The 5 Best Piping Bags, According to a Classically Trained Chef

 

If you’ve ever wondered how pastry chefs are able to create such intricate icing designs on cakes and cookies, I’ll let you in on a little secret: It’s all thanks to the best piping bags. These little pieces of plastic (or silicone if they’re reusable) allow both professional and amateur cake decorators to fashion beautiful icing art with minimal effort. 

Meggan has been using the Wilton Reusable Piping Bags since culinary school, though there are plenty of stellar piping bags out there. That’s why we spent weeks researching other reliable pastry bags that will fit everyone’s decorating needs. Some of our top picks even come with tips and couplers! With any of the best piping bags in your kitchen arsenal, you’ll be able to wow your friends with the most beautiful handmade confectionary designs.

Our Top Picks:

1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: Wilton Reusable Piping Bags – $6.94 at Amazon
2. Best Reusable Piping Bags: Kasmoire Piping Bags and Tip Set – $9.99 at Amazon
3. Best Piping Bags for Cookies: Cookie Cutter Kingdom Tipless Piping Bags – $11.99 at Amazon
4. Best Disposable Piping Bags: Keenpioneer 16-Inch Disposable Cake Decorating Bags – $9.99 at Amazon
5. Best Silicone Piping Bags: Prepworks by Progressive 8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating Kit – $19.99 at Amazon

Reviews of the Best Piping Bags

1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: Wilton Reusable Piping Bags

When it comes to baking, Meggan trusts Wilton more than any other brand and says that the reusable piping bags are the best she’s ever tried. “I started buying these bags when I was taking baking classes in culinary school,” she says. “I learned how reusable piping bags can be easily cleaned, so baking establishments (or home cooks) can save money versus buying disposable bags.” 

Aside from the minimal environmental impact, Meggan says that these bags are levels above their disposable counterparts for a few reasons. First off, she appreciates that they come in 5 sizes (she owns the 12-, 14-, and 16-inch bags). Another underrated feature? Cleaning up is hassle-free. “These are coated on the inside so cleaning up is a breeze (just make sure no frosting gets stuck there),” she says. “All piping tips seamlessly fit on these bags, too.”

With these on hand, you’ll be able to recreate Meggan’s favorite oreo mint truffles — and other beautiful confections — in a pinch.

The Specs:

• Bag Material: Polyester
• Bag Size: 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 inches
• Bag Count: 1 
• Reusable: Yes

What I Like:

• Can be used with or without a metal tip
• Easy to clean
• Ideal for cake decorating or cannoli filling
• Better for the environment!

What I Don’t Like:

• Only comes with one bag

Buy the Wilton Reusable Piping Bags:

2. Best Reusable Piping Bags: Kasmoire Piping Bags and Tip Set

Avid bakers, if you’ve been looking for a complete reusable piping bag set, your search can end here. This Kasmoire kit includes everything you’ll need to decorate cakes, cookies, and other confections. (It doesn’t get much sweeter than this!) Along with 2 12-, 14-, and 16-inch piping bags (which are thick and durable enough to dispense thick icings, like Meggan’s peanut butter frosting), you’ll get 6 unique tips that will help you create different icing styles, 6 couplers, and 6 reusable ties so your decorating remains mess-free.

The best part? You get all of this for just under $10.

The Specs:

• Bag Material: TPU
• Bag Size: 12, 14, and 16 inches
• Bag Count: 6
• Reusable: Yes

What I Like:

• You get 2 of each size bag
• Comes with 6 tips and couplers
• Easy to clean
• Lasts a long time!

What I Don’t Like:

• Some reviews say pieces were missing
• Works the best for icing, not mashed potatoes or batter

What Others Are Saying: 

Out of the dozens of options tested, The Spruce Eats says the Kasmoire Piping Bags and Tip Set contains the best overall piping bags. Amazon shoppers also love the kit. It has a 4.5-star rating from more than 4,000 reviews. 

