When you're searching for a trash can for your kitchen, you've got lots of boxes to check. You need something that's functional as well as something that has an aesthetically-pleasing design. You also need it to fit the needs of your space. To help you out on this surprisingly detailed task, our team has put in the work and found the very best trash cans for your kitchen. Read on to find the one that's perfect for you. iTouchless SoftStep 13 Gallon Trash Can Trash Can KingA sleek design, a soft-close step, and a built-in odor control system – what more could you ask for in a trash can?Best OverallFind on Amazon If you’re looking for the best of the best, this trash can is for you. The first thing you’ll notice is its sleek, stainless steel design. The finish is fingerprint and smudge-proof, so you don’t need to worry about the care needs that come with most stainless steel items. The style looks great in all types of kitchens, and its common 13-gallon size fits perfectly in most spaces, as well. This trash can for kitchens has a sturdy foot pedal for opening and closing the lid. When you release the foot pedal, the lid closes softly and slowly, so you’re left without the loud bang that may come from other pedal-style trash cans. Perhaps the best part of all? This trash can has a built-in odor control system. Pros: The foot pedal on this trash can is designed to last for an impressive 200,000 steps The trash can comes in many colors, so you can choose the style that best fits your space Cons: The odor control system requires replacement filters, which have to be bought at an additional cost Rubbermaid Step-On Trash Can You Can Count on This CanThis Rubbermaid design has been around for years, so you can definitely trust its functionality in your kitchen.Best ClassicFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a classic trash can, this Rubbermaid product is perfect for you. It may not have all of the fancy bells and whistles, but it works well and will last for years to come. It’s got a simple plastic build, a common size of 13 gallons, and it comes in three different colors so you can choose the version you like best. This trash can has a foot pedal to lift its lid. The pedal itself is set into the can, so it won’t take up extra space on your kitchen floor. This can also has LinerLock retainer arms, which hold your garbage bag in place even as it starts to fill up. Pros: Specially designed with smooth surfaces and rounded edges to allow for easy cleaning The foot pedal is designed with durability in mind The price point is impressively low when compared to other trash cans for kitchens Cons: This may not look as elegant as stainless steel trash cans, but its functionality and low price make up for it Simplehuman Compact Trash Can Keep it Simple, SillyThis tiny trash can will fit in any kitchen, no matter how small it may be.Best for Small SpacesFind on Amazon If you live in a small space, you likely know the struggle of finding a trash can that won’t be the focal point of your kitchen. Luckily, this tiny trash can is here to make the process simple. This trash can is designed to be small, slim, and compact, allowing it to fit in almost any space. It holds 2.6 gallons of garbage, has a convenient foot pedal for opening the lid, and comes in four neutral colors, so you can choose the one that looks neat and discrete. Pros: Custom trash bags are available for purchase so that you can get the perfect fit for your small trash can The price point is extremely affordable Cons: It may need to be emptied much more often due to its small size iTouchless Pet-Proof Trash Can Who Let The Dogs Out?Got a sneaky pet on your hands? This trash can is sure to keep them out.Best for Pet HomesFind on Amazon If you’ve got dogs, cats, or other pets that like to sneak into your trash can the moment you turn your back, you know the struggle that comes with keeping them out. With this trash can, keeping your garbage contained (and your pets safe) is a cinch. This trash can opens with a hand wave across its top sensor (or a press of the open/close buttons). That way, animal paws or fuzzy noses sniffing around won’t be able to get the top off. On top of this amazing feature, the can has a beautiful stainless steel design, a perfect 13-gallon size, and a slim rectangular shape that fits in most spaces. Pros: Comes with a ring to hold your garbage bag in place, as well as a filter for absorbing odors The non-skid base helps the can to stay in place, even if your furry friends play around it often Cons: You will need to provide power to this device, but you can choose between using AA batteries or charging it with an AC adapter Songmics Double Trash Can and Recycling Bin Trash and Recycling in OneThis trash can has two separate compartments: one for your garbage and one for your recycling.Best MultipurposeFind on Amazon If you struggle with finding a stylish but functional place to keep your recycling, this trash can is for you. It has separate compartments for trash and recycling, so you can keep everything organized without having to complicate the matter. This streamlined contraption has a beautiful stainless steel design and individual foot pedals to open each compartment, and the lids close slowly and gently when the pedals are released. The compartments have removable buckets for easy cleaning, and the whole can has handles on each side in case you need to move it around once in a while. Pros: This trash can is perfect for keeping your garbage and recycling together in one place The stainless steel is fingerprint-proof and easy to clean Cons: This can is fairly large, but the fact that it serves two purposes may still save you space as you won’t need two separate containers in your kitchen Frequently Asked Questions My trash can foot pedals usually quit working after a while. How can I choose a product that’ll last? Trash cans with foot pedals were once known to quit working fairly often. Luckily, all of the pedals on the list above are tested and designed specifically to keep opening and closing for impressive amounts of time. By choosing one of these high-quality products, you should receive a trash can that opens and closes via its foot pedal. Are stainless steel trash cans hard to keep clean? Stainless steel is often easy to smudge, and it can hold marks longer than plastic and other materials. However, its style is often worth a bit of extra cleaning. You can combat the extra smudges and marks by choosing a “smudge-proof” or “fingerprint-proof” stainless steel trash can, or by stocking up on some stainless steel cleaner before your new can arrives.