Best Car Trash Cans
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Trash builds up in every car on long road trips with family or your daily work commute. Tackle waste with our favorite car trash cans of 2024. Our top picks include car waste bins from Lusso Gear, Seal Skin, and Drive Auto.
- Most car trash cans cost around $15, with premium options falling in the $30 price range. The majority of car waste baskets are mounted around a headrest, although some can fit in crevices or on the car floor.
- Our favorite car trash cans can come with trash bags and can be easily opened and closed. Additionally, odor-masking materials are a definite plus.
Car Trash Can
Durable design with plenty of capacity to lock smells in.
Budget Trash Bin
A low-cost car trash can that effectively traps odors.
Insulated garbage bin that can double as a storage bag.
Floor-Mounted Trash Bin
A simple, no-frills trash can that’s well-suited for traveling.
Folding Garbage Can
Compact trash can that can fit in multiple locations.
Whether you’re taking a road trip or commuting to work, having a car trash can is an easy way to keep your vehicle’s interior tidy. Car trash cans aren’t the most glamorous vehicle accessories, but having the inside of your car resemble the front yard of a frat house is even less attractive.
This article will look at the five best car trash cans, which our review team identified and tested. Before giving each automobile trash can a rating, we thoroughly checked it for capacity, ease of installation, and additional features, including dual functionality as a car organizer. Read on to discover our findings.
Car Trash Can Reviews
For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each car trash can based on each item’s ease of installation, storage capacity, and overall features such as odor masking and waterproofing.
What Are The Best Car Trash Cans?
The Lusso Gear Spill-Proof Car Trash Can is our review team’s pick for the best overall car trash can. The overall form factor, excellent storage capacity, and sleek design made it a favorite. Our only gripe is that the price point was nearly double that of a few other options, but at less than $40, it is still a great value for someone looking to declutter their vehicle.
In addition to Lusso Gear, other options that topped our list include car trash cans from Seal Skin, Drive Auto, Carbage Can, and KMMotors.
| Brand/Model | Cost | Overall
Rating | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lusso Gear
Spill-Proof Car Trash Can | $24 | 4.8 | Best Car Trash Can |
| Seal Skin
Headrest Trash | $11 | 4.7 | Best Budget Trash Bin |
| Drive Auto Products
Car Trash Can | $14 | 4.2 | Most Versatile |
| Carbage Can | $24 | 3.7 | Best Floor-Mounted Trash Bin |
| KMMotors
Foldable Car Garbage Can | $10 | 3.7 | Best Folding Garbage Can |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
Car Trash Can Ratings: Our Testing Process
The car trash cans in this article underwent two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at Amazon Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices.
For testing, our team ordered the car trash cans that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on a car, noting how well the car trash can held debris, its ease of installation, and any additional features. We rated each car trash can out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested car trash cans here.
1. Lusso Gear Spill-Proof Car Trash Can: Best Car Trash Can
- Cost: About $24
- Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (approx. 11,800 reviews)
- Leak-proof 2.5-gal. liner
- Sealable lid
- Two side storage pockets and one front pocket
- High-quality Oxford fabric construction
Our review team named the Lusso Gear Spill-Proof Car Trash Can the Best Overall car trash can because of its quality construction, capacity, and design. The manufacturer includes a washable liner you can remove once the bin is full. There’s also an optional Velcro® adhesive so you can install the trash can on a passenger seat, center console, or glove box.
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Installation | 5.0 |
| Capacity | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.8 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Lusso Gear trash can:
- 2.5-gallon capacity
- Open-top for easy access
- Spill-proof design
- Higher Cost
The Lusso Gear Spill-Proof Car Trash Can had the most premium construction among the automotive wastebaskets we tested. We liked the removable liner, which was easy to install, and the Lusso has a large capacity.
Any driver wanting quality car accessories should consider this product, and the added capacity is a plus. The Lusso would be at home in the car of a professional chauffeur or someone who drives for Uber or Lyft.
The Lusso Gear lost points with its storage pockets, which aren’t as robust as the pockets of other wastebaskets we tested, and the manufacturer only has a handful of colors to choose from. Because of those factors, we gave the Lusso Gear 4.8 stars.
Most positive reviews mention the quality of construction and the easy-to-clean design. One common gripe is that the can didn’t fit in every location of the vehicle.
“This vehicle trash receptacle is fantastic, but the customer service of the manufacturer, Lusso, was beyond expectations.”
