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Best Stainless Steel Trash Can: Step Matte Fingerprint Picks 2026

Stainless steel trash cans provide durability, hygiene and a metallic finish that coordinates with kitchen appliances in a way that plastic cans do not. The stainless surface wipes clean with a damp cloth, does not retain food odors in the material and resists denting better than thin plastic under kitchen use.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Step Can at $55 is the best stainless steel trash can for most buyers: the brushed finish resists fingerprints better than polished stainless, the soft-close step lid prevents slam noise and the 13.2-gallon capacity fits standard 13-gallon kitchen bags without bag overhang at the lowest price in this guide.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Stainless steel trash cans are evaluated by finish quality, fingerprint resistance, lid mechanism, capacity and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best stainless trash can overall
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Buyers who want a brushed stainless steel step trash can at the lowest price in this guide, where the brushed finish reduces fingerprint visibility compared to polished stainless and the soft-close lid mechanism provides quiet operation without slamming.

Skip if

Matte stainless is needed to coordinate with matte kitchen hardware. Amazon Basics is brushed stainless, which has a faint sheen. For buyers whose kitchen uses matte black or flat-finish appliances, the EKO matte at $70 provides the matte stainless surface.

Check price on Amazon

Amazon Basics brushed stainless step trash can provides fingerprint-reducing brushed finish with soft-close lid for kitchens where stainless durability and quiet operation are needed at the lowest price.

Brushed stainless. 13.2 gal. Soft close.

At $55, Amazon Basics is the best value brushed stainless trash can for standard kitchens.

What buyers say

Buyers who want a brushed stainless steel step trash can at the lowest price in this guide say Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can 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 matte stainless is needed to coordinate with matte kitchen hardware say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can
BrandAmazon Basics
SpecBrushed stainless 13.2 gal step
Price$55

Specs from Amazon Basics brushed stainless steel 13 gallon step trash can, Amazon search

02
Best stainless trash can with removable bucket
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket

SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket

Brand: SONGMICS

Best for

Buyers who want a stainless step can where the inner bucket removes for cleaning, avoiding the need to carry the full outer stainless can to a sink after a bag tear or spill inside the can, where the removable bucket makes routine cleaning faster.

Skip if

The removable bucket adds cost and is not needed. SONGMICS at $65 costs more than Amazon Basics for the inner bucket feature. For buyers who do not need the inner bucket and prefer the simpler one-piece can, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides stainless quality at lower cost.

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

Stainless 13 gal. Removable bucket. Step.

At $65, SONGMICS is the best stainless can with inner bucket for buyers who want easy interior cleaning.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want a stainless step can report SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket 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 the removable bucket adds cost and is not needed.

Specifications

Specifications for SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket
BrandSONGMICS
SpecStainless 13 gal step removable bucket
Price$65

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

03
Best matte stainless 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 matte stainless finish trash can for a kitchen with matte-finish appliances, where the EKO matte surface provides a flat finish that does not reflect light and does not show fingerprints at all, coordinating with matte black and matte graphite kitchen hardware.

Skip if

Standard brushed stainless is acceptable. EKO at $70 costs $15 more than Amazon Basics for the matte finish difference. For buyers whose kitchen has brushed stainless or polished appliances, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the coordinating standard stainless finish.

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EKO Madison matte stainless step can provides a completely fingerprint-resistant matte surface for kitchens with matte appliance and hardware finishes.

Matte stainless. 13.2 gal. Fingerprint free.

At $70, EKO is the best matte stainless can for buyers who need the matte finish to coordinate with matte kitchen hardware.

What buyers say

Buyers say EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is buyers who want a matte stainless finish trash can for a kitchen with matte-finish appliances, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when standard brushed stainless is acceptable.

Specifications

Specifications for EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
BrandEKO
SpecMatte stainless 13.2 gal fingerprint resistant
Price$70

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

04
Best charcoal stainless trash can
Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon

Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon

Brand: Rubbermaid

Best for

Buyers who want a charcoal or dark-finish step trash can for a kitchen with black appliances or dark cabinetry where the charcoal finish matches the room's color palette and the Rubbermaid brand name provides confidence in long-term durability and build quality.

