A Mexican kitchen makes a lot of trash, fast. A Saturday of salsa and guacamole leaves onion skins, cilantro stems, tomato cores, lime rinds and a pile of avocado skins and pits. A tamalada fills a bag with dried corn husks that never got used, and a pot of carnitas leaves greasy hands and a jar of fat that has to go somewhere other than the drain.
So the can matters more than it looks. This guide covers eight kitchen trash cans: step cans, motion-sensor cans, a touch-top can and a pull-out system that hides the bins inside a cabinet. Every specification comes from the maker or the Amazon listing, and we say “not stated” where they are silent.
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Quick verdict: which kitchen trash can to buy
For most kitchens, the best kitchen trash can is the EKO Madison 13.2-Gallon Step Can: a brushed stainless body, a pedal EKO rates for more than 200,000 uses, a soft-closing lid with a lid lock and an inner bucket that catches leaks. If you handle raw meat or masa and would rather not touch anything, choose the simplehuman 45-Liter Semi-Round Sensor Can. To get trash and recycling bins off the floor entirely, the Rev-A-Shelf Double Pullout, and on a tight budget, the Glad 13-Gallon Step-On Can, which takes ordinary bags.
A good trash can is one half of a clean prep area; the other half is where you keep what you have not cooked yet. Our guide to food storage containers covers the leftovers that should not end up in the bin.
Five kitchen trash cans compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen, with opening, capacity and liner as each maker or listing states them. All eight cans are reviewed in full below.
| Can | Best for | Opening | Capacity and liner | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
EKO Madison 13.2-Gallon Step CanBest overall
|
Most home kitchens | Step pedal, soft close, lid lock | 13.2 gal (50 L); inner bucket, bag size not stated | View on Amazon |
simplehuman 45-Liter Semi-Round Sensor CanBest sensor can
|
Messy hands during prep | Motion sensor, 4 AA batteries | 45 L (12 gal); simplehuman Code J liners | View on Amazon |
Rubbermaid Premier Series IV 12.4-Gallon Step-On CanBest with lid lock
|
Holding the lid open for long jobs | Step pedal, slow-close lid, lid lock | 12.4 gal; LinerLock rim, bag size not stated | View on Amazon |
Rev-A-Shelf Double Pullout, 35-QuartBest pull-out
|
Keeping bins out of sight | Slides out of a base cabinet | Two 35-qt bins; bag size not stated | View on Amazon |
Glad 13-Gallon Step-On CanBudget pick
|
A low-cost step can | Step pedal | 13 gal; interior bag ring | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities, liner codes and odor features are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best kitchen trash can
These eight cover the real choices: foot pedal or motion sensor, custom-fit liners or ordinary bags, one compartment or two, freestanding or hidden in a cabinet, steel or plastic. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. EKO Madison 13.2-Gallon Step Can – An Inner Bucket With Handles
Some cooks prefer an inner bucket to a bare liner rim: if a bag leaks, the bucket catches it instead of the can’s floor. EKO’s Madison has a raised inner bucket with handles, which EKO says makes bag changes quick, inside a fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless steel body.
The step pedal is built to last more than 200,000 uses, according to EKO, and a damper softens both the opening and the closing of the lid. A lid lock holds it open for as long as you need. EKO also suggests using it as a dedicated recycling bin, though it has only one compartment.
The listing does not state which bag size fits or offer any odor feature, so this is a straightforward, solid step can rather than a feature-packed one.
Why we like it
- Inner bucket with handles catches leaks
- Pedal rated for more than 200,000 uses, per EKO
- Soft open and close
- Lid lock
Key specifications
| Can | EKO Madison step can (EK9361MT-50L) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13.2 gal (50 L) |
| Opening | Step pedal; soft close; lid lock |
| Liner fit | Inner bucket; bag size not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | None stated |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel, plastic inner bucket |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a steel step can with a bucket that catches drips and a lid that can stay open.
