10 Best Kitchen Trash Cans 2023, Reviewed by Experts

Nov 18, 2023

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Keep that mess contained!

A high-quality kitchen trash can should not only suit your space in terms of size and design, but it should be easy to operate and clean. Below we have narrowed down the best kitchen trash cans for your home based on our evaluations and consumer reviews. Our picks include dual-compartment trash cans, stainless steel models, tall trash cans and decorative ones that may help you spice up your kitchen design.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all sorts of products made for your kitchen, from top-rated kitchen gadgets to garbage bags, dish soap and more. To choose the best kitchen trash cans, we relied on decades of expertise from our Home Care and Cleaning Lab and our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. We considered trash can brands that have performed well in previous Lab tests, as well as those we use in our own homes. We looked at factors such as ease of use, cleaning and either our own expert performance assessments or those of consumer reviewers; we also took note of extra features like the number of compartments, built-in motion sensors and more.

After you've checked out our favorite kitchen trash cans, keep reading to learn more about what to look for when shopping for one, and don't forget to consider these helpful kitchen organization ideas.

This sleek, stainless-steel trash can from Simplehuman is a favorite among our Cleaning Lab experts for smaller households. It’s also available in other finishes, large sizes or a dual-bin can for separating recyclables. Not only does this trash can get rid of the interior bucket (making 25% more room for trash, according to the brand), but it also features a unique liner rim system that helps hold liners in place. We love that there’s a compartment for storing up to 20 liners inside so they’re easy to change when it’s time. There's also a spot for the brand's “Odorsorb pods,” which should help reduce any stinky smells coming from your trash.

While this trash can may not feature a motion sensor, it does come with a durable steel pedal so you can open it with your foot. In our Simplehuman trash can review, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping’s Cleaning Lab, Carolyn Forté, was pleased with the trash can’s slim, flat profile that doesn’t eat up much floor space as well as the super convenient liner system. She shares that after four-plus years of use, the trash can’s lid still closes as quietly and smoothly as the first day, and that it’s easy to keep the trash can looking pristine thanks to a fingerprint-resistant exterior. She does warn, however, that Simplehuman’s custom liners are required for a perfect fit (though you can still use regular trash bags).

We love this no-frills stainless steel kitchen trash can for its traditional design that should suit most kitchens. While we haven’t tested it in the Lab, this model is an Amazon favorite that’s garnered more than 34,000 reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. We like that it’s offered in a range of sizes to suit a variety of spaces. It features an interior bucket as well as a foot pedal to make tossing out items easy. There’s even a built-in handle to help you move the trash can around.

Online reviewers found it “sleek and practical” and appreciated the soft-close lid that operates quietly. Several reviewers were also impressed with the trash can’s finish which helps prevent smudges and fingerprints from sticking.

A dual-compartment trash can is great if you want to sort your trash and eliminate the need for a separate recycling bin. Though we haven’t tested this pick yet in the Lab, we like its clean, rectangular design that's available in five finishes so you can choose the color that matches your kitchen best. Each interior bucket has a built-in handle so it’s easy to remove the bin when you want to take out the trash or give it a clean. We also appreciate that the trash can features two individual foot pedals so you only have to open up the compartment you need. Online reviewers claim that this pick is “solidly built,” elegant and a perfect size for most kitchens.

This dual-compartment trash can may just be one of the easiest to use in the kitchen. Built-in motion sensors allow you to just wave to open the lid to toss out scraps while cooking. Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou found the sensor responsive, albeit a little bit slow. According to the brand, you can also open the trashcan by saying "open can" thanks to three built-in mics. Additionally, we like that it features two compartments (one is slightly smaller at 24 liters and the other is 34 liters). You can opt for a single-compartment 58-liter model if you already have a recycling bin.

Inside the trash can you’ll find one plastic bucket with a handle for easy removal, while the other compartment can be used with liners. (There's even a spot to store them.) Like other Simplehuman trash cans, this one can be used with “Odorsorb pods,” though Papantoniou found that her trash remained smelly despite the pods. She also points out that the trash can either needs to be plugged into an outlet, or you can choose to use it with AA batteries.

The iTouchless trash can is not only reasonably priced, but it's an Amazon best seller with over 17,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating. It's available in various shapes, sizes and finishes. Papantoniou likes this 50-liter stainless steel version for its "slim and sleek design that features a wide foot pedal." She shares that the trash can has an odor filter that's designed to help absorb odors and that it's also easily cleaned. The removable inner bucket makes it easy to empty the trash, and a bag retention hole helps keep your trash can liner in place. Just keep in mind that, according to some online reviewers, the soft close lid may fail after extended use.

Plastic has the advantage of being lightweight and affordable. While this material may not be as durable as stainless steel, it's easy to clean and move around. We haven't tested this model in the Lab yet, but we like that a foot pedal is built-in. One online reviewer describes the trash can as "simple but stylish," in addition to being functional. It's available in white, blue and bronze, though it's only available in one size.

It’s hard to find a kitchen trash can more stylish than this Brabantia Bo model. Unlike other trash cans on this list, it sits on four legs and looks more like a piece of furniture than a waste management system with two compartments for trash and recyclables. According to Papantoniou, the trash can’s feet make it easy to vacuum, sweep and mop your kitchen floor without having to move it around. We also love that you can purchase it in a range of colors to match your kitchen’s style.

