simplehuman 50L Rectangular Step Trash Can Review 2026: The Kitchen Classic (13 Gallon)

June 2026 | Reviewed

Overview

The simplehuman 50L Rectangular Step Trash Can is the best-selling premium kitchen trash can in the United States for over a decade. More than 13,600 reviews on Amazon with a 4.7/5 rating is not an accident. This is the benchmark that every other kitchen trash can is measured against, and it is a big reason the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can keeps topping review lists.

LID SHOX Technology

simplehuman patented LID SHOX as their dampened lid hinge system. When you step on the pedal, the lid opens smoothly and fully. When you release, LID SHOX controls the closing speed so the lid settles silently in under a second. There is no clang, no bang, no vibration. At 2am next to a sleeping household, this matters.

Internal Hinge

The hinge mechanism is fully internal, meaning the can has a flat back that sits flush against any wall. No hinge protrusion. This seemingly small design detail means the can takes up the minimum possible footprint in your kitchen, which is part of what makes the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can so easy to place against a wall.

Steel Step Pedal

The step pedal is solid steel rated for 150,000 steps. At once-per-day use that is over 400 years. In practice the pedal is one of the most satisfying parts of the experience – it feels weighted and premium underfoot, not plasticky or springy.

Brushed Stainless Steel

The body is fingerprint-proof brushed stainless with simplehuman coating that resists smudges and water marks. Wipes clean with a damp cloth. The stainless will not rust, dent easily, or fade, so the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can keeps looking new for years.

Who Is This For?

The simplehuman 50L is for anyone who wants the best kitchen trash can available and is willing to pay for it. This is a 10-year investment in your kitchen. If you are tired of replacing cheap cans every two years, this is the last kitchen trash can you will need to buy, and for many households the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can earns that distinction outright.

How It Compares to the 46L Dual Compartment Model

simplehuman also sells a 46L dual compartment step can that splits its capacity between trash and recycling. The 50L rectangular step trash can reviewed here is a single-compartment design, which means the entire 50 liters goes toward general waste rather than being divided. For households that already have a separate recycling bin, or that generate more trash than recyclables, the single-compartment 50L model is usually the better fit, since the available space goes entirely toward one larger compartment instead of being split into two smaller ones.

Capacity in Real Terms

At 50 liters, or roughly 13 gallons, this can comfortably handles 3 to 5 days of kitchen waste for a household of two to four people. Code Q liners are sized specifically for this can, so bags sit snugly without bunching at the bottom or slipping over the rim. Because the body has an internal hinge and flat back, the full 50 liters fits in a footprint barely larger than many 30-liter cans with external hinges, making this a space-efficient choice for kitchens where every inch of floor space counts.

Pros and Cons

Is the Investment Worth It?

Measured against cheaper plastic step cans that need replacing every two to three years, the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can costs more upfront but typically works out cheaper per year of ownership thanks to the 10-year warranty and steel internal components. Anyone planning to stay in their current kitchen for several years, or who values a quiet, premium-feeling trash can over saving money today, will likely find the price justified, especially given how the simplehuman 50L rectangular step trash can performs over a decade of daily use.

Verdict

The simplehuman 50L Rectangular Step Can is the definitive best kitchen trash can. If budget is not a constraint, this is the correct choice. The LID SHOX lid, internal hinge, steel pedal, and 10-year warranty combine to make a product that genuinely earns its price over years of daily use.

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