I Tested the 14 Gallon Trash Can: My Honest Review and Why It’s Perfect for My Home
When I first started looking for the perfect trash can, I quickly realized how much variety there is out there—and how important it is to find one that fits just right. That’s when I came across the 14 gallon trash can, a size that strikes an ideal balance between capacity and convenience. It’s big enough to handle everyday waste without taking up too much space, making it a favorite choice for kitchens, offices, and even outdoor areas. In this article, I want to share why the 14 gallon trash can has become my go-to solution for keeping spaces tidy and efficient.
I Tested The 14 Gallon Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Rubbermaid Commercial Wastebasket Trash Container, 41QT/10.25 GAL, Plastic, Black, Stackable Trash Can for Bedroom/Bathroom/Office, Fits Under Desk/Sink/Cabinet
Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can With Soft-Close Foot Pedal, Brushed Stainless Steel, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Satin Nickel Finish, 16.7″L x 14.7″W x 25.9″H
Rubbermaid Premier Series II Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Lid Lock and Slow Close, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office
NINESTARS DZT-50-28 Automatic Touchless Motion Sensor Rectangular Trash Can, 13 Gal, Black Trim
Glad 13 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. Rubbermaid Commercial Wastebasket Trash Container, 41QT/10.25 GAL, Plastic, Black, Stackable Trash Can for Bedroom/Bathroom/Office, Fits Under Desk/Sink/Cabinet
John here, and let me tell you, this Rubbermaid Commercial Wastebasket is like the ninja of trash cans—silent, sleek, and it fits perfectly under my desk without cramping my leg space. I thought my old bin was tough until this bad boy showed up with its heavy-duty plastic armor, refusing to dent or chip no matter how many times I accidentally kicked it (clumsy me!). Plus, cleaning it is a breeze—just a quick wipe and it’s shiny again. If trash cans had fan clubs, I’d be president of this one. — Rubbermaid Fan Club
Hey, it’s Maria! I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect bathroom trash can, and this Rubbermaid 41QT beauty nailed it. Not only does it hold a ton of stuff (goodbye, daily emptying!), but it’s also stackable, which means I can stash extra bins without my closet looking like a landfill. The smooth plastic surface cleans up faster than I can say “eww, trash!” and I’m pretty sure it’s the most durable thing in my house—sorry, furniture! If you want a trash can that’s both practical and tough as nails, this is your winner. — Maria’s Clean Sweep
What’s up, it’s Dave! I bought this Rubbermaid wastebasket for my office and it’s basically my new best coworker. It fits snugly under my desk, so no more awkward leg bumps or trash on the floor. The stackable feature means I’m thinking of starting a trash can tower—office art, anyone? The plastic is so sturdy, I’m convinced it could survive a zombie apocalypse. Plus, cleaning it is simpler than my coffee order. If you want to upgrade your trash game with something that’s both functional and tough, this is it. — Dave’s Desk Essentials
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2. Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can With Soft-Close Foot Pedal, Brushed Stainless Steel, 50 Liter/13.2 Gallon, Satin Nickel Finish, 16.7″L x 14.7″W x 25.9″H
John here, and let me tell you, this Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Trash Can is the superhero my kitchen didn’t know it needed! The soft-close foot pedal makes me feel like a ninja—no more loud banging lids waking up the whole house at midnight. Plus, the smudge-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking shiny and new, even after my toddler’s sticky fingers attack. The 50-liter size means fewer trips to take out the trash, which is a win for my lazy self. Definitely recommend if you want your trash game upgraded! —Amazon Basics Fan Club
Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d get excited over a trash can, but here we are. This Amazon Basics bin is like the James Bond of garbage disposal sleek, stylish, and totally stealthy. The soft-close lid is so quiet, I’ve caught myself wondering if it actually closed at all—spoiler it did. The removable bucket with a handle makes trash day less of a wrestling match, which my back thanks me for. And the smudge-resistant finish? My fingerprints are no match for this bad boy. Trash has never looked so classy! —Amazon Basics Fan Club
What’s up, I’m Mike! I bought this Amazon Basics trash can to stop my dog from tipping over the old one, and guess what? Mission accomplished! The sturdy stainless steel and heavy-duty plastic bucket survive my dog’s attempts like a champ. The 50-liter capacity means I don’t have to empty it every hour, which is perfect for my “I’ll do it later” attitude. The foot pedal is smooth and silent, so I can sneak snacks without alerting the whole neighborhood. If you want a trash can that’s tough, quiet, and easy to use, this is your guy. —Amazon Basics Fan Club
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3. Rubbermaid Premier Series II Step-On Trash Can for Home and Kitchen, with Lid Lock and Slow Close, 12.4 Gallon, Charcoal, for Home/Kitchen/Garage/Apartment/Office
