It’s a dirty topic, an unavoidable one for every driver: trash. Maybe you take your breakfast or lunch on the go; maybe you reach for the occasional mid-rush hour traffic jam snack while you’re not going anywhere. Whatever the case, chances are your vehicle’s wastebasket options are lacking, if it has one at all.
Thankfully, there are a multitude of ways to put a trash can in your car. Moreover, any trash can you’ll buy is very affordable. Whether you need a central trash and organization hub, cupholder-size mini bins or something that can be mounted anywhere, there’s a trash can for every car. So, get out there and keep it clean.
- EPAuto Waterproof Car Trash Can : Best Buy
- Carbage Can : Best Floor-Mounted Trash Can
- Njnj Waterproof Car Trash Can : Best Central Trash/Organization Hub
- Oudew Car Trash Can : Best Cupholder Insert
- Drive Auto Car Trash Can : Best Multitasker
This EPAuto trash can is small enough that using the included strap, you can hang it off a headrest, from the glovebox, off your gear shifter—just about anywhere that may be convenient. It’s sneakily large with a two-gallon capacity. In addition to attached storage pockets it is, as the name implies, waterproof. Drivers of compact cars may find the EPAuto Waterproof a little too large. Some have found the attached Velcro on the bottom less than adequate.
- Impressive storage for size
- Variety of colors
- Can be placed in many areas of the car
- Velcro is weak for floor mounting
- Too large for smaller cars
- Strap has too much slack
The Carbage Can comes with a clip to help mount it to your floor mat. Combined with its sleek design, the can sits in such a way that it looks like it came with your car. The three-gallon capacity is impressive, too. There is no lid and the floor mat clip doesn’t secure to certain mat brands.
- Design
- Stability
- Capacity
- No lid
- Clip not compatible with all floor mat brands
- Takes foot room from rear passenger
The Njnj Waterproof Super Large trash can makes your center console a hub of organization, waste management and, hopefully, peace in your vehicle. It’s leakproof, has a lid to keep waste odors at bay and has pockets all around for storage. Measure carefully. Some have found this can too large and intrusive. The Velcro is prone to failure and the inner liner can fall apart in hotter climates.
- Three-gallon capacity
- Storage pockets all around
- Leakproof
- Too bulky in smaller cars
- Velcro can be weak
- Could be more robust
Maybe you don’t need a full-on trash can in your car. The Oudew Car Trash Can is made for the cupholder slots in your center console, providing a convenient lidded waste removal option at a great price. Its unique design wins extra points, too. The main thing to watch is the lid. There are some reports of it coming loose and issues with the spring-loaded push-down lid mechanism.
- Price
- Design
- Push-down lid
- Small
- Lid can come loose
- Springs can break
Drive’s car trash can comes in two sizes and various colors, but its biggest selling point may be its ability to be used as a cooler. Factor in the ability to be secured in multiple locations within the car and there’s a lot to like about the Drive trash can. What you might not like is the lack of a lid on the medium-sized model. Other reviewers found the Drive trash can too bulky regardless of size. There have been some critical reviews regarding the build quality of its strap and the internal hooks that hold the trash bags.
- Insulated; can be used as a cooler
- 2.2- or 3.9-gallon size
- Leakproof
- A bit bulky
- No lid for medium-size model
- Some have had material quality issues
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the best trash can for your vehicle, we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S., which also includes performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.