Best Dual Compartment Trash Cans for Recycling

The best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can in this lineup is the EKO EcoCasa II 36L+24L, thanks to a 60-litre split that tilts toward trash over recycling and a pedal the brand rates for 200,000+ step cycles. If you want two equal 30-litre buckets instead, the DUMOS 2x8-Gallon is the cheaper pick with the same total capacity. Every can here uses removable inner liners, which is the part most shoppers actually rinse.

Best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can at a glance

How I narrowed the field to seven

I started with the wider category of kitchen recycling bins and cut anything that was not truly dual compartment. Single cans with a divider clip did not qualify. Neither did outdoor wheelie bins or under-sink pull-outs, which behave differently and rarely include soft-close lids.

From there I applied three filters:

• Two separate inner liners, not one bag with a partition.
• A published total capacity of at least 40 litres.
• A pedal or hands-free open, since fingers on lids is the whole problem sorting solves.

That left the seven picks here. The set spans 60 to 80 litres of total capacity and stretches from an entry price position to the most expensive slot. Three brands publish a step-cycle figure for the pedal. Two publish a matched 40/40 or 36/24 split with colour-coded buckets. One, the Amazon Basics, is the fastest-selling of the group by a wide margin.

Everything below is drawn from the manufacturer listings and compared spec-by-spec. I did not open a box.

About that dishwasher-safe question

The phrase "dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can" needs a straight answer before you keep reading. None of the seven listings state that any part of the can is dishwasher safe. Not the inner buckets, not the lids, not the pedal assembly. Stainless steel exteriors, ABS or heavy-duty plastic liner buckets and electronic dampers are common across the set, and putting any of those through a dishwasher cycle is a judgment call the manufacturers do not endorse in the listings I read.

If dishwasher cleaning is non-negotiable, you are looking at the inner buckets specifically. ComfyCorner describes its inner barrel as ABS plastic; Amazon Basics calls its liners "interior plastic liner bins"; DUMOS mentions "heavy duty plastic inner bucket". None of these say "dishwasher safe" in the listing text. The safer default is a hot soapy rinse in the sink, dried before the bag goes back in. Treat that qualifier as a shopping consideration, not a filter you can trust the listing to satisfy.

1. EKO EcoCasa II 36L+24L Dual Trash Can with Recycle Bin — Best overall

A 60-litre split with the bigger bucket for trash and the smaller for recycling, which matches how most kitchens actually generate waste.

Best for: kitchens that generate more trash than recycling Skip it if: you need two equal compartments

The EcoCasa II is the only pick here with an asymmetric split. Most homes fill the trash side twice as fast as the recycling side, so a 36L + 24L layout empties on a more predictable rhythm than a 30/30. The can measures 26 x 14.7 x 20.7 in and weighs 13.1 lb, which is the lightest of the six that publish a weight. That matters when you slide it out to sweep behind.

EKO says the stainless steel foot pedal is engineered for over 200,000 step cycles, and the lids use built-in dampers for a soft close. There is a deodorizer compartment in the lid too. The finish is fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. It sits in the most expensive price position of the seven and only two sellers list it, which is the trade-off for the split and the build. The runner-up here is a 30/30 for less money.

Pros:

• Only pick with an asymmetric 36L + 24L split
• Lightest published weight in the set at 13.1 lb
• Deodorizer compartment built into the lid
• Colour-coded inner buckets for sorting
• Ergonomic side handles for repositioning

Cons:

• The most expensive pick here
• Only two sellers list it
• No stated warranty in the listing

2. DUMOS Kitchen Trash Can — Best budget pick

A matched 30L + 30L layout at the cheapest price position of the seven, with a pedal DUMOS rates for 150,000+ step cycles.

Best for: renters who want a matched 50/50 split without the premium price Skip it if: you want a stated warranty

The DUMOS lands at the entry price band and packs 60 litres into a footprint of 23.2 x 12.8 in. That is narrower front-to-back than the EKO, which helps if the can lives against a wall or between cabinet runs. The two removable buckets are equal at 30L each, which suits homes where recycling volume roughly matches trash. Weight is 17.4 lb, the heaviest of the sub-premium picks, so it stays put when the pedal is pressed.

DUMOS calls the exterior "smudge-resistant" stainless steel and describes the inner buckets as heavy-duty plastic. The listing claims the foot pedal survives 150,000+ steps and 300,000+ open-close cycles, which is a lower published tolerance than the EKO's 200,000 step figure but still comfortably beyond household need. The trade-off is that this is the second-cheapest, so you get fewer refinements: no deodoriser lid box, no dampers, just a soft-close pedal.

