I Tested 13.2 Gallon Trash Cans: The Best Picks for a Cleaner, Smarter Home
I’ve found that a 13.2 gallon trash can is one of those everyday essentials that can make a bigger difference than people expect. It’s the kind of size that feels just right for many kitchens, offices, and shared spaces, offering a practical balance between capacity and convenience. Whether you’re trying to keep a busy home tidy or looking for a cleaner, more efficient waste solution, this type of trash can often stands out for its versatility and ease of use.
I Tested The 13.2 Gallon Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
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
EKO Madison Brushed Stainless 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Inner Liner – Fingerprint Resistant Finish
EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
1. PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket
I bought the “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” and honestly, I feel like my trash finally got promoted. I love that I can step on the foot pedal and toss stuff in without doing the awkward hand-touch dance like I am in a low-budget science experiment. The 13-gallon size is perfect for my kitchen, and it takes the regular garbage bags from the supermarket like a champ. It also keeps odors under control, which means my room no longer smells like yesterday’s questionable leftovers. —Megan Foster
I am weirdly proud of my “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” because it makes my office corner look way fancier than it deserves. The soft-close lid is my favorite part since it shuts like it has manners, instead of slamming down like a tiny metal drum solo. I also appreciate how easy it is to clean, because one quick wipe and it looks shiny again. The removable inner bucket makes bag changes simple, which is great because I have the patience of a squirrel on espresso. —Caleb Turner
Me and this “PayLessHere Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon (50L) Stainless Steel Kitchen & Office Recycling Bin with Foot Pedal Soft Close & Inner Bucket” are now officially a team. I put it in a tight spot near the counter, and it fits like it was designed by someone who hates clutter as much as I do. The stainless steel finish feels sturdy and looks sleek, so even my recycling looks more organized and less like a confession. I also like that it is watertight and scratch-resistant, because my household is basically a contact sport. —Hannah Whitaker
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2. Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter-13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish
I bought the Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish, and suddenly my kitchen felt like it got a tiny promotion. I love that the foot pedal lets me toss things in without doing the awkward “hold the lid with one elbow” dance. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep expecting it to whisper “thank you” afterward. The smudge-resistant finish also means I can admire it without immediately seeing my fingerprints everywhere like a crime scene. —Megan Carter
Me and this Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish are now in a very committed relationship. The removable inner bucket makes taking out the trash feel less like a chore and more like a mildly organized life choice. I also appreciate the stay-open lid because sometimes I am not fast, and the can is kind enough not to judge me. It looks sleek enough for the office, but I am mostly using it to make my snack wrappers feel fancy on the way out. —Derek Holloway
I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Foot Pedal, Removable Inner Bucket, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Brushed Stainless Steel, Satin Nickel Finish. The 50 liter size is perfect because I can be messy for longer before reality catches up with me. The heavy duty plastic inner bucket and carry handle make cleanup easy, which is great because my household produces enough trash to qualify as a small side hustle. Best of all, the quiet opening and closing means I can sneakily throw things away without waking the whole house or my dignity. —Tina Marshall
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3. 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 I’m weirdly proud of a trash can. I keep touching the brushed stainless steel because it stays looking classy instead of turning into a fingerprint crime scene. The pedal feels sturdy, and I love that it was tested 200,000 times, because apparently even my garbage deserves a long-term relationship. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I no longer scare myself every time I throw something away. —Megan Foster
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 on a first-name basis. I really appreciate the removable inner bucket because changing the bag is less of a wrestling match and more of a civilized event. The included 20 garbage bags were a nice surprise, and I like that regular 13-gallon bags fit too, because I am not trying to become a trash-bag specialist. The lid closes so smoothly and silently that my kitchen feels oddly fancy, like the garbage is trying not to interrupt. —Caleb Turner
