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Best Kitchen Trash Can: Stainless Steel Step Sensor Picks 2026

A kitchen trash can needs to hold a standard 13-gallon bag, close tightly enough to contain odors, open without requiring hand contact when hands are full or dirty and fit standard kitchen floor space under or beside a counter. Lid mechanism, material finish and gallon capacity are the three decisions that determine daily usability.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can at $55 is the best kitchen trash can for most buyers: the step pedal keeps hands free when disposing food waste, the soft-close lid prevents slamming noise in open kitchens and the brushed stainless finish resists fingerprints and fits most kitchen hardware finishes.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Kitchen trash cans are evaluated by gallon capacity, lid mechanism, material, fingerprint resistance and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best kitchen trash can overall
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Buyers who want a reliable 13-gallon step-open trash can in brushed stainless steel for a standard kitchen where the hands-free foot pedal, soft-close lid and smudge-resistant finish cover the three basic kitchen trash can requirements at a mid-range price.

Skip if

A sensor or touchless opening mechanism is preferred. Amazon Basics requires stepping on the pedal to open. For buyers who want completely hands-free opening without a foot step, the iTouchless sensor at $60 provides the touchless opening mechanism.

Check price on Amazon

Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon step trash can provides a soft-close brushed stainless steel step bin for kitchens where hands-free disposal and a smudge-resistant finish are the core requirements.

13.2 gal. Step open. Soft close.

At $55, Amazon Basics is the best value step trash can for kitchens where standard 13-gallon capacity and stainless finish are needed at the lowest price.

What buyers say

Buyers who want a reliable 13-gallon step-open trash can in brushed stainless steel for a standard kitchen say Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where a sensor or touchless opening mechanism is preferred say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
BrandAmazon Basics
Spec13.2 gal step stainless soft close
Price$55

Specs from Amazon Basics 13 gallon step trash can stainless steel, Amazon search

02
Best sensor kitchen trash can
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter

iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter

Brand: iTouchless

Best for

Buyers who want a sensor trash can for a kitchen where holding bags or plates prevents using a foot pedal and completely hands-free lid operation is needed, with the iTouchless sensor opening the lid automatically when hands or objects approach the sensor.

Skip if

Sensor operation is unnecessary and adds cost. The iTouchless sensor mechanism costs more than a step-open can. For buyers who are comfortable stepping the pedal with a foot, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the same capacity and finish at a lower price without sensor complexity.

Check price on Amazon

iTouchless sensor trash can provides hands-free lid opening via motion sensor with an integrated AbsorbX odor filter for kitchens where touchless operation is needed.

13 gal sensor. Stainless. Odor filter.

At $60, iTouchless is the best sensor trash can for kitchens where hands-free touchless opening is a daily convenience.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want a sensor trash can for a kitchen report iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when sensor operation is unnecessary and adds cost.

Specifications

Specifications for iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter
BrandiTouchless
Spec13 gal sensor stainless AbsorbX
Price$60

Specs from iTouchless 13 gallon sensor trash can stainless steel kitchen, Amazon search

03
Best step trash can with inner bucket
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal

SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal

Brand: SONGMICS

Best for

Buyers who want a step trash can with a removable inner bucket that makes cleaning the bin interior easier, where SONGMICS provides the soft-close pedal mechanism with a removable inner liner that pulls out for washing without having to clean the full stainless exterior.

Skip if

The removable inner bucket adds complexity without benefit. SONGMICS at $65 costs more than Amazon Basics. For buyers who do not need the removable inner bucket and prefer a simpler one-piece interior, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the standard step soft-close at lower cost.

Check price on Amazon

SONGMICS 13-gallon stainless step trash can provides soft-close pedal operation with a removable inner bucket for kitchens where easy interior cleaning is a priority.

13 gal pedal. Removable bucket. Soft close.

At $65, SONGMICS is the best step trash can with a removable liner bucket for kitchens where cleaning the interior without removing the full bin is needed.

What buyers say

Buyers say SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is buyers who want a step trash can with a removable inner bucket that makes cleaning the bin interior easier, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when the removable inner bucket adds complexity without benefit.

Specifications

Specifications for SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal
BrandSONGMICS
Spec13 gal step soft close inner bucket
Price$65

Specs from SONGMICS 13 gallon stainless trash can soft close pedal inner bucket, Amazon search

04
Best premium step trash can
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can

EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can

Brand: EKO

Best for

Buyers who want a premium matte stainless finish trash can for a kitchen with matte black or matte appliances where the matte finish coordinates better than a brushed shiny stainless, with EKO's fingerprint-resistant matte coating providing a premium-feeling surface.

