The 10 Best Kitchen Trash Cans of 2024

Best Overall

Amazon Basics 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Trash Can with Foot Pedal

$75 At Amazon

This stainless steel trash can may not tuck under your counter, but it has a sleek design that’s easy on the eyes. Plus, this garbage bin is hardworking, no matter the size of your family. It’s perfectly suitable for a quiet home that collects trash little by little, and it'll also fit a busy one with lots of active kids and pets. 

The lid doesn’t immediately pop open if tipped, but it’s still flexible enough to be user-friendly. The soft-close lid lifts easily and quietly—and you can even leave it open if you need to tackle longer cleaning tasks without any interruptions. Don’t worry about the trash can itself getting dirty. The exterior is fingerprint-proof and smudge-resistant. Plus, the whole thing is made of durable steel, so it won’t get too dinged up over its usable lifetime.

You can even take the removable inner bucket out when its time to clean the trash can. (Something you might want to do regularly because there is a small gap at the back that tends to collect crumbs.) Best of all, this trash can works well with standard 13 gallon, tall kitchen bags, which fit perfectly and tightly around the edge of the inner bucket.

_{Dimensions: 25.9 x 14.7 x 16.7 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Capacity: 13.2 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Step pedal}

Best Splurge

Simplehuman Voice & Motion Sensor Trash Can

$250 At Target View On The Container Store $250 At simplehuman.com

Before you scoff at the price of this trash can, consider the investment you’re making. The Simplehuman Rectangular Voice+Motion Sensor Automatic Kitchen Trash Can is incredibly advanced—more than you could ever dream of with such a utilitarian item, really. The high-tech design features both voice and motion control, so you don’t have to touch a single thing—ideal when you have something like raw chicken in hand. 

All you have to do to open the lid is wave your hand or say "open can." (Of course, you can always open it manually, if you want.) We love that it's not at all noisy. The motor, which runs at a whisper-quiet 52 decibels, is powered by an included plug-in adapter or batteries. 

It’s undeniably pretty, too—at least as far as trash cans go. The invisible silver-ion coating is resistant to fingerprints, so it'll stay in great shape. And, like most Simplehuman products, this high-tech trash can is backed by a five-year warranty. Plus, you can even opt for a dual version, which conveniently has another receptacle for recycling if you don't have room for a separate recycle bin.

_{Dimensions: 18.5 x 13 x 24.8 inches | Material: Brushed stainless steel | Capacity: 15.3 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Voice, motion, lift}

Best for Small Spaces

Brightroom Slim Step Trash Can

View On Target

Everyone needs a garbage can, but when you have a small kitchen, it can be tricky to figure out where to exactly put yours. Under the counter, and you’ll lose cabinet space, plus limit capacity. On the floor, and you might have to dance around it all the time. The Brightroom 45L Slim Step Trash Can offers the perfect solution for people who need something compact but efficient. 

This garbage receptacle is ultra-slim at just 10.2 inches wide—about half the width of other cans with comparable capacity. Still, it holds 11.9 gallons, which is plenty for the average family. To conserve the most amount of square footage, stick this trash can next to the refrigerator, at the end of a line of cabinets, or even adjacent to an island, if you have one. 

Either way, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is easy on the eyes and easy to care for, as long as you know how to properly clean it. And, if you ever get a spill, don’t worry: The entire thing is a cinch to wipe down, thanks to a removable liner.

_{Dimensions: 26.5 x 10.2 x 19.9 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 11.9 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Step pedal}

Best Budget

Mainstays Round Step Trash Can

$45 At Walmart

If your chief concern is an affordable price tag, you can’t go wrong with the Mainstays Stainless Steel 10.5 Gallon Round Step Trash Can. Though it's on the smaller side at 10 gallons, it’s perfectly suitable for a small family—and even a large one if you don’t mind taking out the trash on a near-daily basis. And it looks just like an expensive one, with its sleek, round stainless steel construction. 

It’s super functional, too. This model has a soft-close lid for quiet operation. And although it doesn’t have a removable liner, it does have a plastic drip tray and a separate mechanism on the lid to keep your bag firmly in place.

_{Dimensions: 15.30 x 13.30 x 24.90 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Capacity: 10.5 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Step pedal}

Best Large-Capacity

Ninestars Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can

$78 At Amazon $104 At Walmart $78 At Target

If you need a large receptacle and you have a lot of trash, the Ninestars 21 Gallon Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can is your best bet. The stainless steel trash can has enviable capacity—a whopping 21 gallons, so you won’t have to take out the trash nearly as often. 

Still, the unit won’t overwhelm you. It’s not that much larger than other cans on this list—it just has more usable space inside. And because it has such a sleek look, it won’t feel out of place in your kitchen. 

There are plenty of convenience features, too. The best of which is a touchless design. The quiet, battery-powered top lifts when it senses motion to keep both you and the garbage can clean. And should it get dirty, simply wipe down the brushed fingerprint-resistant stainless steel to make it look new again.