Buy the Kasmoire Piping Bags and Tip Set:

3. Best Piping Bags for Cookies: Cookie Cutter Kingdom Tipless Piping Bags

Compared to cakes, cookies are a bit more difficult to decorate because of the smaller size. To ensure you are able to create precise and intricate lines, you’ll want smaller piping bags for more control. These bags from Cookie Cutter Kingdom were crafted with an extremely fine tip, so you can write out words or craft detailed designs without much effort. 

Although these might not come with tips or couplers like a few of the other options on our list, they will universally work with any that you already have, so you don’t need to buy a specific set to fit these bags. 

The Specs:

• Bag Material: Plastic
• Bag Size: 12 inches
• Bag Count: 100
• Reusable: No

What I Like:

• Comes with so many bags!
• Universally works with tips and couplers
• Small enough for intricate designs

What I Don’t Like:

• A bit thin and flimsy

What Others Are Saying: 

Serious Eats named the Cookie Cutter Kingdom Tipless Piping Bags the best small piping bags available. It also has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon from more than 1,500 reviews.

Buy the Cookie Cutter Kingdom Tipless Piping Bags:

4. Best Disposable Piping Bags: Keenpioneer 16-Inch Disposable Cake Decorating Bags

Cleaning the kitchen is never a fun task, and piping bags are, in my opinion, a complete nuisance to wash. That’s where disposable bags come in handy. The one-and-done design of this pick from Keenpioneer is extremely easy to use, incredibly durable (it’s comparable to some of the thicker silicone options), and they can be used without additional tips! 

Beyond decorating cakes and cupcakes, these bags also come in handy when you need to fill deviled eggs or Pizzelle cannolis. 

The Specs:

• Bag Material: Plastic
• Bag Size: 12 and 16 inches
• Bag Count: 56
• Reusable: No

What I Like:

• Ultra durable
• Can be used with confections of all sizes
• No need for tips

What I Don’t Like:

• Not the best grip

What Others Are Saying: 

The Spruce Eats named the Keenpioneer 16-inch Disposable Cake Decorating Bags the best budget bags. It also has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from more than 6,000 reviews. 

Buy the Keenpioneer 16-inch Disposable Cake Decorating Bags:

5. Best Silicone Piping Bags: Prepworks by Progressive 8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating Kit

For those who are just starting to get into cake decorating, these unique frosting bulbs give you more control to perfect your designs, whether you’re decorating cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. The handheld containers fit in the palm of your hand, so you can hold your confection steady with one hand and maneuver the icing with the other. You can also switch up your icing designs by swapping out one of the 6 piping tips.

The kit comes with a closed star, French tip, leaf, basket, small circle, and large circle tips. With this, you’ll be a skilled decorator in no time!

The Specs:

• Bag Material: Silicone
• Bag Size: 3 x 4.25 inches (¾ cup)
• Bag Count: 4 or 8
• Reusable: Yes

What I Like:

• Great for beginners
• Ergonomic
• Comes with 6 piping tips
• Dishwasher safe

What I Don’t Like:

• Need to refill more often
• Air can sometimes get in the way of decorating

What Others Are Saying: 

Epicurious says the Prepworks by Progressive 8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating Kit will “solve all your piping bag struggles.” It has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon from more than 3,000 reviews. 

Buy the Prepworks by Progressive 8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating Kit:

Other Pipings Bags to Consider

Weetiee 12-Inch Tipless Piping Bags

If you regularly bake and decorate confections, buying disposable piping bags in bulk is a pretty good idea. This pack comes with 100, and at just under $10, each bag comes out at about 10 cents a pop. However, you may want to use them for more intricate design work rather than fully covering a tiered cake. The bags themselves are pretty small and not the sturdiest — some reviews mention that they can rip apart at the seams when fully stuffed. The Weetiee 12-inch Tipless Piping Bags are available at Amazon for $9.99.

Targihoemt Piping Bags

These bags are a serious steal — you can get 100 pieces for less than $4! Plus, there are more options (either 200 or 400 pieces) for those who are avid cake decorators. That said, even though the price is hard to beat, you’re probably better off shelling out a few extra bucks for something a bit more sturdy. Many reviews say that these aren’t very sturdy or reliable (aka they can rip and tear easily). The Targihoemt 12/16/18 Inch Piping Bags are available at Amazon for $3.99.

