I Tested 22 Gallon Trash Cans: The Best Picks for Everyday Use
I’ve found that the right trash can can make a bigger difference than most people expect, and a 22 gallon trash can is a great example of that. It sits in a sweet spot between compact convenience and practical capacity, making it a smart choice for kitchens, offices, workshops, and other spaces where everyday waste needs to stay under control without taking up too much room. Whether I’m thinking about durability, fit, or how smoothly it blends into a space, this size offers a balance that feels both useful and versatile.
I Tested The 22 Gallon Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BestOffice 22 Gallons Automatic Sensor Large Kitchen Trash Can with Stainless Steel, Touchless Garbage Bin with Lid for Kitchen, Home, Office Waste Bin 82L
Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
BORGEBY 22 Gallon Big Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, Automatic Motion Sensor Garbage Can, 82 L Large Waste Bin, Stainless Steel Tall Kitchen Trash Can Metal Trash Bins for Kitchen, Home, Office
EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
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
1. BestOffice 22 Gallons Automatic Sensor Large Kitchen Trash Can with Stainless Steel, Touchless Garbage Bin with Lid for Kitchen, Home, Office Waste Bin 82L
I bought the BestOffice 22 Gallons Automatic Sensor Large Kitchen Trash Can with Stainless Steel, Touchless Garbage Bin with Lid for Kitchen, Home, Office Waste Bin 82L, and now I feel weirdly fancy every time I throw something away. I wave my hand like a tiny magician, and the automatic sensor pops the lid open like it knows I mean business. The 22-gallon capacity is a lifesaver in my kitchen because I am apparently capable of generating enough trash to qualify as a small industrial operation. I also love that the stainless steel looks sleek, stays easy to clean, and does not scream “I gave up on home decor.” —Megan Foster
I got the BestOffice 22 Gallons Automatic Sensor Large Kitchen Trash Can with Stainless Steel, Touchless Garbage Bin with Lid for Kitchen, Home, Office Waste Bin 82L for my office, and honestly, it has made my snack trash feel more dignified. The touchless design is fantastic because I can toss things in without doing the awkward elbow dance when my hands are full. I appreciate the spacious 82-liter size since I am not constantly playing garbage bag roulette every other day. It looks sharp, works smoothly, and somehow makes my workspace feel like it has its life together, which is more than I can say for me before coffee. —Derek Collins
Me and the BestOffice 22 Gallons Automatic Sensor Large Kitchen Trash Can with Stainless Steel, Touchless Garbage Bin with Lid for Kitchen, Home, Office Waste Bin 82L have become a surprisingly great team. The infrared sensor is so convenient that I feel like I am living in the future, except the future still has crumbs and banana peels. I really like that it is made of durable stainless steel because it looks modern and wipes down easily after my less-than-elegant kitchen moments. The large capacity means fewer bag changes, which is excellent because I would rather do almost anything else than wrestle a trash liner before breakfast. —Tina Marshall
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2. Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
I bought the Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black, and honestly, it feels like my kitchen finally got its life together. I love that the 20-gallon size is roomy enough for my household without turning into a giant black monster in the corner. The stainless steel step pedal makes me feel fancy every time I toss something in hands-free, like I am running a very glamorous waste empire. The Clorox odor protection is doing the heavy lifting too, because my trash no longer announces itself to the whole room. —Megan Holloway
Me and this Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black have become weirdly good friends. I was especially happy about the bag rings, since they keep the liner from doing that dramatic sink-in move that always annoyed me. The rectangular shape and matte black finish make it look neat instead of “I gave up and bought a bin,” which is a win in my book. I also appreciate that the foot pedal works smoothly, because I like my trash can to obey me without a struggle. —Derek Whitman
I never thought I would be this excited about a Glad Premium 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid, Stainless Steel Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black, but here we are. It is sturdy, practical, and somehow makes my kitchen look more put together than I do on most mornings. The odor protection is a lifesaver after cooking, and the lid helps keep everything feeling clean and contained. With the 20 gallon capacity, I am not emptying it every five minutes, which is basically my love language. —Tina Caldwell
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3. BORGEBY 22 Gallon Big Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, Automatic Motion Sensor Garbage Can, 82 L Large Waste Bin, Stainless Steel Tall Kitchen Trash Can Metal Trash Bins for Kitchen, Home, Office
