Best Kitchen Trash Cans of 2025: Touchless, Step & Stainless Steel

Nobody thinks about their kitchen trash can until it annoys them. The lid that won’t stay open. The fingerprints all over the steel. The way it smells three days before the bag is full. Then suddenly it’s the most important appliance in the room. The good news: trash cans have gotten a lot better in the last few years. Sensor lids that actually sense, odor filters that work, and step mechanisms that don’t break after six months.

The bad news: there are about 400 options on Amazon and the prices range from $25 to $250. I tested seven of the most popular ones — step cans, touchless cans, and one that costs more than a microwave — to find out which ones are worth your money and which are just paying for a logo.

What to Look For in a Kitchen Trash Can

Here’s what separates a good trash can from one you’ll want to throw away.

Capacity

Most kitchen trash cans come in 10, 13, or 20+ gallon sizes. The 13-gallon size is the sweet spot for most households: it fits standard 13-gallon kitchen bags (the ones you already have) and needs emptying every 2-3 days for a family of four. Ten-gallon cans are for small kitchens or single people — they fit under counters better but you’ll empty them constantly. If you cook a lot or hate taking out the trash, go bigger, but remember: a 50-gallon can takes up floor space and holds a full week of trash that you have to smell in between.

Lid Mechanism: Step vs. Touchless vs. Manual

This is the big decision. Step cans open with a foot pedal — reliable, no batteries, works every time, but the pedals are the #1 failure point on cheap cans. Touchless cans use a motion sensor to open the lid, which is great when your hands are covered in raw chicken juice, but they need batteries (or an AC adapter) and the sensors can be finicky — some open when you walk past, some don’t open when you actually need them. Manual push lids are the cheapest but defeat the whole purpose if you’re trying to avoid touching the can. If you have pets, look for a lock feature — the sensor opening for every dog that walks by is a real problem, and it’s also how the dog gets into the trash.

Odor Control

A sealed lid is the single biggest factor in kitchen odor. Step and touchless cans both seal when closed; open-top cans don’t. Some premium cans add charcoal filters in the lid, which do help with odors from food scraps. If you compost, a sealed can with a filter makes a big difference. Also worth checking: does the lid actually seal? Some cans have a visible gap when closed, which defeats the whole purpose.

Build Quality and Finish

Stainless steel looks great and hides nothing — every fingerprint shows. Brushed steel hides fingerprints much better than polished. Cheap steel dents, and cheap plastic cracks at the hinge. Look for a can with a removable inner bucket (so you can lift the whole bag out instead of wrestling it) and a soft-close lid that doesn’t slam. The difference between a $40 can and a $100 can is mostly the hinge mechanism, the steel gauge, and the sensor quality — not the brand name.

Top 7 Kitchen Trash Cans Reviewed

1. simplehuman 50 Liter Rectangular Step Can — Best Overall

The simplehuman 50L (13.2 gallon) step can is the default recommendation for a reason. The step mechanism is the smoothest I’ve tested — it opens with a light press and closes slowly and quietly thanks to the dampened hinge. The brushed stainless finish hides fingerprints well. The liner system uses simplehuman’s proprietary bags, which are good but pricey; you can use standard bags, though the fit is looser.

Capacity: 13.2 gallons (50L)
Mechanism: Step pedal, soft-close lid
Material: Brushed stainless steel
Dimensions: 24.5"H
Features: Dampened lid, bag cinch

Pros:

• Best step mechanism in its class
• Quiet, dampened lid close
• Brushed steel resists fingerprints
• Secure lid seal for odor control

Cons:

• Proprietary bags cost more
• No odor filter
• Pricier than comparable cans

Verdict: The step can everything else gets compared to. If you want reliability without sensors or batteries, this is the one.