Skip it if you want maximum room for trash; an inner bucket takes up space a liner-rim can would use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Leak-catching bucket
- Durable pedal, per the maker
- Lid lock
Cons
- Bucket reduces usable volume
- No odor features
2. simplehuman 45-Liter Semi-Round Sensor Can – Opens With a Wave
When your hands are covered in pork fat from shredding carnitas, or in masa from spreading tamales, the last thing you want to touch is a lid or a pedal you might miss. A sensor can opens when you hold a hand over it. simplehuman says infrared fields sense the areas above and in front of this can, and a motor with a planetary gear opens and closes the lid smoothly and quietly.
The outer lid lifts up for bag changes, so there is no bucket to pull out, and a liner pocket holds refills inside. simplehuman specifies its Code J custom-fit liners for this can. It runs on four AA batteries, according to simplehuman, and the semi-round shape lets it sit flat against a wall.
The trade-offs are the usual ones for sensor cans: batteries to replace, a motor that can fail where a pedal would not, and a lid that may open when you walk past. simplehuman’s own troubleshooting points to a dirty or blocked sensor or low batteries when it stops working. The maker gives a five-year warranty.
Why we like it
- Hands-free opening for raw-meat and masa prep
- Senses above and in front of the can, per simplehuman
- Lid lifts for bag changes; no inner bucket
- Five-year warranty, per simplehuman
Key specifications
| Can | simplehuman semi-round sensor can (ST2009) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 45 L (12 gal) |
| Opening | Motion sensor; 4 AA batteries (maker) |
| Liner fit | Custom: simplehuman Code J (maker) |
| Odor features (as stated) | None stated |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you often have dirty hands at the cutting board and want a can that opens without a touch or a step.
Skip it if you would rather never think about batteries; a pedal can has nothing to run down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Touch-free
- Quiet motor, per the maker
- Easy bag changes
Cons
- Needs batteries
- Custom liners
- More to go wrong than a pedal
3. Rev-A-Shelf Double Pullout, 35-Quart – Bins Hidden in a Cabinet
Restaurant kitchens keep trash where the work is, and at home that usually means a base cabinet near the sink. This Rev-A-Shelf system puts two 35-quart bins on a heavy-gauge wire frame with three-piece ball-bearing slides that pull all the way out, so you can scrape a cutting board straight into a bin and slide it away. Rev-A-Shelf suggests using one bin for trash and the other for recycling.
Fit is everything here. The frame measures 14.21 inches wide, 21.65 deep and 19.05 high, and Rev-A-Shelf says the cabinet opening must be at least 14.5 by 21.75 by 19.25 inches, with hinges checked too. It screws to the cabinet floor with the included hardware. To make it open with the cabinet door, you need a separate door-mount kit (5WB-DMKIT), sold on its own.
The bins have no lids, so the cabinet door does the job of containing smells, and the listing does not say what bag size fits. Thirty-five quarts is just under 9 gallons per bin, so two bins hold about as much as one tall kitchen can. This listing, with blue and black bins, does not state a warranty term.
Why we like it
- Two bins, both out of sight
- Full-extension ball-bearing slides
- Exact cabinet dimensions published
- Blue and black bins tell trash from recycling
Key specifications
| Can | Rev-A-Shelf double pullout (RV-18KD-2218C-S, blue and black bins) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Two 35-qt bins |
| Opening | Pull-out slides; door-mount kit sold separately |
| Liner fit | Not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | None stated; no lids |
| Recycling compartment | Yes, second bin |
| Material | Chrome-finish wire frame, plastic bins |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have a free base cabinet at least 15 inches wide and want the floor clear.
Skip it if you rent or cannot drill into a cabinet floor; it has to be installed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing on the floor
- Trash and recycling side by side
- Full-extension slides
Cons
- Needs installation and the right cabinet
- Door-mount kit extra
- No lids on the bins
4. Glad 13-Gallon Step-On Can – Plain Plastic, Ordinary Bags
Not every kitchen needs stainless steel. Glad’s 13-gallon step-on can is plastic, light and easy to wipe down, with a foot pedal so you do not touch the lid and an interior bag ring that holds the bag in place and keeps it from hanging over the rim.
The selling point Glad leads with is the lid, which it says is “formulated with Clorox Odor Protection” that “helps block and trap unwanted smells for the life of the can.” We cannot verify that, and no lid will hold back the smell of a bag of shrimp shells in August, so take the trash out often either way. The 13-gallon size is the same as a standard tall kitchen bag, though the listing does not say which bags fit best.