Pros:

• Cheapest pick in the set
• Matched 30L + 30L split
• Slim 12.8 in front-to-back footprint
• Pedal rated at 150,000+ steps per the listing
• Heavy-duty plastic inner buckets

Cons:

• Only one seller listed
• No stated warranty
• No odour-control compartment

3. ComfyCorner 16 Gal (2 x 30 L) Dual Trash Can — Best for beginners

A white finish with an odour-filter box built into each lid, which sets it apart from the stainless crowd.

Best for: first-time sorters who want a white finish Skip it if: your kitchen is stainless throughout

ComfyCorner is the only white pick here, and it is one of only two that give each compartment its own lid. That is the beginner-friendly bit: you cannot accidentally toss recycling into trash because the two lids are physically separate, each with its own pedal. The unit measures 26 x 20.1 x 12.7 in and weighs 20.1 lb, the heaviest can in the set. That heft is not free, and it makes moving the can to mop underneath a two-hand job.

ComfyCorner describes the exterior as stainless steel with a white finish and the inner barrel as ABS plastic. Each lid holds an odour-control box, which the brand calls a filter for "unpleasant smells around trash cans". The soft-close mechanism is billed as quiet operation. The price position is entry, second-cheapest of the seven, and only one seller lists it. Sales rank sits at the lower end of this set, so it moves slower than the Amazon Basics or the DUMOS.

Pros:

• Only white finish in the set
• Two separate lids for independent sorting
• Odour-filter box in each lid
• ABS plastic inner barrels
• Entry price band

Cons:

• Heaviest pick at 20.1 lb
• Only one seller listed
• Slowest seller of the sub-premium picks

4. Amazon Basics Dual Compartment Recycling Trash Can — Best for heavy use

The fastest-selling can in this lineup, with a 60-litre matched split and a 2022 release date that has had time to prove itself.

Best for: households cycling through bags fast Skip it if: you need a taller-than-wide footprint

Amazon Basics sells this can faster than any other in the roundup, and by a wide margin. It is the shortest of the picks that publish full dimensions, at 23.8 in high, and the widest at 22.9 in across. If you have a cabinet-side gap that is short but generous in width, this is the one that fits. It weighs 18 lb and holds two 7.9 gallon liner bins for a 15.9 gallon (60 litre) total capacity.

The exterior is fingerprint-proof stainless. The lid is a single soft-close design covering both compartments, which is faster to open one-handed than ComfyCorner's split lids but easier to drop the wrong thing through. The removable liner bins have handles on top for lifting out full bags. Model number RAD43060L, released 2022. It sits in the premium price band. The trade-off is the shape: 23.8 in high is short for a kitchen can, so tall bags tuck under the lid rather than standing proud.

Pros:

• Fastest-selling pick in this set
• Two 7.9 gallon liner bins with handles
• Fingerprint-proof stainless exterior
• Single soft-close lid for quick access
• Released 2022, current model

Cons:

• Shortest height at 23.8 in limits tall bags
• Widest front-to-back at 22.9 in
• No published warranty

5. SIMPLI-Magic 21 Gallon Dual Compartment — Best premium

The largest total capacity in the set at 80 litres, split evenly across two 40L colour-coded buckets.

Best for: large families producing high recycling volume Skip it if: cabinet clearance is under 27 inches

SIMPLI-Magic is the biggest can here. 80 litres total, 40L per compartment, with a footprint of 25 x 26.5 x 15.6 in. That is a metre-wide unit when you count both compartments and it needs a dedicated corner. Two colour-coded 40L inner buckets sit inside a stainless steel body with a fingerprint-resistant finish. The lid uses a soft-close mechanism the brand says closes in under 3 seconds with a stay-open mode for longer cleanups.

There is a filter holder compartment built into the lid for odour control. The pedal is stainless steel and hands-free. It carries the most expensive price position of the seven, which is the cost of the extra 20 litres over the 60L crowd. Sales rank is the second-lowest here, meaning it moves slower than the mid-sized picks. That is consistent with the size: most kitchens do not have space for a 26.5 in wide bin, so the market for this one is narrower.

Pros:

• Largest total capacity at 80 litres
• Matched 40L + 40L split
• Stay-open lid mode for cleanups
• Odour-filter compartment in lid
• Colour-coded inner buckets

Cons:

• Highest price position of the seven
• Widest at 26.5 in, needs a dedicated spot
• No published weight in the listing

6. SONGMICS 2 x 8 Gallon Dual-Compartment — Best for families

Two-way lid opening (pedal or manual lift) and 15 trash bags included, aimed at households that go through liners fast.

