6 Best Slim Trash Cans in 2026
Six slim trash cans compared by capacity, lid design, bag removal and footprint, from a 10-gallon step can to 23-gallon slender bins for tight spots.
At a Glance
EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can
↓ See why we picked itsimplehuman 40 Liter Slim Step Can with Slide Lock
↓ See why we picked itUnited Solutions Highboy 23 Gallon Swing Lid Waste Container
↓ See why we picked itA slim trash can earns its keep in the awkward gap: beside a refrigerator, between a counter and a wall, or at the end of a narrow hallway. Slimness comes in two flavours. One is the compact step can built for kitchens, and the other is the tall, narrow 23-gallon bin borrowed from commercial kitchens that holds a lot while taking little floor.
The six below cover both. The simplehuman is a 40-liter step can with a slide lock, the EKO Hudson holds 50 liters behind a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel body, and the Rubbermaid Slim Jim, Winco Slender, United Solutions Highboy and Alpine three-pack each offer 23 gallons in a narrow footprint. The mix lets you choose between polish and sheer capacity.
We evaluated each can on its listing specs and buyer feedback themes, focusing on how it handles the daily frictions of a narrow can: bag removal, lid access and stability. Use this guide to pick the one that matches the gap you are trying to fill.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Slim Trash Can
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Width and gap fit
Slim cans exist because of one measurement: the gap. Check the width and depth of the space beside your fridge or counter, and remember that a step can needs clearance in front for the pedal. The simplehuman is built for tight spaces, and the 23-gallon bins are narrow but tall. A can that is too tall may not fit under a shelf. Measure the opening height of a step can too, because the EKO and similar models need extra headroom when the lid is raised. Write the numbers down before ordering so you can compare them with each listing.
Capacity versus slimness
Slim cans come in two classes. The simplehuman holds 10.6 gallons and the EKO Hudson 13.2 gallons, while the Rubbermaid, Winco, United Solutions and Alpine each hold 23 gallons. A narrow can gains volume by getting tall, so check ceiling or cabinet clearance. Choose capacity by how often you want to empty it. A couple that cooks a few nights a week fills a 10-gallon bag slowly, whereas a busy family will fill the same bag in a day or two. If the can will hold food waste, smaller and more frequent is usually better than larger and rarer.
Lid and pedal
Step cans like the EKO and simplehuman have pedals and lids, the United Solutions has a swing lid, and the Rubbermaid, Winco and Alpine are open. A lid hides contents and slows odor, while open bins are quick and simple. For a kitchen, a lid is usually worth having. For a garage, open is fine. A pedal also keeps hands clean, which matters for kitchen waste but rarely for yard debris. Think about what the can will actually hold before paying for mechanisms.
Bag removal
Tall narrow cans create suction that makes pulling a full bag a struggle. The Rubbermaid uses venting channels, and the United Solutions uses a tapered shape with vented sides. Bag cinches, like the four on the Rubbermaid, hold the liner at the rim. Good bag removal turns a chore into a quick job. Without it, many people end up tearing bags or leaving them half-full to avoid the struggle. If you buy a tall bin, look for these features first and treat colour as an afterthought.
Stability
A tall narrow bin can tip. Rolled edges and reinforced bottoms, as on the Winco, add stiffness, and a heavy steel body helps the EKO stay put. Place tall bins against a wall where they cannot be bumped. Do not overload a lightweight can. A full 23-gallon bag of heavy items can make a plastic bin bow at the sides, so lift from the base handles where the Rubbermaid provides them. If the bin lives near children, secure it against the wall or choose the simplehuman with its lock.
Durability and materials
Commercial bins like the Winco and Rubbermaid are built for daily abuse, while household step cans like the EKO and simplehuman focus on lids and finishes. The EKO pedal is rated for over 200,000 steps. Choose based on how hard the can will be used and where it lives. A bin that sits in a damp garage faces a very different life from one beside a dishwasher, so the Winco corrosion resistance matters more outdoors than the EKO fingerprint finish does. Match the material to the real environment instead of the photo.
6 Best Slim Trash Cans in 2026
EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can
About this pick
The EKO Hudson is the most polished slim can in this group. It holds 50 liters, or 13.2 gallons, in a slimmer silhouette than a standard round bin, and the body is premium stainless steel with a fingerprint-resistant finish. The listing says the pedal is built to last through more than 200,000 steps, which is the highest durability figure here.
