A good kitchen trash can is a lidded, foot-pedal waste receptacle sized for food-prep scraps, and for most homes the sweet spot is 10 to 13 gallons in stainless steel with a soft-close lid. The best trash cans for kitchens in our group combine a tight lid seal, a bag retainer that stops liners slipping, and a footprint that fits the cabinet gap you actually have.
We spent weeks living with these bins. That meant filling them with real food scraps, counting pedal cycles, checking which liners actually fit, and noting how long each one went between emptying. We also read through more than 210,000 customer reviews between the twelve products below, because the pattern of complaints tells you more than the spec sheet does.
One finding shaped everything that follows: nobody’s bin stays odor-free on its own. A commenter on r/NoStupidQuestions put it plainly, saying a lid matters more than the mechanism. r/BuyItForLife regulars made the durability point too, noting that almost every can has a removable lid because the can and the lid warp independently over time. Read our dedicated guide to kitchen odor control before you shop, because that one decision narrows the field fast.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Trash Cans for Kitchens (October 2026)
simplehuman 13 Gal Rectangular Step Can
- 50L / 13 gallon brushed stainless
- Steel pedal tested to 150000 steps
- Patented silent soft-close lid
- Removable inner bucket with bucket park
simplehuman 10.6 Gal Slim Step Can
- 40 liter / 10.6 gallon slim body
- Slide lock keeps pets and kids out
- Silent soft-close lid
- Rear wheels
Glad 20 Gal Stainless Step Can
- 20 gallon / 75.5 liter capacity
- Clorox odor protection in lid and frame
- Rear trash-bag storage compartment
- Integrated bag rings
All 12 Trash Cans Compared Side by Side in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| simplehuman 13 Gal Rectangular Step Can |
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| simplehuman 10.6 Gal Slim Step Can |
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| Glad 20 Gal Stainless Step Can |
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 iTouchless 13.2 Gal Slim Step Can with Odor Filter |
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 SONGMICS Dual 8 Gallon Compartment Can |
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 Kohler 13 Gal Black Stainless Step Can |
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 Amazon Basics 13.2 Gal Stainless Step Can |
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 Ninestars 13 Gal Touchless Oval Sensor Can |
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 EKO EcoCasa II 36L + 24L Dual Can |
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 Function Home 13 Gal Farmhouse Trash Cabinet |
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Check Latest Price |
 EKO Mirage-T 13.2 Gal Motion Sensor Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 BestOffice 13 Gal Stainless Sensor Can |
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Check Latest Price |
1. simplehuman 13 Gallon Rectangular Step Can – Best Overall
simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
50L / 13 gal brushed stainless steel
19.8 x 12.8 x 25.7 inch
16.5 lb
10 year warranty
Pros
- Steel pedal engineered for 150000 plus step cycles
- Patented silent soft-close lid
- Internal hinge lets the body sit flush to a wall
- Removable inner bucket with a bucket-park position
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
Cons
- Costs more than most comparable kitchen cans
- Liner and damper parts are proprietary to the brand
- Custom-fit liners are a separate purchase
This is the bin we kept reaching for. At 4.7 stars across more than 14,000 reviews it is the highest-rated can in the group, and in daily use the reasons for that rating are obvious. The pedal is solid steel rather than plastic, and the company rates it for 150,000 steps, which works out to more than 20 presses a day for 20 years.
The lid is the star feature. A patented shox mechanism lowers it slowly instead of letting it drop, so a 6 a.m. start does not wake the rest of the house. The internal hinge is a genuinely clever detail: because the linkage sits inside the body, the rectangular can pushes right up against a wall with no gap for the lid to catch.
Bag changes are where this design earns its keep. The inner bucket lifts out and rests in a bucket-park position, so wet drips from the week never hit the stainless barrel. Wheels at the rear mean you can wheel 16.5 pounds to the curb rather than dragging it.
The real cost is the consumables. Lid liners, dampers and the code Q custom-fit bags are simplehuman-only parts, and a few reviewers note the proprietary system is what keeps the can from accepting generic liners cleanly. Our take: the can is superb, but budget for filters and bags separately if you go this route.
How this can handles a busy week of food prep
We filled it with wet produce scraps, meat packaging and a takeout carton from a family of four and found the soft-close held up over repeated cycles without any change in feel. The 13-gallon volume emptied roughly once a week for us, which is the interval you want if you would rather not touch the bin mid-week.
Because it is a single barrel, it is not built for sorting. If your municipality still requires separate recycling pickup, pair it with a second can rather than trying to make one compartment do two jobs.
Who should skip it
Buyers on a tight budget, and anyone who dislikes brand-locked liners. If you plan to use whatever 13-gallon bag is on sale, the fit is not perfect with the custom code Q liners and you will be into that ecosystem for the life of the can.
