11 Best Kitchen Trash Cans & Garbage Bins of 2022

We all want to keep our home as clean, organized and stylish as possible, and a trash can that does its job and looks good while doing it is a big part of the equation. If you’ve ever had a too small waste bin or one that leaks or fails to keep smells at bay, you know how frustrating - and gross - it is. If you’ve never been in that situation then you’re lucky. Or maybe you just already own one of these eleven excellent garbage cans!

If your kitchen’s garbage situation is a mess, give one of these highly-rated trash cans a try. Read on for the best of the best, or skip ahead for a more detailed breakdown of what a truly great waste bin can do for you.

Here are our top picks, including a couple of garbage cans you don’t even have to touch and an electric composter that turns your garbage into dirt. Cool, right?

Our top 6 picks for kitchen garbage cans 

Looking to skip the rest and head straight for the best? Well, here they are - our top six choices for the best kitchen trash can on the market today.

1. Best large kitchen trash can: Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection
2. Best small kitchen trash can: Brabantia New Icon Step On Soft Closing Kitchen Garbage
3. Best kitchen garbage composter: Lomi Countertop Compost Bin
4. Best stainless steel kitchen trash can: iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter
5. Best dual kitchen trash can: Ninestars Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can and Recycler
6. Best budget kitchen garbage can: Rubbermaid Wastebasket Trash Container

Want even more trash talk? Read on for a detailed breakdown of some of the most functional and best-looking garbage cans on the market.

 

 

11 best kitchen trash cans for every home

Whether your kitchen is small, big, you live alone or you have a big family, there’s a trash can out there for you. From a large waste bin, to one you can tuck under your sink and forget about, we’ve got garbage cans in every shape, size and color. 

1. Rubbermaid Wastebasket Trash Container

As simple as it gets, this plastic trash container by Rubbermaid gets the job done with no muss and no fuss. Store it under your kitchen sink and empty frequently to keep your space mess-free. For a little more style, consider buying it in beige or gray instead of basic black.

What we like	What we don’t like
Very affordable Lightweight and easy to empty Fits under most kitchen sinks	Doesn’t come with a matching plastic lid Virgin plastic isn’t a sustainable material Too small for large families

 

2. Umbra Venti Swing-Top 16.5-Gallon Kitchen Trash Can

If you deal with a lot of trash on a daily basis, you’re going to need a waste bin that can handle it. The Umbra Venti trash can is made from sturdy stainless steel and comes in several different finishes, which is great because it’s too tall to fit under the kitchen sink - but will look great resting in the corner or next to your kitchen counter.

What we like	What we don’t like
Looks great Stainless steel material has excellent durability and longevity  Handles a lot of waste	Swing top means you have to touch the can to use it Two part lid has to be removed to empty Might be too big for small kitchens

 

3. Lomi Countertop Compost Bin

The best way to deal with kitchen waste is to reduce the amount of it in the first place. Which is why the Lomi kitchen garbage composter is such a fantastic addition to any household. It’s not a garbage can - it’s actually better! Instead of throwing food scraps and other organic waste like paper towels into the trash, allow Lomi to convert it into usable, nutrient-rich fertilizer you can add to your indoor and outdoor plants. It even takes Lomi-approved bioplastics!

What we like	What we don’t like
Actually reduces your kitchen waste Looks great on your countertop Made by a Certified B Corporation	Sells out quickly Might be too small for big families

 

 

4. Brabantia New Icon Step On Soft Closing Kitchen Garbage

Want a trash can that also makes a statement? How about this fire-engine red one by Brabantia? Red not your color? Not to worry, it also comes in Pine Green, Almond, Cinnamon, Matte Black, Platinum and more. Its foot operated pedal makes dumping trash a breeze and its corrosion-resistant material means you’ll be loving this cool-looking design for many years to come.

What we like	What we don’t like
One of the nicest-looking trash cans on the market Slim enough to tuck into any corner Soft-close lid	May be too small for some kitchens Doesn’t take standard trash bags Narrow opening

 

5. Simplehuman Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can

Love an easy-to-use technology-free trash can that opens with a trusty step lever? There’s a reason this style of garbage bin has been around for so long - it just works! Plus, this step trash can by Simplehuman has the added bonus of wheels so you can roll it around as needed.

What we like	What we don’t like
Liner is made from recycled plastic  Stainless steel outer bin is fingerprint proof Comes with a ten-year warranty	Weighs over 16 pounds, which may be too heavy for some Opening may be too narrow for large items Custom-fit liners are expensive and a regular trash bag don’t fit perfectly

 

6. Ninestars Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can

If garbage totally grosses you out, you may want to invest in a touchless can like this good-looking model by Ninestars. With a simple wave of the hand, the lid lifts and remains open for five seconds - meaning odors have very little time to escape. If you need it to stay open longer, simply wave again.

