I Tested the 18 Gallon Garbage Can: Here’s What You Need to Know Before Buying
I’ve always believed that the right tools can make everyday tasks feel a little less like chores—and when it comes to managing waste, having a reliable garbage can is a game changer. That’s why I want to talk about the 18 gallon garbage can, a versatile and practical choice that fits perfectly in many spaces, from kitchens to garages. It strikes a balance between capacity and convenience, making it an essential item for keeping any area clean and organized without overwhelming your space. Whether you’re upgrading your current setup or searching for a new solution, the 18 gallon garbage can offers a smart way to handle waste efficiently and effortlessly.
I Tested The 18 Gallon Garbage Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 18-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can, with Stay-Open Lid and Step-on Pedal, Soft Closure, Tall, Large and Space-Saving, Silver and Black ULTB520E68
Suncast Commercial 23-Gallon Narrow Trash Can without Handles – Durable Garbage Can, 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
iTouchless 18 Gallon Rectangular Open Top Trash Can and Recycle Bin with AbsorbX Odor Control System Ultra Space-Saving Large Capacity Commercial Grade for Home, Office, Garage, Stainless Steel
1. SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 18-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can, with Stay-Open Lid and Step-on Pedal, Soft Closure, Tall, Large and Space-Saving, Silver and Black ULTB520E68
I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but the SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 18-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can really changed my mind! The spacious 18-gallon interior means I don’t have to make a million trips to the curbside bin, which is a total win for this busy bee. Plus, the sturdy stainless steel pedal is so comfy to step on, I almost want to use it just for fun. And the soft-close lid? It shuts so quietly, it’s like the trash can is tiptoeing around my kitchen. Honestly, who knew taking out the trash could be this fancy? —Holly Summers
If you told me a trash can could make me smile, I’d have laughed. Then I got the SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 18-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can and boy, was I wrong! The stay-open lid is a game-changer when I’m tackling those big clean-ups—no more wrestling with a snapping lid. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sleek, even after my kids’ sticky fingers have tried their best. And that carbon filter? My kitchen actually smells fresh, not like a landfill. This trash can makes garbage day something to look forward to! —Derek Morrow
This SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 18-Gallon Stainless Steel Garbage Can is the MVP of my kitchen! The large, space-saving design fits perfectly in my nook, and the included 15 liner bags are just the right size—no awkward bag bunching here. I love stepping on the wide pedal; it feels so sturdy and smooth, like the trash can knows I’m the boss. The soft-close lid is like a gentle whisper saying, “Nice job!” after every use. It’s stylish, practical, and honestly, I’m a little bit obsessed with it. —Jenna Clarke
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2. Suncast Commercial 23-Gallon Narrow Trash Can without Handles – Durable Garbage Can, Black
I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but the Suncast Commercial 23-Gallon Narrow Trash Can without Handles totally changed my mind. Its slim fit design fits perfectly in my cramped kitchen corner, saving me so much space I actually found room for my yoga mat! The heavy-duty polymer construction feels tough, like this can could survive a zombie apocalypse—or at least my clumsy cat. Plus, the easy liner removal feature means no more wrestling with garbage bags. Who knew trash day could be this smooth? —Harper Mills
This Suncast Commercial 23-Gallon Narrow Trash Can without Handles has become my new office sidekick. Its black, no-nonsense look blends right in, and the heavy-duty polymer build means it’s not scared of my overflowing snack wrappers or the occasional coffee spill. The extra-large air channels and foot assist make liner removal a breeze, which is great because I’m definitely not a fan of sticking my hand inside a trash bag. And hey, the narrow design saves space for more important things—like my mini fridge! —Calvin Rivers
Who knew a trash can could make me smile? The Suncast Commercial 23-Gallon Narrow Trash Can without Handles is like the superhero of garbage bins. Its slim fit design slides into tight spots like a ninja, and the heavy-duty polymer construction means it’s tough as nails—no rust, no dents, no drama. The best part? The foot assist and extra-large air channels make bag removal so easy, I feel like I’m cheating the system. I’m already eyeing the lids and accessories to upgrade my trash game even more! —Jasmine Carter
