Bottom Line
A sleek, whisper-quiet bathroom trash can that actually lives up to the simplehuman reputation.
I bought this simplehuman 10-liter slim step can six months ago for my master bathroom, and honestly, I didn’t expect a trash can to make me this happy. At $39.99, it’s definitely pricier than the $15 plastic bins at Target, but after half a year of daily use, I finally understand why people rave about simplehuman products. This thing just works beautifully every single time.
What I like about it
The silent close feature is my favorite part. I’m talking genuinely silent — not “quiet for a trash can” but actually no noise at all. The lid glides down slowly and settles without a sound, which matters way more than I thought it would. My old can would bang shut every time, and at 6 AM when everyone’s still sleeping, that metallic clang was seriously annoying. This one? Complete silence. The foot pedal is also perfectly responsive — just a light tap and it opens smoothly.
The fingerprint-resistant steel is legit. I wipe it down maybe once a week, and it never shows smudges or streaks between cleanings. The brushed finish just looks clean constantly, which is huge for a bathroom where you’re touching things with wet or lotion-covered hands. And the slim profile is perfect — it fits right between my toilet and vanity in a space that was basically wasted before. The footprint is about 7 inches wide and 13 inches deep, so it tucks into those awkward bathroom corners beautifully.
The liner pocket system inside the lid is genius. You fold the bag over the rim, tuck it into these little slots, and it stays completely hidden. No ugly bag edges hanging out, no slipping down into the can. I use the simplehuman custom liners (code J), but regular grocery bags work fine too if you fold them right.
✅ The good stuff
- Genuinely silent lid closure — zero noise even when you let it drop
- Fingerprint-resistant steel that actually resists fingerprints (finally!)
- Super slim profile fits in tight bathroom spaces perfectly
- Liner pockets keep bags secure and invisible
- Solid stainless steel construction feels like it’ll last forever
❌ Worth knowing
- At $39.99, it’s 3x the price of basic bathroom cans
- The box it arrived in was pretty beat up (product was fine though)
- 10-liter capacity means emptying every 3-4 days in a busy bathroom
My honest take
After six months, this trash can still looks and works like new. The hinge mechanism hasn’t loosened at all, the steel still looks pristine, and that silent close is just as smooth as day one. I’ve used it probably 500+ times by now, and there’s zero wear. Compare that to my previous $15 plastic can that started looking dingy and had a wobbly pedal after two months — this simplehuman is in a completely different league.
The 10-liter size holds about 2.6 gallons, which is plenty for bathroom trash like cotton balls, Q-tips, floss picks, and those endless cardboard toilet paper rolls. In our two-person household, I empty it about twice a week. If you have kids or a larger family, you might need to empty it every 2-3 days. The only real downside is the price, but I genuinely think it’s worth it for something you use multiple times daily and that completely eliminates the annoying bang of cheap trash cans. Quality costs money, and this is quality.
Want a bathroom trash can that looks good and actually stays looking good. Need something slim for tight spaces between toilets and vanities. Are tired of loud, banging lids or bags that slip down into the can. Appreciate quality products that last years instead of months.
Skip it if you…
Need a large capacity can for a family bathroom (this is better for 1-2 people). Can’t justify spending $40 on a trash can when a basic one costs $12.
📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: Reviews are based on publicly available information and verified buyer feedback. Results may vary. Always check product details before purchasing.