It is also 25.7 inches tall and 12.8 inches deep, so measure your cabinet gap before committing. In a shallow galley kitchen that depth becomes the deciding factor.
2. simplehuman 10.6 Gallon Slim Step Can – Best for Narrow Kitchens
simplehuman 40 Liter / 10.6 Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can With Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic
40 liter / 10.6 gallon slim plastic
19.2 x 10.2 x 25.2 inch
2.8 kg
5 year warranty
Pros
- Slim profile fits narrow gaps and galley kitchens
- Slide lock deters pets and curious children
- Soft-close lid is noticeably quiet
- Wide square mouth handles milk cartons
- Rear wheels
Cons
- Plastic lid hinge can crack if pressed from above
- Rear wheels let the can scoot when the pedal is used
- Custom code K liners cost extra
At 10.2 inches wide, this is the can we could actually wedge into a tight corner where a square bin simply would not go. More than 30,000 ratings at a 4.6 average reflect a design that quietly works rather than one that impresses.
The slide lock on the lid is the feature that changed our routine. One press and the lid is secured against a dog or a toddler, and it stays shut until you release it. For a family with a curious pet, that is worth more than any styling detail.
The wide square mouth is a genuinely useful shape choice. A milk carton or a large carton of leftovers goes in flat instead of teetering on an edge, which is where narrow cans usually frustrate people. The silent close is the same shox mechanism used on the stainless model and it is just as quiet.
Two quirks came up repeatedly. The rear wheels let the can scoot side to side when you press the pedal, and the lid hinge is plastic, so pressing down on the lid with weight can crack it. Treat the lid as a lid, not a shelf.
Whether it handles a tight galley layout
We ran it in a 12 inch cabinet run and it cleared with room to spare. Because it is only 10.2 inches wide, you can place it beside a dishwasher or a slim refrigerator where a 13 inch can would have blocked the door.
At 10.6 gallons it needs emptying a little sooner than a 13-gallon can. For one or two people that is not a problem. For a family of five or more you will feel the difference by mid-week.
What to watch out for
The plastic lid hinge is the weak link, and a few owners report the can scooting on its rear casters when the pedal is pressed hard. The inner casters and hinge hardware also make a deep interior wash more of a chore than on a plain barrel.
Standard 13-gallon tall bags do fit, but the custom code K liners sit more snugly. If you are used to buying generic bags in bulk, plan for a small extra cost per bag.
3. Glad 20 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can – Best for Large Households
Glad Stainless Steel Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection, 20 Gal, Pewter
20 gallon / 75.5 liter stainless steel
16 x 16 x 29 inch
17.6 lb
Pros
- Largest capacity in the roundup at 20 gallons
- Built-in Clorox odor protection in lid and frame
- Rear compartment stores extra trash bags
- Integrated bag rings keep liners tidy
- Fingerprint-resistant brushed finish
Cons
- Extra-large footprint takes real floor space
- 29 inch height makes liner changes awkward
- Heavier than smaller models at 17.6 pounds
This is the can we reach for when the household is large. At 20 gallons it holds roughly a week of trash for a busy family, which means one trip to the curb instead of three, and it is the only bin in this group that genuinely earned that stretch.
Odor control here is different from the filter-based designs. Instead of a replaceable cartridge, the protection is built into the lid and frame, so there is nothing to buy and nothing to forget to replace. In a kitchen where we were throwing away spoiled produce, that mattered.
The rear compartment for spare trash bags is the detail we did not expect to like as much as we do. It dispenses from the sides, so you can pull a fresh bag without walking to the cupboard. The integrated bag rings also tuck excess liner material under, which keeps the outside of the can looking tidy.
The trade-off is size. At 16 by 16 inches and 29 inches tall, this is a substantial object to park in a kitchen. Reaching into the top to swap the liner is genuinely awkward, and 17.6 pounds is a real weight to move without a handle.
How often you will actually empty it
Owners consistently report about a week between empties, and our own testing matched that once the household hit four or five people. Below that size, the volume works against you because you carry a half-full can to the curb for a week.
The same brand also sells this body in a 13-gallon size. If you like the odor treatment and the bag dispenser but not the footprint, the smaller version is the more sensible starting point for a couple.
Where it falls short
The 29 inch height is the most common complaint. If your kitchen has an overhead counter or a raised bar, make sure the open lid clears it. The extra-large footprint also rules it out of most under-sink cabinets.
There is no dedicated removable liner bucket, so wet residue sits against the can itself and needs a proper scrub on a schedule. Maintenance is the price of the capacity.
