Simple. Next, we tested how easy it was to open the lids. We even got our guests thoughts and they loved the simplehuman CW2024 too. When outside of the kitchen, he enjoys woodworking, photography, videography and figuring out how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. They are not eyesores by any means, but if youre a perfectionist wed suggest choosing one of the cans with a fingerprint-resistant coating. This is a feature we were ambivalent about to start but, in the end, the lid stays open until you close it, making it effortless to throw away multiple things. A great design, even if it isn't as attractive as our top pick. The BestOffice TC-50R looks like a shorter version of the Ninestars model, but with subtle button variations on the lid. With a big opening and great bag retention, this is the best touch-free way to deal with scraps. Ultimately, we found five stainless steel step trash cans, three motion-sensor ones, and three affordable plastic options as our top 11 kitchen trash cans. The Clorox treatment seemed pretty efficient in locking odors inside the can when we added fish scraps, fish wrapping paper, raw onion, and onion skins. So we used each model for a few days at a time to get a feel for them before the lab testing. Internal liner: The internal liner is the removable plastic portion that comes with the trash can, which makes it easy to switch bags and clean. It has the widest mouth out of all the motion-sensor trash cans we tested at 89 square inches. It is fully plastic and all black. You can see the value we ascribed them in the chart above. All the features work flawlessly, and it even keeps spare bags handy. You can grab the trash can at its base (if for some reason you dont want to use the handle on the back) and no marks are left. However, the stainless steel finish wasnt so stainless. While not a crucial addition to a trash can, its a nice bonus to have. For this 2021 update, we tested the Glad GLD-74506, and it has many of the same features as the simplehuman and is our new runner-up. Its big and professional looking. This also aids in the cleaning process. The liner rim allows you to change out bags in a snap and keeps the bag hidden at all times, which further enhances its look. For example, the BestOffice TC-50R automatic trash can doesnt allow you to put certain things in it, like pizza boxes, because it has a small square opening. Just press down and the lid opens up. The fingerprint-resistant exterior is good-looking and easy to keep clean. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. It also has a common sense stay-open system as well as a spot for you to rest the liner while you change the bag, which makes it a painless process. All of our reviews are unsponsored, so we earn money by using affiliate links. Finally, we tested the Glads anti-smear and anti-fingerprint coating by slathering the exterior with food. This model is an upgrade of the simplehuman CW1950 trash can, and its improvements are noticeable. A wet sponge took off all of the food and drink we put on it without a problem. It has a liner rim that makes it easy to change trash bags, an antimicrobial coating and a compartment in the back for extra bags. The Glad has a stay-open lid that locks into place with a tap of the finger and with another tap, it closes. Running the circumference of the inner lid are two metal rings for holding the trash bag in place. On a positive note, the pedal is a nice shiny metal that is tucked in at the bottom, which makes it a very uniform shape and something you wont potentially trip over. Body material: There are two basics materials that make up most kitchen trash cans: metal and plastic, or a combination of the two. It works well, but youll need a hand to open it before you throw away your trash. The simplehuman CW2024 has all of those traits and provides you with a compartment in the back to hold easy-to-grab bags. The best kitchen trash can overall is the simplehuman CW2024. There is a little bag tuck in the liner that can either be used to keep an excess bag taught or, as we found out, you can keep an extra bag in there for next time. The food and drink we tested with left pretty noticeable streaks on the cans body from the food and drink the worst out of any trash can, in fact. The simplehuman CW2024 has the best anti-fingerprint technology, making it easy to clean, and uses a silver antimicrobial coating to keep it clean and looking new. These mechanisms include clips on the sides, rubber bands in the back or on the sides, and, our personal favorite, liner rims (like on the simplehuman CW2024). We all know that person who doesnt replace the trash bag after taking out the trash. However, this only happened when we opened them as hard as possible, so simply placing your can an inch away from the wall stops this from occurring. We added soap if there were remnants or marks left. We do extensive research and hands-on testing, so you can trust the products we recommend. It also has a great stay-open lid mechanism that allows you to keep it open indefinitely; just push up the liner rim with your hands until it locks. