simplehuman Step & Sensor Trash Can
by simplehuman
6 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Feb 2025
Pedal-operated and motion-sensor stainless steel kitchen trash cans from simplehuman, including step, rectangular, and dual-compartment models.
Added Jul 5, 2026, Updated Jul 7, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
Mixed record. Some owners report 20+ years of reliable use — one for around 23 years with no issues — and one buyer's 45L can held up against a destructive service dog, trapping odors well and remaining undamaged after repeated abuse. But many other owners report broken plastic pedals, hinges, and slow-close dampeners (one snapped within a year), cracked plastic bin rims, rusting, malfunctioning lids, dented/defective units on arrival, and step mechanisms failing after several years, alongside inconsistent warranty support.
What owners say
One owner's 45L simplehuman can withstood a persistent service dog that had defeated other trash cans, containing odors well enough that days of food waste inside went unnoticed until it was opened — they've since bought three. Other commenters back its longevity, with one reporting 23 years of trouble-free use, but caution it isn't flawless: one owner's slow-close dampener broke after a year, another says the plastic bin rims cracked, and a third found the step-to-open mechanism failed after some years of use.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as April 2026
Show 13 more mentions
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
both plastic rims have cracked. I would never buy their products again.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
The lid barely opens, and when it does, it closes faster than anyone can throw anything into it.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
The plastic part connecting the lip and the step mechanism broke recently.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
their non standard bag sizes for many of their cans... recommended only using their brand liners to improve your garbage experience.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
Electric 2022 Simple Human Duel Trashcan still going strong 10/10.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Ours has rusted in several areas. one are is so bad it's put a hole through it.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
The pedal was already broken, and when I took the lid off to work on it THERE WAS OLD FOOD AND DEAD INSECTS INSIDE.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
When the plastic hinge piece broke, I was disappointed... I was able to retroactively register for warranty even without the original receipt and got the replacement for free.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
DO NOT BUY THEIR TRASHCANS! I have gone through 3 lids in 7 years.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
It works fine mechanically, but keeping the lip on the inside of the can clean is a nightmare.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I hate mine.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
She's good but she ain't perfect... the step-to-open mechanism has shit itself... it's fine but it aint for forever.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Simplehuman's got a winner with this trash can
Simple human is not buy it for life anymore, more like buy it for a few months.
I filled this trash can with all of the gross nasty things that he just loves to get into... that trash can remained untouched for 3 days... I didn't smell it until I opened up the trash can itself... I now have three of these trash cans. 10/10
Simple human stainless trash can. Looks good for yearssss and there's a hole at the bottom so it's easy to pull trash bag out
I've have two SimpleHuman full sized stainless steel garbage cans with foot petals for over twenty years.
I agree. We have had ours around 23 years. No problems at all.
The trash can we use has a dampener for a slow close. It broke after a year.