The Best Kitchen Trash Cans (Review) in 2020

Kicking off our list is this kitchen trash can with lid by Simplehuman. The 10.6 gallon can features a slimline design that’s subtle and easy to fit into any kitchen. It’s available in five neutral colors, too, so you’re sure to find a version that matches your interior. Thanks to a set of built-in wheels, it’s easy to position the can exactly where you need it, too. It’s made from a durable plastic, that keeps trash and odor firmly inside. Its lockable lid helps to trap odors, too, and also prevents curious children and pets from finding their way inside.

To give you the best possible hygiene, the trash can opens via a pedal mechanism. The unique ‘slim step’ system is strong enough to last through 150,000 steps, ensuring it will last for years to come. It’s incredibly quiet, too – the lid is fitted with specially designed dampers, which allow the lid to lift up easily, but offer sound-muting resistance on its way back down. To help you get the most out of your new garbage can, Simplehuman also offer custom fit liners. These extra-strong and durable bags fit the bin perfectly, making for a cleaner experience.

Simplehuman have also nabbed the second spot on our list, with their attractive and effective stainless steel trash can. This durable metal trash can is rust-resistant, and won’t need to be replaced for years to come. It features an extra wide steel pedal, engineered to last for 150,000 steps. To put things into perspective, this means you could use the pedal 20 times each day for 20 years without the mechanism wearing out. This pedal mechanism also allows you to use the can without having to put your hands too close to trash, making it very hygienic.

Another nifty feature possessed by this trash can is the ability to hold extra liners. A built-in liner pocket at the back of the trash can provides a secure space to store them – saving you room in your cupboards. The trash can is also quiet to use, thanks to its specially designed dampers, which lift easily, but offer resistance on the way down for a soft close. If you’re not a fan of rose gold, you can also purchase the same can in silver, black, brass, or dark bronze. Whichever color you choose, an anti-fingerprint coating will keep it looking spotless for months on end.

If you’re looking for a high tech trash solution, look no further than this 13 gallon kitchen trash can by iTouchless. As its name suggests, this can opens and shuts without the need for touch. To activate the lid, simply wave your hand over a discrete motion sensor. This clever mechanism is the most hygienic option on the market, since you don’t need to place your hands anywhere near the trash. It’s efficient, too – when equipped with 4 D cell batteries, it can go for a year and a half between battery changes. If desired, you can also plug the can directly into a wall socket, by purchasing the optional AC adapter.

The can is also designed to control odor – a natural carbon filter inside works to trap and neutralise unpleasant odors. This keeps your kitchen fresh and odor-free between liner changes. Another great hygiene feature offered by iTouchless is its germ-resistant surface, which keeps infection at bay in the kitchen. The surface is also resistant to fingerprints and grease marks, helping it to retain shine, and spruce up any kitchen. The slender, attractive design is a great space saver too, which looks great in any kitchen.

The next option to make our list is actually a compost bin – ideal for putting your food waste to good use in the garden. Its airtight lid is fitted with a natural charcoal filter,  which controls odors without the need for harsh chemicals. This filter can be easily replaced when it’s expired. Its leak-proof design also prevents waste liquids from seeping out onto your countertop.

The can’s large capacity can hold several days worth of food waste, so you won’t need to empty it very often. Its stainless steel stands up to corrosion, and the leaks it can cause, so you can keep it on your kitchen counter for many years to come. Because this type of steel is so inert, it will never react with the food waste inside, so you won’t need to worry about spoiled compost. The chic design of the can compliments any kitchen decor, too!

The next trash can to earn itself a spot on our list is this simple and sturdy design by Rubbermaid. The trash can is available in both black and white, so it should blend in with almost any kitchen. This 13 gallon can features a step-on opening mechanism, allowing you to throw away trash easily and hygienically. It also features unique LinerLock bag wires, designed to prevent the liner within from slipping into the can.