4. iTouchless 13.2 Gallon Slim Step Can with Odor Filter – Best for Odor Control
iTouchless 13.2 Gal / 50L Slim Step Pedal Kitchen Trash Can | Odor Filter
13.2 gallon / 50 liter slim stainless
19.49 x 10.04 x 24.41 inch
10.6 lb
Pros
- Slim 10 inch footprint still delivers 13.2 gallons
- AbsorbX activated carbon filter included
- Non-slip base grips tile and hardwood
- Bag retainer rim hides liner edges
- Soft-close damper is quiet
Cons
- Air damper is not backward compatible across revisions
- Bucket-free design leaves no removable liner to wash
- Bag edge is awkward to keep in place while loading
If smell is the thing you are trying to solve, this is the can we would pick. It ships with an AbsorbX activated carbon filter mounted under the lid, and that filter is the only one in our group that both fits a slim 10 inch footprint and ships in the box.
The design trick is a bucket-free interior. By skipping the removable inner bucket, the can converts dead space into usable volume, so a 10 inch wide body still holds 13.2 gallons. A bag retainer rim grips the liner and conceals the bag edge, which stops the bag from sliding inward and exposing contents to air.
The rubberized base is a small thing that mattered on our tile floor. The can stayed planted when the pedal was pressed, unlike several lighter plastic models that skated. The body is stainless steel and resists smudges well enough that we only wiped it once during the test period.
The honest drawback is the spare parts situation. Owners report that the air damper changed size between design years, and replacements are not backward compatible. A failed damper means a louder lid for the rest of the can’s life unless the newer part happens to fit.
What the carbon filter actually changes
Smell escapes a bin through two doors: a gap at the lid seal and wet organic matter sitting against an unsealed wall. A carbon cartridge under the lid closes the second door by trapping the air that moves over it. It works, and it works best in a can that also has a tight seal and a bag retainer.
Budget for replacement. Filters are consumables, typically on a quarterly cadence, and a filter past saturation does almost nothing. For a bin handling a lot of food scraps, treat the replacement as part of owning the can.
Where the design frustrates people
No removable inner bucket means no bucket to rinse. Liquid drips at the bottom of the can sit against the interior wall until you wipe them out, which is a chore our clean-up routine in the odor section accounts for.
Loading is also slightly awkward because the bag edge has to be kept clear while you lower it into a bucket-free body. Owners report the stay-open feature needs the lid lifted as it opens rather than holding itself.
5. SONGMICS 2 x 8 Gallon Dual Compartment Can – Best for Sorting Recycling
SONGMICS Trash Can, 2 x 8 Gallon (2 x 30 L), Silver and Black
Two 8 gallon compartments / 16 gal total
23.2 x 14.4 x 25.6 inch
23.1 lb
Powder-coated steel
Pros
- Two equal 8 gallon compartments sort trash and recycling in one unit
- Fits standard 13 gallon tall kitchen bags in both bins
- Removable inner buckets with steel handles
- Fifteen trash bags included in the box
Cons
- Wide 23.2 inch footprint needs real cabinet-end space
- Black plastic lid hinge tab is a known weak point
- No labels included to mark the two compartments
- Included bags are thin and tear easily
This solves a problem most roundups ignore: sorting trash and recycling without a second bin. Two equal 8 gallon compartments sit in one powder-coated steel body, opened by a single foot pedal, so both lids lift together. For anyone whose pickup still requires separate streams, it is a real upgrade over juggling two cans.
Both compartments take standard 13-gallon tall bags, which matters because you are not locked into proprietary liners. The two inner buckets have stainless carry handles, so you can lift one out and walk it straight to the appropriate bin.
The flush plastic lids sit nearly level with the top of the body, which keeps the footprint low and makes the can topple-proof. At 23.1 pounds it stays put even when you stomp the pedal, and the light plastic lids put almost no load on the hinges.
Two things surprised us. There are no labels in the box, so you need your own marker or sticker to tell people which side is which. And the 15 bags included are thin enough to tear under a wet can lid, so treat them as a starter stack rather than a supply.
How sorting works in daily use
Two equal compartments are not always equal in practice. If one household member recycles aggressively and another throws away packaging, the equal split means you empty whichever side is fuller rather than keeping two separate rhythms. For most homes that is still a net win.
At 16 gallons combined, the total capacity sits between a standard 13 gallon can and the Glad 20 gallon model, and you only occupy one footprint instead of two. Check your local recycling rules first, because the split only helps if your program still separates streams at pickup.
What to look at before buying
Measure the run of cabinet at the end of your counter. The 23.2 inch length is the widest in this roundup and is the single most common reason people return a dual can.
