NOTE: IF YOU LIKE A PRODUCT, CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VIEW PRICE & BUY IT (PAGE WILL OPEN IN A NEW TAB).11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim
A curated list of the best, coolest trash cans, featuring unique, modern, and minimalist design trash cans — plus hi tech, touchless and stainless steel trash cans at affordable prices.
Even something as quotidian as a trash can, can be made to be interesting and rather eye-catching. Yes, we actually curated a collection based on the coolest trash cans. If you’re seriously looking for a top of the line trash can, there are a few things to look for. For one, how the lid opens. There are three popular options to choose from: the step pedal operator, a touchless motion sensor, or the simple touch-bar. All three are included in this collection for you to review and possibly buy — but we recommend the standard step pedal. It allows for hands-full use and tends to be simple to operate. Just make sure that the model itself was quality tested, as some cheap trash bins are made with foot pedals that break after a week or so. Second, the build and material use. For the build, we recommend going for a trash can that can hold around 12 gallons of waste and one that comes with an inner liner to prevent leakage; and for material, we recommend you look for stainless steel bins. These bins tend to be more durable and ones with a coated finish are fingerprint proof and can be easily cleaned. Lastly, look and feel. Now of course, ‘cool’ is subjective. In curating this collection, we tended to favor modern and minimalist designs — ones that stood out and were unique to some level. In the end, you’ll find some of the best quality and coolest trash cans on the market. And, if you’re looking to reduce your trash altogether, we made a curated list of the best zero waste products. Be sure to check that out for helpful tricks, tips and product recommendations. As always, if you liked this post, be sure to leave a good review below.
Curated
Researched
human-verified
products considered
hours of work
cups of coffee
Qualities we looked for overall:
+ Waste, garbage or trash repository.
+ 11.5 to 14 gallon container load.
+ Slim shape for tight spots.
+ Strong steel pedal, quality tested to be resistant over 100,000 steps (for select products with pedal operator).
+ Lid shox technology for a smooth, silent close.
+ Hidden internal hinge on lid to prevent against breaking.
+ Finger-print and smudge proof powder-coated finish.
+ Double-seam construction to prevent rips and tears.
+ Stainless steel or hard plastic liner to prevent against spillage.
+ Smart-sensing, touchless motion sensing lid (for select products with sensing technology).
+ Easy to use touch bar (for select products with touch bar)
+ Designed with modern or contemporary aesthetics (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with minimalist design principles, with minimal lines, forms and assets (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with an unique, cool or interesting aesthetic (relatively subjective quality).
+ Stainless steel shell for durability.
+ Multiple color options.
+ Suitable for indoor home or indoor commercial use.
+ Dual-bucket, interior design for general and recyclable waste (preferred for select products).
+ Well reviewed by customers (i.e., when reviews available via company or seller website).
Qualities we tried to avoid overall:
– Cheap construction (relatively subjective quality).
– Busy or clunky designs (relatively subjective quality).
– Non-reusable design (i.e., disposable, one-time use).
– Products with a high number of bad reviews.
Editor’s Top 5 Rated Selections
11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim // In our opinion, these are a few of the best products we came across in our search, given the overall qualities that we were curating for in this collection. We focused on the following qualities when curating for this particular selection of products:
+ 11.5 to 14 gallon container load.
+ Slim shape for tight spots.
+ Strong steel pedal, quality tested to be resistant over 100,000 steps (for select products with pedal operator).
+ Lid shox technology for a smooth, silent close.
+ Hidden internal hinge on lid to prevent against breaking.
+ Finger-print and smudge proof powder-coated finish.
+ Double-seam construction to prevent rips and tears.
+ Stainless steel or hard plastic liner to prevent against spillage.
+ Smart-sensing, touchless motion sensing lid (for select products with sensing technology).
+ Easy to use touch bar (for select products with touch bar)
+ Designed with modern or contemporary aesthetics (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with minimalist design principles, with minimal lines, forms and assets (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with an unique, cool or interesting aesthetic (relatively subjective quality).
+ Stainless steel shell for durability.
*While we work to ensure the products we select possess these qualities, actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our web site. Do not rely solely on the information provided here.
Details
Modern, Stylish Butterfly Step Trash Can, in Stainless Steel, Slim Shape and Strong Steel Pedal with Lid Shox Technology for a Smooth, Silent Close.
By: simplehuman
Editor's Note
To start off this curated collection of the best and coolest trash cans, we’ll share with you the best selling and top rated modern trash can currently on the market (according to our product-level research). The Butterfly Step Trash Can by simplehuman has over 500 reviews and a virtually perfect average review rating. Two rather distinct, unique product features worth noting are the lid and pedal; the lid opens, not like a regular flip top, but in a ‘butterfly’ fashion with two pieces opening simultaneously. The foot pedal is built to be extra durable — to prevent random breaks — and is engineered to last over 150,000 steps. The entire unit is made of stainless steel and is made following a slimmer profile to fit under a counter or between narrow areas. Overall, a solid buy and cool trash can for a modern space.
Details
Modern, Cool Semi-Round Sensor Can, Built with a Touchless Motion Sensor and Made with Double-seam Construction Prevent Rips and Tears, in Rose Gold Stainless Steel.
By: simplehuman
Editor's Note
Another best selling and top rated piece by simplehuman is this Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Bin. Right off the bat, the modern rose gold color and steel accent stands out — and the cool, futuristic aesthetic matches the level of technology incorporated into the build. This bin is built with a touchless, motion activated lid that opens when an individual comes close. It’s also the first sensing technology smart enough to adapt to you and the surrounding environment, which means no false triggers and no unexpected lid closures. The shell of the trash can is coated in a fingerprint and germ resistant material to prevent unsightly marks and build up. Overall, it’s certainly one of the coolest trash cans in our collection and incorporates a few unique and useful tech add-ons.
