simplehuman 45L Rectangular Step Can with Liner Pocket
8.3/ 10
Editorial score
Capacity
7.5
Convenience
9.0
Build
9.0
Bags
7.5
Why this score?
Capacity & footprint · 7.5
45 L (about 12 gal), 15.9 in wide
Lid & convenience · 9.0
Lid Shox slow-close pedal lid; inside pocket stores and dispenses spare liners
Build & cleaning · 9.0
Brushed stainless steel; pedal rated for more than 150,000 steps
Bags & warranty · 7.5
Code M custom liners are an ongoing cost; 10-year warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forMost households that want a sturdy, tidy everyday step can
A 45-liter rectangular step can with a liner rim that hides the bag, a pocket inside that stores and dispenses spare liners, and a lid that closes slowly. simplehuman rates the steel pedal for more than 150,000 steps and backs the can with a 10-year warranty.
Strengths
Liner pocket holds a 20-pack of spare liners inside the can
Lid Shox slow-close lid and 10-year warranty
Weaknesses
Designed around simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Liners, an ongoing cost
Pricier than plastic step cans of similar size
Dimensions, material and details
Capacity
45 L (about 12 gal)
Dimensions
15.9 W x 13.3 D x 25.8 H in (36 in tall with lid open)
Standard 13-gallon bags; 1-year warranty excludes can body and filter
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forCooks with messy hands who want a lid that opens with a wave
A 13-gallon stainless steel can with a motion sensor that opens the wide lid automatically, plus a carbon AbsorbX filter for odors. It takes standard 13-gallon kitchen bags and runs on four D batteries or an optional AC adapter.
Strengths
Hands-free sensor lid with an extra-wide opening
Uses standard 13-gallon bags, no custom liners
Weaknesses
Needs 4 D batteries (not included) or a separately sold AC adapter
1-year warranty that excludes the can body and inner parts
Dimensions, material and details
Capacity
50 L / 13 gal
Dimensions
12.8 L x 10.8 W x 27.9 H in (35.8 in H with lid open)
Material
Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel body; ABS lid
Lid mechanism
Motion sensor, automatic open
Power source
4 D batteries (not included) or optional AC adapter (sold separately)
Warranty
1 year (excludes can body, retainer ring, filter and similar parts)
Brabantia Bo Step on Trash Can, with 2 Inner Buckets, 2 x 8 gallon (30 liter) - Matt Steel Fingerprint Proof
8.5/ 10
Editorial score
Capacity
9.0
Convenience
8.5
Build
8.5
Bags
8.0
Why this score?
Capacity & footprint · 9.0
60 L total as two 30 L buckets; wide 21.3 in footprint
Lid & convenience · 8.5
Soft-closing pedal lid with stay-open position; sorts trash and recycling
Build & cleaning · 8.5
Steel body, removable inner buckets; heavy at 16 lb
Bags & warranty · 8.0
10-year guarantee; bag type not stated
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forHouseholds that sort trash and recycling in one wide can
A 60-liter steel step can split into two removable 30-liter plastic inner buckets, so trash and recycling sit side by side. It has a soft-closing lid, a stay-open position and a 10-year Brabantia guarantee.
Strengths
Two removable 8-gallon (30 L) inner buckets for sorting
Soft-closing lid, stay-open position and 10-year guarantee
Weaknesses
Highest price of our picks
Wide footprint (21.3 in) and 16 lb
Dimensions, material and details
Capacity
60 L / 15.9 gal total (2 x 30 L / 8 gal)
Dimensions
21.3 W x 14.3 L x 25.7 H in (54.1 x 36.3 x 65.2 cm)
simplehuman 35L Dual Compartment Under Counter Pull-Out Can
7.3/ 10
Editorial score
Capacity
6.0
Convenience
8.0
Build
8.5
Bags
6.5
Why this score?
