If you’re in the market for a new kitchen trash can, the This Old House Team has you covered. We’ve researched the best options on Amazon and created a buyer’s guide to help you choose the perfect model. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Kitchen Trash Cans
- Best Small: Simplehuman 10-Gallon Step Trash Can
- Best Dual-Bin: SONGMICS 16-Gallon Step Trash Can
- Best Color Options: iTouchless 13.2-Gallon Step Trash Can
- Best Automatic: iTouchless 13-Gallon Automatic Trash Can
- Best Value: Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can
Compare Top Kitchen Trash Cans
| Product | Dimensions | Weight | Opening Mechanisms | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simplehuman Kitchen Trash CanCheck Price | 18.7 x 14.4 x 26.2 inches | 7 pounds | Step-on | 13 gallons |
Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash CanCheck Price | 16 x 16 x 29 inches | 12.4 pounds | Step-on | 20 gallons |
SONGMICS 16-Gallon Step Trash CanCheck Price | 23 by 12.6 by 25.6 inches | 20.1 pounds | Step-on | 16 gallons |
EKO Touchless Motion Sensor Trash CanCheck Price | 14.8 x 9.8 x 24.6 inches | 8.4 pounds | Motion sensor | 13.2 gallons |
hOmeLabs Automatic Trash CanCheck Price | 16.2 x 10.3 x 22.5 inches | 13.5 pounds | Motion sensor | 13 gallons |
iTouchless Touchless Sensor Trash CanCheck Price | 16.75 by 12.5 by 26 inches | 23.6 pounds | Step-on | 13.2 gallons |
iTouchless 13-Gallon Automatic Trash CanCheck Price | 10.8 by 12.8 by 27.9 inches | 8 pounds | Motion sensor | 13 gallons |
AmazonBasics Soft-Close Trash CanCheck Price | 11.4 x 11.8 x 20.7 inches | 3.86 pounds | Step-on | 2.6 gallons |
Rubbermaid Step-On Trash CanCheck Price | 18 by 15 by 25 inches | 4.48 pounds | Step-on | 13 gallons |
NINESTARS Automatic Touchless Trash CanCheck Price | 18 x 14 x 28.6 inches | 11.1 pounds | Motion sensor | 21 gallons |
Best Small Trash Can
Simplehuman 10-Gallon Step Trash Can
This trash can is slightly smaller than the standard 13-gallon can, making it best for people who live alone, families that don’t produce a lot of waste, or people who have small kitchens. Equipped with a stainless steel lid and body, this Simplehuman trash can is built to last 150,000 steps. It also includes a patented design that ensures that the lid won’t slam when you close it.
Pros and Cons of Simplehuman 10-Gallon Step Trash Can
- Available in a multitude of sizes to fit all kitchens
- Has an inner bucket that makes changing the bag easier
- Comes with a non-skid base
- Includes a long list of actions that will void the manufacturer’s warranty
- Measures its capacity in liters, which can make finding the appropriate bag size a hassle
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Simplehuman 10-Gallon Step Trash Can
Customers liked the soft-close lid, which prevented damage to the can’s body and loud slamming noises. However, dissatisfied reviewers complained that this trash can wasn’t fingerprint-proof like the manufacturer said.
Best Dual-Bin Trash Can
SONGMICS 16-Gallon Step Trash Can
This SONGMICS trash can has a second compartment to sort recycling or compost from garbage. It also comes with 15 high-quality trash bags that you can put in either bin, allowing you to use it immediately upon arrival.
Pros and Cons of SONGMICS 16-Gallon Step Trash Can
- Has an easy-to-clean stainless steel body
- Has interior plastic handles that wrap around your trash bags
- Designed with an airtight lid that provides superior odor control
- Has a higher price tag than the other products in this review
- Has a large body that may not fit in smaller kitchens
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The SONGMICS 16-Gallon Step Trash Can
Customers liked that the compartments had inner buckets. These inner buckets were easy to lift out of the compartments to take the bags off. However, other customers said that the buckets were too small, which meant that they had to take the trash and recycling out more often.
Best Design
iTouchless SoftStep Trash Can
This hands-free trash can comes with a pedal-open lid and is built with durable and stylish stainless steel. To soften the impact of its easy-to-open lid, this trash can has a built-in air damper that slows the lid down for a gentle close. Additionally, this model comes with a filter that prevents odors and absorbs and neutralizes the smell of your garbage.
