Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If your kitchen gives you one narrow strip of floor between the counter and the wall, that gap is the whole problem — a round can bulges out and eats your walkway. The fix is a slim bin built tall and narrow, and the ones worth buying are the ones that still swallow a full 13-gallon bag without wobbling when you press the pedal. This guide walks through the eight picks that handle that squeeze best, explains which specs actually decide the winner, and flags the smaller first-buyer mistakes before you commit.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind KitchPrep. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
One quick transparency note before the reviews: this list uses flexible, human-like matching for capacity, accepting the standard 13-gallon and 50-liter size, so not every pick is the exact figure you typed in. The closest same-type size serves the same purpose, and the crowd favorite — 4.5 stars across 18,000+ owners — sits at the top. Below is the breakdown of the 13 gallon slim trash can lineup worth your floor space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 13 Gallon Slim Trash Can
A slim trash can for the kitchen has one job above all others: to fit where a round bin won’t. Everything else — the lid, the pedal, the odor control — is secondary to getting the footprint right. Start with your floor gap, not the sticker.
Measure the gap, then the height
Pull a tape across the narrowest strip you plan to use and note the depth of the space under your counter overhang. Then check lid-open height on the spec sheet — a slim can that clears your cabinet while closed can still clout the underside of a drawer when the lid is up. Picks like the Garvee, with a fixed lid-open height noted on the listing, make that math quick.
What the pedal has to survive
The pedal is the part that breaks first on cheap bins. A pedal engineered for a stated step count — and paired with a damper that slows the lid on the way up — behaves calmly over years instead of flinging the lid at your wall. Match the design to your household: a home with fast-handed kids wants a slow, controlled open and a lid that lands soft.
Liner fit and the hidden-rim trick
Bag edges peeking over the rim is the small daily eyesore that sells people on upgrades. A retainer rim or inner bucket that tucks the liner means the bag stays put and stays hidden. Whether your household runs standard kitchen bags or a branded tall kitchen liner, confirm the bin’s rim geometry before you buy — a snug 13-gallon bin is not the same as a loose one.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Material | Opening Mechanism | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iTouchless 13.2 Gal / 50L Slim Step Pedal★ Best Overall | Slim spaces that need odor control | 13.2 gallons | Stainless Steel | Open-Top, Step-On | Amazon |
| ELPHECO Kitchen Trash Can with Lid 13 GalBest Value | Hands-free cooking and cleanup | 13 gallons | Stainless Steel | Step-On | Amazon |
| QUALIAZERO 50L / 13 Gallon Step-OnMost Sealed | Everyday kitchens that want quiet, sealed | 13 gallons | Stainless Steel | Step-On | Amazon |
| SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L) | Decor-forward kitchens and home offices | 13 gallons | Stainless Steel / PP | Step-On / Manual | Amazon |
| Garvee Slim 13 Gallon Trash Can | Pasta-colored kitchens with a narrow gap | 13.2 gallons | Powder-Coated Steel / PP | Step-On | Amazon |
| Clorox Slim Open Top Stainless Steel Trash Can | High-traffic drop-in waste | 13 gallons | Stainless Steel | Open-Top | Amazon |
| Home Zone Living 13 Gallon Slim Kitchen Trash Can | Long-term kitchens wanting odor pods | 13 gallons | Stainless Steel | Step-On | Amazon |
| Rubbermaid Commercial Products Streamline Slim Step-On | Commercial-grade durability at home or work | 13 gallons | Plastic | Step-On | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. iTouchless 13.2 Gal / 50L Slim Step Pedal Kitchen Trash Can
Our pick — 4.5★ from 18,500+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The slim silver can that turns a waste-bin into a piece of kitchen hardware you stop noticing.
If you need one slim bin to anchor a tight galley kitchen with kids in the house, this is the one most owners land on. The body measures 19.49″L x 10.04″W x 24.41″H — narrow enough to slot between cabinets, deep enough that the 13.2-gallon bucket swallows a full bag of kitchen trash without the daily dump. It is a step-on handle-free design, so your hands stay clean while you scrape a plate.
The standout engineering is that slim, bucket-free shell paired with a soft-close lid. The lid lowers gently instead of banging, which matters when the bin lives beside a bedroom or office desk. The stainless body is a smudge-resistant finish that holds its shine through daily wipe-downs, and the built-in retainer rim keeps the liner tucked out of sight. An included AbsorbX activated carbon filter is the category bonus: it neutralizes the smell of yesterday’s onion peels so the bin stays inoffensive in a shared space. Buyers report the soft-close lid and stainless finish still look and sound new after three years of daily kitchen use.
