Best Trash Cans: Top 5 Waste Bins Most Recommended By Experts

Dec 08, 2023

For some, the key to a happy and harmonious home is cleanliness. Cleaning is a chore, but it can result in a better and healthier space in your dwelling. Trash cans are an important part of keeping a tidy living space. That being said, which products combine form with function to fit your particular needs? The best trash cans fit seamlessly into your home, conceal smell and are easy to use.

Speaking of a clean home, a little spring cleaning might just do the trick, a new study finds. Clorox, the household name in the cleaning industry, recently released findings from a multifaceted study it conducted in which the findings suggest that keeping a neat living space promotes empathy. The study’s first component consisted of an online survey of 2,000 American adults which found that those who enjoyed the act of cleaning were 25 percent happier that those who did not. Furthermore, those who frequently spruced up the house didn’t seem to experience diminishing returns: for each extra hour of cleaning a week, the average respondent’s happiness increased by 53 percent. Regular cleaning was also associated with other positive health outcomes, including improved relaxation (indicated by 80% of respondents), heightened focus (77%), better sleep (72%), and increased productivity (72%), the researchers found.

Another recent study suggests that for some homeowners, if you’ve been putting off tidying up your home, you may not want to put it off any longer. Out of 2,000 American homeowners, results showed 78 percent believe there’s a direct link between their home’s tidiness and their well-being. Three-quarters agree their stress levels increase when the inside of their home is messy – and 70 percent believe this carries over when their outdoor spaces are unkempt. After two years of the pandemic, 75 percent of homeowners say they don’t know where they’d be without their outdoor space – with an additional 71 percent saying that it served as an “oasis” during this time. However, homeowners may want to get to their spring cleaning checklist sooner rather than later. Of those who regularly do spring cleaning (over 1,600 respondents), 72 percent feel their spring cleaning also plays a role in improving their well-being. Other motivations to clean include feeling productive (53%), welcoming the change of seasons (48%), and preparing for other spring activities (47%).

Sounds like a good excuse to make your house a cleaner place and what better way to do so than investing in a trash can that will keep garbage efficiently contained. From kitchen waste to office trash, we scoured our sources to tally up the best trash cans. Let us know your which one is your favorite in the comments below!

Choosing from top rated trash cans seem simple at first. After all you only really need a receptacle to hold garbage, right? Today’s trash can offerings have a combination of features and sleek exterior that can make choosing one more complicated than it seems at first glance. “If you’re looking into finding the best rated trash can, you should probable(sic) check out the SONGMICS Can. We looked at various sources of reviews and found this one to have the best mix between review count and average rating stars,” according to Alternative.

A dual-compartment trash can with a smaller footprint could be a great choice for consumers that want to have a separate recycling bin in the same can. “Need an external reminder to step up your recycling game? Say less. The SONGMICS dual-compartment trash can should do the trick. The 16-gallon bin features a streamlined silhouette, a fingerprint-resistant powder-coated steel exterior and two removable inner buckets for sorting trash and recyclables in one place. Each internal compartment has a designated foot pedal and a soft closing lid. Snag the hardworking trash can for your kitchen or garage in one of six hues: white, almond, black, brown, gray or silver,” writes HGTV.

This trash can is be found at many retailers, “The genius of this trash can is in its two step-pedals — one for each compartment — ‘so if there is a big mess, you won’t have to worry about it falling into the other side,’ says Naeemah Ford Goldson, owner of Restore Order Professional Organizing. To get her two sons in the habit of recycling, she color-codes the two compartments with different garbage bags, and she notes that the fingerprint-resistant finish is much appreciated, as the boys ‘touch absolutely everything.’ And once it’s time to actually take out the trash, there are handles to hold onto on top of the sides,” says The Strategist.

Here is an example of a trash can that is widely popular and has a larger than average user base. “With at least 2222 reviews and counting, the NINESTARS Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Can might be another option to consider. This large amount of reviews signalizes that many people are using it, with most of them being satisfied,” writes Alternative.

Additional details are as follows: “If you’re interested in a hands-free trash can that won’t break the bank, the Ninestars DZT-80-35 offers touchless operation along with other convenient features. This trash can has a brushed stainless steel finish, making it as elegant as it is functional. What’s more, the fingerprint-resistant design keeps it looking shiny after repeated use. Measuring 26.9 inches tall and 18.6 inches wide, this trash can has a generous 80-liter (21-gallon) capacity, making it an excellent choice for bigger households. Despite its large size, it is fairly lightweight at less than 10 pounds, making it easy to move and clean as needed. Note that this unit requires three D batteries, which, unfortunately, aren’t included. The lid opens via a motion sensor and closes silently every time. If you need to tackle bigger cleaning tasks, you can use the built-in manual mode to keep the lid open longer,” mentions The Spruce.

