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Best 13 Gallon Trash Can: Stainless Step Soft Close Picks 2026

The 13-gallon trash can is the kitchen standard because 13-gallon bags are the most widely sold bag size in every grocery store. A 13-gallon can handles one to two days of kitchen waste for a typical household and sits at the standard counter-height clearance under a kitchen counter or beside it.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can at $55 is the best 13-gallon trash can for most buyers: the 13.2-gallon capacity fits standard 13-gallon kitchen bags without overhang, the step pedal provides hands-free opening and the brushed stainless soft-close lid reduces noise in open-plan kitchens and dining areas.

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Quick picks

How we chose

13-gallon trash cans are evaluated by exact capacity, lid mechanism, material, build quality and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best 13 gallon trash can overall
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Buyers who want a reliable 13-gallon step can in brushed stainless with a soft-close lid for a kitchen where the standard bag size, hands-free step operation and quiet lid closure cover the three core requirements at the lowest price in this guide.

Skip if

A sensor touchless can is preferred. Amazon Basics requires a foot step to open. For buyers who want sensor operation for hands-free opening without any foot action, the iTouchless at $60 provides the sensor mechanism.

Check price on Amazon

Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon step trash can provides a soft-close stainless lid with foot-pedal operation for kitchens where standard bag capacity, hands-free disposal and a quiet close are the daily priorities.

13.2 gal. Step pedal. Soft close.

At $55, Amazon Basics is the best value 13-gallon can for kitchens where standard features at the lowest price are the goal.

What buyers say

Buyers who want a reliable 13-gallon step can in brushed stainless with a soft-close lid for a kitchen say Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where a sensor touchless can is preferred say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
BrandAmazon Basics
Spec13.2 gal step brushed stainless
Price$55

Specs from Amazon Basics 13 gallon step trash can stainless soft close, Amazon search

02
Best 13 gallon sensor trash can
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter

iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter

Brand: iTouchless

Best for

Buyers who want a 13-gallon sensor can for completely hands-free opening without a foot pedal, with the AbsorbX carbon filter at the lid reducing odor escaping the can during automated openings when cooking odors are present in the kitchen.

Skip if

Sensor complexity and battery maintenance are not desired. iTouchless requires batteries or an AC adapter and adds sensor circuitry that can fail. For buyers who prefer a simple reliable step mechanism, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the simpler mechanical step at lower cost.

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iTouchless 13-gallon sensor trash can provides motion-activated lid opening with a built-in AbsorbX odor filter for kitchens where completely touchless operation is the priority.

13 gal sensor. AbsorbX filter. Stainless.

At $60, iTouchless is the best 13-gallon sensor can for buyers who need completely hands-free disposal without a step pedal.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want a 13-gallon sensor can for completely hands-free opening without a foot pedal report iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when sensor complexity and battery maintenance are not desired.

Specifications

Specifications for iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter
BrandiTouchless
Spec13 gal sensor AbsorbX odor filter
Price$60

Specs from iTouchless 13 gallon sensor kitchen trash can stainless steel, Amazon search

03
Best 13 gallon trash can with inner bucket
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket

SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket

Brand: SONGMICS

Best for

Buyers who want a 13-gallon step can where the removable inner bucket lifts out for easy cleaning after spills inside the can, avoiding the need to tilt or carry the full outer stainless can to a sink for rinsing.

Skip if

The inner bucket is unnecessary. SONGMICS at $65 costs more than Amazon Basics. For buyers who do not need the removable inner bucket and prefer the simpler construction, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the same core functionality without the inner bucket premium.

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SONGMICS 13-gallon stainless step can provides a removable inner bucket for cleaning with a soft-close pedal mechanism for kitchens where interior cleaning without moving the outer can is needed.

13 gal pedal. Inner bucket. Soft close.

At $65, SONGMICS is the best 13-gallon step can with a removable inner liner for easy kitchen cleaning.

What buyers say

Buyers say SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is buyers who want a 13-gallon step can, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when the inner bucket is unnecessary.

Specifications

Specifications for SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket
BrandSONGMICS
Spec13 gal step inner bucket soft close
Price$65

Specs from SONGMICS 13 gallon stainless step trash can removable inner bucket, Amazon search

04
Best premium 13 gallon trash can
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can

EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can

Brand: EKO

Best for

Buyers who want a premium 13-gallon trash can with a matte stainless finish for a kitchen with matte black hardware or matte appliances where the matte finish coordinates better than brushed steel, with EKO's fingerprint-resistant coating maintaining a clean appearance.