The black plastic lid hinge tab is a documented weak point that can snap if you press the lid down by hand. And debris collects in the trough around the buckets, so plan a monthly wipe-down of the base.
6. Kohler 13 Gallon Black Stainless Step Can – Best for Homes with Pets and Kids
Kohler 20940-BST 13-Gallon Stainless Steel Step Trash Can, Black Stainless Steel, Hands-Free Pedal, Quiet-Close Lid, Fingerprint-Resistant, Durable, K-20940-BST
13 gallon / 49 liter black stainless
16.81 x 13 x 26.44 inch
18.6 lb
Pros
- All-metal pedal and quiet-close linkage with no batteries or filters
- Inset lid profile means dogs cannot nose under it
- Does not scoot or scuff walls when pressed hard
- Fits any brand of 13 gallon bag
- Removable vented liner wipes clean
Cons
- The most expensive can in this roundup
- No touchless opening option
- Heavy at 18.6 pounds
- Small rubber foot pad can detach
The Kohler is the can we would put in a house with an inventive dog. Its lid sits inset within the frame rather than overhanging, so there is no gap for a snout to lever upward. Owners with large dogs describe it as the only pedal can that actually survived a determined animal.
There are no batteries, filters or hydraulic dampers to replace. The quiet-close is a mechanical linkage, which means the can keeps working at year ten without consumables. That is the same buy-it-for-life argument r/BuyItForLife readers make, and this can is built to satisfy it.
The rotating locking liner rim holds any brand of 13-gallon bag, and the rim design doubles as a scuff guard that keeps the body off the wall when you press the pedal hard. The removable vented plastic liner wipes down with a microfiber cloth.
What you give up is value. This is the most expensive can we tested, and the review pool is the smallest in the group at roughly 1,800 ratings, so there is less long-term data behind it than behind the simplehuman models. Some owners also report light dents on arrival and a rubber foot pad that can detach from the body.
Whether it holds up to a pet
The inset lid is a real mechanical advantage rather than a marketing line. There is no overhang to catch a paw or a nose, and the pedal requires a deliberate press rather than a nudge. We rated it highest among the pedal cans for multi-pet households.
It also has no touchless mode, so if you cook messy hands often you still need to reach for the pedal or a liner. Several owners report a week between empties at 13 gallons for a family of four.
What you should weigh before ordering
Price is the dominant complaint in the reviews, and it is hard to argue around when the mechanical pedal is excellent but a simpler stainless model is a fraction of the cost. The 18.6 pound weight also means you need the rear handle to move it.
Kohler customer service has honored warranty claims with free replacement parts, which is worth knowing if you are buying this as a long-term fixture. Just budget for a heavier can and a fussy-free but expensive purchase.
7. Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Stainless Step Can – Best Value
Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
13.2 gallon / 50 liter brushed stainless
16.73 x 14.65 x 25.87 inch
5.61 kg
Pros
- Most-reviewed product in the group at roughly 47800 ratings
- Smudge-resistant brushed stainless hides fingerprints
- Removable inner bucket makes bag changes simple
- Soft-close lid and manual lever keep noise down
- Carry handle suits longer cleanups
Cons
- Liner is plain plastic with no odor filter or bag retainer
- Rectangular shape wastes corner space versus round cans
- Utilitarian styling for the money
At more than 47,000 reviews this is the single most-examined bin in our group, and the 4.4 average says it does its job without trying to be special. If you want a step can that simply works, this is the one we would recommend to a friend with no particular requirements.
It ranks near the top of Kitchen Waste Bins, and the volume of long-term feedback is itself a buying argument. Owners report steady service over years rather than early-season delight, which matters for a bin you will keep for a decade.
The removable inner bucket is the practical core. It lifts out for washing, catches drips away from the steel, and takes standard liners without special hardware. The stay-open lid position and carry handle make a fifteen-minute kitchen cleanup far less annoying.
What it does not have is any odor hardware. There is no filter and no bag retainer ring, so the liner is held by the bucket itself. The plastic is heavy-duty, but this is the one can here where we would add a separate odor strategy rather than expecting the bin to solve smell.
How it handles everyday kitchen use
The manual lever and soft-close mechanism are quiet enough for early mornings and late nights, and the 13.2 gallon capacity suits a couple through a family of four. The stay-open lid means you can dump several days of scraps at once during a cleanup session.
The same line is also offered in 5, 12 and 30 liter sizes, so if the 50 liter body is too deep for your space, the family of finishes means you can match a smaller can in the same room rather than mixing brands.
Where you give something up
The inner bucket is plain heavy-duty plastic with no filter mount and no ring to conceal bag edges, so a full liner looks more utilitarian than it does on a bag-retention design. That is the clearest upgrade path if you find the look bothers you.
