Best Trash Can for Kitchens and Nurseries: 7 Cans and Diaper Pails

The best trash can for most kitchens is the simplehuman 13 gallon semi-round step can: a 50 liter plastic can with a soft-close lid, a slide lock and a steel pedal engineered for 150,000 steps. If you prefer touch-free, the EKO Mirage-T motion sensor can is the runner-up, and the best diaper trash can for nurseries is the Ubbi steel pail because it takes any standard trash bag. This guide covers the best trash can options for kitchens, plus the best diaper trash can picks for a baby room, with seven main choices and four more to consider.

A trash can looks simple until it fails: the lid cracks, the pedal sticks, the bag slips down, or the kitchen smells by Thursday. The right can depends on your bag size, your kitchen layout and whether you want a pedal, a sensor or a plain swing lid. We sorted the picks by those real needs and by how much they cost to run, because proprietary bags and filters add up. Everything here is research-based; we did not personally use these cans, and where a size or material is not shown in the listing we say not listed.

Our top picks

Top pickUbbi Stainless Steel Diaper Pail

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Also greatUbbi Stainless Steel Diaper Pail

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Also greatUbbi Stainless Steel Diaper Pail

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Also greatUbbi Stainless Steel Diaper Pail

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Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall Kitchen Step Can: simplehuman 13 gallon semi-round step can with slide lock
• Best Touch-Free: EKO Mirage-T 13.2 gallon motion sensor can
• Best Value Plastic Pedal Can: Glad Premium 13 gallon with Clorox odor protection lid
• Best Stainless Steel Pedal Can: SONGMICS 13 gallon stainless steel pedal can with soft close
• Best Budget Stainless: KdbK 13 gallon stainless steel fingerprint-resistant pedal can
• Best Diaper Pail, No Special Bags: Ubbi stainless steel diaper pail
• Best Bag-System Diaper Pail: Diaper Genie Complete pail with carbon filter and refill ring

1. simplehuman 13 Gallon Semi-Round Step Can: Best Trash Can Overall

• Capacity: 13 gallons (50 liters), plastic body in several colors
• Steel pedal engineered for 150,000 steps per the maker
• Lid shox soft close and a slide lock to keep pets and children out
• Semi-round shape with a flat back and wall bumper
• Takes code P liners and standard 6 to 15 gallon trash bags; 5-year warranty

Best for: Kitchens that want a dependable, quiet, shape-saving step can.

Skip if: You prefer a stainless steel finish or a touch-free lid.

The simplehuman semi-round step can has been a kitchen standard for years, and the reason is its unfussy engineering. The pedal has a solid hinge, the lid closes slowly and quietly, and the flat back sits flush to a wall or cabinet so you do not lose floor space. The maker lists a five-year warranty and a pedal built to last 150,000 steps.

The slide lock is more useful than it sounds: it keeps the lid shut in a house with a dog or a toddler, and you can still use the pedal when it is unlocked. The can takes both custom-fit code P liners and ordinary 13 gallon bags, so you are not locked into a proprietary bag.

The plastic body is easy to wipe but can scuff. If you want a premium stainless look, move to the SONGMICS or the EKO. If a plain, trustworthy can is what you want, this is the best trash can for most homes.

Pros

• Quiet soft-close lid
• Slide lock for pets and kids
• Fits standard bags
• Space-saving shape

Cons

• Plastic can scuff
• Not touch-free

2. EKO Mirage-T 13.2 Gallon Motion Sensor Can: Best Touch-Free Kitchen Trash Can

• Capacity: 50 liters (13.2 gallons)
• Motion sensor opens in about 0.2 seconds and closes after about 5 seconds
• Soft-close lid; touch switch can hold the lid open
• Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish
• Power: EKO lists 4 AA alkaline batteries and about 8 months of normal use (some older listings say 6 AA)

Best for: People who cook with messy hands or want to keep touching the can to a minimum.

Skip if: You do not want to replace batteries or you want a very low price.

The sensor can solves one specific problem: wiping raw chicken off your hands and opening a lid without touching anything. A wave over the top opens the lid, and the lid closes by itself after a few seconds. EKO also includes a touch switch to hold the lid open while you scrape plates.

