Our Top Picks
simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen50 Liter14.4 x 18.7 x 26.2 Inches7 poundsCheck on Amazon
simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen50 Liter Trash Can12.8 x 19.8 x 25.7 inches16.53 poundsCheck on Amazon
If you want one starting point, the 45 L / 12 gallon rectangular step can with the Liner Rim System is the middle-of-the-road choice here, and the Step Recycler is the one to check first if your kitchen already sorts recyclables. All ten listings are simplehuman cans, but they differ in shape, volume, lid style and finish, so the right pick depends on your cabinet gap and how you bag your trash. Titles run from 38 L to 60 L. Everything below comes from those titles alone, and we say so whenever you need to open the listing and check.
The short list
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- Everyday kitchen size: the 45 L rectangular step can with Lid Shox Silent Close
- Sorting recycling in one footprint: the 58 L Step Recycler
- Hands-free lid: the 45 L semi-round automatic sensor can
- Most volume: the 60 L open top commercial grade can
- Plastic body with Secure Slide Lock: the 50 L semi-round or the 40 L slim
All ten cans in one table
| Model | Key point from title | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 50 L semi-round step, black plastic | Secure Slide Lock, 13 gallon | Large plastic can |
| 50 L rectangular step, brushed steel | 13 gallon, rectangular | Big household |
| 45 L rectangular step | Liner Rim, Liner Pocket, silent close | Mid-size kitchen |
| 55 L rectangular step | 14.5 gallon, same feature set | Larger families |
| 58 L Step Recycler | Dual compartment, plastic lid | Recycling in the kitchen |
| 45 L semi-round sensor | Automatic sensor lid | Hands-free users |
| 38 L rectangular step | 10 gallon, brushed steel | Smaller kitchens |
| 40 L slim step, black plastic | Secure Slide Lock, slim body | Narrow gaps |
| 60 L semi-round open top | Commercial grade, heavy gauge | Garage, utility room |
| 50 L slim open top | Commercial grade, heavy gauge | Offices, back rooms |
The ten cans, one at a time
simplehuman 50 L semi-round step can with Secure Slide Lock, black plastic
The title gives 50 liters (13 gallons), a semi-round shape and a Secure Slide Lock on a black plastic body. Check the page to learn what the lock actually secures and whether it is aimed at pets or children. The title does not mention a Liner Rim System or a silent-close lid, so do not assume either. A plastic finish suits kitchens where stainless fingerprints bother you.
Pros
- Big 50 L volume in a semi-round footprint
- Plastic body avoids stainless smudges
Cons
- No silent-close lid named in the title
- Plastic may clash with steel appliances
Who it’s for: households that want volume and a lockable lid without stainless.
simplehuman 50 L rectangular step can, brushed stainless steel
This is the plainest title in the group: 50 L, 13 gallons, rectangular, brushed stainless. It names no liner system, pocket or silent-close lid, so the page is where you confirm those details. Its twin in plastic is the first listing above, which makes the finish the main difference between them. Pick this version when you want steel without paying attention to extra named features.
Pros
- Rectangular shape suits a cabinet corner
- Steel finish matches common appliances
Cons
- No named liner or lid features in the title
- Brushed steel can show smears
Who it’s for: buyers who want a large steel step can and little else.
simplehuman Rectangular Step Can, 45 L / 12 gallon, brushed stainless steel
The title lists a Liner Rim System, a Liner Pocket, a 150,000-step pedal and Lid Shox Silent Close. Those are the most feature-dense words in the 45 L class, though the title does not explain what each does. The Liner Pocket presumably stores spare bags, but confirm that on the page. It sits between the 38 L and 55 L rectangular cans in size.
