You Really Need A New Trash Can. Here Are 11 That Won’t Be Eyesores In Your Kitchen.

It can be easy to overlook the aesthetics of the most utilitarian objects in our homes. But just because something is as hardworking and practical as a kitchen trash can doesn’t mean it can’t also look good. We’re all about the melding of form and function, and these days there are are plenty of common household items that look lovely and are useful.
Picking up a fresh new trash can is an unexpectedly easy way to perk up the look and feel of your kitchen. The ideal bin will blend into the space, not stand out like a large, stinky sore thumb. Depending on the kind of kitchen you’re working with, you want to look for a trash can that is large, keeps smells contained, and is made of sturdy materials built to last.
We’ve rounded up kitchen trash can options that include touchless tops, dual sections to separate recycling and more. The one thing all of these bins have in common? They are all wildly popular and highly rated on Amazon, so you can trust that you’re making a sound investment.
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HuffPost Shopping deputy editor Marquaysa Battle can personally vouch for this rectangular stainless steel trash can with a pedal. “I’m obsessed with my Simplehuman trashcan,” she says. “It’s super durable, easy to clean and holds A LOT. It insulates odor so well that when I, embarrassingly, forgot to empty my trash before a week-long trip and opened my front door, I never smelled a thing. It wasn’t until I opened the lid to throw something away that I realized my error. That’s how good this thing conceals garbage odor. I never ever want another trashcan to be honest.”
The can has a liner pocket so you can store new liners inside the can, a silent-close lid and fingerprint-resistant coating to keep it looking shiny and new. It’s available with a steel or plastic lid in three sizes, including one with dual compartments. This can has 4.6 out of 5 stars across over 16,300 ratings.
We love a multitasking item, and this wood cabinet features a tilt-out trash bin that saves space and keeps waste hidden. The waterproof surface is easy to clean and strong enough to hold kitchen appliances like microwaves, mixers, blenders and coffee machines. Available in five different colors to match your kitchen design, it has 4.3 out of 5 stars with over 1,500 ratings. (Heads up: This one is technically a trash can holder and not a can itself, so you’ll need to buy one separately. The cabinet will fit any trash can up to 10 gallons, like this highly-rated option from Rubbermaid.)
Promising review: “I use to hide my trash container underneath the kitchen sink because I hate the look of trash sitting in the house. I found this cabinet that not only hides the trash can but also looks good. I live in a small apartment so i like that it does not take up much space but it holds a lot. It is a wonderful accent piece. It is very sturdy and it matches my dining room table perfectly.” — Anita A.
Dispose of your recycling alongside your trash with this stylish 16-gallon step bin. It has two separate easy-to-clean removable buckets, hinged lids, handles and a soft, quiet closure. The can comes in six colors and has 4.5 out of 5 stars and over 17,300 ratings.
Promising review: “I am writing this review as I order my second garbage can. I ordered this exact can 6 years ago. It has been amazing. It took 6 years of a large family using it constantly to finally have one of the lid covers break. My kids are very hard on this can. It is roomy on both sides and bags stay in place well. I happily order a new one today. Hopefully it lasts as long as it’s predecessor.” — KramerK
This no-touch 13-gallon trash bin from Homelabs uses infrared technology to open and close the butterfly lid. The slim, low-profile design is perfect for small spaces and can be tucked under countertops since the split doors provide better clearance for low spaces. It is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars with over 6,800 ratings. You can also get it a 21-gallon size.
Promising review: “We currently have our grandmother living with us, she has poor eye sight. With that comes a multitude of issues. However, having a trash can that allows you to just wave your hand and the lid pops open is genuinely worth it! It even closes after a certain amount of seconds. No extra hassle or worries! In addition to that, it can either be plugged in or run on batteries, your choice! Lastly the replacement of a bag is so easy, my grandmother could do it! Thank you!” — Rena’e
One of Simplehuman’s most popular kitchen trash cans, this model features a strong steel pedal, a silent-close lid that stays open for as long as you need and a non-skid base. It’s a stylish receptacle that doesn’t pull visual focus in a room. It’s rated 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 13,700 ratings, and comes in four sizes, including one with a dual recycling compartment.
Promising review: “I had another stainless steel trash can from Walmart. It was very nice but the lid accelerated and rocked back as I pushed the pedal toward the floor. Not a very good design because I set mine beneath the counter and the lid kept slapping the counter when guests who didn’t know how to use it would come over. With this new trash can, the lid opens perfectly and never slaps the counter or wall. It sits just below counter height when fully open so it is perfect. Also, it is hard to describe, but this trash can is different than other trash cans because the mechanism that controls the lid opening does so in a way that the lid does not accelerate as it opens or “open abruptly”. Smooth action all the way up and down. Never thought I’d be writing a review about a trash can.” — James
If you prefer a plastic bin, this 13-gallon Rubbermaid can is a classic. It has a stainless step pedal and interlock technology to keep it sealed tightly and prevent smells from escaping. Liner bands around the rim ensure that trash bags stay in place without slipping. This can comes in four colors and has 4.1 out of 5 stars across over 19,800 ratings.
