
What is the Best Kitchen Trash Can?
A trash can is an absolute necessity in the kitchen. It is as much a part of the kitchen as the sink or utensil cabinet. The best trash cans are the ones that make throwing away garbage easy and replacing waste bags effortless, while a bad trash can will have you smelling the blues. Read on to learn what is the best kitchen trash can for your living situation.
Choosing the Right Type
There are a wide variety of trash cans to pick from. In order to select the right type of trash can that will suit your kitchen, you shall have to consider various factors such as material, size and construction. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right type:
- For a heavy duty type of trash can, a stainless steel can is best. Stainless steel cans are durable and they give the kitchen a sleek look as well. They are quite easy to clean, and the thick lid prevents odors from escaping. Children and pets are prevented from having access to your garbage thanks to the tight lid. The large size minimizes your waste management time.
- Plastic cans are more common and cheaper. The low price might be attractive, but they are just not that durable. Plastic will crack and break easily. You might have to replace them frequently.
- Another factor to consider is the aesthetics of a room. The overall kitchen design can incorporate the trash can easily and they can be cleverly concealed in order to maintain a sleek and clean look. Example – Swing-out cans. The bin is easily installed and is usually put in a cabinet located underneath the kitchen sink. This is a good location for those who frequently use the kitchen.
- While choosing the kitchen trash can, you must also take into account the amount of trash generated daily as this will influence the type of trash can you should purchase. With a bigger sized kitchen trash can, you will have more space for disposal of waste. This means that you will have to take the garbage out less frequently.
- Make sure that you have more than one type of trash can inside your kitchen. Today’s households are required to segregate their waste. So you should have separate bins assigned for recyclable/biodegradable, and non-biodegradable waste. You can then dispose of your trash items into appropriate bins for the trash and for recycling collectors to take away.
Top 5 Best Kitchen Trash Cans
Simplehuman Round Step Trash Can

The Simplehuman Round-Step can features a huge rim that has been designed to hold and grip the can liners so that they do not slip. It has a negligible unibody structure and does not require any extra inner bucket, making it easy to clean and lightweight.
Features
- The item has a weight of 5.9 pounds.
- The dimensions of the product are 15.4 x 12 x 23.8 inches.
- It has a capacity of eight gallons.
- The trash can is made from stainless steel with a plastic lid.
- Comes with a five year warranty.
Advantages
- The robust steel pedal is designed to last over a hundred and fifty thousand steps. That translates to over twenty steps daily for twenty years.
- The proprietary silent shut lid technology controls the movement of the lid for a silent and slow shut.
- An extra-large rim surrounding the can edge grasps liners and keeps them in place so that they do not slip.
- The dent-proof plastic lid will not show dirt or fingerprints.
- Minimal unibody construction needs no further inner bucket, which makes the can light-weight and quite easy to clean.
Some things to look out for
- Most trash bags do not fit into this trash can.
- The size is a bit on the smaller side.
- Standard trash bags will not be a perfect fit in this trash can.
- This trash can has no internal ring.
For a trash-can that is reasonably priced, this is good value for your buck. The trash can’s unique round shape ensures a comfortable fit in all corners, against the wall, and just about anywhere else. The steel pedal is built for strength and will last long. The lid technology guarantees a silent and smooth close every time.
Simplehuman Step Trash Can Semi-Round

The Simplehuman plastic step trash, semi-round can has a lid technology for a silent and smooth close along with a slide padlock that stops the lid from being accidentally opened by pets or kids.
Features
- The item has a weight of seven pounds.
- The dimensions of the product are 14 x 18.9 x 26.5 inches.
- It has a capacity of 13 gallons.
- The trash can is made from plastic.
- Comes with a five year warranty.
Advantages
- It has a large capacity designed for busy households and high-traffic areas.
- The trash can comes with the proprietary lid technology that ensures a smooth and silent close.