Pros
- Named liner rim, pocket and silent-close lid
- Mid-size 12 gallon volume
Cons
- Features are named, not explained, in the title
- Shape and size may feel tight for a big household
Who it’s for: most two to four person kitchens.
simplehuman Rectangular Step Can, 55 L / 14.5 gallon, brushed stainless steel
Same feature list as the 45 L can, with a larger 55 L / 14.5 gallon body. The title again names the Liner Rim System, Liner Pocket, 150,000-step pedal and Lid Shox Silent Close. Extra volume means fewer trips to the bin, but also a taller or wider body, so confirm the listed dimensions against the cabinet or alcove where it will stand.
Pros
- Larger 14.5 gallon capacity with the same named features
- Fewer bag changes for busy kitchens
Cons
- Bigger footprint is harder to hide
- Bag size must be checked on the page
Who it’s for: families or shared houses producing a lot of waste.
simplehuman Step Recycler, 58 L / 15.3 gallon, dual compartment
This is the only dual compartment listing. The title also names a 150,000-step pedal, Lid Shox technology, Liner Rim System and Liner Pocket, with brushed stainless steel and a plastic lid. It does not give the split between trash and recycling sides, so check the page before assuming an even division. Local recycling rules vary, so see what your service accepts.
Pros
- Trash and recycling in one body
- Same named lid and liner features as the rectangular cans
Cons
- Total volume is shared between compartments
- Plastic lid on a steel body is a mixed look
Who it’s for: kitchens with room for one can and a sorting habit.
simplehuman 45 L / 12 gallon semi-round automatic sensor trash can, brushed stainless steel
The words to notice are automatic sensor: the lid is described as opening without a pedal. The title does not say how the sensor is powered, how close you must be, or whether it has a liner system, so those are page-level checks. Sensor lids can be convenient with full hands, but they add electronics near a place that sometimes gets wet.
Pros
- Hands-free opening suits messy cooking
- Semi-round 45 L body is mid-size
Cons
- Power source and sensor range not in the title
- Electronics add a failure point near moisture
Who it’s for: cooks who prefer not to touch a pedal or lid.
simplehuman 38 L / 10 gallon rectangular step can, brushed stainless steel
The smallest volume here, at 38 L and 10 gallons, in a rectangular steel body. Its title is as sparse as the 50 L steel can and lists no liner or lid features. That does not mean they are absent, only that the title is silent. A small footprint is the draw for apartments, offices and hallways where a bigger can would block the way.
Pros
- Smallest footprint of the steel step cans
- Rectangular shape sits flush
Cons
- Fills quickly in a busy household
- Title lists no named features
Who it’s for: studio kitchens and small spaces.
simplehuman 40 L / 10.6 gallon slim step can with Secure Slide Lock, black plastic
A slim plastic body with a Secure Slide Lock, 40 L and 10.6 gallons. Slim is the keyword: it suggests a narrow gap such as beside a fridge or between cabinets, but the title gives no dimensions, so measure first. It shares the lock wording with the 50 L plastic can, so the same page check applies about what it locks and how.
Pros
- Slim body for narrow gaps
- Lock wording in the title
Cons
- No dimensions in the title
- Smaller than the 50 L plastic can
Who it’s for: narrow spaces where a lockable lid helps.
simplehuman 60 L / 15.9 gallon large semi-round open top, commercial grade
The title calls it commercial grade, heavy gauge and open top, in brushed stainless steel. At 60 L it is the biggest can in this group. There is no lid, pedal or silent close to worry about, which also means there is nothing between the contents and the room. A garage, workshop or break room is the likelier home than a small kitchen.
Pros
- Largest volume here at 60 L
- No pedal or lid mechanism to wear out
Cons
- Open top shows contents and releases odor
- Not ideal around pets or toddlers
Who it’s for: garages, utility rooms and busy shared spaces.
simplehuman 50 L / 13.2 gallon slim open top, commercial grade heavy gauge, brushed stainless steel
The slim cousin of the 60 L open top, still at 50 L / 13.2 gallons. The same commercial grade, heavy gauge and open top wording applies, so it makes a good office, laundry room or under-desk can. Slim here likely refers to depth, but only the page can confirm the width and depth you need for your alcove.
