Best Kitchen Trash Cans (2026): 3 Picks That Actually Get It Clean
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Three picks for the best kitchen trash can, plus how to choose size, lid type, materials and odor control.
The kitchen trash can is one of the hardest working items in the house. It gets opened dozens of times a day with messy hands, holds food scraps that start to smell within hours and sits in plain view. A cheap can with a flimsy lid, a pedal that breaks or a bag that slips down inside makes every meal cleanup more frustrating. The best kitchen trash can opens hands free, seals in odors, holds a standard bag securely and is easy to wipe clean.
This guide explains how to compare kitchen trash cans, shares our three top picks and covers a simple cleaning routine and running costs.
Quick Clean Summary
The simplehuman 50 liter rectangular step can is the best all around kitchen trash can, the Glad 13 gallon step can with Clorox odor protection is the best budget pick, and the EKO Mirage X 80 liter motion sensor can is the best choice for large households that want touchless, high capacity disposal.
| Award | Product | Key Spec | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best All Around | simplehuman 50L Rectangular Step Can | 13 gallons, 150,000 step pedal, silent close lid | Most kitchens |
| Best Budget (Under $40) | Glad 13 Gallon Step Trash Can | Clorox odor protection lid, bag ring | Budget kitchens and rentals |
| Best Large Touchless | EKO Mirage X 80L Motion Sensor | 21.1 gallons, motion sensor lid, fingerprint resistant | Big families and heavy cooking |
Kitchen Trash Can Buying Guide: Size, Odors and Upkeep
The right kitchen trash can fits your space, holds a day or two of waste and keeps smells contained. Here is how to compare models.
Size, Capacity and Storage
Most kitchens use 13 gallon (about 50 liter) cans, which fit standard tall kitchen bags and hold one to three days of trash for a typical family. Smaller 8 to 10 gallon cans suit apartments and small households, while 16 to 21 gallon (60 to 80 liter) cans suit big families and frequent cooks. Measure the space, including the height with the lid open, especially if the can sits under a counter overhang or cabinet. Slim, rectangular cans fit against walls and between cabinets better than round ones.
Types Compared by Cleaning Job
Step cans open with a foot pedal, keeping hands clean, and have no batteries to replace. Motion sensor cans open when you wave a hand or object over the lid, which is convenient with full hands but needs batteries or charging. Swing and open top cans are inexpensive but release more odors. Dual compartment cans separate trash and recycling in one footprint. Pull out and cabinet cans hide trash inside cabinetry for a clean look.
Features That Save Time
A soft or silent close lid prevents slamming. A removable inner bucket makes it easy to lift out the bag and wash spills. Bag rings or liner pockets keep bags from slipping and hide overhang. Wheels make big cans easier to move for cleaning. A stay open lid helps during meal prep. Some cans include a liner storage compartment so a fresh bag is always ready.
Odor Control and Lid Seal
A tight fitting lid is the most important odor feature. Look for lids that close fully with a seal or gasket, and for odor control features such as carbon filters, built in deodorizer compartments or odor protection treatments. Emptying the can regularly and using scented or odor blocking bags help too.
Materials and Durability
Stainless steel looks sleek, resists dents and lasts for years; fingerprint resistant finishes keep it looking clean. Plastic is lighter, cheaper and easy to wash, but can absorb odors and crack over time. Pedal construction matters: steel pedals and hinges outlast plastic ones. Non skid bases protect floors and keep the can steady.
Placement and Kitchen Workflow
Where you put the can affects how pleasant it is to use. The best spot is usually near the main prep area and sink, so scraps go straight from the cutting board to the bin, but away from heat sources like the oven or dishwasher vent, which speed up odors. Leave room for the lid to open fully without hitting cabinets or counters, and keep a clear path for foot pedals. In open plan kitchens, a fingerprint resistant steel can or a cabinet pull out keeps the area looking tidy.
Price Tiers and Running Costs
- Under $40: plastic step and swing cans with basic odor control.
