If your trash can is totally ruining the vibe in your kitchen, then I get why you're here. Not all of us can renovate our kitchens to have lovely in-cupboard bins that blend in seamlessly with the rest of our kitchen decor, and nor should we have to do that for the sake of our trash. So, with this in mind, I've curated a list of the best kitchen trash cans you need to take a peek at if your waste storage system is in need of a total rethink. I know mine was before I reviewed a bunch of these bins!
Whatever your waste management situation is, whether you separate things yourself at home or you drop recyclables off at a dedicated center, there's a way that you can manage this job. And make it look a little tidier (and less of an eyesore) in your apartment or home. This will also give you much more floorspace to work with, so if your dining set is in your kitchen you'll have a little more room to stretch out post-dinner.
Think everything from in-cupboard trash cans to all-in-one recycling units and rubbish-only bins. You'll see them all below. I've split the job of reviewing these trash cans with the rest of the Real Homes team, so these solutions have been tested in homes, apartments, flatshares, and more. Only the ones we loved the most (and still use to this day) have made it into this guide.
For more kitchen must-haves, see our ultimate guide on the best cleaning supplies for everything you need under your sink. But first, let's talk trash.
The 9 best kitchen trash cans for style, as picked by Real Homes
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
For food waste
Capacity: 0.5 gal.
Lid: Lift
Colors: 3
Rating: 5/5 stars
+ Stainless steel handle
+ Sizeable
+ Dishwasher safe
+ 100% recyclable after use
For recycling your food waste in fashion — minus any unpleasant odors — this Brabantia trash bin ticks all our boxes. It's compact, dishwasher safe, and recyclable at the end of its life. Choose from three colors and use the stainless steel handle for easy emptying.
A kitchen trash can for apartments
Capacity: 8 gal.
Lid: Push-button
Colors: 4
Rating: 5/5 stars
+ Neat and tidy
+ Perfect for apartments
+ Easy to empty
- Not for large families
- High price tag
It might be expensive, but we reckon this trash can is the ultimate space-saving solution for smaller kitchens. Its design is genius as it's a stackable all-in-one solution. Its top holds general waste and has a dedicated compost/food waste compartment, and the bottom drawer slides out on wheels to collect your recycling. It's easy to empty with corners that don't stretch or tear your bin liners. It works with replaceable odor filters if smells are a problem.
A modern kitchen trash can
Capacity: 9 gal.
Lid: Touch
Colors: 9
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
+ Silent
+ Compartments sold separately
+ On feet
+ Fingerprint-free
- No sensor
The Brabantia Bo opens silently with the lightest touch, and it introduces a whole new world of waste separation. You can add compartments to separate your waste in style, otherwise, it's nine gallons in total. It sits on legs which gives it a modern vibe and makes it easy to clean stray crumbs. As reviewed by us, it's perfect if you've got extra floor space.
In-cupboard kitchen trash cans
Capacity: 4 gal. / 16 gal.
Lid: Lift
Colors: 1
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
+ Hidden in cabinet
- Bags are expensive
- Small capacity
- Pricey for the size
For smaller kitchens or solo households, you might just need a kitchen trash can you can hide inside the cabinet under your sink. These bins can be mounted to your under-sink kitchen cabinet door and they come in different colors so you can use one for general waste and the other for recycling — or whatever else. Each one has a convenient carry handle for emptying, and they should leave plenty of space inside your cupboard for cleaning supplies, too.
For recycling
Capacity: 20L x 2
Lid: Pedal
Colors: 2
Rating: 4.5/5
+ Streamlined, quality design
+ Simple
- A little more expensive
- Longer shipping time from the UK
This one was tested by our Deputy Editor who loves it for its sleek look. It's a recycling bin too, so as it has two neat compartments, we use one side for day-to-day trash, and the other for mixed recycling. She notes that the brushed metal finish looks really smart and instantly upgraded the kitchen in her flatshare. Its lid has a soft, silent close, and the compartments are easily removable plus it sits on wheels. It's just very neat, easy to keep clean, and would fit into all types of kitchens, even smaller ones as it's streamlined.
For small kitchens
Capacity: 30L
Lid: Touch
Colors: 5
Rating: 4/5 stars
+ Looks lovely
+ Feels good quality
+ Very little assembly
- Bags are expensive
- Narrow opening
As reviewed in an apartment, we can say that this trash can is brilliant as it's easy to clean with wipeable surfaces and a removable plastic inner bucket. It responds to a very light touch and it doesn't take up much space either, thanks to its rounded edges. The opening can be a bit of a squeeze depending on the size of trash you're throwing away. Just be aware that the Perfect Fit bin bags are an additional expense that'll quickly add up in price — although they do fit perfectly.