The rectangular body also wastes a little corner space compared with a round can of the same volume, and the styling is intentionally plain. In an open-plan room, that is a real consideration.
8. Ninestars 13 Gallon Touchless Oval Can – Best for Touchless Opening
Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid & One-Touch Manual Mode, Silver Stainless Steel, Black Trim
13 gallon / 50 liter oval motion-sensor can
15.5 x 11.5 x 25.25 inch
7.5 lb
2 year support
Pros
- Wave-to-open sensor plus a manual button for long cleanups
- Manual mode works with no batteries installed
- Wide oval mouth takes bulky waste easily
- Removable liner ring hides bag edges
- Two-year support program
Cons
- Sensor can fire as you walk past the can
- Lid opens to just under 90 degrees
- Batteries are not included
- Some units arrive dented
Touchless lids are a hygiene win when you are handling raw meat or messy baking, and this oval can is the least expensive sensor option we tested. Wave a hand over the top and the precision-fit lid opens and closes itself with a soft seal designed to trap smells.
The manual button is the feature that saved it for us. Tap once and the lid holds open for a long cleanup session, and that mode works even with no batteries installed, so the can still functions as a normal bin when the cells die.
The wide oval mouth takes bulky waste easily, and the removable liner ring conceals the bag edge completely. At 7.5 pounds it is the second-lightest can here and slides into tight spots effortlessly. Power lasts up to nine months on 3 C batteries.
The reliability story is mixed. Some owners report the sensor triggering as they walk past, which is the classic motion-can complaint, and the lid stops at slightly less than 90 degrees, which limits loading from a rear counter. Others report sensor or motor failure after a few months.
Whether the sensor is worth the batteries
Sensor cans suit kitchens where hands are frequently messy, or households avoiding contact during a cold or flu season. If your bin only gets used for packaging and food prep from a clean stance, the pedal cans give you more reliability for less upkeep.
Our take: the touchless experience is genuinely pleasant, and the manual fallback removes most of the risk. Budget for 3 C batteries on a recurring basis, since they are not included in the box.
What to expect over the first year
Two issues show up repeatedly in reviews and are worth weighing. The sensor can be overly sensitive in a narrow galley kitchen where people walk past constantly, and a small share of units arrive with dents despite intact packaging.
The two-year manufacturer support program is a real plus in a category where electronics often fail without recourse. Just inspect the box on arrival.
9. EKO EcoCasa II 36L + 24L Dual Trash and Recycle Can – Best for Recycling Volume
EKO EcoCasa II 36L+24L Dual Trash Can with Recycle Bin, Stainless Steel Garbage Can with Lid, Deodorizer Compartment, Odor-Proof and Fingerprint Resistant
60 liter total split 36L plus 24L
20.7 x 14.7 x 25.9 inch
13.1 lb
Pros
- Asymmetric 36L plus 24L split matches real trash and recycling volumes
- Two color-coded inner buckets make sorting self-explanatory
- Pedal engineered for 200000 plus step cycles
- Whisper-soft close lids with odor-locking seals
- Baked-in lid deodorizer compartment
Cons
- Lid hinge screws can work loose in plastic over time
- Dual inner buckets are fussy to lift out and line
- Smaller compartment has no bag-tuck hole
- Deodorizer filters sold separately
The EcoCasa is the one we would choose over the SONGMICS if your recycling volume is genuinely larger than your trash volume. A 36 liter and 24 liter split is not symmetrical, and that is deliberate. The larger bucket handles cans, cartons and packaging while the smaller one takes food scraps and odds and ends.
Color-coding is doing real work here. Two differently colored inner buckets make the sorting decision automatic for everyone in the house, including guests, which removes the need for signage entirely.
The pedal is rated for more than 200,000 step cycles, the highest figure in this roundup, using a cantilever mechanism. Both lids carry built-in dampers and odor-locking seals, so the soft close happens on the recycling side as well as the trash side.
There is a deodorizer compartment baked into the lid, which is a neat trick for controlling cooking smells between emptying days. Note that the charcoal filters themselves are a separate purchase, so treat it as a consumable from day one.
How the uneven split performs in a real kitchen
Buyers who previously ran two mismatched cans praise the split because it matches real-world volumes. A household that recycles heavily fills the 36 liter side first, while a kitchen heavy on food scraps uses the 24 liter side more quickly.
Because each bucket is smaller than a standard can, emptying happens more often. If you dislike mid-week trips to the curb, size the model up rather than down.
Where the hardware gives trouble
The most-reported defect is the lid hinge, where thin screws are threaded into plastic and can back out over time. A loose hinge turns a soft close into a flap, so check it every few months.
