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 you cook most nights, a 13-gallon stainless steel trash can is the one kitchen tool you touch with your foot and your hands every single day. The two things that decide whether you end up loving it or resenting it are simple: does the lid close softly instead of slamming, and does your bag stay tucked in place instead of sliding down the bucket. This guide sorts the clutter for you, so you can pick the right bin in one pass and stop overthinking a purchase you make once every few years.
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.
Most people are upgrading from a flimsy plastic bin that stinks after a week, so the jump to a sealed steel step can is a bigger quality-of-life change than the price suggests. Below you’ll find the eight picks that hold up to daily cooking, plus a plain-English breakdown of what separates a keeper from a regret. Here is the shortlist of the best 13 gallon stainless steel trash can options for a busy kitchen.
Our Picks at a Glance



How To Choose The Best 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can
A stainless steel bin looks simple on the shelf, but the details decide whether you enjoy using it or quietly hate it by month three. Focus on four things: how the lid closes, how the bag stays put, how the steel handles smudges, and whether the footprint fits where you plan to park it.
Lid Closure And The Pedal Mechanism
A step-on pedal lets you open the can without touching the lid, so your hands stay clean while you scrape a plate. The better bins use a soft-close damper — a small hydraulic hinge that eases the lid down instead of letting it snap. That single part is what stops the late-night “clang” that echoes through an open kitchen. Also check whether the lid stays open on its own, because that makes swapping a full bag far less awkward.
Bag Retention And The Inner Bucket
The most common daily annoyance is a liner that slips down the sides and disappears under the trash. Look for a removable inner bucket with built-in bag hooks, or a bag ring that grips the liner edge. A lift-out bucket also means you carry the waste to the door instead of dragging the whole steel can across the floor.
Finish, Footprint, And Sealing
A brushed or fingerprint-resistant finish saves you from wiping smudges off the steel every morning. Measure the gap where the can will live before you buy, since a 13-gallon bin is tall and a slightly slimmer body can be the difference between fitting under a counter overhang or blocking a walkway. Finally, a lid that seats tightly against a sealed frame is what actually holds cooking smells inside the can.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Item Weight | Opening Mechanism | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glad Stainless Steel with Clorox Odor Protection★ Best Overall | Busy family kitchens | 13 gallons | 10.6 pounds | Step-On | Amazon |
| KUK 13 Gallon/50L Step Pedal Trash CanBest Value | Hands-free everyday use | 13 gallons | — | Step-On | Amazon |
| ELPHECO Kitchen Trash Can with LidHeaviest Build | Two-hands-busy cooking | 13 gallons | 21.5 pounds | Step-On | Amazon |
| Haiput Wam 13 Gallon Brushed Stainless Trash Can | Small kitchens and tight gaps | 13 gallons | — | Step-On | Amazon |
| Dkeli 13 Gallon Step Trash Can | Odor control in bedrooms and offices | 13 gallons | 17.5 pounds | Step-On | Amazon |
| Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Trash Can | Built-to-last durability | 13.2 gallons | — | Step-On | Amazon |
| QUALIAZERO 50L Step-On Trash Can | Slim spaces and commercial use | 13 gallons | 11.9 pounds | Step-On | Amazon |
| SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 13-Gallon (50 L) | Pet-proof family homes | 13 gallons | 14.8 pounds | Step-On | Amazon |
| SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L) | Quiet close in small kitchens | 13 gallons | 14.1 pounds | Step-On, Soft-Close | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Glad Stainless Steel Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection, 13 Gal, Pewter
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 24,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The odor-sealed steel bin that earned the biggest following in this whole roundup
If your kitchen is the household hub where everyone drops scraps all day, this is the can to start with. It pairs a 13-gallon body with an odor-seal lid, which is a treated lid-and-frame design built to block the smell from getting out of the can. The brushed pewter finish hides smudges, so you are not chasing fingerprints off the steel before guests arrive. It is also the lightest of the heavy-duty picks here at 10.6 pounds — and that number matters against the 21.5-pound ELPHECO, a 2.0x gap that makes this Glad noticeably easier to drag out for a full-bag run.