Pros and Cons of iTouchless SoftStep Trash Can
- Includes the option to run using batteries or a power cord
- Designed with a charcoal filter to flush out trash odors
- Has a wide lid opening to make fitting bulky items in the can easier
- Doesn’t include the batteries or AC adapter for power
- The battery and deodorizer can get contaminated from trash because they sit below trash level
Key Features
This high-quality trash can had the most decorative exterior compared to the other trash cans we tested and tied for second in every category except durability. It has an easy-to-open lid that quickly opens to its high-capacity interior. Additionally, this model secured its installed trash bag throughout the testing process.
While this trash can performed well in each category, it fell short in keeping its lid closed during the lid security test. Additionally, the trash can’s heavy design made it difficult to move.
What People Are Saying About The iTouchless SoftStep Trash Can
Many positive reviews mentioned the trash can’s stainless-steel exterior, with many customers explaining that it matched or complemented their kitchen decor. Other satisfied customers praised the product’s sturdy and easy-to-use foot pedal. Negative reviews mentioned that the plastic part that keeps the trash can’s lid from slamming shut broke after limited use.
Best Automatic Trash Can
iTouchless 13-Gallon Automatic Trash Can
This trash can from iTouchless features a wave-to-open design that’s powered by alkaline batteries or an AC adapter. This unique mechanism allows users to throw away waste and remove trash bags without touching the container. The can also features a built-in odor eliminator to keep your kitchen smelling fresh even with a full can.
Pros and Cons of iTouchless 13-Gallon Automatic Trash Can
- Includes the option to run using batteries or a power cord
- Designed with a charcoal filter to flush out trash odors
- Has a wide lid opening to make fitting bulky items in the can easier
- Doesn’t include the batteries or AC adapter for power
- The battery and deodorizer can get contaminated because they sit below trash level
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The iTouchless 13-Gallon Automatic Trash Can
Customers praised the design of this trash can’s lid, which sealed over the body every time. However, some customers said that the bag-holding mechanism didn’t work properly, causing trash bags to slip into the can.
Best Value
Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can
This affordable Rubbermaid trash can contains a long-lasting stainless steel pedal and a durable plastic shell for easy waste disposal. It also includes retaining bands that keep trash bags secure to the rim.
Pros and Cons of Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can
- Has a lightweight design
- Built with durable materials
- Includes a stainless steel foot pedal to increase longevity
- Made of mostly resin, which is less aesthetically pleasing than stainless steel
- Comes in limited color options
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can
Customers praised this trash can’s pedal, which they found to be long-lasting and durable. However, reviewers who were unsatisfied with the product said that the quality construction didn’t extend to the lid, which fell off its hinges frequently.
Buying Guide to Kitchen Trash Cans
There are numerous factors you should take into consideration before deciding on what kitchen trash can is best for you. Consider factors such as the opening mechanism, capacity, material, and odor control to find the best option for you. Read our buying guide below for more information.
Opening Mechanism
Kitchen trash cans are typically classified by their opening mechanism, with manual, step-on, and automatic trash cans being some of the most popular options. Manual trash cans require the users to manually lift the lid.
Step-on trash cans, are popular because they open by stepping on the pedal at the bottom of the can. These models are a more hygienic alternative to manual trash cans, as they don’t require contact with the dirty can.
Automatic or touchless cans, including the iTouchless 13-gallon Automatic Trash Can, use motion sensors activated by the wave of a hand or an item to open their lid.
Capacity
A trash can’s capacity is typically denoted in gallons. Most kitchen trash cans have a 13-gallon capacity, though some models, such as the compact Simplehuman 10-gallon Step Trash Can, have a smaller waste capacity.
Material
Most trash cans are made of stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel trash cans, including the SONGMICS 16-gallon Step Trash Can, have a stylish look and a smudge-resistant finish. While more difficult to clean and less decorative, plastic trash cans are more affordable and lighter than their stainless steel counterparts.
Odor Control
Some trash cans, including the iTouchless 13-gallon Automatic Trash Can, feature air filters that keep your kitchen from smelling like garbage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Trash Cans
What is the standard size for a kitchen trash can?
Most kitchen trash cans hold around 13 gallons of waste. This size is compact enough to fit within your kitchen but large enough to carry a few days’ worth of food waste.
What size should my kitchen trash can be?
It depends on the amount of waste you produce and the size of your kitchen. If you have a large kitchen that can accommodate a regular 13-gallon trash can, that may be the best option for optimizing space and managing waste. However, if you don’t produce as much waste, look for a lower-capacity model, such as the Simplehuman 10-gallon Step Trash Can.
How often should I clean my trash can?
In general, trash cans should be scrubbed with soap and rinsed with a garden hose once every few months to keep their container smelling and looking clean.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.