10 Best Kitchen Trash Cans of 2023, According to Experts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.