You never have to walk away to fetch a new liner, because a rear compartment stores spare bags right behind the can and dispenses them from the sides. Bag rings tuck the slack liner edge in so it cannot slide down the bucket. The removable parts come out simply for cleaning. It is also the compact one of the bunch on paper: at 16″L x 16″W x 23″H it stands shorter and narrower than the ELPHECO’s 18″L x 16″W x 29″H — a 12% more footprint gap in this can’s favor, so it tucks into a tighter corner.
This is the crowd favorite by a wide margin — 4.6 stars across 24,000+ ratings — and the review pages back it up, summing it up as “sturdy” and easy to live with. Buyers report the bag “holds securely in place, no slipping,” which is exactly the daily gripe most steel cans never solve. The honest catch is the lid: some find it opens and closes easily while others feel it lowers slowly, so if you want a snappy slam-free action you might prefer a dedicated hydraulic damper. The steel can also creeps on smooth flooring if you plant your foot at an angle.
What buyers keep raving about
- The odor-sealed lid and frame genuinely hold cooking smells inside rather than letting them drift into the room
- Rear bag compartment stores spare liners behind the can and dispenses from either side, so you never leave to grab one
- Bag rings keep the liner slack tucked in and stopped from falling into the bucket
- Fingerprint-resistant brushed pewter finish stays presentable with a quick wipe
- At 10.6 pounds it is far easier to carry out than the 21.5-pound ELPHECO — a 2.0x weight gap
Where it falls short
- Lid-closure speed splits opinion — some love the controlled drop, others want a faster action
- It can slide across smooth tile if you press the pedal at an odd angle
- The lid does not hold itself upright during a bag swap, so plan on one hand steadying it
Reach for this if: you want the most proven 13-gallon steel can on the shelf — the one that solved bag-slip and smell in the same body.
Think twice if: you insist on a snappy lid and a tall, imposing steel silhouette instead of a lower-profile footprint.
2. KUK 13 Gallon/50L Stainless Steel Step Pedal Kitchen Trash Can with Lid
The 50-liter workhorse that throws in 20 custom-fit bags and a stay-open lid
What you get for an entry-level price is a bin that does the two things that matter: a sealed lid that locks smells in and a removable inner bucket that lifts out for cleaning. That detachable bucket has built-in bag hooks to keep the liner edge anchored, and it is the feature that separates a tidy bin from one where the bag slides down by Tuesday. The 50L (13-gallon) body means fewer trips to the curb on trash night, which is the whole reason a big kitchen bin exists.
The pedal is where this one earns its spot. It is a stainless steel step pedal tested for 150,000+ uses, and the maker claims the rust-resistant finish holds up over that run. The lid uses quiet damping technology to stop the slam, and it stays open at 90° so you can scrape a full plate with both hands free. A fingerprint-proof brushed steel coat resists water and stains, and 20 custom-fit garbage bags come in the box, so you are set up the day it arrives.
The finish is brushed stainless with gold accents, and owners mention those accents “look true gold, not fake or gaudy.” Quality is the thing buyers praise most, with 77 owners calling it out, followed by 50 on appearance. The recurring gripe is the lid: it sometimes does not seat closed on its own, so it will not always snap shut for you. A few note it pops open a touch fast underfoot.
The daily reality: you press the pedal, the lid eases up and holds at 90°, and the liner stays hooked in the removable bucket when you lift it out — a genuinely easy cleanup loop for a busy kitchen.
Pick this for: anyone who wants big-capacity, hands-free convenience and included liners without stepping up to a premium steel body.
Look elsewhere if: you need a lid that reliably seals itself every single time — this one asks you to give it a gentle nudge now and then.
