I Tested the Best Stainless Steel Garbage Can 13 Gallon: My Honest Review
When I think about the small details that make a kitchen feel cleaner, more polished, and easier to manage, a stainless steel garbage can 13 gallon is one of the first things that comes to mind. It’s more than just a place to toss trash—it’s a practical everyday essential that can blend style with function in a way that feels surprisingly important. Whether I’m looking for something durable, easy to maintain, or simply more attractive than a basic plastic bin, this type of garbage can often stands out as a smart choice for busy homes and modern spaces alike.
I Tested The Stainless Steel Garbage Can 13 Gallon 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
PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
SONGMICS 13 Gallon (50 L) Trash Can, Stainless Steel Kitchen Garbage Can, Recycling or Waste Bin, Soft Close, Step-On Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Silver ULTB050E01
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
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
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 suddenly I feel like I live in the future instead of a house full of snack wrappers. The touchless sensor lid opens like it knows my hands are full of crumbs and poor life choices, which is honestly a relief. I also love that the stainless steel finish looks fancy without demanding a whole cleaning ritual, and the fingerprint-resistant surface is doing more work than I am. It fits my standard 13-gallon bags perfectly, so I am not wrestling with the trash like it owes me money. —Megan Carter
Me and this BestOffice 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid have reached a level of domestic harmony I did not think was possible. The automatic and hygienic lid makes tossing things away feel weirdly satisfying, like I am in a sci-fi kitchen instead of my tiny apartment. I appreciate the modern oval design because it looks sleek in my office and does not scream “I contain yesterday’s leftovers.” The odor control is also a hero, because now the can stays closed and my nose is no longer filing complaints. —Derek Lawson
I never thought I would be 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 lid opens automatically, which makes me feel like I have a tiny butler who only handles garbage and never judges me. I like that it uses 4 C batteries and is built for long performance, because I do not have time for a dramatic trash-can power outage. It is easy to clean, looks sharp, and somehow makes my kitchen feel more organized even when I am absolutely not. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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 my kitchen finally got its act together. I love that the 13-gallon size handles my daily chaos without making me wrestle with a tiny bin every afternoon. The foot pedal is my favorite little luxury because I can toss stuff in without touching anything questionable with my hands. The soft-close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the trash can is whispering, “I got this.” —Megan Foster
I’m weirdly excited about the “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” because it makes trash look almost classy. Me and this stainless steel bin are now in a committed relationship, mostly because it is easy to clean with a quick wipe and does not hold onto smells like a grudge. The removable inner bucket made bag changes much less dramatic than usual, which I appreciate because I am not trying to fight garbage before breakfast. It fits my regular 13-gallon bags, so I did not have to go on a scavenger hunt for some special fancy liner. —Derek Holloway
I never thought I would describe a trash can as charming, but the “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” somehow pulled it off. I put it in a tight corner by my desk, and it fits like it was born there, which is more than I can say for most of my furniture decisions. The lid helps keep odors down, so my office no longer has that mysterious “what died in here” vibe. I also like that it feels sturdy and looks neat, because apparently I enjoy trash with a side of elegance now. —Tina Caldwell
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3. SONGMICS 13 Gallon (50 L) Trash Can, Stainless Steel Kitchen Garbage Can, Recycling or Waste Bin, Soft Close, Step-On Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Silver ULTB050E01
I bought the SONGMICS 13 Gallon (50 L) Trash Can, Stainless Steel Kitchen Garbage Can, Recycling or Waste Bin, Soft Close, Step-On Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Silver ULTB050E01, and suddenly my kitchen felt like it got a tiny, shiny promotion. I love that I can tap the step-on pedal like I’m launching a spaceship, and the lid closes so softly I almost miss the dramatic finale. The stainless steel finish looks sleek and is easy to wipe clean, which is perfect because I am apparently a champion of accidental smudges. Even my leftovers seem less offensive thanks to the odor-sealing lid. —Harold Bennett
