Skip to main content
Pickspry
Buying guideKitchen Trash Cans section

Best Trash Can with Lid: Soft Close Odor Control Kitchen 2026

A trash can with a lid controls odor escaping the bin, prevents insects from entering food waste and keeps the bin's contents out of sight in an open kitchen or dining area. Lid quality separates a can that seals well from one that allows kitchen odors to continuously escape between uses.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid at $55 is the best trash can with a lid for most buyers: the soft-close lid sits flush on the can when closed to contain odors, the step pedal keeps hands away from the lid surface and the brushed stainless exterior wipes clean without the lid needing to be removed for cleaning.

Product buttons open Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate, Pickspry earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Quick picks

How we chose

Trash cans with lids are evaluated by lid seal quality, odor containment, mechanism type, capacity and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best trash can with lid overall
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Soft-Close Lid, Stainless

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

Brand: Amazon Basics

Best for

Buyers who want a trash can with a soft-close lid that sits flush and contains odors when closed, with foot-pedal opening that keeps hands from touching the lid surface and a stainless exterior that wipes clean without lifting the lid for cleaning access.

Skip if

A sensor lid without any foot pedal is preferred. Amazon Basics requires a foot step. For buyers who want the lid to open automatically without any contact, the iTouchless sensor at $60 provides the touchless lid opening.

Check price on Amazon

Amazon Basics step trash can provides a soft-close lid that sits flush when closed for odor containment with foot-pedal hands-free operation for standard kitchens.

Soft-close lid. 13.2 gal. Step pedal.

At $55, Amazon Basics is the best value trash can with lid for kitchens where odor containment and quiet lid closure are the priorities.

What buyers say

Buyers who want a trash can with a soft-close lid that sits flush say Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Soft-Close Lid, Stainless 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 lid without any foot pedal is preferred say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

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

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

02
Best sensor lid trash can
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, AbsorbX Odor Filter, Stainless

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

Brand: iTouchless

Best for

Buyers who want a sensor-activated lid trash can where the AbsorbX carbon filter inside the lid frame reduces odors during the automated lid-open cycle, providing odor control both when the lid is closed and when it opens automatically for disposal.

Skip if

Sensor electronics add unnecessary maintenance. iTouchless requires batteries and sensor calibration. For buyers who prefer simple mechanical lid operation without batteries, the Amazon Basics step at $55 or SONGMICS at $65 provides mechanical lid opening.

Check price on Amazon

iTouchless sensor trash can provides a sensor-activated lid with an integrated AbsorbX odor filter for kitchens where touchless lid opening and active odor control are both needed.

Sensor lid. 13 gal. AbsorbX odor control.

At $60, iTouchless is the best sensor-activated lidded can for kitchens where odor filter and touchless opening are both priorities.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of buyers who want a sensor-activated lid trash can report iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, AbsorbX Odor Filter, Stainless 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 electronics add unnecessary maintenance.

Specifications

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

Specs from iTouchless 13 gallon sensor trash can lid odor filter stainless, Amazon search

03
Best trash can with removable lid
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, Inner Bucket

SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, Inner Bucket

Brand: SONGMICS

Best for

Buyers who want a trash can where both the lid and inner bucket are removable for thorough cleaning, where removing the lid allows cleaning the inside of the lid and the full top rim of the can interior without working around a fixed-lid mechanism.

Skip if

A removable lid is not necessary and a fixed soft-close is sufficient. SONGMICS at $65 costs more than Amazon Basics. For buyers who clean the can by wiping through the top without removing the lid, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the core lidded step-can function.

Check price on Amazon

SONGMICS step trash can provides a removable lid and inner bucket for thorough cleaning of the full can interior including the lid underside, for kitchens where regular deep cleaning is a priority.

Removable lid. Inner bucket. 13 gal step.

At $65, SONGMICS is the best trash can with a removable lid for buyers who need to clean the full lid assembly.

What buyers say

Buyers say SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, 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 trash can, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when a removable lid is not necessary and a fixed soft-close is sufficient.

Specifications

Specifications for SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, Inner Bucket
BrandSONGMICS
Spec13 gal step removable lid inner bucket
Price$65

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

04
Best matte lid trash can
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid

EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid

Brand: EKO

Best for

Buyers who want a lidded trash can with a matte stainless lid surface that resists fingerprints even on the lid exterior, where most step cans receive hand fingerprints on the lid top during heavy use, but the EKO matte surface does not show hand contact on the lid.

Skip if

Brushed stainless is acceptable and lid fingerprints are not a concern. EKO at $70 costs more for the matte finish. For buyers who are comfortable wiping the lid periodically, the Amazon Basics at $55 provides the lidded step-can at lower cost.