One detail worth reading before you buy: Glad’s two-year warranty excludes cans bought from unauthorized retailers, including third-party sellers on the Amazon marketplace, so check who is selling it.
Why we like it
- Step pedal at a low cost
- Interior bag ring prevents overhang
- Light plastic that wipes clean
- Two-year warranty from authorized sellers, per Glad
Key specifications
| Can | Glad step-on can (GLD-74130-1) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13 gal |
| Opening | Step pedal |
| Liner fit | Interior bag ring; bag size not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | Lid with Clorox Odor Protection (maker) |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Plastic |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a lidded step can for little money and plan to use ordinary bags.
Skip it if you want a slow-closing lid or a can that will take years of heavy stepping; the listing makes no such claims.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low cost
- Light and easy to clean
- Bag ring
Cons
- No soft-close stated
- Warranty excludes third-party sellers
5. iTouchless 13-Gallon Sensor Trash Can – A Sensor Can With a Carbon Filter
iTouchless has sold this 13-gallon sensor can for many years, and it is the most common alternative to simplehuman’s sensor cans. An infrared sensor opens the lid, and there is no inner bucket, which iTouchless says gives it 25 percent more room than standard bins. In practice that means a bulky bag of corn husks or a pizza box goes in without catching on a bucket rim.
What sets it apart is the lid filter. iTouchless includes an AbsorbX carbon odor filter, which it says neutralizes odors rather than masking them; replacement filters are an extra purchase. There is also a manual pet lock to keep a dog out of the carnitas trimmings, and a soft-close lid, according to the maker.
The listing does not state the bag size or what powers the sensor, so check the product page before ordering. Like any sensor can, it can open when someone walks close to it.
Why we like it
- Touch-free opening
- Carbon odor filter included, per iTouchless
- Pet lock
- No inner bucket to snag bulky bags
Key specifications
| Can | iTouchless sensor can (DZT13P) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13 gal (50 L) |
| Opening | Infrared motion sensor; power not stated in listing |
| Liner fit | Not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | AbsorbX carbon filter in lid (maker) |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a sensor can with a filter and a pet lock in the standard 13-gallon size.
Skip it if you do not want to buy replacement filters over the years.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Carbon filter
- Pet lock
- Roomy inside
Cons
- Filters are an ongoing cost
- Bag size and power source not in the listing
6. Ninestars 13-Gallon Rectangular Sensor Can – Flat Sides for Tight Spots
Ninestars makes a long line of motion-sensor cans, and this rectangular 13-gallon model is the one to look at if you want a sensor can that sits flush against an island or wall. A wave opens the lid, and Ninestars says the lid closes softly and seals in odors.
Bags go on behind a removable liner ring that hides the edge, according to the maker. It runs on two D batteries, which are not included, and Ninestars says they last up to nine months. The stainless steel is described as fingerprint-resistant, and Ninestars offers what it calls a two-year support program.
The listing does not say what bag size fits or whether there is any filter, so assume odor control comes down to the lid seal and how often you empty it.
Why we like it
- Rectangular shape sits flush to a wall
- Touch-free opening
- Removable liner ring hides the bag
- Battery life up to nine months, per Ninestars
Key specifications
| Can | Ninestars rectangular sensor can (DZT-50-28SL) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13 gal (50 L) |
| Opening | Motion sensor; 2 D batteries, not included |
| Liner fit | Removable liner ring; bag size not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | Soft-closing, odor-sealing lid (maker) |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Stainless steel |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a sensor can with a flat back and are happy to use ordinary bags.
Skip it if you want a carbon filter; this listing does not mention one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Space-saving shape
- Long battery life, per the maker
- Hidden bag edge
Cons
- Batteries not included
- No filter stated
7. Rubbermaid Premier Series IV 12.4-Gallon Step-On Can – A Lid That Locks Open or Shut
Rubbermaid’s Premier Series IV pairs a charcoal stainless steel lid and pedal with a flared base that Rubbermaid says adds stability. The feature that matters most in a cooking kitchen is the lid lock: it holds the lid open for a long job, such as clearing the table after a taco night or trimming a whole pork shoulder, and holds it shut to keep pets and children out.
