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Kitchen bins are essential for every household. Furthermore, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home — a powerhouse where mouth-watering meals are prepared for the nourishment of our bodies. As such, it ought to be clean at all times. Besides, the modern-day kitchen bins are aesthetically designed, so they not only conceal the rubbish but also add a touch of style to your kitchen.
What’s more, they are ingeniously designed to make waste management in the kitchen a cinch. Most kitchen bins that are currently in the Australian market feature a multi-compartment design, so you won’t have a hard time sorting your rubbish. That being said, you’ll be able to separate the recyclables and compostables from the rest of the rubbish. But it doesn’t end there; some kitchen bins are sensor activated, allowing for hands-free waste disposal.
TL;DR: The #1 Kitchen Bin for Most People 👇
The Ausway kitchen bin is the epitome of a modern kitchen bin. It looks sleek, is large enough to have to constantly empty it, and uses an automatic sensor for better convenience and hygiene.🙌
It has an excellent build quality and will be an effective part of your kitchen for years and years to come. ✅
Alternatively, you can go for pedal bins since they are equally hygienic. The rule of thumb when buying a kitchen bin is that you should always go for a unit that can nicely fit into the available space without it getting in your way. Well, we are proud to present you with six of the best space-saving kitchen bins that you can buy in Australia. Plus, we have handpicked kitchen bins of varying sizes, so ensure that your selection is based on the size of your kitchen.
The Best Kitchen Bins to Buy Today in Australia
- Best Overall Kitchen Bin: EKO EcoCasa II 30L Dual Compartment Kitchen Recycle Trash Can
- Best for Most People: Ausway 40L Sensor Trash Bin
- Best Kitchen Bin for Recycling: Maxkon 54L Pedal Recycling Bin
- Best Kitchen Bin for Large Family: AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can
- Best Kitchen Bin for Smell: Joseph Joseph Titan 30 Trash Compactor Kitchen Bin
- Best Budget Kitchen Bin: Rubbermaid Classic 13 Gallon Premium Step-On Trash Can
1. Best Overall Kitchen Bin: EKO EcoCasa II 30L Dual Compartment Kitchen Recycle Trash Can
Taking the top spot on our list of best kitchen bins is the EKO EcoCasa II 30L Dual Compartment Kitchen Recycle Trash Can because of its large capacity and stylish design. In fact, it’s the largest kitchen bin that we tested, making it ideal for large families.
Small households can also benefit from this bin in that it can help you separate kitchen waste based on your preference. It is constructed from high-quality stainless steel to keep rust at bay and also has a stylish brushed finish that can blend well with most kitchen décor.
Thanks to its rectangular design, the EKO EcoCasa II doesn’t take up a lot of floor space. It sat nicely just below our kitchen worktop. Also, it has useful features that will make your life easy when disposing waste.
For starters, the inner buckets are colour coded to prevent unnecessary guesswork when disposing different types of kitchen waste. This greatly reduces the chances of mixing the recyclables with other waste.
To make it even better, the buckets have easy to hold handles for easy emptying. Another feature that we liked is the stay open mechanism, which kept the lids open as we cleaned the bin. And since this is a pedal bin, you won’t have to touch it when you don’t have to.
You can toss in the rubbish without dirtying your hands, thereby preventing food contamination. Moreover, the pedals operate independently, meaning you can only open the compartment that you intend to use.
The lids can open fully even when the bin is placed close to a wall. On top of that, the soft-close function prevents the lids from slamming into the bin. The inner buckets are fitted with bag fixers that will allow you to tuck away excess rubbish bag overhang.
Despite being made of steel, it is exceptionally lightweight, meaning you can move it from one spot to another with minimal strain. However, it can easily get dented if something bumps into it.
2. Best for Most People: Devanti 45L Sensor Trash Bin
Most of the kitchen bins that we tested are pedal operated. That does not however apply to the Devanti 45L Sensor Trash Bin. It utilises motion-sensing technology for contactless operation.
A simple sweep of the hand prompted the lid to open up without making any noise, allowing us to toss in the waste in style. More on the sensor, it is super responsive and can detect hand movements within a range of 20cm.
To make it even more convenient, the lid will close automatically after a few seconds. This method of waste disposal is not only hygienic but also practical since it is improper to touch a rubbish bin while prepping food.
The Devanti Sensor Trash bin has a maximum capacity of 45 litres, but it has a small footprint, so it won’t take up too much space in your kitchen. It can fit nicely in a corner and can also be a great addition to a kitchen island.
Due to its large capacity, this kitchen bin is less likely to overflow and will also save you the hassle of emptying it every now and then. And like the EKO EcoCasa II, the body is made of steel. To increase its durability, the exterior surfaces are coated in a black corrosion-resistant finish.
