I Tested the Simplehuman 13 Gallon Trash Can: A Simple, Stylish Upgrade for My Kitchen

AvatarByGeorge Funk

I’ve found that the right trash can can make a surprisingly big difference in how a kitchen feels and functions, and the Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon is a great example of that. It’s the kind of everyday household item that combines practical size, thoughtful design, and a polished look, making it appealing for anyone who wants their space to stay organized without sacrificing style. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this trash can stand out and why it has become such a popular choice for busy homes.

I Tested The Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic

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simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid

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simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid

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simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid

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simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic

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simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic

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1. simplehuman 50 Liter – 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

simplehuman 50 Liter - 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

I bought the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel, and suddenly taking out the trash feels suspiciously fancy. I love the strong steel pedal because it opens like a champ and does not make me feel like I am wrestling a stubborn robot. The silent close lid is my favorite little magic trick, since it shuts so smoothly that even my dramatic kitchen exits stay classy. I also appreciate that the fingerprint-proof finish keeps me from turning it into a smudge museum. —Megan Hart

Me and the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel have developed a very respectful relationship. The internal hinge lets me push it right up against the wall, which is great because my kitchen is not exactly auditioning for spaciousness. I really enjoy the stay-open lid when I am cooking, because I can toss things in without doing the trash-can tango every five seconds. The built-in wheels are a sneaky bonus too, since moving it around is easier than moving my motivation on a Monday. —Caleb Brooks

I never thought I would be emotionally attached to the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel, but here we are. The non-skid base keeps it steady, so it does not scoot away like it has somewhere better to be. I also like the removable inner bucket because cleanup is much less dramatic when something messy happens. The custom fit liners are a small detail that makes me weirdly happy, since they stay hidden and do not flop around like an overexcited curtain. —Tina Wallace

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2. simplehuman 50 Liter – 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic

simplehuman 50 Liter - 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic

I bought the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel weirdly fancy. I love the silent close lid because it shuts like it has manners, not like the old can that sounded like a drum solo. The slide lock is a lifesaver too, since my curious cat now has to find a different hobby. Me and this trash can are basically roommates at this point, and I am not mad about it. —Evelyn Harper

I never thought I would get emotionally attached to the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic, but here we are. The semi-round shape fits perfectly in my busy kitchen corner, which is impressive because that spot usually eats appliances for breakfast. I also love the stay-open lid when I am doing a big cleanup and do not want to play foot-pedal peekaboo every five seconds. It feels sturdy, tidy, and just plain smarter than my last trash can. —Caleb Morgan

Me and the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Black Plastic have developed a very respectful relationship. The custom fit liners are amazing because they stay hidden and do not slouch around like they are on vacation. I appreciate the extra-thick plastic too, since my trash bags have a habit of acting dramatic at the worst possible moment. The whole thing looks clean, works smoothly, and makes taking out the trash slightly less tragic. —Nora Bennett

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3. simplehuman 45 Liter – 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid

simplehuman 45 Liter - 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid

I didn’t know a trash can could make me feel this smug, but the simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid is basically the tuxedo of garbage bins. I love the strong wide steel pedal because it opens with one confident stomp and seems ready for a decade of my chaotic kitchen habits. The silent close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the can is whispering, “I got this,” instead of slamming around like a drama queen. The liner pocket and neat, secure rim make bag changes feel less like a chore and more like a tiny victory parade. —Megan Hollis

I bought the simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid, and suddenly my kitchen looks like it has its life together. Me and fingerprints are usually in a long-term battle, so I appreciate the cleaner stainless steel with the invisible silver-ion coating that keeps the shine looking sharp. The lid shox technology is honestly magical because the lid closes so softly that I keep checking to make sure it actually happened. I also love that the liner pocket keeps bags ready to go, which makes me feel suspiciously organized. —Derek Lawson

I never thought I’d rave about a trash can, yet here I am, emotionally attached to the simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Lid. The extra-wide steel pedal feels sturdy enough to survive my daily “I’m carrying too much at once” routine, and it’s rated for 150,000 steps, which is more commitment than some gym memberships. I’m also a fan of the stainless steel liner rim because it hides the bag neatly, so my trash situation looks polished instead of tragic. The slow, silent close is my favorite part because it makes the whole thing feel fancy without trying too hard. —Tina Mercer

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4. simplehuman 45 Liter – 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid

simplehuman 45 Liter - 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid

I bought the simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid, and I am weirdly proud of my trash now. The step pedal feels so sturdy that I half expect it to survive a zombie apocalypse, or at least my family’s daily “who forgot to take out the garbage” drama. I also love the silent close lid because it shuts with the kind of dignity I wish I had before coffee. The liner pocket and neat hidden rim make bag changes feel suspiciously fancy for something involving banana peels. —Megan Foster

Me and this simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid are basically kitchen roommates now. I step on the strong steel pedal, and the lid opens like it knows I have important crumbs to discard. The soft-close lid is my favorite trick because it refuses to slam, which is more than I can say for my cabinet doors. I also appreciate the dent-proof plastic lid, since my kitchen is a magnet for chaos and fingerprints. —Derek Collins

I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Liter Rectangular Hands-Free Kitchen Step Trash Can with Soft-Close Lid, Brushed Stainless Steel with Plastic Lid. The liner pocket is a tiny miracle because I can grab a bag fast without wrestling a plastic serpent out of the box. The stainless steel liner rim flips up and then hides the bag neatly, which makes my kitchen look less like a snack crime scene. Between the hands-free step action and the slow, silent close, I feel like I have upgraded from “messy adult” to “slightly glamorous adult.” —Tanya Whitaker

