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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Shopping for a 5 gallon garbage can sounds simple until you realize the “5 gallon” label hides wildly different footprints. Some are tall and narrow enough to slide between a toilet and a vanity; others are wide enough to swallow a full day of kitchen trash. Getting the right one means matching the bin’s real shape to the gap you actually have.
One honest note before we start: this list uses flexible, human-like matching, so a few picks land at the nearest sold size — roughly 4.5 to 5.5 gallons — rather than the exact figure you typed in. That means a couple of these bins are 5.2 or 5.3 gallons. They serve the same job in the same space, so you are not being misled, just given the closest real options on the shelf.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Below you’ll find seven bins sorted by what they actually do best, from slim wicker baskets that disappear into a corner to stainless step cans built for years of daily punishment, so you can pick the 5 gallon garbage can that fits your space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 5 Gallon Garbage Can
The measurement that decides everything is not the gallon figure. It is the bin’s width and shape, because that is what has to clear the gap beside your toilet, under your sink, or between two kitchen appliances. A 5 gallon bin that is 6.7 inches wide slips into places a 15-inch-wide bin never will, even though both hold the same amount.
Measure the gap, not the gallon number
Grab a tape measure and get the narrowest clear distance where the bin will sit. Bins in this size run from about 6.7 inches wide on the slim oval models up to roughly 11.5 inches on the wide round ones. If you are squeezing beside a toilet, that width number matters more than capacity.
Open top, step pedal, or soft close
An open top bin, like a woven wicker basket, means you drop trash in without touching anything — that suits a bedroom or a low-traffic bathroom. A step pedal with a soft-close lid adds hands-free operation and hides the contents, which suits a kitchen or a nursery. Decide which one your room actually needs before you shop.
Think about how the bag fits
Small bins live and die by bag compatibility. Some models include a removable inner bucket with a bag-securing hole; others are simple open containers you line yourself. If the bag has to be tucked under an inner bucket’s lip, expect to size up — a 5 gallon bin often takes an 8 gallon bag so it stretches over the rim without tearing.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Capacity | Opening Style | Width | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRANNY SAYS Wicker Waste Basket★ Best Overall | Bathroom and bedroom style | 5 gallons | Open-Top | 7.48 in | Amazon |
| Rubbermaid Open Top Trash CanWorkhorse Pick | Under-sink and office use | 21 quarts | Open-Top | 11.5 in | Amazon |
| Coeusy Wicker Trash Can | Tight slivers and corners | 5 gallons | Manual-Lift | 6.7 in | Amazon |
| SONGMICS Stainless Steel Trash Can | Small kitchens and apartments | 5.2 gallons | Step-On | 13.4 in | Amazon |
| Household Essentials Glidez Pull-Out | Hidden under-cabinet waste | 5 gallons | Pull-Out | 9.5 in | Amazon |
| SONGMICS Step Trash Bin | Bathrooms and small kitchens | 5.2 gallons | Step-On | 12.5 in | Amazon |
| Amazon Basics Step Trash Can | High-traffic rooms and offices | 5.3 gallons | Step-On | 11.42 in | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. GRANNY SAYS Bathroom Trash Can, Wicker Waste Basket for Bathroom, Gray
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 950+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The woven basket that makes a bathroom bin look like decor instead of an afterthought.
This handwoven oval bin holds 5 gallons inside a footprint of 12.99 by 7.48 inches, so it slides into the narrow strip between a toilet and a wall while still swallowing a normal day’s worth of trash. The polypropylene weave (a synthetic plastic weave) sits on a metal frame, so it wipes down with a damp cloth and shrugs off bathroom humidity instead of soaking it up like natural wicker would.
The two-tone woven look is the most-praised thing about this bin. The two-tone woven exterior reads creamy and warm, and it earns its spot in guest bedrooms, vanities and powder rooms where a plain white plastic can would feel like a downgrade. Side handles make it easy to grab and carry when you empty it.
The size is the other recurring theme, and it cuts both ways. Plenty of owners describe it as the perfect narrow fit for a tight bathroom corner. A few, though, find it “smaller than I thought it would be” once it is from the start, so measure your gap before ordering rather than trusting the gallon figure. The weave quality also draws mixed notes — some love the handwoven texture, others say the construction reads more like sturdy plastic than true wicker.
