Best Kitchen Trash Cans (2026): Touchless, Step and Dual-Compartment Picks from simplehuman to Budget

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You use a kitchen trash can more often than almost anything else in the room, yet most of us pick one by grabbing whatever fits the gap next to the counter. This guide narrows the best kitchen trash cans on Amazon to seven picks: two simplehuman step cans, a dual-compartment simplehuman recycler, an iTouchless sensor can, an Amazon Basics soft-close can, a Rev-A-Shelf pull-out for inside a cabinet and an OXO countertop compost bin. You also get a gallon size vs household table, a touchless vs step vs open-top breakdown, a liner fit guide, a footprint check for small kitchens, odor control tips and a simple recycling and compost setup. Planning a bigger refresh? Our kitchen remodel cost calculator helps you budget the cabinets and counters around it.

Best kitchen trash can comparison table

Every spec below comes from the Amazon listings: listed capacity, how the lid opens, which liner the brand recommends, any odor-control feature and the listed dimensions. We left prices out on purpose because they change often; use the links to see the current price.

The 7 best kitchen trash cans for 2026

We grouped these picks by the job they do best rather than ranking them on one scale. A step can, a sensor can and a pull-out cabinet bin all hold trash; the differences are how you open them, which bags they take, how much floor they use and how well they keep smells and pets in check.

1. simplehuman Rectangular Step Can, 55L / 14.5 Gallon

2. iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can with Pet Lock and Odor Filter

3. Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close Step Trash Can

4. simplehuman Step Recycler, 58L / 15.3 Gallon Dual Compartment

5. simplehuman 40L / 10.6 Gallon Slim Step Can with Slide Lock

6. Rev-A-Shelf Double 35 Qt Pullout Waste Containers

7. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin, 1.75 Gallon

Kitchen trash can 13 gallon or bigger? Size by household

The 13-gallon kitchen trash can is the US standard because the most common tall kitchen bags are sized for it. That does not mean it is right for every home. Choosing the best kitchen trash can starts with size. Use this table as a starting point, then adjust for how much you cook, whether you recycle and how often you want to take the bag out. Setting up a new place? Our first apartment checklist lists the other kitchen basics to buy first.

Quick conversions help when comparing listings: 30 liters is about 7.9 gallons, 40 liters is about 10.6 gallons, 50 liters is about 13.2 gallons and 55 liters is about 14.5 gallons. For pull-out bins, 35 quarts equals 8.75 gallons. A bigger can is not always the best kitchen trash can for you: wet food waste starts to smell within a few days, so a can that takes a week to fill can be worse for odor than a smaller one you empty every two or three days.

Touchless trash can for kitchen vs step vs open-top

When you compare the best kitchen trash can styles, how the lid opens affects hygiene, noise, maintenance and how long the can lasts. Here is how the three main styles compare.

A touchless trash can for kitchen counters that see a lot of prep is the most hygienic choice, while a well-built step can, like the simplehuman models, is the best kitchen trash can style for people who want no batteries and a long service life. Open-top cans make the most sense in a pantry or for recycling, not for food scraps.

Liner fit: custom liners vs standard bags

Even the best kitchen trash can is annoying with the wrong bag. Liner fit is the detail most people forget until a bag slips into the can. There are two systems in this guide:

• Custom-fit liners: simplehuman cans list a liner code (Code Q for the 55L rectangular can, Code H for the trash side of the Step Recycler, Code K for the 40L slim can). These bags are cut to the can, extra thick and double-seamed, so they do not bunch or hang over the rim.
• Standard tall kitchen bags: cans built around 13 gallons, like the iTouchless sensor can and the Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon can, are sized for the common 13-gallon bag you can buy at any grocery store.
• Pull-out and compost bins: pick a bag sized to the bin (35-quart bins for the Rev-A-Shelf, a small compostable bag for the OXO, if your local compost program accepts them).

Custom-liner cost note: branded custom-fit liners usually cost more per bag than generic store-brand 13-gallon bags. That is a small difference per bag, but most kitchens go through one bag every day or two, which is roughly 180 to 365 bags a year. Before you buy, look at the liner code on the listing and compare the cost per bag of those liners with generic bags. Many people use generic bags in custom-fit cans; they work, but they may sit loosely or overhang the rim.

Footprint check for small kitchens

Measure before you buy, because the best kitchen trash can on paper is useless if it does not fit. A can that is a half inch too wide will block a drawer, and a step can that is too tall will bang its lid into the counter overhang. The same measure-first rule applies next to the sink: our best dish drying rack guide shows how to size an over-sink or compact rack so the counter stays clear.

1. Width: measure the gap at floor level and at counter height. Leave about half an inch on each side so the can slides in and out.
2. Depth: most base cabinets are about 24 inches deep. A can deeper than about 22 inches will stick out past the cabinet faces.
3. Lid clearance: a step-can lid swings up and back. Add the depth of the lid to the can height and check that it clears any overhang, upper cabinet or window sill.
4. Pedal space: leave room in front for your foot; a can tucked under a counter overhang may be hard to step on.
5. Cabinet pull-outs: measure the cabinet opening, not the door, and check hinges, the face frame and the sink plumbing.

Slim trash can kitchen picks for a narrow gap

If your gap is 10 to 12 inches wide, a slim trash can kitchen layout works best: the simplehuman 40L slim can is listed at about 10.1 inches wide and 18.6 inches deep, so it fits beside a fridge or at the end of a run of cabinets. Slim cans hold less, so plan on emptying them more often, and add a small countertop compost bin to keep wet scraps out. If you have no floor gap at all, a pull-out cabinet system is the other way to free up space. Pairing the can with a few slim stools at an island? See our best counter stools guide for seat widths and spacing.

