I Tested 13 Gallon Metal Trash Cans: My Honest Take on the Best Durable Kitchen Picks
I’ve found that even the most ordinary household items can make a surprisingly big difference in how a space feels and functions, and a 13 gallon metal trash can is a perfect example. It’s one of those practical essentials that quietly blends durability, style, and everyday convenience into a single piece. Whether I’m thinking about a kitchen upgrade, a more polished office setup, or simply a sturdier alternative to plastic bins, this type of trash can stands out for its balance of usefulness and design.
I Tested The 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim
Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office
PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket
SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish
1. 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 suddenly my kitchen feels like it hired a tiny butler. I love that the stainless steel finish looks fancy, but the fingerprint-proof surface means I am not constantly polishing it like a museum artifact. The soft-close lid is gloriously quiet, so I can toss things out without sounding like I am dropping a cymbal in the hallway. I also appreciate the removable inner bucket because I can deal with the mess without wrestling the whole can like it owes me money. —Megan Foster
Me and this 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 are now in a very committed relationship. The pedal feels sturdy, and knowing it was tested 200,000 times makes me oddly confident that it will outlive my current cooking habits. I also like that it comes with 20 garbage bags, because apparently this trash can understands the concept of being helpful right out of the box. The lid closes so smoothly and quietly that I can use it early in the morning without waking up the entire house. —Derek Collins
I never thought I would get excited about a trash can, but 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 has changed my life in the least dramatic way possible. The ABS handle and base feel solid, and the anti-slip design keeps it from doing any surprise dance moves across the floor. I also love the 90° stand-up feature, which lets me keep it open while I am cooking and pretending I am on a fancy home show. The removable inner bucket is easy to lift out, and the whole thing looks neat enough that I do not mind it being visible. —Laura Bennett
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2. Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim
I bought the “Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim” because I wanted my kitchen trash situation to feel a little more futuristic and a lot less gross. The touch-free convenience is honestly my favorite part, since I can wave my hand like a wizard and the lid opens without me doing the dreaded “trash-can elbow dance.” I also love that the rectangular shape sits nicely against my wall, so it does not hog space like it pays rent. The odor-sealing lid is doing heroic work too, because my leftovers no longer stage a perfume rebellion. —Megan Holloway
I never thought I would get 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, Black Trim.” It looks sleek, stays cleaner than my countertop, and the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel means I am not constantly polishing it like a museum piece. The motion sensor is delightfully dramatic, opening right when I need it and making me feel a little fancy every time I toss something away. The removable liner ring also makes bag changes much less annoying, which is a small miracle in my household. —Derek Whitman
Me and the “Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim” are now living our best organized life. I appreciate that the 13-gallon size handles my takeout containers without turning into a trash Jenga tower, and the lid closes softly instead of slamming like it is mad at me. The fact that it can run for months on 2 D-batteries is perfect, because I prefer my appliances to be dependable and not needy. It is practical, it is tidy, and it somehow makes me feel like I have my life together even when I absolutely do not. —Lauren Prescott
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3. Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home-Kitchen-Garage-Apartment-Office
I bought the Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office, and suddenly my kitchen feels like it got a tiny glow-up. I love the hands-free foot pedal because my hands are usually full of cooking chaos, grocery bags, or both. The slow close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the trash can is practicing good manners. The stainless-steel rim makes it look way fancier than something that holds banana peels has any right to be. —Megan Foster
Me and this Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office are now officially roommates in my office. The modern design and flared base make it look sleek, not like a sad plastic box hiding in the corner. I also appreciate the lid lock because sometimes I need the lid to stay open while I am doing a full cleanup marathon. The liner bag hiding feature is a nice little magic trick, since nobody needs to stare at bag edges all day. —Caleb Turner
I got the Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office for my garage, and it has been behaving better than half the tools out there. The easy bag lift feature is a hero move when I am wrestling a heavy trash bag after a weekend project. I like that the pedal feels sturdy and the whole thing seems built for real life, not just showroom posing. Even the quiet lid closure makes me feel like I am running a classy waste-management operation instead of just throwing away old rags. —Jenna Wallace
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4. PayLessHere – 13G Trash Can with Lid – Steel – Removable Inner Bucket
I bought the PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket, and I have to admit, it made my kitchen feel weirdly fancy for a place where banana peels go to retire. I love that the 13-gallon size actually handles my daily chaos without me playing garbage Tetris every night. The foot pedal is my favorite little luxury because I can toss stuff in without doing the awkward lid-finger dance. The removable inner bucket also makes bag changes much less dramatic than my usual “why is this so hard?” routine. —Megan Foster
Me and the PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket are getting along famously, mostly because it keeps my hands out of the mystery zone. I really appreciate the tight-fitting lid since it helps with odor control, which is a polite way of saying my kitchen no longer smells like a science experiment. The stainless steel finish looks sharp and wipes clean fast when I inevitably miss the can by an inch. It fits nicely in a tight spot near my counter, so it is basically the quiet overachiever of trash cans. —Caleb Turner
I never thought I would be this excited about a PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket, but here we are, and I am not ashamed. It takes regular 13-gallon bags, which means I do not need some special trash wizardry to keep it working. I like that it feels sturdy and easy to clean, because I am clumsy enough without adding a high-maintenance bin to the mix. The removable inner bucket makes life easier, and the whole thing looks good enough that I do not mind it being out in the open. —Hannah Ellis
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5. SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter – 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish
I never thought I’d get emotional about a trash can, but the SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish has me feeling oddly fancy. I love that the soft-close lid means no more dramatic slam noises every time I toss something out like a raccoon with manners. The built in odor filter holder is doing heroic work, and my kitchen smells way less like “mystery leftovers.” It also looks so sleek that I keep pretending I planned my whole room around it. —Oliver Grant
Me and this SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish are basically roommates now, and I’m not even mad about it. The foot pedal is so satisfying that I may have stepped on it for fun more times than I should admit. I really appreciate the smudge resistant finish because my fingerprints usually show up on everything like tiny evidence. The space saving design lets it sit neatly against the wall, which makes my place look less cluttered and more “adulting, but with style.” —Megan Foster
I bought the SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish for my dorm room, and honestly it’s the most sophisticated thing in here besides my microwave ramen strategy. The sleek space saving design is perfect because my room is about the size of a shoebox with Wi-Fi. I also like that the interior hinge design helps protect against scuffs and scratches, since I am apparently a professional at bumping into furniture. The built in filter holder is a nice bonus, because even a tiny room deserves to smell like something other than late-night snacks. —Chloe Bennett
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Why a 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can Is Necessary
I’ve found that a 13 gallon metal trash can is the perfect balance between size and convenience for everyday use. It is large enough to handle kitchen waste, office trash, or bathroom disposal without needing constant emptying, yet it is still compact enough to fit neatly in most spaces. For me, that makes it a practical choice for keeping my home organized and clutter-free.