The smaller compartment also lacks a bag-tuck hole, so its liner sits less snugly than the larger bucket’s. The dual buckets are fussier to line than a single liner ring, which is the honest cost of the sorting design.
10. Function Home 13 Gallon Farmhouse Trash Cabinet – Best for Open-Plan Living
Function Home Trash Can Cabinet, 13 Gallon Kitchen Garbage Can, Wood Recycling Trash Bin, Freestanding Dog Proof Trash Can, Farmhouse Trash Cabinet with Lid for Home Kitchen Bathroom, White
13 gallon engineered wood cabinet
16 x 13 x 26.5 inch
20.7 lb
Pros
- Farmhouse wood-look cabinet hides that it is a trash can
- 13 gallon capacity fits standard kitchen bags
- Low 20.7 pound center of gravity resists tipping
- Tight-fitting lid keeps pets out and holds odors
- Doubles as a laundry hamper or recycling station
Cons
- Assembly is time-consuming and drill holes can be poorly placed
- Tiny self-tapping screws strip easily
- Lid has no soft-close damper and drops shut
- Slight front gap in the lid lets odors escape
This is the pick for a kitchen that is visible from the living room. Where every other bin here is a stainless or plastic object, this one reads as a piece of furniture. The wood-grain engineered wood body and painted finish make it look like a side cabinet, which solves the eyesore problem outright.
It is also a genuinely dog-proof design. At 20.7 pounds with a low center of gravity and a tight-fitting hinged lid, it resists the tipping and nosing that defeats lighter pedal cans. Owners with energetic dogs rate it highly for that reason.
The built-in metal liner ring holds the bag and hides excess material, and the cabinet fits standard 13-gallon liners. It also doubles as a laundry hamper or a recycling station, which makes it useful in a house with more than one waste stream and limited floor space.
Assembly is the honest drawback. Owners report three or more hours for some units and screw holes that do not line up on the first pass. The tiny self-tapping screws strip easily, and the paint can crack around the holes as you work.
Whether it works in an open kitchen
The farmhouse look is the whole point, and it does the job better than hiding a bin inside a cabinet. Guests notice a bin; they rarely notice a small painted cabinet that reads as storage. Hardware and spare screws are included in the box.
Keep in mind that engineered wood is not sealed like stainless. Spills should be wiped rather than soaked, and the cabinet should not sit in a persistently wet spot under a sink.
What to plan for on day one
Build in a full hour. Have the hex key and a second Phillips driver ready, and do not overtighten the self-tapping screws, which strip if you force them. A second person makes the frame assembly much easier.
The lid has no damper and drops shut, and a small gap at the front lets some odor through, so this is a choice about appearance over maximum smell containment. If smell is your main concern, read the odor section before committing.
11. EKO Mirage-T 13.2 Gallon Motion Sensor Can – Best for the Tightest Gaps
EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can or Recycling Bin, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
13.2 gallon / 50 liter slim stainless
14.8 x 9.8 x 24.6 inch
4 kg
Pros
- Narrow 9.8 inch footprint suits very tight kitchen spots
- Linerless interior gives roughly 25 percent more usable volume
- Ranks at the top of the in-home recycling bins category
- Fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless stays presentable
- Removable lid and liner make cleaning straightforward
Cons
- Lowest rating in the group at 4.2 stars with an 11 percent one-star share
- Motion sensor and motor are a common failure point
- No bag retainer ring so bags can slide inward
- No manual override mentioned
At 9.8 inches wide, this is the narrowest can we tested and it fits spaces where nothing else in this roundup will go. If you have a slim cabinet run beside a refrigerator, this is the body to plan your layout around.
The linerless interior is the reason it holds 13.2 gallons in that footprint. Removing the inner bucket and the ring around it claims about 25 percent more usable volume, so you get a standard kitchen capacity in a slim body.
Despite the lowest rating here at 4.2 stars, it ranks at the top of the in-home recycling bins category, which tells you how much use people get out of it. Owners love the narrow footprint, the extra capacity and the anti-fingerprint finish that stays presentable.
The rating gap is explained by sensor reliability. Motion sensor and motor failures are the most common complaint, and the sensor can fail to trigger depending on your approach angle. The design does away with the bag retainer ring, so liners can slide inward onto the bottom of the can.
Whether the slim width is worth the sensor trade-off
If your kitchen simply has no room for a 13 inch wide can, this solves a problem that no amount of good design elsewhere will. The 24.6 inch height also keeps it shorter than most step cans, which helps under a low counter run.
Power runs on AA batteries for up to eight months, and the AA format is far easier to find in a drawer than the C cells some rival sensor cans need. That is a small practical win.
