Best Trash Cans
Let’s talk trash. And how the options available in today’s market have refined the design and added features that show just how well these once utilitarian eyesores have transitioned into functional statement pieces. Their clean lines and slim profile work seamlessly with today’s modern kitchen aesthetic and offer features that range from smudge-resistant finishes to odor elimination, and even soft-close lids.
What Are the Benefits to a Well-Designed Trash Can?
Manufacturers recognize that although those tiny, interior-cupboard-door mounted units are nowhere near sufficient to take on the household waste of a busy family, that consumers still appreciate discretion when it comes to our waste receptacles. And because bins are now front and center in our kitchens, bathrooms, and office spaces, we see enhanced design features and finishes, as well as a host of ease-of-use features that may just convince you that it’s time to revisit how you dispose of your household waste.
What to Look for When Buying a Trash Can
Convenience
From an ease-of-care standpoint, one of the most popular finishes is brushed stainless-steel because it not only looks great but typically delivers a smudge-free finish that makes it an ideal material for high traffic areas such as kitchens or playrooms. You’ll also find many designs offer a slow-close feature to eliminate the clanging noise of constant use, as well as stay-open lids that won’t keep snapping shut as you add more garbage. And one of the most appreciated features has to be the introduction of truly effective odor absorption systems that prevent stale garbage smells from taking over your kitchen or bathroom.
Size and Capacity
Even today’s larger 50- or 60-liter capacity bins have adapted the slim-line styling that can tuck neatly beside cabinets or appliances and comfortably fit into most family kitchens. But when it comes to which is best for your home, it depends on the room, the number of people in your household, and your trash generation versus recycling. As a rule of thumb, a bathroom will require a trash can of approximately 4 gallons/15-liters, an office around 8 to 10 gallons/30-liters and a kitchen will be closer to 14 to16 gallons/60-liters. And if you’re a family of more than four, you can almost double these capacities.
Top 6 Trash Cans
SANIWISE 50-Liter/13.2-Gallon Polished Stainless-Steel Trash Can with Motion-Activated Lid
Best for Large Families
Garbage happens and for busy families, we all know how quickly it can take over your kitchen space. That’s why this generously sized, 50-liter trash can is about to make life a little saner and a whole lot neater. Not only does this streamlined, polished stainless-steel unit feature a smudge-proof finish – perfect for homes with kids, pets, and sticky fingers – but it also includes a battery-operated Utomatic sensor. Motion-activated, it opens with the wave of a hand and together with the soft-close top, you can say goodbye to bulky pedals and clanging lids. If the batteries die or you simply prefer to go “old school” this unit features a manual option that lets you open or close the lid with just a press of a button. A super-handy securing system locks your bin bags neatly into place for an always clean, tidy presentation.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
The motion sensor features of this large-capacity garbage receptacle make it ideal for families with young kids, where the no-touch feature helps to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria to tiny fingers. The no-touch feature eliminates the need to use a pedal, and makes waste disposal a neat, clean process.
Pros:
- Large, 50-liter capacity
- Utomatic motion-activated sensor
- Smudge-proof stainless-steel finish
- Manual stay-open/close option
Cons:
- Requires batteries
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 50 liter/13.2 gallons
Dimensions: 24.8-inches high, 15-inches wide, 10.2-inches deep
Finish: Polished stainless steel
Amazon Basics 30-liter/7.9-gallon Satin Stainless-Steel Finish Trash Can with Stay-Open Lid and Non-Slide Rubber Feet
Best for Small Footprints
With today’s smaller kitchens – whether a condo, cottage, or even an RV – storage is always at a premium and that includes floorspace. So, no surprise that if you really can’t do without a larger capacity trash can, it can be tough to find one that not only takes up a minimal footprint but also looks great. Until now. Constructed from fingerprint-proof brushed stainless steel, this smart-looking, 30-liter unit features a soft-close lid that not only alleviates the constant clang that can be typical when bins are in use but helps extend the life of this receptacle. The slim, rectangular design tucks neatly against cabinets or walls for a highly functional, yet unobtrusive kitchen essential. And with the hard-wearing steel foot pedal, a stay-open lid, and a heavy-duty plastic liner, removing that full garbage bag is now a quick, tidy, struggle-free process.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
When space is at a premium, but you still need a larger capacity garbage bin, this slim-line rectangular unit takes up a minimal footprint and is a great-looking option.
Pros:
- Fingerprint-proof stainless-steel finish
- Soft-close/stay-open lid
- Slim-line rectangular shape
- Non-slip rubber feet
Cons:
- Not sized for large family use
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 30 liter/7.9 gallons
Dimensions: 25-inches high, 13.8-inches wide, 11.8-inches deep
Finish: Brushed stainless steel
GLAD 50-liter/13.2-gallon Heavy-Duty Plastic Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection
Best for Easy Bag Replacement
When aesthetics are less important to you and your family than having a large capacity trash can that offers odor protection and a hands-free operation, then this hard-wearing plastic receptacle is exactly what you’re looking for. Despite its practical, heavy-duty construction, this 50-liter bin doesn’t sacrifice design for function and offers clean lines, a neutral color tone, and a neatly recessed foot pedal. And because its uniquely designed, hinged bag frame secures unsightly trash liners, then folds down to tuck them out of sight, your unit looks neat and tidy at all times. Best of all, the manufacturers have incorporated Clorox’s powerful antimicrobial protection on the high-touch areas including lid and lid frame to inhibit bacteria growth, keep stale odors at bay, and make this trash can a great, safe choice for use in any kitchen or public area.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
When practicality rules, this large capacity trash can deliver an easy maintenance finish, recessed bin bag holder, as well as antimicrobial treatment to curb odors and make it both a functional and welcome addition to your kitchen.