What earns it the top slot
- 13.2-gallon capacity inside a 10.04″-wide frame: full size, slim footprint
- Soft-close lid and rubberized non-slip base keep it quiet and planted
- Smudge-resistant stainless finish cleans with one wipe
Where it asks for care
- The plastic hinge riser linking lid to bin is the part to treat gently — a minority of owners mention a damper or connector failing over time, so avoid over-riding the lid
- At 10.6 pounds it is heavier than a plastic-lined bin, which is fine if it stays put but noticeable when you lift it to sweep under
Best for: busy households and shared offices wanting maximum capacity in the narrowest practical footprint.
Who should look elsewhere: if you need a can you can hoist single-handed without thinking, a lighter plastic bin will suit better.
2. ELPHECO Kitchen Trash Can with Lid 13 Gal Stainless Steel Pedal Garbage Can
A 90° stay-open lid plus a free starter set of liners — prep-kitchen convenience straight from the start.
The ELPHECO is the value pick for anyone who scrubs, preps, and wipes with both hands busy. Its lid locks open at a full 90° so you can scrape a cutting board into the bin without stopping to re-open it. The stainless shell takes on the look of a proper kitchen appliance, and the included 20 free 13-gallon liners mean you are not shopping for bags the day the can arrives.
There is an honest caveat here worth flagging: this is the heaviest pick in the lineup at 21.5 pounds, more than double the 10.6-pound iTouchless. That weight is a direct trade for a wide, sturdied base and a body that shrugs off bumps. What wins buyers over is the feel of the foot pedal — sturdy and responsive, not clicky — paired with a liner bucket that lifts straight out for cleaning. Owners who moved theirs twice report the stainless shell arrived dent-free both times.
Just plan the liner size. Customers note that standard 13-gallon bags run just shy of the shell — one noted: “Product is great, nice size. 13 gal bags are too small for it.” Stretch-style or slightly oversized liners seat better, and the removable bucket makes swapping them easy when they don’t.
Build and feel: brushed stainless finish, a wide stable base, and a bucket that slides out for scrubbing keep daily upkeep painless.
The honest catch: at 21.5 pounds this is a can you install, not one you carry room to room — treat it as a fixed piece.
Reach for this one if: you want a heavy, decor-matching can with a stay-open lid and free starter bags included.
Skip the idea if: you need to move the bin often or you insist on standard-size kitchen liners from the start.
3. QUALIAZERO 50L / 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step-On Kitchen Trash Can
A 4.6-star slim bin that has owners calling it the best they have ever used.
Step back and read the numbers on this one — a 4.6-star rating places it above the 4.5-star iTouchless on raw score, and its owners are especially satisfied with the size. The 50-liter (13-gallon) bucket runs on standard tall kitchen liners and holds more per change than smaller office bins. The body measures 14.76″L x 17″W x 24.41″H — a slim rectangle to shelve against a wall in a galley or apartment kitchen.
Soft-close gets the headline here. The lid drops quietly and seals tight enough that owners in fruit-fly season report it keeps them out. The finish is a fingerprint-resistant brushed steel that stays spotless with a wipe, and a hidden removable inner liner means liner changes are a lift-and-drop, not a wrestling match. Across the reviews, the recurring theme is the little details — the rear handle, the bag-securing notch, the seal on the lid — the reasons owners describe it as first-class in feel.
The trade-off is straightforward: this is a step-on can, not a stay-open one. If you like to prop the lid for a long scrape, you will be holding it or using a bag. For daily use, though, the quieter operation and sealed odor control make it the natural pick for anyone who has dealt with fly issues in a small kitchen.
Why owners rave: the lid seals and closes softly, which is the single reason it scores above its price band peers.
Where it asks patience: no stay-open position means long prep sessions need a workaround.
Best fit for: apartments and small kitchens chasing a quiet, sealed, easy-clean step can.
Think twice if: you lean on a lid that holds itself open while you scrape.
4. SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L), Stainless Steel, with Lid, Pedal
A fluted Ink Black body that turns the trash bin into part of the kitchen’s look, not a workaround.
The SONGMICS earns its slot on appearance, and the fluted matte finish in Ink Black sits in a different league from plain brushed steel. The footprint is rectangular and slim, measuring 15.9″L x 13.2″W x 24.6″H, so it threads into narrow kitchen runs and reads as intentional decor. The stainless shell carries a rust-resistant build, with a PP plastic inner bucket that lifts straight out for washing — a small detail that saves daily scrubbing time.
Sound is the seller here. The soft-close lid drops slowly and quietly, and the pedal feels steady underfoot. The interior liner hides the bag rim so you get a clean exterior profile. Owners particularly like that it is stable when stepped on and that the lid seals tightly enough to hold back kitchen smells, even with the bag liner sealed underneath. Fifteen matching code-K liners ship in the box, so you are set up the day it arrives.