The design omits an inner liner, which EKO says gives 25 percent more capacity, and a bag ring holds the bag in place. It takes standard 13 gallon bags, so you do not buy special refills. The maker advises leaving about a foot of clearance above the lid.

The trade-offs are cost and battery care. Maker details on battery count conflict between current and older listings, so check the compartment on your model. A sensor can also trigger when you walk by, which some people find annoying in a small kitchen.

Pros

• Hands-free opening
• Standard bags
• Large capacity for its size
• Stainless finish resists fingerprints

Cons

• Higher price
• Needs batteries and clearance

3. Glad Premium 13 Gallon Step Can: Best Value Plastic Trash Can

• Capacity: 13 gallons (50 liters), rectangular plastic
• Foot pedal opens the lid hands-free
• Lid has Clorox odor protection that the maker says lasts for the life of the can
• Bag rings hold the bag in place; fits 13 gallon bags
• Size about 18 by 14.7 by 25 inches per one retailer

Best for: Budget-minded households who want a simple, deodorizing step can.

Skip if: You want soft-close or a premium finish.

Glad’s can is the practical middle ground: a plain plastic body, a pedal and a lid treated with Clorox odor protection. The idea is that the lid helps limit smell between bag changes, though real results depend on how often you empty the can and what you throw away.

Bag rings keep the bag from slipping down, and the rectangular shape fits well along a wall. The brand also sells a slim version and a linkable recycling can, which is useful if you want matching units in a kitchen.

Do not expect premium hinges or a silent lid. For a rental, a garage or a first apartment, it is a sensible buy.

Pros

• Low cost
• Odor-protection lid
• Standard bag size
• Hands-free pedal

Cons

• Plastic build
• Lid closes with a thump

4. SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Pedal Can: Best Stainless Steel Pedal Can

• Capacity: 13 gallons (50 liters), stainless steel body
• Pedal opening with a soft-close lid
• Removable inner bucket per the listing
• Fingerprint control: not listed in the title we checked
• Price tier: Mid-range

Best for: Kitchens with stainless appliances and anyone who wants a metal can that matches.

Skip if: You want a touch-free lid or the cheapest option.

SONGMICS sells a lot of furniture and organization products, and this can brings a stainless steel body at a price below the premium names. The soft-close lid prevents banging, and a removable inner bucket makes it easy to rinse out a spill.

The listing does not tell us about the warranty or the pedal rating in the title, so check the full product page. Stainless cans can show fingerprints and water spots, so keep a cloth handy.

This is the pick if you want the look of stainless without the sensor price.

Pros

• Stainless look
• Soft-close lid
• Removable inner bucket

Cons

• Shows fingerprints
• Some specs not listed

5. KdbK 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Pedal Can: Best Budget Stainless Steel Can

• Capacity: 13 gallons (50 liters), stainless steel body
• Fingerprint-resistant finish and pedal opening
• Removable inner bucket per the listing
• Warranty and lid mechanism details: not listed in the title we checked
• Price tier: Budget

Best for: Shoppers who want a stainless look at a plain-can price.

Skip if: You want a long, documented warranty or a known service network.

KdbK is a lesser-known brand, and this can sits at the bottom of the stainless range. The features mirror the SONGMICS: fingerprint-resistant steel, a pedal and a removable bucket. The difference is the price and the lack of a brand track record.

If you buy it, inspect the pedal travel and the lid hinge when it arrives. The pedal is the part that fails first on any cheap can.

For a laundry room, office kitchen or second home, it is a sensible lower-risk purchase.

Pros

• Low cost for stainless
• Fingerprint-resistant finish
• Removable bucket

Cons

• Little brand history
• Specs not fully listed

6. Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail: Best Diaper Trash Can, No Special Bags

• Powder-coated steel with rubber seals, a sliding lid and a child lock
• Holds about 55 newborn diapers (Ubbi FAQ), fewer as sizes grow
• Takes any standard trash bag; no refills, cassettes or inserts
• About 8.4 by 19.5 by 11.4 inches and 5.15 lb
• Available in several colors

Best for: New parents who want the lowest running cost and a modern look.

Skip if: You want a plastic pail with a carbon filter or a bag system that seals each diaper.

