Kitchen guide
Best Under-Sink Trash Cans for Small Kitchens
Last updated: October 18, 2026
In a small kitchen, a trash can on the floor takes space you need for walking and cooking. Moving it into the cabinet under the sink fixes that — but pull-out kits only work if your cabinet is big enough, and the plumbing leaves room. Many pull-out kits also don't include the trash can itself. We compared five options by the minimum cabinet size they need, their weight rating and what's in the box, using the specs their listings give.
Quick comparison
| Product | Type | Min. cabinet size | Can included? | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insputer Pull-Out Trash Can Kit (Single) | Single pull-out slide, soft-close | 12 in W x 18 in D | No | Best overall for small cabinets | Check price on Amazon |
| RUNMI Double Pull-Out Trash Can Kit | Double pull-out, soft-close, 130 lb rating | 16 in W x 23 in D x 12 in H | No | Trash plus recycling | Check price on Amazon |
| Rosiespiek Pull-Out Trash Can Kit | Pull-out slide for 30–40 qt cans, up to 125 lb | Not listed in the title | No | Bigger cans | Check price on Amazon |
| ANASTA Under-Sink Pull-Out Trash Can | Pull-out for 30–50 qt (7–13 gal) cans | Not listed in the title | Check the listing | Standard kitchen-size cans | Check price on Amazon |
| Glad Roomate Under-Counter Trash Can | Small 1.5 gal (6 L) stainless bin with dual lid | Any cabinet | Yes (it is the can) | No installation | Check price on Amazon |
Our picks
Insputer Pull-Out Trash Can Kit (Single)
Fits: cabinets with an opening of at least 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
Build: heavy-duty single pull-out slide with soft-close. The trash can is not included.
Pros
- Needs only a 12 x 18-inch opening — the smallest cabinet requirement in this guide
- Soft-close slide shuts quietly
- Turns the space under the sink into hidden trash storage
Cons
- Trash can not included; budget for one that fits
- Requires installation inside the cabinet
- Single can only, no separate recycling bin
RUNMI Double Pull-Out Trash Can Kit
Fits: cabinets at least 16 inches wide, 23 inches deep and 12 inches high.
Weight rating: 130 lbs. Build: soft-close slides, door or base mount. The trash cans are not included.
Pros
- Two cans side by side, so trash and recycling both live under the sink
- 130 lb rating, so it handles full, heavy bags
- Can mount to the cabinet door (opens with the door) or the cabinet base
Cons
- Needs a 16-inch-wide cabinet — too big for many small sinks
- Trash cans not included
- Installation takes more work than a single slide
Rosiespiek Pull-Out Trash Can Kit
Build: pull-out slide sized for 30–40 quart cans, rated up to 125 lbs. The trash can is not included.
Pros
- Sized for 30–40 quart cans, bigger than most small under-sink bins
- 125 lb rating
- Hides a full-size kitchen can inside the cabinet
Cons
- The listing title doesn't state the minimum cabinet size; measure against the listing details
- Trash can not included
- Bigger cans need a bigger cabinet
ANASTA Under-Sink Pull-Out Trash Can
Build: pull-out system for 30–50 quart (7–13 gallon) cans.
Pros
- Fits up to 50-quart (13-gallon) cans, the size most US kitchen bags are made for
- Keeps a full-size can out of sight
- Pull-out design makes it easy to reach
Cons
- The listing title doesn't state the minimum cabinet size; measure against the listing details
- Check the listing to see whether a can is included
- A 13-gallon can needs a large cabinet
Glad Roomate Under-Counter Trash Can
Capacity: 1.5 gallons (6 liters).
Build: stainless steel bin with a dual lid and Clorox odor protection, sized to sit in a cabinet, under a sink or in a bathroom.
Pros
- No installation — it's a complete small bin
- Dual lid for easy opening
- Odor protection for a closed cabinet
Cons
- 1.5 gallons — fills quickly; best for food scraps or a small household
- No pull-out slide
- Not a replacement for a full kitchen trash can
How to measure your cabinet before buying
- Width and depth of the opening: measure inside the cabinet, from the door frame back to the wall. Pull-out kits list a minimum — 12 x 18 inches for the Insputer, 16 x 23 inches for the RUNMI.
- Height under the plumbing: measure from the cabinet floor to the lowest pipe. The can has to slide under it.
- Center stile: if your cabinet has a vertical bar between the two doors, the opening on each side is smaller than the cabinet.
- Door or base mount: door-mounted kits open when you open the door; base-mounted ones slide out separately.
- Can size: if the kit doesn't include a can, check which can sizes it fits before buying one.
Pull-out kit vs. small bin
A pull-out kit gives you a full-size, hidden trash can, but it needs installation, a big enough cabinet and, usually, a separate can. A small bin like the Glad Roomate needs nothing — but at 1.5 gallons it's for scraps or a small household, not a whole kitchen's trash.
Frequently asked questions
- Do pull-out trash can kits include the trash can?
- Often not. The Insputer, RUNMI and Rosiespiek kits in this guide don't include a can. Check the listing and budget for one that fits the kit.
- What size cabinet do I need for a pull-out trash can?
- It depends on the kit. The Insputer single needs at least 12 x 18 inches; the RUNMI double needs at least 16 x 23 inches and 12 inches of height.
- Can I put a pull-out trash can under the sink with the plumbing?
- Usually, if there's space below the pipes. Measure from the cabinet floor to the lowest pipe and choose a can shorter than that.
- Single or double pull-out?
- A double lets you keep trash and recycling together, but needs a wider cabinet. In a small kitchen, a single is often the only option that fits.
- Is a 13-gallon can too big for under the sink?
- In many small kitchens, yes. Pull-outs like the ANASTA fit up to 13-gallon cans, but measure your cabinet first.
Final recommendation
For most small kitchens, the Insputer single pull-out is the best fit: it needs only a 12 x 18-inch cabinet opening and has soft-close slides. If you have a 16-inch-wide cabinet and want recycling too, the RUNMI double is rated for 130 lbs. For bigger cans, look at the Rosiespiek or ANASTA, and if you'd rather not install anything, the 1.5-gallon Glad Roomate is a simple small bin.
Related reading
Once the bin has a home, the rest of the cabinet usually needs sorting too:
- under kitchen sink organizers for small kitchens — make the rest of that cabinet usable.
- small dish drying racks for compact kitchens — the other thing competing for space at the sink.
- bathroom under sink organizers — the same cabinet problem, one room over.
- small bathroom trash cans for tight spaces — a separate category: freestanding bathroom bins, not under-sink kitchen trash cans.
- all small kitchen guides and storage guides — browse the full categories.