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We researched the 40 best kitchen trash cans, purchased 10 top-ranked models, and then critically evaluated and tested them all side-by-side, so you can find the one that works as hard as you do in the kitchen. We compared each model head-to-head right in our homes, assessing them not only as a place to store your trash but also as a piece of equipment that seamlessly fits your kitchen's aesthetics. Our most essential testing metrics include odor containment, ease of cleaning, and bag removal and replacement. Our findings will help you discover which trash can is worth the price and deserves a place in your kitchen.
We've also done comparison testing of the best trash bags to go inside your new can. If you're looking for the top cleaning products to keep your house sparkling, check out our reviews of best sponges, the best paper towels, and our favorite cleaning gloves to see which ones we've crowned the most effective. If you are interested in heavier-duty cleaning machines, check out our list of the best appliances for recommendations on the top vacuum cleaners, mops, and more.
Editor's Note: On May 9, 2024 we added in some tips to help select the perfect trash can.
Dual trash and recycling bins, soft-close lid, great odor containment, anti-slip bags, handles on sides for carrying
Attractive and heavy duty, easy to use, convenient handles, narrow design
Sleek and modern looking, locks in smells, built-in trash bag dispenser
Locks in smells, easy to clean, holds bags securely, looks good
Sleek, modern aesthetics, easy to use, good odor containment
Includes anti-slip bag holder, bag compartment, and soft-close antimicrobial lid
Easy to change bags, durable, affordable, includes inner bucket and soft-close lid that can lock into open position
Motion activated lid for hands free operation, locks in odors, holds bags securely, carbon filter
Includes anti-slip bag holder, easy cleaning, great value
Large capacity, easy access swing top lid, nice aesthetics
Cons
Large footprint, pricey
Expensive, no lid, doesn't trap odors
Streaks when wiped, expensive
No built in bag holder
Doesn't include handles, somewhat pricey
Thin lid, loud and heavy bag holding arms
No real odor control, no handles for carrying
Relies on AC adapter or 4 "D" Batteries to operate, expensive
Foot pedal is somewhat high, lid does not hold open, not completely hands-free
Doesn't lock in odors, annoying bag locking feature, swing lid gets dirty easily
Bottom Line
A superb dual-compartment trash and recycling can that contains odors and keeps bags in place
A product with easy access and high capacity perfect for an office kitchen or home workspace
This sleek, good-looking model also seals in odors and has a built-in bag dispenser
Our favorite all-around trash can that looks good and performs well in every way
A simple and effective trash can that's easy to use and looks great
A trash can with great features including a trash bag holding compartment, anti-slip trash bag features and a soft-close lid
This simple, affordable trash can looks nice and includes useful features like a separate inner bucket and a soft-close lid that locks in the open position
This model has a motion sensor for hands-free operation as well as a lock
This trash can has the most functions, such as a foot pedal and anti bag slip feature, for the lowest price
This trash can has a large capacity with easy access and a nice atheistic
If you're seeking a sleek trash receptacle that can handle your smelliest garbage without breaking the bank, we recommend the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close. This kitchen model scored among the top products in nearly every one of our performance tests. A removable plastic liner makes clean-up easy if a bag breaks or leaks. The stainless steel exterior is easy to wipe down with a damp cloth and leaves little to no streaking. Trash bags wrap around the plastic can liner and tuck into the can's body, locking it in place, so there's no need to worry about the bag falling or creeping down inside the can. Since bags wrap around the liner and no part of the plastic bag is left exposed, the trash can maintains a clean, modern, all-stainless steel look. We left sauerkraut inside for over 24 hours and didn't smell a thing, so we'd say the most impressive feature of this model is that it contains smells incredibly well.
The Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close falls in the middle of the price spectrum in our test fleet. However, at about half the cost of its closest real competitors, but still sporting many of the same features, we feel it offers a great balance of value and performance. If the lack of a built-in bag holder is a dealbreaker, consider the Glad 13 Gallon Stainless instead.
Replacing the trash bag on the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close.