Ubbi is the diaper pail to buy if you hate refill pricing. Because it takes any standard tall kitchen bag, you can use whatever bags you already own, and the maker says no special cartridges are needed. The sliding lid and child lock keep little hands out.

Because there is no carbon filter or bag-sealing system, odor control depends on the rubber seal and on how often you empty it. Many families take a bag out every few days. Capacity listings vary, so rely on the maker’s diaper counts rather than gallon numbers.

Wipe it down and replace the bag regularly. For the best diaper trash can on a budget over time, bag cost matters more than the sticker price.

Pros

• No proprietary bags
• Child-safe lid
• Steel build
• Modern look

Cons

• No built-in bag-sealing
• Small compared with kitchen cans

7. Diaper Genie Complete Pail: Best Bag-System Diaper Pail

• Plastic pail with a step pedal, about 27 inches tall and 8.4 lb
• Carbon filter in the lid and double air-tite clamps
• Continuous ring refill holds up to 270 newborn diapers and has 21 ft of film
• The pail itself holds about 36 newborn diapers
• Antimicrobial film per the maker

Best for: Parents who want fewer trips to the outside bin and are happy to buy refills.

Skip if: You want to avoid proprietary refills.

Diaper Genie is the well-known bag-system pail. Each diaper goes through a pedal-operated opening and is wrapped in the film, then the clamps keep each package sealed. A carbon filter in the lid adds an extra layer. When the refill ring is full, you tie it off and replace it.

The upside is that each diaper is sealed and the can feels clean. The downside is ongoing cost, since refills and filters are proprietary and add up over two or three years. Listings disagree on capacity, so use the maker’s figures.

If you value convenience and minimal handling, it is the best diaper trash can in its category; if you value low running cost, choose the Ubbi.

Pros

• Sealed diaper packages
• Carbon filter
• Fewer trips outside
• Well known

Cons

• Proprietary refills
• Ongoing cost

Also Consider

Hefty 12 Gallon Step Can

A plastic step can that ships with 40 trash bags, a convenient starter set for a first apartment.

Glad Slim Trash Can

A narrow 13 gallon-class step can with a soft-close lid for tight spaces next to appliances.

Diaper Dekor EKO Classic

A hands-free diaper pail made with recycled plastic that lets you use its own refill rolls.

Munchkin STEP Diaper Pail

A step pail powered by Arm & Hammer that uses snap, seal and toss bags to contain smell.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We did not personally use these cans. We searched currently sold 13 gallon kitchen cans and nursery pails, then checked the maker pages for simplehuman, EKO, Ubbi and Diaper Genie, and retail listings for Glad, SONGMICS and KdbK. We looked at capacity, lid mechanism, bag compatibility, warranty and any proprietary running costs, and we limited each brand to two main picks.

Where listings gave conflicting numbers, such as EKO battery counts or diaper pail capacities, we reported the conflict and pointed to the maker page. Anything we could not verify is marked not listed.

Buying Guide

Size and bag compatibility

A 13 gallon (about 50 liter) can fits most kitchens and takes standard tall kitchen bags. If you generate little waste, a 8 to 10 gallon can works. If you have a large household, a 20 gallon can reduces trips but takes more floor space. Prefer a can that fits any standard bag, since proprietary liners raise the running cost.

Lid style: pedal, sensor or swing

Pedal cans are the safe default because they have no batteries. Sensor cans are best for messy cooking but need power. Swing lids and open cans are cheap and fine for bathrooms and offices, but they let smell escape. For a kitchen, a lid that closes fully is worth the extra cost.

Materials

Plastic cans are light, cheap and easy to rinse. Stainless steel looks premium and resists odor, but shows fingerprints and can dent. Check the pedal and hinge parts, since cheap pedals break first. Look for a removable inner bucket for easy cleaning.

Diaper pails

Choose between two systems. Bag-system pails wrap each diaper and cost more to run. Open-bag pails, like the Ubbi, use your regular bags and rely on seals. Capacity in diapers drops quickly as the baby grows, so plan to empty a pail every few days regardless of type. Keep any trash container out of a child’s reach, and use the child lock or a high shelf.