It is also available in white, so you can choose the option that matches the style of your kitchen. The finishing is smudge-proof, so you can place the bin in high traffic areas without it acquiring stains. Although it does not have an odour filter, the lid closes tight, making it virtually impossible for the bad smell to leak out of the bin. It also did a great job at sealing in the odours during testing.
To add to that, the lid has both soft close and soft open functions, allowing for quiet operation in all scenarios. The liner holder will ensure the bin liner stays in the right position, so the interior surfaces won’t be smeared with waste.
This kitchen bin requires 4 x AA batteries, which are not included in the package. The battery compartment and the switch are strategically placed to allow for easy access.
3. Best Kitchen Bin for Recycling: Maxkon 54L Pedal Recycling Bin
Sort your rubbish according to your preference using the Maxkon 54L Pedal Recycling Bin. This unit has three 18 litre compartments that can help you separate compostables and recyclables from the rest of the rubbish.
In total, this rubbish bin has a capacity of 54 litres, making it the second-largest after the EKO EcoCasa II 30L Dual Compartment Kitchen Bin. Besides, both models are pedal bins, so you can go for the one that best fits your kitchen.
This waste receptacle has a contemporary design, meaning it can blend well with a wide range of kitchen styles. Each of the three bin compartments has a separate pedal and a soft close lid. The inner containers have handles that will allow you to empty the bin without coming into contact with the rubbish.
Also, the Maxkon 54L Pedal Recycling Bin has well-placed side handles for user convenience. This means you can lift the bin with ease without it slipping. When it comes to construction, the manufacturer has used high-quality stainless steel for durability purposes.
This unit won’t corrode and neither will it rust. But that is not all; its surface is stain resistant, so you won’t have to worry about unsightly smudge marks and fingerprints. The fact that it has a smooth finishing makes it very easy to clean.
You can get a sparkling clean surface by simply wiping down the bin with a damp table cloth. This pedal kitchen bin measures approximately 61cm x 31cm x 56cm (LXWXH) and weighs just under 12 kilograms.
All its components are sturdily built to ensure you get a kitchen bin that you can count on. The bin came with free rubbish bags that proved helpful during the testing process. With this rubbish bin, your kitchen will no longer have a foul smell emanating from the food waste.
The lids seal shut when you let go of the pedals, so the odorous waste won’t lower the quality of air in your kitchen. You should, however, keep in mind that this kitchen bin has a large footprint compared to other units that we tested. The other downside is that the small inner bins don’t have bag fixers to keep the liners in place.
4. Best Kitchen Bin for Large Family: AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can
Why we like it:
- Small footprint (42.5cm x 37.2cm x 65.7cm) approx.
- Sturdily built
- Sleek design
What customers say:
“Fantastic bin! Very stylish and looks far more expensive than it was. Up there with it’s more expensive counterparts. Easy to clean. The inner removable liner is an added bonus as other bins don’t have this.” –Jenny MacKenzie
With a maximum capacity of 50 litres and a footprint of a 30-litre kitchen bin, the AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can can be an excellent choice for large families.
This is the largest single-compartment kitchen bin that we tested and can be a great alternative to the EKO EcoCasa II. It comes with a durable plastic interior bucket that will provide you with a hassle-free user experience when emptying the bin.
As such, you won’t have to move the entire unit when disposing of the rubbish. The inner bucket has a slot in which you can insert the bag overhang. That way, the waste bag won’t move out of place when the rubbish is thrown inside the bin.
The pedal operated lid features a stay-open design and will allow you to replace the bin liner without holding the lid with your hand. Like most kitchen bins with the same design, the AmazonBasics kitchen bin has a soft-closing lid for maximum noise reduction.
That said, you can open or close this rubbish bin without disturbing the peace of those in the adjacent rooms. Despite its stainless steel construction, this unit is not heavy. It also won’t disappoint you in terms of durability.
You won’t have to touch this kitchen in between your cooking sessions, thanks to its sturdily built manual foot lever. The exterior is resistant to rust, so the bin won’t lose its gleaming appearance provided that you take good care of it.
Plus, the base has an antiskid design, while the pedal provides you with a large footrest for easy operation.
The smudge-proof silver finish will make your kitchen look more stylish, and the best part is that it can go well with a variety of colours.
You can place this rubbish receptacle just about anywhere in your kitchen. It will keep the rubbish enclosed, thus providing you with a hygienic environment.
5. Best Kitchen Bin for Smell: Joseph Joseph Titan 30 Trash Compactor Kitchen Bin
Why we like it:
- Built-in rubbish compactor
- Odour filter
- Mess-free rubbish management
What customers say:
“New addition to kitchen, look great. But wasn’t as functional as I expected but still love it as it looked great in the kitchen.” –Jenny
The Joseph Joseph Titan 30 Trash Compactor kitchen bin is unlike any other waste receptacle that we tested. It features an innovatively designed waste compaction system that allowed us to stuck layer after layer of kitchen waste in the first week of testing.