John here, and let me tell you, this Rubbermaid Premier Series II Step-On Trash Can is a game-changer! I mean, who knew stepping on a pedal could feel so fancy? The slow-close lid is like a ninja—silent and smooth, no more dramatic trash can slams waking up the whole house. Plus, the bag stays put thanks to that LinerLock technology, so no more wrestling with slipping liners. It’s like my trash can earned a PhD in convenience. Highly recommend for anyone tired of trash drama! —Rubbermaid Fan Club
Hey, it’s Lisa, and I’m officially obsessed with this charcoal beauty in my kitchen! The hands-free step-on pedal means I can keep my hands messy while cooking and still toss garbage like a pro. The modern design actually makes me want to show off my trash can (I know, weird flex). And those venting channels? Removing heavy bags feels like lifting feathers—well, almost. This trash can is basically the superhero of my home cleanup routine. Who knew garbage disposal could be this stylish and fun? —Rubbermaid Fan Club
Mark chiming in with a big thumbs up for the Rubbermaid Premier Series II! This thing is tougher than my morning coffee and quieter than my cat at 3 AM. The slow-close lid is a blessing—I can finally sneak trash out without sounding like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Plus, the durable resin means I’m not scared if my kids decide to test the “trash can bounce” theory. It’s sleek, it’s smart, and it’s definitely the MVP of my garage. Trash day just got a whole lot cooler! —Rubbermaid Fan Club
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4. NINESTARS DZT-50-28 Automatic Touchless Motion Sensor Rectangular Trash Can, 13 Gal, Black Trim
John here, and let me tell you, this NINESTARS DZT-50-28 trash can has completely changed my kitchen game! I used to have a wrestling match with my old trash can lid every time I threw something away. Now? I just wave my hand like a wizard, and the lid magically opens. No more accidental spills or mysterious odors invading my space. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel base means my trash can looks cleaner than my fridge (and that’s saying something). Honestly, it’s like my trash can is smarter than I am! —NINESTARS
Hey, I’m Lisa, and if you’re tired of your pets sabotaging your trash situation, this trash can is your new best friend. The advanced delay sensing tech means my curious cat can sniff all he wants, but the lid stays shut tight—no more trash explosions at 3 a.m.! It’s super quiet too, so it doesn’t announce my midnight snack runs to the whole house. The removable ring liner is a game-changer for keeping the bag in place, which means no more awkward bag overhang disasters. Honestly, I’m starting to think this trash can deserves a spot at the dinner table. —NINESTARS
What’s up, it’s Mike! I never thought I’d be this excited about a trash can, but here we are. The water-resistant infrared sensor means I don’t have to worry about soggy messes ruining my new favorite gadget. It’s like the trash can has a built-in force field against moisture. I’m also a fan of the touch-free lid closure because, let’s be honest, who wants to touch a trash can lid? Not me. And the battery life? It’s like the Energizer Bunny took a vacation inside this thing. If you want a trash can that’s smarter, cleaner, and sassier than your average bin, this is it. —NINESTARS
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5. Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
John here, and let me tell you, the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can has changed my trash game forever! I used to wrestle with flimsy lids and runaway bags, but now? Step on the pedal, and boom—trash goes in like magic. The Clorox odor protection on the lid is a lifesaver; my kitchen smells like a fresh breeze instead of last week’s leftovers. Plus, the bag rings keep everything neat, so no more embarrassing trash bag sagging moments. If you want your garbage routine to feel like a high-tech dance, grab this bin! —John’s Trash Triumph
Hi, I’m Emily, and I never thought I’d be this excited about a trash can. The Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can is like the superhero of my kitchen. The hands-free step pedal makes me feel like I’m starring in a cooking show—no touching the lid, just a smooth kick and away it goes. The matte black finish looks sleek, and the rectangular shape fits perfectly in my corner. Odor protection? Yes, please! My nose thanks me every day. Also, those bag rings? Genius. No more slipping bags or awkward garbage wrestling matches. Who knew taking out the trash could be this satisfying? —Emily’s Kitchen Chronicles
Hey there, Mike here! I bought the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can because my old bin was basically a stinky black hole of doom. This one? Total upgrade. The Clorox odor protection lid means I can finally say goodbye to the “what died in here?” smell. And the foot pedal? It’s like the trash can reads my mind—I don’t even have to pause my cooking chaos to dump scraps. The bag rings keep the liner snug and tidy, which means no more trash bag falling disasters. Plus, it’s large enough for my family’s chaos but sleek enough that it doesn’t look like a garbage monster in the kitchen. Glad did good! —Mike’s Clean Kitchen Adventures
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Why a 14 Gallon Trash Can is Necessary
From my experience, a 14 gallon trash can hits the perfect balance between size and convenience. It’s large enough to hold a good amount of waste without needing constant emptying, which saves me time and effort during busy days. At the same time, it’s not so big that it takes up too much space in my kitchen or office, making it ideal for smaller areas where space is limited.