Odor control

Smell is mostly about how often you empty the can. A tight lid, a clean bin and food scraps bagged before they go in help more than any additive. Wash the can monthly with mild soap and let it dry before replacing the bag. Some cans use carbon filters or odor-protection lids, which can help but are not a substitute for cleaning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying a can that needs proprietary bags and ignoring running costs
• Choosing a sensor can for a tiny kitchen where it triggers constantly
• Placing the can where the pedal hits a cabinet or the lid cannot fully open
• Letting food waste sit in the can for days, especially in warm weather
• Using a diaper pail with no child lock in a home with toddlers

Which Can for Which Room?

For a main kitchen, buy a 13 gallon pedal or sensor can, with the simplehuman as the safe default. For a second kitchen or a laundry room, the Glad or KdbK are good lower-cost choices. For a nursery, choose between the Ubbi if you want low running cost and the Diaper Genie if you want sealed packages. For a bathroom or home office, a small swing-lid can under 3 gallons is usually enough, so a kitchen-size can is overkill.

If you also recycle, consider a matching two-can setup so the pairs sit side by side. Glad sells linkable cans, and several brands sell dual-compartment units. Measure the cabinet or wall gap before buying, and remember that a can with a lid that opens upward needs clearance above it.

Placement and Daily Habits That Keep a Can Working

Where you put the can matters as much as which can you buy. Leave a little clearance behind a pedal can so the rear does not rub the wall and scuff the paint, and check that the lid can open fully under a counter. A sensor can needs the area above it clear, and the maker suggests about a foot. Keep the can away from the stove and dishwasher heat vents, since warmth speeds up smell.

Build two small habits. First, tie off and replace the bag when it is about three quarters full rather than stuffing it, which strains the bag and the lid. Second, drop a folded paper towel or a spare bag in the bottom of the can so a leak does not reach the floor. If a bag does leak, wash the can with warm water and mild soap and let it dry fully before relining it.

Finally, think about recycling and compost. A separate small compost bin on the counter takes the smelliest scraps out of the main can, which makes any lid and any bag perform better. Together with a weekly wipe-down, these habits will do more for odor than switching brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trash can for a kitchen?

The simplehuman 13 gallon semi-round step can is our top pick for most kitchens because of its soft-close lid, slide lock and standard bag compatibility. The EKO Mirage-T is the better choice if you want touch-free opening.

What is the best diaper trash can?

The Ubbi steel pail is the best diaper trash can if you want to use regular trash bags and avoid refill costs. The Diaper Genie Complete is better if you want each diaper sealed in its own film package.

Are motion sensor trash cans worth it?

They are worth it if you cook a lot or want to avoid touching the lid. They need batteries and can open by accident in tight spaces, so a pedal can is a simpler choice for many kitchens.

What size trash can should I buy?

Thirteen gallons (about 50 liters) is the standard kitchen size and fits regular tall kitchen bags. Go smaller for one-person homes and larger for big families.

How do I keep a trash can from smelling?

Empty it before it is full, bag food scraps, and wash the bin monthly with mild soap. A closed lid, odor-protection lid or carbon filter helps but does not replace cleaning.

Do diaper pails really contain smell?

They reduce smell but do not remove it. Sealed bags and tight lids help, and emptying the pail every few days is the most reliable strategy.

Is stainless steel better than plastic?

Stainless steel looks better and resists odor, while plastic is lighter, cheaper and easier to scuff. Choose based on your kitchen style and budget, and check the pedal and hinge quality either way.

Which One Should You Buy?

For most kitchens, buy the simplehuman 13 gallon step can. If you want touch-free, the EKO Mirage-T is the pick, and if you want stainless steel on a budget, choose the SONGMICS or the KdbK. The Glad Premium is a sensible low-cost plastic option. For a nursery, the Ubbi is the lower-cost diaper pail and the Diaper Genie is the more convenient bag-system choice.

Measure your space, check the bag size you already buy, and consider running costs before you decide. This guide is based on research of maker pages and listings, not on our own use.

Sources

• simplehuman product page for the 50 liter semi-round step can
• EKO product pages for the Mirage-T motion sensor can
• Ubbi product page and FAQ for the steel diaper pail
• Diaper Genie product page for the Complete pail
• Glad product listing for the Premium 13 gallon trash can

Last updated: October 2026