The seamless, plastic construction is long-lasting, easy to clean, and resistant to leaks, allowing it to last for years to come. Thanks to its relatively large waste basket, you won’t need to change the liner too often, saving you a lot of time and effort. Each Rubbermaid product includes a one year warranty, guaranteeing it against defects and breakages. Every trash can is designed and made in the USA, in Wooster, Ohio, and customers are perennially impressed with this trusted, American brand.

Making their third appearance on our list is Simplehuman, with their innovative ‘Butterfly’ style stainless steel garbage can. True to its name, the ‘Butterfly’ can features a split lid, which opens at the center. This allows for maximum clearance under low countertops, and prevents anything you throw in from hitting the bottom of the lid. This opening mechanism is activated by a strong steel pedal, designed to withstand 150,000 steps over its lifetime. The pedal also ensures better hygiene, since you won’t need to place your hands near the can to use it.

Like all Simplehuman trash cans, this model also features a soft-closing lid, achieved through specially designed dampers, which lift easily, but offer resistance on the way down for a quiet close. The trash can’s slim design is also an efficient space saver, allowing you to make the most of tight spots, such as between cabinets or at the end of counters. Finally, a fingerprint-proof coating helps to keep the trash can looking shiny and new, so it’s never an eye-sore in your kitchen.

Tramontina have also earned a spot on our list, with their surprisingly stylish 13-gallon trash can. The stainless steel can features a satin finish, grease-resistant surface, that looks at home in modern and old-school kitchens alike. The steel is also hardwearing and resistant to corrosion, so you can rest assured it won’t spring leaks over time.

The can’s built-in freshener system acts to minimize odor, keeping your kitchen smelling fresh. It also features a handy trim rim, designed to keep liners in place while concealing overhang for a neater look. The can is opened via a wide foot pedal, so you can keep your hands well away from the garbage inside. A soft-close mechanism in the lid makes for quiet use, avoiding that metallic clang which conventional pedal bins can emit. Finally, the bin’s unique rectangular look is a real space saver, allowing it to sit flush with walls and other flat surfaces.

If you prefer to hide your kitchen trash can away, Rev-A-Shelf could be the brand for you. Their 8,75 gallon trash can is perfect for smaller kitchens and RVs, since it’s the perfect size for tucking away in cabinets or drawers. Each bin includes a heavy-duty wire frame, so it’s easy to install wherever you need.

For extra protection, you can add a specially fitted lid, too. The trash can comes with everything you’ll need to mount it, including a full-extension ball-bearing slide system, which is capable of supporting up to 100 pounds. The bin also includes a removable handle, so it’s easy to take out and empty, too. Users report that it’s easy to install, thanks so simple instructions, and glides smoothly along its mechanisms.

If you’re looking for a bin with a larger capacity, look no further than this 16 gallon option by Brabantia. The extra large design is perfect for bigger households, and features a soft-touch opening and closing system for easy usage. The dampered lid hinge means it’s quiet to use, while a sturdy carry-handle makes it easy to transport and empty.

The bin’s impressive size is matched by its large opening, which is wide enough to accommodate the length of a dustpan without the risk of spillage. The can also includes a specialised base rim to protect your floor, and a matt coat which protects its surface against fingerprints and other greasy residues. Best of all, Brabantia design their trash cans to last for at least a decade, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it for many years to come.

Capping off our list is Simplehuman, with their fourth and final entry. Their commercial grade trash can is slim and narrow, allowing it to fit into tight spots in any area. Its relatively large capacity and open lid make it perfect for commercial spaces, such as hotel lobbies, restaurants, and coffee shops.

The durable can is made from heavy gauge stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant, and able to stand up to stand up to daily wear and tear. It’s sturdy too, making it difficult to accidentally overturn. The lid lifts off effortlessly whenever you need a liner change, while convenient slide handles make the can as a whole easy to grip and move. It’s also available in four attractive colors, helping it to blend in with any decor.