The lid is where the design earns its place. It opens smoothly and quietly, closes with a whisper-soft action, and the frame can be lifted to a full 90 degrees. That last feature is surprisingly useful: when you are scraping a plate or clearing a cutting board, a lid that stays up is much more comfortable than one you hold with your hand.
Slim does not mean tiny. At 13.2 gallons it holds more than the simplehuman and fits standard kitchen bags. The cost is a higher level of finish than the commercial slender bins, and a smaller capacity than the 23-gallon models. If your slim gap is in a kitchen and you want a premium step can, the EKO Hudson is the strongest choice.
Best for: Kitchens that want a premium, durable step can in a narrow footprint.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 50L (13.2 gallon)
- Pedal: Rated for 200,000+ steps
- Lid: Soft close, lifts to 90 degrees
Pros
- +Pedal built for over 200,000 steps
- +Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel
- +Whisper-soft closing lid
- +Lid frame lifts to 90 degrees
Cons
- −Smaller than the 23-gallon slim bins
- −Premium finish suits fewer budgets
- −Steel body can dent if struck
simplehuman 40 Liter Slim Step Can with Slide Lock
About this pick
The simplehuman slim can packs a lot of thought into a small footprint. The patented lid technology controls the lid for a slow, silent close, and a slide lock holds the lid shut to keep pets and curious children away from the trash. At 40 liters, or 10.6 gallons, it is a little smaller than a typical kitchen can but fits narrow gaps better.
The shape is designed to make the most of tight spaces, and the plastic body is lighter than steel, which makes carrying a full bag out easier. The silent close matters in homes where the kitchen meets a living area, because a lid that stops itself prevents the usual clatter.
The smaller capacity means more frequent bag changes than with the 13.2-gallon EKO Hudson or the 23-gallon bins. The plastic body also feels less premium than steel. Compared with the commercial slender cans, it adds a lid and a lock, which no 23-gallon pick here offers. If you have a narrow gap and a pet or toddler, this is the safest slim choice.
Best for: Narrow kitchen gaps in homes with pets or small children.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 40L (10.6 gallon)
- Lid: Silent close
- Lock: Slide lock
Pros
- +Slide lock keeps pets and kids out
- +Patented silent-close lid
- +Slim shape fits tight spaces
- +Light plastic body is easy to carry
Cons
- −Smaller capacity at 10.6 gallons
- −Plastic feels less premium
- −Lock must be engaged each time
Rubbermaid Commercial Slim Jim 23 Gallon Trash Can
About this pick
The Slim Jim is the benchmark slim can for people who empty a lot of trash. Its 23-gallon capacity sits in a narrow, tall body, and its signature feature is venting channels that the maker says make liner removal up to 80% easier. Anyone who has fought the suction of a full bag in a tight can understands why that matters.
Four bag cinches secure liners around the rim, creating quick, knot-free liner changes, and robust handles at the base and rim resist tearing and improve control when lifting. Those handles make emptying a full can much more manageable, especially for a can this tall.
It is a commercial-style open container with no lid, so odors and sights are not contained, and there is no pedal. It also needs larger liners than a standard kitchen bag. Compared with the Winco, the Slim Jim adds the venting channels and cinches. Compared with the simplehuman, it holds more than twice as much. For a garage, laundry room or workshop where capacity and bag changes matter most, it is the pick.
Best for: Garages, laundry rooms and kitchens with frequent bag changes.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 23 gallon
- Liner removal: Venting channels
- Bag cinches: 4
Pros
- +Venting channels ease liner removal
- +Four bag cinches hold liners in place
- +Strong handles at base and rim
- +Large 23-gallon capacity
Cons
- −Open top with no lid
- −Needs larger liners
- −Commercial look suits some homes less
Winco Slender 23 Gallon Trash Can
About this pick
The Winco Slender is built for commercial abuse, which makes it a tough pick for homes that need durability. Reinforced bottoms and rolled edges provide maximum durability designed for daily use, and the listing says the material resists moisture and corrosion from cleaning chemicals. It holds 23 gallons in a slim narrow design for places where space is limited.
That toughness suits a laundry room, garage, workshop or any spot where the bin gets wet or bumped. A rolled edge strengthens the rim, so the bag stays in place and the can resists cracking when knocked.
