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When it comes to home décor, choosing the best trash can for your kitchen or bathroom is hardly the most riveting aspect of the interior decorating space — or so you thought! Though we’d totally understand a healthy dose of skepticism about getting excited over a new waste bin, you just might start to change your mind once you lay eyes on our selection of the 15 best trash cans on the market.
Who makes the best trash cans?
At some point, there will likely come a time when you’ll need to go on the hunt for a trash can. While you certainly want it to do what it’s meant to and hold waste, you’ll also want one that isn’t an eyesore! Luckily, the bins of today have come a long way from the dumpy, plastic monstrosities they once were.
But which brand to choose? That all depends. They say that one man’s trash (pun intended!) is another man’s treasure, and that’s especially true for waste baskets. Features that matter to some, such as touch-free capabilities, multiple compartments, and materials, might not matter to others.
If you hate that your bin constantly gets grimy, for instance, it might be time for a motion sensor bin from iTouchless that you’ll never need to lay a hand on. Alternately, if sizing is an issue, you might opt for a slimline version from Simplehuman that you can fit into a small space. Like to recycle but don’t like the idea of having a whole bunch of different bins in the house? Why not opt for a two or even three-compartment Step N’ Sort trash can that will allow you to separate your refuse?
With so many cans available in an array of stylish shapes, designs, colors, and materials — think matte stainless steel and wood — you might forget to care if you can’t hide the bin away. Keep scrolling for FIRST’s picks for the best trash cans for every household.
We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
1. Best Voice Control and Motion Sensor Trash Can — Simplehuman Rectangular Sensor Can
Simplehuman's robotic motion sensor trash can with voice control is the product you never knew you needed, but once it’s in your house, you’ll never be able to live without it. If its steep price tag has you rubbing your chin, one look at this machine's capabilities should set your mind at ease. Just by speaking the words words "open can," its lid will rise, allowing you to throw your refuse in. Cat got your tongue? This device also reacts to motion, so a quick wave of the hands will get you the same result. It's got a liner pocket for convenient storage and dispensation, a fingerprint-proof coating to keep its stainless steel exterior clean, and comes with a five-year warranty to be ensure you get your money's worth.
There’s nothing worse than coming home to a stinky kitchen and realizing that someone — aka you — forgot to take the trash out. The iTouchless SoftStep trash can has an odor-control filter system that absorbs and neutralizes foul scents so that you’ll never have to deal with that rubbish smell again.
“This trash can holds in smells like a champ!" wrote one buyer. "I cook with a lot of onions and I don’t smell anything until I open the lid. A good buy.”
This steel step trash can from Kohler will give your home that just-renovated-by-a-top-interior-designer feel. Smooth and chic, it’s one of those pieces that you won’t mind having on full display — even if it is “just” a trash can. Its top has a soft-close, which means it won't slam shut, and it can also rest open if you need it to.
“I absolutely am in love with the white color and stainless accents on this,” one purchaser wrote. “[It] doesn't even look so ‘trashy’ like a normal trash can … It looks sleek, bright, and modern.”
If foot-pedals aren’t your thing, try this Umbra Venti Swing-Top can. This 16.5-gallon beauty is highly durable, making it suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Additionally, it's easy to clean, and its pewter finish makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen.
"[This can's] swinging lid makes it virtually hands free while I’ve got my hands full, and the middle piece keeps the garbage liner from slipping down and making a mess," one Amazon shopper wrote.
Whether you're short on space in the kitchen or you simply want a trash can that's discreet and out of the way, the Simplehuman Slim Touch-Bar trash can has you covered: It's one of the most convenient, functional, and classy slim bins we’ve come across. Its touch-bar activates its slow lid, and once it's full, a removable interior bucket lifts out easily for cleaning. It's also got a fingerprint-resistant finish, so it won't get nearly as dirty as its run-of-the-mill counterparts.
If you've ever lifted your trash can to see what’s underneath, you already know it’s not pretty. The Brabantia Bo trash can makes cleaning beneath it a breeze thanks to its adjustable standing legs that you can easily get underneath. “I love that I can easily mop under it,” wrote one happy purchaser.
