The best snack bag clips, according to Consumer Reports

A weak or ill-fitting chip clip lets air sneak back into the bag, turning crisp chips stale before they're even finished. Grip strength, price and how securely a clip seals a bag all factor into which one earns a permanent spot in a kitchen drawer.

Consumer Reports asked its own staffers which snack clips they actually rely on at home, so shoppers can find one worth keeping around.

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The Oxo Magnetic All-Purpose Clips cost $9.92 and earned a recommendation from Melissa Garber, a UX researcher at Consumer Reports. Garber praised their durability and dual purpose, using them on bags of pretzels and cheese crackers while also relying on the built-in magnets to hang kids' art on the fridge. She specifically noted they don't break with regular use, which keeps her reaching for them over other clips. A secure seal paired with a magnetic mount makes them a practical pick for a kitchen that also doubles as a gallery wall.

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The Anvil 3/4-in. Mini Spring Clamp costs 60 cents and earned a recommendation from Karla Noboa, a research specialist at Consumer Reports, despite typically being associated with construction work instead of snack bags. Noboa, who has a disability affecting her grip strength, described the clamps as easy to use and unusually strong, keeping bags sealed without the popping off she's experienced with more typical chip clips. She acknowledged they might look like overkill for the job but stood by their reliability at keeping chips fresh. Their low price and construction-grade strength make them a practical, if unconventional, choice for anyone who's struggled with flimsier clips.

Credit: Harbor Freight

The Pittsburgh Micro Spring Clamp Set costs $1.99 and earned a recommendation from the same Karla Noboa, a research specialist at Consumer Reports, for days when her grip feels weaker than usual. Noboa described these colorful clamps as less intense to operate than the Anvil clamps, trading some clamping force for greater affordability and easier handling. The lighter squeeze required makes them a gentler daily option compared with the sturdier clamps she reaches for otherwise. Together, the two clamp sets give her a choice depending on how her grip feels on a given day.

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The Comtar Mini Bag Sealer costs $7.99 and earned a recommendation from Justin Huynh, a product manager at Consumer Reports, who skips clips entirely in favor of fully resealing his snack bags. Huynh said the device delivers a consistent seal within two tries, more reliable than other sealers he'd tried previously, and pointed to a built-in blade for trimming excess bag material before sealing. He also called it smaller than any other sealer he owns, compact enough to toss in the pantry for easy access whenever a snack needs resealing. That consistency paired with a compact size explains why it replaced his previous sealers entirely.

Credit: IKEA

The Ikea Bevara Sealing Clips cost $3.99 and earned an independent recommendation from two staffers, including longtime user Marci Whalen, a video editor at Consumer Reports. Whalen said she's used the clips for more than 20 years, describing them as clips that hold a bag closed and stay exactly where they're placed without shifting on their own. She compared their reliability to a newborn baby who stays put until someone moves them, since they require so little maintenance to keep working. That two decades of consistent use from a single staffer speaks to just how dependable this simple clip has proven over time.

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The Linden Sweden Twixit! Bag Clips cost $12.99 and earned a recommendation from Keith Barry, who covers cars for Consumer Reports. Barry acknowledged the clips aren't as visually appealing as other options he's used, but praised their sturdiness, tight seal, easy cleaning and overall durability. He specifically noted they hold firm on thicker bags where some hinged clip designs tend to slide off. That reliable grip on bulkier bags, paired with a low price, makes them a practical if unglamorous choice for the kitchen drawer.