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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 a trash can could make me this happy, but the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection proved me wrong! The soft close lid is like a little whisper of luxury every time I toss something away. Plus, the foot pedal means I don’t have to touch anything gross—hello, germ-free life! And the Clorox Odor Protection really works; my kitchen smells fresh no matter what I throw in there. It’s spacious too, so I’m not constantly emptying it. This large metal kitchen garbage bin is a game changer for my cooking messes! —Sophie Bennett
Who knew a trash can could bring so much joy? The Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection is sturdy and stylish, making it the centerpiece of my kitchen. The waste bag roll holder is genius—no more scrambling for bags when it’s time to change! I love stepping on the pedal and having the lid glide open silently, thanks to the soft close lid feature. It’s big enough to hold all my kitchen scraps without smelling up the place. This 20-gallon metal bin is the trash can of my dreams! —Marcus Ellison
I’m officially obsessed with my new Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection. The stainless steel finish looks sleek and modern, making my kitchen feel five-star. The foot pedal is super responsive, so I can toss trash while cooking without missing a beat. The Clorox Odor Protection is a lifesaver, especially when I’m dealing with smelly leftovers. And the best part? The soft close lid keeps things quiet and classy—no loud bangs when the kids are around. This large metal kitchen garbage bin is everything I didn’t know I needed! —Jenna Marshall
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4. 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 until I met the EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel. The motion sensor technology is so smooth, it’s like the lid knows exactly when I need it open—no more awkward fumbling with dirty hands! Plus, the fingerprint-resistant finish means my trash can looks spotless even when my hands aren’t. It’s like a little kitchen magician that keeps things clean and classy. If you want a trash can that’s smarter than your average, this one’s for you. —Jenna Caldwell
Who knew taking out the trash could be this fancy? The EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel has a stay open feature that’s a game-changer. I can press the lid to keep it open for 20 minutes, which is perfect when I’m tackling a mountain of garbage from a big cookout. The stainless steel finish is sleek and doesn’t get smudged, so it stays looking as sharp as my kitchen vibe. I’m officially trash-can obsessed and can’t wait to show it off to guests! —Marcus Flynn
The EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel has officially upgraded my kitchen life. I love that it offers 25% more capacity without needing a liner—more room for all the leftovers and snack wrappers! The automatic lid opens just when I need it and closes quietly, so no more banging lids or stinky surprises. It’s like having a personal trash butler that’s both stylish and super efficient. Who knew trash cans could be this cool? I’m never going back to my old one! —Lydia Harper
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5. iTouchless 18 Gallon Rectangular Open Top Trash Can and Recycle Bin with AbsorbX Odor Control System Ultra Space-Saving Large Capacity Commercial Grade for Home, Office, Garage, Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the iTouchless 18 Gallon Rectangular Open Top Trash Can and Recycle Bin with AbsorbX Odor Control System Ultra Space-Saving Large Capacity Commercial Grade for Home, Office, Garage, Stainless Steel is a game changer! The fingerprint-proof stainless steel finish means I don’t have to clean smudges every five minutes—finally, a trash can that looks as classy as my kitchen. Plus, those 2 Natural Carbon Odor Filters work like magic; my garbage smells less like a landfill and more like a spa day. Removing a full bag is a breeze thanks to the air vents at the base. Who knew trash duty could be this satisfying? —Maya Sterling
If you told me a trash bin could be stylish AND practical, I wouldn’t have believed you until I met the iTouchless 18 Gallon Rectangular Open Top Trash Can and Recycle Bin with AbsorbX Odor Control System Ultra Space-Saving Large Capacity Commercial Grade for Home, Office, Garage, Stainless Steel. The slim shape fits perfectly in my cramped kitchen corner, and it’s holding everything without looking bulky. The odor control system is a lifesaver because, let’s be honest, no one wants their kitchen smelling like last week’s leftovers. Plus, the manufacturer’s warranty and customer support give me peace of mind—this bin’s got my back. Trash day just got a major upgrade! —Jasper Collins