What Buyers Keep Saying
- Looks genuinely decorative — the woven two-tone finish is the single most-praised trait
- Wipes clean and stays waterproof thanks to the polypropylene weave on a metal frame
- Oval 12.99 x 7.48 inch footprint tucks into genuinely narrow gaps
- Side handles make emptying easy
Where It Lands Short
- Smaller in person than the gallon number suggests — measure your space
- Weave quality splits opinion between “handwoven” and “sturdy plastic”
- Handmade sizing can vary by about a quarter inch
Reach for this if: you want a bathroom or bedroom bin that looks intentional and slips into a narrow 7.5-inch-wide gap.
Look elsewhere if: you need a sealed lid — this is an open-top basket with nothing between the trash and the room.
2. Rubbermaid Open Top Trash Can, 5.3-Gallon, White Plastic Wastebasket/Garbage Bin for Home/Kitchen/Bathroom/Garage
An open-top bin built to be dropped under a sink and forgotten for years.
Start with the trick most owners never expect: the rim locks the bag in place, and side grips fold down to hold the liner flat against the wall of the can. Buyers report that “side locking keeps bag flat,” and that it “works best with medium Glad bags” rather than standard store bags. That bag-holding design is the second most-praised feature, right behind the overall build quality.
The polypropylene resin body resists rust and wipes clean in damp rooms. It is polypropylene, so it will not rust the way a metal bin does in a damp bathroom or a camper, and it is easier to clean than metal. At 21 quarts it is a touch over the 5 gallon mark, which makes it slightly more forgiving than an exact-size bin. It measures 15 by 11.5 inches across, so it is a wider footprint than the slim wicker options — better suited to under-sink and office duty than to a tight sliver beside a toilet.
The honest catch sits in the handles. A handful of owners note that pushing down on them to compact trash can crack the plastic, so treat them as grips for lifting rather than a press point. There is also a small pocket of longtime buyers who feel the plastic is thinner than older versions of this same bin. Both are minor versus the overall picture, and neither stops people from rebuying.
Tried-and-true design: The tapered open top, extra-tough rim and rustproof resin add up to a bin meant to sit under a kitchen sink or in a camper cabinet for years without complaint.
Mind the handles: They are for carrying, not for using as a press plate when you pack trash down — that is the one recurring way owners shorten this bin’s life.
Your bin if: you want an unfussy open-top can for under a sink, an office, or a camper, and you like a rim that keeps the bag from sliding down.
Better to pass when: you need a lid to hide contents or block odors — this one is entirely open.
3. Coeusy 5 Gallon Wicker Trash Can, Small Bathroom Waste Basket, Cream White
The leanest bin here — 6.7 inches wide, made for the gap nobody else fits.
If your only free floor space is the sliver between a cabinet and a wall, this is the bin that solves it. At 6.7 inches wide it edges out the GRANNY SAYS in the same size class, and buyers describe it as a nice fit for a “tight slender area.” It is also the lightest pick on this list at 1.2 pounds, so it stays put on carpet instead of tipping over when you brush past it.
The handwoven polypropylene weave over a metal frame gives it a farmhouse-leaning look that owners call sturdy and waterproof. It is the most-praised trait of this can, well ahead of the durability and space-saving notes. The weave is tight and uniform, so there are no sharp edges and no snags on a cloth when you wipe it down. A handle and wide opening make it easy to carry when full.
Here is the honest rough edge: the open weave means small items can drop through the sides, and there is no liner or insert sold with it. A few owners work around this by using a bag, but the bin is not built to hold liquid. Color is the other split — most call the cream white gorgeous, while a few say it looks different from the photos. Both are small notes against an otherwise well-liked bin.
Made for the sliver: A 16.54 x 6.69 x 12.20 inch body lets this bin live where a round 5 gallon can simply will not go, and the tight weave wipes clean without snagging.
Open sides, no liner: Because the weave has holes, tiny trash can slip through and the bin cannot hold spills — plan on a bag or an improvised liner.
Best matched to: a bathroom or office with a genuinely skinny gap, and a buyer who wants the woven look without the upkeep of real wicker.
Think twice if: you need something leak-proof or you want a factory liner included.
4. SONGMICS Kitchen Trash Can, 5.2-Gallon (20 L), Stainless Steel, Soft Close
A stainless step can sized for one or two people, not a full family’s cooking scraps.
Owners praise the stainless build quality most, ahead of size and appearance. The body is stainless steel with a rust-resistant finish that wipes down with a damp cloth, and it sits on non-slip pads that keep it from skating across the floor when a pet noses into it. The rectangular opening packs the 5.2-gallon capacity into a footprint narrow enough for a galley kitchen.
