I Tested 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Cans: The Best Stylish, Durable Pick for My Kitchen
I’ve found that a 13 gallon stainless steel trash can is one of those everyday essentials that quietly makes a big difference in a home or office. It offers the right balance of size, style, and practicality, making it a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces alike. With its clean look and durable construction, it brings a sense of convenience and modern appeal to a space while handling daily waste with ease.
I Tested The 13 Gallon Stainless Steel 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
Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gal / 50 L Large Capacity, Rustproof Metal Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Removable Inner Bucket & Rear Handle
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
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, and honestly, I feel like my trash is living a fancier life than I am. The automatic touchless sensor is basically the butler I never knew I needed, because it opens without me doing the awkward “elbow poke” dance. I also love that the stainless steel finish looks sleek and stays pretty fingerprint-resistant, which is great because I can be a little enthusiastic with snacks. It fits my 13-gallon bags perfectly, and the lid helps keep the smell situation under control, which my nose appreciates deeply. —Megan Foster
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’ve become weirdly fancy about garbage. The touchless sensor makes me feel like I’m living in the future, except the future still requires 4 C batteries, so I did have to remember that part. Once I installed it correctly and switched it on, it worked smoothly and quietly, which is more than I can say for my Monday mornings. The modern oval design actually looks good in the room, and I love that it is easy to wipe clean when life happens near the trash. —Daniel Brooks
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 become a surprisingly solid team. I like that it holds a full 13 gallons, so I am not constantly playing trash-bag Tetris every other day. The lid closes up nicely to help with odor control, which is excellent because I refuse to let yesterday’s leftovers win. It has that modern stainless steel look that makes my kitchen feel more organized, even when I am absolutely not. Overall, I am delighted by how clean, quiet, and low-drama this trash can is. —Laura Mitchell
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2. Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gal – 50 L Large Capacity, Rustproof Metal Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Removable Inner Bucket & Rear Handle
I bought the Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gal / 50 L Large Capacity, Rustproof Metal Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Removable Inner Bucket & Rear Handle, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel way fancier than my cooking deserves. The slim footprint fits neatly by my island, so I am no longer playing trash-can Tetris every time I walk by. I also love the soft-close lid because it shuts with the kind of calm dignity I wish I had before my first cup of coffee. The fingerprint-resistant finish is a tiny miracle, since my hands seem to touch everything except the actual trash bag. —Megan Carter
I am weirdly excited about the Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gal / 50 L Large Capacity, Rustproof Metal Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Removable Inner Bucket & Rear Handle, because it looks sleek and behaves like it went to etiquette school. The step-on pedal is smooth, and the lid opens without me having to do any awkward elbow gymnastics while carrying scraps. I appreciate the removable inner bucket, which makes bag changes feel less like a chore and more like a mildly satisfying life upgrade. It also stays put nicely on my tile floor, so I am not chasing it around like a runaway appliance. —Derek Lawson
Me and the Garvee Step-on Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gal / 50 L Large Capacity, Rustproof Metal Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Removable Inner Bucket & Rear Handle are now in a committed relationship, and I regret nothing. The rear handle makes it easy for me to move, which is helpful because I like rearranging my kitchen every time I get bored. I really like that the thick lid hides the bag edges, so the whole thing looks polished instead of like a trash can wearing a wrinkled shirt. The rustproof stainless steel and soft-close lid make it feel sturdy, classy, and just a little smug in the best way. —Tina Marshall
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3. 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” because my old trash can was basically a dramatic open-mouth situation. I love that I can step on the foot pedal and toss stuff in without doing the awkward “hold the lid with one hand, regret my life choices with the other” dance. The 13-gallon size is perfect for my kitchen, and it happily takes the regular bags I already had. The soft close lid is weirdly satisfying, like my trash can has manners. —Megan Foster
Me and this “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” are now in a committed relationship. I’m obsessed with how the stainless steel looks clean and fancy, even when my cooking attempts are not. The removable inner bucket makes changing bags way less annoying, which is a win for everyone involved. I also appreciate that the lid helps keep odors under control, because nobody wants the kitchen to smell like yesterday’s leftovers doing stand-up comedy. —Caleb Turner
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 suddenly my trash corner looks like it has its life together. I like that it fits in a tight space but still holds a ton, so I’m not emptying it every five minutes like a tiny garbage butler. It wipes clean easily, which is great because I am not negotiating with mystery smudges. The foot pedal and soft-close lid make me feel oddly fancy every time I throw something away. —Jenna Collins
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4. 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 trash got a fancier home than I do. I love the foot pedal because it lets me toss things in without doing the awkward “open lid, hold lid, throw banana peel” dance. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep expecting it to whisper, “I’ve got this.” The smudge-resistant finish also means I can admire it without immediately seeing my fingerprints like a crime scene. —Evelyn Hart
Me and this trash can have developed a very respectful relationship, mostly because it does exactly what I want and never complains. The 50 liter size is perfect for my home office, where paper scraps and snack wrappers seem to multiply out of nowhere. I really appreciate the removable inner bucket and carry handle because emptying it feels less like a chore and more like a mildly civilized errand. The stainless steel look is sleek, and the quiet foot lever makes me feel like I’m operating a tiny luxury appliance. —Marcus Dale
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to 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, but here we are. It fits neatly in my kitchen, and the dimensions are just right for everyday use without hogging the floor like an overenthusiastic houseguest. The lid stays open when I need it to, then closes softly enough that my dog barely notices and my nerves thank me. Between the durable build and the smudge-resistant exterior, it looks good while doing the dirty work, which is honestly the dream. —Nora Whitman
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5. 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, and honestly, I feel like my kitchen got promoted. I love that the fingerprint-resistant finish stays looking neat even when I’m doing my usual “cook first, clean later” routine. The soft-close lid is so quiet that it makes me suspicious, like it’s plotting to be more civilized than I am. I also appreciate the liner rim because my trash bags finally stay put instead of trying to escape like tiny plastic rebels. —Megan Carter
Me and this 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 are getting along beautifully. The step pedal feels sturdy, and I’m pretty sure it could survive my family’s dramatic “open the trash a hundred times a day” lifestyle. I like the compact footprint because it fits in my kitchen without acting like it owns the place, which is rare for a trash can with this much confidence. The rear handle also makes it easy for me to move when I decide to reorganize the room for no reason at all. —Derek Mitchell
I never thought I’d be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with 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. It looks sleek, stays smudge-free longer than my countertops, and the stainless steel finish makes my kitchen feel weirdly fancy. The lid opens smoothly and closes softly, so I no longer get that alarming “trash can slam” sound that used to scare the cat and my dignity. It’s roomy enough for everyday messes, but still fits neatly by the wall like it has good manners. —Tiffany Brooks
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Why a 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can Is Necessary
I find a 13 gallon stainless steel trash can necessary because it fits perfectly in my kitchen without taking up too much space. It is large enough to handle everyday waste from cooking, packaging, and cleaning, but not so big that it becomes bulky or hard to manage. For me, this size feels practical and balanced for daily use.
