Best Kitchen Bins

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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Kitchen bins are a simple way to keep our homes clean and odour-free. While selecting one should, in theory, be simple, it is not as easy as you’d think with so many models available. We’ve separated the good from the bad to create a top seven of the best options on the market.

How We Compared Kitchen Bins

To find the right kitchen bins, we considered multiple factors, including:

• Capacity
• Construction Materials
• Opening 
• Design

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Kitchen Bin Reviews

Simplehuman CW1814 (Editor’s Choice)

Are you looking for a space-saving kitchen bin that combines style and function? This model has a generous 38L capacity, making it a good size for small spaces yet big enough for family households.

The Simplehuman CW1814 is made from durable stainless steel with a special fingerprint-proof finish. This feature will keep your bin looking good without forcing you to wipe over it with every use. The strong steel pedal has been tested to withstand over 150,000 steps for extra longevity. 

Thanks to this kitchen bin’s excellent design, the lid stays open and features a soft-close mechanism. The inner plastic bucket makes for effortless cleaning when you take out your full bin liner. Good looking and practical with a non-skid base for easier opening, this is by far the best all-around choice. 

Joseph Joseph 30060 Totem Max (Luxury Choice)

This option is our luxury kitchen bin pick. Its vertical design makes it a good space saver you can use even in small areas. What’s more, its stainless steel exterior and stylish design will complement any kitchen décor. 

This bin is a good choice for small to medium households, thanks to its two 30-litre separate compartments. Use the upper one for your kitchen waste: it has a tight-fitting lid with odour control and replaceable carbon filters. There is also a practical food waste caddy that neatly clips inside. Use the lower roll-out drawer for your recycling. Its integrated bag hooks allow you to easily divide the inner plastic compartment.

Available in seven shades, this functional yet very stylish bin is sure to make an excellent addition to any kitchen. If you are fed up with recycling hanging around your home, this model is a great way to organise your kitchen and waste. 

Amazon Basic Kitchen Bin (Best Value)

Are you looking for a no-fuss stainless steel kitchen bin that just gets the job done? You’ll want to check out our top value choice with its elegant styling and fingerprint-proof brushed steel outer.

This Amazon Basics Kitchen Bin has a good 30L capacity, which is suitable for most small to medium-sized households. The foot pedal makes sure it is easy to open, even when your hands are full, while the soft-close lid provides a quiet, gentle closing action. This feature is ideal for homes with children who may otherwise cause your bin to clatter and potentially reduce its lifespan. 

This durable stainless steel kitchen bin also features a heavy-duty plastic inner bucket, which makes it easy to clean when emptying it. It is also useful to ensure your kitchen stays spotless in case of leaks or tears. 

Tower T80904RB (Best Touchless)

This model is our best touchless kitchen bin pick, thanks to its motion sensor technology. Simply move your hand towards the bin, and the lid will open automatically. Not only is this more hygienic than touching your bin lid every time, but it is also very practical. 

With its huge 58L capacity, this Tower T80904RB bin is ideal if you prefer to go for several days without emptying it or live in a large household. It has a good stainless steel construction complemented with a rose gold finish on the lid section, making it a natural choice to enhance your kitchen’s rose gold accessories. 

This model also automatically closes when you’re done. It has a manual override panel and takes readily available AA batteries. If you need a stylish, high-capacity bin and don’t want to get your hands dirty using it, this option makes an excellent choice.

Addis Kitchen Utility Bin (Best Basic)

Sometimes the simpler, the better, and our best basic pick is an excellent no-frills model. This utility bin is made from heavy-duty plastic, making it durable and easy to clean. Plus, you won’t have to worry about it denting if it ever gets knocked over. 

Its foot pedal operation allows you to open it without getting your hands dirty. Another bonus of its plastic construction is that it is also lightweight, thus easy to move around as needed. What’s more, its flat-back design ensures that you can place it flush against your wall for tidy looks and extra space.