Details
Modern, Minimalist Design Square Metal Step Trash Can with Lid, Made with Hands-free, Foot-pedal Open and Built-in Soft Close, in Stainless Steel.
By: EKO
Details
Modern, Premium Design Metallic Waste Can, Designed with Leakproof Rigid Liner, Folding Retainer Bands to Hold Bags in Place and Powder-coated Finish, in Steel.
By: United Receptacle
Details
Modern, Stylish Rectangular Touch-Bar Trash Can Recycler, Designed with Internal Organizer to Neatly Sort Your Trash and Recyclables in this Dual-bucket Recycler, Plus Easy Touch-bar that Opens with a Tap, in Stainless Steel.
By: simplehuman
Editor's Note
If you’re not a fan of the standard pedal operator or the touchless motion sensor, there is a third lid-opening alternative. Funny enough. This trash can is built with an extra-wide touch bar at the opening of the bin. The seller’s philosophy is that if you’re hands are full, perhaps it’s easier to tap the extra-wide bar with your hip, knee or elbow, as compared to stepping on a pedal with your foot. Another unique feature about this bin is the dual-bucket interior, which leaves space for both regular and recyclable waste. The trash can is made of stainless steel and is made with a finger-print resistant coating.
a few more curated collections, by The Bestlyy Editors
Continued, Part 2, 3 Favorites
11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim, Featuring The Best, Stylish Stainless Steel Trash Cans & Touchless Automatic Trash Cans for a Modern Kitchen.
Favorites
11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim // While combing through products, we found these gems. These are a few of our personal favorites — maybe we share the same taste. We focused on the following qualities when curating for this particular selection of products:
+ 11.5 to 14 gallon container load.
+ Strong steel pedal, quality tested to be resistant over 100,000 steps (for select products with pedal operator).
+ Lid shox technology for a smooth, silent close.
+ Hidden internal hinge on lid to prevent against breaking.
+ Finger-print and smudge proof powder-coated finish.
+ Double-seam construction to prevent rips and tears.
+ Stainless steel or hard plastic liner to prevent against spillage.
+ Designed with modern or contemporary aesthetics (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with minimalist design principles, with minimal lines, forms and assets (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with an unique, cool or interesting aesthetic (relatively subjective quality).
+ Stainless steel shell for durability.
*While we work to ensure the products we select possess these qualities, actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our web site. Do not rely solely on the information provided here.
Details
Contemporary, Minimalist Design Slim Roval Waste Receptacle, Surface Mounted, in Stainless Steel.
By: American Specialties
Details
Modern, Contemporary Large Swivel Lid Trash Can, Constructed of Heavy-gauge, 304-Grade Stainless Steel.
By: Commercial Zone
Details
Ultra Modern, Unique Lava Trash Bin, Made of Durable Plastic, in Crumpled Paper Design, in White.
By: LexMod
Editor's Note
It’s probably obvious why this trash can landed a spot on our favorites list. Designed to look like a wrinkled up piece of paper, this trash can brings together a modern art aesthetic with functional home furniture. And no, it’s not made of paper; it’s made of a durable plastic. This piece is definitely one of the coolest trash cans in this collection.
a few more curated collections, by The Bestlyy Editors
Continued, Part 3, 3 Budget Picks
11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim, Featuring The Best, Stylish Stainless Steel Trash Cans & Touchless Automatic Trash Cans for a Modern Kitchen.
Budget Picks
11 Best Coolest Trash Cans: Unique, Modern, Minimalist, Ultra Slim // These are a few solid choices if you’re on a budget. We focused on the following qualities when curating for this particular selection of products:
+ 11.5 to 14 gallon container load.
+ Strong steel pedal, quality tested to be resistant over 100,000 steps (for select products with pedal operator).
+ Hidden internal hinge on lid to prevent against breaking.
+ Finger-print and smudge proof powder-coated finish.
+ Smart-sensing, touchless motion sensing lid (for select products with sensing technology).
+ Designed with modern or contemporary aesthetics (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with minimalist design principles, with minimal lines, forms and assets (relatively subjective quality).
+ Designed with an unique, cool or interesting aesthetic (relatively subjective quality).
+ Stainless steel shell for durability.
*While we work to ensure the products we select possess these qualities, actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our web site. Do not rely solely on the information provided here.
Details
Modern, Minimalist Design Slim Rectangular Step Trash Can with Liner Pocket, Designed with Stainless Steel Liner Rim that Flips Down to Hide the Liner and Keep it Secure, Plus Durable Extra-wide Steel Pedal, in White Steel.
By: simplehuman
Details
Modern, Cool Hi Tech Touchless Automatic Infrared Sensor Trash Can, Open Automatically When Hand is Near The Infrared Induction Area, in Stainless Steel.
By: Eight24hours
Editor's Note
Like the touchless motion sensor trash can in the ‘Top Picks’ section above, this hi-tech trash can is built with an automatic infrared sensor, which tells the lid to open anytime a hand is within the sensing area. It’s made with a stainless steel shell and a flip-open lid. It’s one of the best options in our ‘Budget Picks’ section.
Details
Modern, Unique Design Bathroom Trash Can with Swing Lip, Made from Polypropylene with Chrome-finish Lid, in White.
By: WINOMO
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