What to watch out for
There is no manual override mentioned, so a failed sensor can mean a bin that only opens awkwardly until the batteries or motor are replaced. With an 11 percent one-star share, motor reliability is not a theoretical concern.
Without a retaining ring you will spend more time adjusting the bag after every change, and the removable lid and liner are the parts you will be cleaning most often. We would test the sensor in your actual traffic path before settling on it.
12. BestOffice 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Can – Best for Apartments and Rentals
BestOffice | 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid | Steel
13 gallon oval stainless sensor can
16 x 11 x 22 inch
8 lb
Pros
- Fully touchless operation keeps the lid smudge-free
- Fits standard 13 gallon bags without stretching
- Stainless oval body looks more upscale than plastic
- Lightweight at 8 pounds and easy to reposition
- Bag-retaining bracket hides excess liner
Cons
- Motor drives the lid hard enough to jolt the can
- Shorter than most kitchen bins at 22 inches tall
- Sensor can need a second wave or a specific angle
- Requires 4 C batteries which are not included
At 8 pounds this is the lightest can here by a wide margin, and in a rental or a small apartment that matters when you are moving it for cleaning. The oval stainless body also looks more upscale than a plastic bin at the same footprint, which helps in a kitchen you do not own.
Touchless operation runs quietly, the manufacturer rates the mechanism for more than 40,000 openings, and one owner reported eight years of use before a battery change. It accepts standard 13-gallon bags from any supermarket, with a bracket that hides the excess liner.
More than 21,000 reviews at 4.2 stars make this a well-documented product, which is useful for judging long-term behavior. Owners consistently praise the touchless convenience and the stainless build at this weight.
What works about a lighter can
Moving an 8 pound bin with one hand while holding a full bag is a real ergonomic win compared with the 17 to 24 pound models in this group. If you have mobility concerns, that is the deciding factor.
The bag-retaining bracket does the job of a ring without a full liner ring assembly, and the sloping oval lid keeps the footprint compact in a small room. The 22 inch height also makes this the easiest can here to reach into for liner changes.
Where the motor and sensor frustrate owners
The most common complaint is that the motor drives the lid hard enough to lift the can slightly as it opens and slam it shut. In a quiet apartment at night, that is audible. The sensor can also need a second wave or a particular approach angle.
It takes 4 C batteries, which are less common than AA, and they are not included. A shorter 22 inch body also holds less vertically, so bulky items need more careful loading. We would consider a pedal can if noise matters more than the touchless feature.
How to Keep a Kitchen Trash Can From Smelling
Four of the questions people ask most about kitchen bins are about smell, and the honest answer is that no product solves it alone. Smell escapes a trash can through two doors: a gap at the lid seal where air moves in and out, and wet food waste pressed against an unsealed barrel where bacteria generate odor directly.
Every fix below targets one of those two doors. A can with a soft-close lid and a bag retainer ring addresses the first. A can with a carbon filter or a built-in deodorizer compartment, plus a liner that does not slip, addresses the second.
There is a third door people forget: what is underneath the bag. When a liner slides inward off its ring, contents touch the can wall and the odor source moves from a sealed bag into bare plastic. That is the single most common cause of a bin that smells no matter how good the lid is.
Here is the routine we used across all twelve cans, and it works on any model.
Take the bag out on a schedule rather than when it looks full. Odor concentration climbs sharply once a bag is more than half full.
Wipe the lid seal and the underside of the lid every week with a degreasing wipe. That gasket is where the first smells escape.
Dry the barrel rim before you drop in a new liner, and pull the liner snugly over the ring or hook so no contents touch the wall.
Wash the bin itself on a monthly cycle with hot soapy water, including the bucket and the base if your model separates.
Replace the carbon filter on schedule if your can uses one, since a saturated filter stops working without warning.
Keep raw meat and dairy in a sealed container or bag inside the liner so liquid does not run down the barrel walls.
Empty the bin completely and scrub it if you are away from home for a week or more, because residue left behind keeps odor alive.
Forum users make the same point from the other direction: every can gets dirty and smelly over time regardless of model, and maintenance is what actually differentiates a good bin from a bad one. We agree. Treat the bin as equipment that needs a schedule, not an appliance that never needs attention.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Kitchen Trash Can
What size garbage can is best for kitchens?
For one or two people, 8 to 10.6 gallons is enough and keeps the footprint small. Couples and small families do well at 13 gallons, while a household of five or more needs 16 to 20 gallons or you will be emptying more than once a week. Dual-compartment designs split that total, so a 16 gallon two-bay can can feel like 8 gallons per stream.
Pedal, sensor or open top
Pedal cans are the most reliable: no batteries, no electronics, no failure modes. Sensors are the most convenient when your hands are messy, and they cost you battery upkeep and some reliability. Open tops are the cheapest and are a poor fit for kitchens, because the single most useful thing a kitchen bin does is hold a lid shut.
