Are you filled withexistential dreadover your contributions to the greatPacific gyreand other increasingly bloated trash dumps every time you stare into the maw of your flip-top garbage can? Well, I can’t solve that for you, because, same! What I can do, however, is suggest thevery bestmaw on the market you can put your garbage into.
I researched the most popular widely available flip-top trash cans online before narrowing it down to 11 different models. Then I tested those 11 side by side to determine which trash can was the very best trash can for the kitchen. Read on for the top picks and for more information about what I looked for in a can and which ones will frustrate you to the point you’d rather just throw your garbage out the window, scroll further down.
Table of Contents
The best trash cans overall
How I tested
What I looked for
Other trash cans I tested
The takeaway
The best trash cans overall: Kohler Step Can and Simplehuman Rectangular
Yes, these trash cans are tied, but they aren’texactlythe same. Both trash cans earned top marks when it came to securing a standard bag, containing smell, and overall construction. Both cans have a notch in the back of a removable interior bin that allows you to twist and secure a normal trash bag (meaning no special brand-specific bag is required) without any unsightly overhang or risk of the bag coming loose. (You'd be surprised how poor most trash cans are at simply holding a bag in place.) Both trash cans successfully managed to thwart a dog’s best efforts to go dumpster diving. Both trash cans have 10-year warranties. There are a few subtle differences, though, which I’ll outline below.
This trash can has a slim profile and sits flush against the wall, making it a space-saving discreet presence in the kitchen. Many flip-top trash cans whack the wall behind them if you step on the pedal too hard, but the Kohler’s lid lifts gently even if you stomp on the pedal.
The stainless-steel exterior finish is fingerprint-resistant and slightly matte, which gives it a stylish brushed-nickel look. The top lid’s silent close is quiet as a whisper, and all you have to do to lock it in the open position is push the rim of the outer lid up all the way with your hand—a nice design touch for when you need to remove a full bag, add a new bag, or need to go back and forth across the kitchen for several garbage tossing trips. The foot pedal has stood up to long-term testing, despite occasional reports online that it is prone to breaking.
Some have complained that the rim will occasionally rise with the lid and come crashing down with a bang. In my daily use of this machine, I’ve only experienced this when something sticky is on the rim, and the issue resolves with a quick wipe.
Simplehuman is the big name in trash cans. I have one, as do several of my coworkers. This did not make us biased; if anything, our collective experience helped us better scrutinize these trash cans. However, when it came down to the side-by-side tests, the Simplehuman rectangular flip-top was hard to beat: Though thebrand produces its own bags, any standard grocery store bag will fit nicely and securely in the trash can, and it’s well-built, sleek, sturdy, and reliable. The lid opens and closes silently, and all odors are contained easily. For large families, Simplehuman also offers a greater range of sizes compared to Kohler.
相比于科勒,thi不锈钢s trash can was a little more shiny. It claimed to be fingerprint-proof, but the model I tested accumulated more smudges than the Kohler. On the other hand, many in the office found the stainless steel finish of the Simplehuman a little nicer-looking than the Kohler's. Keeping the lid open on the Simplehuman model requires flipping a little red lock on the inside, which felt a little fussy. Again, small details.
Yes, both of our top picks are expensive. Why shell out so much on something that holds waste? Before doing this test, I found the idea of spending as much on a trash can as you would achef’s knifea bit absurd. After all, it's a canfor garbage.After testing 11 trash cans, however, it was clear that you really do get what you pay for. The top picks were the only cans capable of containing odorandproperly securing a garbage bag while still looking nice.
If you’re not interested in spending so much, opt for the functional-but-not-stylishGladorRubbermaidmodels. These cheaper plastic trash cans had very sturdy bag-securing mechanisms and would also be easy to clean in the event of a spill. But you should place them underneath the sink or in a cabinet—or empty them more frequently—since I found that plastic couldn't contain smells the way stainless steel could.