2. simplehuman Semi-Round Step Can — Best for Small Kitchens

The semi-round shape is the trick here: it’s flat on the back, so it sits flush against a wall or cabinet instead of leaving a weird gap. Same great step mechanism and soft-close lid as the larger simplehuman, in a footprint that fits tighter spaces. The plastic body is lighter than steel and doesn’t show fingerprints at all, though it does show scuffs over time.

Capacity: 13 gallons (50L)
Mechanism: Step pedal, soft-close
Material: Plastic body, steel accents
Dimensions: Sits flush against wall
Features: Secure slide lock for lid

Pros:

• Semi-round shape saves floor space
• Same quality step mechanism as the steel version
• Plastic body hides fingerprints
• Lid locks for pet-proofing

Cons:

• Plastic can scuff and stain
• No odor filter

Verdict: The smart shape for galley kitchens and tight corners. You lose the premium look but gain floor space.

3. Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close Step Can — Best Budget

The Amazon Basics can is the value pick that doesn’t feel like one. It’s a stainless steel step can with a soft-close lid, a removable inner bucket, and a footprint that fits standard kitchen layouts. It uses regular 13-gallon bags — no proprietary liner system. The step mechanism isn’t as buttery as the simplehuman, but for the price difference you can buy a lot of trash bags.

Capacity: 13.2 gallons
Mechanism: Step pedal, soft-close
Material: Stainless steel, satin nickel finish
Features: Removable inner bucket, standard bags

Pros:

• Costs a fraction of the premium brands
• Soft-close lid works reliably
• Uses standard 13-gallon bags
• Removable inner bucket

Cons:

• Steel is thinner, dents easier
• Step pedal is stiffer than premium cans

Verdict: The best value step can on the market. It does 90% of what the expensive cans do for a third of the price.

4. iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Can — Best Touchless Value

The iTouchless sensor can opens when you wave your hand near the lid and closes automatically after a few seconds. It runs on batteries (lasts over a year with normal use) or an AC adapter, and the brushed stainless body resists fingerprints. The sensor has an adjustable sensitivity and a manual open/close button for when you want the lid to stay up. It fits standard 13-gallon bags.

Capacity: 13 gallons
Mechanism: Motion sensor + manual mode
Material: Stainless steel
Features: Odor filter, soft-close, battery or AC
Power: 2 D batteries (included)

Pros:

• Reliable sensor with adjustable sensitivity
• Runs on batteries or AC adapter
• Odor filter in the lid
• Fits standard bags

Cons:

• Sensor can trigger on pets walking past
• Batteries eventually need replacing

Verdict: The best entry-level touchless can. It does the hands-free thing without the $200 price tag, and the sensor is actually adjustable instead of just on/off.

5. iTouchless Patented 13 Gallon Sensor Can — Best Odor Control

This is the upgraded iTouchless with the AbsorbX odor filter system built into the lid. The filter actually makes a difference — food scraps, fish packaging, and coffee grounds don’t announce themselves the way they do with a plain sealed lid. The sensor opens the lid in under a second and the soft-close is genuinely quiet. The 57,000+ reviews on Amazon tell the story: this is one of the most reliable touchless cans at any price.

Capacity: 13 gallons
Mechanism: Motion sensor
Material: Stainless steel
Features: AbsorbX odor filter, pet lock, soft-close
Power: Batteries or AC adapter

Pros:

• AbsorbX filter genuinely controls odors
• Pet lock stops sensor-triggering dogs
• Proven reliability (57k+ reviews)
• Fits standard bags

Cons:

• Replacement filters are an ongoing cost
• Pricier than the base iTouchless

Verdict: The best all-around touchless can. The odor filter alone is worth the upgrade if your trash can sits anywhere near your living space.

6. Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Can — Best Value Touchless

Ninestars has been making budget touchless cans for years, and the oval 13-gallon model is their best. The sensor opens reliably, the lid seals tight, and there’s a one-touch manual mode to keep the lid open while you cook. The brushed stainless body is fingerprint-resistant. It uses standard bags, which is a relief after cans that force you into proprietary liners.

