Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If you want the short answer: the SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Soft-Close can is the one most kitchens should end up with, because it pairs a foot pedal you barely hear with a lid that shuts on its own and an inner bucket you can lift straight out. One quick note before the list — this roundup uses flexible matching for “about 13 gallon” capacity, so it accepts cans from roughly 12 to 14 gallons, the same way a 50-liter bin and a 13-gallon bin serve the identical job. Not every pick carries the exact number you typed into the search bar, and that is on purpose.
I’m Mo Min — the founder and writer behind Non Toxic Blog. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
White finishes show every smear and every dent, so the material matters as much as the look. A slim can that slides beside the counter, a pedal that opens without a fight, and an inner bucket that comes out clean are the three things that decide whether you still like the bin after a year — and this list of the 13 gallon white trash can is sorted around exactly those three things.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 13 Gallon White Trash Can
Three things decide whether you keep loving a white kitchen bin or start resenting it: how the lid opens, what happens to the bag, and how much floor space the body steals. Get them wrong and you will be re-buying in eighteen months.
Capacity: 50 Liters and 13 Gallons Are the Same Bin
The numbers on the box lie a little. A can sold as 50 liters holds about 13 gallons, because liters and gallons are just two rulers for the same volume. A 13.2-gallon can holds a hair more than a straight 13. That matters because a standard kitchen liner is cut for 13 gallons, and a bin that runs bigger or smaller than its label will leave you wrestling a bag that either sags or splits.
Opening Mechanism: Pedal, Sensor, or Swing
A step pedal opens the lid with your foot so your hands stay clean, and the only part that wears out is a hinge. A motion sensor lid opens with a wave, but it needs batteries and the motor is another thing that can fail. A dual swing top needs no pedal at all — you push the flap and it swings in. For a kitchen where you cook with both hands full, the pedal is the safe bet; for a bathroom or office, the sensor is the tidy answer.
The Bag Ring and the Inner Bucket
A bag ring is the plastic ring that grips the liner so it cannot slide down inside the can. An inner bucket is a lift-out tub that holds the bag. Both exist to solve the same annoyance: a liner that slips, bunches, or shows a ragged edge above the rim. If you hate seeing the bag, look for a lid with an overhang lip or a liner ring that hides the excess.
Footprint and Materials
Measure the gap before you buy. A slim body around 9.8 inches wide slides between the counter and the wall where a standard rectangle will not, and a lower height keeps the lid from banging the countertop above. Fingerprint-resistant finishes wipe clean with one pass; plain polished steel shows every touch.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Opening | Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONGMICS 13 Gal Stainless Steel Soft-Close★ Best Overall | Best all-round kitchen bin | 13 gallons | Foot pedal, soft close | 14.1 lb | Amazon |
| STERILITE 10458004 Touch CanBest Value | Budget utility and diaper duty | 49 liters | Press-top touch lid | 3.6 lb | Amazon |
| CJLXL 13 Gal Plastic Swing TopBudget Champion | Teen rooms and recycling | 13 gallons | Dual swing top | — | Amazon |
| Glad 13 Gal with Clorox Odor Protection | Big families and busy kitchens | 13 gallons | Step-on foot pedal | — | Amazon |
| BestOffice 13 Gal Stainless Sensor | Bathrooms and hands-free offices | 50 liters | Motion-sensor lid | 7.5 lb | Amazon |
| iTouchless SoftStep 50 L Slim | Galley kitchens and nurseries | 13.2 gallons | Step-on, soft close | 8 lb | Amazon |
| SONGMICS 13 Gal Stainless Fluted Pedal | Design-led open kitchens | 13 gallons | Foot pedal, soft close | — | Amazon |
| Garvee 13 Gal Metal Step Can | Heavy-duty daily use | 13.2 gallons | Step-on, soft close | 18.1 lb | Amazon |
| EKO Hudson Slim 50 L | Tightest spaces, premium build | 13.2 gallons | Step-on, quiet close | — | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L), Stainless Steel, Soft-Close Lid
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 550+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The heavy, quiet-lidded white bin that makes a 14.1-pound statement in the corner.
The defining number here is weight. At 14.1 pounds, this is 3.9 times heavier than the STERILITE Touch Can below — and that heft is exactly why owners describe it as dog-proof, tip-resistant, and stable enough to stay put when you step on the pedal.