I didn’t know I could get emotionally attached to a trash can, but the BORGEBY 22 Gallon Big Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, Automatic Motion Sensor Garbage Can, 82 L Large Waste Bin, Stainless Steel Tall Kitchen Trash Can Metal Trash Bins for Kitchen, Home, Office has entered my life and made everything feel fancier. The 22-gallon capacity is huge, so I’m not doing the awkward little trash-takeout shuffle every day anymore. I also love the hands-free motion sensor because I can toss stuff in without touching the lid like I’m defusing a science experiment. The quiet-close lid is the cherry on top, because my kitchen no longer sounds like a metal drum solo at midnight. —Megan Carter
Me and this BORGEBY 22 Gallon Big Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, Automatic Motion Sensor Garbage Can, 82 L Large Waste Bin, Stainless Steel Tall Kitchen Trash Can Metal Trash Bins for Kitchen, Home, Office are now officially a team. I keep it by the counter, and the ultra-large capacity means it handles my snack-related chaos like a champ. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is a lifesaver, because I am apparently powered by fingerprints and crumbs. I also appreciate that it’s dog proof, since my curious pup used to treat the old bin like a treasure chest. —Dylan Brooks
I bought the BORGEBY 22 Gallon Big Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, Automatic Motion Sensor Garbage Can, 82 L Large Waste Bin, Stainless Steel Tall Kitchen Trash Can Metal Trash Bins for Kitchen, Home, Office for my kitchen, and now I’m considering moving it around the house like it’s a luxury appliance. The motion sensor works so well that I feel like I’m living in the future, only with banana peels. The soft, silent lid closing is wonderful, because I do not need my trash can announcing itself to the entire neighborhood. It’s sturdy, easy to wipe clean, and honestly looks way better than a regular bin has any right to. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter-20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
I bought the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment, and honestly, it feels like my kitchen finally got its life together. I love that the 20 gallon size means I am not playing trash-can roulette every other day. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel keeps it looking sharp even when I am being a little too enthusiastic with the lid. The rear trash bag storage compartment is genius, because now my extra bags are hidden away instead of lounging around like they pay rent. —Megan Foster
Me and the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment have reached a peaceful agreement I step, it opens, and nobody yells. The foot pedal feels sturdy enough that I trust it with my daily snack aftermath, and I appreciate that it is built for over 200,000 uses because I am not exactly gentle with my trash habits. The whisper-quiet closing is my favorite part, since I no longer scare myself every time the lid shuts. Also, the hidden bag storage in the back makes me feel weirdly organized, which is a new and unsettling personality trait. —Caleb Turner
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a trash can, but the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment made it happen. It is big, sleek, and so handy that I keep finding excuses to admire a garbage container, which is not a sentence I expected to write. The larger capacity has seriously cut down on bag changes, and the stainless steel finish makes my kitchen look fancier than I deserve. I also love that the lid opens and closes quietly, because my house no longer sounds like a drum solo every time I toss something out. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. 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 bought the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection because my kitchen needed a grown-up trash can, not the suspicious little goblin bin I had before. Me and this 20-gallon beast are getting along great, especially since the soft-close lid shuts like it has manners. I also love the rear bag compartment, because fishing for extra bags used to feel like a weird side quest. Best of all, the odor protection is doing its job, so my kitchen smells like food and not regret. —Evelyn Carter
I never thought I would be excited about a trash can, but here we are with the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection. The foot pedal makes me feel weirdly powerful, like I am operating important machinery instead of throwing away banana peels. I appreciate the bag rings too, because the liner stays put and does not try to sink into the abyss. The brushed stainless finish looks sharp, and the fingerprint resistant surface means I am not constantly polishing my own evidence. —Marcus Bennett
Me and this Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection have formed a very serious household alliance. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I no longer get jump-scared by my own trash, which is honestly a personal improvement. I also like the waste bag roll holder in the rear compartment because extra bags are right there when I need them, like a tiny backstage crew. With the odor protection and stainless finish, it looks clean, works smoothly, and makes me feel oddly proud of my garbage management skills. —Natalie Foster
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Why a 22 Gallon Trash Can Is Necessary
I find that a 22 gallon trash can is the perfect balance between size and convenience. It is large enough to handle daily waste from my kitchen, office, or small household area, but not so big that it becomes heavy, awkward, or difficult to move when it’s full. For me, this makes cleanup easier and helps keep my space organized without taking up too much room.
