simplehuman 58L Rectangular Step Trash Can Review (2026)

Why you should trust this review

I bought this simplehuman 58L step can at retail in mid-September to replace a plastic step can that had failed at the lid hinge. simplehuman did not provide a sample and had no part in this review. Everything here comes from living with it in a busy kitchen, including a stretch of holiday hosting that pushed it harder than usual.

Coming off a cheap can that died at the hinge gave me a sharp sense of what fails on these things and what to watch for. This review reflects eight months of direct daily use plus the published specifications and the aggregate of more than 4,200 owner ratings on Amazon, which average 4.7 of 5.

How we evaluated

I used the can as the primary kitchen bin in a busy household for eight months rather than evaluating it briefly. I tracked the lid mechanism over thousands of open-and-close cycles to see whether the silent close stayed silent, and I paid close attention to the foot pedal, since the pedal action is what wears out and starts slamming on cheaper cans.

I ran the 58L capacity against real family waste volume to see how often it actually needed emptying, and I tested the fingerprint-proof brushed steel finish against the daily reality of hands touching it. I also lived with the practical details: how the custom liners fit versus standard bags, how the small liner pocket worked, and how the 13-inch depth fit into an everyday kitchen layout.

Lid mechanism and foot pedal

The silent close is the whole reason to buy this can, and it is real rather than marketing. The Lid Shox dampening lets the lid settle shut with no bang, every single time. After a plastic can that announced every closure, the quiet is genuinely nice, and it is the kind of thing you stop noticing precisely because it never annoys you. Over eight months and countless cycles, the close has stayed exactly as smooth as the first day, with no developing slam or rattle.

The foot pedal is the other half of the story and the part that usually betrays cheap cans. simplehuman rates it for 150,000 steps, and across eight months of heavy use the pedal action has zero slop, no stickiness, and the same firm, consistent feel it had new. For perspective, at typical family use that rating works out to decades. Realistically the can will outlast the kitchen it sits in.

Capacity and everyday fit

The 58L capacity is sized for real family waste, and in practice it holds roughly a full week of kitchen trash before it needs changing. That meant fewer trips to the outdoor bin and less of the overflowing-can problem that smaller cans create in a busy household. For a primary kitchen can in a home that cooks, the capacity is right.

The footprint is the trade. At about 13 inches deep, this is a substantial can, and in a narrow galley kitchen it can be awkward to place. I had room for it, but anyone tight on floor space should measure first. simplehuman makes a 45L slim version for exactly that situation, which gives up some capacity to save width. The rectangular shape, though, is more space-efficient than a round can of similar volume, since it tucks flush against a wall or into a corner without the wasted gaps a cylinder leaves.

Build quality and the liner question

The build is where the price goes. The fingerprint-proof brushed steel genuinely resists smudges, staying clean-looking through daily contact in a way that ordinary stainless does not. After eight months including holiday hosting it shows no dents, no finish wear, and no loosening anywhere. The 10-year warranty backs up what the build already suggests, which is that this is meant to last.

The honest cost beyond the purchase is the liners. The can is designed around simplehuman’s Code N custom-fit liners, which fit perfectly and cost more than generic bags, and a 60-pack is a recurring expense to factor in. Standard 13-gallon kitchen bags do fit, but with extra material flopping over the rim, which looks messy and can slip. The built-in liner pocket for spare bags is a thoughtful touch, though it is on the small side, holding enough to be convenient without storing a whole box.

I went back and forth on the liners during the eight months. The custom-fit bags genuinely look cleaner and never sag into the can, and the liner pocket dispenses the next one as you pull the full bag, which is a small daily nicety. But anyone determined to use cheaper bags can make standard liners work, accepting the overhang. It comes down to whether the cleaner fit is worth the recurring premium to you. For me, in a can I open this many times a day, it was.

Who should buy the simplehuman 58L?

Buy it if you want a primary kitchen trash can that will last ten years and never slam. The silent-close lid, the durable foot pedal, the family-sized capacity, and the fingerprint-resistant finish make it worth the investment for a busy household that opens the can dozens of times a day. The 10-year warranty makes the long-term math easier to justify.

Skip it if you have a narrow kitchen, where the 13-inch depth is a problem and the 45L slim version is the better fit. Skip it too if you are on a tight budget, since a capable European can like the Brabantia NewIcon uses regular bags and costs less, or if you simply will not pay a premium for a trash can no matter how well it is built.

The verdict

After eight months including the holiday rush, the simplehuman 58L rectangular step can is the kitchen can I would buy again without hesitation. The silent close and the rock-solid foot pedal feel exactly as good as day one, the capacity suits a real family, and the finish and warranty signal something built to last a decade. The costs are honest: a premium price, pricier custom liners, and a deep footprint that will not suit every kitchen. For a primary can in a busy home, it earns the premium.