What makes it livable day to day is the lid. It closes on a soft-close hinge, so it settles down quietly instead of banging, and you can prop it open at 90 degrees when you are scraping a plate. A step-on pedal does the rest. Inside, the removable inner bucket has side handles and a bag-securing hole, so the liner stays tucked and comes out cleanly in one pull.
The trade-offs are worth naming. The step can is a real piece of furniture at 5.5 pounds, so it is not something you slide around with a toe. Several owners swapped it into nursery duty as a diaper can rather than a kitchen bin, and it handled that job well — holding plenty and keeping smells contained. One note on value: some buyers feel the stainless finish and pedal do not fully justify the price relative to plastic bins, while others think it is worth every bit.
Where It Earns Its Keep
- Step-on pedal plus 90-degree stay-open lid for hands-free use
- Soft-close hinge settles quietly with no slam
- Removable inner bucket with side handles and a bag-securing hole
- Non-slip base pads resist pet tipping
The Fine Print
- Heavier at 5.5 pounds — not a can you nudge around with a foot
- Value splits opinion: some buyers feel stainless steel here asks a premium over plastic
- Success stories as a nursery diaper can suggest it is undersized for bigger kitchens
Pick it for: a small kitchen or apartment where you want a pedal bin that hides its contents and closes without noise.
Pass if: your household cooks a lot and empties a bin more than once a day.
5. Household Essentials Glidez Chrome-Plated Steel Pull-Out/Slide-Out Discreet Single 5 Gallon Plastic Trash Can for Under Cabinet Use – Fits Standard Size Cabinet, Chrome and White
The bin you never see — it hides in the cabinet and slides out when you need it.
This is a different animal from the rest of the list: rather than sitting on the floor, it mounts inside an under-sink or under-cabinet space and rolls out on a chrome-plated steel base. The full-extension ball-bearing slides keep gliding smoothly and stay tight over years of use. The support base measures 17.75 by 9.5 inches and holds a single 5 gallon plastic bin.
Installation is the most-praised thing about this unit, and it is genuinely approachable. The single-piece rail system installs in about half an hour with the included mounting hardware and four screws. Owners slot it under a corner sink or a narrow cabinet where floor space is scarce, and the result is a tidy pull-out station that keeps a bin out of sight. For small kitchens and tight layouts that is a real space win.
Two honest notes. First, this bin is small for a busy household — a family of four generating steady trash will be emptying it every few days. Second, the steel is chrome-plated rather than stainless, so a few owners flag that it may rust in a damp cabinet over time. Bag sizing is the other quirk: regular store 5 gallon bags are too tight, and it takes an 8 gallon liner to fit comfortably over the rim.
Reclaims dead space: Mounting this inside a cabinet turns an unused void under the sink into working trash capacity, and the ball-bearing slide moves with almost no resistance even when full.
Compact and damp-sensitive: It empties quickly for larger households, and the chrome-plated finish deserves a dry cabinet to keep its shine.
Made for: anyone with a narrow under-sink cabinet and a strong preference for keeping the bin out of sight.
Not the right fit if: you want a freestanding can or a household that fills a small bin daily.
6. SONGMICS Trash Can, 5.2-Gallon (20L) Stainless Steel Step Trash Bin
A compact pedal bin that shows up ready to use, liner bags in the box.
Owners praise the 5.2-gallon size most, ahead of how it functions. At 5.2 gallons it is sized for a one or two person home, and it drops neatly alongside a toilet or tucks under a counter in a small kitchen. The stainless steel body resists rust and wipes clean, and non-slip pads on the base keep it put. A handy back handle lets you drag it out for a full empty.
from the start it comes with 15 liner bags under code KRB30A, so you are not hunting for the right size on day one. The lid lifts to 90 degrees and stays open while you scrape, then floats back down on a soft-close mechanism that keeps things quiet. The inner bucket has a wide opening and grab handles, which makes pulling a full bag out noticeably less messy.
The catch worth flagging is the pedal. It is the part most likely to be the weak link over time, and a small number of owners mention theirs failing early, so treat the lever gently rather than stomping it. Durability overall draws mixed notes for that reason. The included bags are another point of variance — some deliveries arrive with them, a few do not — so plan to buy your own liners either way.
What It Offers
- 15 liner bags included, so it is ready from the start
- Soft-close lid lifts to 90 degrees and stays open
- Stainless steel body with non-slip base pads and a carry handle
- Inner bucket with wide opening and grab handles
What To Know First
- The foot pedal is the wear point — a few customers note early failure
- Included bags are inconsistent across deliveries
- Capacity suits one or two people, not a busy family kitchen
Go with this one when: you want a small stainless pedal bin that arrives with bags and fits a bathroom or a compact kitchen.
