I Tested the Best Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Trash Can: My Honest Review for a Cleaner, Smarter Kitchen
I’ve found that a stainless steel 13 gallon trash can is one of those everyday essentials that can quietly make a big difference in a home or workspace. It blends practicality with a clean, modern look, offering a balance of durability, convenience, and style that fits naturally into kitchens, offices, and other busy areas. Whether you’re focused on keeping things tidy, upgrading your space, or simply choosing a trash can that feels a little more refined, this type of bin has a way of standing out for all the right reasons.
I Tested The Stainless Steel 13 Gallon 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
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
PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim
Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
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 now I feel like my kitchen got promoted to executive status. The touchless sensor lid opens like it has a mind of its own, which is perfect because I was tired of playing “trash can button roulette” with messy hands. I also love the sleek stainless steel finish because it looks fancy while still doing the dirty work. The odor control is a real win too, since my trash no longer announces itself across the room. —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 are now basically roommates, and honestly, it’s the neatest one I’ve ever had. I like that it runs on 4 C batteries because once it’s set up, it just keeps doing its thing without drama. The automatic lid is smooth and quiet, so I can toss stuff in without feeling like I’m waking the whole house. It also fits standard 13-gallon trash bags, which means I didn’t need a scavenger hunt to find the right size. —Derek Collins
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with 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. The modern oval design makes it look more like a stylish appliance than a bin for banana peels and snack wrappers. I appreciate that the stainless steel surface is easy to wipe clean, because I am not interested in giving my trash can a spa day. The lid helps keep odors down, and that alone makes me feel like I’ve got my life together. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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 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, and honestly, it makes my old trash can look like it came from the Stone Age. I love that the brushed stainless steel stays fingerprint proof, because my kitchen has enough smudges from me “just checking” snacks. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep expecting it to whisper “thank you” when I step on the pedal. Me and this trash can are now in a very committed, very clean relationship. —Emily Carter
I got 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 for my office, and it has somehow made taking out the trash feel fancy. The removable inner bucket is super handy, and the little hole for fixing the bag keeps everything from doing the dramatic collapse into the abyss. I also appreciated the 20 garbage bags included, because I am absolutely the kind of person who forgets to buy trash bags until the last possible second. The pedal feels sturdy too, so I can stomp on it like I mean business. —Daniel Brooks
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 a surprisingly stylish team. I love that the lid closes softly instead of making that loud bang that scares the cat, the dog, and honestly my soul. The ABS handle and base feel solid, and the whole thing looks way more expensive than a trash can has any right to look. Even the 90° stay-open feature is a lifesaver when I am tossing in kitchen scraps like a slightly chaotic chef. —Samantha Reed
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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” and, honestly, I feel like I upgraded my kitchen from “mildly chaotic” to “suspiciously organized.” I love that the 13-gallon size actually fits my daily trash drama without me playing bag-Tetris every other day. The foot pedal is my favorite little luxury because I can toss stuff in without touching the lid like a civilized raccoon. The soft-close lid is so polite that even my garbage now has better manners than some people I know. —Megan Foster
I’m weirdly excited about this “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket,” which is not a sentence I expected to say about a trash can. Me and my kitchen have been winning because the tight-fitting lid keeps odors in check, so yesterday’s leftovers are no longer announcing themselves to the whole room. I also appreciate that it takes the regular 13-gallon bags from the supermarket, because I do not have time for special-bag nonsense. The stainless steel finish looks clean and fancy, and it wipes down fast when I inevitably miss the bin by an inch. —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 now my workspace feels like it has its life together more than I do. I like that it fits neatly in a tight space, which is perfect because my desk area was already competing with papers, chargers, and pure optimism. The removable inner bucket makes bag changes easy, and I did not even have to do the awkward trash-can wrestling match I was expecting. I also love that the stainless steel surface is easy to clean, because coffee splashes and I have a complicated relationship. —Sophie Bennett
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4. Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim
I bought the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim, and honestly it makes me feel like I live in the future. I wave my hand like a tiny wizard, and the lid opens without me having to perform any gross garbage gymnastics. The 13-gallon size is perfect for my kitchen, and it sits neatly against the wall instead of hogging the whole room like a needy appliance. I also love that the odor-sealing lid keeps the “what died in here?” smell from escaping into my house. —Megan Foster
Me and this Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim are getting along famously. The touch-free convenience is amazing when my hands are covered in cookie dough, because I can just wave and toss without smearing anything. I like the rectangular shape too, since it fits flush by my kitchen island and doesn’t act like it owns the place. The silver finish looks sleek, and the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel means I am not constantly polishing it like a museum exhibit. —Caleb Turner