3. ELPHECO Kitchen Trash Can with Lid 13 Gal Stainless Steel Pedal Garbage Can
The heavyweight steel bin built around a 90° stay-open lid for messy jobs
Prepping dinner with greasy hands is exactly when a bin like this earns its place. The step pedal gives you hands-free opening, and the lid holds itself open at 90° so you can keep both hands on the work. When you release the pedal, a soft-close damper eases it down quietly instead of letting it clatter. For longer cleanup sessions, that stay-open feature is the difference between a smooth flow and constantly re-stepping the pedal.
At 21.5 pounds, this is the heaviest can in the whole roundup — more than double the 10.6-pound Glad. That heft is what you trade away when you want an easy carry; here you get a planted, substantial bin that feels like it is not going anywhere. It stands large too, at 18″L x 16″W x 29″H, so it reads as a serious, full-size presence in the kitchen rather than a compact insert. Storage-minded cooks will want to check the taller 29″ height against an under-counter gap before committing.
The build quality is the strongest signal in the reviews, with 78 buyers praising it and 33 on looks, plus 16 on sturdiness. The removable bucket lifts out for quick emptying and cleaning, and it comes with 20 free 13-gallon bags sized to fit. Soft-close lid, sturdy responsive pedal, easy-wipe stainless finish — the consensus is that it is functional, durable, and looks modern. Two honest notes: the finish shows fingerprints and benefits from a daily wipe, and the footprint is tall enough that a cramped corner may feel tight once you tuck 13-gallon bags that run slightly small.
Where it shines: the stay-open 90° lid plus the soft-close drop means both-hands cooking cleanup and a quiet, sealed finish at the same time.
The catch to plan around: it is the heaviest bin here, so if you drag the can to the curb each week, this weight is something you feel.
Best for: busy households that want a substantial, full-size steel can with a stay-open lid and a closed-bag odor seal.
Skip if: you need a lightweight bin you can carry out one-handed, or you have a low cabinet gap that a 29-inch-tall can cannot clear.
4. Haiput Wam 13 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can
The slim, sealed bin owners describe as quiet, tidy, and easy to live with
Small kitchens with a narrow slice of floor to spare are where this one makes its case. The body measures 17″L x 13″W x 26″H, so it slides into a tight gap where a wider bin would not, and the oval shape keeps it feeling less bulky in a galley layout. The lid is fully removable, which makes dropping in and pulling out a trash bag genuinely quick — no wrestling a liner past a fixed opening. It is compatible with standard 13-gallon bags from any supermarket, so you are not locked into one brand of liner.
The steel does the job on looks and upkeep. A stainless steel wire-drawing surface keeps it anti-fingerprint, stain-resistant, and easy to wipe clean, and the sealed cover is designed to control unpleasant smells so the kitchen air stays fresh. The pedal uses ABS hydraulic deceleration — a small slow-down mechanism built into the lid — so it closes gently and quietly once you lift your foot, avoiding the loud clap. You can also park it in a bedroom or living room, since the sealed lid keeps stray odors from drifting out.
What people like most is how easily it works: the lid opens and closes with just a touch of the foot pedal, it runs quiet, and it cleans up easily. Owners call the stainless outer design pretty and note it fits well in small kitchens. The genuine watch-out is that the can can creep across hard flooring toward the wall under foot pressure, which owners say interferes with the pedal over time — rubber feet or a mat underneath would fix it. A few also pair it with a scented bag to fully lock in smells.
Why small-space cooks like it
- A 13″W x 17″L footprint that slots into narrow kitchen gaps a wider can cannot
- Fully removable lid makes bag swaps fast and frustration-free
- ABS hydraulic deceleration keeps the lid closing slow and quiet instead of slamming
- Sealed cover design and anti-fingerprint brushed steel keep both the room and the finish clean
The honest caveats
- It can slide across the floor toward the wall when you press the pedal, which owners say can hinder use over time
- The steel body is on the polished-look side, so it wants the right bag paired in to fully control scent
My read: the best fit if floor space is your real constraint and you want an oval bin that hides awkwardly wide footprints.