The lid closes slowly and quietly. Rubbermaid’s LinerLock rim hides the bag and holds it so it does not slip, and venting channels inside are designed to make a heavy bag easier to lift out, according to the maker. Rubbermaid says the can is designed in Huntersville, North Carolina, and manufactured in Winfield, Kansas.
The listing calls it 13 gallon in the title but 12.4 gallons in the size field, and it does not say which bags fit or what the body is made of beyond the steel lid and pedal.
Why we like it
- Lid lock for open or closed
- Slow-close lid
- LinerLock rim hides and holds the bag
- Venting channels for easier bag removal, per Rubbermaid
Key specifications
| Can | Rubbermaid Premier Series IV (2129976) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12.4 gal |
| Opening | Step pedal; slow close; lid lock |
| Liner fit | LinerLock rim; bag size not stated |
| Odor features (as stated) | None stated |
| Recycling compartment | No |
| Material | Stainless steel lid and pedal; body not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have pets or small children, or often want the lid to stay open while you work.
Skip it if you want an all-steel can; the listing describes only the lid and pedal as stainless.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lid lock both ways
- Quiet lid
- Made in the US, per Rubbermaid
Cons
- Capacity listed two ways
- Body material not stated
8. Brabantia Bo Touch Top, 9.5-Gallon – Press to Open, Stays Open
Brabantia’s Bo is a different idea: no pedal, no sensor, just a lid that opens at a light touch and stays open until you close it. That suits a prep session where you are dropping in scraps every minute, as long as your hands are clean enough to touch the lid, or you use an elbow.
It stands on click-on legs with adjustable feet, which Brabantia says puts it at a comfortable working height and makes it easy to clean under. The flat back fits against a wall or into a corner. Inside is a removable 9.5-gallon plastic bucket, and the whole lid comes off for cleaning. It fits Brabantia’s PerfectFit Code R bags; a sample pack is included.
Brabantia says the can is Cradle to Cradle certified at the Bronze level, made with 25 percent recycled material, and covered by a 10-year guarantee. It measures 21.3 by 12.3 by 26.8 inches, according to the listing.
Why we like it
- Lid stays open while you work
- Raised on legs for easy cleaning around it
- Removable bucket and lid
- 10-year guarantee, per Brabantia
Key specifications
| Can | Brabantia Bo Touch Top (313509) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9.5 gal inner bucket |
| Opening | Soft-touch top; stays open |
| Liner fit | Custom: Brabantia PerfectFit Code R |
| Odor features (as stated) | None stated |
| Recycling compartment | No (dual version sold separately) |
| Material | Body not stated; removable plastic inner bucket |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you like a lid that stays up during long prep sessions and want a can that looks like furniture.
Skip it if your hands are often greasy or covered in raw meat; you have to touch the lid to open it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stay-open lid
- Easy to clean under and inside
- Long guarantee
Cons
- Touch to open
- Smallest capacity here
- Custom bags
How to choose a kitchen trash can for a cooking kitchen
Pedal, sensor or touch
A step pedal is the simplest hands-free opening and has no batteries. A sensor opens with a wave, which is the cleanest option when your hands are covered in raw pork, chicken or masa, but it needs batteries and can open when someone walks by. A touch-top lid stays open for long prep sessions, but you have to touch it. If you cook a lot of raw meat, a pedal or sensor is the safer habit.
Size it to how fast you fill it
Thirteen gallons (about 50 liters) is the size of a standard tall kitchen bag and suits most families. simplehuman suggests its 45-liter cans for one to three people emptied every three to five days. Big cooking days change the math: a tamalada can fill a bag with husks alone, so a larger can or a second bin for that day helps.
Custom liners or ordinary bags
simplehuman and Brabantia design their cans around their own coded liners, which fit neatly but are an ongoing cost. Cans with a plain bag ring, like the Glad, or an inner bucket, like the EKO, are more forgiving of whatever bags you have. Check the liner code or bag size in the listing before you buy.