Pros:
- Clorox anti-microbial treatment on the lid
- Hard-wearing, plastic construction
- Recessed garbage bag holder
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Basic, utilitarian design
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 50 liter/13.2 gallons
Dimensions: 25-inches high, 18-inches wide, 14.5-inches deep
Finish: Black plastic
iTouchless 87-liter/23-gallon Stainless-Steel Trash Can with Touchless Sensor Controls and AbsorbX Odor Absorption
Best for Non-Touch Disposal
Whether you’re looking for a trash can that can take on the weekly needs of a big family, or a unit that you can use in your workshop, garage, or even backyard patio for when you garden and barbecue, this extra-large, 87-liter, brushed stainless-steel receptacle easily fits the bill. Not only does it sit atop 4 caster-style wheels for easy rolling to wherever it’s needed most, but a motion-sensor lid instantly opens when it’s time to toss greasy rags, drippy food wraps from barbecues or paint-covered brushes. Reflex technology prevents the lid from snapping down on an unsuspecting hand before you’re finished while a replaceable AbsorbX odor filter eliminates funky garbage smells. It’s a no-fuss, hygienic solution to garbage disposal and with 100% touchless operation and smudge-proof stainless-steel, messy fingerprints are about to become a thing of the past.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
This garbage receptacle is ideal for indoor or outdoor use, where its touchless technology, ease of mobility, and large capacity make it a natural choice for workshops or garages where messy trash happens.
Pros:
- Extra-large capacity
- 4 caster-style wheels
- Battery-operated motion-sensor lid
- Smudge-proof stainless-steel finish
Cons:
- Requires batteries/charging
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 87 liter/23 gallons
Dimensions: 32.6-inches high, 19.25-inches wide, 17.5-inches deep
Finish: Brushed stainless steel
EKO 30-liter/7.9-gallon Stainless-Steel Trash Can with 15-liter/4-gallon Recycling Compartment
Best Combination Trash/ Recycling Can
Recycling is now part of our culture, but when small kitchen spaces make it a challenge to have both a trash can and a recycling bin within easy reach, something’s got to give, right? Not necessarily. With this dual-compartment option you get not only a generous 30-liter garbage receptacle, but a 15-liter recycling bin, all tucked nice and neat into a single, space-saving unit. A brushed, smudge-proof stainless-steel finish looks great with any kitchen décor and with a shallow, 12.6-inch depth, this dual-compartment bin tucks discreetly against walls or counters. Best of all, it’s been designed for ease of use, with recessed handles for lifting and moving, dual-cantilevered pedals for accessing either the garbage or the recycling bin, as well as wire liner handles for easy lifting and removal when buckets are full.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
This dual compartment option is a great choice for singles or couples who need a trash can that not only takes up minimal floor space but can also make sorting garbage from recyclables an easier, tidier process.
Pros:
- Smudge-proof stainless-steel finish
- Slim-line, dual compartment design
- Recessed handles
- Dual cantilevered pedals
Cons:
- Smaller capacity not suited to families
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 30 liter/7.9-gallon and 15 liter/4-gallon
Dimensions: 19.4-inches high, 23.8-inches wide, 12.6-inches deep
Finish: Brushed stainless steel
Simplehuman 10-liter/2.6-gallon Stainless-Steel Trash Can with Silent-Close and Butterfly-Style Lid Closure
Best for Small Spaces
Because not all rooms require an extra-large bin that can hold a week’s worth of kitchen garbage, we have this well-designed yet practical-sized space-saving option. Finished in smudge-proof, stainless steel, the slim lines of this bin make it the perfect shape and scale for bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, or even smaller kitchens where under-counter receptacles are the only way to go. In fact, because of its uniquely designed butterfly opening, this unit is less than 17-inches in height when fully open – ideal for tight spaces with minimal clearance. The recessed hinges prevent scratching cupboards or walls while patented Lid Shox technology and specially designed dampers deliver a quick open, and a slow, silent-close for always quiet operation. And with a steel pedal that’s been engineered to endure up to 150,000 steps, there are no worries about this unit letting you down anytime soon.
Who Should Buy This Trash Can?
This compact, slim-line garbage bin is the perfect option for bathroom or office use where a large capacity unit would overwhelm a smaller space.
Pros:
- Unique butterfly-style lid opening
- Compact size and footprint
- Patented Lid Shox for silent-close
- Durable, steel pedal
Cons:
- Works best with custom-fit liners
Specs for Comparison:
Capacity: 10 liters/2.6 gallons
Dimensions: 13.7-inches high, 7.7-inches wide, 15.6-inches deep
Finish: Stainless steel
Bottom Line
If you haven’t upgraded your kitchen trash can in a while, you may want to consider the many benefits that come with the new and improved designs. Such as seriously effective odor-absorption filters, as well as features that range from no-touch to minimal touch surfaces for improved bacterial protection and those soft-close lids. And while we never want to toss a perfectly good garbage receptacle into, well, the trash… it may be time to retire that bulky bin to a less high-profile location – such as the garage or garden shed.
Photo credit: Ivanova Tetyana/Shutterstock