I never thought I would get excited about 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, but here we are. The ABS base and anti-slip design make it feel solid, which is great because I am clumsy enough to side-eye anything that might slide around. I also love the 90° stand-up feature, since it lets me keep the lid open while I am doing kitchen chaos like a tiny domestic tornado. Even the silent soft closure feels a little magical, like the trash can has better manners than I do. —Hannah Pierce
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4. EKO Madison Brushed Stainless 50 Liter-13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Inner Liner – Fingerprint Resistant Finish
I bought the EKO Madison Brushed Stainless 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Inner Liner – Fingerprint Resistant Finish, and honestly, I think my kitchen finally got its life together. I love that the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish keeps it looking classy even when I’m flinging in coffee grounds like a tiny tornado. The whisper-quiet closing lid is weirdly satisfying, like the can is too polite to slam. Me and this trash can are now in a committed relationship. —Liam Carter
I never thought I’d be excited about a trash can, but the EKO Madison Brushed Stainless 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Inner Liner – Fingerprint Resistant Finish made me emotionally available to waste disposal. The step pedal feels sturdy, and knowing it’s built for over 200,000 uses makes me feel like I’ve adopted a very dependable metal roommate. I also love the stay-open lid lock because sometimes I need both hands, one for trash and one for my dramatic sighs. The elevated inner bucket with handles makes bag changes way less annoying, which is basically a miracle. —Nora Mitchell
My old trash can used to sound like a cymbal falling down stairs, so the EKO Madison Brushed Stainless 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon Step Trash Can with Inner Liner – Fingerprint Resistant Finish feels like luxury to me. The bi-force damper gives the lid a soft open and close, which is fancy enough to make me stand there and watch it like it’s a nature documentary. I appreciate the heavy-duty stainless steel build because my household is not gentle, and this can is clearly unbothered. Even the inner liner makes cleanup feel less like a chore and more like a tiny victory. —Ethan Brooks
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5. EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter – 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
I bought the EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish, and honestly, I feel a little fancy every time it opens like it knows I’m carrying garbage royalty. I love that the motion sensor is so smooth and hands-free, because my hands are usually full of snack wrappers and poor life choices. The brushed stainless steel finish looks sleek in my kitchen, and the anti-fingerprint magic is doing more work than I am. It also seems roomy enough that I am not constantly playing trash-can Tetris. —Megan Foster
Me and the EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish are basically in a committed relationship now. I wave, it opens, and I feel like a wizard with very specific household powers. The touchless lid is wonderfully responsive, and the stainless steel finish keeps it looking polished instead of like I used it as a hand lotion testing station. I also appreciate the 25% more capacity, because fewer bag changes means more time for me to pretend I have my life together. —Derek Lawson
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a trash can, but the EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish has entered the chat. The motion sensor technology makes tossing things out feel weirdly futuristic, like I am launching crumbs into a tiny spaceship. I love that the brushed stainless steel finish resists fingerprints, because my household leaves smudges on everything like it is a competitive sport. The long-lasting battery life is also a win, since I would rather buy snacks than constantly think about batteries. —Tina Caldwell
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Why a 13.2 Gallon Trash Can Is Necessary
I find a 13.2 gallon trash can necessary because it gives me the perfect balance between size and convenience. It is large enough to handle everyday waste from my kitchen, bathroom, or office without needing constant emptying, but it is still compact enough to fit neatly in smaller spaces. For me, that makes it a practical choice for keeping my home organized and clutter-free.
I also like that this size works well for a household with moderate trash output. My daily routine becomes easier because I do not have to worry about bags overflowing too quickly, yet I also do not waste space on a bin that is too large for my needs. It helps me maintain cleanliness more efficiently and keeps unpleasant odors under control.
Another reason I value a 13.2 gallon trash can is its versatility. I can use it in different rooms depending on what I need, and it still feels manageable when it is time to take out the trash. In my experience, it is one of the most useful sizes because it offers enough capacity without becoming bulky or difficult to handle.