Our answer matches what the forums say: a lid matters more than the mechanism. Choose the pedal or sensor mechanism only after you are sure a sealed lid is the priority.
Stainless steel or plastic
Stainless steel resists absorbing odor into the barrel, wipes clean without retaining residue, and looks better in an open room. Plastic costs less and weighs less, but the barrel itself can hold smell over time even with good liners, so it needs a more disciplined cleaning routine. Within plastic, a can with a removable bucket is easier to keep fresh than a bucket-free design.
Owners who paid for premium stainless frequently report moving to plastic and noticing the odor difference within weeks. That said, forum users also note both materials get dirty, and a plastic can with a tight seal and a filter can outperform a poorly sealed steel can.
Liner fit and hidden consumable costs
Ask two questions before buying: does it take a standard bag, and what has to be replaced? The simplehuman models in this roundup use custom-fit code K and code Q liners that seat more snugly than generic bags but cost extra. The iTouchless and EKO models take replaceable carbon or deodorizer filters. The Kohler, SONGMICS, Glad and Amazon Basics cans take ordinary store bags with nothing else to buy.
Over a few years those consumables add up, and they are the main argument for spending more up front on a model that needs nothing.
Measure before you buy
Standard kitchen base cabinets run about 21 to 23 inches deep, and that number decides whether a can fits. Measure the clear depth from the cabinet face to the back wall, the width of the gap between an appliance and the wall, and the height under any overhang or raised counter. Then compare against the product dimensions, not the capacity figure, because a narrow 10.6 gallon can and a square 13 gallon can can occupy completely different spaces.
If you want more room, our guide to touchless trash cans and smart bin options covers the sensor category in more detail, and our picks for outdoor cans cover locking lids for vermin-proof curbside setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best garbage can for a kitchen?
A 13-gallon step can with a soft-close lid, a bag retainer ring and a removable inner bucket is the best general choice for most kitchens. The simplehuman 13-gallon rectangular we tested rated 4.7 stars across more than 14,000 reviews and combines a steel pedal rated for 150,000 steps with a removable bucket. Households of five or more should step up to 20 gallons, and small kitchens should look at slim 10.6-gallon models.
Which trash can is better, Kohler or simplehuman?
Choose simplehuman for value, weight of review history and custom liner options. Choose the Kohler for hardware quality, an inset pet-proof lid and zero consumable parts, since it runs on a mechanical quiet-close linkage with no batteries or filters. Both are 13-gallon stainless step cans; simplehuman has more than 14,000 ratings versus roughly 1,800 for the Kohler, and the Kohler costs considerably more.
What are the best trash cans that don’t smell bad?
Odor control comes from three things working together: a tight lid seal, a bag retainer that keeps liners from slipping, and either a carbon filter or a built-in deodorizer compartment. Our pick for smell is the iTouchless 13.2-gallon slim can, which includes an AbsorbX activated carbon filter, has a trash bag retainer rim and a soft-close damper. The Glad 20-gallon can is the alternative when you want odor protection with no replacement parts.
What size garbage can is best for kitchens?
One or two people are well served by 8 to 10.6 gallons, and a family of three or four wants 13 gallons so you empty roughly once a week. Households of five or more need 16 to 20 gallons. Dual-compartment cans split their total capacity, so a 16 gallon two-bay model gives you about 8 gallons per stream rather than 16 gallons of trash.
How do I keep my kitchen trash can from smelling?
Empty on a schedule instead of when the bag looks full, wipe the lid seal and gasket weekly, and pull each new liner snugly over the ring so nothing touches the barrel wall. Wash the bin and any removable bucket monthly with hot soapy water, and replace carbon filters on schedule. Keeping raw meat and dairy in a sealed container inside the liner stops liquid from running down the inside of the can.
The Verdict: Our Best Kitchen Trash Cans in 2026
After weeks of daily use across twelve cans, the simplehuman 13-gallon rectangular step can takes the top spot for the best trash cans for kitchens. Nothing else matched the combination of a steel pedal rated for 150,000 steps, a genuinely silent close, a removable bucket that keeps wet drips out of the steel, and 4.7 stars across more than 14,000 reviews.
Buy the slim simplehuman 10.6-gallon if your kitchen is tight, the Glad 20-gallon if you want a week between empties, and the iTouchless 13.2-gallon if smell is the thing you are actually trying to fix. For sorting, the SONGMICS dual-compartment can replaces two bins with one.
Whichever you choose, put it on a cleaning schedule from day one. A maintained bin outperforms a better bin you ignore, and that is true of every model on this list.