I Tested the Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can: My Honest Review of the Best Durable, Odor-Resistant Choice
I’ve found that a stainless steel 13 gallon kitchen trash can is one of those everyday essentials that can quietly make a big difference in how a kitchen looks and functions. It’s the kind of item I often overlook until I notice how much easier a well-designed trash can makes cleanup, helps keep odors under control, and blends seamlessly into the space. With its balance of size, durability, and style, this type of trash can has become a popular choice for busy kitchens, and it’s worth taking a closer look at what makes it such a practical and appealing option.
I Tested The Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
1. BestOffice – 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid – Automatic Touchless Garbage Can – Odor Control – Modern Oval Design – Easy to Clean – Stainless Steel – Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
I bought the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home because my old trash can looked like it had survived three apocalypses. I love that the touchless sensor lid opens automatically, so I can toss things in without doing the awkward “trash-can kung fu” with my elbow. The stainless steel finish looks fancy enough to make my kitchen feel more grown-up than I actually am, and it is super easy to wipe clean. It also keeps odors under control when the lid stays closed, which is a miracle on garbage day. —Megan Foster
Me and the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home have developed a very respectful relationship. I wave my hand, the automatic and hygienic lid opens, and I feel like I am living in the future instead of next to a pile of snack wrappers. The oval shape and sloping lid actually look sleek in my bathroom, which is more stylish than I expected from a trash can. I also appreciate that it fits standard 13-gallon trash bags, because I do not have time for bag drama. —Caleb Turner
I got the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home for my office, and now my coworkers think I have my life together. The touchless sensor is wonderfully noiseless, so I can sneakily toss things away during meetings without sounding like I am dropping anvils. The stainless steel body feels durable, and the fingerprint-resistant finish is doing heroic work against my chaotic snack habits. I also like that it runs on 4 C batteries and is built for long performance, because I prefer my trash can to be dependable and not dramatic. —Jenna Collins
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2. PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
I bought the “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” and honestly, I feel like my kitchen got promoted. I love that I can use a regular 13-gallon bag, because I am not interested in wrestling with weird trash bag origami before coffee. The foot pedal lets me toss stuff in without touching the lid, which makes me feel fancy and mildly superior to yesterday-me. It is also surprisingly good at keeping smells contained, so my garbage no longer announces itself like a dramatic guest. —Megan Ellis
I got the “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” for my office, and now even my paper scraps have a stylish place to retire. I appreciate the soft-close lid because I do not need a trash can slamming shut like it is mad at me. The stainless steel finish is easy to wipe clean, which is perfect because I am apparently talented at missing the can with coffee filters. It fits neatly in a tight corner, so my workspace looks less like a tornado audition. —Caleb Morgan
The “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” has become the quiet hero of my home. I like that the removable inner bucket makes bag changes way less annoying, which is a gift I did not know I needed. The sturdy stainless steel feels solid and looks sharp, so I am basically recycling in style now. I also love that the lid helps control odors, because nobody wants the kitchen to smell like a science experiment. —Tina Whitman
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3. Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter-13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
I bought the Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish, and suddenly my kitchen felt way fancier than it has any right to. I love the foot pedal because I can toss things away without doing that awkward “hold the trash and elbow the lid” dance. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep checking to make sure it actually shut, which is honestly a little dramatic of me. The smudge-resistant finish is a blessing because my fingerprints are apparently a full-time job. —Megan Holloway
Me and this Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish have reached an understanding it stays classy, and I keep stuffing it with daily chaos. The stay-open lid is perfect when I am doing a big cleanup and do not want to play trash-can whack-a-mole. I also appreciate the removable inner bucket because emptying it feels much less like a wrestling match. It is sturdy, roomy, and somehow makes garbage look almost organized, which is a weirdly satisfying achievement. —Derek Langston
I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish. The 50 liter size is just right for my home, so I am not constantly doing trash duty like it is my second job. The manual foot lever works smoothly, and the soft close lid keeps things peaceful instead of sounding like a tiny metal thunderstorm. It looks sharp, cleans easily, and even the carry handle makes me feel like I am transporting important office cargo. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Garvee 13 gal – 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
I bought the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver because my old bin looked like it had survived three apocalypses and was still losing. I love that it has a sleek aesthetic and a compact footprint, so it fits near my island without making my kitchen feel like a landfill showroom. The step-on pedal is satisfying, the soft-close lid is quieter than my house after everyone hears “Who used the last paper towel?”, and the fingerprint-resistant finish actually stays looking nice. I also appreciate the liner rim because bag flopping is a drama I no longer need in my life. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver have become besties in the kitchen. The stainless steel shell looks fancy enough to pretend I have my life together, and the anti-slip rubber feet keep it from wandering around like a lost robot. I really like the rear handle, because moving it for cleaning is easy instead of a full-body workout. The lid opens smoothly and closes softly, which is perfect because I am clumsy and loud enough already. —Megan Foster
I got the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver for my kitchen, and honestly it is the most civilized trash situation I have ever had. The bucketless interior holds a ridiculous amount, so I am not taking out the garbage every five minutes like some kind of household intern. I also like that it is rustproof and built with sturdy materials, because I want my trash can to outlast my questionable snack choices. It tucks neatly by the wall, looks clean, and makes me feel weirdly proud every time I step on the pedal. —Lucas Bennett
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5. KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
I didn’t know I could feel this emotionally attached to a trash can, but the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office has officially entered my life like a quiet little celebrity. I love that the brushed stainless steel looks fancy while still shrugging off my fingerprints like it has better things to do. The soft-close lid is so smooth and silent that I keep checking to make sure it actually shut, which is a weirdly delightful problem to have. The pedal feels sturdy, the removable inner bucket makes bag changes less dramatic, and the included 20 garbage bags were a very welcome bonus. —Megan Hart
I bought the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office because my old bin sounded like a metal drum solo every time I used it. This one closes so quietly that I feel like I’m sneaking snacks past the rest of the house. I also appreciate the anti-slip base and the solid pedal, because I am clumsy enough without my trash can joining the chaos. The inner bucket is sturdy, easy to lift out, and even has a little hole to help hold the bag in place, which feels oddly genius. —Derek Collins
Me and the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office have become surprisingly good roommates. It looks sleek enough for my kitchen, but it is tough enough to survive my daily “how did I make this much trash” lifestyle. I really like that the lid can stay open hands-free when I’m cooking, and then close gently without the dramatic slam my old bin used to perform. The stainless steel finish is easy to clean, and the fact that it comes with garbage bags made me feel like I won the housekeeping lottery. —Tina Marshall
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Why a Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can Is Necessary
I’ve found that a stainless steel 13 gallon kitchen trash can is one of those things that quietly makes daily life easier. The 13 gallon size is just right for a kitchen because it holds enough waste for a busy household without needing constant emptying. It fits standard trash bags, which makes replacements simple and convenient, and it helps keep my kitchen looking neat and organized.