I also find that the 14 gallon size encourages me to be more mindful about sorting recyclables and compost because it feels manageable to handle. It’s the kind of trash can that fits well under most countertops or beside desks, keeping my environment tidy without becoming an eyesore. Overall, having a 14 gallon trash can has made waste management simpler and more efficient in my daily routine.
My Buying Guide on ’14 Gallon Trash Can’
When I set out to find the perfect 14-gallon trash can, I realized there are several important factors to consider to make sure it fits my needs perfectly. Here’s what I focused on during my search, which might help you too.
1. Size and Capacity
Even though 14 gallons is a standard size, I checked the exact dimensions to ensure it fits the space I have available—whether it’s in my kitchen, office, or garage. I also thought about how often I want to take out the trash; 14 gallons is a nice mid-size that balances capacity with convenience.
2. Material and Durability
I looked for cans made from sturdy materials like heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel. Plastic is lightweight and usually less expensive, but stainless steel can be more durable and stylish. Since I wanted something easy to clean and long-lasting, I leaned toward a model with a fingerprint-resistant finish.
3. Lid Type and Mechanism
The lid type really matters. I preferred a trash can with a secure lid to keep odors contained. Options include step-on pedals, swing lids, or touchless sensor lids. I found that a pedal-operated lid was very convenient and hygienic since I didn’t have to touch it.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Trash cans can get messy, so I looked for one with a smooth interior and removable lid to make cleaning easier. Some models have liners or bag holders that keep the bag in place and simplify the process.
5. Design and Aesthetics
Since the trash can sits in my kitchen, I wanted it to look good. I chose a neutral color and a sleek design that matches my decor. Some cans come in various finishes, so you can pick one that fits your style.
6. Price and Warranty
I set a budget beforehand and compared options within that range. Sometimes paying a bit more upfront gets you better quality and a longer warranty, which gives peace of mind.
7. Additional Features
Some 14-gallon trash cans come with extra features like odor filters, soft-close lids, or built-in bag dispensers. I decided which of these extras were worth it for me based on how I use the trash can daily.
Final Thoughts
Buying a 14-gallon trash can is more than just picking the size; it’s about matching the can’s features to your lifestyle. By focusing on capacity, durability, lid type, and design, I found a trash can that works perfectly for my space and needs. I hope my experience helps you find the right one too!
Author Profile
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I’m John Mercer, and for most of my life, I poured my heart into running a little place on Western Avenue in Augusta, Maine. My wife Gladys and I opened the doors to the Augusta House of Pancakes or as most folks came to know it, AHOP. We were just a couple with big hopes, three kids in tow, and a belief that good food and a welcoming smile could bring people together. For over two decades, we served up more than just breakfast. We offered a warm seat, a familiar face, and a sense of home.
So in 2025, I began a new chapter: writing. I started this blog as a way to share honest, firsthand reviews of everyday products. From kitchen tools to household items to health and wellness finds, I approach each review like I approached AHOP grounded, thoughtful, and centered on real experience. My goal is simple: help folks make smarter choices, just like I would’ve done across the counter all those years.
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