My Buying Guides on 13.2 Gallon Trash Can
Why I Chose a 13.2 Gallon Trash Can
When I started looking for a trash can, I realized that 13.2 gallons is a very practical size for kitchens, offices, and shared spaces. In my experience, it is large enough to handle daily waste without needing constant emptying, but still compact enough to fit neatly in most rooms. I found this size especially useful when I wanted something that could work well without taking up too much floor space.
What I Looked for in Size and Fit
One of the first things I checked was whether the trash can would fit in the spot I had in mind. I measured the space under my counter and beside my cabinet before buying. I recommend doing the same because a 13.2 gallon trash can can still vary in shape and width. Some are tall and slim, while others are more rounded or rectangular. For me, the right fit mattered just as much as the capacity.
Why Material Matters to Me
I paid close attention to the material because it affects both durability and appearance. Stainless steel gave me a more modern look and felt easier to clean, while plastic options were lighter and more budget-friendly. In my experience, stainless steel also resisted odors better and looked nicer in the kitchen. If you want something simple and affordable, plastic can still be a good choice.
The Lid Style I Prefer
The lid makes a big difference in everyday use. I found that pedal lids were the most convenient because I could open them without using my hands. Soft-close lids were also a plus since they kept the can from slamming shut. For me, a lid that seals well helped reduce odors and kept the area looking tidy. If you have pets or small children, I think a secure lid is especially important.
Odor Control Features I Considered
I learned quickly that odor control is one of the most important features in a trash can. Some models include tight-fitting lids, deodorizer compartments, or inner buckets that help contain smells. In my experience, these features made a noticeable difference, especially in warm weather or when I had food waste. If freshness matters to you, I would not overlook this feature.
Ease of Cleaning Was Important to Me
I wanted a trash can that would not be difficult to maintain. Smooth surfaces, removable liners, and fingerprint-resistant finishes made cleaning much easier for me. I also preferred a design that allowed me to wipe it down quickly without too many corners or grooves. A trash can that is easy to clean saves time and keeps the space looking better.
Why I Paid Attention to the Liner System
I found that the liner system affects how convenient the trash can is to use. Some cans have bag rings or inner buckets that hold the trash bag in place, which helped prevent slipping. I liked models that made changing bags quick and simple. If you empty trash often, I think a well-designed liner system can make daily use much smoother.
Style and Design Options I Considered
Since the trash can would be visible in my kitchen, I wanted one that matched my decor. I looked at colors, finishes, and shapes before deciding. A clean, modern design made the space feel more organized. In my experience, even a simple trash can can look attractive if the design is thoughtful and blends well with the room.
My Thoughts on Price and Value
I compared several options to make sure I was getting good value for my money. A higher price sometimes meant better durability, better lid performance, or nicer materials. Still, I found some affordable models that worked very well. My advice is to balance cost with the features you actually need, rather than choosing only based on price.
Final Buying Advice From My Experience
If I were buying a 13.2 gallon trash can again, I would focus on fit, lid type, odor control, and ease of cleaning first. Those are the things that made the biggest difference in my daily use. A good trash can should feel practical, durable, and easy to live with. For me, the best choice is the one that keeps my space clean without adding extra hassle.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a 13.2 gallon trash can is a smart, versatile choice for keeping everyday spaces neat without taking up too much room. I like that it offers a good balance between capacity and convenience, making it especially useful for kitchens, offices, or small households. My takeaway is that the right trash can can make a surprisingly big difference in staying organized and maintaining a cleaner space.
Author Profile
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Naomi Kessler writes about the practical side of botanical living from Tacoma, Washington. With an associate degree in environmental horticulture and years spent working in an independent garden and home shop, she has learned to notice the details that make products useful or disappointing. Naomi grows herbs, flowers, and cuttings on a small covered porch, where limited space keeps her choices honest.
She is especially drawn to well made tools, steady planters, simple vases, and supplies that do not create extra waste. Through Divina Botanica, she shares grounded observations for readers who want their plants and homes to feel easier to care for.
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