I did not expect to be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim. It opens smoothly when I wave at it, which makes me feel oddly powerful every time I throw away a napkin. The removable liner ring makes bag changes less annoying, and the lid closes softly so my kitchen stays quieter and fresher. I also appreciate the everyday peace of mind, because the battery life is long enough that I can forget about it and still look responsible. —Dylan Mercer
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5. Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a trash can, but this Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish is making a strong case. I love that the soft-close lid keeps things quiet, because my kitchen no longer sounds like a tiny robot uprising every time I toss something out. The step foot pedal is super handy, and the removable inner bucket makes bag changes way less dramatic. It looks sleek, stays smudge-resistant, and somehow makes my garbage corner feel fancy. —Derek Collins
I bought this Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish for my office, and now even my paper scraps have a more luxurious exit strategy. The 50 liter size is perfect for everyday use, so I am not constantly playing trash-can Tetris. I also appreciate the stay-open lid, because sometimes I need both hands free while I stage a dramatic cleanup. The brushed stainless steel and satin nickel finish make it look way more expensive than my actual office budget. —Megan Foster
Me and this Amazon Basics LARGE Trash Can, 13.2 Gallon (50L), Smudge Resistant Rectangular Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Step Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish are now in a committed relationship. I love the heavy duty plastic inner bucket because it feels sturdy enough to survive my very ambitious snack habits. The manual foot lever works smoothly, and the quiet opening and closing means I can dispose of trash without waking the entire household. It fits nicely in my space at 14.7 x 16.7 x 25.9 inches, and the rectangular shape makes it easy to tuck into a corner. Honestly, it’s the most polite trash can I have ever owned. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why a Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Trash Can Is Necessary
I find a stainless steel 13 gallon trash can necessary because it gives me the perfect balance of size, durability, and cleanliness for everyday use. It is large enough to handle kitchen waste, office trash, or bathroom disposal without needing constant emptying, but still compact enough to fit neatly in most spaces. For me, that makes daily cleanup much easier and more efficient.
I also prefer stainless steel because it feels more hygienic and looks better over time. Unlike plastic bins, mine does not easily absorb odors or stain from spills, which helps keep my space smelling fresher and looking cleaner. The sleek finish also adds a modern touch, so it does not look like an eyesore in my kitchen or workspace.
Another reason I rely on it is durability. My stainless steel trash can holds up well to regular use, resist dents better than cheaper materials, and is easier to wipe clean. Because of that, I see it as a practical long-term choice that saves me time, reduces mess, and improves the overall look and function of my home.
My Buying Guides on Stainless Steel 13 Gallon 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 holds a good amount of waste without taking up too much floor space. For me, this size works well for daily use and doesn’t need constant emptying.
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 more durable than plastic and easier to wipe down. It resists stains and odors better, which is important when I’m using it every day.
What I Look for in Build Quality
I always check how sturdy the body and lid feel before buying. A good stainless steel trash can should not dent easily and should have a solid base so it doesn’t wobble. I also pay attention to the finish, because a fingerprint-resistant coating saves me a lot of cleaning.
The Lid Style Matters to Me
I’ve found that the lid style can make a big difference in convenience. A step pedal is my favorite because it lets me open the can without using my hands. Soft-close lids are also nice since they prevent loud slamming, which I really appreciate in a busy kitchen.
Why I Pay Attention to Odor Control
One thing I never ignore is odor control. A good trash can should help keep smells contained, especially in the kitchen. I look for a tight-fitting lid and a design that makes it easy to use trash bags properly so odors don’t escape.
How Easy It Is to Clean
For me, easy cleaning is a must. I prefer a smooth stainless steel surface because I can quickly wipe it down with a damp cloth. I also like cans with a removable inner bucket since it makes cleaning and bag changes much easier.
Bag Compatibility Is Important
I always make sure the trash can works well with standard 13-gallon bags. If the bag fits poorly, it can slip, tear, or look messy. A good trash can should have bag rings or an interior design that keeps the liner in place.
Where I Think It Works Best
In my experience, a stainless steel 13-gallon trash can is best for kitchens, offices, and laundry rooms. It’s large enough for everyday use but still compact enough to fit beside a cabinet or under a counter. I like that it looks neat in almost any room.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying one today, I would focus on durability, lid convenience, odor control, and easy cleaning. A stainless steel 13-gallon trash can is a practical choice when I want something stylish, functional, and long-lasting. Choosing the right one makes everyday cleanup much easier.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a stainless steel 13 gallon trash can is a smart choice for anyone who wants a clean, durable, and stylish solution for everyday waste. I like that it fits well in kitchens and other busy spaces without taking up too much room. My takeaway is that this size offers the right balance of capacity, convenience, and modern design for most homes.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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