Ateco Disposable Decorating Bags

Ateco is known for creating top tier piping tips (Serious Eats recommends them more than other brands!), but the bags themselves could use a little work. Reviews say these get sticky very quickly, making it near impossible to create uniform designs and intricate designs. The Ateco Disposable Decorating Bags at Amazon for $14.49.

Williams Sonoma Compostable Pastry Bags

The Spruce Eats named these the best compostable piping bags, and if your effect on the environment is important to you, these are a great pick! It’s a bit more expensive to have a green thumb, though. At almost $20, this pack of 100 is the most costly on our list…plus these can only be used once, so who can say how much better for the environment they really are? My suggestion: If you want to create less waste, opt for silicone or reusable bags instead. The Williams Sonoma Compostable Pastry Bags at Williams Sonoma for $19.95.

Why You Can Trust Us

Hi there! I’m Mary Honkus, a freelance writer with over 6 years of experience covering food, home, wellness, beauty, and fashion. I’ve held staff positions at Real Simple, People, and InStyle magazines, and my work has been featured in numerous other publications, including Cosmopolitan, WWD, CNN, and US Weekly. 

To put together this list of the best piping bags, I worked closely with Meggan Hill, the founder of Culinary Hill. Meggan is an expert in the kitchen, having tested hundreds of culinary tools and developed thousands of recipes. 

Together, we selected the top-rated piping bags, including ones Meggan has used in her own kitchen, and diligently researched other highly rated options. Through this process, we narrowed down to these 5 trusted tools that will help you create the most intricate icing designs on cakes, cookies, and more!

What to Know About Piping Bags

You might think that all piping bags are the same, but there are few design features that put some realms above others. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Piping Bag

Usage: There are 2 types of piping bags: reusable and disposable. Reusable ones will come in handy if you’re an avid baker and regularly find yourself decorating confections. That said, some people prefer disposable ones because they don’t enjoy the cleanup (relatable). Truthfully, the type you choose comes down to personal preference, so think about your needs and values then choose accordingly. 

Included Extras: In many cases, piping bags don’t come with tips, couplers, or ties—all of which are important for decorating. These items are pretty universal regardless of what bags you select, so it’s really a one-time cost. However, some bag options (like the Kasmoire Piping Bags and Tip Set) come with a full kit of accessories, so you have everything you need to create intricate designs from the jump. 

Are Reusable or Disposable Piping Bags Better?

Overall, both reusable and disposable piping bags function in the same way. When comparing the environmental impact, reusable bags are much better. Disposable bags most likely end up in a landfill — and who knows how long they’ll sit there! Reusable bags require a bit of cleanup, but end up reducing your carbon footprint in the long run. 

How to Use a Piping Bag

Meggan says that there’s an art to using a piping bag, and small adjustments can make a major difference. First, you’ll want to snip off the tip of the bag to fit your tip or coupler. If you’re using a coupler, insert it into the bag and use scissors to mark about a quarter of an inch past the tip. Remove the coupler, cut off the tip where you marked, and then secure the coupler on to the end of the bag. 

Once that’s complete, Meggan urges you to never completely fill a piping bag with icing. “Aim for ⅔ or ¾ full,” she says. After the icing is inside, tie or secure the bag closed and coax the frosting or filling towards the tip. Now, you’re ready to decorate all of your confections!

Can You Make a Piping Bag?

Yes! Meggan says that if you’re in a pinch you can always snip off the tip of a Ziploc bag — it will function almost exactly like a traditional piping bag. Although, it might now be as sturdy.

Best Piping Recipes

Below are some of Meggan’s favorite recipes that she uses a piping bag for! The uses go beyond desserts with Deviled Eggs and other savory dishes.

• Royal Icing
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Frosted Cookies
• Danish Layer Cake
• Schaum Torte

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.