12 Best Kitchen Trash Cans of 2021, According to Reviewers

With a 20-gallon capacity, Glad’s gargantuan trash can is perfect for large households. Finally, you won’t have to take out the trash every single morning. Plus, it boasts Clorox odor protection and a ring to keep garbage bags in place. “Just buy it,” writes one reviewer, who praises its easy-clean design, extra-large size, and ability to blend in with any kitchen. “Everyone who comes in my home compliments me on my trash can…because the trash can is awesome and everyone wishes they had one.”

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible trash can, you’ll be pleased with this option. No, it doesn’t come with any special features, really, but has an 11-gallon capacity and costs less than virtually every other option. Plus, reviewers love it: “This thing is super cute,” one reports. “The gray goes well with our modern kitchen.”

From what we can tell, pretty much everyone who tries one of these handsome, understated kitchen trash cans absolutely loves it. With a capacity just under 12 gallons, it’s big enough to handle household messes without forcing you to take the garbage out practically every day, and its footprint is pretty small, too. Plus, people love it: One Amazon reviewer, for example, calls it “barely noticeable” and well worth the investment.

One of the most beloved kitchen trash cans on Amazon, this option includes a built-in sensor that keeps you from having to touch the bin at all. Translation: It’s one of the cleanest garbage cans money can buy. The 13-gallon gadget has “surpassed my expectations in every way,” one Amazon reviewer says. “It’s attractive and fits a TON of trash in a very discreet way. I love it.”

Swing-top cans can get gross quickly, but Umbra’s thoughtful design ensures you won’t be grossed out every time you throw something away. Why does one reviewer call it “hands down the best trash can I have ever purchased”? That’s because it’s easy to wash, fits 20-gallon liners, and hides the edges of trash bags with a removable ring.

This one stands out from the crowd with a classic design and tons of pleasing colors, from stately mint to bold red. And with an 8-gallon capacity, it’s just big enough for most kitchens. “The bin looks great and does not pick up finger marks,” a reviewer explains. “It closes softly without noise and no smell leaks out.” Not bad at all.

This li’l guy holds just 5.3 gallons, meaning it’s ideal for placing under the sink or in an awkward corner. Built with smudge-resistant stainless steel, a soft-closing lid, and a removable interior bucket, it’s just about the finest small kitchen trash can you’ll find. “My wife is just in love with this trash can—yes, she actually said that,” one reviewer says. “Buy it. You will not be disappointed.”

Simplehuman’s rolling duo offers 9.3 gallons of storage, space for both trash and recycling, and a sturdy, easy-to-install rack. Put simply, it’s the total package—a huge step up from cheaper options featuring a similar design. It’s “perfect for a one- or two-person household,” a reviewer notes. “All my friends comment on it. Very happy with this purchase!”

Like other compost bins, this 1.75-gallon model can fit on your counter or on your floor. But that’s where the similarities end; thanks to its design, this is one of the few options that won’t leave your kitchen teeming with bugs. “This product has saved us from our constant fight with fruit flies,” one Amazon reviewer explains, thanks to its secure lid. “I would highly recommend this model over any of the other ones that have built in filters. This thing is perfect.”

Like the brand’s other products, Kohler’s trash can is sleek, contemporary, and easy to overlook—everything you’d want in a kitchen bin. But its best feature is its two-compartment design, meaning you can store both garbage and recycling in the same place. “The removable inner cans are great for keeping the units clean,” one reviewer says. “I highly recommend these beautiful and functional Kohler trash cans.”

Dogs and cats are notorious for breaking into trash cans looking for loot—but not this one. It keeps smells at bay with Clorox odor-fighting tech, closes securely, and even resists smudges, making it ideal for pet owners. “This trash can saved my sanity. Our dogs would get in our previous can despite it having similar functions and height,” an Amazon reviewer reports. “It feels like someone finally thought the functionality through to make a decent trash bin!”

We’re not saying that you need to spend this much on a kitchen trash can—but if it’s in your budget, you can’t do better than this mind-blowingly handsome option from Netherlands-based brand Brabantia. It looks more like a piece of decor than a garbage bin, and it comes with three removable buckets to help you sort your waste. “My only regret is that I didn’t order it sooner,” one Wayfair reviewer raves.