Despite perhaps being one of the least exciting items in the kitchen, a trash can is also one of the most used. The best kitchen trash cans are made of durable materials, reliably hold trash bags in place and keep odors at bay—all while looking good doing so. Our top pick for the best kitchen trash can, the Kohler Stainless Steel 13-Gallon Step Trash Can, ticks all of these boxes, with a sleek smudge-resistant design and wide pedal for smooth opening and closing.
The best kitchen trash cans are attractive, durable and functional.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
“Kitchen trash cans might seem, at first sight, something unimportant,” says Veronica Smith, general manager at Milton Maids. But with the right features, they can make or break everyday kitchen tasks. “A great trash can must be easy to open and close, seal tightly to not let odors scape, fit in your space…complement your aesthetics and be easy to maintain clean,” she adds. Keeping all of those parameters in mind—and incorporating feedback from our team’s years of in-home usage—we selected a list of the best kitchen trash cans to shop right now.
There’s a lot to love about this Kohler trash can. First, it features a sleek design that’s both attractive and easy to tuck away into a corner, thanks to its unobtrusive rectangular shape. Its stainless steel exterior is smudge-resistant and easy to wipe clean for regular upkeep.
It also excels when it comes to functionality. The can comes with an internal bucket, a feature Smith recommends for preventing leaks and odors. Within that, there’s a ring to keep trash bags in place without slipping, a major benefit for regular usage. There are no handles embedded in the internal bin, however, which some users have reported can make removing it slightly clunky.
We appreciate the large foot pedal that allows for hands-free access, plus the tight-fitting lid that keeps odors from seeping out. The open-close mechanism also offers a slow close for quiet shutting, plus a keep-open option for cleaning larger messes. This trash can doesn’t require brand-specific bags, so you can conveniently use any 13-gallon trash bags without issue.
Best Simplehuman Kitchen Trash Can
Beautiful And Functional With Plenty Of Space
Amazon
Simplehuman 50-Liter Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can
Simplehuman is a major player in the trash bin market, and for good reason. Its products are known for being durable, functional and attractive. Deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala has owned the brand’s 50-liter step trash can for seven years and can speak to its longevity and functionality, calling it “the workhorse of our busy family of five’s kitchen.” She appreciates the spacious size that makes for infrequent emptying, plus the convenient foot pedal for hands-free plate clearing. The only downside, she says, is that “the corners at the top can get grimy and have a couple of hard-to-clean crevices.”
Forbes Vetted art director Joy Hwang also uses this Simplehuman trash can in her five-person home, particularly noting its aesthetic and functional features. “As a designer, I appreciate its sleek and thoughtful design," she says. “The beautiful brushed stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and is easy to clean.” She adds that the lid consistently opens and closes smoothly and quietly, plus the stay-open option is reliable for tidying larger messes. She recognizes that this model comes with a comparatively high price tag, but “the build quality, design and ease of use make it well worth the investment.”
Keep in mind that this trash can is only compatible with Simplehuman branded trash bags. Sala orders her through a Subscribe & Save subscription on Amazon and says they’re reliably leakproof.
If you already use other smart devices in your home, like a smart fridge or digital calendar, you might appreciate the hands-off functionality of the Simplehuman Voice and Motion Sensor Trash Can. In addition to being a great fit for tech-savvy users, this is also well-suited to anyone looking for a hands-free garbage can that doesn’t require a foot pedal.
Executive editor Dave Johnson has been using this model in his kitchen for seven years now, and he doesn’t see himself swapping it out any time soon. “I know it’s weird to be enthusiastic about a trash can, but I’m genuinely attached to this one,” he says. He appreciates the ability to either wave a hand or say “open can” to get the lid open. “The can always opens when I need it, whether I use the voice or motion sensor, and closes automatically after about seven seconds, which is just about perfect most of the time,” he says. He also appreciates the built-in liner pocket that makes accessing a fresh trash bag easy every time.
That said, he has reported minor issues with the unit opening on its own occasionally. “It was a little unnerving a first, but I’ve been living with this little quirk for years and am quite used to it—it almost feels like the can has a personality all its own,” he says. “I assume the issue is that the voice sensor is a little too sensitive, and I don't mind it.”
Users should also keep in mind that this trash can needs to be plugged in to operate, which means it needs to be situated near an electrical outlet. This could be an inconvenience, depending on the layout of your kitchen.
Best Dual-Compartment Trash Can
Conveniently Dedicated Bins For Recycling And Trash
Amazon
Rubbermaid Elite Waste and Recycling Step-On Trash Can
Capacity: 15.9 total gallons (9.5 and 6.4) | Material: Stainless steel | Opening mechanism: Foot pedal | Proprietary trash bags: No
What we love:
Separation for waste and recycling
Color-coded bins for easy sorting
Spacious size
Keep in mind:
Finding appropriately sized trash bags may be difficult
If you’re looking for a a single bin that allows you to easily separate between landfill trash and recycling, this Rubbermaid model is a solid choice. It features two color-coded bins inside the stainless steel frame: a blue one that can hold 6.4 gallons and a black one that can hold 9.5 gallons. The spacious foot pedal at the bottom opens the large lid to reveal both bins at once, so you can easily sort waste hands-free.
This bin also features a lid-lock knob to keep the lid open for longer cleanups, bin removal and regular upkeep. Plus, the stainless steel exterior has an attractive charcoal hue that’s resistant to fingerprints and smudging.
The only potential downside to keep in mind with this model is that the uncommonly sized inner bins could make it difficult to find appropriately sized trash bags. Ones that are too large may be tricky to keep in place without sliding off the corners, especially since these bins don’t have a bag-locking mechanism.