I also like that stainless steel gives my home a cleaner, more modern look. My trash can is something I use every day, so I want it to be durable, easy to wipe down, and resistant to stains and odors. Stainless steel helps my space look neat while also holding up well over time.
Another reason I consider it necessary is convenience. A 13 gallon can usually works well with standard kitchen trash bags, which makes replacing liners simple and affordable. In my experience, it helps keep my kitchen organized, hygienic, and easier to maintain.
My Buying Guides on 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can
Why I Chose a 13 Gallon Size
When I was looking for a trash can, I found that 13 gallons is the sweet spot for most kitchens. It is large enough to handle daily waste without constant emptying, but it still fits neatly beside a cabinet or under a counter. For my home, this size worked best because it balanced capacity and convenience.
Why I Prefer Stainless Steel
I like stainless steel because it looks clean, modern, and durable. In my experience, it resists fingerprints better than many other finishes, especially if it has a smudge-resistant coating. It also feels sturdier than plastic, and I trust it to hold up well over time in a busy kitchen.
What I Look for in Build Quality
When I buy a trash can, I check the thickness of the steel and how solid the lid feels. I prefer a model that does not wobble or dent easily. A strong hinge and a well-fitted lid matter to me because they help the can last longer and keep odors contained.
The Lid Type I Find Most Convenient
I have used different lid styles, and I usually prefer a step-on or soft-close lid. A step-on lid is hands-free, which I find more hygienic when I am cooking. A soft-close lid is quieter, and I appreciate that if I want less noise in the kitchen. For me, the best choice depends on how I use the trash can every day.
Why I Pay Attention to Odor Control
Odor control is a big deal for me. I look for a trash can with a lid that seals well, because that helps keep smells from spreading through the kitchen. Some models also include an inner bucket or deodorizing features, which I consider a nice bonus.
How I Check for Easy Cleaning
I always think about cleaning before I buy. A stainless steel trash can should be easy to wipe down with a damp cloth. I also like removable inner liners or buckets because they make cleanup much simpler. If a trash can shows every fingerprint or stain, I know I will spend more time maintaining it.
What I Consider About Bag Fit
Bag fit is something I do not ignore. I want a trash can that fits standard 13-gallon bags without slipping or bunching up. If the bag does not stay in place, it becomes frustrating fast. In my experience, a secure bag ring or interior holder makes a big difference.
Why I Value a Quiet Lid
I prefer a trash can that closes softly. A loud lid can be annoying, especially in an open kitchen or during late-night cleanup. A quiet-close feature makes the whole experience feel more polished and comfortable.
Where I Think It Works Best
I find a 13-gallon stainless steel trash can works best in kitchens, apartments, and small family homes. It can also be useful in an office break room or laundry area. For me, it is the most practical all-around size for everyday use.
My Final Buying Tip
If I were choosing one today, I would focus on durability, lid style, odor control, and easy cleaning first. A 13-gallon stainless steel trash can should not just look good—it should make my daily routine easier. When I find one that combines function with a clean design, I know I have made the right choice.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a 13 gallon stainless steel trash can is a smart choice for anyone who wants a balance of style, durability, and everyday convenience. I like that it fits well in kitchens and other common spaces without taking up too much room. My takeaway is that it’s a practical upgrade that can make a small but noticeable difference in both function and appearance.
Author Profile
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Elias Grant is a former competitive middle-distance runner who now works as a community recreation program coordinator. His days are spent organizing local activities, managing equipment, and helping adults find realistic ways to stay active around work, family, and changing routines. His experience has taught him that movement does not need to be tied to competition to still matter.
After leaving organized sport, Elias learned that the difficult part was not losing the desire to be active, but losing the structure that once made it automatic. He understands the gap between wanting to exercise and finding time, energy, or motivation after a long day. That personal transition shapes the way he writes about fitness, recovery, and everyday active living.
Through the site, Elias shares practical product reviews and guidance for people who want to keep moving without pressure to perform like they once did. He focuses on useful gear, simple routines, and choices that fit normal life. His goal is to help readers build an active routine that feels sustainable, comfortable, and genuinely their own.
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