Pedal, Sensor or Two Bins? The Best Kitchen Trash Can for Odor, Pets and Recycling

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Picking the best kitchen trash can comes down to three choices: how the lid opens, how much it holds, and how well it keeps smells, pets and small hands out. A step can works with no batteries. A motion sensor opens with a wave but needs fresh batteries every few months. A dual-compartment can puts recycling in the same footprint.

We compared six cans sold by Amazon.com, from a budget Ninestars sensor can to two simplehuman models, plus EKO, SONGMICS and PayLessHere. Most hold about 13 gallons, the size a standard tall kitchen bag is made for, and one splits 15.3 gallons into trash and recycling.

For each, we quote what the listing says about capacity, liner fit, lid closing, fingerprint-resistant finishes and battery life, and we flag what it leaves out, including warranty fields that are blank on most of these listings.

Our Top Kitchen Trash Can Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. SONGMICS 13-Gallon Step-On Trash Can (ULTB050W01): Best Overall

SONGMICS makes this 13-gallon, 50-liter step-on trash can in stainless steel, and the version we link to has a white finish. SONGMICS calls it the proper volume for most homes, and its sleek modern shape is meant to fit various spaces, from a kitchen corner to the end of a counter run.

Day to day, you step on the pedal to lift the lid and drop in scraps. When you need both hands free, such as clearing out the fridge, you can lift the lid fully by hand and it stays open. When you let it go, the listing says the lid closes slowly, softly and silently, without a loud clang, which matters in a kitchen next to a sleeping baby or a quiet open-plan room.

Inside is a removable bucket. A bag hole on the back of the inner bucket lets you tuck the edges of the bag in to hold it in place and keep it out of sight. SONGMICS says the stainless steel resists rust, and that a simple wipe keeps it clean and smudge-free.

It suits most kitchens that fill a standard tall bag every few days and want no motors or batteries. The specs file lists it at 12.8 pounds and 17 by 14.6 by 24.9 inches. The listing doesn’t claim an odor seal or a lid lock, so a determined dog may still nose it open.

Why we like it

• No batteries to replace
• Soft-closing lid
• Lid stays open for big cleanups

Watch out for

The warranty field is empty, and the listing doesn’t mention an odor seal or lid lock.

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2. EKO Mirage-T 13.2-Gallon Motion Sensor Can (EK9278TBMT): Best Touchless

EKO’s Mirage-T is a 50-liter, 13.2-gallon rectangular motion sensor can in a brushed stainless steel finish. EKO markets it as either a trash can or a recycling bin, and the rectangular shape lines up neatly against a wall or the end of a cabinet.

You wave a hand over the lid and it opens, then closes on its own, which EKO describes as the smoothest, most seamless opening and closing for hands-free, touch-free disposal. That helps when you are holding raw chicken trimmings or a dripping colander and don’t want to touch anything.

EKO says the anti-fingerprint stainless steel keeps the exterior free of smudges. The listing describes a no-liner design that it says offers 25% more room for trash, and it runs on AA alkaline batteries that EKO says can last up to eight months. The listing doesn’t say how many batteries it takes or which bag size fits best, so check the manual.

It suits busy kitchens where hands are often full, and households that want a matching pair for trash and recycling. The specs file lists it at 8.82 pounds and 14.8 by 9.8 by 24.6 inches. Keep spare AA batteries in a drawer so the lid doesn’t stop mid-week.

Why we like it

• Touch-free opening
• Fingerprint-resistant finish
• Up to 8 months per set of batteries, per EKO

Watch out for

The listing leaves out the battery count, liner size and warranty term.

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3. simplehuman Step Recycler, 58 L / 15.3 Gal (CW2209): Best Dual Compartment

simplehuman’s Step Recycler is a 58-liter, 15.3-gallon kitchen can split into two compartments: trash on one side, recycling on the other. simplehuman pitches it as sorting at the source, with no second can to find space for and no sorting later at the bag.

One steel pedal opens the lid, and simplehuman says the pedal is engineered for over 150,000 steps, which it frames as more than 20 steps a day for two decades. Its patented Lid Shox motion control gives a slow, silent close on the plastic lid. The recycling side uses an inner bucket with a handle, so you lift the recyclables out and carry them straight to the curbside bin; it needs no liner.

On the trash side, a stainless steel Liner Rim grips the bag and hides it, which simplehuman says adds 25% more space and speeds up changes. A Liner Pocket inside the can stores 20 liners and dispenses them one at a time. simplehuman designs it for its Code H custom-fit liners, and the steel body has a silver-ion coating it says resists fingerprints.

It suits families who recycle every week and have room for one larger can rather than two. The specs file lists it at 21.3 pounds and 14.2 by 22 by 25.8 inches, so measure the floor space and the clearance for the opening lid.