- The secure slide lock ensures that the lid is not accidentally opened by your children and pets.
- It comes with a strong steel pedal designed for long term use.
- Custom fit liners are available which ensure a perfect fit.
- The trash can is made with a space saving shape, designed to make the most of tight spaces and corners.
- Textured exterior to prevent fingerprints.
- It is very easy to clean.
Some things to look out for
- The foot pedal might snap if used too roughly.
- Larger pets can still manage to get the trash can open.
- The inner pieces that make the lid go up are made of plastic and can break easily.
- Its light weight can cause the trash can to rock back while being opened. This can cause marks on the wall if it is placed close to one.
- There is no place internally to put the bag top, so it causes an overhang.
This trash can is reasonably priced. The whole thing is very sturdy and seems really well built. If the lid is opened with the foot pedal, it will close by itself in a slow and quiet manner. If you open the lid manually to its fully open position, it shall stay open. Since the can is made of plastic, there should not be any worry about denting it. The trash bags never snag on anything as there is nothing for it to get snagged on.
Rev-A-ShelfPull-Out White Waste Container

This product from Rev-A-Shelf’s RV offers a perfect way to rid your kitchen of unattractive trash by screening it inside your cabinet. This product is different from other units since it is designed specifically to fit inside openings for cabinets. Most sinks have plumbing or other obstacles that might get in the way. To circumvent this, the unit can be turned in either direction. It is perfect for the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.
Features
- The item has a weight of six pounds.
- The dimensions of the product are 14.6 x 8.5 x 16.6 inches
- It has a capacity of 20 quarts.
- The trash can is made from plastic.
- The design can be rotated to fit either a 9″ or 15″ opening.
- Comes with Extension Euro slide system.
- The warranty can be requested from customer service.
Advantages
- The product requires a simple screw installation.
- The product can be installed in a manner to maximize under the sink storage areas.
- The trash receptacles are hidden once they have been installed, yet are really easy to access and remove.
- It slides out easily and clears the cabinet completely facilitating easy removal of the trash can.
- The product comes with a sturdy can and rails.
Some things to look out for
- If the mechanism is placed sideways, then in that position it cannot slide outwards.
- The item only goes 3/4th of the way into a standard cabinet. Consequently, lifting out the trash cans might present a problem.
- The wheels have a lot of play in them which might cause the rack to move around.
- The rolling shelf in itself does not have a closing feature and needs to be pushed in all the way for it to close.
The product is very well made and is designed to last for a long time. The bins have a very slender design and the bright white color is quite simple and modern. A template is included with the package in order to ensure that the installation is hassle free. The bags fit snugly, and it rolls out just about enough to work in a proper manner.
Simplehuman In-Cabinet Trash Can

The Simplehuman in-cabinet trash can hangs on the inside of your kitchen cabinet door for easy and quick access while you are occupied at the kitchen counter. To give a squeaky clean look, it has the provision to be escalated straight onto your cabinet door with screws that are included.
The plastic bucket is designed for durability and is held in place by a steel frame (chrome) that is sturdy and strong, yet which allows for effortless lifting and emptying. While the bucket is made of plastic, the frame that keeps the bucket in place is manufactured with steel.
Features
- The item has a weight of 3.4 pounds.
- The dimensions of the product are 8.7 x 11.7 x 14.3 inches.
- It has a capacity of 2.6 gallons.
- The trash can is made from plastic.
- The product comes with a 5-year warranty.
Advantages
- It hangs securely on the inside of your cabinet door ensuring easy access while you are busy at the kitchen counter. It then hides conveniently out of sight after you have finished.
- It can be mounted directly on to the cabinet door after detaching from the hanging hook. This gives a cleaner look.
- While it holds the bucket firmly in place, at the same time it allows the bucket to be easily lifted out for emptying.
- It attaches firmly to the frame and sheaths the bucket, thereby preventing unpleasant odors from escaping.
