It has a surprisingly bulky shape for such a narrow can. © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Our pick: Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can, The best pull-out trash can: Simplehuman Under-Counter Pull-Out Can, The best small trash can: Simplehuman In-Cabinet Can, Budget pick: Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can, Simplehuman Stainless Steel Touch Bar Can, Simplehuman Rectangular Brushed Stainless Steel Step Can, iTouchless SoftStep 50 Liter Stainless Steel Step Trash Can, GLAD GLD-74506 Stainless Steel Step Trash Can, AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can, iTouchless 13-gallon Deodorizer Sensor Trash Can, 5 Best Kitchen Trash Cans You Never Knew You Needed, The best trash cans, according to experts, The best $104 I ever spent: a rose gold trash can, The Problem With Relying on a Machine to Eat All Your Garbage, Cheap Trick: Clean Stainless Steel with a $2 Product, Small Kitchen Ideas: The Best Ways to Create More Space, How to Buy a Kitchen From IKEA—and When to Look Elsewhere. It's a shame it has to sit in a closet in our new house.

This seemed like a turn-off at first, but the liners are high-quality and they last.

The IKEA FILUR’s square edges made it too difficult to stretch bags over the rim, so we dismissed this trash can.

Most freestanding kitchen trash cans are between 10-13 gallons, and accommodate a standard tall 13 gallon garbage bag. The interior bucket is also handy for those times when your trash is so heavy that carrying the bag solo is too dicey.

The swinging lid also does nothing to lock in smelly trash or prevent fruit flies. This seemed like a turn-off at first, but the liners are high-quality and they last. Then we dumped another bag filled with 40 pounds of cat litter and 5 quarts of water into each trash can to see whether the weight caused the liner bag to slip down inside.

First of all, the sensors were inconsistent and often required using a second hand to get the lids to open. Tight-sealing: We looked for trash cans with tight-sealing lids and minimal gaps, to keep odors in and fruit flies out.

Unlike the Simplehuman Under-Counter Pull-Out Can, the In-Cabinet Can has a lid to contain odors. Some manufacturers are notorious for selling custom-fit bags with their trash cans (are your ears burning, Simplehuman?). If you’re unable to use a step can, you may have searched for “ADA-compliant” trash cans (the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability). The brushed stainless steel (I chose the rose gold version) is coated in a germ- and smudge-resistant, nano-silver clear coat and molded into a semi-round shape that suits a softer design aesthetic. The size means you’ll have to take the trash out more frequently, but it’s less likely to smell (the lid also helps contain odors). Scrub it out with a brush and let it dry completely before lining it with a new bag. Spray it down with a vinegar-, bleach-, or enzyme-based cleaner, such as Simple Solution. I know what you're thinking: What makes this trash bin so special? The bucket will also fit four-corner or twist-tie bags, but the fit won’t be quite as tight. We recommend the 30-liter Simplehuman Under-Counter Pull-Out Can if you don’t have room for a larger, free-standing trash can, or if you prefer your trash bin to be tucked out of the way. We liked the compartment for holding extra bags on the GLAD GLD-74506 Stainless Steel Step Trash Can, but this can’s thin metal arms weren’t very effective at holding garbage bags in place. If it's time to cut the cord with your outdated vacuum, upgrade to one of these lightweight, cordless vacuums that we've tried and loved. However, we found that the scent stayed well contained in our stinky trash test when the can was placed against a wall. The lid on the AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can hits the wall behind it when opened.

(Don’t be deterred by the custom-fit bags Simplehuman sells for its trash cans. Photo: Sarah Kobos. As I mentioned, you never have to touch this garbage can.

I buy a bulk pack about every six months for $30, which saves me money in the long run. Simplehuman claims that their motion technology will adapt to you and the surrounding environment over time, but mine stays in a closet, so I didn't get to test that theory. The mechanized “heads” are also heavy and cumbersome to remove when it’s time to take out a bag.

Even if you pull the trash can a few inches from the wall, it will slowly scoot back each time you press the foot pedal.

This under-counter trash can is sturdy, and it glides easily on its pull-out track.

We also included a couple of lidless in-cabinet models in our tests in 2020, because we wanted to have an option for those who store their trash under the sink by necessity, due to space limitations. I'd proudly put it on display. You have to open the lid manually since it lacks a foot pedal or push-button opening mechanism, but it props open for longer cleaning and prep tasks. If a trash bag breaks or leaks, the interior bucket comes to the rescue. They designed an outer lid that lifts up for easy access to the liner, then closes tightly back over the liner when you're done, fixing it snugly in place until you change it again. Its back pocket is designed to store extra bags, which can be pulled through the inner can (like tissues from a box) when it comes time to fit a new bag.