Odor control starts with what goes in
Filters, sealed lids and scented pods are maker claims we cannot measure, so we list them as stated. What you put in the can matters more. Shrimp shells, meat trimmings and fat smell fastest; wrap them, or freeze them until trash day. Never pour carnitas fat or bacon grease down the sink: Houston Public Works says fats, oils and grease poured down sinks are the main cause of sewer overflows in the city, and asks residents to pour grease into a jar or can, cool it, and toss it in the trash once full. Its guidance also suggests wiping greasy pans with a paper towel before washing and throwing the towel away.
Recycling and food scraps
A two-compartment can or a pull-out with two bins makes recycling the easy choice instead of an extra trip. Vegetable scraps like onion skins, cilantro stems and avocado skins can go to compost instead of the trash if you have somewhere to take them, which also keeps the main bag lighter and less smelly.
Material and cleaning
Stainless steel looks tidy and resists dents better than thin plastic, but it shows smudges; several makers here describe fingerprint-resistant finishes. Plastic is lighter and cheaper. Whatever you choose, a removable lid or bucket makes it much easier to wash the can when something leaks, and a good dish towel to dry it afterward helps.
How we chose these eight kitchen trash cans
We looked for cans from established makers that cover each way of opening a can (pedal, sensor, touch and pull-out), each kind of liner, and single and dual compartments. Every specification and claim comes from the maker’s product page or the Amazon listing, and where a maker states a feature such as an odor filter or a coating, we attribute it to them. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked.
We have not used these cans ourselves. We tried to read Wirecutter’s trash can guide but could not access it, and the America’s Test Kitchen trash can review we found is no longer online, so we do not quote either. We left out low-cost sensor cans sold under unfamiliar brand names with little maker information.
Kitchen trash can questions, answered
What is the best kitchen trash can brand?
simplehuman makes the widest range of well-specified kitchen cans, from step cans to sensor cans and recyclers, with long warranties. Brabantia, Rubbermaid, EKO, iTouchless and Ninestars are also established makers, and the right brand depends on whether you want a pedal, a sensor or a touch-top lid.
Are sensor trash cans worth it?
For cooks who handle raw meat or sticky dough often, yes: you never touch the can. The trade-offs are batteries, a motor that can fail and a lid that may open when someone walks past. A good step can is the simpler, battery-free alternative.
Which kitchen trash can is the most durable?
Look for a steel pedal with a stated rating: simplehuman rates its pedals for 150,000 steps and EKO rates the Madison’s for more than 200,000. Long warranties are another signal; Brabantia gives 10 years on the Bo, and simplehuman five years on its sensor can.
Do I need a trash can with odor control?
Filters and sealed lids may help, according to their makers, but no feature replaces emptying the can often and keeping fat, shrimp shells and meat trimmings wrapped. A tight lid matters most.
What size trash can is best for a kitchen?
Thirteen gallons, or about 50 liters, is the usual kitchen size because it matches standard tall kitchen bags. Smaller households can use 45 liters; larger ones, or anyone who recycles at home, may want a dual-compartment can.
Our final pick for a busy kitchen
Buy the EKO Madison step can if you want one steel can with a pedal rated for heavy daily use. Choose the simplehuman sensor can for hands-free prep, the Rev-A-Shelf pull-out to hide trash and recycling bins in a cabinet, the Rubbermaid Premier Series IV for a lid that locks open, or the Glad step-on can to spend as little as possible.
More for the sink and counter: dish racks, sink caddies, soap dispensers, paper towel holders, utensil holders, compost bins, Swedish dishcloths.
If smell is the main problem, see our guide to the best kitchen trash cans for odor control.
On a budget? See our guide to the best cheap kitchen trash cans.
Related guide: Best kitchen trash bags.
Related guide: Best touchless trash can.
Related guide: Best step trash can.
Related guide: Best kitchen recycling bin.
Related guide: Best simplehuman products.
Related guide: Best pull out trash can.
Planning a tamalada? Our guide to tamales explains the dish, and a good tamale steamer makes the day easier, husks and all. If you would rather skip the cleanup altogether, see our menu and call to order.