- The liners are made in a manner as to perfectly fit the cans so that they do not slip, and the bag remains completely out of sight when the lid remains closed.
- The trash can hangs securely on the cabinet door or can be permanently mounted using
- The product comes with a heavy-duty steel frame.
- The plastic bucket is removable.
- Custom fit liners are available to ensure a perfect fit.
Some things to look out for
- Space might be a bit inadequate.
- The trash might become very smelly as it is kept in a closed area.
- The hanging hooks are not adequate length-wise in the case of a deep sink.
This product offers value for money. Grocery plastic bags are well suited for it. The lid can be removed or kept open. This trash can is great for those looking to hide their trash can.
LevpetTouch-Free Trash Can
With a sophisticated design and intelligent capabilities, this trash can makes an ideal improvement for any kitchen decor. Equipped with infrared technology, this kitchen trash bin helps in keeping cooking and dining areas clean and odor-free. The lid will open automatically 6″ above the infrared panel. Pressing the open and close buttons on the control panel will make the lid open and close accordingly.
Features
- The item has a weight of 10 pounds.
- The dimensions of the product are 25.3 x 11.4 x 16.1 inches.
- It has a capacity of 13 gallons.
- The trash can is made from Stainless Steel.
Advantages
- The trash can seals in the odor and eliminates the spread of contamination by germs with its touch-free
- Equipped with infrared technology, this kitchen trash can helps in keeping cooking and dining areas clean and odor-free.
- The energy saving technology ensures that the battery life is extended by up to 20%. It is powered by 4D size batteries.
- The trash can is made of commercial grade stainless steel equipped with anti-fingerprint technology. It is best suited for the kitchen, living room, bedroom or office.
- Equipped with intelligent capabilities and a sophisticated design, this trash can makes a definite improvement to any kind of kitchen decor.
- The on/off button and an open/close buttons ensure a hassle free operation.
Some things to look out for
- The adapter is not included in the package. You need to use the battery or buy the adapter yourself.
- You need to place your hand or the trash about six inches away from the sensor for it to open. It will close three seconds after the hand or trash has been removed. The lid will remain open if there is any object within the six inch range of the infrared sensor.
- The sensor that opens the lid of the trash can can be activated by random objects which pass by in front of it.
- Batteries might run out fast.
- The opening of the can is on the smaller side.
This trashcan creates an odor free, germ-free and automated environment. It will keep your hands clean when you are engaged in cooking or playing with the children. It also helps to prevent various kinds of contamination, which reduces the threat level of certain diseases and infections. As the trash can turns an everyday chore into something which is fun, your kids will now enjoy disposing of the trash for you.
Additionally, the touchless trash can will outlast most of the conventional varieties of trash cans. If you don’t touch it, you won’t break it. These cans have been tested over a hundred thousand times in laboratory tests, and they are still going strong. This kind of a smart trash can will save you both money and time, not to mention a lot of hassle.
Final Verdict
With the choice ranging from simple plastic to stainless steel to smart sensor equipped trash cans, you need to find out what suits you and your budget best. A plastic can is simple and effective when you just need some place to drop the waste before taking it out for the garbage man.
Steel cans are both durable and simple at the same time. Sensor-equipped trash cans will literally take some of the efforts off your shoulders. However, even beyond the functionalities of the trash can itself, what is important is how well your trash bag works with your trash can.
That is, in the end, a trash can’s main objective: to collect the trash, to store it inside the bag without overflowing, smelling, or letting the bag slip down inside the can, and finally allow for that bag to be quickly grabbed and pulled out. You should dismiss any cans that let garbage bags slip inside when the trash gets too heavy.
Finally, you need to consider your space requirements and availability. Measure out the cabinet before getting an in-cabinet trash can and then get your can accordingly. For those who have smaller kitchens or tighter budgets, or for those who need to lock away their trash against inquisitive pets or kids, go for simple, mid-range trash cans.