Plastic wrap is a kitchen staple. Anything from covering up plates of leftovers to wrapping up sandwiches can be done with a good plastic wrap.
In this article I’ll review some of the top rated plastic wraps available (and one non-plastic, reusable option!). I will also discuss some of the things to consider when picking a plastic wrap for your household. Feel free to click right to the product listings on Amazon to check the current prices by clicking in the table below, or read on for more detailed reviews!
The Best Plastic Wrap
1. Editor’s Pick (And Budget Pick!) Kirkland Brand Stretch-tite Plastic Wrap
Kirkland Brand Stretch-tite Plastic Wrap – Available from Amazon.com
Any discussion of the best plastic wrap on forums and cooking blogs will bring up the name Stretch-tite. Many cooks, including professional chefs, rave about this plastic wrap, and it’s our top choice—it’s also the least expensive option!
This wrap is BPA-free and comes with an optional slide cutter, which makes it much easier to use. It is also quite economical and available in large boxes, which makes it easier to work with (although harder to store).
Cooks praise the thickness of this wrap which enables it to stretch widely across whatever it’s wrapping. Another plus is that it is indeed very clingy, and will cling to itself nicely as well. People also find it does a good job of keeping food fresh.
There is some concern that Stretch-tite has gone down in quality after coming under the Kirkland brand. Some shoppers find it to be thinner than it used to be.
But with so many people still enthusiastically recommending it, it’s our top pick!
PROS
- Comes in large rolls
- Has optional slide cutter
- Clingy and stretches well
- Good at retaining freshness
- Inexpensve
CONS
- Some people have issues with the slide cutter not working or installing properly
- Quality may have suffered under new ownership
2. Runner Up Pick – Saran Premium Plastic Wrap
Saran Premium Plastic Wrap – Available from Amazon.com
Saran is one of those brand names that has come to define the entire category. Made by the SC Johnson company, known for all manner of household products, Saran wrap is one of the original plastic cling wraps.
Like many other household wraps, it’s made of food-safe polyethylene and is BPA-free. The manufacturer claims it can be put in the microwave. It also boasts of its superior stretch capabilities.
This is a brand with a loyal following. Many people have relied on this brand for many years. Happy consumers praise its clinginess and it’s ability to keep things fresh.
Some people, however, feel that the quality has gone down over the years. People find it’s not as clingy as it has been and that it tears easily. Another complaint is that the cutter is awkwardly placed on the box, so it makes it difficult to apply without tangling.
PROS
- Clings to many surfaces
- Made of food-safe polyethylene
- BPA-free
CONS
- May have gone down in quality
- Can tear and shred, especially toward the end of the roll
- Cutter is awkwardly placed, making it difficult to maneuver
3. Upgrade Pick – Bee’s Wrap Reusable Storage Wrap
Bee’s Wrap Reusable Storage Wrap – Available from Amazon.com
So this isn’t technically plastic wrap, but it’s an eco-friendly option that mostly achieves the same result but can be used many times, unlike single-use plastic wraps.
A few years back, I became increasingly conscious of how much garbage my kitchen was generating, so I began investigating waste-free options. But plastic wrap eluded me, until I discovered Bee’s Wrap.
Bee’s Wrap is a sheet of organic cotton infused with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. This mixture causes it to adhere to itself or a surface like glass or ceramic, with the help of a bit of heat from your hand. It’s just right for covering a bowl or you can wrap it around something like a sandwich in a sort of DIY envelope.
Truth be told, it’s not as convenient as plastic wrap. You’re limited to specific sizes, and it doesn’t always cling perfectly. Some people are also put off by the strong beeswax smell (although other people—myself included—find it pleasant). It’s important to note, too, that it doesn’t last forever; the coating does eventually wear off but you can compost the sheet at that point.
I admit that I still have plastic wrap in my home, even though I try to use glass “tupperware” or Bee’s Wrap as much as possible. But it is definitely a cool product and worth a try if you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment.
Clings to many surfaces