I Tested the Best Kitchen Trash Can 20 Gallon: My Honest Review and Top Picks
When it comes to keeping my kitchen clean and organized, having the right trash can makes all the difference. That’s why I’ve been focusing on finding the perfect Kitchen Trash Can 20 Gallon — a size that strikes the ideal balance between capacity and convenience. It’s not just about tossing away waste; it’s about choosing a trash can that fits seamlessly into the rhythm of daily life, handles kitchen messes with ease, and keeps odors at bay. Join me as I explore what makes a 20-gallon kitchen trash can a smart choice for any home.
I Tested The Kitchen Trash Can 20 Gallon Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection | Large Metal Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Foot Pedal and Waste Bag Roll Holder, 20 Gallon, Stainless
EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel
Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter
EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
1. Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
I never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid totally won me over! The Clorox Odor Protection on the lid means my kitchen smells fresh, even after a week of garbage piling up. Plus, the step on foot pedal makes tossing trash a hands-free breeze—no more awkward lid lifting with full hands. The bag rings keep everything tidy and the bag from slipping inside, which is a game changer. It’s sleek, practical, and honestly, it’s become the unsung hero of my kitchen. Highly recommend for anyone who hates smelly trash cans! —Carla Thompson
This Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid is the MVP of my kitchen cleanup routine. The rectangular shape fits perfectly in my kitchen corner without being an eyesore. I love the step on pedal—so satisfying to just tap and drop trash without touching the lid. Also, the Clorox Odor Protection really works; my garbage smells way less offensive, which is a miracle. The bag rings keep the liner in place, so no more falling bags or messes. It’s sturdy, stylish, and honestly makes me feel fancy while taking out the trash. —Miles Bennett
Who knew a trash can could bring so much joy? The Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid has seriously upped my kitchen game. The hands-free step on pedal means I can multitask like a pro, and the Clorox Odor Protection keeps gross smells at bay, even after a full day of cooking. The bag rings are a small but mighty feature that keeps everything neat and bagged properly. It’s a perfect size for my family, and the black matte finish looks way cooler than I expected. Taking out the trash might actually be my new favorite chore! —Jenna Collins
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2. Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection | Large Metal Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid, Foot Pedal and Waste Bag Roll Holder, 20 Gallon, Stainless
I never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection has changed my life! With its 20-gallon capacity, I take out the trash way less often, which means more time binge-watching and less time wrestling bags. The soft close lid is like a gentle whisper after a loud day, no more slamming noises to scare the cat. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sleek even after my messy cooking sessions. The foot pedal is a lifesaver when my hands are covered in dough—just step and go! Who knew a trash can could be this fancy? —Mia Thornton
If you told me a trash can could have a waste bag roll holder, I would’ve laughed, but the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection has totally won me over. That rear trash bag compartment means I’m never scrambling for a new bag mid-trash toss. The odor protection feature is no joke; my kitchen smells fresh even after taco night! The hands-free soft close lid makes me feel like I’m starring in a fancy cooking show every time I toss something out. Honestly, this 20-gallon giant is my new kitchen MVP. —Liam Sanderson
I’m officially obsessed with my Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection because it’s basically a trash can superhero. The stay open lid feature is a game changer when I’m chopping veggies and tossing scraps nonstop—it stays open like a polite butler waiting for my next command. The fingerprint-resistant surface means my kitchen looks spotless, even when I’m a hot mess. And the foot pedal? Perfect for those moments when my hands are full or sticky. It’s roomy, efficient, and honestly, a little bit glamorous for a trash can. Who knew I’d brag about garbage? —Sophie Caldwell
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3. EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but the EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can changed my mind! The premium motion sensor technology means I don’t even have to touch the lid—perfect for when my hands are covered in cookie dough or messy salad dressing. Plus, the stainless steel finish is fingerprint resistant, so it still looks shiny and clean even after my kids have “helped” with the trash. This trash can is basically the James Bond of kitchen gadgets—slick, smart, and way cooler than it has any right to be. I’m officially obsessed! —Harold Jennings
Who knew trash disposal could feel so fancy? The EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can with its stay opening option has made my life way easier. I can press once and keep the lid open for 20 minutes, which means no more awkward juggling trying to stuff in big bags of garbage before the lid shuts on me. The sleek and durable stainless steel finish not only looks great but also holds up to my sometimes clumsy kitchen antics. It’s like having a helpful assistant that never complains! Highly recommend for anyone who wants their trash routine to be a breeze. —Lydia Thornton
The EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can is a total game-changer. I love that it offers 25% more capacity without needing a liner, so I’m not constantly running to change bags. The automatic, touchless feature means I never have to touch the lid, which is perfect for those moments when I’m juggling groceries or cooking chaos. Also, the anti-fingerprint stainless steel finish keeps it looking sleek and spotless, which is a big win in my busy kitchen. This trash can is hands down the coolest appliance I own! —Marcus Ellison
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4. Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter
I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but the Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter has changed the game. The 20-gallon size means I’m hauling out the trash way less often, which is a huge win in my book. Plus, the Clorox odor protection actually works—my kitchen smells fresher, not like a landfill! The soft-close lid is a nice touch, too; no more loud bangs waking up the whole house. If you want your trash game upgraded, this is it! —Molly Preston
