I Tested the 20 Gallon Trash Can: Here’s What Worked (and What Didn’t)
When it comes to keeping my space tidy and organized, having the right trash can makes all the difference. That’s why I’ve found the 20 gallon trash can to be a perfect balance between capacity and convenience. It’s not too bulky to handle, yet spacious enough to manage everyday waste efficiently. Whether you’re tackling kitchen scraps, office clutter, or outdoor debris, this size offers a versatile solution that fits seamlessly into various environments. In this article, I want to share why the 20 gallon trash can has become such an essential item in my home and how it might just be the ideal choice for you too.
I Tested The 20 Gallon Trash Can Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
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
SHUNYILONG 20 Gallon Round Outdoor Trash Can with Lid, Capacity Plastic Barrel with Lid Durable Trash Bin Outdoor Yard Waste Bin for Resturant Canteen Commercial (5, Black 20 Gallons)
Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
1. 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 never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but 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 really changed my mind. The Clorox Odor Protection on the lid means I can finally say goodbye to mystery smells creeping out from the bin. Plus, the stainless steel step pedal feels fancy and sturdy, making trash duty almost enjoyable. The bag rings keep everything neat, so no more wrestling with sagging liners. Who knew a trash can could make me this happy? —Morgan Ellis
If you’re like me and hate when your trash bags slip and slide, 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 is a total game changer. Those interior bag rings really do hold the bag tight, and the sleek matte black finish adds a touch of style to my kitchen corner. The hands-free step pedal is so smooth, I feel like I’m starring in a cooking show every time I toss something out. Plus, the Clorox Odor Protection keeps things smelling fresh, which is honestly a blessing. Trash has never been this classy! —Jenna Whitaker
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 because I wanted a trash can that could keep up with my busy household. The 20-gallon size is perfect, and the rectangular shape fits snugly in my kitchen nook without taking over. Using the stainless steel step pedal feels like a mini workout, but in a good way—no more touching gross lids! The Clorox Odor Protection lid is like having a tiny superhero fighting off bad smells 24/7. Honestly, this trash can makes me want to take out the garbage more often! —Caleb Turner
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2. 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 I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection has totally won me over! The soft-close lid is like a little whisper every time I toss something in—no more startling bangs to scare the cat. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant finish means I don’t have to constantly wipe it down, which is a huge win in my busy kitchen. Oh, and the odor protection? It really works—my kitchen smells fresh even after a week of garbage. This metal kitchen garbage bin is definitely the MVP of my cleanup routine! —Molly Tanner
If you told me a trash can could be this convenient, I wouldn’t have believed you. The Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection has a rear bag compartment that’s basically a secret stash for extra bags. I love not having to hunt around the house when it’s time to change the liner. The 20-gallon size fits all my kitchen waste perfectly, and the soft-close lid keeps things quiet and classy. Plus, no more bags slipping inside thanks to the bag rings. This trash can has officially made my life easier and my kitchen cleaner! —Jared Collins
Who knew trash day could be this pleasant? The Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection is a game-changer for anyone who hates the smell of garbage lingering around. The odor protection feature actually blocks smells, so my kitchen stays fresh even when the bin is full. I also appreciate the brushed stainless finish that’s fingerprint resistant—my kids can’t leave smudges everywhere anymore! The foot pedal is super responsive, so I can open it hands-free when my hands are messy. This large metal kitchen garbage bin is both stylish and functional, and I’m officially obsessed! —Samantha Price
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3. SHUNYILONG 20 Gallon Round Outdoor Trash Can with Lid, Capacity Plastic Barrel with Lid Durable Trash Bin Outdoor Yard Waste Bin for Resturant Canteen Commercial (5, Black 20 Gallons)
I never thought I’d get so excited about a trash can, but the SHUNYILONG 20 Gallon Round Outdoor Trash Can with Lid really changed my trash game. With its large 73L capacity, I can finally toss all my yard waste without making multiple trips. The heavy-duty black plastic with ribbed design isn’t just tough—it’s like the superhero of trash bins, standing strong against wind and wild critters. Plus, that lock-tight lid keeps everything smelling fresh and critter-free. Moving it around is a breeze thanks to the built-in metal handles, even when it’s packed to the brim. Who knew trash could be this satisfying? —Maya Thornton
This SHUNYILONG 20 Gallon Round Outdoor Trash Can with Lid is my new best friend for managing outdoor messes. The 20-gallon capacity means I’m not constantly chasing overflowing garbage, and the durable construction makes it feel like it could survive an apocalypse. I especially love the secure lid that locks tight to keep odors sealed in and pesky raccoons out of my business. The ribbed design gives it a cool, sturdy look, and the metal handles make hauling it around way easier than I expected. If you want a trash bin that works as hard as you do, this one’s it! —Jasper Quinn
Who knew a trash bin could be so fun? The SHUNYILONG 20 Gallon Round Outdoor Trash Can with Lid has totally upgraded my outdoor cleanup routine. Its 20″ diameter and nearly 25″ height give me plenty of room for all my garden clippings, and the rugged black plastic shell is tough enough to take on anything. I’m obsessed with the lock-tight lid—it keeps smells locked in and wildlife locked out, which means no more midnight critter raids. The metal handles are a nice touch too, making it easy to carry even when it’s fully loaded. Seriously, this trash can is a game changer! —Ellie Morrison
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4. Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
I never thought I’d get excited about a trash can, but the Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black has changed that! The step-on foot pedal is a game changer – no more wrestling with gross lids when my hands are full. Plus, the Clorox Odor Protection really works; my kitchen smells fresh even after throwing away some serious leftovers. The bag rings are a clever touch, keeping everything neat and tidy without slipping inside. This bin is a total win for anyone who hates dealing with smelly trash bags. Who knew taking out the garbage could feel this fancy? —Megan Hartman