Pros
- Slim open top saves floor space
- Heavy gauge steel named in the title
Cons
- Open top offers no odor control
- Dimensions need checking on the page
Who it’s for: offices, laundry rooms and back-of-house areas.
How we picked these
These are the ten simplehuman cans that appeared under this search, and we kept every one so you can see the full range. Our basis is published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews, read through the titles. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Where a title is silent on a feature, we say so and send you to the listing. Names, volumes and finishes are copied from the titles and nothing else is added.
What to look for in a simplehuman can
Liters, gallons and the bag you already buy
Every title gives both liters and gallons, which helps, but neither number tells you which liner code fits. Look for a bag size recommendation on the page before you buy a large box of liners. As a rough conversion, 45 L is about 12 gallons and 60 L is about 16, which matches the titles. Aim for a can you can empty on a schedule that suits you, not a huge one that holds odors.
Shape and footprint
Rectangular cans tend to sit flush in a corner. Semi-round bodies usually have one flat side for a wall, though the listing should confirm it. Slim bodies fit narrow gaps. Before you choose, lay a strip of masking tape on the floor in the footprint you expect, then open the nearest cabinet and dishwasher doors to see whether anything collides.
Lid style: pedal, sensor or open top
Step cans use a pedal, and three titles state a 150,000-step rating. The sensor can opens by itself, and the open top cans have no lid. Open tops show contents, so keep them out of reach of pets and toddlers. For general safety, keep any bin with electronics dry and away from heat sources.
Finish and cleaning
Steel suits many kitchens, while black plastic hides fingerprints. Wipe either with a soft cloth and follow the manufacturer’s care notes. Avoid abrasive pads on brushed steel unless the care guide allows them.
A quick checklist
- Write down the cabinet gap width, depth and height
- Add room for the lid to open fully
- Check the bag size on the page
- Decide whether you need a recycling split
- Confirm the sensor power source if you pick the automatic model
Mistakes buyers make
Buying on gallons alone is the classic one: two cans with the same volume can have different footprints. Another is assuming every simplehuman has a Liner Pocket when only some titles name one. People also forget the open height of a pedal lid under a counter, ignore the dual compartment split, or place a sensor can near a sink without checking the page for moisture advice.
Verdict
For most kitchens, start with the 45 L rectangular step can that names the Liner Rim System and silent-close lid. Pick the Step Recycler if you sort recycling, the sensor can for hands-free use, and the 60 L open top for a garage or workshop. Whatever you choose, read the listing for dimensions and bag size before ordering.
Questions people ask
What does the Liner Rim System mean in these titles?
Three rectangular and recycler titles name a Liner Rim System, usually alongside a Liner Pocket. The titles do not explain how either one works, so read the bullet points on the product page before buying. The other listings do not mention it, so do not assume the feature is there.
Which of these cans suits a kitchen that sorts recycling?
The Step Recycler is the only listing whose title says dual compartment, so it is the obvious starting point. Its 58 L total is split between two sections, and the title does not say how. Check the listing for the size of each compartment and whether the plastic lid matches your cabinet colours.
Are the open top cans a good idea with pets or toddlers?
An open top has no lid between the contents and a curious animal or child, so treat it with care. The two commercial grade open top listings suit garages, offices and utility rooms better than a low kitchen corner. For homes with pets or small children, a lidded step can or the slide lock models are the safer reading.
Is brushed stainless steel better than the black plastic options?
Neither is better in every kitchen. Brushed stainless matches appliances and hides light wear, while black plastic avoids visible fingerprints and sits in the titles with a Secure Slide Lock. Follow the manufacturer’s care guidance for either finish, and avoid abrasive pads on brushed steel unless the care guide allows them.
How do you choose between the 45 L and 50 L sizes?
Start with where the can will stand. The 45 L and 50 L listings differ in shape as well as volume, and a rectangular 50 L can take up a different footprint than a semi-round one. Compare the listed dimensions against your cabinet gap, then check which bag size the page recommends.
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