The tradeoff is simplicity. It has no lid, no pedal and none of the bag-removal features of the Rubbermaid. It is a plain, honest container. Compared with the Alpine three-pack, it is a single can rather than a set, and compared with the United Solutions, it lacks a swing lid. If you want a no-frills, long-lasting slim bin, the Winco is dependable.
Best for: Workshops and laundry rooms that need a tough slim bin.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 23 gallon
- Construction: Reinforced bottom, rolled edges
- Resistance: Moisture and cleaning chemicals
Pros
- +Reinforced bottom resists wear
- +Rolled edges strengthen the rim
- +Resists moisture and cleaning chemicals
- +Narrow body for tight spots
Cons
- −No lid or pedal
- −No bag-removal features listed
- −Basic commercial look
United Solutions Highboy 23 Gallon Swing Lid Waste Container
About this pick
The Highboy adds a swing lid to the tall, narrow format. Its narrow, tall design and sleek shape are meant for compact spaces such as the kitchen, and the 23-gallon capacity keeps trips to the curb down. A swing lid hides contents better than the open commercial bins.
The tapered shape and vented sides make bag removal easier, which solves the suction problem that tall cans create. A dustpan edge lets you sweep debris straight into the bin without needing a separate dustpan, a small touch that is especially handy in a garage or workshop. The listing says it works indoors or outdoors.
A swing lid is not as hygienic as a pedal, since you push it with a hand or with the item you are discarding. Compared with the Rubbermaid, you gain a lid but lose the bag cinches. Compared with the EKO, you get far more volume but fewer refinements. If you want a tall slim bin that still hides the contents, the Highboy is a smart middle ground.
Best for: Garages and kitchens that want a lid on a tall slim bin.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Capacity: 23 gallon
- Lid: Swing lid
- Extra: Dustpan edge
Pros
- +Swing lid hides the contents
- +Tapered vented sides ease bag removal
- +Dustpan edge for sweeping debris in
- +Works indoors or outdoors
Cons
- −Swing lid must be pushed by hand
- −No bag cinches listed
- −Plain plastic look
Alpine 23 Gallon Slim Open Top Trash Can 3-Pack
About this pick
The Alpine is a pack of three 23-gallon slim bins, which makes it the pick for anyone outfitting several spots. The rugged plastic construction resists dents and corrosion, and the open top has a wide opening to fit large, bulky items for quick and clean disposal. Three bins can cover a kitchen, a garage and a workshop at once.
The 23-gallon capacity holds more garbage, reducing the need for frequent emptying and bag changes. That is the main selling point: fewer trips and a small footprint. The slender body suits homes, offices and other spaces.
With an open top and no pedal or lid, the Alpine offers no odor control. It also lacks the bag-removal extras of the Rubbermaid or the swing lid of the United Solutions. Compared with the Winco, you get three cans for the job instead of one. If you need many large slim bins and do not mind an open top, the Alpine set is a practical way to buy.
Best for: Households or offices that need several slim 23-gallon bins.
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Quantity: 3 cans
- Capacity: 23 gallon each
- Top: Open, wide opening
Pros
- +Three bins in one pack
- +23-gallon capacity reduces emptying
- +Wide opening takes bulky items
- +Rugged plastic resists dents
Cons
- −Open top gives no odor control
- −No lid or pedal
- −Three bins need storage space
How We Evaluated These Slim Trash Cans
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Footprint and capacity
We compared stated capacities from 10.6 gallons on the simplehuman to 23 gallons on four of the picks, and considered how each shape fits narrow spaces.
Lid and pedal design
We looked at lid behavior: soft close on the EKO and simplehuman, a swing lid on the United Solutions and open tops on the Rubbermaid, Winco and Alpine.
Bag handling
We examined bag-removal features such as the Rubbermaid venting channels and cinches and the United Solutions tapered vented sides.
Build and durability
We noted commercial-grade details such as the Winco reinforced bottom and the EKO 200,000-step pedal.
Lineup positioning
We positioned the picks against each other: the EKO for polish, the simplehuman for lock and silent close, the Rubbermaid for bag changes, the Winco for toughness, the United Solutions for its lid and the Alpine for quantity.