Capacity & footprint · 6.0
Smallest capacity: 35 L split 15 L and 20 L
Lid & convenience · 8.0
Cabinet pull-out hides trash; must fit cabinet clearance
Build & cleaning · 8.5
All-steel frame on commercial-grade ball-bearing tracks
Bags & warranty · 6.5
Code G and D custom liners; 5-year warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forSmall kitchens that want trash and recycling hidden in a cabinet
A pull-out unit that mounts inside a base cabinet, with a 15-liter and a 20-liter bucket in an all-steel frame. It glides out on ball-bearing tracks and is pulled by a chromed steel handle.
Strengths
Keeps trash and recycling out of sight inside a cabinet
All-steel frame on commercial-grade ball-bearing tracks
Weaknesses
Smallest capacity of our picks (35 L split 15 L / 20 L)
Must be mounted in a cabinet with enough clear space, so measure first
Pedal soft-close lid; inner ring holds and hides the bag
Build & cleaning · 6.5
Polypropylene body with stainless pedal; wipe clean with damp cloth
Bags & warranty · 7.0
Standard drawstring or flap-tie bags; 1-year warranty, 45-day money-back
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forBudget shoppers who still want a soft-close step can
A 13-gallon polypropylene step can with a stainless steel pedal, a soft-close lid and an inner ring that holds and hides the bag. It takes most standard bag types, including drawstring and flap-tie bags.
Strengths
Lowest price of our picks
Takes standard 13-gallon drawstring or flap-tie bags
Weaknesses
Plastic (polypropylene) body rather than steel
1-year manufacturer's warranty, the shortest among the step cans here
Dimensions, material and details
Capacity
50 L / 13 gal
Dimensions
25.5 x 16.4 x 12.25 in (65 x 42 x 31 cm)
Material
Polypropylene (made with recycled plastics); stainless steel pedal
Budget shoppers who still want a soft-close step can
50 L / 13 gal
25.5 x 16.4 x 12.25 in (65 x 42 x 31 cm)
Polypropylene (made with recycled plastics); stainless steel pedal
OUR METHOD
How we scored
Manufacturer specs, not hands-on tests. Each pick is rated out of 10 on four things:
25%Capacity & footprint
30%Lid & convenience
25%Build & cleaning
20%Bags & warranty
What to look for in a kitchen trash can
Measure the spot firstwidth, depth, height, and lid clearance; for pull-outs measure inside cabinet
Match capacity to emptyingaround 13 gallons suits most family kitchens
Choose the lid mechanismpedals need no power, sensor lids need batteries or an outlet
Frequently asked questions
What is the best trash can for a kitchen?
For most households the simplehuman 45L Rectangular Step Can is the best overall pick, with a liner rim that hides the bag, a slow-close lid and a 10-year warranty. The iTouchless sensor can is best if you want a hands-free lid, the Brabantia Bo is best for sorting trash and recycling, and the Umbra Brim is the budget pick. Measure the spot first, because the lid needs room to open.
What size trash can do I need for a kitchen?
13 gallons (about 50 L) is the common US kitchen size, and both the iTouchless DZT13P and the Umbra Brim are 13-gallon cans that take ordinary 13-gallon bags. The simplehuman 45L step can is a little smaller at 45 L, while the Brabantia Bo Step On holds 60 L split into two 30 L buckets.
Are sensor trash cans worth it?
A sensor can opens when you wave a hand over it, which helps when your hands are full or dirty. The iTouchless DZT13P does this, but it needs four D batteries or an optional AC adapter, and iTouchless's 1-year warranty does not cover the can body. A step can such as the simplehuman 45L is also hands-free and needs no power.
Do I have to buy special trash bags?
Not always. The iTouchless DZT13P and Umbra Brim take standard 13-gallon bags. simplehuman designs its cans around its Custom Fit Liners (Code M for the 45L step can, Codes G and D for the pull-out), and Brabantia pairs the Bo with PerfectFit Code O bags.