The lid closes slowly and quietly, and the box includes 15 bin liners (SONGMICS code K) so you can use it the day it lands. The inner bucket lifts out by two side handles, which makes emptying and wiping the inside a one-trip job instead of a wrestling match. In cloud white with a stainless steel body and a rectangular footprint of 16.4 by 14.7 by 25.5 inches, it slides against a wall without eating your walking room. What wins people over is the look — it reads like furniture, and buyers report it earns compliments from guests. One buyer puts it plainly: it is “a very nice, elegant trash can that is a good size for a small family or two people.”
The honest catch is shipping. These arrive in a heavy steel shell, and an occasional unit shows up with a small dent despite thick corner packaging — one buyer kept a can with a minor dent because the lid still closed slowly and perfectly. That is a delivery problem, not a design flaw, but it is worth checking the box before you wheel it into the kitchen.
Where the weight pays off
- 14.1 lb body stays planted — no sliding when you press the pedal
- Soft-close lid shuts slowly and quietly, no slam
- Two-handle inner bucket lifts out for fast emptying
- Includes 15 code K liners from the start
The reasonable gripes
- A rare unit arrives dented in transit
- Heavier to move than a plastic can if you relocate often
Made for: a two-to-four-person kitchen that wants a bin that looks good and stays heavy on the floor.
Think twice if: you move the can around the room or up stairs often, because 14.1 pounds follows you.
2. STERILITE 10458004 Touch Can, White, 13 Gallon
The featherweight press-top that costs a fraction and weighs almost nothing to move.
Weigh the trade-off first: at 3.6 pounds, this plastic press-top is the feather in the lineup — 3.9 times lighter than the SONGMICS stainless can above. That lightness is both the draw and the caveat. Easy to slide under a counter, easy to bump across the floor, and easy for a curious toddler to nudge out of place.
The mechanism is a touch lid — you press the top and it pops open, no pedal, no batteries, no sensor to fail. A 49-liter body holds a standard 13-gallon liner, and the polished finish wipes down in seconds. Reviewers have run these as diaper pails with a liner, and the white color hides the contents while the crack-resistant plastic shrugs off daily knocks. Owners mention it fits 13-gallon bags well and stays simple to keep clean. What people mention most often is actually the size — some find it perfectly generous for a bathroom or utility corner, while others wish it were smaller.
Now the honest caveat, and it is a real one: the spring-loaded lid can weaken over a long stretch of constant use. A long-term buyer used two of these for sixteen months and both lids broke at the same plastic notch, which points to the design’s weak spot rather than misuse. The takeaway is to treat the lid gently and avoid over-pressing, or use it in a spot where the lid gets lighter traffic. Paired with the price, it still earns its place as the pick for low-stakes rooms.
The smart play: a garage, laundry room, or bathroom for someone who wants a cheap, light, no-battery white bin.
Buy something else if: this is the busy kitchen bin you plan to open forty times a day for years.
3. CJLXL 13 Gallon Trash Can, Plastic Swing Top Kitchen Garbage Trash Can (White)
No pedal, no batteries — just push the flap and it drops back shut on its own.
Here is the mechanism that never breaks: a dual swing top. There is no spring to fatigue and no motor to fail, because you simply push the flap in with your hand or lift the whole lid off. That simplicity is why this plastic cylinder is the pick for the room where things get messy. It is 12.5 inches long by 16.35 wide by 28.23 high — taller than the SONGMICS stainless can, so it leans against a wall and uses vertical space instead of floor space.
What buyers rave about is how little attention it demands. The plastic wipes clean with a single pass, and the swing lid comes off entirely so you can hose the whole thing down. The white finish disappears against light cabinets, which is the point of a bin that lives in a corner. It has also become a favorite for teenagers’ rooms — the kind of room where a startling volume of trash appears with no explanation. It takes a standard 13-gallon bag, and the top pops off for easy emptying.
The one real limitation is the swing action itself: an open flap means the lid is not airtight, so strong kitchen odors will travel. One owner purchased two for trash and recycling after years of stainless barrels and loves the easy maintenance and the size, but the smell-sealing job is where a step-pedal can with a gasket beats it. Keep this in bedrooms, offices, or as a recycling bin and it does exactly what it promises.
What it nails: a spring-free, battery-free mechanism, a 13-gallon bag size everyone stocks, and a plastic surface you clean in seconds.
