The best kitchen trash can under $300 is the simplehuman Step Recycler 90L. Two 45-liter stainless cans sit side by side with liner rims, silent-close lids and a 10-year warranty – ideal for households that sort trash and recycling.
We compared eight premium kitchen trash cans under $300 on Amazon and used only the features and specs each brand lists. Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon at the time of writing.
At this budget, the best upgrades are dual-compartment recyclers, butterfly lids for low counters and touchless sensor cans. Below are our top picks, a comparison table, detailed reviews, a buying guide and FAQs.
Top 3 Kitchen Trash Cans Under $300 at a Glance
simplehuman Step Recycler 90L
simplehuman Step Recycler 58L
simplehuman 45L Butterfly Lid CanKitchen Trash Cans Under $300 Compared
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. simplehuman Step Recycler 90L Best Overall | Two 45 L cans side by side (23.8 gal) · Liner rim on both sides, no buckets | 4.6/5 6,975 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. simplehuman Step Recycler 58L Best Compact Recycler | 58 L / 15.3 gal dual compartment · Liner rim system | 4.5/5 380 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. simplehuman 45L Butterfly Lid Can Best for Low Counters | 45 L / 11.9 gal · Butterfly split lid | 4.8/5 2,371 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. simplehuman 40L Dual Butterfly Recycler Best Narrow Recycler | 40 L dual compartment · Butterfly lid | 4.7/5 1,899 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. Rubbermaid Elite Dual Stream Can Best Standard-Liner Recycler | 15.9 gal: 9.5 + 6.4 gal · Charcoal stainless steel | 4.4/5 891 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. EKO EcoCasa Plus Dual Can Best Large Value Recycler | 2 x 10.6 gal (80 L) · Fingerprint-resistant stainless | 4.4/5 4,407 reviews | Check Price |
 | 7. SIMPLI-MAGIC 21-Gallon Dual Can Best Equal Compartments | 80 L: 40 L + 40 L · Color-coded buckets | 4.6/5 576 reviews | Check Price |
 | 8. simplehuman 45L Semi-Round Sensor Can Best Touchless | 45 L / 12 gal · Adaptive motion sensor | 4.5/5 1,165 reviews | Check Price |
simplehuman 45 Liter / 11.9 Gallon Butterfly Lid Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
1. simplehuman Step Recycler 90L – Best Overall
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 6,975 reviews
Pros
Cons
The simplehuman Step Recycler 90L is the best kitchen trash can under $300. It pairs two 45-liter stainless cans side by side for 23.8 gallons of total capacity, with liner rims on both sides, silent-close lids and simplehuman’s 10-year warranty. It costs about $300 with 4.6 stars from 6,975 reviews.
For busy households that recycle seriously, it replaces two separate cans with one coordinated system that still looks sleek.
Key features
Side-by-side dual cans. Two 45-liter cans give 90 liters of sorting capacity for real household volume.
Liner rim on both sides. Stainless steel rims grip liners directly – no inner buckets – for more space and faster changes.
Built to last. Steel pedals rated for over 150,000 steps and lid shox for slow, silent closing.
What it’s like to own
It measures 31.9 x 13.3 x 25.8 inches and weighs 25 pounds, so plan a wide spot along a wall or island.
A liner trial pack and 10-year warranty card are included.
Best for: Large households that sort trash and recycling.
May not fit: Small kitchens.
2. simplehuman Step Recycler 58L – Best Compact Recycler
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 380 reviews
Pros
Cons
The simplehuman Step Recycler 58L sorts trash and recycling in a 22-inch-wide footprint for about $200. It ranks #4 in In-Home Recycling Bins with 4.5 stars from 380 reviews.
It suits average-size kitchens.
Key features
Dual compartments. Sort at the source.
Liner rim. No inner bucket on the trash side.
Handled bucket. Easy recycling trips.
What it’s like to own
It measures 22 x 14.2 x 25.8 inches.
Brushed stainless steel.
Best for: Mid-size kitchens.
May not fit: Very high volumes.
3. simplehuman 45L Butterfly Lid Can – Best for Low Counters
simplehuman 45 Liter / 11.9 Gallon Butterfly Lid Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
Amazon rating: 4.8/5 from 2,371 reviews
Pros
Cons
The simplehuman 45L Butterfly Lid Can opens from the center for clearance under low counters, for about $180 with 4.8 stars from 2,371 reviews.
It is the highest-rated can in this guide.
Key features
Butterfly lid. Split doors.
Silent close. Lid shox.
Internal hinge. Against the wall.
What it’s like to own
It measures 23.3 x 10.4 x 26 inches.
Brushed stainless steel.
Best for: Under-counter placement.
May not fit: Wide capacity needs.
4. simplehuman 40L Dual Butterfly Recycler – Best Narrow Recycler
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 from 1,899 reviews
Pros
Cons
The simplehuman 40L Dual Butterfly Recycler fits recycling into a narrow 10.4-inch space for about $180, with 4.7 stars from 1,899 reviews.
