Chic Garbage Bins? These Stainless Steel Trash Cans Prove It’s Possible
Chic Garbage Bins? These Stainless Steel Trash Cans Prove It’s Possible
We’ll go ahead and say it: Trash cans don’t have to be trashy! While these humble vessels are often the last item on the home design checklist, they’re definitely the unsung heroes of any space. When they come with polished details and utilitarian updates, in particular, stainless steel trash cans can make your life much easier and can visually pull together any room they’re placed in.
Stainless steel trash cans are also workhorses, sealing in rotting messes, liquids, and other household detritus that no one wants to see or smell, all the while providing a sleek, décor-friendly look. Typically popular in kitchens and bathrooms due to their convenient, sanitary approach, many steel garbage bins now offer features that not only make our lives easier (step-pedal designs, smudge-resistant finishes, etc.) and ensure easy, seamless trash disposal.
The Best Stainless Steel Trash Cans
What to Consider
There’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to buying the ideal stainless steel trash can for you and your home. Consider the following before settling on your chosen can, and we think you’ll be a satisfied customer:
- Size: Consider the space you want to put the trash can in and how much of a footprint you want the can to take up. Keep height in mind, too, especially if you plan to put it next to a countertop or under any fixtures.
- Shape: Trash cans generally come in rectangular or round shapes. If you’re going to wedge the can into a corner of a small kitchen, you’ll probably want a rectangular one. But if you plan to stick it under your desk or put it in a guest bedroom or bathroom, a round bin may be a better or more aesthetically pleasing fit.
- Opening: Many trash cans open with a step pedal, but some have open tops, others have swing tops, and even some open with a wave of your hand.
- Extras: There are several models that now include tech and/or accessibility features, such as gesture activation, odor elimination, and fingerprint-proofing. Many also come in different colors, all of which cater to user preference.
We rounded up the best stainless steel trash cans on the market, keeping a range of needs, design styles, and budgets in mind. We’re betting you’ll find at least one you want to bring home with you.
1) 10-Gallon Kitchen Step Trash Can
simplehuman
amazon.com
$129.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 15.8x12.5x25.7 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This stainless steel garbage can gets 5 stars from more than 11,000 reviewers on Amazon. It’s popular because it does exactly what it’s supposed to, and looks good while doing it.
The finish is fingerprint-proof, and the strong steel pedal will last through 150,000 steps — that’s more than 20 steps over 20 years.
The silent-close lid has an internal hinge, which means you can line it up flush against the wall, while the stay-open lid allows you to prop it open as needed. This can keeps odors sealed inside; it also comes with a 10-year warranty.
2) 1.2-Gallon Round Step Trash Can
simplehuman
amazon.com
$34.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 10x7.6x12.09 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Round
This smaller stainless steel can comes in multiple finishes (including polished, brushed, black, and brass) and has been engineered to withstand 150,000 steps, or more than 20 steps a day for 20 years.
The silent-close lid doesn’t make a racket and seals any odors inside. Many people love this can for bathrooms or other small spaces where it’s good to keep things tidy.
This simplehuman can comes with a 10-year warranty and includes a removable inner bucket for easy trash disposal. The nonskid base keeps things steady and is also gentle on floors.
3) 2.6-Gallon Step Trash Can
Amazon Basics
amazon.com
$35.86
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 12.4x7.32x15.35 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This wallet-friendly Amazon Basics trash can delivers major bang for your buck in a streamlined and sleek package. The trash can is fingerprint- and smudge-resistant, with a heavy-duty interior bucket that can easily be removed for simple garbage disposal.
The space-saving rectangular design makes the trash can a good fit for awkward spaces in hallways, between appliances, or near tight corners. Reviewers say the can is sturdy and easy to clean, while its size makes it ideal for bathrooms or small kitchens.
4) 13-Gallon Sensor Can
iTouchless
walmart.com
$89.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 16x11.75x25.50 inches
- Type: Touchless
- Shape: Oval-Rectangular
This 13-gallon touch-free trash can features intelligent capabilities and a sophisticated and streamlined oval-rectangle design.
The bin opens automatically when you press the “open” button, and when batteries are installed, it opens with the motion of your hand, making it a convenient and hygienic choice in the kitchen. The softer rectangular shape is a space saver, too, and allows it to fit gracefully into any space.
