5 Best Trash Cans of (2025) (Tested and Ranked)

Trash cans are the unsung heroes of your kitchen: they work nonstop, get zero compliments, and still manage to be blamed for everything that smells “kinda weird.”
But the right can genuinely makes daily life easierfewer odors, fewer bag blowouts, fewer lid slams that sound like a drum solo at 6 a.m.
Based on a synthesis of 2025 product testing, long-term review notes, and manufacturer specs from major U.S. review outlets and brands, here are the five best trash cans of 2025tested (by the pros), scored, and ranked (so you don’t have to turn your kitchen into a landfill laboratory).

How We Ranked These Trash Cans (A.K.A. “Testing,” Without the Garbage Apocalypse)

Multiple U.S. review teams publish hands-on evaluations of kitchen trash cansmeasuring odor containment, pedal responsiveness, lid quality, cleaning ease, and
whether a bag change feels like a normal chore or a wrestling match. We synthesized those real-world test results and combined them with spec checks from
manufacturers to build a consistent scoring rubric.

Our scoring criteria

• Odor control: lid seal, hinge gaps, optional filters, and how “trash smell” behaves over time.
• Ease of use: pedal feel or sensor reliability, lid speed, and whether it opens when your hands are full.
• Bag changes: liner rings, hidden bag edges, compatibility with standard 13-gallon liners, and “why is this stuck?” moments.
• Cleaning: removable inner buckets, wipeable surfaces, and fingerprint reality (because stainless steel loves drama).
• Footprint + capacity: how much it holds vs. how much floor space it steals from your kitchen.
• Durability + value: build quality, warranties, and whether the price feels fair after the honeymoon period.

Quick Comparison: The 5 Best Trash Cans of 2025

#1 Best Overall: simplehuman 45L Rectangular Step Can (with Liner Pocket)

If you want one trash can that feels “done right” every single day, this is the one that keeps floating to the top in 2025 testing roundups.
Reviewers consistently praise simplehuman’s rectangular step cans for smooth pedal action, tidy bag presentation, and strong odor containmentplus thoughtful
details that make bag changes less annoying (and therefore less likely to become a household argument).

Why it wins

• Liner pocket + quick-draw bags: stores a pack of liners inside the can, so you’re not hunting for bags like it’s a scavenger hunt.
• Hidden-bag look: the liner rim system keeps bag edges tucked away, so your kitchen looks cleaner even when life is not.
• Built for heavy use: step mechanisms and lids are designed for lots of daily opensexactly what kitchens demand.
• Odor control that’s mostly about engineering: tight lid fit and quality hinges tend to beat “cute tricks” in real life.

Who should buy it

Busy households, home cooks, pet owners, and anyone who takes out the trash often enough to consider it a hobby (we’re sorry).
It’s also a great choice if you care about a clean, modern lookthis is one of the rare “boring” products that actually looks intentional in a kitchen.

What to know before you buy

simplehuman works best with its custom-fit liners (which fit like a glove and behave like they were trained for the job).
You can use standard bags, but you’ll get the best “no slipping, no bunching” experience with the tailored liners.
Also, stainless finishes are easier to keep looking good if you accept one universal truth: you will wipe it down. Often.

#2 Runner-Up (Premium Step Can): Kohler 13-Gallon Step Trash Can

Kohler’s 13-gallon step can is a frequent “best overall” pick in 2025 buying guides for one simple reason: it nails the basics.
The pedal feels sturdy, the lid closes quietly, and the bag situation is refreshingly normaldesigned to fit common 13-gallon liners without a proprietary bag requirement.

Why it’s ranked #2

• Quiet-close lid: less slamming, less noise, fewer jump scares in your own home.
• Smart, space-saving shape: a rectangular profile sits neatly against cabinets or walls.
• Standard bag friendly: designed around widely available 13-gallon liners.
• Looks expensive (because it kind of is): clean lines, modern finishes, and a “real kitchen upgrade” vibe.

Best for

Anyone who wants a premium step can that doesn’t lock you into one brand of bags. Also great for people who care about a soft-close lid
but don’t want to spend “luxury trash can” money unless it’s actually justified.

Not ideal for

If you’re extremely sensitive to fingerprints, choose a finish marketed as fingerprint-resistant and keep a microfiber cloth nearby.
Stainless steel is gorgeousbut it’s also basically a mirror that reflects your life choices.