It comes with a 10-year warranty.
Key features
Dual compartments. Trash and recyclables.
Butterfly lid. Clears low counters.
Steel pedal. 150,000 steps.
What it’s like to own
It measures 23.3 x 10.4 x 26 inches.
Ideal for galley kitchens.
Best for: Narrow kitchens.
May not fit: Big households.
5. Rubbermaid Elite Dual Stream Can – Best Standard-Liner Recycler
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 from 891 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Rubbermaid Elite Dual Stream Can sorts waste and recycling with standard liners, for about $255 with 4.4 stars from 891 reviews.
No custom bags needed.
Key features
Dual stream. 9.5-gallon trash and 6.4-gallon recycling.
Standard liners. With bag cinch.
Charcoal stainless. Hands-free pedal.
What it’s like to own
It measures 20.7 x 12.6 x 25.9 inches.
5-year limited warranty.
Best for: Generic bag users.
May not fit: Lightweight needs.
6. EKO EcoCasa Plus Dual Can – Best Large Value Recycler
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 from 4,407 reviews
Pros
Cons
The EKO EcoCasa Plus offers 80 liters across two compartments for about $173, with 4.4 stars from 4,407 reviews.
It is the best large recycler for less.
Key features
Dual 10.6-gallon buckets.
Stainless. Fingerprint resistant.
Soft close.
What it’s like to own
It measures 24.72 x 15.67 x 25 inches (37.68 inches open).
Removable inner buckets.
Best for: Big families on a budget.
May not fit: Low upper cabinets.
7. SIMPLI-MAGIC 21-Gallon Dual Can – Best Equal Compartments
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 576 reviews
Pros
Cons
The SIMPLI-MAGIC 21-Gallon Dual Can splits 80 liters evenly into two 40-liter buckets for about $180, with 4.6 stars from 576 reviews.
Equal compartments suit households that recycle as much as they toss.
Key features
40 L + 40 L. Color-coded.
Pedal. Stainless steel.
Soft-close lid.
What it’s like to own
It measures 26.5 x 15.6 x 25 inches.
Stainless steel body.
Best for: Heavy recyclers.
May not fit: Small spaces.
8. simplehuman 45L Semi-Round Sensor Can – Best Touchless
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 1,165 reviews
Pros
Cons
The simplehuman 45L Semi-Round Sensor Can is the touchless pick, for about $160 with 4.5 stars from 1,165 reviews.
Its adaptive sensor avoids false triggers.
Key features
Sensor. Adaptive.
Liner rim. Hides the bag.
Planetary gear. Smooth motion.
What it’s like to own
It measures 12.8 x 15.4 x 25.2 inches.
Matte black finish.
Best for: Touch-free kitchens.
May not fit: Recycling needs.
How to Choose a Premium Kitchen Trash Can or Recycler
How much do you recycle?
Equal splits (SIMPLI-MAGIC 40+40 L, simplehuman 90L) suit heavy recyclers; uneven splits (Rubbermaid 9.5+6.4 gal) suit mostly-trash households.
Footprint
Recyclers range from 10.4 inches wide (simplehuman 40L Butterfly) to 31.9 inches (simplehuman 90L). Measure carefully.
Lid style
Butterfly lids open from the center for low counters; standard lids need more overhead clearance – EKO lists 37.68 inches open.
Bags
simplehuman liner rims work best with custom liners; Rubbermaid Elite uses standard liners.
Touchless
The simplehuman Sensor Can uses an adaptive sensor; step cans need no power.
Warranty
simplehuman offers 10 years on many models; Rubbermaid Elite offers 5.
FAQ
What’s the best kitchen trash can under $300?
The simplehuman Step Recycler 90L.
What’s the best narrow recycling can?
The simplehuman 40L Dual Butterfly Recycler at 10.4 inches wide.
Which recycler uses standard trash bags?
The Rubbermaid Elite Dual Stream Can.
What is a butterfly lid?
A split lid that opens from the center, useful under low countertops.
How big should a dual trash can be?
Most families do well with 58–90 liters total.
Are premium trash cans worth it?
They offer quieter lids, durable pedals and long warranties.
Final Verdict
The simplehuman Step Recycler 90L is the best kitchen trash can under $300 for households that sort trash and recycling.
The 58L Step Recycler fits average kitchens, and the 45L Butterfly Lid Can is the top-rated pick for low counters.
Choose the 40L Dual Butterfly for narrow spaces, Rubbermaid Elite for standard liners, EKO EcoCasa Plus for large value, SIMPLI-MAGIC for equal compartments and the simplehuman Sensor Can for touch-free use.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: simplehuman Step Recycler 90L
- Best compact recycler: simplehuman 58L
- Best for low counters: simplehuman 45L Butterfly
- Best narrow: simplehuman 40L Dual Butterfly
- Best standard liners: Rubbermaid Elite
Related buying guides: Best Kitchen Trash Cans Under $200 · Best Kitchen Trash Cans Under $100 · Best Kitchen Trash Cans Under $50