The one compromise: an open swing flap does not seal odor the way a gasketed step lid does.
Right for: teen rooms, home offices, and recycling stations where durability and easy cleaning matter more than odor sealing.
Wrong for: a seafood-heavy kitchen you want to smell nothing from.
4. Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection
The big white workhorse with a label brand behind the lid — built for a full house.
This is the bin for a house that fills a can every day or two. The 13-gallon rectangular body measures 18 inches wide by 14.7 deep by 25 high, so it takes real floor space but swallows real volume. Clorox Odor Protection is built into the lid material to block smells for the life of the can, and two inner bag rings hold the liner slack so the bag never falls in. The foot pedal works the lid entirely hands-free.
What makes it settle into a kitchen fast is that it arrives fully assembled — no snapping parts together, no tools. The bag-hanging rings do their job well enough that changing a liner is a two-second job instead of a fight. The pedal pushes the lid almost fully open and it closes quickly on release, which is exactly the rhythm you want when you are scraping a plate with both hands occupied.
The honest part: the plastic build is light, and a rare second unit can have a lid that comes up crooked when the lever is pressed. Long-term users treat this as a replaceable workhorse — one bought the same can for five years, replaced it when the lid wore out, and pointed out that expensive metal cans dent and rust anyway. Treat it as a bin you use hard and replace when the mechanism retires, and it holds up its end.
Setup and live-with-it ease: ships assembled, foot pedal swings the lid nearly full open, and the twin rings keep the bag from slipping.
Worth knowing: the plastic body is light, and a rare duplicate can arrive with a crooked-lifting lid.
Ideal when: you want a large hands-free white can that blocks kitchen smells and needs zero assembly.
Look past it if: you want a heavy metal body that still looks new in a decade.
5. BestOffice 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, White
Wave your hand, the lid lifts — no pedal to step on, no handle to touch.
The feature that defines this pick is the sensor: a motion-detecting lid that opens on its own so you never touch a surface your hands just touched garbage with. It runs on four C-cell batteries (not included), and the maker rates the mechanism for more than 40,000 openings, so battery swaps are infrequent. At 7.5 pounds with a 16-by-11.4-by-22.8-inch body, it is lighter and more compact than the SONGMICS stainless flagship above — easier to lift and tuck.
The build is stainless steel with a fingerprint-resistant finish, and the shape is a slim oval with a sloping lid that stays closed to keep smells in. The bag-retention clip holds the liner so it does not vanish into the can. Reviewers have trusted these for the long haul — one ran the same can for eight years having changed the batteries only once, and another keeps it in a bathroom to seal odor and keep a small dog out of the trash. The white and steel finish reads modern in a bathroom, office, or small kitchen.
Two things to know before you commit. First, the metal is thin and dents more easily than a heavier steel bin, so mind it during moves. Second, the size runs slightly smaller in person than some buyers picture, so check your liner width before you buy — the sensor lid is a great trade if the can is going in a tight spot rather than a big family kitchen.
Choose it for: a bathroom, bedroom, or home office where you want a truly touchless white bin you can move one-handed.
Not the one if: a full-size family kitchen and a dent-shy move are both in your future.
6. iTouchless SoftStep 50 L / 13.2 Gallon Slim Step Pedal Trash Can with Odor Filter
A 10-inch-wide column of white that hides in a galley kitchen and eats the smell too.
Look at the width first: 10 inches. In a narrow kitchen, that is the whole reason to buy it. The slim 18.8-by-10-by-25.6-inch body slips beside a cabinet or counter where a standard 18-inch rectangle will not go, yet the 13.2-gallon capacity holds a full load of trash. The body is high-density polyethylene — plastic — so it is dent-proof and wipes clean, no polished steel to smudge.
The two features you will notice daily are the AbsorbX odor filter, which traps kitchen smells, and the AirNova air-damper lid, a swap-in part you can replace yourself. If the soft-close ever loses its silence, you drop a fresh damper in yourself — no tools — and the lid is whisper-quiet again like new. What buyers love most is simply how good it looks and how solid it feels. A three-year owner still calls it the best-looking trash can in the house and praises the working odor pad; another first-timer was wary of the price but calls the step lever flawless. A buyer with two teenagers reports the plastic lid riser held up fine despite their best efforts.