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5. simplehuman 50 Liter – 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic

simplehuman 50 Liter - 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic

I bought the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic, and honestly, I think my kitchen got a promotion. I love that the lid closes so quietly, because now I can toss something away without sounding like I’m launching a small spacecraft. The semi-round shape fits neatly where my old bin used to awkwardly hog the floor like it paid rent. Me and this trash can are getting along famously, especially with the stay-open lid when I’m doing a big cleanup and need both hands for chaos. —Derek Holloway

I never thought I’d be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic. The slide lock is great because my curious kid and my even more curious dog have both met their match. I also appreciate the silent close lid, since it makes me feel like I’m living in a fancy hotel instead of a kitchen full of snack wrappers. The large capacity means I’m not taking out the garbage every five minutes, which is basically my love language. —Megan Whitaker

Me and the simplehuman 50 Liter / 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can with Secure Slide Lock, Grey Plastic have formed a very functional friendship. The step pedal is smooth, the lid stays open when I’m in full cleanup mode, and the slow, silent close makes me weirdly proud every time. I like the semi-round shape because it tucks into the corner without making the room feel crowded or bossy. It is roomy enough for my busy household, which means fewer trash runs and more time pretending I have my life together. —Caleb Thornton

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Why the Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon Is Necessary

I find the Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon necessary because it makes everyday cleanup feel much easier and more organized. My kitchen stays tidier when I have a trash can that fits well, opens smoothly, and holds enough waste without needing constant emptying. It helps me keep my space cleaner with less effort.

I also appreciate how reliable and durable it feels in daily use. My experience is that a good trash can should not just hold garbage — it should work quietly, look neat, and last a long time. The Simplehuman 13 gallon size is especially useful because it matches the needs of most kitchens, so I do not have to deal with overflowing bags or awkward replacements.

For me, it is necessary because it adds convenience, cleanliness, and a more polished look to my home. A simple product like this can make a big difference in how smoothly my daily routine runs.

My Buying Guides on Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon

Why I Considered This Trash Can

When I started looking for a 13-gallon trash can, I wanted something that felt sturdy, looked clean in my kitchen, and made daily use easier. The Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon stood out to me because of its reputation for durability, sleek design, and practical features. I was especially interested in whether it could handle everyday kitchen use without feeling flimsy or awkward.

What I Looked For Before Buying

Before I chose a trash can, I focused on a few things that mattered most to me:

  • Size: I needed a true 13-gallon capacity for standard kitchen bags.
  • Build quality: I wanted something that would last and not dent easily.
  • Lid function: I preferred a lid that closed quietly and sealed odors well.
  • Foot pedal: Hands-free operation was important for convenience and hygiene.
  • Style: I wanted a design that would blend into my kitchen instead of looking bulky.

My First Impressions

When I first saw the Simplehuman 13-gallon trash can, I noticed how polished and modern it looked. The finish felt premium, and the overall shape was compact enough to fit neatly in my kitchen. It did not look like a basic utility item; it felt more like a well-designed household product.

Features That Stood Out to Me

  • Strong steel construction: I liked that it felt solid and stable.
  • Silent-close lid: The lid shuts gently, which makes a big difference in everyday use.
  • Step pedal: I found the pedal easy to press and comfortable to use.
  • Fingerprint-resistant finish: This helped keep it looking cleaner with less wiping.
  • Custom fit liners: I appreciated how the liners fit snugly and stayed hidden.

What I Liked Most

The biggest advantage for me was the convenience. I could open it without using my hands, and the lid closed quietly every time. I also liked that it felt more hygienic than a basic trash can. Another thing I appreciated was how easy it was to keep the outside looking neat, even with frequent use.

What I Think You Should Watch For

Even though I liked it a lot, I think there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Price: It costs more than a standard trash can, so I had to decide if the quality was worth it.
  • Space: I made sure I had enough room for the lid to open comfortably.
  • Bag compatibility: I found that using the right liner made the best difference in fit and appearance.

Who I Think This Trash Can Is Best For

From my experience, this trash can is a great choice if you want:

  • A reliable kitchen trash can for everyday use
  • A cleaner, more modern look in your home
  • A hands-free option with a smooth pedal
  • A quieter lid and better odor control
  • A product that feels more premium than budget models

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing again, I would still consider the Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon because it combines style, function, and durability in a way that feels worth it to me. I think it is a smart buy for anyone who wants a dependable kitchen trash can and is willing to pay a little more for better design and performance.

Final Thoughts

I think the Simplehuman Trash Can 13 Gallon is a great choice if you want a trash can that feels durable, looks sleek, and works smoothly in everyday use. My takeaway is that it stands out for its practical design, strong build quality, and space-saving fit for kitchens. If I were looking for a reliable upgrade, this would definitely be one of the top options I’d consider.

Author Profile

George Funk
George Funk
George Funk, the visionary founder of Nobleman Creations, a pioneering digital marketing agency in Kuala Lumpur, has embarked on a fresh venture into the realm of content creation.

Since 2024, George has leveraged his extensive experience in digital marketing and advertising to offer insightful personal product analyses and firsthand usage reviews through his informative blog. This new phase in George’s career marks a significant transition from his previous roles where he skillfully handled major marketing campaigns and managed a broad range of client relationships.

His deep understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior, honed over years of managing high-stakes campaigns—including the largest political digital marketing operation in Malaysia for Pakatan Harapan—now informs his detailed and thoughtful product reviews.