While all kitchen trash cans serve the same major purpose, getting the right trash can goes a long way toward dramatically increasing the cleanliness of your kitchen overall. With today’s technology, the trash can has become much more than simply a bucket of garbage.
Kitchen Trash Can Reviews
Let’s take a look at the best kitchen trash cans available and then find out what makes each one unique from the other, ensuring you get the best possible model at your disposal.
1. iTouchless
Best Overall Kitchen Trash Can
iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter and Lid Lock, Power by Batteries (not included) or Optional AC Adapter (sold separately), Black / Stainless Steel
$89.99
$80.99
in stock
3 new from $80.99
7 used from $68.97
Free shipping
as of March 19, 2023 5:28 am
An automatic trash can, this model throws out everything you knew about trash cans in favor of offering a cleaner approach to the traditional trash can formula we’ve all grown accustomed to over the course of our lives. This trash can opens up automatically upon needing to be used. While its sensor is powerful and reliable, you’ll find it to only work at a fairly short range. While this may sound like a bad thing, this couldn’t be further from the truth. After all, who wants their trash can to open on the other side of the room? As such, you can be sure you won’t have to worry about it opening for no real reason, ensuring it doesn’t needlessly release smells into the kitchen.
Speaking of smells, there’s another area where the iTouchless Deodorizer stands out among the rest. While having an automatic trash can may prove to be rather convenient and clean (being that you no longer actually need to touch the trash can in question), this doesn’t really do a whole lot in terms of the smells it may emit. Luckily, this particular model comes equipped with – you guessed it – a deodorizer. I won’t get into the science of how carbon deodorizers work (as it really doesn’t matter in this context), though I’ll say that they do an excellent job of keeping your kitchen free of gross smells that might otherwise be emitted by your garbage can. The deodorizer in question needs to be replaced every now and then, though this can be done so cheaply. Even if you choose not to replace it, you’ll still have yourself a great garbage can.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Nine Stars
Best Overall Kitchen Trash Can – Runner Up
NINESTARS DZT-50-9 Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can, 13 Gal 50L, Stainless Steel Base (Oval, Silver/Black Lid)
$55.00
in stock
3 new from $55.00
1 used from $52.80
Free shipping
as of March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Despite sporting a product name that you’ll never remember, the Nine Stars DZT-50-9 does an excellent job of standing out among similar products of its type. Like the iTouchless Deodorizer, this particular trash can is of the automatic variety, allowing you to open and close its top lid without having to worry about getting your hands dirty in the slightest. Also like the iTouchless Deodorizer, the Nine Stars DZT-50-9 comes with a very effective sensor that only works in close range encounters, ensuring the lid only opens when you want the lid to open.
This particular trash can also prevents your kitchen from smelling, though perhaps through a different means. Because the unit is not equipped with a carbon deodorizer, it does not actually eliminate smells. However, due to its near air-tight fit, it does an excellent job of containing them. While this won’t prove to be as effective as a deodorizer, it still works quite well and can do so without having you worry about constantly replacing any of its components. This may go on to save both time and money in the long run. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about your kitchen suddenly smelling in the event you forget to replace a deodorizer.
– Sarah Lytle
3. BestOffice
Best Budget Kitchen Trash Can
Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon Automatic Garbage Can for Bathroom Bedroom Home Office 50 Liter Touch Free High-Capacity Brushed Stainless Steel Waste Bin
$36.99
$30.99
in stock
as of March 19, 2023 5:28 am
It seems everyone’s favorite office equipment manufacturer has been branching out as of late. And, as it turns out, they’ve done a great job of doing so. Much like the other two kitchen trash cans on this list, the BestOffice TC-1350R is an automatic garbage can which opens and closes automatically. And, once again, the competence of its sensor ensures that it only opens when you actually want it to open.
While it may not do as good of a job at preventing your kitchen from smelling (though, it certainly doesn’t do a bad job), you’ll find it does a great job at keeping itself clean. Because its exterior is made of a material which prevents it from incurring fingerprints or other smudges, you’ll find it looks as good as new under all circumstances. In the event that you spill some food on it or make any type of mess on the outside of the unit, you’ll find removing the mess to be as easy as a single stroke of a paper towel. This makes it one of the best models of its type.
– Sarah Lytle
Summary of Our Top Picks
Of course, all of the above kitchen trash cans serve the exact same major purpose – giving you a place for you to put your garbage. However, their added features will likely prove to be the deciding factor in which unit you end up going with. For example, if cleanliness is your main priority, the BestOffice TC-1350R should be a rather obvious choice due to its apparent inability to hold up against any substantial amount of mess.On the other hand, if you’re more interested in coming out with a kitchen trash can which does an excellent job of preventing your kitchen from smelling, it just doesn’t get any better than the iTouchless Deodorizer. Of course, you may not be too keen on the idea of constantly having to replace one of your trash can’s components. If this is the case, though you find you still like the idea of a trash can which is able to contain smells within, consider purchasing the Nine Stars DZT-50-9. While it may not be as great as its deodorizer-equipped counterpart in this regard, it comes pretty close and doesn’t require any sort of maintenance.
