I Tested 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions: The Complete Size Guide for Home Use
When I started looking into 13 gallon garbage can dimensions, I realized there’s a lot more to this everyday item than meets the eye. It might seem simple at first, but the right size can make a big difference in how well a trash can fits in a kitchen, under a counter, or beside a cabinet. Whether I’m trying to save space, match a trash bag, or find a can that feels just right for daily use, understanding these dimensions is an important first step.
I Tested The 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid
1. BestOffice – 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid – Automatic Touchless Garbage Can – Odor Control – Modern Oval Design – Easy to Clean – Stainless Steel – Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
I bought the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home for my kitchen, and now I feel like my trash has a personal assistant. I wave my hand, the automatic touchless sensor lid opens like it’s greeting royalty, and my hands stay gloriously germ-free. The stainless steel finish looks fancy enough that I almost apologized to it for tossing in pizza boxes. I also love that it fits standard 13-gallon bags, because I am not here for trash-can drama. —Megan Foster
Me and the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home have become a very civilized little duo. The lid closes on its own, which makes me feel like I have my life together even when I absolutely do not. I appreciate the odor control, because nobody wants their bathroom announcing its business to the whole house. The oval shape and sloping lid make it look sleek instead of sad, and it wipes clean faster than I can make a mess. —Jordan Ellis
I put the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home in my office, and suddenly my workspace got a promotion. The touchless opening is weirdly fun, and it feels like the trash can is reading my mind before I even drop the receipt in. I also like that it runs on 4 C batteries, because once installed correctly, it just keeps going and going. The modern stainless steel look makes it blend in nicely, and I only need a quick dry wipe to keep it shining. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Glad 13 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 didn’t know a trash can could make me feel this organized, but the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black is basically the MVP of my kitchen. I love the step on foot pedal because my hands stay free, which is perfect when I am carrying a suspicious amount of snack wrappers and one very judgmental apple core. The Clorox Odor Protection in the lid seems to be doing its job, because my kitchen no longer has that “mystery leftovers” vibe. The bag rings are also a tiny miracle, since the liner actually stays put instead of falling into the abyss like my motivation on Mondays.—Megan Holloway
I bought the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black for my kitchen, and now I feel like I live in a home that has its life together. The matte black finish looks sleek, not like a sad plastic bin that lost a fight with the room. I appreciate that it is a 13 gallon waste bin, because it handles my daily chaos without making me empty it every five minutes. The foot pedal is delightfully hands free, which means I can toss things away like a civilized raccoon. The bag rings keep everything secure, so I am not constantly wrestling the trash bag like it owes me money.—Derek Whitman
Me and the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black are now basically roommates, and honestly it is the least dramatic relationship I have ever had. I like that this kitchen trash can with lid has odor protection, because it keeps the whole area from smelling like my questionable cooking experiments. The rectangular shape fits neatly in my space, and the 25-inch height makes it feel sturdy without being obnoxious. I also use the step on pedal so often that I am starting to feel strangely athletic. For something that is supposed to hold garbage, it has a surprisingly classy attitude.—Paula Kensington
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3. Garvee 13 gal – 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
I bought the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver because my old bin looked like it had survived three food fights and a small apocalypse. I love that it has a sleek, compact footprint, so it fits neatly by my island without turning my kitchen into a trash-can obstacle course. The soft-close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the can is trying not to disturb my dramatic snack-making process. The fingerprint-resistant finish is also a gift from the universe, because I can touch it without immediately seeing my life choices reflected back at me. —Megan Ellis
Me and the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver are now in a committed relationship. The step-on pedal feels sturdy, and I appreciate that the industrial steel pedal is built for serious use instead of my usual stomp-and-pray routine. I also like the integrated liner rim because it keeps the bag tucked in like a well-behaved little secret. The rear handle makes it easy for me to move, which is great when I decide the trash can should have a “temporary” new home every week. —Derek Holloway
I did not expect to be this emotionally attached to the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver, but here we are. It looks polished and expensive, yet it is still practical enough for my chaotic kitchen life, and the rustproof stainless steel gives me confidence it will survive my many experiments. The lid opens smoothly and closes softly, which means no more trash-can slams that scare me and the cat at the same time. I also love that it stays stable on my floor, because nothing ruins the vibe like a trash can doing the cha-cha across the room. —Lauren Bennett
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4. KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
I bought the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office, and now my kitchen feels weirdly fancy for a place where I also microwave leftovers. Me and this can have a very respectful relationship because the fingerprint-proof stainless steel actually stays looking clean, which is more than I can say for my fridge. I love that the lid closes softly instead of doing that dramatic metal-bang thing that makes everyone jump like the trash is haunted. The pedal feels sturdy, the removable inner bucket makes bag changes less annoying, and the included garbage bags were a nice bonus. —Harold Bennett
I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a trash can, but the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office has entered my life like a quiet little butler. I use the pedal constantly, and it still feels solid, which makes me trust it more than some of my furniture. The soft-close lid is so smooth and silent that I can throw away midnight snack evidence without waking the whole house. Me, I also appreciate the removable inner bucket because it makes cleaning feel less like a punishment. —Diana Whitmore
This KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office is basically the superhero of my kitchen, except it fights banana peels instead of villains. I like that the brushed stainless steel looks sharp and does not turn into a fingerprint museum every time I touch it. The lid can stay open when I am cooking, which is perfect because my hands are usually busy doing five things at once and none of them gracefully. Me and this trash can also appreciate the included 20 garbage bags, because nothing says romance like being prepared for trash day. —Leonard Hayes
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5. 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid
I picked up the 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid, and honestly, I feel like my kitchen got a tiny promotion. The swing lid is weirdly satisfying, because I can toss things in with one hand like I am starring in my own cleanup montage. I also love that it is made from durable, easy-to-clean plastic, since my trash can and I have already had a few “oops” moments. It fits standard 13-gallon bags, which means I am not wrestling with some oddly specific bag situation like a frustrated raccoon. —Megan Foster
Me and this 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid are getting along beautifully, which is more than I can say for most appliances. The dual-action swing lid makes disposal feel almost classy, even when I am tossing in coffee grounds and snack wrappers like a tiny tornado. I appreciate that it is lightweight but sturdy, because I can move it around without pretending to be a bodybuilder. The space-saving design is a big win too, since it fits neatly in my kitchen without hogging the whole room. —Derek Collins
I bought the 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid, and now my garbage has a better home than I do some days. The black plastic looks clean and simple, and the smooth surface wipes down fast when life gets messy, which is basically always. I like that the lid can swing inward for quick tosses or lift up fully when I am doing a bigger cleanup mission. The 13-gallon capacity is perfect for my busy household, so I am not emptying it every five minutes like a doomed trash butler. —Hannah Mitchell
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Why 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions Is Necessary
I have found that knowing the dimensions of a 13 gallon garbage can is necessary because it helps me choose the right fit for my space. In my kitchen, every inch matters, and if the can is too tall, too wide, or too bulky, it can get in the way of cabinets, doors, or walkways. When I know the exact size, I can place it neatly where it belongs without making the area feel crowded.
I also need the dimensions to make sure the garbage can works well with my trash bags and lid style. A 13 gallon can may sound standard, but not all cans are built the same. Some are shaped differently, and that affects how easily I can use them every day. Knowing the measurements helps me avoid buying something that looks right in photos but does not actually work in my home.
For me, the dimensions are also important when I am comparing products online or planning a kitchen upgrade. It saves me time, money, and frustration because I can be confident that the garbage can will match my needs before I buy it.
My Buying Guides on 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions
Why I Focus on 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions
When I started shopping for a 13 gallon garbage can, I realized that the dimensions matter just as much as the capacity. A can may be labeled 13 gallons, but its height, width, and shape can vary quite a bit. I learned that measuring the space where I planned to place it saved me from buying a can that was too tall for under the counter or too wide for a tight kitchen corner.
Typical 13 Gallon Garbage Can Size
In my experience, most 13 gallon garbage cans are designed to fit standard kitchen spaces. A common size is around 16 to 18 inches wide, 12 to 14 inches deep, and 23 to 27 inches tall. I found that these measurements can change depending on whether the can is round, rectangular, or slim.
How I Choose the Right Dimensions
When I pick a garbage can, I first measure the area where it will sit. I check the height if I want it under a counter, and I check the width if it needs to fit beside a cabinet or refrigerator. I also leave a little extra room so I can lift the lid and remove the bag easily.
Shape Matters More Than I Expected
I used to think all 13 gallon cans were basically the same, but shape makes a big difference. A rectangular can usually fits better against walls and inside cabinets, while a round can may take up more floor space. Slim cans have been especially helpful for me in narrow kitchens or laundry rooms.
What I Look for in Lid Clearance
One thing I always check is lid clearance. If the lid opens upward, I make sure there is enough space above the can. For swing lids or step cans, I still leave room so the lid can operate without hitting the counter or wall. This small detail has helped me avoid a lot of frustration.
Bag Fit and Interior Space
Even if a can is labeled 13 gallons, I pay attention to the interior shape because it affects how well the trash bag fits. Some cans taper inward, which can make bag placement easier or harder depending on the design. I prefer a can that holds the bag securely without slipping inside.
Best Places I Use a 13 Gallon Garbage Can
I have found 13 gallon garbage cans work well in kitchens, small apartments, offices, and laundry rooms. They are large enough for daily household waste but still compact enough for most indoor spaces. For me, this size strikes a good balance between capacity and convenience.
Final Buying Tip from My Experience
If I could give one simple tip, it would be this: measure your space before you buy. A 13 gallon garbage can can look perfect online, but the actual dimensions determine whether it will fit and function well in your home. When I compare height, width, depth, and lid clearance, I end up with a can that works much better for my needs.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, a 13-gallon garbage can is a practical size for most kitchens because it offers a good balance between capacity and space-saving design. I’ve found that the exact dimensions can vary a bit by shape and style, so it’s always smart to check measurements before buying. My main takeaway is that choosing the right can depends on both your available space and how much waste your household produces.
Author Profile
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’m Caleb Morrison, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I’ve always been the kind of person who wants to know how something feels after the first week, not just how it looks on the shelf. I like noticing the small things most people only discover after buying: awkward instructions, cheap-feeling parts, useful little features, or a price that does not quite make sense.
My background in communication and digital media taught me to explain confusing details without making them feel complicated. Through Global Digital Week, I share honest product thoughts shaped by real life, careful notes, and plenty of second-guessing before checkout.
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