Me and the SONGMICS 13 Gallon (50 L) Trash Can, Stainless Steel Kitchen Garbage Can, Recycling or Waste Bin, Soft Close, Step-On Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Silver ULTB050E01 are now in a committed relationship with cleanliness. The removable inner bucket makes bag changes way less chaotic, and I appreciate the little bag hole that keeps everything tucked in neatly instead of doing the trash-bag equivalent of stage diving. I also like that the lid opens with a pedal, because my hands are usually full of something questionable, like onion peels or snack wrappers. The soft-close lid is so quiet that my kitchen no longer sounds like a metal drum solo. —Marjorie Ellis
I picked up the SONGMICS 13 Gallon (50 L) Trash Can, Stainless Steel Kitchen Garbage Can, Recycling or Waste Bin, Soft Close, Step-On Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, Silver ULTB050E01, and it has been surprisingly classy for something that holds yesterday’s banana peel. The stainless steel body fits nicely in my space and still manages to look modern instead of “I gave up on life.” I love that I can either step on the pedal or open it with one hand and keep it open while I’m cleaning, which makes me feel weirdly efficient. The built-in handle is a nice bonus when I need to move it, and the lid seals so well that my kitchen smells like a kitchen again. —Doris Caldwell
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4. 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 suddenly my kitchen looked like it hired a stylist. I love that it has a sleek aesthetic and a compact footprint, because it fits neatly by my island without acting like it owns the room. The step-on pedal feels fancy enough to make me pretend I’m in a cooking show, and the soft-close lid is so quiet that even my dramatic trash tosses feel classy. Me and this trash can are basically in a committed relationship now. —Evelyn Hart
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to 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, but here we are. The fingerprint-resistant finish is a blessing, because I am apparently a professional at touching shiny things with messy hands. I also really appreciate the liner rim, since it keeps the bag hidden and makes the whole bin look way more polished than my actual life. The rear handle makes it easy for me to move, which is great because I like rearranging things for no reason at all. —Calvin Brooks
Me and 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 have formed a tiny but powerful alliance against kitchen chaos. I like that the stainless steel shell feels sturdy and rustproof, because I want my trash can to survive longer than my meal-prep motivation. The lid opens smoothly and closes softly, so I can toss scraps without creating a dramatic household sound effect. It holds a lot, looks sharp, and somehow makes my laundry room corner feel more put together than I do on most Mondays. —Nora Whitman
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5. 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 honestly, it has turned my trash situation from “chaotic goblin cave” into “slightly more civilized adulting.” I love the foot pedal because I can toss things away without doing a weird elbow dance with a dirty lid. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep expecting it to whisper “good job” when it shuts. The smudge-resistant finish also means I spend less time polishing fingerprints and more time pretending I have my life together. —Megan Carter
Me and this 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 are now basically roommates, and it’s the tidy one. The removable bucket makes taking out the trash weirdly satisfying, like a tiny home renovation project with less dust. I also appreciate the stay-open lid when I’m doing a full kitchen cleanup and my hands are full of everything except patience. It feels sturdy, looks sharp, and the stainless steel finish gives my kitchen a fancy little “I have my act together” glow. —Derek Lawson
I never thought I’d be this excited about a trash can, but 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 has entered my heart and my kitchen. The manual foot lever is wonderfully hands-free, which means I can toss stuff in without touching anything questionable after cooking. The soft close lid is so smooth and quiet that it feels like the trash can is trying not to wake the house. At 50 liters, it handles my daily mess like a champ, and the brushed stainless steel looks way fancier than my actual cooking deserves. —Tina Marshall
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Why a Stainless Steel Garbage Can 13 Gallon Is Necessary
I find a stainless steel garbage can with a 13-gallon capacity necessary because it fits perfectly into my daily routine. It is large enough to handle kitchen waste without needing constant emptying, yet compact enough to sit neatly in my space. For me, that balance makes a big difference in keeping my home organized and efficient.
I also prefer stainless steel because it feels cleaner and more durable than plastic. My garbage can resists dents, stains, and odors, which helps my kitchen stay fresh and presentable. I like knowing that it can handle everyday use while still looking modern and polished.
