The 10 Best Wastebaskets
Special Honors
Amish Baskets Just imagine how good you would be at weaving baskets if it weren't for modern distractions like smartphones and the internet. This website features all kinds of handwoven Amish baskets, some of which are specifically designed to hold waste. The bottom of each one is signed and dated by the family members who made it, which is about as intimate as you can hope to get when it comes to purchasing a trash can. amishbaskets.com
Scully & Scully Located on Park Avenue in New York, this retailer of fine furniture and collectibles has an interesting selection of wastebaskets made from a range of materials. Although most of their offerings are simple open top cylinders, many of them can be purchased alongside matching tissue box covers, if that's what you're into. Either way, each piece tends to cost significantly more than what you'll find above. scullyandscully.com
Editor's Notes
August 12, 2020:
From models designed to go under the sink to those made for bathrooms, the best wastebaskets usually have some feature that will call to your inner housekeeper. Picking the best one for your situation depends on where you’re going to put it and how you’re going to use it, among other considerations. Just so, don’t forget that size matters. You don’t want to buy something with a hinged lid only to discover that it can't completely open in the place you want to put it.
While the models here are intended for general use, you might see something that fits a more specific need. For instance, even though dedicated diaper pails exist, you might prefer something like the iTouchless Trash Can or Ninestars Automatic since they are motion operated, which can be a big help when your hands are full.
Where safety is concerned, most models are only as dangerous as the combination of things you leave in them, so please be mindful of what you throw away. Fumes from garbage can be bad for your health, so options with open tops like the mDesign Modern and Whole Housewares Dia are better suited for dry trash that isn’t sullied with food residues or bodily fluids. No matter which wastebasket you choose, we suggest regularly emptying and cleaning your purchase.