Reinforced hinge for silent close, CleanAura Odor Control
Dimensions
23.1" L x 15.2" W x 26.7"H
The Home Zone Living Dual Compartment boasts two compartments — one for trash and one for recycling. This model has lids that close softly and quietly, carry handles on each side, odor-blocking capabilities, and a sleek design that would fit in any kitchen. The soft-close lids truly close softly and open almost straight up, so you don't need to wrestle with a full garbage bag just to get it out of the bucket. The trash bags also sit securely in the inner buckets rather than in the trash can itself, so lifting out over-full bags isn't a problem. You can just take the whole bucket out. The buckets are also much easier to clean than the inside of a trash can itself. This model also comes with 20 scented trash bags and two odor filters and even has illustrated directions in the owner's manual on how to replace the filters and the best way to replace the bags.
We enjoy this trash can so much that we had a difficult time finding anything wrong with it. Well, okay, it is one of the more expensive trash cans we tested, and its dual waste compartments make it quite large. If you have a small apartment or limited space for your trash cans, or if you want to keep your trash and recycling in separate places, then this is not the model for you. But if you want a trash can that can do it all in one place, that will look good and take care of any nasty odors, invest in the Home Zone Living Dual Compartment trash can. If you're shopping on a budget, consider the Rubbermaid Premier Series Step-on instead. This single-compartment trash can offers several convenient features without breaking the bank.
The Home Zone Living Dual Compartment has two separate inner bins with two separate foot pedals.
The Rubbermaid Premier Series Step-on trash can covers the basics at an affordable price. With a large foot pedal that goes almost all the way across the bottom, a slow-close lid, and a Liner-Lock feature, our testers really like this trash can. Another standout feature is the lid lock system, which holds the lid in place in the fully open position for easy access while working or cleaning, and then can be locked shut so kids and pets can't get into it. The modern charcoal-colored resin design is durable and nice-looking, too.
Unfortunately, the lighter weight makes it easier for kids and pets to push around or knock over the Rubbermaid Premier Series. Then there's also the lack of decent handholds, which presents a problem when you want to take it outside for a deep clean. Despite its light weight, this model is just awkward to carry. If you prefer a heavy-duty model with convenient handles, the Simplehuman Slim Open Top may better suit your needs.
Built-in bag holder, large pedal, antimicrobial coating
Dimensions
13.3" L x 15.9" W x 25.8" H
Everyone who came over complimented us on how nice the Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can looked in our kitchen. Besides being gorgeous (can we say a trash can is gorgeous? Okay, we did), it locks in odor like the top competitors. It comes with a set of free trash bags and a convenient bag-holding compartment that dispenses bags right into the body of the can for easy bag replacement. The foot pedal is large and extends across the entire front of the can for easy access.
The Simplehuman 45L Rectangular Step Can is one of the most expensive products on our list and performs similarly to the Amazon Basics, but with a far classier look. If you are searching for a conversation starter or something to elevate your kitchen aesthetic, this model won't disappoint. However, if you want to continue using the convenient bag storage holder, you have to purchase the proprietary trash bags, which can be more spendy than run-of-the-mill supermarket trash bags. After further testing, we found that the lid can be dented fairly easily if items get dropped on it, so consider keeping it out from under shelves or heavier objects. For the money, though, we recommend taking a closer look at the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close. It earned top marks in our durability test and won't cost you top dollar.
This Simplehuman trash can will add a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Clorox odor protection, bag rings, bag compartment
Dimensions
16.0" L x 16.0" W x 23.0" H
If a trash bag falling into your garbage can is your pet peeve, and reaching into that dark, smelly abyss is your biggest fear, then the Glad 13 Gallon Stainless with Clorox Odor Protection is what you need. Metal arms wrap around and lock the trash bag in place. It is more likely that the bag will rip long before it slips. Additionally, this model features a nifty trash bag compartment, so the bags are never out of reach. Should any garbage spill onto the bin during removal, the Clorox Odor Protection treatment of the lid and lid frame should help mitigate odors by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause them.
We mostly have good things to say about the Glad 13 Gallon, but there are some shortcomings worth mentioning. The metal arms that securely hold bags in place are rather loud when they slap against the inside of the can. Although the rest of the build is fairly sturdy, the lid is not. While we don't recommend sitting on any of these cans, as none were built to double as a stool, we especially advise against it with this particular model. If you prefer having some peace of mind with a sturdier can sporting a stainless steel lid, the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close is the one to consider.
