A step can is about the simplest machine in a kitchen, and it’s used with dirty hands dozens of times a day. So the parts that matter are the pedal, the lid and the way it holds a bag.
These eight are all pedal cans. Most of what you can compare comes from the makers’ own figures, and we say so where it does. We name one outside comparison where it covers a can, and we point out where a listing doesn’t say.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, makers’ statements and the independent sources we name. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which step trash can to buy
Buy the simplehuman 50-Liter Rectangular Step Can for its stated 150,000-step pedal, stay-open lid and 10-year warranty, and accept that it uses fitted liners. If you want to keep buying ordinary bags, choose the Kohler 13-Gallon, which the listing says fits any brand of 13-gallon bag.
Five pedal cans at a glance
The five that cover most kitchens. All eight are reviewed below.
| Step can | Pedal rating | Capacity | Bags | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
simplehuman 50-Liter Rectangular Step CanBest overall
|
Over 150,000 steps | 50 liters | Fitted code Q liners | View on Amazon |
Kohler 13-Gallon Stainless Step CanBest for ordinary bags
|
Not stated | 13 gallons | Any 13-gallon bag | View on Amazon |
Glad 13-Gallon Stainless Step CanBest bag handling
|
Not stated | 13 gallons | Bag rings, rear storage | View on Amazon |
EKO Hana Select 13.2-Gallon Plastic Step CanBest plastic can
|
100,000+ steps | 50 liters | Bag tabs, no bucket | View on Amazon |
Hefty 12-Gallon Step Can With 40 BagsBudget pick
|
Not stated | 12 gallons | 40 bags included | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best step trash can
1. simplehuman 50-Liter Rectangular Step Can – A Rated Pedal and a Stay-Open Lid
This is the can to measure the others against, because simplehuman publishes more about the part that actually fails. The maker says the steel pedal is engineered for over 150,000 steps, which it works out to more than 20 steps a day for 20 years. Few pedal cans put a number on that at all.
The lid closes slowly and silently, and it stays open for as long as you like during longer jobs, such as clearing a cutting board or emptying a fridge. An internal hinge lets the can sit right against the wall, which matters in a kitchen where the bin lives beside the cabinets. It has built-in wheels at this size and a removable inner bucket that catches drips.
GearLab, which bought and compared 10 cans side by side, liked a simplehuman Rectangular Step Can for a pedal that “extends across the entire front of the can” and said it “locks in smell”. It also warned that the lid can be dented fairly easily and that the steel looked streaky after wiping. GearLab doesn’t say which size it bought, so read that as a comment on the design. A 45-liter size of this can is on our kitchen trash can guide, and we list the 50-liter here because the maker gives it wheels and a little more room.
Why we like it
- The maker rates the pedal for over 150,000 steps
- The lid can stay open for longer chores
- An internal hinge lets it sit against a wall
- A removable inner bucket catches drips
Key specifications
| Model | CW1816 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 50 liters / 13 gallons |
| Body | Brushed stainless steel |
| Lid | Slow close, stay-open |
| Pedal rating | Over 150,000 steps |
| Bags | simplehuman code Q liners |
| Moving it | Built-in wheels |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits a busy kitchen where the can gets stepped on all day, and a buyer who wants a stated pedal rating and a long warranty rather than a vague promise of durability.
Skip it if you won’t buy fitted liners. The maker designs this can around its own code Q bags.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest stated warranty on this page
- Wheels make it easy to pull out and sweep behind
- Bucket park holds the bucket while you change the bag
Cons
- GearLab says the lid can dent
- GearLab found the steel streaky after wiping
- Fitted liners are a running cost
2. Kohler 13-Gallon Stainless Step Can – Takes Any Brand of 13-Gallon Bag
Kohler’s can answers a common complaint about premium step cans, which is being tied to one brand of liner. The listing says it is designed to fit any brand of 13-gallon bag, using a raised liner and a rotating, locking rim that make bag changes easier.
The rest is what you would expect at this level: a metal foot pedal, a Quiet-Close lid, and a rectangular body that sits close against walls and cabinets, with a hinge Kohler says prevents scuffs. The black stainless finish is described as fingerprint-resistant, and the listing suggests a microfiber cloth for cleaning, with no chemicals or abrasives.
Kohler doesn’t publish a pedal rating or a warranty on this listing, so we can’t compare it to simplehuman on those points. If you already buy store-brand 13-gallon bags by the case, that may matter less to you than never needing a special liner.
Why we like it
- Fits any brand of 13-gallon bag, per the listing
- A rotating, locking rim holds the bag
- A metal pedal and a Quiet-Close lid
- The rectangular shape sits against a wall
Key specifications
| Model | 20940-BST |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13 gallons |
| Body | Black stainless steel |
| Lid | Quiet-Close |
| Pedal rating | Not stated |
| Bags | Any 13-gallon brand |
| Moving it | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want a steel step can but don’t want to pay for fitted liners over the years it lasts.