Best for: four-person households that already bag two streams Skip it if: you want a deodoriser compartment

SONGMICS is the family pick because of two small details. First, the lid opens two ways: step-and-release for a quick toss, or step, release, then lift manually to lock the lid open for a longer session at the counter. Second, the listing includes 15 trash bags. Neither is unique in the category at large, but neither of the cheaper picks in this set matches both.

Dimensions are 26.3 x 18.7 x 14.8 in, weight 16.2 lb, split is 2 x 8 gallon (roughly 2 x 30 L). Stainless steel exterior, removable liners with bag holes to stop the bag slipping. The listing does not mention an odour-control filter or a lid deodoriser box, which is where the ComfyCorner and the EKO have an edge. The price position is entry, third-cheapest of the seven. Two sellers list it. It is a solid mid-set option that trades odour control for the stay-open lid feature.

Pros:

• Two-way lid opening (pedal or manual lock)
• 15 trash bags included per the listing
• Bag holes on liners prevent slippage
• Stainless steel exterior
• Entry price band

Cons:

• No odour-control compartment
• No published warranty
• Sits between EKO and DUMOS on price with fewer features than either

7. Home Zone Living 13 Gallon Dual Compartments — Most versatile

A slim 11.6 in front-to-back profile in matte black, designed to slot between cabinets where stainless picks look bulky.

Best for: narrow galley kitchens where the can slots between cabinets Skip it if: you want a stainless finish

Home Zone Living is the only matte black pick and the only one with a slim 11.6 in front-to-back depth. That number is the reason to buy it. If your kitchen is a corridor and the can has to live against a wall between two cabinet runs, 11.6 in is the difference between fitting and not fitting. Total capacity is 13 gallon, which is smaller than the 60 and 80-litre picks above, and dimensions are 26.6 x 22.1 x 11.6 in. Weight is 16.5 lb.

The brand calls out a rubber-band tuck system that hides excess bag material inside the rim, plus a soft-close lid and a durable step pedal. It sits mid-price, fourth of seven, which is fair given the finish and the footprint. The trade-off is capacity: at 13 gallon it fills faster than a 60L can, so households with three-plus people will empty it more often. It also has the lowest sales rank of the affordable picks in this set, meaning it moves slower than the DUMOS or SONGMICS.

Pros:

• Slimmest front-to-back at 11.6 in
• Only matte black finish in the set
• Rubber-band bag tuck system
• Soft-close lid mechanism
• Mid-range price position

Cons:

• Smallest total capacity at 13 gallon
• Slower seller than the entry picks
• Only one seller listed

What actually decides a dual compartment trash can?

Most guides compare total litres. That is not what decides it. The split ratio and the footprint decide it.

Here is why. A 60-litre can with two 30L buckets empties both sides at roughly the same rhythm only if your household generates equal trash and recycling. Almost none do. Kitchens with a lot of packaging produce more recycling; kitchens that cook from scratch produce more food-scrap trash. When the two streams do not match, one side overflows while the other sits half-full. The EKO EcoCasa II is the only pick in this set that acknowledges that, with a 36L trash side and a 24L recycling side.

Footprint is the second lever. A can that fits your kitchen is worth more than one that does not, no matter the litres. Front-to-back depth ranges from 11.6 in on the Home Zone Living to 22.9 in on the Amazon Basics: a factor of two. Measure the gap before you shop, then filter by width, then look at capacity.

Everything else, pedal cycle count, lid damper, filter box, is a refinement on top of those two decisions.

How much capacity does a two-person kitchen need?

A two-person household that cooks four nights a week and recycles most packaging runs through roughly one bag of trash and one bag of recycling per week. On that pattern, 30 litres per compartment (a 60L total) is comfortable with a bag change every four to five days.

The math shifts fast with people:

1. One or two people, no kids: 60L total, matched 30/30 split.
2. Three or four people: 60L total, asymmetric split like the EKO's 36/24, or step up to 80L if bag changes below twice a week are the goal.
3. Five-plus people or heavy entertainers: 80L total with a matched 40/40 split, like the SIMPLI-Magic, and expect to change bags twice a week anyway.
4. Small kitchen, one person: 13 gallon like the Home Zone Living, changed weekly.

If you cook from raw ingredients often, add 10 litres to the trash side. If you buy in bulk with lots of cardboard and cans, add 10 litres to the recycling side. The Amazon Basics and SIMPLI-Magic accommodate the second case; the EKO handles the first.

Where these cans fit, and where they don't

Every can here is designed to stand on the floor next to a counter run. None of them are pull-out cabinet inserts, so they need clear floor space at the pedal and enough vertical clearance to open the lid.