Check price on Amazon

EKO Madison matte stainless step can provides a fingerprint-resistant matte lid for kitchens where the lid top remains clean without wiping even with daily step-pedal use.

Matte lid. 13 gal. Fingerprint resistant.

At $70, EKO is the best matte-lid trash can for kitchens where a clean-looking lid exterior at all times is a priority.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when brushed stainless is acceptable and lid fingerprints are not a concern, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a lidded trash can with a matte stainless lid surface that resists fingerprints even on the lid exterior, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid
BrandEKO
SpecMatte stainless lid 13 gal step
Price$70

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

Lidded trash can comparison

Model Lid Type Price
Amazon Basics Soft-close step $55
iTouchless Sensor lid AbsorbX $60
SONGMICS Removable lid bucket $65
EKO Madison Matte lid fingerprint $70

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Soft-Close Lid, Stainless
Amazon Basics 13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can, Soft-Close Lid, Stainless
iTouchless iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, AbsorbX Odor Filter, Stainless
iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can, AbsorbX Odor Filter, Stainless
SONGMICS SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, Inner Bucket
SONGMICS 13 Gallon Step Trash Can, Removable Lid, Inner Bucket
EKO EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid
EKO Madison Matte Stainless 13.2 Gallon Step Can with Lid
Our verdictBest trash can with lid overallBest sensor lid trash canBest trash can with removable lidBest matte lid trash can
BrandAmazon BasicsiTouchlessSONGMICSEKO
Spec13.2 gal step soft-close stainless lid13 gal sensor lid AbsorbX filter13 gal step removable lid inner bucketMatte stainless lid 13 gal step
Price$55$60$65$70
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

What is a soft-close trash can lid?

A soft-close trash can lid uses a hydraulic or pneumatic damper built into the lid hinge that slows the lid's descent after the step pedal is released. Without a soft-close mechanism, the lid falls from the fully open position under its own weight, creating a loud bang when it contacts the can rim. A soft-close lid descends smoothly at a controlled rate and makes contact with the rim quietly. The benefit in a kitchen is significant noise reduction in open-plan homes where the kitchen is adjacent to a living room or dining area. Soft-close mechanisms are standard on mid-range and higher-price step cans. On the lowest-cost step cans, the lid does not have a damper and slams closed. Over time, the hydraulic damper in soft-close lids can lose pressure and the lid begins closing faster; this is a sign the damper needs replacement or the lid assembly should be changed.

Does a lid really control trash can odor?

A close-fitting lid significantly reduces odor escape from a kitchen trash can between uses but does not eliminate it entirely. The lid must make full contact with the can rim when closed to create the seal that reduces air exchange; a soft-close lid that sits flush provides better odor containment than a lid with gaps at the rim or a lid that does not close fully. Even a well-fitted lid is not airtight: air exchanges when the lid is opened for disposal, and some odor escapes through microscopic gaps at the rim. The most effective odor control combines a tight-fitting lid with short bag change frequency, keeping wet food waste minimized by draining liquids before disposal and optionally adding an odor absorber like activated charcoal at the bag bottom. Cans with built-in filter cartridges at the lid opening trap odor molecules during air exchange.

Should I get a trash can with a swing lid or step lid?

Step lids are better than swing lids for most kitchen applications. A step lid opens fully when the pedal is pressed, providing a clear opening for disposal without having to push the lid aside each time; releasing the pedal allows the lid to close completely. A swing lid stays in a half-open or fully open position when pushed and relies on gravity or a spring to return to center; swing lids stay ajar after the push returns, allowing continuous odor escape in the time between uses. Swing-lid trash cans are appropriate for bathrooms and office waste bins where the waste is dry paper and contents have minimal odor. For a kitchen where food waste generates odors, a step-open lid that closes completely after each use provides meaningfully better odor containment than a swing lid that remains partially open.

Keep reading

  • Buying guide

    Best Kitchen Trash Can: Stainless Steel Step Sensor Picks 2026

    A kitchen trash can needs to hold a standard 13-gallon bag, close tightly enough to contain odors, open without requiring hand contact when hands are full or dirty and fit standard kitchen floor space under or beside a counter. Lid mechanism, material finish and gallon capacity are the three decisions that determine daily usability.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026

  • Buying guide

    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.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026

  • Buying guide

    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.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026

  • Buying guide

    Best Sensor Trash Can: Touchless Motion Kitchen Picks 2026

    A sensor trash can uses an infrared or motion sensor to open the lid automatically when a hand or object is placed near it, providing touchless disposal that is useful when hands are occupied with food waste or when hands-free operation after bathroom use is a hygiene priority.

    4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026