simplehuman 45 Liter Step Trash Can Review: A Kitchen Bin Built to Last for Years

Capacity

12 gallons

Item Dimensions L x W x H

15.9"L x 13.3"W x 25.8"H

Material

Stainless Steel

Color

Brushed Stainless Steel (with Steel Lid)

Item Weight

12.8 pounds

Brand

simplehuman

1. Lid Shox technology slows the lid for a slow, silent close instead of a bang
2. Extra-wide steel pedal engineered to last 150,000 steps, which simplehuman frames as more than 20 steps a day for 20 years
3. Brushed stainless steel with an invisible silver-ion coating that resists fingerprints and the spread of germs
4. Stainless steel liner rim flips up for a bag change, then closes over the liner to hold it tight and hidden
5. Built-in liner pocket stores bags inside the can and dispenses them one at a time

Based on

The manufacturer's published specifications and the product's live Amazon listing.

Owner rating

4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, recorded September 26, 2026

How we score

We score each thing that comes up most in owner feedback on the simplehuman 45 Liter. Eight things come up most in owner feedback: seven draw praise and one splits opinion. Its ratings average 4.7 stars (87% five stars, 7% four, 2% three and 4% one or two), so every score starts at 94, that average on a 100 point scale. Where opinion is split, we take off 6. Where it draws mostly complaints, we take off 12. Then we read six owner reviews in full (every one we found gave it four or five stars) and move the score up to 5 points either way depending on how the owners who mention it rated the product. Our overall score starts from the same 4.7 star average and loses 0.1 for each thing that draws mostly complaints, with 0.1 more when at least a tenth of ratings are one star, never more than 0.3 in all. Nothing comes off here, so it stays at 4.7. Read our editorial standards

Based on 5,259 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.7 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon

1. Unpack and Inspect Components

   Remove the can from its packaging and check the contents: the can itself, the Code M Liner Trial Pack and the Odorsorb Pod starter pack. Look over the brushed steel for any shipping marks and step on the pedal a few times to make sure the lid rises and closes smoothly.

2. Position in Kitchen Space

   Choose a spot with room for a 15.9 by 13.3 inch footprint and space above for the lid to open. The lid assembly is slightly wider than the can, so if you place it against a wall, push it back only as far as it goes while the lid still opens freely. Stand it on a level floor so the pedal action stays steady.

3. Open the Liner Rim

   Lift the lid and flip up the stainless steel liner rim. This is the part that will hold the bag in place, so it needs to be open before you fit a liner.

4. Insert Trash Bag

   Open a liner inside the can, fold its top over the edge, then close the liner rim down over it to clamp it tight and hide it from view. simplehuman's Code M liners are sized for this can, but standard kitchen bags fit well too.

5. Test Pedal Operation

   Step fully on the pedal to open the lid, then lift your foot and let Lid Shox bring the lid down slowly and silently. Press the pedal all the way each time, because a partial press can let the lid close with a small bang.

6. Stock Liner Pocket

   Load spare liners into the built-in liner pocket so the next bag is ready inside the can. Code M refill packs are made to store in the pocket, and the bags dispense one at a time. The first bag in a simplehuman pack may come folded so it pulls through easily.