Not for you if: a can that creeps on smooth flooring would drive you up the wall — this one wants a mat or grippy feet.
5. Dkeli 13 Gallon Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid
The compact-footprint steel bin that keeps odors trapped in a bedroom or office
Not every 13-gallon can belongs in a kitchen. This one measures 16.7″L x 11.4″W x 26″H — a narrow 11.4-inch-wide body that tucks beside a desk or bed where a full-size kitchen can would not. A handle on the back makes it easy to reposition, so moving it from room to room is a one-hand job. The brushed steel surface is treated to be anti-fingerprint, and any dirt wipes off with a rag, which keeps it looking sharp in a low-traffic room.
You get a quiet lid because deceleration technology slows the opening and closing so it does not clatter, which the brand notes suits a study or bedroom where a loud lid would echo. The sealing is genuinely tight — the brand says it can be opened at different angles depending on how hard you press the pedal, and customers note there is “no worry about leaks.” That sealed lid plus a removable inner bucket is what keeps a guest-room bin from turning sour.
Owners love the design and the stainless look, and they rate it worth the money for the finish and the odor control. The interior hard-plastic liner is a real plus — it wipes down and contains leaks instead of soaking the steel shell. One honest trade-off to weigh: the lid feels on the thinner side to a few owners, and keeping a bag perfectly in place takes a little fuss. At 17.5 pounds it is mid-weight — noticeably lighter to carry than the 21.5-pound ELPHECO but heavier than the 10.6-pound Glad.
Best for: bedrooms, home offices, or studies where a narrow, silent, sealed bin matters more than raw kitchen capacity.
The honest limit: the lid is not the stoutest on this list, so treat the hinge gently and you will get more years out of it.
Choose it when: odor control in a small room is your priority and you want a slim body with a lift-out liner.
Pass if: you want a hefty, imposing kitchen bin — this one reads lighter-duty and prefers a quiet corner.
6. Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can, 13 Gal / 50 L
The 410-grade steel tank engineered around a pedal rated for 150,000-plus steps
If you have killed a plastic bin by stomping its flimsy pedal one too many times, the engineering here is the whole pitch. The shell is made of 410-grade ferritic stainless steel, a scratch- and rust-resistant grade chosen to hold its luster, and the pedal is rated to endure 150,000+ steps, with the ABS hinge surviving over 300,000 open-and-close cycles. The polypropylene inner bucket repels stains and odors, and the thick ABS lid carries a stainless overlay that shrugs off dents.
The capacity story is a little different from the rest. Garvee lists this at 13.2 gallons, and the removable inner bucket holds up to 32×16.9 oz water bottles or 70×12 oz cans, so you get more usable room than a plain 13-gallon shell. The lid glides open to 80° and locks at 95°, giving you genuine hands-free stay-open use for a long cleanup. A custom liner ring grips any standard bag so it does not slip, bunch, or hang over the edge, and anti-slip rubber feet keep the bin planted on tile, hardwood, or low-pile carpet.
Durability is the headline in the reviews — owners say it will last for years and note it does not dent, and the removable washable inner basket makes cleaning a non-event. The recurring gripe is minor: the can creeps on the floor when you step on the pedal, which owners solve with felt pads underneath, and the rear hinge ledge can trap a bit of food. It stands at 16.73″L x 14.65″W x 25.98″H closed, extending to 35.43″ in full open, so size it against your counter overhang.
The defining spec: a 410-grade ferritic stainless steel shell plus a 150,000+ step pedal rating — that combination is what makes this the durability pick of the batch.
Buy it for: a family that wants the longest-wearing pedal and the most dent-resistant body it can get in a 13-gallon footprint.
Know before you buy: the rear hinge ledge traps crumbs, and it wants felt pads if your floor is slippery.