Capacity: 13 gallons
Mechanism: Motion sensor + one-touch manual
Material: Stainless steel
Features: Odor-sealing lid, soft-close
Power: Batteries

Pros:

• Touchless convenience at a budget price
• Odor-sealing lid closes tight
• One-touch mode for cooking sessions
• Standard 13-gallon bags

Cons:

• Sensor sensitivity can be finicky at settings
• No odor filter

Verdict: The budget pick that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for hands-free. Ninestars has been making these for a decade and it shows.

7. Ninestars DZT-50-49 Touchless Can — Best Compact Touchless

The DZT-50-49 is the newer Ninestars model with a few thoughtful upgrades: a step pedal as a backup (so if the sensor dies or the batteries run out, you’re not stuck with a closed lid), a removable inner bucket, and a black-top design that hides smudges around the opening. It’s the same 13-gallon size but with a more modern silhouette that fits narrower gaps.

Capacity: 13 gallons
Mechanism: Sensor + step pedal backup
Material: Stainless steel, black top
Features: Removable inner bucket, soft-close
Power: Batteries

Pros:

• Step pedal backup if sensor fails
• Removable inner bucket for easy bag changes
• Black top hides fingerprints
• Narrower footprint

Cons:

• Newer model, fewer reviews to judge by
• Batteries not included

Verdict: The thinking person’s touchless can. The pedal backup is the kind of detail you only appreciate when the batteries die at 7am.

Comparison Table

FAQ

Are touchless trash cans worth it?

If you cook meat, handle raw chicken, or bake, yes. The whole point is not touching a lid covered in whatever was on your hands. They’re also genuinely useful when your hands are full — a wave of the elbow opens the lid. But they cost more, need batteries, and the sensors can misbehave. If you’re on a budget, a good step can gets you 90% of the benefit for half the price.

What size trash can should I get for a family of four?

A 13-gallon can, which you’ll empty every 2-3 days. That’s the standard kitchen size and it fits the standard 13-gallon bags you already buy. If you generate a lot of food waste or only want to take the trash out weekly, step up to 20+ gallons, but be ready for the floor space it takes.

Why does my trash can smell even with a lid?

Three reasons: the lid doesn’t seal completely (visible gap when closed), you’re not using a sealed bag, or odors are coming from around the bag rim. A sealed lid with a charcoal filter is the fix for most kitchens. Also: rinse food containers before tossing them, and take out food waste more often than the rest of the trash.

Can I use regular trash bags in a sensor can?

Most sensor cans fit standard 13-gallon bags. The exceptions are simplehuman cans, which are designed around their proprietary liner system — standard bags work but fit loosely. Check the product description for “fits standard bags” before buying, and avoid cans that force you into a specific bag brand.

Do sensor cans work with pets around?

Some do, some don’t. Motion sensors can’t tell a dog from a hand, so a curious pet walking past will trigger the lid. If you have pets, look for a can with a pet lock (the iTouchless AbsorbX has one) or a sensor with an adjustable range you can tune down. Also consider the lid-lock feature so a determined pet can’t nose the lid open.

How long do sensor can batteries last?

Most sensor cans run 6-12 months on a set of batteries with normal use (opening 10-20 times a day). Some models support AC adapters, which is worth it if you never want to think about batteries. When the lid starts opening slowly or not at all, it’s almost always the batteries, not the sensor.

The Bottom Line

The simplehuman 50L step can is still the best all-around kitchen trash can — the mechanism is the smoothest in the business and it’ll last years. On a budget, the Amazon Basics step can is the value king. For touchless, the iTouchless AbsorbX is the one to get: reliable sensor, genuine odor control, and a pet lock if you need it. The Ninestars oval is the budget touchless pick.

Skip the $250 designer cans unless you really want the aesthetic. A $60-100 can with a sealed lid and a decent mechanism does everything a kitchen trash can needs to do, and the money you save pays for a lot of trash bags.

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