- $40 to $100: stainless step cans and entry motion sensor models with removable buckets.
- $100 to $200: premium step cans with long life pedals, dual compartment recycling cans and large sensor cans.
- Over $200: designer and smart cans with voice control, auto bagging or built in compactors.
Running costs include trash bags (custom fit liners cost more than standard bags), replacement odor filters and batteries for sensor cans.
3 Best Kitchen Trash Cans for Real Messes
Each pick below names who it suits, its strengths and one honest limitation.
1. Best All Around Cleaner: simplehuman 50 Liter Rectangular Step Can
The simplehuman 50 liter rectangular step can is the best kitchen trash can for most homes, at around $150. It is built to last for years of daily use.
- Why it stands out: simplehuman says its steel pedal is engineered for over 150,000 steps, more than 20 steps a day for 20 years, and its Lid Shox technology closes the lid slowly and silently.
- Smart design: an internal hinge lets the can sit flush against a wall, the lid stays open when needed, a fingerprint proof brushed steel finish resists smudges and built in wheels make moving it easy.
- Trade off: it works best with simplehuman's custom fit code Q liners, which cost more than generic bags.
Best for: kitchens where a durable, quiet, good looking can is worth paying for once.
2. Best Budget Clean (Under $40): Glad 13 Gallon Step Trash Can
The Glad 13 gallon step trash can is the best budget kitchen trash can, at around $38. It brings odor control and hands free use to a low price.
- Why it stands out: its lid is formulated with Clorox Odor Protection to help block and trap smells for the life of the can, and a step pedal keeps hands clean.
- Practical touches: an interior bag ring holds bags in place and hides overhang, and the lightweight plastic body is easy to wash.
- Trade off: the plastic pedal and lid are less durable than steel, and the lid closes less softly than premium cans.
Best for: rentals, apartments, garages and budget kitchens.
3. Best Large Touchless: EKO Mirage X 80 Liter Motion Sensor Can
The EKO Mirage X 80 liter motion sensor can is the best kitchen trash can for large households, at around $110. It combines big capacity with touchless convenience.
- Why it stands out: it holds 21.1 gallons, opens smoothly with a motion sensor and offers a press to open feature that keeps the lid open for 20 minutes during meal prep or cleanup.
- Clean finish: an anti fingerprint stainless steel finish resists smudges, and its no liner design adds about 25% more usable capacity, according to EKO.
- Trade off: it needs batteries or power for the sensor and takes more floor space than a 13 gallon can.
Best for: big families, frequent cooks and anyone who wants fewer trips to the outdoor bin.
How We Compared the Best Kitchen Trash Cans
We compared kitchen trash cans on capacity, opening mechanism, lid seal and odor control, materials and pedal durability, bag fit, ease of cleaning, footprint and warranty terms. Our sources were manufacturer specifications, the details in each Amazon listing and patterns across large volumes of verified buyer feedback, with extra weight on reports about pedal breakage, sensor reliability, odors and bag slippage over months of use. We did not run our own trials.
Picks by Mess and Space
Different kitchens call for different cans. Here is how to match one to your space and habits.
- Small apartments: a slim 8 to 10 gallon step can that tucks between cabinets.
- Average families: a 13 gallon stainless step can; see our best 13 gallon kitchen trash can guide.
- Big households: an 18 to 21 gallon can; see the best large kitchen trash can picks.
- Style focused kitchens: a fingerprint resistant steel can; see our best stainless steel kitchen trash can roundup.
- Recycling households: a dual compartment can that separates trash and recyclables.
- Pet homes: a can with a locking or heavy lid that dogs cannot nose open.
- Composting: a small countertop compost bin alongside the main can to reduce odors.
Step vs Sensor vs Pull Out Trash Cans
Step cans are the most reliable choice because they have no electronics and last for years. Sensor cans are the most convenient when your hands are full of food scraps, but they need batteries or charging and can occasionally open when you walk by. Pull out cabinet cans keep trash completely hidden and save floor space, but they require cabinet installation and usually hold smaller bins. For most kitchens, a quality step can offers the best balance of reliability and convenience.