Skip if

A standard brushed stainless or lower price is acceptable. EKO at $70 is the most expensive option in this guide. For buyers who do not need the matte finish and prefer the lower cost, the Amazon Basics at $55 or SONGMICS at $65 provides the brushed stainless alternative.

Check price on Amazon

EKO Madison matte stainless step trash can provides fingerprint-resistant matte stainless finish in a 13-gallon step-open bin for premium kitchens with matte appliance finishes.

Matte stainless. 13 gal. Fingerprint resistant.

At $70, EKO is the best matte stainless kitchen trash can for buyers who want a premium matte-finish surface that coordinates with matte kitchen appliances.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when a standard brushed stainless or lower price is acceptable, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a premium matte stainless finish trash can for a kitchen with matte black or matte appliances, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
BrandEKO
SpecMatte stainless 13 gal step can
Price$70

Specs from EKO Madison matte stainless 13 gallon step trash can, Amazon search

Kitchen trash can comparison

Model Mechanism Price
Amazon Basics Step soft close 13.2 gal $55
iTouchless Sensor 13 gal AbsorbX $60
SONGMICS Pedal inner bucket 13 gal $65
EKO Madison Matte stainless step $70

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter
iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with AbsorbX Filter
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal
SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Soft Close Pedal
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
Our verdictBest kitchen trash can overallBest sensor kitchen trash canBest step trash can with inner bucketBest premium step trash can
BrandAmazon BasicsiTouchlessSONGMICSEKO
Spec13.2 gal step stainless soft close13 gal sensor stainless AbsorbX13 gal step soft close inner bucketMatte stainless 13 gal step can
Price$55$60$65$70
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

What size trash can do I need for a kitchen?

A 13-gallon trash can is the standard size for most kitchens and fits standard 13-gallon trash bags sold at every grocery store. A 13-gallon can handles a typical household's daily kitchen waste from cooking and food packaging for one to two days before filling. For households that cook frequently or have more than four people, a 16-gallon or larger can extends the days between bag changes. For apartments or small households of one or two people, a 10-gallon can reduces the can footprint while still handling daily kitchen waste with bags changed every two to three days. Larger commercial-style cans of 20 gallons are suited to kitchens that generate significant food prep waste from frequent cooking for groups. The 13-gallon standard is the best starting point for any household because the bag availability is universal.

Sensor vs step trash can: which is better for a kitchen?

Step trash cans are more reliable and lower maintenance than sensor cans for most kitchen uses. A step pedal requires a foot touch to open, which is hands-free for most cooking tasks. A sensor can opens automatically when a hand or object is placed near the sensor, which is useful when carrying full plates or messy items where a foot is not free. The drawbacks of sensor cans are battery dependency, sensor false-triggers from pets or passing movement and the added cost over step cans. For households with young children or pets that might trigger the sensor repeatedly, a step can avoids unwanted lid openings. For households where step-pedaling is inconvenient due to mobility issues or specific cooking workflow, sensor cans provide the genuinely hands-free convenience. Both mechanism types from quality brands provide similar durability over years of use.

How do I stop a kitchen trash can from smelling?

Control kitchen trash can smell by changing bags before they are completely full, rinsing the inner bucket and can interior weekly with soapy water and using trash bags with odor control properties. Food odor in a kitchen trash can builds fastest when wet food waste sits in a warm environment; draining liquid from food before disposal and wrapping strong-smelling waste like fish and meat before placing in the can significantly reduces odor. Activated charcoal or baking soda placed at the bottom of the bag absorbs odors before they escape through the lid. Some trash cans include built-in odor-filter cartridges at the lid opening that absorb odors as air escapes. Keeping the lid fully closed at all times except during disposal is the simplest single measure; a cracked or ajar lid allows odors to continuously escape into the kitchen.

Keep reading

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    Best 13 Gallon Trash Can: Stainless Step Soft Close Picks 2026

    The 13-gallon trash can is the kitchen standard because 13-gallon bags are the most widely sold bag size in every grocery store. A 13-gallon can handles one to two days of kitchen waste for a typical household and sits at the standard counter-height clearance under a kitchen counter or beside it.

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    Best Step Trash Can: Pedal Soft Close 13 Gallon Picks 2026

    A step trash can uses a foot pedal to open the lid hands-free, keeping the bin's exterior hygienic and allowing disposal when hands are occupied with food. The pedal mechanism is mechanically simple, requires no batteries and provides reliable daily operation without the sensor calibration or battery maintenance of a touchless can.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026