Why we like it

• Trash and recycling in one can
• Carry-out recycling bucket
• Stores 20 liners inside

Watch out for

It is built around simplehuman’s Code H liners, and the warranty field is blank.

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4. simplehuman 45 L / 12 Gal Semi-Round Sensor Can (ST2009): Best Premium Sensor

simplehuman’s semi-round sensor can holds 45 liters, or 12 gallons, in brushed stainless steel. The semi-round shape has a curved front, and the infrared fields sense the area above and in front of the can, so it opens when you wave a hand over it.

simplehuman says a precision motor and planetary gear system give smooth, steady power, and that you won’t hear a thing. To change the bag, the outer lid lifts up for access to the liner, with no need to remove the top of the can or fumble with an inner bucket, and then closes back over the liner to keep it neatly out of sight.

A Liner Pocket stores liners inside the can and dispenses them one by one, with no perforations or unraveling. The steel has simplehuman’s invisible silver-ion coating, which the brand says resists fingerprints without dulling the steel’s sheen. The listing doesn’t say what batteries it uses or how long they last, so check that before you buy.

It suits a kitchen where a slightly smaller can is fine, and a quiet, polished sensor matters. The specs file lists it at 10.3 pounds, but its size field reads 70 by 50 by 50 inches, which can’t be right for a 12-gallon can, so treat the dimensions as not stated.

Why we like it

• Quiet motor, per simplehuman
• Lift-up outer lid for bag changes
• Fingerprint-resistant coating

Watch out for

The listing gives no battery details, and its dimensions field is a placeholder.

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5. Ninestars 13-Gallon Oval Sensor Can (DZT-50-25): Best Budget Touchless

Ninestars makes this 13-gallon, 50-liter oval motion sensor can in silver stainless steel with black trim. A wide oval opening takes bulky waste such as pizza boxes, and Ninestars says the smooth profile tucks nicely against cabinets.

A quick wave opens the lid. For a bigger cleanup, tap the button and the lid stays open until you’re done, which Ninestars calls One-Touch Manual Mode. When it closes, the listing says the precision-fit lid closes softly and securely and seals stubborn odors inside, a useful claim if fish or onion scraps go in the can.

A removable liner ring makes bag changes easier and hides messy bag edges. Ninestars says the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel stays looking clean. Power comes from three C batteries, which are not included and which Ninestars says last up to nine months. The listing also mentions a two-year support program, and the warranty field reads 2 year manufacturer.

It suits budget shoppers who want touch-free opening and an odor seal without paying premium prices. The specs file lists it at 7.47 pounds and 11.5 by 15.5 by 25.25 inches. Buy C batteries with it so the lid works on day one, and keep a spare set in a drawer for the next change.

Why we like it

• Odor-sealing lid, per listing
• Stay-open button for cleanups
• Two-year warranty field

Watch out for

C batteries aren’t included, so buy a set with the can.

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6. PayLessHere 13-Gallon Stainless Step Can: Best Steel Step Value

PayLessHere’s 13-gallon step can is a stainless steel bin with a foot pedal, a removable inner bucket and a removable lid. The listing says regular 13-gallon garbage bags from the supermarket fit, and that a slightly bigger bag works too, so there are no special liners to track down.

Step on the pedal and the lid lifts, so you can drop in scraps without touching the lid with dirty hands. The listing says the tight-fitting lid reduces odors. Because both the lid and the inner bucket come out, changing the bag or rinsing the bucket in the sink is straightforward.

PayLessHere says the stainless steel is easy to clean with a damp cloth, and it calls the metal watertight, scratch-resistant and long-lasting. It pitches the can for tight spaces, from under the counter to a dedicated recycling area, and for kitchens, offices and outdoor spaces. The listing doesn’t mention a soft-close lid or a fingerprint-resistant finish.

It suits a buyer who wants a plain, battery-free steel can that takes the bags already in the pantry. The specs file lists it at 13 pounds and 18 by 16 by 28 inches. The warranty field is empty, and PayLessHere is a smaller brand than the others here, so keep your receipt.

Why we like it

• Takes regular 13-gallon bags
• Tight-fitting lid, per listing
• Removable lid and bucket

Watch out for

No soft-close lid is mentioned, and the warranty term isn’t stated.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Kitchen Trash Cans

We compared each can’s Amazon listing, specs file and sales rank, and quoted only what the listings say:

• Opening style: step pedal or motion sensor, plus any stay-open mode.
• Capacity and liner fit: gallons and liters as listed, and whether it takes regular bags or custom liners.
• Lid and odor: soft-close or odor-seal claims, attributed to the brand.
• Finish: fingerprint-resistant steel where the listing claims it.
• Batteries and warranty: battery type and life for sensor cans, and the warranty field, flagged when blank.
• Brand spread and availability: no more than two simplehuman cans (one step, one sensor) and one from each other brand, all sold by Amazon.com and listed in stock at the time of writing.