– Bridget D. via Amazon
“This thing literally won’t fit anywhere in my car. I have a Volvo SUV and it’s too large and flat to fit on the back [of] my front seats. It only has one strap at the top and then sticky Velcro® to affix the bottom part, but who wants that on their leather seats?”
– Lindsay via Amazon
2. Seal Skin Headrest Trash: Best Budget Trash Bin
- Cost: About $11
- Amazon rating: n/a
- 3.0-gal. capacity
- Three side pockets
- Sealable lid
- Waterproof interior
- Side clips for use with liner
Seal Skin offers a low-cost car trash can option that is easy to use and clean. It can be attached to a car headrest with a bottom strap that provides complete stability. This car trash can has a nearly 3.0-gallon capacity, which should be plenty large for most trips.
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Installation | 5.0 |
| Capacity | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.7 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Seal Skin Headrest Trash Can:
- Waterproof Lining
- Sealed and insulated to reduce odor
- Exterior side storage pockets
- No additional color options
The Seal Skin Headrest Trash Can clips around the headrest. A lower strap can be extended to attach underneath the seat, which provides total stability. The trash can cannot tip over once installed in this manner.
The Seal Skin trash can’s interior is insulated with a waterproof material that makes it both easy to clean and helps prevent food scraps from heating (reducing decomposition and thus odor). This isn’t quite as convenient as the Lusso Gear’s removable liner. However, The Seal Skin trash can has side clips for use with a plastic liner. We used a plastic grocery bag as a liner and it worked perfectly.
Mesh side pockets can be used to store some items or snacks, though there isn’t much storage.
This product is sold on Amazon, but has no Amazon customer reviews. Other Seal Skin products (such as their trunk organizer and car covers) are well-reviewed on Amazon due to the high-quality materials and durable construction.
3. Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can: Most Versatile
- Cost: About $14
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (approx. 8,500 reviews)
- 2.0-gal. capacity
- Sealable lid
- Clips to hold trash bags in place
- Water-resistant design
- Two mesh side pockets
Our third-place pick is the Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can. Its design includes a sealable lid and clips to hold the trash bag in place. While its design is similar to our other picks, it has less additional storage features than the others. As a bonus, it can also be used as a drink cooler since it’s sealable and leakproof.
You can see how product one performed in each of our review categories below:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Installation | 4.0 |
| Capacity | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.2 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can:
- Trash bags included
- Lower cost
- Smaller storage capacity
The Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can earned bonus points for being the only wastebasket we tested to include trash bags with the base product, although you only get 10 liner bags from the manufacturer. Thanks to the adjustable strap, installing this can anywhere in the car proved to be pretty quick.
The Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can is suitable for the shenanigans leading up to game day and the cleanup afterward. Many customer reviews say the leak-proof design helps the product function as a cooler. The can might not be the most attractive option, but its functionality is notable.
We ultimately made the Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can our third pick and awarded it 4.2 stars because it had slightly fewer storage options than our first two choices. That said, we do enjoy the novelty of it also serving as a drink cooler.
Many customers enjoy the construction and the inclusion of trash liners with the product, while other users report issues with the lid of the larger version sealing properly.
“Great quality trash container for road trips.”
– Angela T. Reynolds via Amazon
“It has a thick protective plastic [sewn] on the inside, so cleaning up spills is super easy. Plus, it came with a roll of plastic garbage bags that fit perfectly inside. Heavy-duty car trash bag. Very good quality.”
– BonBon via Amazon
“Unfortunately, the hooks don’t hold the plastic bag and it becomes a “lump” in the bottom of the oversize can. In short, it’s bulky, too large, unless you retain a month or two of garbage in it, and grossly overpriced for the design defects mentioned above.”
– rivereagle via Amazon
4. Carbage Can: Best Floor-Mounted Trash Bin
- Cost: About $24
- Amazon rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (approx. 2,400 reviews)
- 2.0-gal. capacity
- Rubber band to help secure trash bags
- Waterproof design
- Attaches to floor mats for security
Great name; decent performance. The Carbage Can is a trash can similar to what you might find in a bedroom or restroom but modified to fit your car’s floor. It attaches by clipping to your car’s floor mats and comes with a Carbage Can–branded rubber band to ensure trash bags stay in place. The Carbage Can doesn’t try to compete with rival brands regarding storage pockets or odor-trapping features, but it does go for that sense of home within the car.
You can see how product one performed in each of our review categories below:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Installation | 4.0 |
| Capacity | 4.0 |
| Features | 3.0 |
| Overall Rating | 3.7 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Carbage Can:
- Durable construction
- Excellent customer support
- Lid doesn’t seal
- Installation more difficult than other options (though not especially complex)
Although the Carbage Can has the same capacity as two other car trash cans on our list at 2.0 gal., we docked it points for lacking a sealable lid – a feature we found on every wastebasket we tested.