Skip it if you want a stated pedal rating or a written warranty on the listing. Neither is given here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No proprietary liners needed
- Dark finish for a dark kitchen
- Removable plastic liner cleans easily
Cons
- No pedal rating stated
- No warranty stated on the listing
- No wheels mentioned
3. EKO Hudson Slim 13.2-Gallon Step Can – A Narrow Can With a High Pedal Rating
Slim cans solve a real problem: the gap beside a fridge or at the end of a run of cabinets. EKO’s Hudson Slim gets 13.2 gallons into a space-saving shape, and it carries the highest pedal figure we found on these listings. EKO says the steel pedal is designed for over 200,000 open-and-close cycles.
The lid closes softly, and the lid frame can be lifted to a full 90 degrees, where it stays open for food prep or a liner change. There’s a liner ring to hold the bag and a back handle for moving the can when you clean behind it.
EKO includes sample Code J bags designed for this can. It doesn’t say whether ordinary 13-gallon bags fit, and a narrow can often leaves a standard bag looking baggy. We didn’t find an independent review of the Hudson, so the pedal figure is EKO’s own claim. A different EKO step can, the Madison, is on our kitchen trash can guide.
Why we like it
- EKO rates the pedal for over 200,000 cycles
- The slim shape fits narrow gaps
- The lid frame stays open at 90 degrees
- A back handle helps you move it
Key specifications
| Model | 9167-50L-MMT |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 50 liters / 13.2 gallons |
| Body | Stainless steel |
| Lid | Soft close, stay-open |
| Pedal rating | Over 200,000 cycles |
| Bags | Liner ring, EKO Code J samples |
| Moving it | Back handle |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a narrow spot where a full-width rectangular can won’t fit, for someone who still wants steel and a full 13-gallon capacity.
Skip it if you want independent evidence behind the pedal claim. We found none, and the figure comes from EKO.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highest pedal figure stated on this page
- Full capacity in a narrow shape
- Fingerprint-resistant finish, per EKO
Cons
- Only sample bags included
- Warranty not stated
- No independent review found
4. Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Step-On Can, 12-Gallon – A Reviewer-Liked Steel Can
The listing for the Rubbermaid Elite is short: a slow-close lid, a lid lock that keeps it open for longer tasks, and a finish that hides fingerprints. What gives it more weight is GearLab, which included a Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Step-On in its side-by-side comparison.
GearLab noted “sleek, modern aesthetics” and “good odor containment”, and said the can has separate removable interior liners and is “built to last”. Its complaints were that the can doesn’t include handles and is somewhat pricey. GearLab’s review dates from 2024 and doesn’t list this exact part number, so treat it as a report on the Elite design rather than on this listing.
At 12 gallons it’s a little smaller than the 13-gallon cans around it. That’s rarely a problem, though ordinary 13-gallon bags will have some slack. Rubbermaid’s Premier Series IV, also a step-on can, is on our kitchen trash can guide and is the one to look at if the Elite is more than you want to spend.
Why we like it
- GearLab noted good odor containment
- A slow-close lid keeps the kitchen quiet
- A lock holds the lid open
- The finish hides fingerprints, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 2196860 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 gallons |
| Body | Stainless steel |
| Lid | Slow close, lid lock |
| Pedal rating | Not stated |
| Bags | Not stated |
| Moving it | GearLab: no handles |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if odor is your main complaint and you’d like an outside comparison behind the choice, rather than just the maker’s word.
Skip it if you need to move the can often. GearLab points out that it has no handles.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named outside support for odor
- Slow-close lid
- Hides smudges, per the listing
Cons
- No handles, per GearLab
- GearLab calls it somewhat pricey
- Thin listing details
5. Glad 13-Gallon Stainless Step Can – Bag Rings and a Roll Stored Behind
Glad’s step can puts its effort into the bag. Rings keep the slack tucked in so the bag doesn’t drop into the can, and a compartment at the back holds spare bags that dispense from the side, so you don’t have to walk to a cabinet with a dirty hand.
GearLab named this can its best bag holder, writing that “metal arms wrap around and lock the trash bag in place”. The same review called those arms rather loud and said the lid is not sturdy, so the strong part of this can is clearly the bag system. The lid has a soft close and the steel a fingerprint-resistant finish, according to Glad.
Glad says the lid and lid frame have Clorox odor protection for the life of the can, described as blocking odors and keeping the smell of trash out of the kitchen. That claim covers the lid area, not the trash inside it, so you’ll still need to wipe the can out. A plastic Glad step can is on our kitchen trash can guide if you prefer plastic over steel.