The catch is the same plastic hinge that the long-term owners warn about — the connector between the lid and the metal rim can eventually fail under heavy daily stepping. It is the trade for a lightweight, dent-free body, and buyers who treat the pedal with a light foot get years out of it. If your kitchen gets stepped on five hundred times a day, know that this is the part to watch.
Why the slim body wins: a 10-inch width that tucks into a galley kitchen, plus a dent-proof plastic shell that never needs polishing.
One thing to go in eyes-open: the plastic hinge between the lid and rim can tire under heavy stepping — press it gently.
Built for: tight galley kitchens, nurseries, and anyone who hates the look of scuffed stainless steel.
Pass if: you want a hinge you can stomp on for a decade without a thought.
7. SONGMICS Trash Can, 13 Gallon (50 L), Stainless Steel, with Lid, Pedal (Ink Black)
The fluted grey-on-white can you buy for the way it looks, and keep for how it behaves.
This is the second SONGMICS on the list and the reason to pick it over the flagship above is pure design. The fluted body gives it the look of a décor piece rather than an appliance, and customers note it improve a kitchen in a way a plain rectangle cannot. It measures 15.9 by 13.2 by 24.6 inches, so it is slightly trimmer than the flagship stainless model while still holding 13 gallons and fitting standard 13-gallon bags. Includes 15 code K liners to start.
Where it wins people over is the soft-close lid — it shuts slowly and quietly enough that you only hear it if you are listening, and the pedal keeps the whole operation hands-free. The steel body is sturdy and rust-resistant, and the detachable inner bucket drops out for quick emptying and liner changes. The color is described by owners as an elegant off-white with a matte finish and a subtle shine, which is the finish to want if you are tired of seeing every fingerprint you leave behind.
Plan around one quirk: the soft-close is very slow — one owner times it at roughly five seconds, which means if you are not changing the bag daily, faint kitchen odors linger a moment longer than you would like. It is the price of a lid this gentle, and most owners would rather have a quiet lid than a fast one. Just know that a bin this pretty gets seen, so it belongs in the kitchen you actually show off.
The purchase reason: a fluted white-grey body, a quiet soft-close lid, and an easy-lift inner bucket — all in a trimmer 24.6-inch-tall frame.
The flip side: that same slow close takes about five seconds, so a full can you leave sitting will shed a little odor.
Best match: an open-plan kitchen where the bin is on display and you want quiet operation over fast closing.
Choose differently if: you leave the bag in for days and want the fastest possible seal every time.
8. Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Metal Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, White
A white steel tank for people who are done replacing cheap bins every two years.
Heft tells you where this one sits: 18.1 pounds, the heaviest pick on the list and the hardest to tip. The body is powder-coated stainless steel with a polypropylene inner bucket and an ABS lid; the maker rates the pedal for 150,000+ steps and the hinge for over 300,000 open-and-close cycles. In plain terms, this is a bin built for a household that uses it constantly and wants it still standing years later.
The design is unusually thoughtful for the money. The closed footprint is 16.73 by 14.65 by 25.98 inches and it holds a 13.2-gallon load, with a removable inner bucket sized to fit up to 32 sixteen-ounce water bottles or 70 twelve-ounce cans. The lid glides open to 80 degrees and locks at 95 degrees for hands-free stay-open loading. The fingerprint-resistant powder coat wipes clean in one swipe, the liner ring grips any standard bag so nothing slips, and anti-slip rubber feet keep it planted on tile or hardwood.
Owners describe it as solid and heavy with a smooth pedal, and several note it feels sturdier than the all-plastic cans they replaced. The recurring complaint is small and easy to fix: the can can creep a little across the floor when the pedal is pressed hard, and a few owners solved it with felt pads under the feet. As fixed problems go, that is a mild one for a body this durable — and it is the exact opposite of the flimsy plastic bins this replaces.
What earns its keep
- 18.1 lb powder-coated steel body resists rust, dents, and stains
- Pedal stated for 150,000+ steps, hinge for 300,000+ cycles
- Lid opens to 80° and locks at 95° for hands-free loading
- Liner ring stops bag slips and anti-slip feet hold it on tile or hardwood
Small stuff to expect
- It can creep slightly across the floor under a firm pedal press
- The heaviest bin here — awkward if you lift and move it often
For the long haul: a busy kitchen that wants a heavy steel can with no dents and a pedal made for constant use.
Move along if: you shift the bin around the room a lot, because 18.1 pounds makes every move deliberate.