#3 Best for Odor Control (Without Going Full Luxury): iTouchless SoftStep 13.2-Gallon (with Odor Filter)

Odor control is where trash cans either earn their keep or become that thing you blame every time the kitchen smells “off.”
The iTouchless SoftStep line gets attention for pairing a sleek stainless look with an odor-filter approach that’s more than just “close the lid and hope.”

What makes it great

• Odor-neutralizing filter: helps reduce lingering smells (especially helpful with food scraps).
• Soft-close step lid: quiet, easy, and dependableno sensor drama.
• Removable liner: makes cleaning and bag changes easier and less gross.
• Value sweet spot: often priced below ultra-premium cans while still feeling “upgrade-worthy.”

Best for

Apartment kitchens, households that cook a lot, pet owners, and anyone who’s tired of playing “what is that smell?” every time they walk into the room.

Watch-out

Filters need replacing to keep working well. If you’ll never replace the filter, you’re basically buying a treadmill to use as a coat racktechnically fine, but not the point.

#4 Best for Recycling in One Footprint: Joseph Joseph Totem (Waste & Recycling)

If your kitchen is short on space but big on good intentions (recycling! compost! being a functional adult!), the Joseph Joseph Totem is a clever solution.
Its vertical, stacked layout is designed to combine multiple waste streams in one slim footprint, which is exactly what small kitchens need.

Why it earns a spot

• Multi-compartment design: separate trash and recycling without needing two separate cans.
• Space-saving vertical build: great when every square inch of floor matters.
• Removable inner buckets: easier to empty and clean than a single giant cavern of doom.
• Odor-control options: built-in filter features are commonly highlighted in reviews of the line.

Best for

Small kitchens, families trying to sort waste more consistently, and anyone who’s tired of piling recycling next to the trash “temporarily”
(which, historically, becomes “forever”).

Watch-out

It’s an investment. You’ll love it most if you truly plan to sort waste daily. If not, a simpler single-bin setup may be a better fit.

#5 Best Budget Touchless: NineStars Motion Sensor Trash Can

Touchless trash cans are fantastic when your hands are messyraw chicken, batter, wet coffee grounds, or the mysterious stickiness that appears when you have kids.
NineStars shows up repeatedly as a budget-friendly way to get motion-sensor convenience without paying premium “smart kitchen” pricing.

Why it’s worth considering

• Hands-free opening: great for cooking and cleanup.
• Typically affordable: one of the easier entry points into sensor bins.
• Good for germ-conscious households: fewer lid touches, fewer smudges, fewer “who touched this?” debates.

Reality check (because we love you)

Sensor cans can be picky about placement. Avoid putting them where sunlight hits the sensor directly, and expect battery swaps.
If you want “never think about it again” simplicity, step cans still win. If you want “don’t touch the lid ever,” this is a strong budget pick.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Trash Can in 2025

1) Choose capacity like a normal person, not a raccoon planning a feast

Most households do well with a 13-gallon kitchen trash can (especially if you cook often).
Smaller households might prefer 10–12 gallons; larger families or heavy cooks may appreciate 13+ gallonsespecially if the can has good odor control.

2) Step vs. sensor: pick your “daily friction”

Step cans are typically more reliable and quieter long-term (fewer electronics, fewer weird moments).
Sensor cans shine when your hands are messy or you want minimal contactbut they require batteries and a friendly environment (not direct sun, not tight corners).

3) Odor control: the lid seal matters more than magic tricks

In testing write-ups, tight-fitting lids and quality hinges consistently outperform gimmicks. Filters can help, but the foundation is a good seal and a lid that closes properly.
Stainless steel bodies also tend to be easier to wipe down and keep sanitary.

4) Bag changes: don’t underestimate this

A trash can can be gorgeous, but if bag changes make you sweat, you’ll resent it. Look for a liner rim or locking ring to hold the bag in place and keep edges hidden.
If you hate proprietary liners, prioritize models designed around standard 13-gallon bags (Kohler is a standout here).

5) Cleaning and fingerprint resistance

The easiest cans to live with usually have: a removable inner bucket, a wide lid opening, and a finish you can wipe down quickly.
“Fingerprint-resistant” coatings help, but your best friend is still a damp microfiber cloth and 20 seconds of effort.