Consider a larger can if: your household fills a 5.2-gallon bin more than once a day.
7. Amazon Basics Rectangular Small Trash Can with Soft-Close Step Pedal, 20l / 5.3 gallon, Nickel
The five-and-a-half-gallon powerhouse — this one carries more room than its size suggests.
For a 20 liter bin, this one punches above its footprint. It holds 5.3 gallons in a body just 11.42 inches wide, so it fits into the tight strip between two kitchen appliances without giving up much capacity. The nickel stainless steel exterior resists smudges, wipes clean, and matches other stainless appliances.
The lid assembly is the part owners keep coming back to. A manual foot lever opens it, and a soft-close hinge brings it down without a clatter — the lid-operation element draws some of the most discussion of any feature here. There is also a magnet-style lift option in the handle for one-finger opening, and one owner added a magnet handle to make single-hand use easier. The removable inner bucket pops out for washing, and a side carry handle makes emptying fast.
The honest limits sit in bag fit and the pedal. The bag has to be tucked between the inner and outer cans, which can pinch fingers if you are not careful, and it takes a sturdier 7.5 gallon liner rather than a flimsy one that tears on removal. A couple of reviewers point out the pedal giving out after a year or two of daily stepping, so a little care at the lever goes a long way. The bin is also not dog-proof — a curious pet can knock it over and dent it.
Proven daily-driver: The stainless body, removable liner, and soft-close pedal make this a dependable bin for kitchens, bathrooms, and offices.
Watch the pedal and the bag: The inner bucket needs a sturdy 7.5 gallon bag tucked carefully under its lip, and a gentle step at the lever will outlast years of hard stomping.
Choose this if: you want a small step can with a sealed lid, a removable liner, and the reassurance of a widely-used design for a bathroom, office, or between-appliance gap.
Look past it if: you have a dog that noses into bins, or you expect years of heavy daily stomping on the pedal.
Understanding the Specs
Capacity in gallons vs quarts vs liters
A 5 gallon bin is the same as 20 liters or roughly 21 quarts, which is why the same can shows up labeled several different ways. What actually matters is how much you fill it in a day. A single person’s bathroom trash might take a few days to fill a 5 gallon can; a busy kitchen can fill one before lunch. Match the capacity to your daily fill rate, not just to the label.
Width vs gallon figure
Two bins that both hold 5 gallons can differ by inches of width. A slim oval model here measures 6.7 inches across, while a round one runs to 11.5 inches. The gallon figure tells you how much it holds; the width tells you whether it fits the gap you have. Always check the width first when you are squeezing a bin into a tight space.
Opening mechanism
Open-top means you simply drop trash in and nothing touches your hand, which suits a bedroom or low-traffic bathroom. A step-on pedal lifts a lid with your foot and keeps the contents hidden, which suits a kitchen or a nursery where you want odors contained. A pull-out base hides the whole bin inside a cabinet and slides out when you need it. Each fits a different room.
Bag sizing for small bins
Small bins have their own bag rules. A 5 gallon can often needs an 8 gallon bag so the liner stretches over the rim without tearing, and a bin that tucks the bag under an inner bucket’s lip may need an even sturdier liner. Buy the right size once and the whole bin becomes easier to live with.
FAQ
How do I know if a 5 gallon garbage can will fit between my toilet and wall?
What size trash bags fit a 5 gallon trash can?
Is a step-on trash can better than an open-top one for a bathroom?
Do wicker trash cans hold up in a bathroom, or do they get soggy?
Can I use a 5 gallon trash can as a diaper pail?
How long does the soft-close lid mechanism last on these bins?
Is a stainless steel 5 gallon trash can worth it over a plastic one?
Can a pull-out under-cabinet trash can replace a freestanding bin?
What is the difference between a 5 gallon and a 5.2 gallon trash can?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most rooms, the winner is the GRANNY SAYS Wicker Waste Basket, because its 7.48-inch width slips into real gaps while its woven two-tone exterior makes a bathroom bin look deliberate. If you want a sealed pedal bin that hides its contents and quiets the lid, grab the Amazon Basics Step Trash Can — it holds slightly more at 5.3 gallons and by far has the most owners behind it on this list, though it sits at a higher overall star score of 4.6 for the wicker pick versus 4.5 for this one. And for keeping trash entirely out of sight under a cabinet, the Household Essentials Glidez Pull-Out is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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