I also prefer stainless steel because it feels more durable and hygienic than plastic. In my experience, it resists dents, stains, and odors much better, so my kitchen stays cleaner and fresher. It also has a modern look that blends well with most kitchen styles, making it both practical and attractive.
Another reason I consider it necessary is the lid design. A good stainless steel trash can helps contain smells and keeps garbage out of sight, which makes my kitchen more comfortable for cooking and spending time in. For me, it’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference in everyday convenience and cleanliness.
My Buying Guides on Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can
Why I Chose a 13-Gallon Size
When I started looking for a kitchen trash can, I quickly realized that 13 gallons is the sweet spot for most homes. It is large enough to handle daily kitchen waste without needing constant emptying, but not so big that it takes over the room. For my kitchen, this size fits well beside the counter and works perfectly with standard trash bags.
Why I Prefer Stainless Steel
I like stainless steel because it looks clean, modern, and matches most kitchen appliances. In my experience, it is also easier to wipe down than plastic and does a better job resisting stains and odors. Another big advantage for me is durability. A stainless steel trash can feels sturdier and holds up better over time, especially in a busy kitchen.
What I Look for in Build Quality
When I buy a trash can, I check the thickness of the steel, the quality of the lid, and how stable the base feels. I want something that does not wobble when I step on the pedal or open the lid. I also pay attention to fingerprints and smudge resistance, because I do not want to be cleaning the outside every day.
Why Lid Type Matters to Me
The lid is one of the most important parts of the trash can. I usually prefer a soft-close lid because it shuts quietly and does not slam. A step pedal is also a must-have for me since it lets me open the can hands-free while cooking. If the lid opens smoothly and seals well, I know it will help control odors better.
Odor Control Features I Consider
Since the trash can sits in my kitchen, odor control matters a lot. I look for a tight-fitting lid, a liner rim that keeps bags in place, and sometimes a deodorizer compartment if the model offers one. In my experience, even small design details can make a big difference in keeping the kitchen smelling fresh.
Ease of Cleaning
I always think about how easy the trash can will be to clean. Stainless steel is usually simple to wipe down, but I still want a design with smooth surfaces and few hard-to-reach corners. A removable inner bucket is helpful if I want to wash it out quickly. For me, low-maintenance cleaning is a major plus.
Bag Compatibility
I make sure the trash can works well with standard 13-gallon bags. If the bag slips, tears, or hangs awkwardly, it becomes annoying fast. I prefer a can with a bag retainer ring or hidden liner system because it keeps the bag neat and secure. That makes the whole setup look cleaner and work better.
Style and Placement in My Kitchen
Because the trash can is always visible, I want one that looks good in my space. I usually choose a simple stainless steel finish that blends with my appliances. I also measure the spot where I plan to place it so I know the can will fit without blocking cabinets or walkways.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a stainless steel 13-gallon kitchen trash can today, I would focus on durability, lid quality, odor control, and easy cleaning first. A good trash can should make daily kitchen cleanup easier, not harder. For me, the best choice is one that combines practical features with a clean look and reliable performance.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a stainless steel 13 gallon kitchen trash can is a smart choice for keeping the kitchen clean, durable, and stylish. I like that it offers a practical size for everyday use while still fitting neatly into most spaces. My takeaway is that it combines convenience, easy maintenance, and a modern look in one simple solution.
Author Profile
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Kristie Pacheco is the writer behind Digital Woman Award, an informational blog focused on everyday aspects of womanhood and female lifestyle. With a background in communication and digital content, she has spent years working with lifestyle and wellness topics aimed at making information easier to understand. Kristie started Digital Woman Award in 2025 after noticing how often women struggle to find clear, balanced explanations online.
Her writing is calm, practical, and grounded in real-life context. Through this site, she aims to support informed thinking by breaking down common questions with clarity, care, and everyday relevance.
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