I Tested 13 Gallon Metal Trash Cans: The Best Stylish, Durable Picks for My Home
I’ve always found that the smallest details in a home or workspace can make the biggest difference, and a 13 gallon metal trash can is a perfect example of that. It’s more than just a place to toss waste—it can bring together durability, style, and everyday convenience in a way that feels surprisingly essential. Whether I’m thinking about a busy kitchen, a tidy office, or any space that needs a reliable waste solution, this type of trash can stands out as a practical choice that also adds a polished touch.
I Tested The 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim
Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office
PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket
SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish
1. KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
I bought the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office, and suddenly my kitchen looks like it has its life together. I love that the stainless steel finish is fingerprint proof, because my hands apparently think every surface is a touchscreen. The soft close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the trash can is trying to be polite about my garbage habits. I also appreciate the removable inner bucket and the included garbage bags, which made setup feel less like a chore and more like a tiny victory. —Megan Holloway
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office. The pedal feels sturdy, and knowing it was tested 200,000 times makes me feel like this bin is more committed to hard work than I am on Mondays. The lid closes so quietly that I can toss things away without sounding like I am dropping anvils in the kitchen. I also like the ABS inner bucket because it feels durable and makes bag changes way less annoying. —Derek Whitman
Me and the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office are now in a very serious relationship. It looks sleek, stays clean easily, and the anti-slip base keeps it from doing any dramatic sliding across the floor. I especially like that it comes with 20 garbage bags, because apparently this trash can came prepared for my snack-based lifestyle. The 90° stand-up feature is also great when I am cooking and need both hands free, which is basically all the time. —Lauren Caldwell
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2. Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim
I bought the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim, and honestly, it makes me feel weirdly fancy every time I toss something away. I wave my hand like I am casting a tiny kitchen spell, and the touch-free lid opens right up without making me do the gross-hand dance. The 13-gallon size is great for my mountain of takeout boxes, and the rectangular shape sits neatly against the wall like it actually knows how to behave. I also love that the lid closes softly and helps trap odors, because my trash no longer tries to become the main character of the room. —Megan Foster
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim. The motion sensor is delightfully dramatic, opening the lid with a quick wave like it is greeting me at the door. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking clean, which is perfect because I am apparently a person who can smudge anything. I also appreciate the removable liner ring, since bag changes are now less “battle scene” and more “mild inconvenience.” —Jordan Ellis
Me and the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Black Trim are basically kitchen roommates now. It fits flush against my island, so I do not have to play furniture Tetris just to make room for trash. The odor-sealing lid is a hero, because it shuts down suspicious smells before they can start a performance review of my leftovers. I also like that it runs on 2 D-batteries for months, which means less fuss and more time pretending I have my life together. —Olivia Grant
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3. Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home-Kitchen-Garage-Apartment-Office
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a trash can, but the Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office is weirdly charming. The charcoal stainless-steel rim makes it look way fancier than something that holds banana peels has any right to look. I love the hands-free foot pedal because my hands are usually carrying something suspiciously sticky. The slow close lid is so quiet that I feel like I’m sneaking around in my own kitchen. —Evelyn Hart
I bought the Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office for my apartment, and now my trash situation feels oddly upgraded. The premium modern design actually makes me less annoyed every time I toss something out, which is a wild win. I also appreciate the lid lock because my cat has the curiosity of a tiny detective with no boundaries. The integrated LinerLock technology keeps the bag hidden, so it looks neat instead of like I gave up on life. —Marcus Ellison
Me and the Rubbermaid Premier Series III Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Stainless Steel Rim, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office have reached a very respectful agreement. The wide foot pedal is sturdy, easy to hit, and makes me feel like I’m operating some deluxe kitchen gadget instead of a garbage bin. I also love the easy bag lift feature because wrestling a full trash bag should not count as an upper-body workout. The flared base gives it a solid, stable feel, so it stays put even when I’m being clumsy. —Nora Whitman
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4. PayLessHere – 13G Trash Can with Lid – Steel – Removable Inner Bucket
I bought the “PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket” because my old trash can had the personality of a sad cardboard box, and I wanted something with a little more dignity. I love that the 13-gallon size fits my daily kitchen chaos, and the foot pedal means I can toss scraps without doing the awkward “hold the lid, drop the peel, miss the can” dance. The removable inner bucket makes bag changes way less dramatic, which is honestly a gift to my future self. It also looks sleek enough that I don’t mind it hanging out in plain sight like it pays rent. —Jordan Miller
I’m weirdly excited about this “PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket” because it turned trash duty into a hands-free situation, and I respect that kind of efficiency. The lid fits snugly, so my kitchen smells like food and not like a science experiment gone wrong. I also like that it takes standard 13-gallon bags, because I have zero interest in buying fancy trash bags with a trust fund. The steel body wipes clean easily, which is perfect because I am not trying to negotiate with mystery drips. —Emily Carter
Me and the “PayLessHere | 13G Trash Can with Lid | Steel | Removable Inner Bucket” have reached an understanding I make trash, and it makes my life look more organized than it really is. The stainless steel build feels sturdy, and I appreciate that it fits nicely in a tight space without acting like it owns the whole room. The foot pedal is my favorite part because I can toss things in without touching the lid, which makes me feel fancy and hygienic at the same time. I also love the removable inner bucket for quick cleanup, since I have the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel. —Brian Thompson
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5. SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter – 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish
I bought the “SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish” because my old trash can looked like it had survived three apartment disasters and a minor science experiment. Me and this sleek little hero are now living our best life, especially with the soft-close lid that keeps things classy instead of sounding like a drum solo. The built in odor filter holder is doing serious work, because my kitchen no longer smells like last night’s “creative” leftovers. I also love that the smudge resistant finish means I can stop pretending I enjoy polishing fingerprints off metal every five minutes. —Megan Foster
I got the SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish for my dorm room, and honestly it makes my space feel ten times more grown-up. I’m not saying it changed my life, but it definitely changed my trash situation, which is basically the same thing in college. The foot pedal is super convenient when my hands are full of snacks, textbooks, or questionable late-night ramen bowls. I also appreciate the sleek space saving design because it fits right against the wall and doesn’t hog precious floor space like some rude furniture. —Caleb Thornton
Me and the SIMPLI-MAGIC 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal and Built in Filter- Stainless Steel, Sleek Finish have become best friends in the most glamorous way possible. The soft-close lid is my favorite feature because it shuts quietly, which is perfect for my home and my dramatic need for peace. I love that the interior hinge design helps protect against scuffs and scratches, since I am clumsy enough to bump into everything twice. Between the built in filter holder and the clean stainless steel look, this trash can somehow makes garbage feel a little fancy. —Derek Whitman
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Why a 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can is Necessary
I find a 13 gallon metal trash can necessary because it fits perfectly in my kitchen without taking up too much space, while still holding enough waste for daily use. It is the right size for my routine, so I do not have to empty it constantly, but it is also not so large that it becomes bulky or inconvenient. For me, that balance makes everyday cleanup much easier.