7. QUALIAZERO 50L / 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step-On Kitchen Trash Can
A slim-corner bin with a sealed lid that keeps even fruit flies out
Corners and tight kitchen nooks are exactly what this bin was shaped for. It measures 14.76″L x 17″W x 24.41″H — a slim rectangular body that slips between cabinets and appliances where a round or wide can will not fit. The step pedal gives you hygienic, touchless opening, so you never touch the lid with a food-covered hand. It is rated for kitchen use and also listed for hospital, office, and commercial settings, so it is built for constant foot traffic, not just home use.
The lid is the standout. It uses a soft-close action that lowers quietly and seals in odors, and owners note the sealing works well enough to keep fruit flies out — a detail that matters in summer when a fruit bowl sits on the counter. A removable hidden inner liner makes bag changes fast and neat: you tuck the liner in, drop it back, and the bag is hidden from view. The fingerprint-resistant brushed steel wipes clean of the water and oil spatter that lands near a stove, and a built-in rear handle lets you lift the whole can when needed.
The lid closure is one of the aspects buyers value most, second only to size, and the surface gets praise for resisting stains. Reviewers describe the pedal as smooth even in slippers and the fit as friendly to standard high-capacity bags. It weighs 11.9 pounds, so it is on the lighter side for its size — closer to the 10.6-pound Glad than the 21.5-pound ELPHECO. The honest trade-off: at 24.41″ tall it clears most counters, but a bag left too long will overhang a sealed lid and let smells out, so stick to standard liners.
The everyday payoff: a sealed lid you never touch, tucked into a corner, that keeps smells and fruit flies inside — ideal if your kitchen is short on floor space.
The pick for: tight kitchens, coffee bars, and laundry rooms that need a slim, sealed bin with a no-touch pedal.
Not the one if: you want the heft and imposing presence of a full-size kitchen can — this is the compact specialist.
8. SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 13-Gallon (50 L), Stainless Steel, Soft Close
The minimalist steel bin with a heavy-duty lid spring that stands up to pets
If a nosy dog or a determined cat is the reason your last bin kept getting raided, the base design here is what separates it. The bottom is fitted with non-slip pads that boost stability and make it difficult for pets to tip it over, and a heavy-duty spring on the lid keeps it seated. That flip-open-with-a-snout problem most bins have is exactly what this one is built to resist, so the trash stays where it belongs.
It keeps the design clean too. A compact 13-gallon body at 17.6″L x 13.7″W x 24″H has a modern, minimalist look that blends into a range of kitchen styles, and the stainless bin resists rust and dirt and wipes clean easily. The lid closes quietly and, because of its shape, does not hit the wall when it opens — you avoid the annoying clang each time it swings up. To keep the lid open, you first step on the pedal, then release it and manually lift the lid to 90°.
The inner bucket has built-in handles that make emptying a one-move job, and once the bag is in, it is hidden from view so the can keeps its tidy look. A back handle makes the whole bin easy to relocate. Design is the aspect buyers appreciate most, followed by appearance, with durability and lid operation also earning steady praise — owners sum it up as lightweight enough to move but solid enough to stay put. It comes with 15 included liner bags, so you are stocked on day one.
Why pet owners choose it
- Non-slip base pads make it hard for pets to tip, and a heavy-duty lid spring keeps the lid shut
- Quiet-closing lid that does not smack the wall as it opens
- Built-in handle on the inner bucket makes emptying and washing simple
- Comes with 15 liner bags, so it is ready to use from the start
Worth knowing first
- The stay-open feature needs a manual lift after you release the pedal, not a full hands-free hold
- A few owners notice a factory smell on arrival that fades after a while
Ideal for: pet households that want a sealed, stable, minimalist bin the dog cannot knock over or pry open.
Only if: you are fine giving the lid a hand to hold it fully open — this one asks for that small step.
9. SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L), Stainless Steel, Soft-Close Lid
The quiet-close bin that fits narrow gaps and ships with its own liners
A small kitchen where every inch against the wall counts is this bin’s home turf. It measures 16.4″L x 14.7″W x 25.5″H and is shaped to sit flush against a wall, so it tucks out of the walkway instead of jutting into it. The foot pedal gives hands-free disposal, and the soft-close lid lowers both slowly and quietly, which the brand designed specifically to kill the loud clang. The lid is built from ABS plastic with a stainless steel bin and a PP plastic inner bucket — a mix chosen for durability without excess weight, and the whole can comes preassembled.
Emptying is where the daily ease shows up. The inner bucket has two side handles, so lifting it out and carrying it to the door is a simple, balanced move. The stainless bin resists rust and fingerprints, so it keeps its look with very little upkeep. It arrives with 15 bin liners and is compatible with SONGMICS 13-gallon bags (liner code K), so you can be set up the day it lands. It weighs 14.1 pounds, landing between the lighter Glad and the far heavier ELPHECO on the carry scale.
The lid closure and general ease of use are the two things buyers value most, and the fit is a recurring point — it slips against walls and into narrow kitchen spots easily. Buyers also like that it is stable with no wobble and that the symmetrical inner bucket handles standard 13-gallon bags without fuss. The real watch-out is durability: a shell this thin can arrive dented occasionally, and the main body could be thicker at the price. If it shows up battered, the takeaway from owners is that a replacement is worth requesting, since the core bin itself performs well.
Standout spec: a soft-close lid that closes slowly and quietly, paired with 15 included liners — a ready-to-use setup for a snug kitchen.
The trade-off: the outer shell is on the thin side, so an occasional unit arrives dented; inspect yours on day one.
Best for: a small kitchen that wants a quiet, wall-hugging bin with bags in the box and no assembly required.
Weigh it against: a stouter steel body if a thicker shell matters more to you than the light, wall-hugging fit.
Understanding the Specs
Capacity, Liters, And Gallons
Most kitchen bins here are listed at 13 gallons, which is the same as 50 liters — the two numbers are twin labels for one size. This matters because a 13-gallon bin is built to hold a standard tall kitchen bag, the kind sold at any supermarket, so you can buy liners anywhere. One pick, the Garvee, is listed at 13.2 gallons, a slightly larger shell that gives you a touch more room. If you cook often, this size means fewer trips to empty the can, which is the whole point of stepping up from a small bathroom bin.
Opening Mechanism And Weight
A step-on, or step pedal, mechanism lets you open the lid with your foot so your hands stay clean — the single biggest upgrade over a bin you flip open by hand. Look at whether the lid also uses a soft-close damper, the hydraulic hinge that eases it shut instead of letting it bang. Weight is tied to how easy the can is to carry out for a full-bag run: here the weighs range from a light 10.6 pounds at the Glad up to a hefty 21.5 pounds at the ELPHECO, so if you haul the can to the curb, the lighter end saves your back every single time.
FAQ
Will a standard 13 gallon kitchen bag fit these stainless steel trash cans?
What does a soft-close lid actually do on a step trash can?
Are these stainless steel trash cans really fingerprint-proof?
How do I stop my trash bag from sliding down inside the can?
Which of these 13 gallon trash cans is quietest when it closes?
Can a 13 gallon stainless steel trash can keep food smells in the kitchen?
How do I stop my stainless steel trash can from sliding across the floor?
Are removable inner buckets worth it on a step trash can?
What size space does a 13 gallon stainless steel trash can need?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
The best 13 gallon stainless steel trash can for most kitchens is the Glad Stainless Steel with Clorox Odor Protection: its odor-sealed lid and bag rings stop smells and liner slip, and at 10.6 pounds it is the lightest of the heavy-duty picks. If you want the longest-lived pedal and a bigger 13.2-gallon inner bucket, reach for the Garvee Step-on, whose 410-grade steel shell and 150,000+ step pedal rating make it the durability pick of the batch. And if floor space is your real constraint, the slim QUALIAZERO 50L slides into a tight corner with a sealed lid that keeps smells and fruit flies inside.
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.
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