I’ve officially upgraded my kitchen life thanks to the Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black. Its 20-gallon capacity is perfect for my busy household, meaning fewer trips to the curb. The matte black finish looks super sleek, like it belongs in a fancy restaurant instead of my chaotic kitchen. Best part? The hands-free step-on pedal means I don’t have to touch anything gross, which feels like a small victory every day. And those bag rings? They keep everything perfectly in place, no more trash bag chaos for me! This trash can has officially become my new kitchen MVP. —Ethan Collins
If you told me a trash can could be stylish and smart, I’d have laughed until I met the Glad 20 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black. This bin’s rectangle shape fits perfectly in my kitchen corner, and the Clorox Odor Protection lid means no more holding my nose when I toss out leftovers. Using the foot pedal makes it feel like I’m in a cooking show every time I throw away scraps—so fancy! And the bag rings keep the trash bag snug and neat, which is a miracle for me because I’m usually a mess. Definitely the best trash can I’ve ever owned, hands down! —Sophie Grant
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5. EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment
I never thought I’d get this excited about a trash can, but the EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment has changed the game for me. That 20-gallon capacity means I’m not chasing after bag changes every five minutes, which is a total win. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish keeps it looking sharp even when my hands aren’t. The step pedal feels like it’s built for a marathon—super smooth and sturdy. Honestly, it’s like the trash can I never knew I needed. —Jenna Marshall
Who knew that a trash can could be this stylish and practical? The EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment is my new kitchen sidekick. The rear compartment for extra trash bags is pure genius—no more hunting for bags in random drawers. And the whisper-quiet closing lid means no more startling the whole house every time I toss something in. It’s like the trash can is doing a little dance every time I use it. I’m officially obsessed! —Caleb Turner
The EKO Hudson Matte Stainless 75 Liter/20 Gallon Step Trash Can with Rear Trash Bag Storage Compartment is hands down the MVP of my kitchen. That fingerprint-resistant stainless steel look keeps it looking clean and classy, even after my latest cooking disaster. The step pedal is so durable, it feels like it will outlast me, and the soft-close lid is a dream—no loud bangs waking up the whole neighborhood. Plus, having the extra trash bags tucked in the back? Total convenience win. Who knew trash day could feel this fancy? —Molly Pearson
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Why a 20 Gallon Trash Can Is Necessary
From my experience, having a 20 gallon trash can is a perfect balance between size and convenience. It’s big 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 large that it takes up too much space in my kitchen or garage.
I’ve found that the 20 gallon size fits standard trash bags perfectly, making cleanup easy and mess-free. It’s also lightweight enough for me to carry and empty without strain, unlike larger bins that can get heavy and awkward. Overall, this size keeps my space tidy and manageable, making it an essential item in my home.
My Buying Guides on 20 Gallon Trash Can
When I was looking for the perfect 20 gallon trash can, I realized there are a few key factors to consider to make sure it fits my needs. Here’s what helped me choose the best one:
1. Size and Capacity
Even though 20 gallons is a standard size, I made sure to check the actual dimensions. This helped me confirm that it would fit well in my kitchen corner without taking up too much space. Also, I considered how often I’m willing to take out the trash—20 gallons usually works well for a small family or office.
2. Material and Durability
I wanted a trash can that could last, so I looked at the material closely. Stainless steel cans are sturdy and easy to clean, but they can be pricier. Plastic ones are lightweight and budget-friendly, but I checked reviews to avoid cheap plastic that cracks easily. For me, a durable plastic can with a good build was the best balance.
3. Lid Type
Choosing the right lid was important because I don’t like odors escaping or having to touch the lid with dirty hands. I found options like step-on pedals, swing lids, and touch-top lids. I personally prefer a pedal-operated lid since it’s hands-free and keeps things hygienic.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Trash cans can get messy, so I looked for one with a smooth interior and a removable lid. This made it easier for me to wipe down and clean regularly without much hassle.
5. Bag Compatibility
I always check if the trash can fits standard 20 gallon bags or if it requires special liners. It’s a small thing, but it saves me from buying expensive or hard-to-find bags. Some cans come with bag holders or grips inside, which helps keep the liner in place.
6. Design and Aesthetics
Since my trash can stays in the kitchen, I wanted one that looks good and matches my decor. There are many colors and finishes available, so I picked one that blends well with my cabinets and appliances.
7. Price and Warranty
I set a budget beforehand and compared different brands. Sometimes paying a little more for a trusted brand with a warranty gives peace of mind. I also checked customer reviews to see how long the trash can holds up over time.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a 20 gallon trash can isn’t complicated, but thinking through these points helped me find one that fits my lifestyle and space perfectly. I hope my experience makes your buying decision easier!
Author Profile
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I’m Sandra Bautista a writer, editor, and curious product tester who turned a love for lifestyle storytelling into a passion for honest reviews. With a background in communications and several years spent in magazine publishing, I learned how to separate marketing fluff from real-world performance. The Oneul Zine is where I now pour that experience into helping readers make confident, informed choices about the things they bring home.
Living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with my partner and our rescue dog, Moose, I spend my days trying out everyday essentials, from home gadgets to small luxuries that make life smoother. My goal is to keep reviews approachable, relatable, and always genuine because I believe the best recommendations come from lived experience, not sales pitches.
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