Best Kitchen Trash Cans

simplehuman makes the best trash can available, and the 45L rectangular step can is their flagship kitchen model. The lid closes with a damped, silent motion rather than slamming — a quality detail that distinguishes it from every competitor at first use. The inner bucket lifts out for liner changes without lifting the entire can. A built-in liner pocket in the inner bucket holds a roll of custom liners, so you always have one accessible during a bag change.

The steel pedal activates a spring-loaded lid that opens wide enough to throw in a full produce bag without touching the rim. The lid seal is tight enough to substantially contain kitchen odors between taking out the trash. The stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints and cleans with a damp cloth. simplehuman backs their products with a 10-year warranty — the most durable trash can you'll ever buy at a price that's high but not unreasonable given the lifespan.

A touchless sensor trash can is genuinely useful in a kitchen where your hands are consistently covered in food prep mess. The iTouchless sensor activates within 0.2 seconds of detecting motion within 7 inches, opens fully, and automatically closes after 3 seconds of no motion. The lid never needs to be manually opened during cooking — which means less cross-contamination and easier cleanup.

The AbsorbX odor filter in the interior absorbs food odors using activated carbon — longer-lasting odor control than a closed lid alone. The 13-gallon capacity fits standard 13-gallon kitchen bags (the most common grocery store size). Runs on batteries (4 AA, not included) or an AC adapter. The stainless exterior coordinates with most kitchen appliances. For households that cook frequently and hate touching a trash can lid mid-prep, this pays for itself in convenience.

The Rubbermaid Step-On is the best budget kitchen trash can — at $18, it outperforms competitors at twice the price on the basics. The step mechanism is smooth and durable, the lid opens quietly (a rarity at this price), and the inner bucket with handles makes bag changes clean and easy. The plastic construction is lighter than stainless options but equally durable for normal kitchen use.

The 13-gallon capacity fits standard kitchen bags perfectly. The foot pedal has a wide surface that's easy to operate barefoot. The built-in handle on the outer can allows easy relocation for floor cleaning. For anyone setting up a first kitchen who needs a functional trash can without spending much, the Rubbermaid is the sensible choice — it's in millions of kitchens for good reason.

Slim trash cans solve a specific problem: galley kitchens and small apartments where a standard 13-gallon round can takes up floor space that doesn't exist. The GLAD slim can is only 7 inches wide — it tucks between a cabinet and the refrigerator, under a counter overhang, or in any narrow gap that a round can couldn't fit. The 20L capacity is smaller than standard kitchen cans but adequate for one- or two-person households who take out trash frequently.

The step pedal mechanism is smooth and the stainless steel exterior looks clean in any kitchen. The inner bucket slides out for liner changes. The slim profile means standard 8-gallon bags rather than 13-gallon, but those are widely available and cheaper per bag. For small kitchen footprints, the GLAD slim is the most space-efficient design in this roundup.

For households that generate more trash or want to reduce bag-changing frequency, the 50-liter capacity can significantly extends the time between taking out the trash. The Amazon Basics 50L fits standard 13-gallon bags with room to spare, or use a 20-gallon bag for the full capacity. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior stays clean-looking with minimal wiping.

The step pedal and swing-lid design are standard kitchen can fare, executed reliably. The plastic lid inner liner contains odors between bag changes. At $38 for a 50L stainless can, the price-per-liter is lower than any other stainless option in this roundup. For larger apartments, shared living situations, and anyone who cooks daily, the larger capacity is worth the larger footprint.