Another reason I consider it necessary is the convenience of maintenance. I can wipe it down easily, and it does not absorb smells the way other materials often do. For my home, that means less hassle, better hygiene, and a more pleasant environment overall.
My Buying Guides on Stainless Steel Garbage Can 13 Gallon
Why I Chose a 13-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can
When I started looking for a garbage can for my kitchen, I realized that a 13-gallon size is one of the most practical options for everyday use. It fits standard kitchen trash bags, holds a good amount of waste, and still doesn’t take up too much floor space. I also prefer stainless steel because it looks clean, resists fingerprints better than plastic, and gives my kitchen a more modern feel.
What I Look for in Build Quality
For me, the first thing I check is the thickness and sturdiness of the stainless steel. A good garbage can should feel solid, not flimsy. I also look at whether the finish is fingerprint-resistant, because I don’t want to be constantly wiping it down. Strong hinges, a durable lid, and a stable base are also important since I want something that lasts.
Why Lid Type Matters to Me
The lid style makes a big difference in daily use. I usually consider whether I want a step pedal, touch-top, swing lid, or motion sensor. Personally, I like a pedal can because it lets me throw things away without touching the lid. If I’m buying for a busy kitchen, I prefer a lid that closes quietly and helps control odors.
Bag Compatibility Is Important
One thing I always check is whether the can works well with standard 13-gallon trash bags. I don’t want the bag slipping inside or hanging awkwardly over the edge. A good design should have an inner liner or bag ring that keeps the bag in place. This makes cleanup much easier for me.
Odor Control Features I Prefer
If I’m placing the garbage can in my kitchen, odor control matters a lot. I look for features like a tight-fitting lid, deodorizer compartment, or sealed design. These details help keep my space smelling fresher, especially when I’m throwing away food scraps.
Size and Space Considerations
Even though 13 gallons is a standard size, I still measure the space where I plan to place it. I make sure the can fits beside cabinets, under counters, or in a corner without blocking movement. I also check the height, because some models are taller than others and may not fit well in smaller kitchens.
Easy Cleaning Is a Must for Me
I prefer a garbage can that is easy to wipe down and doesn’t trap dirt in hard-to-reach places. Smooth stainless steel surfaces are usually easier to clean than textured ones. A removable inner bucket is also helpful because it makes emptying and washing much simpler.
Noise Level and Soft-Close Features
I really appreciate a garbage can with a soft-close lid. It prevents loud slamming, which is especially nice in a quiet home or late at night. If the lid closes smoothly, it feels more premium and less annoying to use every day.
My Thoughts on Style and Finish
Since the garbage can is visible in my kitchen, I want it to look good too. Stainless steel gives a sleek and modern appearance that matches most appliances. I usually choose between brushed, matte, or fingerprint-proof finishes depending on how much maintenance I want.
What I Consider Before Buying
Before I buy, I always compare:
- Durability of the stainless steel
- Lid type and ease of use
- Odor control features
- Compatibility with 13-gallon trash bags
- Ease of cleaning
- Footprint and overall size
- Style and finish
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a stainless steel garbage can 13 gallon today, I would focus on durability, convenience, and easy maintenance first. A good model should fit standard bags, keep odors under control, and be simple to clean. For me, the best choice is one that combines function with a clean look, because I want something practical that also fits nicely into my kitchen.
Final Thoughts
I think a stainless steel 13-gallon garbage can is a smart choice for anyone who wants a durable, stylish, and practical kitchen solution. My takeaway is that it offers the right balance of size, easy maintenance, and a clean look that fits most homes. I also like that it can help keep odors contained while standing up well to daily use.
Author Profile
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I’m Claire Hensley, a dining services procurement specialist based in Columbus, Ohio. Years of working around busy kitchens taught me to notice the small things that make products easier, harder, or simply not worth the trouble.
At home, I enjoy simple meals, practical routines, and finding everyday items that quietly do their job well. I started FF Kitchen in 2026 to share honest opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday needs.
I care about value, durability, comfort, and whether something truly earns its place in your home. My goal is simple: help readers choose with more confidence and clarity.
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