With its generous 50L capacity, this kitchen bin is suitable for large households or if you need to leave several days between emptying it. Simple, easy to use and clean, this option has plenty of advantages. All in all, it’s a great no-nonsense model.

Brabantia Bo Touch Bin (Best Design)

Make your bin into a design statement with this model. It is ideal if you live in a small household, both as a recycling bin or as your main kitchen bin. Thanks to its beautifully styled looks, it is sure to become a talking point in your home. 

With a total capacity of 34L (11L and 23L inner compartments), the Brabantia Bo is an excellent option for separating and storing household waste. It has a wide opening, but you can also remove the lid and the compartments for near ease of use. Simply press down on the lid, and it opens up with next to no effort. 

Made from durable alloy steel with a plastic lid and compartments, this model is good-looking and easy to clean. It comes with four legs, so it sits at a comfortable height. This is the best option if you are searching for something that doesn’t look like your standard kitchen bin. 

Songmics Dual Rubbish Bin (Best Slim)

Are you looking for a pedal bin with dual compartments? This model is a great choice, plus it is also slimline making it ideal for smaller kitchens where space is an issue. This bin has a total 60L capacity (with two 30L compartments), which is perfect for separating your recycling from your household waste. 

One of the main advantages of this kitchen bin is its dual lids. This feature allows you to open only the compartment you need, preventing odours from escaping. What’s more, both lids close slowly, so your bin stays protected and doesn’t clatter; they are also air-tight to keep smells contained in between emptying it. 

Thanks to its durable stainless steel and plastic construction, this bin from SONGMICS  is easy to clean and built to last. Its dual foot pedals make it effortless to open even when your hands are full. All in all, it’s a highly practical yet stylish choice that will complement any kitchen décor.

How to Choose a Kitchen Bin

With so many excellent models to choose from, you may be struggling to pick the best kitchen bin. Here’s what you should focus on to make sure that you select the right one for your household.

Capacity 

Before you start looking at kitchen bins, you should, first of all, decide which size you need. Here is our guide to the different dimensions:

• <30L – these bins are suitable for single individuals or couples who regularly empty their bins.
• 30-40L – suitable for small households and families who regularly empty their bins.
• 40-50L – best for medium-sized households and infrequent emptying.
• 50-60L – best for large households or multi-compartment models. 

Consider Your Bin Emptying Frequency

You should also bear in mind how often you will be emptying your bin. A small model will suffice if you take out your rubbish every couple of days. If you only do this once every 4-7 days, you will want to go for a model with a large capacity, even if you have a small household. 

Construction Materials

Think carefully about how durable your bin will need to be. While plastic makes cleaning a breeze, it is less hardy and attractive than stainless steel. Ideally, look for a hybrid construction bin with easy-to-wipe plastic for the inner compartment. 

Opening 

It is essential that your bin opens well and has enough space for you to insert your waste. Consider the following factors.

Opening Mechanism

Make sure you choose the most practical opening mechanism for your kitchen bin.

• Foot pedal – Hands-free and durable, pedal bins are a great choice if you are looking for a long-lasting option that you can open even with your hands full.
• Motion sensor – Convenient and hygienic; just remember you’ll need to replace the batteries, and the mechanism won’t last forever.
• Handle – Simply pull up to open. Basic, but there is nothing that can break.

Opening Dimensions

Ensure your kitchen bin’s opening dimensions are large enough for your average household waste items. While this shouldn’t pose a problem for most general waste, cardboard recycling can be bulky, so do double-check. 

Design 

A kitchen bin’s design can make or break how useful it is. Do you need a space-saving model? Are looks paramount to your choice? Take a few moments to consider if the design will work with your available space and kitchen décor.

Summary

Our Editor’s Choice of the best kitchen bin is the CW1814 by Simplehuman. It has a good 38L capacity and a compact, space-saving design, suitable for most homes. Its durable stainless steel outer is complemented by a plastic inner bucket for easy cleaning and spill protection. The strong steel pedal has been extensively tested for longevity, its lid closes softly, and the outer finish is fingerprint-proof. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for any home.