Kitchen Trash Can Buying Guide

Best Step Trash Can: No Batteries Needed

Step cans open with a foot pedal and need no power. The SONGMICS lists a soft-closing lid and a lid that stays open when lifted fully; simplehuman rates the Step Recycler’s pedal for 150,000 steps; and the PayLessHere takes regular 13-gallon bags. Step cans suit kitchens where you don’t want to keep batteries on hand.

Best Touchless Trash Can and Battery Life

Sensor cans open with a wave, handy when your hands are covered in batter or raw meat. Battery claims vary: EKO says AA alkaline batteries last up to 8 months, Ninestars says 3 C batteries (not included) last up to 9 months, and the simplehuman sensor listing doesn’t say. Ninestars and the EKO Mirage-T are the 13-gallon sensor picks; the simplehuman holds 12.

Best 13 Gallon Trash Can and Liner Fit

Thirteen gallons is the size standard tall kitchen bags are made for. PayLessHere says regular supermarket 13-gallon bags fit, SONGMICS uses an inner bucket with a bag hole to hold the edges, and Ninestars uses a removable liner ring. simplehuman’s Step Recycler is designed around its Code H custom liners, which cost more than generic bags, so count that in the long-run price.

Best Dual Compartment Trash Can

The simplehuman Step Recycler is the only split can here: trash on one side and a handled recycling bucket on the other, 15.3 gallons in all. What goes in the recycling side depends on your town. The EPA’s guide to common recyclables says local programs differ and to check which plastics yours accepts.

Best Trash Can With Lid for Odor

Ninestars claims an odor-sealing lid and PayLessHere a tight-fitting lid that reduces odors. The soft-close lids on the SONGMICS and simplehuman Step Recycler don’t claim a seal. Less food in the bin helps too: the EPA’s wasted-food tips cover planning, storage and prep. A kitchen scale helps you portion recipes, and a rice cooker makes it easy to cook just the cups you need.

Pets, Kids and Kitchen Safety

• Keep pets out of scraps. The ASPCA’s list of people foods to avoid includes chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol and bones, all common in kitchen trash. None of our picks lists a lid lock, so a persistent dog may do better with the can behind a pantry door.
• Remember sensor lids open for anyone. A wave from a toddler works as well as yours, so keep sharp waste, like the trimmed ends from a mandoline slicer, wrapped before it goes in.
• Dispose of used batteries properly. The EPA page linked above says to look for in-store recycling bins or community collection events for alkaline batteries like the AA and C cells these sensor cans use.
• Coverage questions. If a kitchen mishap leads to a claim, what is covered depends on your policy, so ask your agent; our Ohio homeowners insurance guide and Ohio renters insurance guide explain the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best kitchen trash can for most homes?

The SONGMICS 13-Gallon Step-On is our overall pick. It has the best sales rank here, #5 in Kitchen Trash Cans, a soft-closing lid per its listing, an inner bucket that hides bag edges, and no batteries to replace.

Is a step or touchless trash can better?

Step cans need no batteries and suit busy kitchens. Touchless cans open with a wave, which helps when your hands are messy, but they need batteries: EKO says up to 8 months on AA cells and Ninestars up to 9 months on 3 C cells.

What is the best dual compartment trash can?

The simplehuman Step Recycler splits 58 liters, or 15.3 gallons, into trash and recycling, with a handled recycling bucket you can carry to the curb. It is the only dual-compartment can in our picks.

Which trash can is best for odor?

Ninestars claims an odor-sealing lid, and PayLessHere says its tight-fitting lid reduces odors. Emptying the can often and keeping wet food waste to a minimum matter as much as the lid.

Do I need special liners for a 13 gallon trash can?

Not always. PayLessHere says regular supermarket 13-gallon bags fit. simplehuman designs its cans around custom-fit liners, Code H for the Step Recycler’s trash side, so check the code before you stock up.

The Bottom Line

The SONGMICS 13-Gallon Step-On is the best kitchen trash can for most homes: the best-selling pick here, with a soft-closing lid and no batteries. Go touchless with the EKO Mirage-T, or the Ninestars on a budget with its odor-sealing lid. Recyclers should look at the simplehuman Step Recycler, the simplehuman sensor can is the quiet premium choice, and the PayLessHere is a plain steel step can that takes regular bags.

Questions about how your policy handles kitchen damage or a home claim? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.