Why we like it
- GearLab named it best bag holder
- Rings keep the bag from slipping in
- A rear compartment stores spare bags
- Soft-close lid, per Glad
Key specifications
| Model | GLD-74522 (Pewter) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 13 gallons |
| Body | Stainless steel, brushed pewter finish |
| Lid | Soft close |
| Pedal rating | Not stated |
| Bags | Bag rings, rear bag storage |
| Moving it | Not stated |
| Warranty | 5 years, per Glad on the listing (excludes unauthorized third-party sellers) |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone whose real annoyance is the bag sliding into the can or having nowhere to keep spares.
Skip it if you want a quiet, solid feel. GearLab found the bag arms loud and the lid less than sturdy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named outside support for bag handling
- Spare bags stored at the can
- Odor treatment on the lid, per Glad
Cons
- GearLab: bag arms are rather loud
- GearLab: the lid isn’t sturdy
- No pedal rating stated
6. EKO Hana Select 13.2-Gallon Plastic Step Can – Light, Wheeled and Wipe-Clean
Plastic has real advantages in a kitchen: it doesn’t show fingerprints, doesn’t dent, and is light to lift. The Hana Select pairs a plastic body with a stainless steel lid and a wide steel pedal, which EKO says is engineered for more than 100,000 steps, with an extra-wide tread.
EKO leaves out the inner bucket, which it says gives you 25 percent more capacity, and uses bag tabs and a removable rim to hide the edge of the liner. A back handle and bottom wheels make it easy to roll out. The lid closes softly, lifts to a stay-open position at 90 degrees, and has a compartment where you can add a carbon filter.
The trade-off for skipping the bucket is simple: if a bag leaks, it leaks straight into the can. The size is listed as 17.7 by 11.8 by 25.7 inches, with a 35.8-inch height when fully open, so check that against any shelf or counter overhang.
Why we like it
- A wide steel pedal with a stated 100,000+ steps
- Wheels and a back handle
- Bag tabs and a removable rim hide the liner
- A deodorizer compartment in the lid
Key specifications
| Model | EK6275-50L-GR |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 50 liters / 13.2 gallons |
| Body | Plastic, steel lid |
| Lid | Soft close, stay-open |
| Pedal rating | 100,000+ steps |
| Bags | Bag tabs, EKO Code F samples |
| Moving it | Wheels and back handle |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it for a hard-working household that wants a body that shrugs off dents, along with the pedal and lid features of a steel can.
Skip it if you want a removable bucket to catch leaks. This can has none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stated pedal rating on a plastic can
- More room with no bucket, per EKO
- Full-open height is published
Cons
- No inner bucket to catch leaks
- Only sample bags included
- We found no independent review
7. simplehuman 40-Liter Slim Plastic Step Can – A Slide Lock for Pets and Kids
A dog that has learned to step on a pedal is a real kitchen problem, and a lock is the only reliable fix. This simplehuman can has a slide lock that holds the lid shut, and the maker says it’s there to keep pets and curious children out of the trash. To use the can again, you slide the lock back by hand.
It also has the slow-close lid and stay-open setting of simplehuman’s steel cans, along with built-in wheels. The slim shape holds 10.6 gallons, which is less than the 13-gallon cans here, so a family that cooks every night will empty it more often.
It uses simplehuman’s code K liners, which are made to fit it. The listing gives a 5-year warranty, half of what the steel 50-liter gets, and it doesn’t state a pedal rating. simplehuman’s other plastic can, the 50-liter semi-round, appears on our cheap trash can guide.
Why we like it
- A slide lock holds the lid shut
- Slow-close lid and stay-open setting
- Built-in wheels
- A slim shape for tight spots
Key specifications
| Model | CW1361 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 40 liters / 10.6 gallons |
| Body | Black plastic |
| Lid | Slow close, stay-open, slide lock |
| Pedal rating | Not stated |
| Bags | simplehuman code K liners |
| Moving it | Built-in wheels |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home with a dog or a toddler, and a narrow space where a full-size can would stick out.
Skip it if you produce a lot of trash. At 10.6 gallons, it’s the smallest can on this page.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A real lock, stated by the maker
- Plastic won’t dent
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Smaller capacity
- Fitted liners are a running cost
- No pedal rating on the listing
8. Hefty 12-Gallon Step Can With 40 Bags – Ready to Use Out of the Box
This is the plainest can here, and that’s the point. You get a plastic step can, a lockable lid and 40 Hefty bags in the box, so there’s nothing else to buy on day one. The listing calls it heavy-duty plastic, for kitchens, offices and laundry rooms.