What we like	What we don’t like
Touchless lid keeps your hands germ free Very nice to look at Large capacity is great for busy kitchens	Runs on batteries that need to be frequently replaced  Sensor doesn’t always work May be too large for small kitchens

 

7. Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection

Need a large, nice-looking waste bin with odor-fighting technology? The Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can inhibits bacteria growth, meaning reduced smells. Another cool addition not every waste bin has is a rear compartment where you can store garbage bags. Also, it comes in a few colors so you can match it to your appliances.

What we like	What we don’t like
Fingerprint resistant finish Soft close lid Made from a durable material	Can be heavy to move around Rear bag dispenser doesn’t fit larger bags Hinge on lid prone to breaking

 

8. IKEA Knodd Bin with Lid

If you want a garbage can that doesn’t look like the rest on this list, check out IKEA’s Knodd Bin. With its vintage-inspired silhouette, it’ll look great anywhere and can even be used for storage rather than trash. Also comes in a smaller 4 gallon size for very small spaces.

What we like	What we don’t like
Nice looking Wide opening allows for large item disposal Can use for storage instead of trash	Lid is a bit clunky No liner means stains more likely  Smaller capacity

 

9. Simplehuman Under Counter Kitchen Cabinet Pull-Out Trash Can

If you firmly believe the best place for kitchen garbage is under the sink, consider this under-counter pull-out trash can. The steel frame and track come fully assembled, so all you have to do is install and go. A bonus is that Simplehuman trash cans come up again and again on best of lists - so you know you’ll be getting a top notch product.

What we like	What we don’t like
Easy to install Has a steel handle to make lifting and emptying a breeze Comes with a five-year warranty	May be too small for some kitchens Track may break over time Doesn’t come with a lid so odors may escape

 

10. iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter

Another entry into the touch-free category, the iTouchless 13 gallon kitchen trash can is a great medium-sized option. Plus, it comes with an odor-absorbing filter to help eliminate gross garbage smells. If you want a touch-free and dog-proof garbage can, iTouchless has a very similar model that’s pooch-resistant.

What we like	What we don’t like
Sensor works great Works well in smaller kitchens Uses batteries or an AC adapter	Adapter has to be purchased separately  Filter takes up interior space, meaning less room for trash Only comes with one filter to start

 

11. Ninestars Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can and Recycler

What better way to sort your trash from recyclables than a dual kitchen trash can? This model by Ninestars pretty much has it all. Two compartments for sorting, an infrared motion sensor lid with water-resistant technology and a finger-print resistant exterior.

What we like	What we don’t like
One of the largest dual trash cans available Very durable Nice looking	Requires batteries to operate Individual compartments have a narrow width Sensor may stop working over time

 

Top 5 tips for choosing the perfect kitchen trash can

Picking out the right garbage can for your kitchen may seem like an easy task, until you go to do it. What size do you need? What finish? Should it have a lid? Should it be touchless? So many questions! Thankfully, these five tips will make the whole process mess-free.

1. Start with size: You can find a trash can you love the look or features of, but if it’s too big to fit or too small to be useful you’ll be regretting your purchase. The most popular size for a kitchen bin is around 13 gallons, but this may be too large to fit under your sink or too little for a big family. Use the trash can’s overall dimensions for reference of how big the capacity will be.

2. Move on to material: Trash cans pretty much come in two different materials - plastic or metal. The benefit of plastic trash cans is that they’re light and very affordable. Unfortunately, they aren’t always as long-lasting as something more expensive stainless steel. Which option you go with will largely depend on your budget.

3. Lid or no lid: Whether you want a lid on your kitchen garbage depends on a few things. If the trash is kept under the sink then the addition of a lid can be cumbersome. If you’re planning on keeping it next to the counter or in the corner of the room then a lid pretty much becomes a necessity. No one wants to be eating a meal only to look down and see an open trash can.

4. What about style: While there are those who would say, “it’s a trash can - style shouldn’t matter,” we beg to differ. If your trash can will be hidden under your sink, function and size are probably more important. But much like with the lid situation, if your bin is kept out in the open you’re going to want it to look nice. The most popular style is definitely silver stainless steel. But you can also get steel finished in colors like matte black, white and more.

5. To touch or not to touch: If trash really grosses you out you may want to go touchless. These models use a sensor to open and close when you reach to add an item and are also a great option for those with limited mobility. Just remember if you have little kids they’ll also be able to access the trash with just a wave of their little hand.

Now that you know all there is to know about trash cans, which one are you going to choose? Whichever it is, we hope you also consider adding Lomi to your kitchen waste management strategy. Aside from just being yuck, garbage contributes to pollution and keeping your household waste to a minimum isn’t just great for you - it’s great for the environment too.

Don’t forget to check out what others are saying about Lomi before you go!

Written by: Larissa Swayze