The Glad 13 Gallon Stainless has a simple, yet effective design, doing a great job of holding bags in place.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Compare Products
We put each model to the test to help you find the best fit for your home.
Credit: Laura Casner
How We Test Trash Cans
GearLab has a robust testing process that includes thorough research to explore which products should be tested, then outlining how that test should be completed by breaking down each performance category and determining the rating metrics to be used. We've been testing trash cans, among other things, for many years. We spent dozens of hours putting these cans to the test to help you make the best purchasing decision. We tested the moving parts hundreds of times, got them filthy, and cleaned them up. We placed warm sauerkraut in each model to see which one locked in smells the best, and we knocked them over to see if they could handle curious dogs. After months of use and evaluation, we are confident to help you decide which trash can is right for you.
To help you find the best trash can for your needs, we broke down our testing and rating into six performance metrics:
Ease of Use (20% of overall score weighting)
Odor Containment (20% weighting)
Bag Placement and Removal (20% weighting)
Ease of Cleaning (15% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Aesthetics (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Lead tester Bennett Fisher is a product developer focused on human-centered design. He tries to evaluate products the way the user would, implementing lessons learned in the book The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. His focus is on outdoor products like sun shirts and backpacking gear, but he has also worked with composites and household items. He has spent the past 20+ years working with and using trash cans daily, helping him understand what makes a model superior. Bennett is an avid fly fisherman, and it's important to him that even the strongest fishy odors stay trapped in the can.
Tester and author Ruth Bruckbauer has had intimate knowledge of trash cans for nearly her whole life. Married for almost 45 years, she raised five children who also have intimate knowledge of trash cans, not that they wanted to. A stay-at-home mother for almost three decades, Ruth is a natural fit for anything household or kitchen-related, not just because she's been around the block a time or two, but because she genuinely enjoys maintaining a home. Most importantly, she cherishes having a home that's filled with family, and one that is clean, neat, and up-to-date. Ruth's chief concern is trapping the smell of stinky baby diapers that her grandchildren cheerfully provide for her.
We tested each trash can by seeing how easy it is to remove and replace trash bags.
We compared each model side-by-side to evaluate the similarities and different features.
The Glad Plastic Step is simple and affordable.
How to Choose A Trash Can
We have provided four key buying considerations below, including budget, location, and odor containment, to help choose a suitable trash can.
What Capacity Do You Need?
For those who have larger households and generate more daily waste it's important to find an adequate sized trash can. A trash can in the 60 L range will be best suited for families and large households, while a couple or single individual will find a smaller-sized can in the 40-50 L range will work best. It's also wise to consider the location of your trash can and whether the dimensions will fit in your desired location.
Choosing the right size trash can ensures you're not making excess trips outside to the garbage can.
Credit: Ruth Bruckbauer
What About the Opening Method?
Trash cans use several different opening and closure mechanisms to keep trash in place and keep kids and dogs from making a mess. Foot pedals are great for those with full hands and busy kitchens but are best used in open areas. Touchless lids are also convenient and hygienic, but they require battery maintenance and do not always operate the fastest. Open tops are the simplest form to dispose of trash but dont trap odor and are susceptible to spills if knocked over. Ultimately, choosing the right lid type comes down to personal preference and the space and arrangement of your kitchen.
Does Material Matter?
Choosing a material is also a matter of personal preference, but there are reasons to choose one over the other. Metal is generally more aesthetically appealing and durable, as well as easier to clean, but it will be heavier. Plastic is light, easy to move, and budget-friendly, but it tends to absorb odors and is less durable. If you're on the fence, consider whether your trash can stays put or has to move around and if it is in a visible location or not.
Is Odor a Concern?
Not only is a smelly trash can a problem in the kitchen, but having to throw out half-full bags due to smell is inefficient and leads to spending more on bags. A trash can with a full-closure lid will provide better odor resistance than open lids and swing-top lids. Also, consider if your trash can is placed in a spot under the sink or in a dedicated trash drawer, as the smell is less likely to travel in confined spaces.