One honest note worth pricing in: a few owners find the soft-close so slow it can take a beat before the lid kisses down. That’s the trade for quiet. If smells from kitchen waste are a worry, plan on changing the liner more often or picking the odor-control bin above — the trade is between a slower lid and a carbon filter.
Looks and steadiness: the fluted deep-black finish reads as furniture rather than an appliance, and owners like how snug it sits on step.
Line up the liner: the rim geometry rewards a precise bag fit, so stock matching code-K liners or a stretch 13-gallon alternative.
Worth grabbing if: style leads the decision and you want a slim can that disappears into black-cabinet decor.
Think of another pick if: you insist on instant, slam-speed lid closure.
5. Garvee Slim 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, Step-on Metal Kitchen Garbage Bin
A creamy-white bin with a pedal tested to 150,000+ presses — built for the tiny gap beside the fridge.
The Garvee is the pick for anyone whose kitchen gap is measured in single-digit inches. The body narrows to 11.22″W and runs 24.8″H closed, deepening to 39.57″H on full lid-open — a specification worth checking against the underside of your upper cabinets before you buy. The interior bucket holds up to 30 bottles of the 16.9-ounce size or 70 twelve-ounce cans, so recycling stations built on a slim footprint actually work. Powder-coated metal construction means the shell takes a wipedown without rusting, and The pedal is rated to 150,000+ steps, and the ABS hinge to over 300,000 open-close cycles.
The lid opens to a full 80° and locks at 95° for stay-open work — helpful when you are scraping out a pan. The liner ring keeps standard bags snug, and the rear handle makes the bin easy to pull out for a floor sweep. On the honest side, a few owners find the bag-to-frame fit fiddly, and a small number report the lid mechanism needing care after months of heavy use — worth treating gently if it lives in a high-traffic kitchen.
Best for kitchens with an unusually narrow gap, or for a coordinating accent bin to pair with white cabinetry. It is the bin you buy when the space is the priority and the look should not scream utility.
The space win: only 11.22″ of width gives you a real 13.2-gallon bin where most alternatives won’t fit at all.
Install with care: measure under your cabinets against the lid-open 39.57″H figure, and treat the lid mechanism gently in constant-use kitchens.
Best matched to: kitchens with less than a foot of width to spare and a white-and-wood color scheme.
Look elsewhere if: you need a can you can bump and forget about — this one rewards careful handling.
6. Clorox Slim Open Top Stainless Steel Trash Can, Silver, 13 Gallon / 50L
No lid, no foot pedal, no fuss — a 13-gallon drop-in built for fast hands and high traffic.
The Clorox open-top is the answer for kitchens where the lid is the enemy. Its wide opening means one-hand disposal even mid-prep, and the lack of a pedal removes the one moving part that eventually fails on step bins. At 10.2″W x 26.1″H it slips into small kitchens and corners. The brushed nickel finish holds a consistent look, and a hinged rim snaps over the liner edge so bag slack stays hidden while you lift the bag out.
Where this bin shines is commercial-adjacent use — lobbies, break rooms, hair salons, or the paint-corner of a kid’s bedroom, since there is no lid mechanism to break. Owners who run it as a recycling drop-off praise the slim profile and the way the collar hides the bag edge. Good capacity and the snap-on top keep the bag seated better than many open-top designs do.
Honest caveat: open-top means no odor seal, and a few reviewers point out liner slide on thinner bags before the bin is a quarter full. Pair it with a snug 13-gallon liner and you avoid the slide entirely. If odor control is your top concern, the sealed step-on picks above are a better fit.
Simplicity: zero moving parts means the Clorox stays reliable where pedal bins eventually need service.
Plan the liner: thinner 13-gallon bags can slip on the rim, so match the liner thickness to the collar before you rely on it.
Go with this when: you want a no-hinges, no-pedal waste drop in a high-traffic spot or small kitchen.
Not the best pick if: sealed odor control matters more than open convenience.
7. Home Zone Living 13 Gallon Slim Kitchen Trash Can
A premium build with a pedal tested to 200,000 steps — engineered for households that keep a kitchen can for a decade.
The Home Zone Living is the long-game pick. Its step pedal carries a stated 200,000-step test rating, and Owners replacing decade-old step cans report this one lasting through the same daily kitchen use. Slim at 21.26″L x 11.89″W x 26.58″H, it slides between appliances and cabinets, and the full-width pedal does not require dancing around the bin to find it. Glide-lid operation and a stay-open position support long prep sessions.
