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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.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can at $55 is the best step trash can for most buyers: the foot pedal opens the lid without hands, the soft-close mechanism prevents the lid from slamming and the brushed stainless construction provides kitchen-grade durability in a standard 13-gallon capacity that fits universal trash bags.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Step trash cans are evaluated by pedal feel, lid soft-close quality, capacity, material finish and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best step trash can overall
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Buyers who want a reliable step-pedal trash can with a soft-close lid in brushed stainless at the lowest price in this guide, where the standard 13-gallon capacity, hands-free pedal and quiet soft-close meet daily kitchen requirements without sensor complexity.

Skip if

A touchless sensor is needed. Amazon Basics requires a foot press on the pedal. For buyers who need sensor-only operation, the iTouchless sensor at $60 provides the touchless opening without a pedal step.

Check price on Amazon

Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon step can provides a reliable foot-pedal lid opening with soft-close mechanism for kitchens where daily hands-free disposal and quiet operation are the basics.

13.2 gal. Step pedal. Soft close.

At $55, Amazon Basics is the best value step can for buyers who want standard kitchen functionality at the lowest price.

What buyers say

Buyers who want a reliable step-pedal trash can with a soft-close lid in brushed stainless at the lowest price in this guide say Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close 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 touchless sensor is needed say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
BrandAmazon Basics
Spec13.2 gal step pedal soft close
Price$55

Specs from Amazon Basics 13 gallon step trash can pedal soft close stainless, Amazon search

02
Best step can with inner bucket
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close

SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close

Brand: SONGMICS

Best for

Buyers who want a step can where the inner bucket lifts out for cleaning without tilting or carrying the full outer can to the sink, making routine cleaning after a bag tear or drip easier in the kitchen without disrupting the outer stainless shell.

Skip if

The inner bucket is an unnecessary complexity. SONGMICS at $65 costs more than Amazon Basics. For buyers who clean the can by wiping the interior through the top opening and do not need a removable bucket, Amazon Basics at $55 provides the core step-can function at lower cost.

Check price on Amazon

SONGMICS step trash can provides a removable inner bucket for interior cleaning alongside a soft-close pedal mechanism for kitchens where cleaning inside the can is a regular task.

13 gal step. Inner bucket. Soft close.

At $65, SONGMICS is the best step can with removable inner bucket for buyers who want easy interior cleaning.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want a step can report SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close 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 the inner bucket is an unnecessary complexity.

Specifications

Specifications for SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close
BrandSONGMICS
Spec13 gal step removable inner bucket
Price$65

Specs from SONGMICS 13 gallon step trash can removable inner bucket soft close, Amazon search

03
Best matte 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 step trash can with a matte stainless surface for a kitchen with matte-finish hardware, where the EKO matte coating eliminates fingerprint visibility even with frequent foot-pedal step handling and the can's exterior receives no hand contact.

Skip if

Brushed stainless is acceptable for the kitchen's hardware. EKO at $70 costs more for the matte finish. For buyers whose kitchen appliances use standard brushed stainless, the Amazon Basics at $55 matches the hardware at a lower price.

Check price on Amazon

EKO Madison matte stainless step can provides fingerprint-resistant matte steel with soft-close pedal for kitchens with matte-finish appliances and hardware.

Matte stainless step. 13 gal. FP resistant.

At $70, EKO is the best matte step can for kitchens where matte hardware finish needs a matching trash can surface.

What buyers say

Buyers say EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can 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 matte stainless surface for a kitchen with matte-finish hardware, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when brushed stainless is acceptable for the kitchen's hardware.

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 step trash can 13 gallon, Amazon search

04
Best charcoal step trash can
Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon

Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon

Brand: Rubbermaid

Best for

Buyers who want a step-on trash can in charcoal dark finish for a kitchen with black or dark hardware, where the Rubbermaid brand offers confidence in long-term pedal mechanism durability and the charcoal color coordinates with black stainless appliances.

Skip if

Silver stainless is needed and charcoal finish would not match. Rubbermaid's charcoal is dark grey. For kitchens with standard silver stainless appliances, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the matching stainless finish at a lower price.

Check price on Amazon

Rubbermaid Premier charcoal step-on trash can provides a dark charcoal step pedal can for kitchens with black appliances where dark hardware finish needs a coordinating waste bin.

Charcoal. 13 gal step-on. Rubbermaid.

At $80, Rubbermaid is the best charcoal step can for buyers who need a dark finish step can with a branded name.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when silver stainless is needed and charcoal finish would not match, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a step-on trash can in charcoal dark finish for a kitchen with black or dark hardware, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
BrandRubbermaid
SpecCharcoal 13 gal step-on Premier
Price$80

Specs from Rubbermaid Premier step on trash can charcoal 13 gallon, Amazon search

Step trash can comparison

Model Feature Price
Amazon Basics Step soft close 13 gal $55
SONGMICS Step inner bucket $65
EKO Madison Matte stainless step $70
Rubbermaid Charcoal step-on 13 gal $80

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close
SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Inner Bucket, Soft Close
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
Our verdictBest step trash can overallBest step can with inner bucketBest matte step trash canBest charcoal step trash can
BrandAmazon BasicsSONGMICSEKORubbermaid
Spec13.2 gal step pedal soft close13 gal step removable inner bucketMatte stainless 13 gal step canCharcoal 13 gal step-on Premier
Price$55$65$70$80
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

How long do step trash cans last?

A quality step trash can lasts 5 to 10 years of daily household use when the pedal hinge mechanism is made from metal rather than plastic. The most common failure point is the hinge connecting the pedal arm to the lid-lift mechanism; plastic hinges wear and crack within 2 to 3 years while metal hinges on quality cans last the lifetime of the product. A second failure point is the soft-close damper inside the lid: most soft-close mechanisms use a hydraulic or pneumatic damper that slows the lid's descent, and this can lose tension over 3 to 5 years of heavy use. When a soft-close lid starts slamming, the damper has worn out; some cans allow replacing the lid assembly to restore soft-close function while others require replacing the full can. Brands like Rubbermaid and EKO warrant their step mechanisms for 3 to 5 years with a policy covering defective hinges.

Can a step trash can tip over?

A step trash can tips over when the pedal arm extends far enough forward that pressing the pedal shifts the can's center of gravity past its base footprint. This is more likely when the can is nearly empty (lighter weight, less resistance), when pressed with excessive force and when placed on a slick tile or vinyl floor. To prevent tip-over, place the can against a wall or cabinet so the rear base corner is anchored, keeping the can from rocking backward when the pedal is pressed. Some step cans include anti-tip features like a wide rear base, rubber feet that grip the floor or a mounting bracket hole in the base. For households with children who may press the pedal aggressively, a heavier 13-gallon or larger can is more stable than a thin-walled lightweight model.

What is the difference between step and pedal trash cans?

Step cans and pedal cans refer to the same lid-opening mechanism: a foot-operated lever at the base of the can that, when pressed, lifts the lid through a mechanical linkage. Some brands call this a 'step-on' mechanism while others use 'foot pedal' or 'step pedal'; these are interchangeable terms for the same foot-operated hands-free lid design. The mechanical action is the same across brands: pressing the pedal down pulls a rod or lever upward that opens the lid to the fully open position, and releasing the pedal allows the lid to close under its own weight, with soft-close models including a damper that slows the descent. The key variable between step cans is the pedal material (metal vs plastic), the pedal depth required to open fully and the soft-close speed of the closing lid.

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