To open up the trash can, you simply lightly touch the lid. “It can seem like a nuisance at first, but it’s really easy to get used to,” Papantoniou shares. While testing the trash can in her own kitchen, she noticed that the stainless steel was easy to wipe down if it ever got dirty. She also points out that the interior bins are “removable and lightweight so you can easily lift them to empty or attach a bag.” She does note that the trash compartment is on the smaller side, especially for larger households. For larger households, we recommend the single-compartment Brabantia Bo Touch Top Can which holds more trash, but you'll then have to find an alternative recycling bin.

Thirteen gallons (or 50 liters) is a popular trash can size as it's not too big to overwhelm a kitchen space or too small that you're constantly emptying the trash. This model features a foot pedal for easy opening and closing, and its stainless steel finish will look great whether you opt for black, white or classic stainless steel. We like that it should be compatible with most standard trash bags you'll find at the store and that the plastic bins make cleaning simple.

On top of being lightweight and easy to clean, "the foot pedal is highly responsive," Papantoniou says. She likes its wide opening and found that the bags fit and seal well inside the trash can. We do advise being careful around the trash can as it can dent easily, according to online reviewers.

This Joseph Joseph vertical trash can has one of the more original, innovative designs that you’ll find with two compartments stacked on top of one another to save you floor space. Our Cleaning Lab pros stand behind the brand and like that the bottom compartment easily slides out when it’s ready to be emptied.

Each compartment features removable bins that make taking out the trash easy, and there’s a 3-liter food waste caddy for composting that sits within the recycling compartment. We also appreciate the built-in odor control that’s meant to reduce smells via replaceable filters, as well as liner-retaining holes to help your trash bags stay in place.

Whether you live in a studio apartment or don't have much room in your kitchen, this petite Brabantia trash can is the perfect fit. It features a foot pedal and a removable plastic bin and is offered in a variety of fun colors. We like its round shape and steel construction that should last through years of use. Many online reviewers love its beautiful, high-quality design, though some find it a bit pricey.

The product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute first scour the web to learn about what shoppers are searching for. We then apply our knowledge of the cleaning and cooking industries to look for key features that you'll find in a high-quality kitchen trash can, such as materials, size, opening mechanisms, special features and more. Our picks are comprised of trash can brands that we've previously tested and trust, ones our Lab experts have tested in their own homes and trash cans with rave consumer reviews.

Here are a few key tips from our Cleaning experts to control stinky kitchen trash odors:

According to Forté, your kitchen trash can should be accessible but not the center of attention. "Place it as close to the sink as possible, but tucked into a corner or against a wall or island so it's not so obvious in the room," she says.

✔️ Capacity: One of the most popular kitchen trash can sizes is 13 gallons (or 50 liters). According to Papantoniou, this size is suitable for a full-sized family that will take the trash out a couple of times per week. You can also opt for an even smaller trash can or one that's divided into compartments. When considering capacity, "make sure it's easy enough to find trash bags," Papantoniou says. "You may not want to be beholden to a brand's proprietary trash bags."

✔️ Number of compartments: Many trash cans offer two compartments so you have the option to recycle too. These compartments are split into two, and sometimes the trash side is larger. "Trash cans that are divided equally in half are usually more helpful as recycling tends to be bulkier and takes up more space, Papantoniou says. Forté also suggests considering whether the inner compartments are removable or not. "Removable inner bins make cleaning easier and quicker rather than having to clean the entire can," she says.

✔️ Shape: Trash cans come in all sorts of shapes: rectangular, round, D-shaped (half-round) and more. As a rule of thumb, rectangular trash cans can be pushed up against a wall or counter, while round ones may be less obtrusive or noticeable in a room.

✔️ Opening mechanism: Because you'll be constantly opening up your trash can, it's important that it's easy to open. Some trash cans feature a foot pedal, while others have a touch lid, swing lid, a motion sensor or are manual. "Look for a long, wide foot pedal you can easily step on," Papantoniou suggests. "A touch lid might be a nuisance but they're still easy to use, while manual trash cans are easy to use but fastest to dirty. Motion sensors indicate no touch, but these can easily break or not always work."

✔️ Diameter of opening: A wide opening makes it easier to fit everything into your trash can. When possible, choose a larger opening.

✔️ Material: Most trash cans are made of stainless steel or plastic or a combination of both. (Stainless steel trash cans may have inner plastic liners, lids or rims.) Stainless steel is durable and looks stylish, but can smudge, dent and rust. A fingerprint- and stain-resistant finish is a must to help keep it looking clean. Plastic is lightweight and easy to clean but is also porous, so it may hold onto odors and over time it can dry out and crack.

✔️ Lid: Ask yourself whether you want a lid that stays open or one that's removable as this will make it easier to clean.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab provides expert tips and reviews on all things cleaning. Carolyn Forté brings over 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She has deep analytical testing and editorial writing expertise in categories like washers, dryers and vacuum cleaners, plus every tip needed to keep a home clean and organized.

Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou oversees all of our content and testing related to kitchen appliances, tools, gadgets and gear. She's been testing kitchen products since she joined GH in 2019, and she attends trade shows and meets with brands regularly to learn about the latest and greatest models and features.

GH Institute analyst and writer Olivia Lipski closely collaborated with Forté and Papantoniou to write this guide based on our testing data. She covers everything from consumer electronics to home appliances and products for GH.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

The Best Mugs for Coffee and Tea 2023

7 Best Cold Press Juicers You Can Buy

12 Best Drip Coffee Makers 2023

30 Beautiful Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

11 Best Wine Fridges and Coolers of 2023

10 Best Luxury Kitchen Appliances

9 Best Stainless Steel Cleaners of 2023

5 Best Electric Stoves of 2023

Best Microwave Air Fryer Combos

Best Stock Pots for 2023

These Glasses Will Make Your Wine Taste Better

6 Best Heated Mugs of 2023