_{Dimensions: 14.4 x 18.5 x 26.2 inches | Material: Brushed stainless steel | Capacity: 21.1 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Motion}

Best Combo

Step N Sort 3-Compartment Trash and Recycling Bin

$76 At Amazon $100 At Wayfair $140 At Home Depot

If you’re looking for a receptacle that makes it easy to separate garbage and recyclables, consider Step N' Sort 3-Compartment Trash Bin. It’s essentially your own personal waste management system. The 16-gallon setup features a durable steel frame and three removable inner bins that keep everything completely separate, but housed in one convenient container.

Each bin has its own heavy-duty step pedal for hands-free opening, so you don’t have to struggle to lift one large, flimsy top. It shuts nicely to keep trash can odors away. What’s more, the rectangle containers feature convenient carry handles that makes it easy to transport the bins for super simple emptying. And if you live in a household where people routinely put the wrong things into the recycling, there’s one more enviable feature you should know about: This garbage can comes with a colored sticker pad so you can label the bins however you see fit.

_{Dimensions: 23 x 13 x 24 inches | Material: Metal, stainless steel | Capacity: 16 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Step pedals (3)}

Best Butterfly

HomeLabs 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can

$110 At Amazon

A butterfly trash can is a fantastic option for someone who wants to tuck a freestanding bin out of the way—like under a kitchen island or tall counter. Because the top has split doors rather than a single-raising lid, the bin has better clearance to suit these areas. 

This 13-gallon version has all kinds of cool features, too. It automatically opens when motion is detected within six inches, so you can easily throw trash out without getting your hands—or the bin—dirty. You can even adjust the 90-degree sensor ball, so you can open the lids from the top or the side, whatever suits you best. And because it’s made of stainless steel, the trash can is both durable and easy to clean. Also a nice bonus: The unit features an interior retainer ring to keep trash bags securely in place. 

If there’s any downside, it’s the price combined with the fact that you have to buy batteries separately should you wish to untether from the included plug-in adapter. (A possible necessity, depending on where you want to place this trash can.)

_{Dimensions: 2 x 10.3 x 22.5 inches | Material: Brushed stainless steel | Capacity: 13 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Motion}

Best Swing-Top

Umbra Venti Kitchen Trash Can

$50 At Amazon $50 At Home Depot $50 At Walmart

Maybe you want something simple, like a classic swing-top design? The Umbra Venti Swing Top is a great pick because it features a lid that swings open and closes smoothly and has a high 16 gallon capacity. The unit is perfect for large families who need to easily dispose of and conceal a lot of trash on a daily basis. You can also use trash can deodorizer packs to ensure no smells escape the swing top.

And although it’s 35 inches tall, it’s just 14.6 inches around, so you can fit the sleek and unobtrusive can in just about any usable corner so it works with a variety of kitchen layouts. While it comes in multiple colors, none of them are actually metal—the color of the plastic just mimics the look of it. But if you can get past the plastic construction, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all of the benefits. The can is lightweight even as it accommodates a lot of garbage. This makes it both easy to empty and easy to clean—all you have to do is wipe it with a damp cloth.

_{Dimensions: 14.6 x 14.6 x 35 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 16 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Swing top}

Best Pull-Out

Rev-A-Shelf Sliding Pull-Out Waste Containers Garbage Trash Recycling Bins

$90 At Amazon

It’s no surprise that Rev-A-Shelf makes a high-quality pull-out garbage system. The company is known for all kinds of under-cabinet organizers, from silverware drawers, to spice racks, to pot holders, and beyond. 

This pull-out waste container, which comes in a few colors beyond black, is perfect for freeing up space in a tight kitchen. The in-cabinet model holds two cans on a metal tracking system—one for garbage, another for recycling. With this unit installed, you’ll never have to look at your garbage again. When not in use, it stays tucked out of the way, freeing up floor space. When you need it, simply give it a tug and watch as it effortlessly glides out into reach. 

Don’t worry about installation—you don’t need a pro. The whole thing can be affixed to your cabinet with just four screws that mount to the cabinet floor. (You can buy a separate door mount kit, if you prefer.) 

If there’s any downside to this system, it’s that the two 8.75-gallon canisters are smaller than a standard kitchen trash or recycling can. The unit is best suited for smaller households or people who don’t mind taking out the trash at least once per day.

_{Dimensions: 22 x 14.4 x 19.3 inches | Material: Alloy steel | Capacity: 8.75 gallons | Opening Mechanism: Pull-out}

Best for Composting

Bamboozle Stationary Composter

$40 At Amazon $50 At Wayfair $40 At Walmart

Even though you can build your own composter with a regular trash can, this compact composting bucket is both discrete and stylish—exactly what you’d hope for if you’re stashing old, decaying food in your kitchen. Still, the countertop bin is relatively budget-friendly and comes in a variety of colors, offering an excellent value all around. 

Of course, it’s super functional, too. The slim bamboo handle allows you to easily carry it to your yard or garden. And once it's full, you'll appreciate the charcoal filter in the lid. It’s designed to help keep odors at bay. 

The composter is also dishwasher-safe, so it’s exceptionally easy to clean when it starts to get a little funky. The filter should be replaced every 60 to 90 days, so you’ll have to anticipate that added expense.

_{Dimensions: 8 x 6.3 x 9 inches | Material: Bamboo fiber | Capacity: Not listed | Opening Mechanism: Handled lid}