If you don’t have children or rarely drive with passengers in the back seat, you will probably find the Carbage Can a solid choice for your vehicle. You can install the can by the front passenger seat, although this risks sacrificing legroom for a passenger.
Installation was substantially more complicated than with the other models we tested since it required aligning the floor mat clips with the bottom of the can. However, we found the Carbage Can was sturdy once installed. When taking everything into account, we gave this product 3.5 stars.
Positive reviews highlight the surprising sturdiness of the can and excellent customer service from the manufacturer. On the negative side, some customers report the product may not work with all floor mats.
“This is the perfect size trash can and fits nicely behind the passenger seat of my brand-new Mazda CX-5. It clipped onto the floor mat easily and has stayed in place through bumps and turns.”
– April via Amazon
“I have used this trash can in my car for over two years and it has held up very well. … It is easy to clean, and I can leave the clip in place while I do that. I would buy this again in a heartbeat, but it has lasted so long and works so well I may not have to.”
– Wade Lee via Amazon
“The garbage can size is adequate. I like the idea of the clip to the mat, but the clip is too small. … Unfortunately, when the can is full and you take a left turn the can tips over.”
– Stephen C. Rogers via Amazon
5. KMMOTORS Foldable Car Garbage Can: Best Folding Garbage Can
- Cost: About $10
- Amazon rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (approx. 31,500 reviews)
- 1.85-gal. capacity
- Closable lid
- Adjustable strap
Sleek and simple is the idea behind the KMMOTORS Foldable Car Garbage Can. It has slightly less capacity than other products we’ve featured, and like the Carbage Can, it offers no extra storage. However, you get a three-month manufacturer warranty and a sealable wastebasket that should fit almost anywhere.
You can see how the KMMOTORS Foldable Garbage Can performed in each of our review categories below:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Installation | 5.0 |
| Capacity | 3.0 |
| Features | 3.0 |
| Overall Rating | 3.7 |
Below are the pros and cons of the KMMOTORS Foldable Car Garbage Can:
- Easy to install
- Foldable
- Low cost
- Smaller capacity
- No additional storage
As with most car trash cans we tested, the installation was easy when testing the KMMOTORS foldable car trash can. This product lost points in the capacity and extra features categories.
The KMMOTORS car trash can has the smallest capacity of any car trash can we tested and lacks side pockets for additional storage.
The KMMOTORS car trash bin is well-suited for you if you already maintain a clean car. Its small size means you won’t be able to fit a lot in it, but at least it’s easy to store.
The small size also means it could be installed anywhere from the glove box to the gear shift, and it’s a strong choice for a mini car trash can if a cup holder option doesn’t work for you.
Build quality was another drawback, as the KMMOTORS trash can didn’t seem as high quality as some of our other top picks. All factors considered, we awarded it 3.7 stars overall.
Customer opinions on the product’s small size vary a lot, with some saying the trash can is easy to store and others saying it doesn’t hold enough garbage.
Positive reviews often mention the product being easy to clean. Disgruntled customers frequently report issues with customer service and a lack of trash bags from the manufacturer.
“Love this trash bag! It sits nicely behind your center console and looks clean and tidy. The material is well made and the additional trash bags you buy fit perfectly in the bottom.”
– Amazon Customer
“I’m actually pretty impressed with this trash can. It looks really small but it can actually hold a lot.”
– KP via Amazon
“The strap on the back immediately broke when I went to tighten it. I’m not the Hulk. I just pulled and within having it delivered no more than two hours prior, it is broken.”
– Talktastic via Amazon
Car Trash Can Buying Guide
When considering the best car trash can options, look for more than a big bag in your favorite color. Below are a few tips from our review team to aid in your shopping experience.
Car Trash Cans: Compare And Contrast
| Brand/Model | Approximate
Cost | Storage
Capacity | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lusso Gear
Spill-Proof Car Trash Can | $24 | 2.5 gallons | Waterproof Oxford |
| Seal Skin
Headrest Trash | $11 | 3.0 gal. | Polyester with waterproof inner lining |
| Drive Auto Products
Car Trash Can | $14 | 2.0 gal. | Polyester |
| Carbage Can | $24 | 2.0 gal. | Plastic |
| KMMotors
Foldable Car Garbage Can | $10 | 1.85 gal. | Faux Leather |
Size Matters
We found that the standard fast-food combo quickly filled most of the car trash cans we tested.