Trash cans that keep odor away are especially important in smaller spaces and open areas inside your kitchen.
Credit: Laura Casner
Analysis and Test Results
We put each trash can through the same side-by-side testing to compare and contrast features and designs. After testing ease of use, odor containment, bag placement and removal, ease of cleaning, durability, and aesthetics, we found the same products consistently coming out on top.
What's the Best Value?
Many trash cans have similar features and appearances, but not all perform as well as others, and they vary quite a bit in price. To determine the best value among the competition, we considered each receptacle's performance and standout features and compared that to each model's price.
Standing out for its excellent all-around performance at a lower price than most of the other high-end competitors is the Amazon Basics Rectangular Soft-Close. This model takes home our top honor with excellent all-around performance. The Rubbermaid Premier Series also provides great value with its simple yet effective design and one of the lowest prices in our entire lineup.
Ease of Use
You interact with your garbage can every time you throw something away, so we consider easy operation one of the most important performance qualities. Our test team wanted to find out which models are the most straightforward, have the most simple-to-use features, and are the most practical for frequent use. We compared the speeds at which lids open, how softly and quietly they close, and how tall and out of the way the lids stand. The team assessed all functional and convenience features such as handles, liners, foot pedals, trash bag holders, hands-free capability, and even the can's height.
After comparing every feature across every model, we found that the Home Zone Living 16-Gallon Dual Compartment and the Simplehuman Slim Open Top are the easiest garbage cans to use. The Home Zone Living Dual Compartment model has two completely separate compartments for trash and recycling, with two completely separate foot pedals. The Simplehuman Slim Open Top has no barrier to put trash in the can, and with no lid, you can play basketball from across the kitchen. Both of these models also have convenient handles on either side for moving around when necessary.
The Simplehuman Slip Open Top has a narrow profile to help stay out of the way, and an open lid that makes it easy to use.
Credit: Bennet Fisher
The Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can is very quiet when opening and closing, and features delayed lid closing and a large foot pedal that is wider than normal, almost the full width of the entire front of the can. It also has a trash bag compartment that dispenses bags and includes a convenient handle on the backside so you can easily move it. The foot pedal on this model is close to the ground, making it easy to locate, even in the dark. The lid also opens all the way up, so there is no obstruction in the way when throwing away even the sloppiest mess. The soft-close lid also has a delay that prevents closing it on your fingers or just gives you a window to finish discarding trash when moving around the kitchen hastily.
The Simplehuman rectangular can has several features that make it easy to use, including a large, well-placed foot pedal.
Credit: Laura Casner
Most of the step-on models, like the Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Step-On and the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close, perform pretty similarly and are easy to use. The iTouchless 13 Gallon Touchless Sensor model stands out for its convenient no-touch sensor that automatically opens and closes the lid. This is a very convenient feature, though this heavier lid makes removing and replacing the trash bags a bit more of a process.
The iTouchless sensor trash can open while testing trash bag slippage.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Odor Containment
Besides the simple utility of holding trash, odor containment for many is the second most important quality of a trash can. Walking into the kitchen to get hit with a rotten smell wafting from the trash is not a pleasant experience. We also believe emptying a half-full garbage can due to odor is a waste of trash bags and an all-around inconvenience.
To test for odor containment, we heated sauerkraut, placed it in each model, and let it sit in a closed room for an hour. We then returned to the room, perceived the strength of any odors in the air, and judged how well each one contained smells. We also had the joy of containing freshly soiled baby diapers.
The Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can, the Amazon Basics Rectangular Soft-Close, and the Home Zone 16-Gallon Dual Compartment each received top scores in this metric. Each of these receptacles locked in odors so well that there were no detectable odors until they were opened. To test these cans further, we let them sit for 24 hours with warm sauerkraut inside. Remarkably, we still could not smell anything in the room, so long as the lids were closed.
The Amazon Basics Rectangular Soft-Close lid slowly lowers and silently closes.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Open-top cans like the Simplehuman Slim Open Top, and swing-top cans like the Umbra Venti Swing Top, performed poorly in odor control tests for obvious reasons. The convenience these models provide is gained by sacrificing odor control, and the trade-off should be considered when buying a trash can.