Skip if

A silver stainless finish is needed. Rubbermaid's charcoal finish is dark. For buyers whose kitchen has silver stainless appliances and needs a matching stainless can, the Amazon Basics at $55 or EKO at $70 provides the silver stainless finish.

Check price on Amazon

Rubbermaid Premier 13-gallon charcoal step-on trash can provides a dark charcoal finish for kitchens with black appliances where a dark can completes the color scheme.

Charcoal step-on. 13 gal. Rubbermaid.

At $80, Rubbermaid is the best charcoal trash can for buyers with dark kitchen hardware who want a named brand for long-term reliability.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when a silver stainless finish is needed, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a charcoal or dark-finish step trash can for a kitchen with black appliances or dark cabinetry, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
BrandRubbermaid
SpecCharcoal 13 gal step-on premier
Price$80

Specs from Rubbermaid Premier step on trash can charcoal 13 gallon, Amazon search

Stainless trash can comparison

Model Finish Price
Amazon Basics Brushed stainless 13 gal $55
SONGMICS Stainless inner bucket $65
EKO Madison Matte stainless $70
Rubbermaid Charcoal step-on $80

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can
Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Step Trash Can
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket
SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can, Removable Inner Bucket
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can
Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
Rubbermaid Premier Step-On Trash Can, Charcoal, 13 Gallon
Our verdictBest stainless trash can overallBest stainless trash can with removable bucketBest matte stainless trash canBest charcoal stainless trash can
BrandAmazon BasicsSONGMICSEKORubbermaid
SpecBrushed stainless 13.2 gal stepStainless 13 gal step removable bucketMatte stainless 13.2 gal fingerprint resistantCharcoal 13 gal step-on premier
Price$55$65$70$80
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

How do I clean a stainless steel trash can?

Clean a stainless steel trash can exterior by wiping with a damp microfiber cloth in the direction of the brushed grain to avoid leaving cross-grain scratches. For fingerprints and smudges, a small amount of dish soap on the cloth followed by a clean water wipe removes marks without streaking. For the interior, remove the bag and any loose debris, then spray the inner walls and base with a disinfecting kitchen cleaner, let it sit for 30 seconds and wipe out with a paper towel. A diluted white vinegar solution (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water) removes odors from the interior without leaving a chemical smell. For cans with a removable inner bucket, wash the bucket with soapy water in the sink as you would a pot, rinse thoroughly and let it air dry before replacing. Avoid bleach on stainless steel; it can pit and discolor the surface over time.

Do stainless trash cans rust?

Stainless steel trash cans can develop surface rust spots in high-moisture environments where the can stands in standing water or where the protective chromium oxide layer is damaged by harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing. Standard kitchen use does not cause rust on quality stainless cans. The risk increases when the can is stored under a sink where moisture collects, placed in a garage or basement where humidity is high, or cleaned with bleach that compromises the chromium protection layer. Grade 304 stainless is more rust-resistant than 201 stainless used in lower-cost cans; quality kitchen trash cans are typically 201 stainless with a protective coating. Removing a rust spot that appears on the exterior is done by rubbing with a paste of baking soda and water in the direction of the grain, which removes surface oxidation without damaging the base metal.

Are stainless trash cans worth the extra cost over plastic?

Stainless steel trash cans are worth the extra cost over plastic for kitchens where the can is visible as part of the room's decor, where durability over five or more years is the purchase goal and where the stainless finish coordinates with appliances. The main advantages of stainless over plastic are: the metal body does not crack or deform when kicked or bumped, the exterior does not absorb food odors into the material, the brushed surface wipes clean more completely than textured plastic and the metallic look integrates with stainless kitchen appliances. The disadvantages of stainless over plastic are: higher purchase cost, heavier weight that makes it harder to move for floor cleaning and the need to avoid harsh chemicals for cleaning. For laundry rooms, bathrooms and garages where appearance is less important, a plastic can is the practical choice; for a visible kitchen location, stainless is worth the cost difference.

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