What makes this can stand out is the CleanAura odor-control compartment — a dedicated pod slot rather than a pass-through filter. Owners say it helps in summer heat and busy households. The hinge sits flush to the can, so the lid doesn’t scuff the wall behind it. An included air-freshener clip keeps the freshener out of view. Owners say the stainless finish and flush hinge look like premium-brand step cans. And unlike electronic sensor bins, it needs no batteries.
The trade is the liner fit. The bin recommends liner code 45S and 13-gallon bags sometimes need stretching to seat well. Some shoppers say that full-width ForceFlex-style bags can rip during removal, so matching the size matters. If liner fit is your frustration with cheaper bins, buy a batch of the recommended-size liners along with the can.
The decade bet: a rated 200,000-step pedal plus a replaceable odor pod slot is designed for the household that buys once and forgets.
Mind the liners: matching code-45S or comparable 13-gallon stretch liners solves almost every review complaint on fit.
Aim for this if: you want the longest-service build on the list and the value of a permanent odor-control slot.
Reconsider if: your go-to bags run oversized — you may be happier in a wide-mouthed bin.
8. Rubbermaid Commercial Products Streamline Slim Step-On Plastic Trash Garbage Can
The commercial-grade plastic bin that outlasted a filing cabinet in one owner’s kitchen.
If you have ever watched a cheap step can die at month four, this is the answer. The Rubbermaid Commercial Products Streamline carries an internal hinge designed to prevent wall damage and a tall pedal clearance engineered for easy foot access even in slippers. It meets OSHA and OBRA standards for worker and environmental safety, the same rating hospital and office buyers check before placing a can. At 18″L x 11.5″W x 28.3″H, its wall-hugging shape uses space more efficiently than a round bin of the same capacity.
One owner reports six years of constant use with the pedal and lid still working after repeated scrubbing and hosing. The reinforced handles and scuff-resistant surface hold up to heavy loads. The liner retainer band keeps polyliners seated without slipping. Smooth surfaces and contoured edges mean the whole unit wipes down in seconds.
The catch: this plastic bin has no soft-close damper, so the lid closes fast — quick rather than quiet. Some owners fit a small weight or hook for extra control, but for utility spaces that trade is fine. It is also 13 gallons in commercial parlance, so oversize 33-gallon liners are overkill — stick to standard kitchen tall bags.
Built to work: commercial-grade construction, internal hinge, and a retainer band mean nearly no maintenance calls over the years.
Loud on purpose: no damper on the lid means a firmer close; that’s the price of the durability above.
Right for: service spaces, home offices, and homes where a trash can is expected to serve for a decade.
A different pick suits better if: quiet lid closure is a fixed requirement rather than a preference.
Understanding the Specs
Capacity in gallons and liters
A 13-gallon slim bin is the same waste volume as a standard round kitchen bin — but the slim rectangle gains you every inch of floor space at the edges. Most picks here hold 13 gallons or the listed 13.2 gallons, all inside a shell that fits the same narrow gap a round can refuses to squeeze into. When a manufacturer prints 50 liters, it is describing the same container capacity as 13 gallons — a metric-to-imperial translation rather than a larger bin.
Opening mechanism and lid behavior
Every slim can in this guide is a step-on, open-top, or lid-with-pedal design. The pedal is what matters most over years of use. A rated step count, a sturdy hinge material, and a soft-close damper together decide whether the lid glides shut or slams against the wall. If you want maximum quiet, choose a soft-close lid. If you want maximum durability with less fuss, an open-top can skips the moving parts entirely. A stay-open lid is a hybrid — quiet on close, propped on demand for long tasks.
FAQ
Will a 13 gallon slim trash can fit between standard kitchen cabinets?
What size trash bag fits a 13 gallon slim trash can?
How long does a soft-close lid mechanism typically last?
Is an open-top slim trash can better than a step-pedal one?
Do 13 gallon slim trash cans contain kitchen odors well?
Will a slim step can tip over when you press the pedal?
Can I use normal kitchen trash bags in a slim step-on can?
Is a stainless steel slim can worth the extra weight over a plastic one?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
The slim can that wins this list is the iTouchless 13.2 Gal / 50L Slim Step Pedal because it stacks the widest set of strengths: a full 13.2-gallon bucket in a 10.04″-wide frame, a soft-close lid, a non-slip base, and a carbon odor filter all in one. If your priority is capacity per inch of floor, the QUALIAZERO 50L / 13 Gallon Step-On edges the field on raw owner satisfaction with its tightly sealed lid. And when a single-foot gap is all your kitchen offers, the Garvee Slim 13 Gallon at 11.22″W is the can built for it. Whichever you pick, get a matching liner size — the biggest complaint on every one of these bins traces back to a bag that didn’t fit the rim.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, KitchPrep earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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