A kitchen trash can sits in the busiest corner of the house, so the lid, the pedal and the footprint matter as much as the size. Most step cans in this size range hold a 13 gallon bag, but materials, lid action and inner buckets vary a lot.
The six cans below range from slim stainless steel step bins to a plastic can with a locking lid and a slim steel can. Sizes, materials and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these cans ourselves. Durability and noise claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Match the bag size you already buy |
| Material | Stainless steel, resin and plastic look and wipe differently |
| Lid | Soft-close and stay-open lids change how it feels to use |
| Inner bucket | A removable bucket makes emptying and rinsing easier |
Specs at a Glance
| Can | Size and material | Lid and pedal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SONGMICS 13 gal | 13 gal (50 L); stainless steel with plastic inner bucket | Step pedal; soft close; stays open | Bag hole at the back of the inner bucket |
| Amazon Basics large | 13.2 gal (50 L); 14.8 x 16.7 x 25.9 in | Foot lever; soft-close lid | Removable inner bucket and carry handle |
| EKO Madison | 13.2 gal (50 L); brushed stainless steel | Step pedal; soft close; lid lock | Removable inner liner; maker cites 200,000 steps |
| Rubbermaid Premier III | Resin body, stainless steel rim; 13 gal or 12.4 gal | Wide pedal; slow-close lid; lid lock | LinerLock hides the bag edge |
| Curver Infinity | 45.5 L (13 gal); resin; 18.1 x 12.8 x 25 in | Foot pedal; soft-close; locking lid | D-shaped; uses 13 gallon bags |
| EKO Hudson Slim | 13.2 gal (50 L); brushed stainless steel; slim profile | Step pedal; soft-close; stay-open lid | Liner ring and handle; maker cites 200,000+ steps |
The 6 Best Trash Cans for Kitchens
1. SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Trash Can
A rectangular 13 gallon (50 L) can with a brushed stainless steel body and a plastic inner bucket. The lid closes slowly, opens with a step pedal and can be lifted fully open by hand so it stays up while you clean out a fridge. A bag hole at the back of the inner bucket lets you tuck the bag edge in.
Suits: a standard 13 gallon kitchen can. Strengths: a soft-close lid that stays open and a removable bucket. Weaknesses: a bare-bones list of dimensions on the page. Skip it if you want a lid lock.
View SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Trash Can on Amazon
2. Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
A 50 liter rectangular can in brushed stainless steel with a smudge-resistant exterior, a foot lever, a soft-close lid, a stay-open lid, a removable plastic inner bucket and a carry handle. The listing gives the size as 14.8 by 16.7 by 25.9 inches. The same line also comes in smaller sizes.
Suits: a plain stainless can from a house brand. Strengths: a removable bucket with a handle. Weaknesses: the page tags it for home or office rather than the kitchen. Skip it if you want a slim footprint.
View Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can on Amazon
3. EKO Madison 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
A single-compartment stainless steel can with a fingerprint-resistant brushed finish, a soft open and close lid, a lid lock that holds it open and a raised inner bucket with handles. The maker says the pedal is built to last more than 200,000 steps. EKO sells this model in other finishes too.
Suits: a kitchen can or a recycling bin. Strengths: a lid lock and a fingerprint-resistant finish. Weaknesses: the pedal life figure is the maker’s own. Skip it if you want a plastic can.
View EKO Madison 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can on Amazon
4. Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can
A resin can with a stainless steel rim and a wide stainless steel pedal. It has a slow-close lid, a lid lock that holds the lid open or closed, a LinerLock rim that hides and holds the bag and venting channels meant to help lift a full bag out. The maker says it is made in Kansas.
Suits: a resin can with metal accents. Strengths: a lid lock and a bag-hiding rim. Weaknesses: the listing conflicts on size: the title says 13 gallon and the spec table says 12.4 gallon, and color reads Charcoal in the title and Black in the table. Skip it if you need an exact capacity before you order.
View Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can on Amazon
5. Curver Infinity 13 Gallon Plastic Step Trash Can
A D-shaped 45.5 liter resin can measuring 18.1 by 12.8 by 25 inches, with a foot pedal, a soft-close lid and a locking lid. It takes 13 gallon bags, and the maker describes the resin as an easy-clean recycled material that will not rust.
Suits: a plastic can with a flat back. Strengths: a locking lid and a clear bag size. Weaknesses: an unfinished plastic look. Skip it if you want a stainless steel finish.
View Curver Infinity 13 Gallon Plastic Step Trash Can on Amazon
6. EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
A space-saving 50 liter stainless steel can with a smudge-resistant brushed finish, a soft-close lid whose frame lifts to a 90 degree angle to stay open, a liner ring and a rear handle. As with the Madison, the maker says the pedal is built for more than 200,000 open-and-close cycles.
Suits: a tight kitchen corner. Strengths: a slim shape and a stay-open lid. Weaknesses: the cycle figure is the maker’s own. Skip it if you want a plastic can.
View EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Measure the cabinet or corner, including the lid swing, before you order.
- Buy bags that match the listed gallon size.
- Wipe stainless steel with a soft cloth, along the grain.
- Rinse removable buckets in the sink and dry them before reuse.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by gallons without checking the outside dimensions.
- Ignoring conflicting sizes on a listing.
- Using abrasive pads on a brushed finish.
- Assuming every step can has a lid that stays open.
Kitchen Trash Can FAQ
What bag size do these use?
Most are listed at 13 gallons, with the Curver and Amazon Basics naming the size. Check the listing before you buy bags.
Stainless steel or plastic?
Steel gives a metal look and a brushed finish. Resin and plastic cans like the Rubbermaid and Curver are lighter and have no metal body.
The Short Version
For a plain 13 gallon steel can, the SONGMICS. For a house-brand steel can, the Amazon Basics. For a lid lock and fingerprint-resistant finish, the EKO Madison. For resin with a bag-hiding rim, the Rubbermaid. For plastic with a locking lid, the Curver. For a slim corner, the EKO Hudson Slim.