9. EKO Hudson Slim 50 L / 13.2 Gal Stainless Steel Step Trash Can, Matte White
The narrowest can here — 9.8 inches wide, and the one most likely to vanish into a tight kitchen.
Look at the width on this one: 9.8 inches, the slimmest footprint in the lineup. That narrow 18.7-by-9.8-by-24.6-inch body slides beside cabinets, appliances, and islands where nothing else fits, yet it still holds a 13.2-gallon load — one owner notes it swallows two weeks of household waste before you have to empty it. The stainless body wears a fingerprint-resistant matte white finish that hides smudges and wipes down in one pass.
The reinforced stainless steel pedal is rated by the maker for more than 200,000 open-and-close cycles and runs on foot power alone, with no batteries to change. The soft-close lid drops slowly to keep it from slamming, and it stays open at 90 degrees for scraping plates or changing the liner. A liner ring holds the bag tight and hides the excess, while the rear handle makes it easy to pull out and clean behind. What wins people over is the look — owners are taken by how tidy and modern it reads in a narrow space, and praise how it works in tight spots — and EKO throws in a set of code J sample liners to get you started.
Two honest notes. First, the slim base can slide when the step lever is engaged — one owner fixed it with a strip of tape under the edges — so rubber-pad it if you like the pedal pressed hard. Second, a faint creak on the lever is something more than one buyer has noticed. Neither is a dealbreaker at this build quality, but know before you buy if that would bother you.
The standout: a 9.8-inch-wide matte body with a 200,000-cycle pedal and a quiet, stay-open lid — the slimmest build here.
Worth knowing: the slim base can slide when the lever is pressed, and a faint creak can develop at the pedal.
Ideal for: the tightest kitchens and small apartments where a narrower-than-10-inch body is the difference between fitting and not.
skip it if: you want a wide, heavy base that will never budge on a smooth floor.
Understanding the Specs
Capacity in Gallons vs Liters
A 50-liter bin and a 13-gallon bin hold the same amount — the two numbers are just different rulers for one volume, and 13.2 gallons runs a touch larger than a straight 13. That matters because standard kitchen liners are cut for 13 gallons. Pick a bin labeled 13 or 50 liters and a store-bought bag will fit without sagging or splitting.
Step Pedal vs Sensor Lid
A step pedal opens the lid with your foot; the wearing part is a hinge and you never buy batteries. A motion-sensor lid opens with a hand wave and runs on batteries — often four C-cells — with the maker rating the mechanism for tens of thousands of openings. Pedals suit kitchens you cook in constantly; sensors suit bathrooms and offices where you want nothing to touch.
Soft Close and the Damper
A soft-close lid uses a small hydraulic damper — a fluid-filled pivot — that slows the lid on the way down so it does not slam. These can wear out, and on some models the damper is a drop-in swap you replace yourself in seconds. That is the difference between a lid that stays quiet for years and one you resign yourself to once it starts banging.
Materials: Steel, Powder Coat, and Fingerprints
Stainless steel resists rust and dents; a powder-coated or fingerprint-resistant finish adds a layer that hides smudges and wipes clean in one swipe. Plain polished steel shows every touch. A removable inner bucket — a lift-out plastic tub — makes emptying and washing faster than wiping down a fixed interior.
FAQ
Will a standard 13-gallon bag fit a 50-liter can?
Do I need batteries for a foot-pedal trash can?
What does soft close actually mean on a kitchen bin?
How do I stop my trash bag from slipping down inside the can?
Is a 13-gallon kitchen can too big for a bathroom?
Why does a white trash can show dents more than a dark one?
How long should a soft-close lid last?
Can I put a step-pedal trash can in a tight galley kitchen?
What is the difference between powder coated and brushed stainless steel?
Do I need an inner bucket in a kitchen trash can?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most kitchens, the 13 gallon white trash can to buy is the SONGMICS 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Soft-Close can, because its 14.1-pound body stays put, its soft-close lid keeps the noise down, and the two-handle inner bucket makes emptying painless. If floor space is your squeeze, reach for the EKO Hudson Slim — at 9.8 inches wide it is the narrowest pick here and still holds a full 13.2 gallons. And for the room where things get rough, the CJLXL swing-top asks nothing of you but a push. Whichever you pick, match the mechanism to how often you actually open the lid — that choice decides whether you still like the bin a year from now.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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