Dual compartment trash can and compost setup

The easiest way to recycle more is to make sorting as easy as tossing. A dual compartment trash can such as the simplehuman Step Recycler gives you trash and recycling in one footprint; a double pull-out like the Rev-A-Shelf does the same job hidden inside a cabinet. Add a countertop compost bin for scraps and you have a simple three-stream station:

• Trash: the main can, with a liner.
• Recycling: rinsed cans, bottles, cartons and paper, loose in a bucket or bin so you can tip them into the curbside cart. Check your city rules; the EPA explains how to recycle common recyclables.
• Compost: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells in a small bin you empty every few days. The EPA guide to composting at home lists what to add and what to leave out.

Are dual compartment trash cans worth it? If your town collects recycling and you sort daily, yes: you skip a second can and the sorting happens at the source. If you rarely recycle, a single larger can is simpler and holds more trash.

Odor control tips for any kitchen trash can

• Keep wet waste out: put scraps in a compost bin, and freeze meat or fish trimmings in a bag until trash day.
• Use the lid: lidded cans with soft-close seals hold smells far better than open-top cans.
• Add an absorber: carbon filters (iTouchless AbsorbX) or deodorizing pods (simplehuman odorsorb) help; a sprinkle of baking soda in the bottom of the can works too.
• Empty on a schedule: take the bag out every two to three days even if it is not full.
• Wash the can: once a month, rinse the can or inner bucket with warm soapy water, dry it fully, then add a new bag.
• Double-check the bag: a bag that fits snugly is less likely to tear and leak liquid into the bottom of the can.

Small, steady habits matter more than any one gadget, even the best kitchen trash can. The EPA has more ideas for reducing wasted food at home, which also means less smelly trash.

How to choose the best kitchen trash can: what to check before you buy

1. Capacity: match the gallons to your household using the table above; 13 gallons is the standard.
2. Lid type: sensor for hands-free prep, step for no power and long life, pull-out to hide it, open-top only for recycling.
3. Liner: custom-fit liner code or standard 13-gallon bags; factor in the yearly bag cost.
4. Footprint: width, depth and lid clearance, measured in your actual spot.
5. Odor and pets: look for a carbon filter, a pod holder, a pet lock or a slide lock if you have a dog that raids the trash.
6. Material: fingerprint-resistant stainless looks good next to steel appliances; plastic is lighter and does not dent.
7. Recycling plan: decide whether you want a dual compartment trash can, two bins or a pull-out double.
8. Warranty: simplehuman lists 10 years on the 55L rectangular can and 5 years on the 40L slim; Rev-A-Shelf lists a limited lifetime warranty.

The best kitchen trash can for you is the one that fits your space, takes a bag you are happy to keep buying and opens in the way you prefer. If you are setting up a new kitchen, it is worth deciding on the trash and recycling plan at the same time as the bigger pieces; our best cookware sets guide covers the other everyday essentials, and our cost to paint, reface or replace kitchen cabinets guide is useful if you want to add a pull-out trash cabinet during a cabinet update.

How we chose these kitchen trash cans

To pick the best kitchen trash cans for this guide, we did not test models hands-on. We started from popular Amazon kitchen trash can listings, then read each product page for capacity, lid mechanism, liner type, odor-control features, dimensions, materials and warranty. We aimed for a mix of styles (step, sensor, dual compartment, slim, pull-out and compost) and price tiers, avoided near-duplicate models, and added general guidance on sizing, liners, odor and recycling from common household practice and EPA resources. No brand paid for placement, and we left out prices and ratings because they change.

Helpful resources: EPA: Composting at home, EPA: How do I recycle common recyclables and EPA: Reducing wasted food at home.

Best kitchen trash can FAQ

What is the best kitchen trash can for most people?

For most homes, the best kitchen trash can is the simplehuman Rectangular Step Can (55L / 14.5 gallons) for its liner rim, Liner Pocket and silent lid. The iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can is the best touchless pick, and the Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close can is the best budget-friendly step can.

Is a kitchen trash can 13 gallon size big enough?

A 13-gallon kitchen trash can is the right size for most households of 3 to 4 people and takes the most common tall kitchen bags. Larger families or heavy cooks may prefer 14 to 16 gallons, while one or two people can use a 10-gallon slim can and empty it more often.

Is a touchless trash can for kitchen use worth it?

A touchless trash can for kitchen prep is worth it if you handle raw meat often, cook with messy hands or want to avoid touching the lid. It needs batteries or an adapter, so if you prefer no power at all, a sturdy step can is the better choice.

Are dual compartment trash cans worth it?

A dual compartment trash can is worth it if you recycle every day and do not have room for a second bin. It keeps trash and recycling in one footprint. Each side is smaller than a full single can, so very large households may still prefer two separate bins or a pull-out double.

What is the best slim trash can for a small kitchen?

For a slim trash can kitchen setup, the simplehuman 40L / 10.6 Gallon Slim Step Can is listed at about 10.1 inches wide, with built-in wheels and a slide lock. Measure your gap and leave about half an inch on each side.

How do I keep my kitchen trash can from smelling?

Keep wet scraps in a compost bin, freeze meat trimmings until trash day, use a lidded can with a carbon filter or deodorizing pod, take the bag out every two to three days and wash the can or inner bucket monthly. Buying meat in bulk? Sealing portions with a vacuum sealer for meat also cuts down on smelly packaging waste later.

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