Additionally, there's a large opening for hard-to-miss disposal and two removable interior buckets for keeping waste separate. A fingerprint-proof matte steal option is one of four finish selections available.
Although a simple necessity, this little Mingol soft-close trash can with lid will add plenty of character to the décor of any bathroom. Fun, retro, and very “in," this garbage bin, which comes in five tasteful hues, will liven up your space in no time.
As one Amazon reviewer explained, it also gets the job done when it comes to bathroom messes: “This couldn’t have been more perfect!" the customer wrote. "The lid shuts slowly when it’s opened, which is nice — it doesn’t slam down. It also has a little bucket inside of it so it’s easy to dump out your trash."
If you like to recycle, we’ve got the perfect trash can to make your life easier. Featuring three removable compartments that you can use to separate your waste, as well as a hands-free step pedal, the Step N' Sort stainless steel trash and recycling bin will seriously cut down on your refuse sorting time. Each bin holds up to 20 liters of trash, cardboard, and more, and it comes with colored stickers for labeling your system. Genius!
If you want all the bells and whistles of a quality, durable, and functional trash can in a much smaller package, the Simplehuman butterfly step trashcan might be your best bet. Despite it's small size, this can packs a serious punch in a scaled-down version, boasting impeccable odor control, a silent-but-innovative split-door lid that keeps trash clearance low, and a steel pedal that's designed for 150,000 steps or more (that's more than 20 steps a day for the next 20 years). Your new trash can will also be covered for 10 of those years by a manufacturer's warranty.
While regular office waste bins can be unsightly, off-putting, and quite frankly démodé, the Tubelor High Grand may bring in some compliments: Its sleek design has a two-part construction that keeps plastic trash bags secure and completely hidden. It's extremely lightweight for easy transportability and its smooth exterior is a breeze to clean — just wipe it down with a damp cloth!
The saying “two are better than one” may not apply to everything, but it's certainly apt in this instance. Whether you like to recycle or compost, this dual compartment SONGMICS garbage bin, which features two metal step-pedals, removable plastic inner buckets, handles, and hinged lids with soft and airtight closures, will definitely come in handy.
“Makes recycling a lot easier," confirmed one happy shopper.
For a no-frills, economical trash can with a large capacity, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better garbage bin than the 11.4-gallon Room Essentials lift-top wastebasket. Its simple look, easy-to-lift lid, easy-to-clean surface, and extremely low price make this purchase a no-brainer.
“Great trash can for the price,” wrote one five-star reviewer, with another chiming in, “Economical item with good quality."
We never thought we’d fall in love with an outdoor trash can — you know, those massive plastic atrocities on wheels? — but then we set eyes on the Keter Copenhagen. This 30-gallon resin wood waste bin is a unique and tasteful item that will blend in effortlessly with the rest of your patio furniture. It's all-weather resistant to guard against the elements and can easily be wiped down with a water and vinegar mixture.
Sure, we love our pets to bits, but our patience can be stretched thin when we find that they’ve got into the garbage yet again. The top on this country-style wooden waste bin from Home-Like requires a human touch to open — a huge plus for keeping furry friends out!
One Amazon buyer vetted its strength, writing, “When it comes to tipping over trash cans, my dog is a ninja. The first time we left her home alone with [this bin], all she managed to do was push it around the kitchen. No tipping. She's lost interest since.”
A kitchen bin on wheels? Why didn’t we think of that! Whether you’re cooking or cleaning, the iTouchless Glide sensor trash canallows you to conveniently move it around with you to dispose of rubbish as needed. Odor-control keeps any foul smells locked up tight, and there’s also an automatic sensor, so you won’t even need to touch it — a big perk if your hands are all greasy from cooking.
“I ... love the wheels so I can roll it to the sink or the kitchen table for clean-up instead of trying to balance and drop things on the way to the garbage. It’s just a convenience I never thought of before," one buyer wrote.
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