly recommended!" —MoPrice: $74.99 A metal shoe rack offering a spot for guests to leave their shoes so they don't track mud into your freshly cleaned home. For an extra challenge: Try to cut down on your own collection of shoes and limit to only as many as you can fit on the rack. Promising review: "Super easy to assemble and works great in a coat closet." —PharmDivaPrice: $35 A spin scrubber to take your cleaning tro new heights (literally). With four interchangeable heads, it (and you) will be ready for anything. Promising review: "It cleans very well, i like how it's cordless and it can really scrub hard to get to places." —ashPrice: $49.99