Trash Bag Guide: Sizes, Strength and Fit
The right bag makes any kitchen trash can work better. Standard tall kitchen bags fit 13 gallon cans, while larger 16 to 30 gallon bags suit big cans. Check your can's capacity in gallons or liters before buying, since a bag that is too small slips down and one that is too big bunches up and leaks odors.
- Drawstring bags tie closed easily and are the most popular for kitchens.
- Thicker bags, around 0.9 mil or more, resist tears from bones and sharp packaging.
- Odor control bags add scent or odor neutralizers, useful for hot climates and pet waste.
- Custom fit liners match specific can shapes for a snug, hidden fit.
- Compostable bags suit food scrap bins but can break down if left too long.
How to Reduce Kitchen Trash Odors
Most kitchen trash smells come from food scraps and moisture, and a few habits keep them under control.
- Freeze meat and fish scraps in a sealed bag until trash day.
- Rinse food containers before throwing them away or recycling them.
- Drain liquids from food waste before it goes in the can.
- Keep a countertop compost bin for produce scraps and coffee grounds.
- Place a deodorizer, baking soda or a dryer sheet under the bag.
- Take trash out daily in hot weather, and keep the can out of direct sun.
Cleaning Routine: How to Get the Best Results
To keep a kitchen trash can fresh, empty it before it overflows, especially when it holds meat, fish or produce scraps. Wipe the lid and pedal weekly with a disinfecting wipe. Once a month, remove the inner bucket, rinse it with hot soapy water or a diluted cleaner, then dry it completely before replacing the bag, since moisture feeds odors and mold. Sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom of the can under the bag to absorb smells. Tie bags tightly and take them outside promptly in hot weather.
Supplies, Refills and Running Costs
Standard 13 gallon tall kitchen bags cost a few cents to around 15 cents each, while custom fit liners cost more but fit snugly and resist tearing. Odor filters for cans that use them are typically replaced every few months. Sensor cans need batteries every few months or a rechargeable pack. Keep disinfecting wipes and baking soda nearby for quick freshening.
Cleaning Questions, Answered
How do you clean a kitchen trash can?
Remove the bag and inner bucket, rinse out loose debris, then scrub with hot soapy water or a diluted disinfecting cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and let all parts dry completely before adding a new bag. Wipe the exterior, lid and pedal weekly, and deep clean monthly.
What is the most reliable kitchen trash can brand?
simplehuman is widely regarded as one of the most reliable kitchen trash can brands thanks to durable steel pedals, long warranties and replacement parts. EKO, iTouchless and Glad are also popular, with options from premium stainless steel to affordable plastic.
What is the best kitchen trash can?
For most homes, the simplehuman 50 liter rectangular step can is the best kitchen trash can thanks to its durable pedal, silent close lid and wall hugging design. The Glad 13 gallon step can is the best budget pick, and the EKO Mirage X is best for large households.
How long does a kitchen trash can last?
A quality stainless steel step can often lasts 10 years or more, while budget plastic cans usually last a few years before pedals or lids wear out. Sensor cans depend on their electronics, typically lasting several years with fresh batteries.
Is a premium kitchen trash can worth it?
Often, yes. A sturdier can with a reliable pedal, tight lid and removable bucket controls odors better and lasts far longer than a cheap can, so the cost per year can end up similar or lower. Budget cans are fine for light use and rentals.
Clean Verdict
The simplehuman 50 liter rectangular step can is the kitchen trash can we would recommend to most households, combining a durable pedal, silent lid and sleek fit against the wall. The Glad 13 gallon step can is the budget friendly choice with built in odor protection, and the EKO Mirage X 80 liter can is the touchless pick for big families. Choose the right size, keep the lid sealed and clean it regularly, and the best kitchen trash can will keep your kitchen fresher and tidier every day.
