Pedal bins are a simple means of opening your kitchen bin without using your hands. They're a good option for the hygienic disposal of household waste if a sensor bin is not within your budget. Equally, you don't have to bend down to open the bin which makes life easier if you have mobility problems.
Sometimes, a good idea can't be improved upon – for all the sensor and touch bin options out there – the simplicity of the step-on mechanism is all a bin needs. In addition, there are benefits to having a pedal bin lid over a swing bin lid. Odour is contained and our pets can't stick their heads into the bin to rummage.
Best Pedal Bins At A Glance
• Best pedal bin for style: simplehuman CW2080 Rectangular Kitchen Pedal Bin – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget pedal bin: Addis Pedal Bin – View on Amazon UK
• Best stainless-steel pedal bin: Brabantia newIcon Pedal Bin – View on John Lewis
Here at A Modern Kitchen, we'll bring you the best range of pedal bins to suit your household. We've included a range of options, including double pedal bins for recycling, and bins with deodorising options – ideal if you're using them for composting green waste. Naturally, the more expensive bins have added features, such as anti-bacterial coatings, better opening mechanisms and function as recycling bins. We've taken care to include some brilliant bins from all price points. By the end of this guide, you'll be asking 'where have you bin all my life?'
Best Pedal Bins
Best pedal bin for style
simplehuman's range of gorgeous metallic shades includes rose gold, black, brass and white steel. This bin has a strong pedal that's designed to last 150,000 steps. The lid closes slowly and silently thanks to specially designed dampeners. Ideal for busy households, it has a dent-proof plastic lid that doesn't show dirt or fingerprints. More so, there is an antimicrobial coating on the brushed stainless-steel surface that inhibits the growth of bacteria and mould. You can store liners inside the inbuilt dispenser. Simplehuman sells liners that custom fit its bins. If you weren't already impressed by the durability and innovation of simplehuman's products, the brand offers a 10-year warranty on its bins.
Customer review: "They look stylish, the bags fit perfectly and without the ugly look of bin liners hanging out over the edges. The pedal open is great as it runs the full length of the front edge, so you never have that hit-and-miss with small pedals."
Pros
- Flawless design - a perfect combination of form and function
- Very positive reviews
- Smooth opening and closing
Cons
- A few customers reported dented products
Best budget pedal bin
This family-friendly bin is oval-shaped, with an extra wide opening to reduce spills, and comes with a 10-year guarantee. It's available in a range of bright colours, which is ideal if your household wants to colour-code the bins for recycling. Being made of plastic makes the bin lightweight and easy to disinfect. Addis is a trusted brand with a 240-year history in products for the home.
Customer review: "This is so well designed that there are no protruding edges to catch the bags on and they lift out easily. I bought the Addis bin bags to try as well and they fit perfectly and look very tidy."
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that they wished the lid would open wider using the pedal rather than them having to open the lid the rest of the way by hand
Best stainless-steel pedal bin
Saks Fifth Avenue
This is a slim and sleek bin that makes it a good choice for smaller kitchens as it will take up less floor space. Everything about this bin says quality, with its smooth mechanism and durable yet stylish platinum matt black surface. Brabantia supports an ocean clean-up project – so, by buying this bin you'll be making a difference.
Customer review: "Great bin, good how the internal insert slides out with ease to stop the bag from getting caught and splitting. I wish I'd gone for the next size up, due to the amount of general waste we seem to be producing,
Overall I'd recommend this bin."
Pros
- Sturdy
- Quality
Cons
- Narrow, so may not be the right bin for households that accumulate lots of waste
Editor's choice
With over 37,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, there's a reason this Amazon Basics Trash Can is on our list. It's a stainless-steel bin that's available in a variety of sizes - with 50 litres being optimum for the average household. It's a good value bin that looks more expensive than it is.
Customer review: “This bin is great value for money as it can hold a large amount of waste for the whole family. Stylish, easy to clean, has a wide opening, bag is concealed and neat and has the ability to keep the lid open to allow easy bag changing.”
Pros
- Great value for price
- Bin bag secure fit
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Pedal mechanism not always responsive
Best for recycling
The Charles Bentley pedal bin has two separate compartments for recycling and food waste. The pedal mechanism works separately for each section. This bin retails at a higher price than most of the bins we're reviewing, but it's a wonderful product that takes the fuss out of sorting recycling from waste. This compact dual bin is robust and has enough capacity for a large household.
Customer review: "Quality item with quite a big capacity. What I was pleased most about, is it fits nicely even though my kitchen is tiny. Apart from fingerprints on top of the steel bit (what you cannot avoid) and does not bother me."
Pros
- An elegant solution to sorting food waste from the recycling
Cons
- Some customer reviews have noted faults with the inner plastic bin cracking
Best medium-size pedal bin
A reliable bin that's ideal for a small household. Tramontina bins are available in steel and plastic or completely steel options - if you dislike noisy lids, it's best to avoid the metal lid option. In addition, there is the option of 3L, 5L, 12L, 20L and 30L bins. This bin doesn't have an internal bucket - rather, you fix the bin liner through a hole in the side of the bin that keeps it in place. The bag will be hidden by the rim when the lid is closed so it looks tidy. It has a non-slip base and a handle, making it easy to manoeuvre.
Customer review: "A good size that is easy to operate as the lid will stay upright with a further gentle push after it has been operated by foot pedal. Keeps clean easily and shiny so looks smart. A reasonably priced item that I would recommend."