My experience has also shown me that this size is very practical for managing trash between pickups. I don’t have to worry about overflow as often, and I can reduce the number of times I need to empty smaller bins. That saves me time and keeps unpleasant odors and mess under control, especially in busy areas where waste builds up quickly.
I also like that a 22 gallon trash can works well in different spaces. Whether I use it in my kitchen, garage, laundry room, or workplace, it gives me enough capacity without feeling oversized. For me, it is a simple but necessary solution that makes waste management more efficient and less stressful.
My Buying Guides on 22 Gallon Trash Can
Why I Consider a 22 Gallon Trash Can
When I look for a trash can, I want something that feels just right for everyday use. A 22 gallon trash can is a great middle-ground size for my kitchen, garage, office, or even a busy laundry room. It is large enough to handle a good amount of waste, but not so bulky that it takes over the space. For me, this size works well when I want fewer trips to empty the bin without moving up to an oversized container.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I choose one, I always think about where I will place it and how much trash my household usually produces. I also look at the shape, lid style, material, and whether it is easy to clean. These small details matter to me because they affect how convenient the trash can feels in daily use.
Material and Durability
I usually decide between plastic, stainless steel, or heavy-duty resin. Plastic cans are lightweight and easy to move, which I like for simple use. Stainless steel looks more polished and often feels sturdier, especially in a kitchen. If I need something for a garage or outdoor area, I prefer a tougher material that can handle dents, moisture, and regular wear.
Lid Type That Fits My Routine
The lid is one of the first things I pay attention to. A step-on lid is helpful when my hands are full. A swing lid is convenient if I want quick access. A touchless lid feels more hygienic, especially in the kitchen. I choose the one that matches how I use the can every day, because convenience makes a big difference.
Size and Space Considerations
Even though it is a 22 gallon can, the actual shape can vary a lot. I always measure the spot where I plan to keep it. Some cans are tall and narrow, while others are wider and shorter. If I have limited space, I look for a design that fits neatly against a wall or inside a cabinet area.
Ease of Cleaning
I prefer a trash can that is easy to wipe down. Smooth interiors and removable liners make cleaning much easier for me. If I am using it for kitchen waste, I want something that resists stains and odors. A can with rounded corners is also easier for me to maintain than one with hard-to-reach edges.
Odor Control Features
Odor control matters a lot, especially if I am using the trash can indoors. I look for tight-fitting lids, built-in filters, or sealing mechanisms that help reduce smells. This is especially useful for food waste, pet waste, or other strong household trash. The better the odor control, the more comfortable I feel keeping it in a living space.
Bag Compatibility
I always check whether the trash can works well with standard 22 gallon liners. A good fit keeps the bag from slipping down, which saves me frustration. Some cans have bag rings or hidden compartments that hold liners in place better than others. This is one of those details I appreciate more after using a can regularly.
Style and Appearance
Since the trash can may be visible in my kitchen or workspace, I also care about how it looks. I tend to choose a design that blends with my décor instead of standing out too much. A clean, simple style usually works best for me because it feels neat and practical.
My Final Thoughts
When I shop for a 22 gallon trash can, I focus on durability, lid style, cleaning ease, and how well it fits my space. The best choice for me is the one that makes daily cleanup simple and hassle-free. If I choose carefully, I end up with a trash can that feels useful, reliable, and worth the purchase.
Final Thoughts
I think a 22 gallon trash can is a practical middle-ground option for many homes and workspaces. My takeaway is that it offers enough capacity for daily use without taking up too much room, making it a smart choice for kitchens, offices, or utility areas. I also like that it can help keep spaces cleaner and more organized while still being easy to manage and empty.
Author Profile
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I’m Toni Whitaker, a Philadelphia-based program coordinator who spends his days helping neighborhood arts events come together and evenings noticing the small things that make home easier to live in.
Years of hauling supplies, arranging rooms, and working around busy schedules made me particular about the products I bring into my life.
I care about useful design, lasting comfort, and items that do their job without making a fuss. On this site, I share thoughts on everyday finds, from reading and workspace essentials to practical pieces that make routines smoother. I write with curiosity, honesty, and no patience for clutter.
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