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Just like the simplehuman, the Glads lid closes slowly and silently. So we took 10 everyday substances and put them on each trash can (both on the lid and side) and left them for 10 days. We found that it is better to buy bags that are too big rather than too small. Its bag-holding technology is so simple and makes changing bags seemingly effortless. The lid stays on well and has a locking mechanism in the front, but it is still easy to take off when you need to replace the trash bag. Rubbermaids clip-in liner technology holds bags securely without tearing them or slowing you down on trash day. The simplehuman CW2024 also has a wide, embedded, and ergonomic handle in the back, in case you need to move the trash can from one place to another. Another key aspect she shared with us was a mechanism to help hold the bag in place because nobody likes when the trash bag slips into the can. Yet another variation that sets this simplehuman apart is the compartment below the handle for extra bags. Trash bags: In our testing, we learned a bit about the different types of trash bags. The BuyItForLife and Frugal subreddits were very helpful in giving us a general idea of some of the best brands out there for homeware and other specifics to look for. Substances included: hummus, cream cheese, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, jelly, olive oil, red wine, orange juice and coffee. So if youre focused on aesthetic, this may not be the best trash can. Our budget pick is the Rubbermaid 1843029, which has the biggest mouth we tested by over 30 percent (and its only about $20!). You can even hose the whole thing down outside if need be. Even though this is a metal-plastic hybrid, it is pretty light (eight pounds) and top-heavy, which leaves it susceptible to knocks by children and animals. All of the motion-sensor trash cans have this function, which requires only the push of a button. You dont even need to use your hands to keep this open because it opens all the way and stays there. Something to keep in mind is that bigger pets can trip the sensors on the trash cans and open them as they walk by. The Ninestars DZT-50-9 has a solid design and a decently sized mouth (80 square inches) when compared to other motion-sensor models. The rim liner works in tandem with the heavier lid to keep the trash bags set in place, which is an upside to the heavier top. The Ninestars DZT-50-9 uses type 430 stainless steel, which keeps fingerprints off the trash can and makes it simple to clean and keep that way! This is only a 10.25-gallon trash can, so it is better suited for a smaller household or even as a spare trash can. The liner rim makes it nearly effortless to swap out an old bag and put in a new one, which is why it scored the highest out of any trash can in our tests. It also has optional custom fit bags, which are stronger, cleaner-looking, and fit to perfection. The Ninestars uses a top that can be removed without hassle and keeps the trash bag secure. With a few swipes of a sponge and spritzes of window cleaner, the can was completely clean again. In order to narrow down our field of prospects, we called our local Home Depot and spoke with Candice, who has been working at their Kitchen Design Center for over five years. And many of the top trash cans we tested have guarantees that the step-pedals will work for 150,000 steps or five to 10 years. To recap, there are really two key features to watch for: A wide opening (the wider the better) and a stay-open lid. However, the irregular shape made the 10-gallon trash bags rip a bit easier because the lid is less uniform, which leads to uneven pressure on the bag. Even though this is the most common type of trash can, the types of pedals can vary. There are custom-fit trash bags available for this trash can that cost about three times as much as generic because they are thicker, but they arent vital. So if youre someone who likes to play trashketball, we definitely suggest using the Rubbermaid as your hoop. If you want to go the motion-sensor route then the Ninestars DZT-50-9 is the way to go because it will stay clean with little maintenance and has the farthest reaching infrared sensor, making it a breeze to throw away your garbage. In order to keep the lid open indefinitely, all you do is step on the pedal so it opens, let is start to close and then lift up the lid. The Rubbermaid 1843029 scored fourth overall and is right around $20. He thoroughly enjoys discovering the best, whether its ingredients or equipment, and finding products that can stand the rigors of daily use. And from the reviews we read, the return process is easy as pie. Since we used unscented trash bags throughout our testing, we definitely noticed when the Tramontina was being tested due to these fresh sky scent cartridges. Any home with more than two people will likely require a bigger trash can. And at the end of the day, if you want an affordable option you cant go wrong with this purchase. We tested trash bag grip in a systematic, yet possibly unorthodox way. So if you happen to spill some on the trash can before your hand gets in range of the motion sensor, not to worry! The Rubbermaid 1843029 has the biggest opening out of any trash can we tested and placed fourth overall, even though it is only around 20 bucks! If there is one thing that can make or break a trash can, it is how easy it is to remove and replace a bag. We first looked at the dimensions of each opening, or mouth, because that determines what you can fit into your trash can and what you cannot. We then cleaned them with a sponge and water to see if that did the trick. How to Clean A Deep Fryer (Boil Out Method). Instead of a wide and short shape, it protrudes outwardly, going front to back like the simplehuman CW1897. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Finishing third overall, it feels unfair that the Tramontina 81200/540 couldnt make one of the top spots because it gives you nearly everything you could ask for in a kitchen trash can. The Rubbermaid has a monster mouth with an area of 186 square inches. As a silver lining, however, the lid takes about seven seconds to close (the longest out of any we tested), giving you enough time to throw away most trash before it shuts. In an effort to remain scientific, we timed out how long it took to change the bag on each trash can three times and averaged out the time. No marks or blotches, not a stain in sight. During the house cleaning, it became apparent that a good stay-open lid feature is essential. If you are not too worried about bigger trash then its no big deal, but for most uses this is impractical. This is the old school trash can that we all love to play with for whatever reason. Just shining silver (yes, were big fans of the antimicrobial nano-silver coating). We also did some much-needed home cleaning, which allowed for some quality time with our new trash cans! Together these make for an effortless cooking and cleaning process. Both of our top choices (simplehuman CW2024 and HomeZone VA41311A) were great for this because they have wide mouths and are very sturdy on their own. The simplehuman CW1897 has a trash can liner that sits on two indentations in the front and back to allow for easy grabbing. For starters, it now has a metal lid, holds 11.9 gallons (up from 10), and uses a liner rim instead of a bucket-style liner. We evaluated both the ease of getting rid of the food as well as the stains they left behind, if any. Several streaks were left from the food and drink we put on the body of the trash can. Unfortunately, we recently learned that this model has been discontinued and is no longer available.). Obviously, the upscale simplehuman models are going to give you a more long-term solution than the affordable Hefty PRO-0189. So we put each can up against the wall and tested the angle of the lids. There are several features that constitute a good trash can, like the bag holding technology, easy trash bag switching, and a nice clean aesthetic that doesnt take much to maintain. The area of the mouth, as well as the shape, were taken into consideration when evaluating their effectiveness. Although it can hold up to 13 gallons, the trash can has a low (22.5 inches tall), squat profile (16 inches by 14 inches), and could easily be placed in an unobtrusive corner. Of course, you dont have to use your hands to open the step pedal trash cans. The biggest opening and a good bag retention design at a price that's easy live with. Not to mention how effortless it is to change out trash bags on the Rubbermaid. Naturally, we played a bit of trashketball too. And now that youve outfitted your kitchen with the best new trash can, check out our reviews for other kitchen products like the best nonstick cookwareand the best toaster oven. Foot pedal: This is the trash can everyone knows. Its more of a lack of smell than a good one, but thats better than the smell of trash. The iTouchless DZT13/IT13CB is one of the smallest trash cans we tested, which is impressive because it holds 13 gallons (so it has less wasted space). None of our reviews are sponsored. Though step trash cans dont require you to get your hands dirty, the automatic-lid advocates claim that their method is still better, because germs on your shoes from a step trash can could get spread throughout your home. If you don't want to spend the money on our top pick, this Glad model has many of the same features, including fingerprint-proof stainless steel and antimicrobial coating to prevent odors. It was one of the only cans to score perfectly on the bag-changing test (along with our number one pick, the simplehuman CW2024). Nonetheless, the technology works and it has buttons to keep the lid open indefinitely as well. That said, once the lid is out of the equation, changing bags couldnt be easier. 2 cm Black. This also helps keep the bag down and provides a firm hold. And, like its plastic competitors, it is painless to clean. While its important to get a breakdown of all the product features, much of what makes a trash can great is how it works as a whole. The clip-in liner technology, along with the stay-open lid technology, allows you to change a bag almost as quickly as you can throw something away. That being said, it has the biggest mouth we tested. The 10-inch and 130-degree angle infrared sensor aids in the throwing away process and keeps the contaminants inside the trash can and away from you. Due to its energy-saving technology, it boasts a 20 percent longer battery life than its competitors (so, about a year). The best-looking can, with a fingerprint-proof coating to keep it looking great. Deodorizer and air freshener: Nobody likes the smell of trash, so having a special compartment for deodorizers like charcoal bags or air fresheners is a great perk. The Rubbermaid 1843029, however, is a bit light and can more easily be knocked over until there is some trash in there to weigh it down. Once we established some of the main criteria for what makes a great kitchen trash can, we then looked to Reddit. This model has many of the same features as the more expensive simplehuman. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. The stainless steel makes it a breeze to clean and, like the other top picks, all of the food and drink came off both the plastic lid and metal body with just a sponge and water. This is also an important feature in a trash can; if it cant hold your bag then whats the point? Also, it is the only one we tested with an antimicrobial (and fingerprint-proof) coating, which makes it easy to keep clean. Automatic lid: One of the main selling points touted by manufacturers of automatic lids is hygiene. All it requires is a bit of water and a sponge and happy cleaning! And even though it may get the dirtiest, it is still incredibly easy to clean as the food stuff will come right off (and it can always be hosed down, too). You can swap bags out quickly and dont have an extra part to clean. And if you dont want to or cant use your hands, the lid stays entirely open for three seconds after you move your hand away, which allows you plenty of time to get trash into the garbage. There is a trash can rim liner that helps keep the bag in place, and although its just a thin piece of plastic, it does the trick well. All of the plastic trash cans received perfect scores on our cleaning tests and took even less effort to clean than the stainless steel non-fingerprint trash cans. Of course, the metals are going to differ from trash can to trash can so the important thing to look for is the outside coating. Contrary to what the description on Amazon says, the trash can uses three C batteries (not four D batteries). The HomeZone is one of the taller trash cans we tested, coming in at a height of 27 inches. Though it is nothing to scoff at, the infrared technology is not quite as good as that of the Ninestars; it only registers from about six inches away, instead of 10. Also, you wont need to buy any type of special bag; any appropriately sized trash bag will do. The trash can is so well-constructed that generic bags do just fine. You can always get scented bags, but they dont always work as intended sometimes their scent isnt strong enough to cover the smell, and other times the scent is too strong and overpowers the space. Usually, the price can at least help you gauge how functional something will be, but this one took us by surprise. Although the mechanisms for replacing trash bags dont differ too drastically, there were definitely some trash cans that were harder to change the bags for than others. Because of the lower center of gravity, it has better balance and is harder to knock over. For example, more than half of the food and drink left marks after cleaning with water and a sponge. The trash can liner is an imperfect rectangle: it has two curved indentations along the sides, which makes it easy to grab hold of and change the bag. This model has a brushed stainless-steel body, the lid is durable ABS plastic, and the foot pedal is a metal-plastic hybrid. Plus, it uses an all-steel pedal promising over 150,000 steps like the best overall trash can (the simplehuman) and a 10-year warranty. Some have a little pin you can push like the simplehuman CW1950 and others allow you just to lift the lid up like the Homezone -VA41311A. On the other hand, because the can has been treated with stain-proof and fingerprint-proof technology, we had no problem with wiping the inside clean. The simplehuman butterfly has a giant mouth (140 square inches) and is shaped like the HomeZone in that its a front-to-back kind of trash can. We opened the lid, and although food odors were present, they werent overwhelming. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. It is a bit harder to change bags with this can because you need somewhere to put the big lid. There is also a bag-secure band (the rubber material that helps hold the trash bag). The lid can also open past 90 degrees, so we suggest keeping this an inch or two away from the wall. Depending on the size of your family or the number of roommates, you will be able to decide if 10 gallons is enough for your everyday needs or not. As bag-holding technology is crucial to a good trash can, this is the best of the three motion-sensor trash cans we tested due to its rim liner and heavy lid. It also has a large mouth for throwing away bigger pieces of garbage and super simple(human) stay-open lid technology. At 125 square inches, this is the third-biggest opening of the trash cans we tested, which is a plus. Multi-tasking with a knife is not the best idea, which is another reason the stay-open lid was deemed so important. Perhaps the step pedal could be wider than 6 inches, but it doesnt really take anything away from this kitchen trash cans overall excellence. It has a thin, silver antimicrobial coating that makes it fingerprint-proof and one of the easiest trash cans to clean.