If you want a kitchen trash can that’s design-forward, this model from Brabantia has a modern-yet-vintage look that makes it an eye-catching piece of kitchen décor—while the sleek rectangular shape makes it easy to find space for in any corner. The slip-proof legs offer a convenient area for cleaning (with a robot vacuum, for instance) and its interior bin makes regular emptying simple.
This trash bin comes in four different neutral colors to match any kitchen aesthetic. Sala has owned this model in white for over three years; she mainly uses it to store recyclable cans and bottles separately from her Simplehuman trash can. “I love the way this looks in our kitchen versus adding another standard trash can,” she says. “It’s easy to open with a press to the top of it, and it’s held up well over several years now.”
Keep in mind this model requires touching the top of the can to open and close it; it’s not a hands-free bin. That said, Sala says this mechanism has been reliable and she has never experienced problems with opening it or keeping it shut.
While plastic kitchen trash bins are not Smith’s top choice (she prefers stainless steel for its resistance to stains and odors), they are a close second. Plastic trash cans are a great value-friendly option—especially for anyone looking for a secondary bin—plus they’re lightweight and easier to move around.
Smith recommends this Rubbermaid model because of its integrated liner locks, which keeps trash bags in place without slipping. This helps maintain cleanliness in the bin’s interior, which is especially important in this trash can, since there’s no removable portion.
Although the majority of this bin is made of plastic, it features a stainless steel rim and pedal, enhancing both its design and ease of cleaning. There are other helpful features as well, including interior venting channels for easy lifting, lid-locking capability and a slow-closing lid.
The home team at Forbes Vetted has tested and researched a variety of products, ranging from air purifiers to wooden cutting boards, to help our readers make the best purchasing decisions for their home.
Monica Petrucci is the author of this article and a commerce writer at Forbes Vetted, who has covered topics like the best robot mops and coffee grinders. She has been professionally testing and researching home products for several years.
This article was edited by Emmy Favilla, Forbes Vetted’s managing editor, a 20-year media veteran who has worked in the commerce space for the past eight years and tested hundreds of consumer products for the home and kitchen.
For this piece, we interviewed Veronica Smith, general manager at Milton Maids and professional cleaner for over a decade. She provided insight on how to choose the right kitchen trash can for cleanliness, odor control and general convenience.
We tapped our own staff to provide feedback on the kitchen trash cans they’ve used and loved over the years, and included models that have received the most positive feedback.
We prioritize keeping all of our content up to date, performing regular updates our articles to ensure accuracy and availability, as well as information on any new products on the market to consider. This piece was last updated in September 2025.
How We Chose The Best Kitchen Trash Cans
We compiled insights from experts, considered feedback from Forbes Vetted staff who have used several of these trash cans for years and pored through customer reviews to help inform our list.
We took Smith’s expert guidance into account, prioritizing models with tight-fitting lids, ample space, convenient opening mechanisms and stainless steel builds.
We dug through consumer reviews, taking into account any common praises or complaints in order to gauge each model’s performance in real-world settings.
We prioritized trash cans with positive consumer reviews, only including models with a 4-star rating or higher.
What To Look For In The Best Kitchen Trash Cans
The best trash can for your kitchen is one that you won’t have to think about much: It functions reliably, minimizes odors and isn’t an eyesore. Here’s what to consider before making the best purchase for your home.
Size And Shape
When dedicating a corner of your kitchen to your trash can, you should aim for a spot that’s easily accessible but still out of the way. A rectangular-shaped trash can is ideal here because it can usually nestle right into a corner or flush against a counter without being obtrusive.
The ideal size is dependent on the size of your family and your space. “Most households of single families do well with a 13-gallon can,” Smith offers as a frame of reference. “This is for people who cook at least five days a week. If less, a smaller gallon would work perfectly.”
Opening Mechanism
There’s a reason that kitchen trash cans with a foot pedal are so popular—and the most frequently featured variety on this list. “Foot pedals are hygienic and convenient,” Smith says. “Every time we have to renew our office furniture at Milton Maids, these kind of trash cans are our main to-go.”
That said, foot pedals may not work for everyone, depending on accessibility requirements. Trash cans with motion sensors or voice activation are a great no-touch alternative. And there are still some users who love the push-down mechanism, especially for less-messy recycling bins. It largely depends on personal preference.
Material
According to Smith, stainless steel is the top choice when it comes to kitchen trash can materials. “They are easy to clean, have fingerprint-resistant coatings and resist stains and odors better than other materials,” she says.
That said, you should keep in mind that these models can be heavy, and if you prefer a more lightweight option, Smith recommends plastic as a fine alternative.
How To Clean Out A Kitchen Trash Can
Just like everything else in the kitchen, the trash can should be cleaned regularly. Without a regular cleaning, bacteria can grow and odors can become overwhelming. Here’s how to clean your kitchen trash can, according to Smith.
Remove the liner and inner bucket.
Rinse the interior with hot water (boiled water left 10 minutes to cool) to loosen debris.
According to our research and testing, we think the Kohler 13-Gallon Stainless Steel Step Trash Can is the best kitchen trash can for most households. It features a durable foot pedal for mess-free access, a stainless steel build with a tight-fitting lid to keep odors at bay and a locking rim to keep trash bags in place.
Professional cleaner Veronica Smith recommends a 13-gallon trash can for the average family’s kitchen. This can vary depending on how many people are in your home and how often you cook, but a product in that range will give ample room for waste without monopolizing space in the kitchen.
Smith recommends stainless steel as the best material for kitchen trash cans. It’s durable, it reliably manages odors, and it’s easier to clean than plastic. Stainless steel trash cans also typically look sleeker than plastic varieties.