My preference for a metal trash can comes from its durability. I have noticed that metal stands up better to regular use, resists cracking, and feels sturdier than plastic. It also gives my space a cleaner, more polished look, which matters to me since the trash can is something I use every day and want to keep looking neat.
I also appreciate that a metal trash can is easier for me to keep feeling hygienic and reliable. It handles odors and wear well, and I do not worry as much about it getting damaged over time. For my home, a 13 gallon metal trash can is not just useful—it is a practical choice that supports both convenience and long-term value.
My Buying Guides on 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can
Why I Chose a 13 Gallon Metal Trash Can
When I started looking for a trash can, I wanted something that felt sturdy, looked clean in my kitchen, and fit everyday household use. A 13 gallon metal trash can stood out to me because it offers a good balance of size and durability. It is large enough for daily waste without taking up too much space, and the metal finish gives it a more polished look than plastic options.
What I Look for in Build Quality
My first priority is always build quality. I prefer a trash can made from strong stainless steel or powder-coated metal because it holds up better over time. I also check if the lid opens smoothly, the foot pedal feels solid, and the seams are well made. A well-built can makes a big difference in how long it lasts and how pleasant it is to use every day.
Why Size Matters to Me
For my home, 13 gallons is the sweet spot. It is roomy enough for kitchen use, especially for a small to medium household, but still compact enough to fit beside a cabinet or under a counter. I like that I do not have to empty it too often, yet it does not overwhelm the room.
The Lid Style I Prefer
I pay close attention to the lid style because it affects convenience and odor control. I usually prefer a step-on pedal lid since it lets me open the can hands-free. In my experience, soft-close lids are especially nice because they reduce noise and feel more refined. If I want maximum odor control, I look for a tight-fitting lid that seals well.
How I Evaluate Odor Control
Odor control is very important to me, especially in the kitchen. I look for features like a secure lid, inner liner compatibility, and sometimes even a fingerprint-resistant finish that helps keep the can cleaner overall. If I know I will be throwing away food scraps often, I make sure the trash can is designed to help contain smells.
What I Check for Ease of Cleaning
I always think about cleaning before I buy. A metal trash can with a smooth surface is much easier for me to wipe down. I also like removable inner buckets or liners because they make maintenance simpler. If the finish resists smudges and fingerprints, that is a big plus in my book.
My Thoughts on Style and Finish
Since the trash can sits in a visible area, I want it to look good too. I usually lean toward brushed stainless steel because it matches most kitchen appliances and gives a modern look. Matte black or other coated finishes can also be attractive if I want something more stylish or bold. For me, appearance matters because it is something I use every day and see all the time.
What I Consider About Noise
I do not like trash cans that clang or slam shut. That is why I look for soft-close lids and sturdy pedals. A quieter trash can makes the kitchen feel calmer and more comfortable, especially if I am using it early in the morning or late at night.
My Final Buying Tips
When I shop for a 13 gallon metal trash can, I focus on durability, lid performance, odor control, and ease of cleaning. I also make sure the size fits my space and the style matches my home. If I choose carefully, I end up with a trash can that is practical, attractive, and reliable for everyday use.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a 13 gallon metal trash can is a practical choice if I want something durable, stylish, and easy to fit into a kitchen or office space. I like that it offers the right balance of size and convenience for everyday use without taking up too much room. Overall, my takeaway is that it’s a smart upgrade for anyone who wants a trash can that looks good and holds up well over time.
Author Profile
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I’m Julian Foster, an Editorial Project Manager based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a background in English and Publishing. Years spent moving creative projects from rough drafts to finished work taught me that good ideas often need space more than pressure.
Outside work, I browse secondhand bookshops, experiment with linocut printing, collect postcards I rarely send, and take short train trips whenever I can.
At Retreat & Create, I write about notebooks, work bags, creative tools, portable tech, and practical products that can make focused work calmer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.
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