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Best kitchen bins 2025: recycling, pedal and sensor styles
Looking for the best kitchen bin? Whether you're after a 50-litre, slimline or pedal model, or a double bin for recycling, we’ve tested top-rated options from leading brands such as Brabantia, Joseph Joseph and Simplehuman.
We’ve sifted through the rubbish so you don’t have to. We check how easy the bins are to open, empty and clean; how smudge-proof they are; how well they neutralise smells; and how robustly they’re built.
Many of the models we tested cost more than £100. Our research found that pricier models vary more than cheaper ones in terms of design and ease of use – but if you're spending that much, you'll want to know it's worth it.
We’ve found three Best Buys that combine quality and practicality, plus one Great Value option that's a good choice at a lower price.
How our tests find you the best
Ease of cleaning
Bins put up with a lot of rubbish. After our odour and smudge-resistance tests leave each bin stinky and dirty, we see how easily it scrubs up.
Durability
We open bin lids 100 times, then tip the bins over, measuring the effort required with a force gauge.
Ease of use
We check how easy it is to insert and remove a bin bag and how securely it fits. If the bin has inner compartments, we check those too.
We also test...
odour control both inside and outside the bin, how softly the lid opens and closes, fingerprint resistance and capacity vs footprint.
The best kitchen bins
Only logged-in Which? members can view the kitchen bin test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Kitchen bin | Price | Score | Type | Ease of cleaning | Ease of use* | Capacity / dimensions (HxWxD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? Log in | 88% | |||||
| 87% | ||||||
| 86% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 81% | ||||||
| 77% | ||||||
| 74% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 65% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 61% | ||||||
| 58% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: June 2025. We are not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
*Ease of use: How easy it is to fit and remove bin bags, and how securely the bin bags are held.
The kitchen bins we tested
All the kitchen bins we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best kitchen bins from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Asda George Chrome Recycling Bin 60L
Available from Asda (£65)
Colours available Stainless steel
Need to know 64 x 51 x 39cm (HxWxD), 5.5kg, steel or plastic exterior, pedal opening
Brabantia Bo Pedal Bin, 60L
Colours available White, platinum, black, stainless steel, mineral Grey
Need to know 65 x 54 x 36cm (HxWxD), 7.2kg, matt plastic exterior, pedal opening
Brabantia Bo Recycling Touch Bin, 2x 30L
Colours available Red, white, platinum, black, steel, mineral grey, green, dark grey
Need to know 66 x 55 x 31cm (HxWxD), 7.4kg, matt plastic exterior, touch opening
Curver Verto Touch Top High Kitchen Bin 54L
Colours available Grey, blue, pearl rose
Need to know 69 x 44 x 27cm (HxWxD), 2.8kg, plastic exterior, touch opening
Habitat 50 Litre Brushed Stainless Steel Sensor Bin
Available from Argos (£65)
Colours available Stainless steel
Need to know 63 x 43 x 28cm (HxWxD), weight not specified, stainless steel exterior, sensor opening
Habitat 55 Litre 2 Compartment Recycling Bin
Available from Argos (£70)
Colours available Stainless steel
Need to know 72 x 47 x 38cm (HxWxD), weight not specified, stainless steel exterior, pedal opening
Whether it’s splashes, smears or spills, our best kitchen rolls and top cleaning sprays are ready to step in
Ikea Knöckla pedal bin 25L
Colours available Grey
Need to know 44 x 38 x 27cm (HxWxD), weight not specified, plastic exterior, pedal opening
John Lewis 2 Section Recycling Bin, with Handles, 60L
Available from John Lewis (£110)
Colours available Stainless steel, blue, grey, black, ston
Need to know 66 x 53 x 37cm (HxWxD), 9kg, matt plastic or stainless steel exterior, pedal opening
Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L Waste & Recycling Bin
Colours available Grey, stone, black, stainless steel
Need to know 81 x 39 x 37cm (HxWxD), 9.7kg, stainless steel exterior, press-top opening for waste compartment, pull-out opening for recycling compartment
Simplehuman CW2025 58L rectangular pedal recycler
Colours available Stainless steel
Need to know 66 x 55 x 36cm (HxWxD), 9.7kg, stainless steel exterior, pedal opening
Simplehuman CW2080 45L rectangular pedal bin
Colours available Stainless steel
Need to know 66 x 41 x 34cm (HxWxD), 5.9kg, stainless steel exterior, pedal opening
Tower 50L Rectangular Sensor Bin
Colours available Black, cream, grey, white
Need to know 64 x 38 x 26cm (HxWxD), 2.7kg, plastic exterior, sensor opening
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How we test kitchen bins
Whether it’s a sleek sensor bin or a simple pedal model, we put each one through a series of practical tests to find out which bins are easy to live with and which just get in the way.
We also regularly revisit the kitchen bins on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do so.
Ease of use
We test how simple it is to get a standard bin liner in and out of each bin, rating how securely the liner fits, how well it's held in place and how easily it lifts out. If the bin has inner compartments or removable buckets, we also check how fiddly they are to handle.
Durability
To see how well each bin copes with daily wear and tear, we tip it over with a force gauge and check for dents, cracks or instability. We also open and close the lid 100 times to test the reliability of the mechanism, recording any failures or stiffness that develops over time. If a bin starts to wobble or stick halfway through, it will lose points here.
Odour resistance
We simulate real-life kitchen waste by placing coffee grounds and halved onions in the bin, then leaving it sealed overnight. The next day, we rate how much odour escapes both from outside the bin and when it’s opened. For dual-compartment models, we also check whether smells migrate between sections.
Ease of cleaning
After the odour test, we clean each bin with a sponge and water to see how easy it is to remove residue. We check for awkward corners and trapped dirt around hinges or under the rim, and rate how easily the bin can be rinsed and wiped down. We also press oily fingers onto the outside of each one to see how easily it picks up marks – and how easily those marks wipe away.
Lid performance
If a lid glides open and shuts without fuss, that’s what we’re after. Anything stiff or jarring is marked down.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
What size bin do I need for my kitchen?
The right bin size depends on how much waste your household produces and how often you're happy to take the rubbish out.
- 20-30 litres Best for one-person households or very compact kitchens. These fill up quickly, so you'll need to empty them often.
- 30-40 litres A good fit for couples or small households who don’t generate lots of waste.
- 40-50 litres Ideal for families of three or four, balancing capacity and space without overflowing too fast.
- 50+ litres Great for larger households or those who don’t mind a bulkier bin in the kitchen. They'll need less frequent emptying, but will take up more space.
If you recycle a lot, you might prefer a dual-compartment bin, which enables you to separate waste and recycling in one unit. Just make sure each section is big enough to be practical for your routine.
Also, don’t forget to check the space under your counters or beside cupboards – a bin that fits your lifestyle still needs to fit your kitchen.
What are the best bin bags?
Some bin bags are surprisingly tough; others split at the worst moment. We've tested a wide range to see which ones are strong, reliable and easy to handle.
See our best bin bags guide to find out which ones came out on top.