Bag Placement and Removal
The one thing that many are guilty of doing is waiting until the trash is a little too full before emptying it. When it's finally time to change the bag, we think it should be as quick and easy a process as possible. We inserted and emptied several trash bags from each can to test how long it took to place a bag inside and how difficult it was to remove a full one.
The Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close, the Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Step-On, and the Home Zone Living 16 Gallon Dual all have separate removable interior liners, which are the most convenient and functional for changing bags. When the trash becomes too full and heavy to pull out without the bag tearing, these cans' entire plastic liners can be removed to carry out the garbage. The next bag also tucks around the liner for easy and secure installment.
The Home Zone Living 16 Gallon Dual Compartment is very convenient to use with its separate trash and recycling bins.
Credit: Ruth Bruckbauer
Nobody wants to reach down inside their garbage can to pull up a fallen bag. We think bag placement should only be done once, and we expect that once placed, a trash bag should stay put. Several models have a bag-locking feature, which can be critical to help a fully loaded bag stay in place. Standouts in this are the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close and the Rubbermaid Premier Series Step-On with their plastic liners locking to lock the bag in place, and the Home Zone Living 16-Gallon Dual, the Simplehuman Rectangular Soft Close, and the Glad 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step which use metal bars to secure the bag.
The Simplehuman has a metal ring to help keep the trash bag locked in place.
No one wants to fish a trash bag out of the bottom of the can every time they go to throw something away. Top-performing models held the bags in place well, like the AmazonBasics model shown here.
Ease of Cleaning
To test cleaning, we channeled our inner child and let ourselves finger paint with and squirt chocolate sauce all over the exteriors before making like adults and cleaning them all up. Points were given based on how quick it was to clean them and how close they returned to mint condition. We also considered the rate at which a trash can gathered dirt and the frequency of cleaning. On the exterior, the swing-top cans needed cleaning more often. We then mimicked a bag breaking and the chore of cleaning out the inside of the can.
We had a few top scorers here. The Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close, the Home Zone Living 16-Gallon, and the Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Step-On all fared well once again due to their removable plastic liners and stainless steel finish that showed minimal streaking. The Simplehuman Slim Open Top also scored well for its wide opening and easy-to-clean/non-streaking exterior. Finally, the Glad Plastic Step sports a plastic body that is exceptionally easy to wipe down with no worry of streaking.
We tested the ease with which the cans wiped clean.
One of the many ways we tested these trash cans was by getting them filthy and cleaning them up again.
Durability
The best trash cans will hold up to the rigors of daily use. For durability, we simulated the typical wear and tear trash cans experience. This included knocking them around, bending the lids, attempting to scratch them, and stomping on the foot pedals over and over again.
While trash bins get an understandable amount of abuse, from finishes that get badly scuffed and dinged to foot pedals and lids that get stomped and slammed, our testers identified the most durable bins. We determined the Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close, the Home Zone Dual, the Rubbermaid Elite, and the Simplehuman Slim Open Top are built to last. The other Simplehuman 45L came in close, but it scratched a few times during testing because of the smooth stainless finish.
We knocked these cans over repeatedly to test durability.
Aesthetics
While aesthetics are preferential and subjective, some shapes, designs, materials, and finishes are generally agreeable and fit right in with the modern home. Our testers made the most objective considerations possible when selecting the best-looking garbage bins. We think you'll agree that we chose the most aesthetically pleasing trash cans, and you can confidently use these hands-on selections when deciding which one will look the best with your home decor.
We assessed the aesthetics and classiness of each model by placing a trash bag inside, then examining the appearance. The Simplehuman 45L Rectangular Kitchen Step Soft-Close features the most attractive design we tested. We love that the silver lip fully covers the trash bag, so there is no plastic to distract you from its stainless-steel finish.
If you don't have room to store your trash under the sink or tucked away somewhere, you'll need a model that looks good in your kitchen.
Credit: Laura Casner
Conclusion
After researching loads of kitchen trash cans and purchasing 10 for side-by-side testing and comparison, we have identified the best models for any home. We hope that the messes we made and cleaned, the smells we endured, and the durability, value, performance, and aesthetics we tested will make the shopping process a little bit easier for you.