I also prefer metal because it feels more durable and reliable than plastic. My metal trash can holds up better over time, resists dents and cracks, and gives me more confidence that it will last. It also helps contain odors better, which is especially important in my kitchen where food waste can build up quickly.
Another reason I consider it necessary is cleanliness. A 13 gallon metal trash can is easy for me to wipe down and maintain, and many models have lids or foot pedals that make disposal more hygienic. In my experience, it makes daily cleanup simpler, cleaner, and more efficient.
My Buying Guides on 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can
Why I Prefer a 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can
When I look for a trash can for my kitchen, I usually start with a 13 gallon size because it fits standard trash bags and holds enough waste for daily use. I also like the metal build because it feels sturdier than plastic and usually looks more polished in my space. For me, it’s a good balance of capacity, durability, and style.
What I Look for in Build Quality
The first thing I check is the thickness and finish of the metal. I want a trash can that feels solid and doesn’t dent easily. I also pay attention to whether the surface is fingerprint-resistant or coated to prevent rust. In my experience, a good finish makes cleaning much easier and helps the can stay attractive longer.
Why the Lid Matters to Me
I always consider the lid style before buying. Some lids open with a foot pedal, while others use a swing top or step-on design. I personally prefer a step pedal because it keeps my hands free, which is especially helpful when I’m cooking. A soft-close lid is another feature I appreciate because it prevents loud slamming.
Size and Fit in My Space
Even though 13 gallons is a standard size, I still measure the area where I plan to place it. I make sure the trash can fits comfortably under the counter or beside the cabinet without blocking movement. I also check the height, width, and depth so it works well in my kitchen layout.
How I Think About Odor Control
Odor control is important to me, especially in a kitchen trash can. I look for a tight-fitting lid and, when possible, a can with a deodorizer compartment or odor-sealing design. In my experience, even a good lid can make a big difference in keeping smells contained.
Ease of Cleaning Is Important
I prefer a trash can that is easy to wipe down. Metal cans can collect smudges, spills, and fingerprints, so I like smooth surfaces and removable inner buckets if available. For me, a low-maintenance trash can saves time and keeps the kitchen looking neat.
What I Consider About the Inner Bucket or Liner
Some 13 gallon metal trash cans come with a removable inner bucket, and I find that very useful. It makes bag changes easier and helps keep the inside cleaner. I also make sure the trash bags fit properly so they don’t slip or show over the edge.
Style and Finish Matter to My Kitchen
Since the trash can is visible every day, I want one that matches my kitchen style. I usually choose between stainless steel, matte black, or brushed metal finishes depending on the look I want. I find that a well-designed trash can can blend in nicely instead of standing out awkwardly.
My Thoughts on Durability and Longevity
I want a trash can that will last for years, not months. That’s why I pay attention to the pedal mechanism, hinge quality, and overall construction. A strong base and reliable lid system matter a lot to me because they affect how long the can stays functional.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I make a purchase, I usually review:
- Material quality
- Lid type and opening mechanism
- Fingerprint and rust resistance
- Fit for standard 13 gallon bags
- Ease of cleaning
- Size for my available space
- Odor control features
My Final Buying Advice
If I’m choosing a 13 gallon metal trash can, I focus on durability, convenience, and appearance. I want something that works well every day, is easy to clean, and looks good in my kitchen. For me, the best trash can is the one that combines solid construction with practical features that make daily life easier.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a 13 gallon metal trash can is a smart choice if you want something durable, stylish, and practical for everyday use. I like that it offers enough capacity for kitchens, offices, or bathrooms without taking up too much space. My takeaway is that this type of trash can combines function and design in a way that makes it a reliable long-term option.
Author Profile
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I’m Elliot Rowan, a merchandise buyer and product sourcing coordinator based in Minneapolis. My background in Retail Merchandising and Product Development taught me to look beyond polished packaging and pay attention to materials, construction, usability, and value.
Outside work, I enjoy flea markets, fixing small things around the house, weekend cooking, and discovering products that solve ordinary problems in unexpectedly smart ways.
HoobyGroovy.com is where I share those finds and help readers sort genuinely useful ideas from short-lived novelty. I believe the best products do not demand attention. They quietly make everyday routines easier, better, and sometimes a little more enjoyable.
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