Vertical clearance is the specification the listings rarely make obvious. The Amazon Basics stands 23.8 in tall closed but the lid swings up beyond that. Cans under a low overhead cabinet or a counter overhang need enough headroom for the lid at full open. As a rough working figure, add 8 to 12 in to the closed height for lid clearance and measure from the floor to whatever is above.

Width against a wall or between cabinets is the second constraint. The Home Zone Living at 11.6 in deep will tuck into a gap where the SIMPLI-Magic at 15.6 in will not. The EKO at 14.7 in and the SONGMICS at 14.8 in fall between the two.

Third, the pedal itself takes floor space in front of the can. Your foot needs room to press it without kicking a cabinet toe kick.

What the listings still don't tell you

Product listings are marketing copy. A few things they consistently omit:

• Bag size compatibility. None of these seven listings state the exact liner size that fits each inner bucket. A 30L bucket usually accepts 8 to 10 gallon bags, but confirm on delivery.
• Warranty length. Only one listing hints at any warranty. Assume none unless it is stated in writing after you buy.
• Noise from the pedal spring. Soft-close refers to the lid. The pedal itself has a return spring that can click on release.
• Rust on the lid rim. Stainless steel resists but does not eliminate rust where liquid pools around the lid seal. Wipe the rim dry after cleaning.
• Replacement part availability. If the damper fails after two years, replacement dampers are rarely stocked by the brand.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they are the things buyers discover after the fact. Factor them in.

The verdict

If you sort trash and recycling in roughly a 60/40 ratio, the EKO EcoCasa II 36L+24L is the pick. Its asymmetric split is the only one in this set that matches how most kitchens actually generate waste, the 200,000+ step pedal claim is the highest published tolerance here, and the 13.1 lb weight is the lightest of the picks that publish one. You pay for it, since this is the most expensive price position in the roundup.

If your two streams are more balanced, the split is a wash. In that case the DUMOS 2x8-Gallon wins on price: the cheapest of the seven, a matched 30/30 layout, and a pedal the brand rates for 150,000+ steps. The cutoff between the two is your recycling volume. If you fill the recycling side faster than the trash side, go DUMOS. If trash fills first, go EKO. Households with more than four people or heavy entertaining schedules should jump to the SIMPLI-Magic's 80L capacity instead of doubling up on smaller cans.

FAQ

Is the best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can actually dishwasher safe?

Is the best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can actually dishwasher safe? None of the seven listings in this roundup state that any component is rated for a dishwasher cycle. The inner buckets are described as ABS or heavy-duty plastic, but no manufacturer confirms dishwasher use. The safer default is a hot soapy hand-rinse of the inner liners in the sink and a dry-off before the bag goes back in.

What is the best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can for a small kitchen?

The best dishwasher safe dual compartment trash can for a small kitchen in this set is the Home Zone Living 13 Gallon Dual. Its 11.6 in front-to-back footprint is the slimmest here by 1.1 in over the ComfyCorner and 4 in over the widest pick. Total capacity is smaller at 13 gallon, so budget on a weekly bag change for a household of one or two.

EKO EcoCasa II vs Amazon Basics: which one wins?

EKO EcoCasa II vs Amazon Basics comes down to how you sort. The EKO offers a 36L+24L asymmetric split for kitchens where trash outruns recycling. The Amazon Basics is a matched 60L split in a shorter, wider body at 23.8 x 22.9 in, and it is the fastest-selling pick here. Pick the EKO for the split, the Amazon Basics for the footprint and popularity.

Are dual compartment trash cans worth it over two separate bins?

Dual compartment trash cans are worth it if kitchen floor space is tight or if a matched-height look matters. One 60L unit takes less floor than two 30L cans standing side by side, and a single lid gesture handles both streams. Two separate bins beat a dual on flexibility: you can move them independently and replace one without the other.

Do these dual compartment trash cans include liner bags?

Do these dual compartment trash cans include liner bags? Only the SONGMICS 2 x 8 Gallon states that 15 trash bags are included in the listing. The other six picks either do not mention liners or leave that detail out. Plan on buying bags separately in the correct capacity for each bucket, usually an 8 to 10 gallon liner for a 30L compartment.

If you are still weighing options, measure the gap in your kitchen first: width, depth and vertical clearance for the lid. That number alone eliminates half the shortlist. Then decide whether your recycling volume matches your trash volume or beats it. That answer picks between an asymmetric split like the EKO and a matched pair like the DUMOS or Amazon Basics. Cleaning-wise, plan on rinsing the inner buckets by hand rather than trusting the dishwasher, since no listing here endorses that shortcut. Start with the EKO EcoCasa II if the split logic makes sense for how you cook, and step down to the DUMOS if the price position of the winner is the sticking point.

Last updated: September 8, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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