Under $15 trash can
Capacity: 1.5 gal. / 2.5 gal.
Lid: Swing
Colors: 9
Rating: 4/5 stars
+ Affordable
+ Apartment-friendly
+ For any room
+ Made from recyclable materials
- For one person only
This simple trash can rings in at under $15 and is perfect for smaller spaces as it can seamlessly tuck under kitchen cabinets or in tight crevices and do the same job as any heavy-duty model on the market. We reviewed this one in a teeny NYC apartment and it was perfect. Made from biodegradable polypropylene, it can be used for food waste, recycling, or for general waste for one person.
Stainless steel trash can
Capacity: 7.09 gal. / 10 gal. / 13 gal.
Lid: Pedal
Colors: 1
+ Stay-open lid
+ Fingerprint-proof
- Investment buy
- One finish
We're yet to review this super-strong stainless steel step-on pedal trash can but it's highly rated by reviewers and is designed to last over 15,000 steps (that's more than 20 steps a day for nearly 20 years). It has a non-skid base with rubber pads so it's gentle to your floor, and the inner bucket tilts toward you for even easier access.
For families
Capacity: 13 gal. / 2 gal.
Lid: Pedal
Colors: 2
+ Affordable
+ Simple
- Only in black or gray
- Plastic construction
Another one we're yet to test, this Glad bin is designed with Clorox odor protection to avoid the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It's definitely a great buy for families, thanks to its larger 20-gallon size. With a pedal, it offers hands-free use, though bear in mind it is made from plastic.
4 things to consider when choosing a kitchen trash can
1. Think about its size
Depending on the size of your household and how much trash you generate, you’ll have to think about the capacity that would be useful to you. Also consider the size of your kitchen and if you really need a larger trash can or if you can reduce the amount of waste you create, instead.
2. What about its lid?
Sensor lids are handy for cooking or when your hands are full, but they do come at an extra cost. And you need to replace batteries and be careful when cleaning them. Other trash cans are touch to open and some have pedals to operate their lids. It's all down to personal preference, really.
3. Think about design
After that, it’s all a matter of style. If you think all kitchen trash cans are a bit of an eyesore, then think again because a big trash can doesn't need to disrupt your interior scheme. Go for something colorful to spice up your kitchen or try an in-cabinet option to hide your waste.
4. How easy is it to keep it clean?
Because we all know how fast trash cans get dirty, you need to think about how easy your new one will be to clean. Has it got lots of nooks and crannies that dirt can get into? Will fingerprints show on it? Your best bet is either a stainless steel or plastic pick as stains and liquid can be cleared off easily. Also, if you like cooking fish or meat, it may be worth looking into a trash can with odor-busting technology or buying some disposable scent filters (available on Amazon). These are often made from carbon or charcoal to absorb any offensive whiffs.
Where to buy a kitchen trash can
Still looking to buy a kitchen trash can? Here's where to browse more online. Click through to shop all of the ones currently available to buy.
- Amazon kitchen trash cans
- Bed, Bath and Beyond kitchen trash cans
- Best Buy kitchen trash cans
- Bloomingdale's kitchen trash cans
- The Container Store kitchen trash cans
- Crate & Barrel kitchen trash cans
- Finnish Design Shop kitchen trash cans
- The Home Depot kitchen trash cans
- HomeGoods kitchen trash cans
- Kohl's kitchen trash cans
- Lowe's kitchen trash cans
- Macy's kitchen trash cans
- Overstock kitchen trash cans
- Pottery Barn kitchen trash cans
- Sam's Club kitchen trash cans
- Target kitchen trash cans
- Urban Outfitters kitchen trash cans
- Walmart kitchen trash cans
- Wayfair kitchen trash cans
- West Elm kitchen trash cans
- Williams Sonoma kitchen trash cans
Real Homes review process
EKO Ecofly Butterfly Recycling Bin in blue in our deputy editor's house
We've tested seven out of nine of these kitchen trash cans to ensure they're up to a good standard when it comes to both style and quality. We've shared this job around the team, so everyone has had their chance to test a kitchen trash can and give their verdict. This way, we've tested trash cans in large family households, small apartments, and everything in between. The ones we liked made it onto this list, and we've even given each trash can that we tested a star rating to make it easier for you to come to a decision.
Before featuring these trash cans, we've been sure to use them at home for a month or two. This is to make sure that they can withstand daily use, and that they clean up well, plus we want to make sure that they don't break easily and that they'll be true investment pieces as let's face it: a new kitchen trash can is expensive.