Thanks to this feature, it can hold more rubbish than most kitchen bins of a similar size. The compaction system is factory-tested to ensure that it’s working as it should. It did not tear the bin liner that we used, so you can use it without worries.
The compactor is uniquely designed such that you can compress the contents of the bin without touching the rubbish. Furthermore, the included handle will provide you with more leverage when compacting the waste. You can neatly fold the handle once you are done compacting.
We recommend the Joseph Joseph Titan 30 Trash Compactor for smelly kitchen waste because it uses replaceable odour filters. Plus, the lid creates a near airtight seal that will keep the unpleasant smells inside the bin.
As if that is not enough, it won’t damage your wall or kitchen counter since the lid does not open as forcefully compared to most pedal kitchen bins.
The lid support hinges allow for smooth closing and opening, giving you even more reason as to why you should try out the This kitchen bin is rather expensive but is still a great pick nonetheless.
6. Best Budget Kitchen Bin: Rubbermaid Classic 13 Gallon Premium Step-On Trash Can
If you are after simplicity and on a tight budget, the Rubbermaid Classic 13 Gallon Premium Step-On Trash Can may just be the right kitchen bin for you. This waste receptacle is different from the other bins that we assessed in that it is made of plastic.
However, that does mean it is less durable. It is one of the toughest plastic bins you can buy. This been is equally affordable and can be a great option for those on a tight budget. The retainer bands on this kitchen bin will keep the liner in place, thus preventing gunk from smearing onto the inner surface of the bin.
We didn’t experience any problem cleaning this kitchen bin since it has a smooth finish that allows for effortless and easy wiping. The lid will swing open instantly when you exert pressure on the pedal.
This unit comes from a brand that has been making household items for decades, so you can buy it knowing that it will serve you well. Even though it only has one compartment, this kitchen bin has a large capacity and will save you from frequent emptying. Additionally, it takes up minimal floor space.
Nevertheless, the Rubbermaid Classic 13 Gallon Premium Step-On Trash Can does not come with an inner bucket. As such, ensure that you attach the liner properly to prevent the waste from dirtying the bin.
How We Researched the Best Kitchen Bins
We picked 6 of the best kitchen bins that we could find in the Australian market and tested them for about 5 weeks. The first aspect that we tested is sealability —we were interested in finding out how well each bin can seal in bad odours.
For this step, we placed different types of kitchen waste in the bins over a period of one week and left them undisturbed for another week. To get the best results, we used foods that are likely to get smelly such as salmon, oysters, greens, tuna, boiled eggs, and more.
We only tested three bins in the first phase because we didn’t have enough waste to fill all six test samples.
The bins were placed at different points to make it easier to identify the unit that is releasing bad odour into the surrounding air. We repeated this process during the second phase and tested the remaining three bins.
After this, we tested all the kitchen bins for durability, ease of cleaning, and ability to hold the bin liner in place.
We checked the quality of materials used in the construction to ensure you get a bin that will last. Additionally, we wiped down the bins using a cloth damped with soapy water to see if they are easy to clean.
The kitchen bins that we tested have different types of liner holders, some held the liners firmly while others were not as reliable. We then compared the kitchen bins and assigned the ‘best for’ titles, taking into account all the aspects that we had tested.
Kitchen Bins: Buying Guide
There are several factors that you should take into account when buying a kitchen bin. Moreover, rubbish bins come in different sizes and also have varying functionalities. When buying a waste bin, ensure that you go for a unit that can neatly fit inside your kitchen.
But most importantly, the bin in question should allow for hands-free opening and closing. That way, your hands can stay clean throughout the period that you will be in the kitchen. This is the main reason why we only went for pedal operated and sensor-activated kitchen bins.
What to Look For When Buying Kitchen Bins
Capacity
Depending on your needs, you can go for small, medium, or large kitchen bins. Generally, small kitchen bins have a maximum capacity of 30 litres, while medium-sized receptacles often have a capacity of 30 litres to 60 litres. Large kitchen bins, on the other hand, can provide you with 90+ litres of storage space.
Opening mechanism
As earlier stated, a good kitchen bin should allow for hands-free operation when changing the liners, chucking the rubbish, and emptying the unit. We highly recommend the kitchen bins listed above since they have this feature.
Design
Most kitchen bins in the market are beautifully designed to make your kitchen more stylish. In addition to this, they come in a wide range of colours, so you should choose a unit that matches your décor. Before choosing a kitchen bin, you should also consider its dimensions.
Compartments
Large capacity kitchen bins are often divided into compartments to make your work easier when sorting the rubbish. You can go for single compartment rubbish bins, double compartments or triple compartments. Multi-compartment kitchen bins will allow you to separate the waste accordingly.
Material
The material used in making the kitchen bin matters a lot since it determines durability. Stainless steel kitchen bins are highly preferred because they have high tensile strength. Plastic bins are more affordable and also lightweight.
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Last update on 2024-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
