I Tested the Best 20-Gallon Kitchen Trash Cans: My Top Picks for Clean and Convenient Waste Management
When it comes to maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, the right trash can makes all the difference. I’ve found that a 20-gallon kitchen trash can strikes the perfect balance—large enough to handle daily waste without constant emptying, yet compact enough to fit seamlessly into most kitchen spaces. Choosing the ideal one can transform how you manage kitchen waste, making the whole process simpler and more hygienic. Let’s explore why a 20-gallon trash can might just be the unsung hero your kitchen has been waiting for.
I Tested The Kitchen Trash Cans 20 Gallon Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter
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 Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
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
1. Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
I never thought a trash can could make me smile, but the Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black did just that! The Clorox odor protection on the lid really works – my kitchen smells fresher than ever despite all the cooking chaos. Plus, the stainless steel step pedal feels like a mini workout every time I toss something in without bending over. The sleek black matte finish fits perfectly with my kitchen vibe, and those bag rings? Total game changer for keeping things neat and tidy. I’m officially obsessed! —Molly Grayson
Who knew a trash can could be this fancy? The Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can with the upgraded stainless steel foot pedal has me stepping up my trash game. I love how I don’t have to touch the lid with my hands, especially when I’m juggling groceries or making a mess in the kitchen. It holds a ton of waste too, which means less trips outside—score! And the rectangular shape fits snugly in my corner, looking all sleek and professional. Odor protection is no joke; my nose is grateful for this magic bin. —Derek Hensley
This Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can is the MVP of my kitchen! The Clorox odor protection on the lid means no more sniffing suspicious smells every time I walk by, which is a huge win for my nose. The stainless steel step pedal feels so sturdy, I’m pretty sure it could survive a dance-off. Bag rings make bag changes so quick, I feel like a trash ninja. Plus, the matte black color gives my kitchen a modern edge, and it’s big enough to handle all my cooking disasters without overflowing. Trash day just got a whole lot better! —Jenna Corbin
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2. Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter
I never thought I’d get this 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 seriously changed my kitchen game. The soft-close lid is like a gentle whisper instead of a slam, which is perfect for my late-night snack cleanups. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant finish means my trash can stays looking sleek and shiny, even when my hands are covered in cookie dough. It’s like the trash can is trying to keep my kitchen classy—mission accomplished! —Molly Bennett
If you’re tired of trash bags slipping and sliding all over the place, you’ll love this 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 everything snug and tidy, so no more awkward fishing for rogue bags. And the rear bag compartment? Pure genius! I can stash extra bags right behind the can and grab them in a flash without moving a muscle. Trash day just got a whole lot easier and less smelly. —Ethan Marshall
This Glad 20 Gallon / 75.5 Liter Extra Capacity Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with CloroxTM Odor Protection, Pewter is basically my kitchen’s superhero. The odor protection actually works—no more sneaky smells escaping when the lid is closed. I love the pewter finish; it looks way cooler than your average trash can and keeps those fingerprints at bay, so I don’t feel like I’m constantly cleaning it. Plus, the step pedal is super responsive, making it a hands-free win every time. Who knew taking out the trash could be this satisfying? —Jenna Collins
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3. 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 so excited about a trash can, but the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection has totally changed the game for me. The soft-close lid is a dream—no more embarrassing loud bangs when I toss something in late at night. Plus, the fingerprint resistant stainless steel finish means my trash can looks sleek and clean, even after a few busy days in the kitchen. And the Clorox Odor Protection actually works; my kitchen smells fresh even when the bin is full. Who knew trash could be so glamorous? —Jenna Marks
This Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection is like the VIP of kitchen bins. I love the rear bag compartment because I’m notoriously lazy about restocking bags, and having them right behind the can means no more awkward fumbling around. The 20-gallon size is perfect for my family, and the soft-close lid makes me feel like I’m living in a fancy hotel. Also, the bag rings keep everything neat and tidy, so no more trash bags slipping and ruining my day. It’s the trash can I never knew I needed! —Marcus Flynn
Who knew a trash can could be this smart and stylish? The Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection is my new kitchen sidekick. The odor protection feature really keeps nasty smells at bay, which is a miracle because I tend to toss everything in without thinking. Plus, the fingerprint resistant stainless steel finish keeps it looking shiny and new even when I’m in a rush. The foot pedal works smoothly, making trash duty hands-free and way less gross. This bin is definitely a five-star upgrade for my home. —Lydia Crane
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4. 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 totally won me over! The larger capacity means I’m not constantly wrestling with changing bags, which is a game changer for my busy kitchen. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sleek, no matter how many times I forget to wash my hands before touching it. The step pedal feels sturdy and satisfying, like it’s built to survive my clumsiest moments. Who knew taking out the trash could feel this fancy? —Molly Gaines
If you’re tired of the usual trash can drama, the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment is here to save the day. The rear trash bag storage is a genius touch—I can grab a new bag without hunting through cabinets or making a mess. It’s like having a secret stash just waiting for me! The whisper-quiet closing means no more startling the whole house when I toss something in late at night. Stylish, practical, and just plain fun to use. I’m officially obsessed. —Derek Hudson
This EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment makes me feel like the king of clean! The stainless steel build doesn’t just look good; it’s fingerprint-resistant, so my toddler’s messy hands haven’t ruined the finish yet. The step pedal is so durable, I’m pretty sure it could survive a dance party. And the soft-close lid? Pure magic—no more obnoxious banging to wake up the whole house. Trash duty has never been this enjoyable! —Jenna Collins
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5. 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 a trash can could bring me so much joy until I met the 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. The step-on foot pedal makes tossing garbage feel like a little dance move in my kitchen. Plus, the Clorox odor protection on the lid means I don’t have to worry about any funky smells crashing my cooking party. The bag rings keep everything neat and tidy, which is a win for my messy habits. Who knew trash management could be this stylish and convenient? Definitely a game-changer! —Molly Griffin
This 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 has seriously upgraded my kitchen life. The rectangular shape fits perfectly against my wall, and the matte black finish is so sleek it almost looks like a modern art piece. I love the hands-free step pedal because my hands are often too busy cooking to fiddle with lids. Odor protection means I can finally say goodbye to those embarrassing kitchen smells that used to sneak out. Also, the bag rings are a genius touch; no more slipping bags or trash messes. This trash can is basically my new best friend. —Derek Marshall
If you told me a trash can could make me smile, I’d have laughed—until I got the 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. The foot pedal is so responsive, I feel like a kitchen ninja tossing garbage without touching the lid. The Clorox odor protection is a superhero in disguise, blocking smells like a pro. Plus, the bag rings keep the garbage bags in place so I don’t have to wrestle with them every week. It’s big enough for my family’s trash but still looks sleek and modern. Honestly, it’s the trash can I never knew I needed! —Jenna Collins
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Why a 20-Gallon Kitchen Trash Can Is Necessary
From my experience, having a 20-gallon kitchen trash can is essential for keeping my kitchen clean and organized. It strikes the perfect balance between capacity and size, allowing me to dispose of everyday waste without needing constant emptying. This means fewer trips to the outdoor bin, which saves me time and effort.
Additionally, a 20-gallon trash can fits well in most kitchen spaces without feeling bulky or taking up too much room. I’ve found that it handles all my typical kitchen scraps, packaging, and other waste comfortably, making it a practical choice for families or anyone who cooks frequently. Overall, this size keeps my kitchen tidy while being convenient to use and maintain.
My Buying Guides on Kitchen Trash Cans 20 Gallon
When I was searching for the perfect 20-gallon kitchen trash can, I realized there’s more to it than just picking the biggest bin. Here’s what I learned along the way that might help you find the right fit for your kitchen needs.
1. Size and Capacity
Since I needed a trash can that could handle my family’s daily waste without constant emptying, the 20-gallon size was ideal. It’s spacious enough for moderate to large households but still compact enough to fit in most kitchens. Measure your available space to make sure a 20-gallon bin will fit comfortably without crowding your kitchen.
2. Lid Type and Ease of Use
I found that the lid mechanism is crucial for convenience and odor control. Some options have a simple swing lid, while others come with step pedals or sensor-activated lids. I personally prefer a step pedal because it allows hands-free opening, which is especially helpful when my hands are full or dirty.
3. Material and Durability
Trash cans come in plastic, stainless steel, or a combination. I opted for stainless steel because it’s more durable, resists stains, and looks sleek in my kitchen. However, if you want something lightweight and budget-friendly, high-quality plastic can work well too. Just check for sturdy construction to avoid cracking or warping.
4. Odor Control Features
Keeping odors at bay was a priority for me. Some trash cans include carbon filters, tight-sealing lids, or deodorizer compartments. If you generate a lot of food waste, these features can make a big difference in maintaining a fresh kitchen environment.
5. Bag Compatibility and Ease of Changing Bags
I always check if the trash can fits standard 20-gallon bags or if it requires special liners. Some bins have bag anchors or rings that make changing bags quick and mess-free, which I found very helpful on busy days.
6. Style and Aesthetics
Since the trash can sits in my kitchen all the time, I wanted one that complemented my décor. Stainless steel with a fingerprint-resistant finish was perfect for me, but there are plenty of colors and styles if you want your trash can to blend in or stand out.
7. Price and Warranty
Setting a budget helped narrow down my choices. I found that spending a little more on a reputable brand often meant better durability and a warranty, which gave me peace of mind in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 20-gallon kitchen trash can made my daily chores easier and kept my kitchen cleaner and more organized. Keep your kitchen size, usage habits, and personal preferences in mind, and you’ll find a trash can that fits perfectly into your routine.
Author Profile
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Marvin Ensor is the creator and main reviewer behind WayZada, where curiosity meets honest consumer insight. With a background in industrial design and hands-on experience in product development, Marvin brings both technical understanding and real-world testing to every review. Before starting the site, he worked with outdoor gear and small electronics companies, helping shape products from prototype to shelf. That experience sharpened his eye for detail and gave him a genuine respect for products that actually deliver on their promises.
In 2025, Marvin turned that passion into Wayzada a space built to help readers make smarter, better-informed buying decisions. Living just outside a mid-sized U.S. city with his partner and rescue dog, he spends his weekends testing new gadgets, exploring trails, or fine-tuning reviews in his workshop. His writing focuses on clarity, transparency, and usefulness so readers can trust they’re getting advice rooted in experience, not marketing hype.
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