How to Choose the Right Slim Trash Cans
By Where It Will Sit
Pick by the gap and the room.
| Location | Recommended pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow kitchen gap | EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can | Slim steel step can |
| Kitchen with pets or toddlers | simplehuman 40 Liter Slim Step Can with Slide Lock | Slide lock |
| Garage or laundry room | Rubbermaid Commercial Slim Jim 23 Gallon Trash Can | Easy bag changes |
| Workshop or wet area | Winco Slender 23 Gallon Trash Can | Corrosion resistant |
| Several spots | Alpine 23 Gallon Slim Open Top Trash Can 3-Pack | Three bins |
By Budget
Relative tiers; check listings for prices.
| Budget tier | Recommended pick | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Winco Slender 23 Gallon Trash Can | Plain heavy-duty bin |
| Entry to mid | simplehuman 40 Liter Slim Step Can with Slide Lock | Lock and silent close |
| Mid | United Solutions Highboy 23 Gallon Swing Lid Waste Container | Swing lid, dustpan edge |
| Upper mid | Rubbermaid Commercial Slim Jim 23 Gallon Trash Can | Venting and cinches |
| Premium | EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can | Premium steel |
The Alpine three-pack costs more upfront but spreads across three bins.
Step Can vs Open Slender Bin
The two slim families serve different jobs.
Step cans
The EKO Hudson and simplehuman are kitchen step cans with lids and pedals. They hide contents, close quietly and look tidy, but hold 10.6 to 13.2 gallons. Choose one for the kitchen.
Slender open bins
The Rubbermaid, Winco, United Solutions and Alpine hold 23 gallons and prioritise capacity and bag changes. They are plain and often open, suiting garages and utility spaces. Choose one when volume matters more than looks.
Bag Handling
Bag changes are the hidden cost of a tall bin.
| Preference | Recommended pick | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Easiest liner removal | Rubbermaid Commercial Slim Jim 23 Gallon Trash Can | Venting channels and four cinches |
| Tapered easy lift | United Solutions Highboy 23 Gallon Swing Lid Waste Container | Tapered vented sides |
| Standard bag in a step can | EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can | 13.2 gallon fits standard bags |
For Tight Kitchens Specifically
Kitchens combine small gaps with daily heavy use.
Look for
A step pedal, a soft-close lid and a body no wider than the gap. A lock helps if pets or children are around.
In this comparison
The EKO Hudson Slim has a 200,000-step pedal and lifting lid frame, and the simplehuman slim adds a slide lock and silent close.
When to Spend More
Spend more only where the feature fits.
| Spend more if | Save if |
|---|---|
| You want the EKO Hudson polish and durability | A plain Winco Slender meets your needs |
| You need the simplehuman lock for pets | No pets or children use the kitchen |
| You want the Rubbermaid bag-change features | You empty the bin rarely |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a slim trash can?
It is a bin with a narrow footprint designed for tight spaces. Some are compact step cans like the simplehuman, while others are tall 23-gallon bins like the Winco. Pick by the gap and by how much you throw away.
Are slim cans too small?
Not necessarily. The EKO Hudson holds 13.2 gallons and the 23-gallon bins hold even more. Narrow cans gain volume by being taller, so check clearance.
How do I make bag removal easier?
Choose a can with venting, like the Rubbermaid Slim Jim, or a tapered shape like the United Solutions Highboy. Lift the bag slowly to let air in. Do not overfill.
Do slim cans tip over?
Tall narrow cans can, especially if empty or overloaded. Rolled edges and reinforced bottoms help, as on the Winco. Place the bin against a wall. Keeping some weight in the bin, such as a full bag, also lowers the chance of it tipping when bumped.
Which slim can suits a kitchen best?
The EKO Hudson and simplehuman are best for kitchens because they have lids and pedals. The 23-gallon open bins suit garages. Match the style to the room. If the same gap needs to hold both kitchen waste and recycling, consider pairing two slim bins side by side instead of one large one. That keeps each bag a manageable weight.
Can slim cans go outdoors?
Some can. The United Solutions listing mentions indoor or outdoor use, and the Winco resists moisture. Check the listing for each model before leaving one outside.
What bag size do I need?
Standard kitchen bags fit the 13.2-gallon EKO, while 23-gallon bins need larger liners. Check the maker's guidance. A bag that is too small keeps falling in. Pull the bag edge over the rim and cinch it, as the Rubbermaid is designed to let you do. Buying a slightly oversized liner is cheaper than dealing with daily slippage.
Bottom Line
best overall: EKO Hudson Slim 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Can - best overall slim step can pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
Browse on Amazon
All Prime-eligible options with current pricing.
Shop on Amazon →