Promising review: “My family has had these trash cans for years, and they’ve never had any issue with them. They are easy to clean. There is a piece that hold that trashbag, and when the lid sits on top of it, it pushed the piece down to add extra security to hold the trashbag in place more securely. I don’t have to worry about rust, or smudge marks, or dents with this trash can. Plus, it holds a lot, too.” — Elizabeth DeCanio
Boasting a sleek, unobtrusive design, iTouchless’ 13-gallon automatic trash can features an odor-absorbing and neutralizing filter and lid lock to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean. The automatic lid is powered by batteries or an optional AC adapter that is sold separately and lowers the chance of cross-contamination. It makes for easy, mess-free trash disposal. An incredibly popular option on Amazon, this can has 4.3 out of 5 stars and over 46,000 ratings.
Promising review: “This is my 2nd one. The original lasted 4 years. I loved it enough to buy another. The hands free is great when you are carrying multiple items. It is also great from a avoiding germs point of view. Your hand never touches the trashcan. Highly recommend. I got the one with the electric cord so I don’t have to worry about batteries. You’ll be happy you bought it.” — Jo Ann Moschetto
Keep things simple with Umbra’s classic swing top 16-gallon can — a low-maintenance bin with a streamlined, modern vibe. You can use either 20- or 30-gallon garbage bags, depending on what you have or need. The can is available in five colors and is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, with over 6,200 ratings.
Promising review: “We wanted a large trash can that did not have a lid sensor that would stop working. Plus, the edging around that type of lid gets cruddy no matter how many times you clean it thoroughly and wipe it down. The other best option was a swing-top lid. This trash can fit the bill. It holds a lot if you cook a lot, and I do. When it comes time to take out the trash, the bag is easy to remove, replace, and snaps into place automatically. The last one we had, with its fancier sensor lid, was tough to snap in place, you would have to fight with it to snap into place. The more expensive can also had a lid that wound up snapping where it was hinged. I wash my hands all the time. It is not a stretch or inconcvenience to wash my hands after finishing up food prep and tossing things.” — Mizz B
Glad’s 13-gallon stainless steel can has special technology to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria, making it ideal for those with sensitive noses. It also has a rear bag compartment so you can store extra bags right behind the trash. It’s also fingerprint- and smudge-resistant, and has a quiet closing lid. This bin has 4.7 out of 5 stars and over 14,700 ratings.
Promising review: “I got this great trash can almost a year ago and my only regret is that I didn’t get it much sooner. My old 40 gallon dog proof can wasn’t bad but this one is MUCH more sleek and I really like it. The bags fit better and are easier to change and it just looks nicer. The biggest issue I had was deciding between stainless and black stainless to match my appliances. I went with stainless and still have no regrets. This was worth every penny. I love the hands free lid opening because it keeps it clean and tidy. I had no idea that it would make such an extreme difference but it really does. The difference is radically different and I didn’t expect that. I’m very happy with this product.” — pdat
Perfect for homes with little ones, this Ninestars bin has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel base as well as a water-resistant infrared motion sensor that prevents accidental spills from damaging the unit. It seals in smells, prevents cross-contamination and looks good while doing it. It has 4.3 out of 5 stars and over 13,600 ratings.
Promising review: “I purchased this trash can in 2013, & it’s still working like a dream! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using it bc it has simplied my life by allowing me to easily discard veggie & fruit peelings, emptying small trash cans, vacuum cleaner dust cups, & so much more, without touching the can in any way & hiding the garbage when not in use. The size is perfect for kitchen trash bags, & the can isn’t too heavy for me to lift. Changing trash bags is easy, & I’ve rarely had leakage into the can itself. That has happened only when I put something sharp in the can & put a hole in the bag; I clean it with antibacterial wipes, spray the interior with Lysol, & let it dry before putting in a fresh bag.. The noise when the lid opens is minimal. The batteries last forever, so I’ve rarely had to replace them. I’ve even bought one to give as a wedding gift. If I ever need to replace it, I’ll definitely buy this brand & style again.” — Dee D.
Get one of these wildly popular and durable 13-gallon stainless steel cans in your kitchen. It features a manual foot lever, a soft-close lid, and is smudge- and fingerprint-resistant. The interior is easy to clean, and designed to make it simple to replace bags and dispose of waste. The can is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 40,800 ratings.
Promising review: “This is THE best trash can I have ever had! The soft closed lid is just that ALL the time. It is large and roomy and the trash bags fit and are full when removed- not half full like my in cabinet one. Cleans beautifully and is a perfect addition to my new stainless kitchen.” — Radean V.