Maintenance and Odor Hacks That Actually Help

• De-stink the can weekly: wipe the lid underside and rimodor loves hanging out there.
• Use baking soda strategically: a sprinkle in the bottom (or a deodorizing packet) can reduce funk between deep cleans.
• Vinegar rinse for the inner bucket: great for sticky residue and general grossness (rinse after).
• Freeze especially smelly scraps: if you toss meat packaging or seafood scraps, freezing them until trash day can be a game changer.
• Don’t overload bags: a too-heavy bag is how you earn the “mystery drip trail” achievement.

FAQ

Do I need a 13-gallon trash can?

Not always, but it’s the sweet spot for many households. If you cook often or have multiple people in the house, 13 gallons reduces “take it out again?!” moments.

Are sensor trash cans more sanitary?

They can reduce lid contact, which is helpful during meal prep. But sanitation still comes down to cleaning habitsespecially the lid underside and rim.

Do odor filters actually work?

They can help, particularly with food waste, but only if you replace them when recommended. A strong lid seal still matters more than any filter.

Real-World Experiences (500+ Words): What Living With These Trash Cans Feels Like

Here’s the part most “best of” lists don’t say out loud: the best trash can is the one you stop noticing. Not because it’s invisiblebecause it never annoys you.
And that’s exactly what separates a top-ranked can from a “looks good in the product photo” can.

In day-to-day life, the simplehuman rectangular step can tends to feel like the smoothest routine. The pedal is the kind you can hit with a toe while
holding a cutting board and still feel in control (no accidental lid slam, no awkward stomp). The liner pocket feature sounds small until you realize how often
people run out of bags mid-change. When the bags live in the can, the whole experience becomes a one-minute chore instead of a five-minute “where are the liners?” episode.
It’s also the sort of can that makes your kitchen look tidier because the bag edges aren’t hanging out like an untucked shirt at a job interview.

The Kohler step can wins hearts in a different way: it’s reassuringly straightforward. If you’re someone who hates being locked into brand-specific liners,
using standard 13-gallon bags feels like freedom. In real-home setups, this matters because it removes friction: you can grab a box of liners at the grocery store,
the warehouse club, or wherever you get your life supplies, and you’re set. The quiet-close lid also makes it more pleasant in open-concept kitchensno one wants the
soundtrack of dinner prep to include a lid clapping shut like it’s judging you.

With the iTouchless SoftStep, the experience is often “better than expected” for odor controlespecially if your trash includes food scraps that linger.
The filter approach can help cut down that background funk, but it works best when paired with basic habits: don’t leave wet scraps exposed, and wipe the lid underside
now and then. The soft-close action is also a quiet luxury you appreciate when you’re doing late-night cleanup and don’t want to wake the whole household (or the dog,
who will then assume it’s second dinner).

The Joseph Joseph Totem is the one that changes behaviorif you let it. People who struggle to keep recycling separate often do better when the system is
physically built into the bin. When trash and recycling live together in one vertical unit, you’re less likely to stack recyclables “temporarily” on the counter.
The inner buckets make emptying less chaotic, too. The trade-off is that it’s a commitment: you’re paying for organization, and you’ll enjoy it most if you actually use it
as intended. If your household is all-in on sorting, it feels like a small kitchen upgrade that pays you back every week.

And then there’s the NineStars motion sensor experience: pure convenience with a side of “technology has moods.” When it works well, it’s fantastic during cooking.
You wave a hand, the lid opens, you drop scraps, and you never touch anything. But sensor bins generally behave best when you place them thoughtfullyaway from direct sunlight and
not jammed into a corner where the lid can’t open fully. Battery swaps are also part of the lifestyle. The upside is you get touchless convenience at a friendlier price, which is
exactly why these bins stay popular.

If you take one lesson from all of this, let it be this: pick the trash can that matches your habits. If you want reliability, go step can.
If you want hands-free cooking convenience, go sensor. If you want better sorting, go multi-compartment. And if you want your kitchen to smell less like “yesterday’s dinner,”
prioritize a tight lid seal and a cleaning routine that takes less time than scrolling one social feed.

Conclusion

The best trash cans of 2025 aren’t just prettier binsthey’re small systems that reduce daily friction. If you want the most “everything just works” experience,
the simplehuman rectangular step can is still the gold standard. If you want a premium step can that plays nicely with standard bags, Kohler is a standout.
For odor control without going ultra-luxury, iTouchless is a strong pick. Need recycling built-in? Joseph Joseph Totem earns its keep. And if you want touchless convenience
without a premium price tag, NineStars is a smart entry point.