Don’t be afraid to splurge on a larger can since most are foldable and can easily be stored in a trunk or storage bin.
And since most bags have a capacity of 2.0 to 3.0 gal., you’ll probably end up cleaning your car trash can out regularly if you put items other than small trash in it.
Odor Masking
When driving in the car with food remnants in the back seat, there’s bound to be some foul odors, especially over time. Consumers should prioritize car trash cans equipped with liners or come with odor-masking trash bags. Additionally, car trash cans that are washable are an added plus.
Location, Location, Location
Since most car trash cans are collapsible, you don’t have to attach all of them in the same place. The seat headrest is an obvious choice, but you can easily swing around to a front seat. You can even attach some smaller cans to the center console, gear shift, or car floor.
Some car trash cans fit in a cup holder, but it’s hard to justify giving up other interior accessories to make room for a trash can.
Expect To Buy Bags
Of the car trash cans we tested, only one came with bags. Some brands include trash bags for an extra charge or provide washable liners you can remove for cleaning purposes.
If you don’t feel like paying for garbage bags, a plastic bag or a grocery bag often works as a replacement. However, plastic grocery bags are prone to getting holes and may not be the right size for your car.
Best Car Trash Can: Bottom Line
In this article, along with sharing helpful purchasing tips for those interested in purchasing a car trash can, we reviewed the top car trash cans in 2024:
- Best Car Trash Can: Lusso Gear Spill-Proof Car Trash Can
- Best Budget Trash Bin: Seal Skin Headrest Trash
- Most Versatile: Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can
- Best Floor-Mounted Trash Can: Carbage Can
- Best Foldable Garbage Can: KMMOTORS Foldable Car Garbage Can
Trash Cans For Cars: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about trash cans for cars:
Do car trash bins come with bags?
Not all car trash cans come with garbage bags, so review the item description if garbage bags are a dealbreaker for you. The item descriptions for most car trash cans include capacity and dimensions, so finding trash bags that fit shouldn’t be too hard.
Can you use a car trash can as a cooler?
Some car trash can manufacturers, such as Drive Auto Products, claim their products can double as coolers for food and beverages. If you plan to use the product as a cooler, make sure it is a leak-proof car accessory and has insulation to retain temperature.
How big does my car trash can need to be?
Most of the car trash cans our review team tested had a capacity of 2.0 gal., which is OK for common debris such as food wrappers, paper, and other trash that accumulates in vehicles. However, putting an entire fast food combo in your car trash can will fill it quickly, so it’s best to empty the trash regularly.
Where should I place the trash can in my car?
Trash cans for cars are commonly installed on seat backs, the floor of the passenger area, and even on gear shifters between seats.
What can I use as a trash can in my car?
While plastic bags and similar vessels can be used to house garbage, drivers should really utilize a housing that isn’t likely to tear and can mask odors if they plan on having a trash can for their car.
Full Car Trash Can Testing Methodology
In testing each car trash can, we primarily evaluated the complexity of each can’s installation process. But, we also were interested in what each product did outside of storing waste. Below are our testing criteria:
- Installation: We replicated some of the trash items most likely to accumulate in a car to test these products. This included paper receipts, pens, plastic wrappings, and the remnants of a fast-food combo meal. We wanted to see how easy different items were to toss, especially for trash cans with smaller openings.
- Storage Capacity: We also wanted to see how much trash could be stored in each trash can without overflowing. We tested this by loading different items, mentioned above, to see how each product compared to the other in relation to storage capacity.
- Extra Features: Car trash cans that have extra storage options, serve dual purposes like a cooler, or came from the manufacturer with trash bags scored higher in our testing.
How We Score Products
Our reviews team assesses each product with an understanding each option should be able to perform its intended task. From there, we adjust scores based on value and performance.
- 5.0 Stars: The product significantly exceeded expectations, masked smells and avoided spills, and offers excellent value. Products that included trash bags were also in this category.
- 4.0 Stars: The product performed better than expected, is easy to use and clean, and is a good investment for the price point. Odor masking of garbage is still good but not as effective as our top picks.
- 3.0 Stars: The product performed as expected and is priced fairly. Where the product fell short is added features like extra storage pockets or not including trash bags.
- 2.0 Stars: The product either underperformed, has inherent design flaws, or may be more expensive than we feel is an appropriate amount to invest. Car trash cans with poor storage space or that are difficult to clean would be in this category.
- 1.0 Star: The product vastly underperformed or failed during testing and is overpriced. Options where garbage is not easily stowed or the unit cannot be firmly secured.
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