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Amazon.com
Last update was on: March 19, 2023 5:28 am
Kitchen Trash Can Buying Guide
What is a Kitchen Trash Can?
If none of the above kitchen trash cans quite pique your interest – not to worry. Even though the three above models are easily the best on the market, you needn’t feel as if they are your only choice. Because you know your own needs better than I, you may have some luck doing some shopping for yourself. With that in mind, here are some questions to keep in mind before deciding on your next kitchen trash can once and for all.
Which features do you actually need?
It’s bittersweet, really – trash cans which offer convenient features may themselves require some degree of maintenance. Like one of the trash cans we covered in the above list (which was equipped with a carbon deodorizer), there are a large variety of more advanced trash cans on the market. But, like cellphones or computers, the more advanced a piece of technology becomes, the more likely it is to encounter issues.
For example, while trash cans with carbon deodorizers are your best possible option when it comes down to smell control, they also require the highest amount of maintenance, being that you’ll have to replace their deodorizers. Also, while automatic garbage cans are the best when it comes to in-the-moment convenience, you’ll have to replace their batteries on a semi-regular basis.
So, with that being said, it’s clear that more advanced garbage cans don’t necessarily have to be the most convenient, whether we’re talking about sensors, deodorizers or any other advanced features. As such, you might not want to buy a kitchen trash can just because it has advanced features. You should buy a kitchen trash can because it has features that you will actually use. Otherwise, what may have originally looked like a convenient product might not end up being all that convenient at all.
Do you always need your sensor running?
Whether you know you’ll be running around the house, or whether the kids have a tendency of setting off your kitchen trash can while playing, models can be had which come equipped with on and off buttons. Upon being turned off, the trash can will only be able to be opened and closed manually. Depending on the situation, it may be a good idea to grab a unit which sports this feature. On the other hand, the feature in question may only serve to add a level of complication to an otherwise convenient product if you know you’ll never once use the on and off buttons.
Would you prefer batteries or an AC cord?
Both batteries and AC cords have their own list of pros and cons which I’m sure you have likely by now become very familiar with. On one hand, batteries are generally more expensive and can be rather inconvenient in the event that you run out. On the other hand, nobody wants an AC cord running across their kitchen. It’s up to you to decide which source of power is best.
Variable Kitchen Trash Can Features
Of course, you’re already familiar with manual (traditional) trash cans, so I’ll leave those alone. However, there are several features which can often be found in automatic trash cans which can either be great or completely useless depending on your personal preference. Do you know which features you need in your next purchase?
- Deodorizers – We’ve briefly touched base on these throughout this review, so I’ll keep it brief. Deodorizers use activated carbon to filter air. This is the same mechanism you see in air filters. As such, garbage cans with this feature essentially have air filters built into them. While these are very effective, they also incur maintenance costs, as activated carbon “goes bad” after some time and needs to be replaced.
- Easy Bag Removal – Some trash cans are built with two components, the “bucket” that holds the trash and the outer casing which holds the bucket. When holes are placed throughout the inner bucket, taking the trash out of the can becomes a much easier ordeal. On the other hand, these holes will likely prove to be a bit of a hassle when it comes time to clean your kitchen trash can.
- Garbage Bag Rings – While this may not be an official term, it refers to a piece built into the top of a garbage can which is placed overtop of where the garbage bag juts out. This may give the trash can a sleeker look, though it also makes changing the bag a bit of a hassle. How much time are you willing to put into making your kitchen look as good as possible? The answer to this question will dictate whether or not a garbage bag ring is a good idea.
Common Kitchen Trash Can Features
While the above features will only be beneficial if you feel you can actually make good use of them, there are a few features which are always beneficial. Keep an eye out for them when shopping.
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- Smudge-Free Steel – Some trash cans will come with exterior materials which prevent them from accumulating any sort of mess over time. While such a feature is already useful in products across the board, this is especially true of a product which comes in contact with all of the garbage in your house.
- A Short-Ranged Sensor – You don’t want your garbage can opening every time you move in your kitchen. As such, you want a powerful sensor that won’t get activated from too far away. If the manufacturer doesn’t list off its sensor’s specs, keep an eye out for user reviews regarding the sensor’s range.
Conclusion
Outside of the two above features, it’s really up to you as to what to look for in a garbage can. Whether you’re looking for something that minimizes mess, eliminates smell or simply adds a touch of convenience to your day, the right kitchen trash can is bound to be out there waiting for you. By keeping all of the above tips in mind, finding it should take no time at all.
Resources
- http://www.itouchless.com/odorless-touchless-trashcanr-dzt13p-707.html
- http://www.ninestarsusa.com/Combo/CB-DZT-50-98-1C/
- http://www.rakuten.com/prod/13-gallon-touch-free-sensor-automatic-stainless-steel-trash-can/281565353.html
Alexandra Ramirez