The natural carbon odor filter ensures a smell-free kitchen, and the modern design will work in any kitchen setting. The fingerprint- and germ-resistant surface makes this can a good pick for large offices as well.
5) 16-Gallon Dual Garbage Can
Songmics
walmart.com
$159.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 23x12.6x25.6 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This bin is perfect if you want a one-stop garbage and recycling shop. The dual trash cans feature plastic inner buckets that are easy to remove for convenient garbage disposal.
The step-open operation means you can dispose of food and other messy items as you go just by pressing a foot pedal, without having to touch the lid with bare hands.
This trash can is ideal for big families or offices. Reviewers say that while it does occupy quite a bit of space, the convenience of the two-for-one setup makes it worthwhile.
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6) Stainless Steel Step Can with Odor Protection
Glad
amazon.com
$119.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 16x16x29 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This 20-gallon trash can features incredible odor protection for those with especially sensitive noses. It inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, with a convenient spot to store extra bags at the rear of the can.
The step operation system is quiet and allows you to dispose of messes hands-free, while its exterior is fingerprint-resistant. Bags are easy to put in and remove, and no particular brands are required.
Some reviewers say the roomy size is perfect for their large families, but others say it is too big for smaller spaces.
More: 10 Best Air Fresheners for a Home That Always Smells Clean
7) 15.3-Gallon Dual Compartment Step Can
simplehuman
amazon.com
$249.99
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 14.2x22x25.8 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This “solid, pretty, and perfect” trash can neatly secures both your garbage and your recyclables into a dual-compartment package. This simplehuman can also features a handy liner pocket, so you can dispense bags one by one as needed.
The exterior is coated in invisible silver ion, which resists fingerprints and germs without dulling the shine of the steel. The strong steel pedal can stand up to 150,000 steps, or more than 20 a day for 20 years.
The patented silent lid means a truly quiet close every time. It comes with a 10-year warranty, with users saying it’s “worth every outrageous penny.”
More: The 5 Best Carpet Cleaner Machines That Make Deep-Set Stains Disappear
8) Open-Top Trash Can
Ninestars
amazon.com
$43.03
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 12x15x26.5 inches
- Type: Open-top
- Shape: Round
This fingerprint-resistant round bin is a great option for offices, pantries, children’s rooms, and bathrooms. This open-top can features a removable ring liner that holds bags securely in place without any unsightly overhang.
The 13-gallon size means it holds a few days’ worth of trash without needing a change. Keep in mind that its open-top design works well if you just plan to dispose of odor-free garbage, but if you do put something smelly in, there’s no lid to lock those odors in.
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9) 7.9-Gallon Foot Pedal Trash Can
Amazon Basics
amazon.com
$83.08
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 13.78x11.81x25 inches
- Type: Step
- Shape: Rectangular
This heavy-duty, rectangular stainless steel trash can is a great medium-sized option for kitchens, offices, bathrooms, and playrooms.
This Amazon Basics pick offers good value, too, with a manual foot lever, a soft close, and a sturdy plastic interior bucket that can easily be extracted for straightforward trash disposal.
The lid features a stay-open option, ideal for long kitchen prep or other chores. Odors stay locked in with its tight seal. No special bags are required, something many reviewers appreciate in this “solid” but “slim” vessel.
10) 1.5-Gallon Mini Swing-Top Trash Can
Umbra
amazon.com
$14.95
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 8.82x7.28x 6.5 inches
- Type: Swing-top
- Shape: Round
This mod-looking swing-top trash can, though not stainless steel, makes the list due to its acing the price-performance-looks spectrum. It comes in multiple colors, including blue, bronze, silver, red, yellow, and teal. It’s lightweight, easy to clean, and offers great bang for the buck.
This trash can is ideal for small spaces, under desks, in bathrooms, in guest bedrooms, and in other places where not a lot of trash is generated, but would be convenient to have a small vessel for detritus.
Keep in mind that the swing top keeps trash camouflaged, but if anything smelly gets in there, your nose will know.
Sleek, stainless steel garbage bins efficiently do away with household trash — and look good while doing so.