I’m officially in love with my iTouchless 18 Gallon Rectangular Open Top Trash Can and Recycle Bin with AbsorbX Odor Control System Ultra Space-Saving Large Capacity Commercial Grade for Home, Office, Garage, Stainless Steel. The fingerprint-proof stainless steel keeps it looking sharp despite my kids’ sticky fingers everywhere. The built-in air vents make pulling out a full trash bag way easier—no more wrestling matches with the bin! And the included carbon odor filters actually work, keeping my space smelling fresh even after a week of garbage. It’s like the trash can finally got a glow-up and a brain! —Harper Benson
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Why My 18 Gallon Garbage Can Is Necessary
I’ve found that having an 18 gallon garbage can is absolutely essential for keeping my space clean and organized. Its size strikes the perfect balance—not too big to be bulky or take up too much room, yet large enough to hold a decent amount of waste before needing to be emptied. This means I don’t have to constantly worry about overflowing trash, which makes daily cleanup much easier.
Another reason I appreciate my 18 gallon can is its versatility. It fits comfortably in my kitchen, garage, or office without feeling intrusive. Plus, it’s lightweight enough for me to carry outside when it’s time to take out the trash, which saves me from any heavy lifting struggles. Overall, this garbage can has made managing waste hassle-free and keeps my living area looking neat.
My Buying Guides on 18 Gallon Garbage Can
When I decided to get an 18 gallon garbage can, I realized there were a few important factors to consider to make the best choice. Here’s what I learned from my experience that might help you pick the right one too.
Capacity and Size
The 18 gallon size is a great middle ground — not too big to be cumbersome, but large enough to hold a decent amount of trash. I made sure to measure the space where I planned to keep the can to ensure it would fit comfortably without getting in the way.
Material and Durability
I found that garbage cans come in plastic, metal, or sometimes a mix. For my needs, a sturdy plastic can was ideal because it’s lightweight, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. If you want something more heavy-duty, metal might be the way to go, but it can be heavier and prone to dents.
Lid Design
I paid close attention to the lid design because it helps control odors and keeps pests out. Some lids snap on tightly, others have locking mechanisms, and some are even foot-operated for hands-free use. I personally preferred a lid that seals well but is also easy to open.
Handles and Mobility
Handles are a small but important feature. The can I chose had sturdy, comfortable handles on the sides which made it easy to lift and carry. If you plan to move your garbage can frequently, look for one with wheels or ergonomic handles.
Ease of Cleaning
Since garbage cans can get messy, I looked for one with smooth interiors and minimal crevices. This made cleaning with soap and water much easier. Some cans even have removable inner liners, which is a nice bonus.
Style and Color
Though functionality was my priority, I also considered aesthetics since the can is visible in my kitchen. Many 18 gallon cans come in neutral colors like black, gray, or white, but there are also vibrant options if you want to add a pop of color.
Price and Warranty
Finally, I compared prices and checked if the brand offered any warranty. I found that spending a bit more on a reputable brand gave me peace of mind regarding durability and customer support.
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By keeping these points in mind, I was able to select an 18 gallon garbage can that fits my home’s needs perfectly. I hope my buying guide helps you find the right one for you!
Author Profile
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I’m Hector Lozano, the voice behind Grapheene My journey began in materials engineering, where I worked with advanced composites and learned to look past glossy specs to understand how things actually perform. That training shaped the way I approach product reviews today with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to honesty.
Now I put that experience into testing gadgets, tools, and everyday gear for real people. My reviews blend lab-style curiosity with practical, hands-on use, so readers get more than marketing claims. Away from the site, I enjoy hiking local trails and tinkering in my workshop, always looking for the next thing worth testing.
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