What you give up against the others is detail. Hefty doesn’t describe a soft-close lid, a stay-open setting, wheels, a pedal rating or a warranty on this listing, so assume you’re getting a basic can until you see otherwise. That’s a fair trade if the can is going into a rental or a laundry room, or if you simply want a lid you don’t touch.
Judge value here the way you would for any entry-level can: think about what happens when the pedal wears out. With no stated rating, you can’t compare it to the rated pedals above, and with no stated warranty, you can’t count on a replacement. Our cheap trash can guide covers more budget options.
Why we like it
- Includes 40 Hefty bags
- A lockable lid for pets and children, per the listing
- Plastic body that wipes clean
- A 12-gallon size for smaller kitchens
Key specifications
| Model | HFTCOM-2258075450838-1 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 gallons / 48 quarts |
| Body | Plastic |
| Lid | Lockable |
| Pedal rating | Not stated |
| Bags | 40 Hefty bags included |
| Moving it | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it when you want a working pedal and a lock with no extras, for a spare space or a first apartment.
Skip it if this will be your main kitchen can for years. The listing gives no pedal rating or warranty.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bags included
- Locking lid
- Simple design
Cons
- No soft close mentioned
- No stated pedal rating
- No warranty stated
How to choose a step can
The pedal is the first thing to think about, because it’s the moving part you use most. A wide tread you can find without looking is easier than a small one, and GearLab singled out cans with pedals running across most of the front. A stated rating isn’t a guarantee, and those numbers are the makers’ own, but a maker that publishes one has at least committed to something you can compare.
Next comes the lid. Soft close is now common, and it matters if the can sits near a dining table or a bedroom. A stay-open setting is the feature you’ll use during a big clean-up or when breaking down a chicken. Check the height with the lid fully open, too, because a can parked under a counter overhang may not open all the way.
Then think about bags. Fitted liners stay hidden and don’t slip, but they’re a running cost and tie you to one brand. Rings, tabs and rotating rims let you keep using ordinary bags. If you buy store-brand bags by the case, start with those cans. Our trash bag guide covers the bags themselves.
Finally, measure. Depth counts as much as width: a hinge that sticks out pushes a can away from the wall, while an internal hinge doesn’t. Inner buckets catch leaks, but they take up room. A slim can fills a narrow gap, while a wider one is often easier to load from a cutting board.
How we picked these eight pedal cans
We haven’t used these cans. We kept to pedal-operated cans from identifiable makers, in stock when we checked, and used listing specs and maker statements for the details. Where a listing is silent, we wrote “Not stated” instead of guessing.
Our main outside source is GearLab’s kitchen trash can comparison, updated in December 2024, which bought 10 cans and compared them side by side. It covers the simplehuman, Rubbermaid Elite and Glad designs here, but not Kohler, EKO or Hefty, so those picks rest on listing and maker details. Two other established reviews wouldn’t open for us, so we haven’t drawn on them. We left out pedal cans that were low in stock, including most of the Brabantia range.
Our kitchen trash can guide compares step, sensor and pull-out designs. This page is for people who have already decided on a pedal. No can here repeats an exact listing from that guide, from our touchless trash can guide or from our odor control guide.
Pedal kitchen trash can questions, answered
What’s the difference between a step can and a touchless can?
A step can opens with a foot pedal and needs no power. A touchless can uses a sensor and batteries or a plug. A pedal gives you direct control, while a sensor can open when you don’t mean it to if you stand too close.
How long does a pedal last?
Makers’ figures vary. simplehuman states over 150,000 steps, EKO states 200,000 cycles on the Hudson Slim and more than 100,000 steps on the Hana Select. These are maker claims, and we haven’t seen them independently confirmed. Many listings don’t state a figure at all.
Do I need special bags for a step can?
Not always. Kohler says its can fits any brand of 13-gallon bag. simplehuman and EKO design their cans around fitted bags, though other bags may work with more slack.
Is stainless steel better than plastic?
Steel looks clean and sharp, but it can dent and show streaks, as GearLab found with the simplehuman. Plastic won’t dent, but tends to come with fewer features at the lower end.
How do I keep a dog out of a pedal can?
Choose a can with a lock. The simplehuman 40-liter slim has a slide lock, and Hefty’s can has a lockable lid. A locked lid means you’ll need a free hand to open it.
Our final pick for a pedal can
For most kitchens, the simplehuman 50-liter rectangular can offers the most stated detail and the longest warranty here, with GearLab’s support for the design. Choose the Kohler if you won’t buy fitted liners, or the simplehuman slim if a pet has learned the pedal. If you’re still deciding between types, go back to our kitchen trash can guide, or see our cheap trash can guide for more basic options. And if you’d rather keep the kitchen clean tonight, call to order from Julia’s.