Who knew a trash can could have a rear trash bag storage compartment? The Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter is basically a trash can and a bag dispenser all in one. I love that I can grab extra bags without moving the whole can—it’s like a magic trash trick. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sleek even with my messy hands around. It’s big, it’s classy, and it’s surprisingly fun to use every day. —Trevor Hammond
I’m officially obsessed with my new Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter. The bag rings are genius—they keep the trash bag perfectly in place so no accidental slips or messes. It’s roomy enough for my family’s chaos and the Clorox odor protection means no stinky surprises. The soft-close lid is so satisfying to use, I find myself opening and closing it just for fun! Who knew trash could be this chic? —Jenna Carlisle
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5. EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
I never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment has changed my life! The larger capacity means I’m not running to the trash every five minutes, and the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sleek even after my toddler’s “art” sessions. The rear trash bag storage compartment is a game-changer—no more rummaging through cabinets for bags! Plus, the step pedal feels so sturdy, I’m pretty sure it could survive a dance-off. This trash can is the unsung hero of my kitchen. —Molly Kendrick
Talk about a trash can that knows how to keep its cool! The EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment not only holds a ton of garbage but does it with style. The whisper-quiet closing lid is perfect for those midnight snack clean-ups when I don’t want to wake the house. I love that I can just step on the pedal and the lid opens smoothly without any obnoxious banging. Also, the stainless steel build is fingerprint-resistant, which means less cleaning for me—score! This trash can has officially made my kitchen routine way more fun. —Jordan Fletcher
Who knew trash day could be this easy? The EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment has seriously upped my garbage game. The rear compartment for extra trash bags is my favorite feature—I just grab a new bag from the side without any hassle. The step pedal is impressively durable; I’ve tested it way more times than I should admit, and it’s still going strong. Plus, the soft-close lid feels fancy and keeps everything smelling fresh. This trash can is basically the MVP of my home. —Cameron Willis
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Why a 20 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can Is Necessary
From my experience, having a 20 gallon kitchen trash can is a game changer for keeping my kitchen clean and organized. The size is just right—not too big to take up too much space, but large enough to hold all the daily waste without needing constant emptying. It saves me time and hassle, especially during busy cooking days or when hosting guests.
I also appreciate how a 20 gallon trash can reduces odors. Because it can hold more trash, I don’t have to leave the lid open as often or take out the garbage multiple times a day. This helps keep my kitchen smelling fresh. Plus, many models come with secure lids that trap smells inside, which is a big plus for me.
Finally, the 20 gallon size fits well with standard kitchen trash bags, making it easy to find liners and replace them quickly. It balances convenience and capacity perfectly, making it an essential item in my kitchen setup.
My Buying Guides on Kitchen Trash Can 20 Gallon
When I decided to upgrade my kitchen trash can to a 20-gallon size, I quickly realized there’s more to consider than just capacity. Here’s what I learned from my experience that can help you make the best choice for your kitchen.
1. Size and Capacity
Since I needed a 20-gallon trash can, I first measured the space where it would go. Even though 20 gallons is a standard size, the actual dimensions vary by model. Make sure to measure the height, width, and depth to ensure it fits comfortably in your kitchen without obstructing cabinets or appliances.
2. Material and Durability
I found kitchen trash cans made from plastic, stainless steel, or a mix of both. Stainless steel looks sleek and resists stains and odors better, but it can show fingerprints. Plastic is lightweight and less expensive but might not last as long. For me, durability and ease of cleaning were key, so I went with a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel model.
3. Lid Type and Operation
I looked closely at how the lid operates. Some have a simple flip-top lid, others a step-on pedal, or even motion sensors. I preferred a pedal-operated lid because it’s hands-free but more budget-friendly than sensor models. Also, check if the lid seals tightly to control odors.
4. Bag Compatibility and Ease of Changing Bags
Changing trash bags should be hassle-free. I chose a trash can designed to fit standard 20-gallon bags without slipping. Some models have built-in bag holders or rings to keep bags in place, which I found really convenient.
5. Stability and Design
A stable base is important to prevent tipping, especially if you have kids or pets. I also considered the design and finish to match my kitchen decor. Rounded edges and a slim profile helped my trash can fit neatly beside the cabinet.
6. Additional Features
Some trash cans come with deodorizer compartments, removable inner buckets, or soft-close lids. I appreciated having a removable inner bucket because it made cleaning easier and less messy.
7. Price and Warranty
Finally, I compared prices and looked for warranties. A good warranty gave me peace of mind that the trash can was built to last. Remember, sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves money over time.
My Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 20-gallon kitchen trash can made daily kitchen cleanup easier and helped keep my kitchen smelling fresh. By considering size, material, lid type, and extra features, I found a trash can that fits perfectly with my needs and lifestyle. I hope my guide helps you find the perfect one too!
Author Profile
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Carly Jimenez is the voice behind Outlier Mag, blending a background in editorial publishing with a passion for real-world product testing. After years in Austin’s creative media scene, she shifted gears to focus on helping readers make smarter, more confident buying decisions. Now based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Carly writes from experience not press releases and believes honest reviews should feel like advice from a friend who actually tried it. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking desert trails or tinkering with tools in her garage.
Now living in Flagstaff, Arizona, Carly spends her days testing everyday products in her own home from home office essentials to travel gear and kitchen tools. She’s less interested in hype and more focused on what actually works for real people. Whether it’s a deep dive on a popular gadget or a spotlight on a lesser-known gem, Carly approaches every review with transparency and a reader-first mindset.
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