Pros
- Value for money for a robust everyday bin
- Very popular on Amazon
- Non-slip base
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that the metal lid option closes with a bang if you take your foot off the pedal too quickly
Best large pedal bin
This bin is perfect for organising your household waste and recycling. Songmics triple kitchen bin has three compartments: waste, recycling and compost. It's available in black, silver or grey. They've thought of everything: soft close lid, so no irritating clangs, operated by sturdy metal foot pedals. Its rectangular design means it can sit flush against a wall. The lid opens to an 80-degree angle which lessens the likelihood of you touching the lid when putting rubbish in it. The integral lids can't be opened by dogs or curious youngsters - germs and odours remain totally contained. Handles make the bin easier to move. Each plastic inner bucket measures 18L x 26.5W x 49Hcm and is easy to wipe out if you get a spillage pooling in the bottom of the compartment.
Customer review: "We use the bins for waste, recycling and food waste. They close nicely, no smells escape. We love that it is opened by a foot pedal, so no need to touch the bin. Really well designed."
Pros
- Fingerprint-resistant
- Superb practicality and design
Cons
- Bin liners are a little tricky to fit
Best pedal bin for composting
This little composting pedal bin will sit on your kitchen worktop and takes the hassle out of disposing of green waste. Simply push the pedal by hand and pop your peelings in. It's perfect for composting vegetable ends, tea bags, eggshells and fruit skins. A carbon filter in the bin eliminates odours, and the pedal means you don't spread bacteria by touching the lid.
Customer review: "I have given this as a gift to an elderly neighbour and I believe she is very happy. With her arthritic hands, other kitchen compost containers were frustrating to use."
Pros
- A hygienic way to turn organic waste into compost
- Anti-odour
- Hygienic
Cons
- Some reviews commented that they would have liked the lid to open a bit wider
Best retro-style pedal bin
This American-style retro trash can is a wonderful option if you want to bring a bit of fun into your kitchen. In addition to the 30-litre option, there is also a three-litre version which would look fab on your countertop as a receptacle for tea bags or fruit and veg peel. This cylindrical bin comes in black or cream.
Customer review: "Nice enough but be warned… there are two sizes that both have the same description. I bought mine thinking it was 30-litre capacity because it said so in the description, but it was actually the 3-litre version."
Pros
- Stylish
- American retro
- Removable inner bin makes it easy to clean
Cons
- Pedal mechanism is flimsy
OUR VERDICT: Which Is The Best Pedal Bin?
Weighing up the benefits of size and style, we choose the Songmics triple kitchen bin. Its hardwearing metal pedals can withstand daily use in a busy household. Recycling doesn't have to be a chore, as the three generous compartments mean you can sort your rubbish into recycling, general and green waste. Having an inner bucket is handy if the bin liner splits and your waste leaks into the bin itself. We love that it has extra features, such as the handle, integral lid and fingerprint-proof surface - making it practical and aesthetically pleasing. Does what it says on the bin.
FAQs: Best Pedal Bin
What to look for when buying a pedal bin
Capacity: The size of bin should reflect the needs of your household. After all, you don't want to be wasting bin liners by emptying the bin every day. But you need to weigh this up with how much space there is to fit a bin in your kitchen. For example, it would be impossible to fit a 60L bin under a kitchen counter. If the bin is going in a recess, you may not want the bin to protrude. Equally, if the bin is going in the cupboard, you need to know that you can close the cupboard door. It's important to measure the space and know the dimensions of the bin before buying.
Material: You'll find that bins are either metal or plastic. Metal bins are stronger than plastic bins and will last longer. In addition, there are some options that have a treated surface so that they don't show up fingerprints. Some high-end bins have an anti-bacterial coating.
Design: If the bin is in a prominent position in your kitchen, you'll want it to look good. Choose from cylindrical, rectangular and oval options in a vibrant range of colours. Consider the shape - a square or rectangular bin may fit into a corner better. Also, it's important to note how the bin lid opens. You may prefer a silent soft close and for the lid to open at a wider angle. Another feature to look for is a separate internal bucket, so your bin doesn't get spoiled if a bin liner bursts. Internal buckets are made of plastic and are straightforward to wipe clean.
What are the benefits of a pedal bin?
Simple but effective, there's no need to touch the lid with a pedal-operated bin. Germs and odours are contained - preventing bacteria from spreading. By using a pedal bin, you limit the spread of cross-contamination; essential where food is being prepared. For hygiene, it's one of the best bins to use in the kitchen. In addition, a standard pedal bin works out a lot cheaper than a sensor bin. And you have none of the hassles of replacing batteries or finding that the bin lid flips up as you walk by. Similarly, you may be put off by touch bins because your hand has to have some contact with the lid. Unlike open bins and swing bins, the odour is contained under a lid. For mobility issues, there's no bending down with a pedal bin, though you may want to ensure you buy a bin that has a wide-opening lid.
What capacity pedal bin do I need?
For small households, opt for a bin that's between 30-40 litres. Between 40-50 litres is ample for a family. However, it really does depend on how much waste your household is producing, so a bin with 50+ litre capacity may best suit your requirements.
How does a pedal bin work?
You step on the pedal at the base of the bin, which is part of a simple mechanism that opens the lid. Pressing the pedal creates a pivot movement. Under the pedal, there is a shallow "v-shaped" steel rod that goes across the bottom of the bin to a second pivot point externally at the back base of the bin. This is the second pivot point, which connects to a vertical rod. The movement is now a vertical motion as this rod is connected to a final moving pivot point in the lid. In addition, there is a fixed pivot point that connects the lid to the bin.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen appliances. When she's not testing coffee machines, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.