Skip if

Brushed stainless is acceptable and the matte premium is not needed. EKO at $70 costs $15 more than Amazon Basics for the matte finish upgrade. For buyers whose kitchen has standard brushed stainless hardware, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the matching finish at lower cost.

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EKO Madison 13-gallon matte stainless step can provides fingerprint-resistant matte steel for kitchens with matte appliance finishes where a brushed steel can would not coordinate.

13.2 gal matte. Fingerprint resistant. Step.

At $70, EKO is the best matte stainless 13-gallon can for kitchens where the matte finish matches existing matte hardware.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when brushed stainless is acceptable and the matte premium is not needed, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a premium 13-gallon trash can with a matte stainless finish for a kitchen with matte black hardware or matte appliances, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
BrandEKO
Spec13.2 gal matte stainless fingerprint resistant
Price$70

Specs from EKO Madison matte stainless 13 gallon step trash can, Amazon search

13 gallon trash can comparison

Model Mechanism Price
Amazon Basics Step soft close $55
iTouchless Sensor AbsorbX $60
SONGMICS Step inner bucket $65
EKO Madison Matte stainless step $70

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless, Soft-Close
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter
iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel, AbsorbX Filter
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket
SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Step Can, Soft Close, Removable Inner Bucket
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
Our verdictBest 13 gallon trash can overallBest 13 gallon sensor trash canBest 13 gallon trash can with inner bucketBest premium 13 gallon trash can
BrandAmazon BasicsiTouchlessSONGMICSEKO
Spec13.2 gal step brushed stainless13 gal sensor AbsorbX odor filter13 gal step inner bucket soft close13.2 gal matte stainless fingerprint resistant
Price$55$60$65$70
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Are 13 gallon and 50 liter trash cans the same?

A 13-gallon trash can holds approximately 49.2 liters, so 13 gallons and 50 liters are essentially interchangeable designations for the same size category. Most manufacturers list both measurements on the product; 50L is the metric version of 13 gallons and the difference of 0.8 liters is negligible in practice. Standard 13-gallon kitchen bags, also sold as 'tall kitchen bags', fit both 13-gallon and 50-liter cans without excess material. The 13-gallon designation is used almost exclusively in the US market while 50-liter is used in international markets and by some North American brands with global product lines. When buying a bag for a 50-liter can, a standard 13-gallon kitchen bag is the correct size.

How often should a 13 gallon kitchen trash can be emptied?

A 13-gallon kitchen trash can should be emptied when it reaches 75 to 85 percent full, which for a typical household of two to four people cooking regularly is every one to two days. Allowing a trash can to overflow above the bag lip creates difficulty removing the bag and spills food residue inside the outer can. The odor threshold is typically reached before the visual overflow threshold: if the can smells before it is visually full, the combination of warm kitchen air and enclosed wet food waste is generating bacterial growth that should be removed even if the volume is low. Households that generate large amounts of food packaging from delivery and takeout may fill a 13-gallon can faster than those who cook from raw ingredients, because packaging volume fills the can before the odor threshold is reached.

What is the best material for a kitchen trash can?

Brushed stainless steel is the best kitchen trash can material for most households because it is durable, easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth, resistant to rust in the humid kitchen environment and coordinates with most kitchen appliance finishes. Brushed stainless resists fingerprints better than polished stainless and better than plastic surfaces that show smudge marks from handling. Plastic trash cans cost less and come in more color options, but plastic shows staining from food residue over time and does not have the structural rigidity of a stainless can when bumped or kicked. Matte stainless is a newer finish category that provides even better fingerprint resistance than brushed and suits kitchen renovations with matte-finish appliances. For outdoor use or under a sink where moisture exposure is constant, plastic cans resist water damage better than stainless in contact with standing water.

Keep reading

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  • Buying guide

    Best Step Trash Can: Pedal Soft Close 13 Gallon Picks 2026

    A step trash can uses a foot pedal to open the lid hands-free, keeping the bin's exterior hygienic and allowing disposal when hands are occupied with food. The pedal mechanism is mechanically simple, requires no batteries and provides reliable daily operation without the sensor calibration or battery maintenance of a touchless can.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026