The addition of a motion sensor adds convenience to functionality. “This model is designed with durable stainless steel and has a non-skid base for added stability. Additionally, the trash can has a quiet open-and-close lid for near noiseless operation…This high-tech trash can was easy to use and came with a unique wave-to-open lid. While the lid opened with a simple wave, it didn’t open as fast as other top-rated models. Additionally, the required hand wave took about the same amount of effort as pushing the foot pedal on other models. This model has a stylish and durable stainless-steel exterior, and it secured trash bags with its included ring liner,” writes This Old House.

The iTouchless is a smaller trash can that offers a locking lid that is great for pet owners. “A great, touchless unit that keeps you from coming in contact with a germ-ridden unit thanks to a sensor unit that opens the lid and works well; very expensive though,” says Best Reviews.

The sleek exterior is easy to clean and could be a great choice for parents as well. “This sophisticated trash can has the functionality you’d want—pedal opening, silent lid, removable inner bucket—and includes the major bonus of having built-in odor control. It has an AbsorbX filter located on the underside of the lid that absorbs trash odors and customers insist the odor control isn’t just marketing hype and actually works. The majority say they no longer notice any odor coming from their trash can; filters last up to three months and replacements can be purchased from Amazon,” adds Popular Mechanics.

“Another great feature is the replaceable activated carbon filter, which effectively keeps odors at bay when replaced every three months. While this feature requires an additional cost, the trash can comes with one filter to get you started. Unlike many of our other picks, this trash can’s sensor can run on four D batteries or plug into a wall outlet if you purchase a separate AC adapter. According to the manufacturer, the battery life is three times that of other sensor cans, which means they only need to be replaced every one to two years,” points out The Spruce.

For those consumers who are looking for a simple trash can the Simplehuman can might be the best choice. “The Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can is a bit of a rock star in the trash can world — Wirecutter, The Spruce, and Insider all picked it as their best trash can overall, and it’s not hard to see why. It has a silent opening mechanism, a built-in bag dispenser, and the lid closes tightly to keep any unsavory smells inside,” writes My Move.

This is also a can that has a locking lid and is also said to be especially durable. “This trash can is the all-around best option for a busy household: It has a large capacity, an easy-opening lid, and it locks shut so you don’t have to worry about pets or kids knocking it over. The dent-proof plastic is highly durable, and the space-saving design allows you to put it up against the wall in a high-traffic area; integrated handles make it easy to lift and transport when the can gets full. Multiple customers remarked how durable both the body and pedal mechanism are and love the lock option that makes them worry less about knocking it over. They also appreciate the slow close lid as it won’t snap shut on you if you’re cooking or baking and going back and forth with eggshells or wrappers,” adds Popular Mechanics.

This model is considered by some consumers as the gold standard for a simple and reliable trash can. “Simplehuman is the big name in trash cans. I have one, as do several of my coworkers. This did not make us biased; if anything, our collective experience helped us better scrutinize these trash cans. However, when it came down to the side-by-side tests, the Simplehuman rectangular flip-top was hard to beat: Though the brand produces its own bags, any standard grocery store bag will fit nicely and securely in the trash can, and it’s well-built, sleek, sturdy, and reliable. The lid opens and closes silently, and all odors are contained easily. For large families, Simplehuman also offers a greater range of sizes compared to Kohler,” explains Epicurious.

Rounding off our list is the Rubbermaid classic, a sturdy and inexpensive option that is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable can. “With a large foot pedal that goes almost all the way across the bottom, a slow-close lid, and a Liner-Lock feature, our testers really like this trash can. Another standout feature is the lid lock system, which holds the lid in place in the fully-open position for easy access while working or cleaning, and then can be locked shut so kids and pets can’t get into it. The modern charcoal-colored resin design is durable and nice-looking too,” says Tech Gear Lab.

Again, the Rubbermaid is potentially the best choice for those who are looking for a can without any superfluous features. According to This Old House, “This trash can comes with a thick, durable rim and an easy-to-use step pedal for simple hands-free waste disposal. The trash can weighs just 4.8 pounds and has a round, plastic design that’s easy to clean. Additionally, this model comes with trash bag retainer arms that secure the bag to its frame to prevent slipping.”

With a low-price coming from some retailers, The Rubbermaid trash can could also be a good choice for homes that need multiple cans. “The traditional trashcan from Rubbermaid is a simple option if you just want something that is durable and a good value. Bags are held in place by the liner lock system, and integrated handles make it easy to transport,” writes Popular Mechanics

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

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