5 Best Garbage Cans for the Garage

Are you tired of struggling with inadequate household garbage cans when messes happen in your garage?

I would be too, but with the best garbage can for your garage, your troubles will be no more.

A great user-friendly option is the Rubbermaid Slim Jim Plastic Rectangular garbage can. With several features that make your life easier, like venting channels and bag cinches, you’ll wish you bought this garbage can sooner. 

If you need a garbage can that can withstand the heaviest use, then the Rubbermaid Commercial Brute heavy-duty trash can will do the trick. 

If you need an outdoor garbage can or a rolling one, you’ll find that and more below.

Let’s get into it!

Best Garbage Can for Garage

Rubbermaid Slim Jim Plastic Rectangular

Looking for a garbage can for your garage that’s convenient in every way? This is it. 

What I like

One of the best features of the Rubbermaid Slim Jim garbage can is the venting channels. With these channels in place, you’ll never fight against suction power to pull your bag out of the can, which is particularly useful when the bag is heavy. 

Another great design choice is the installation of 4 bag cinches. At each corner of the garbage can, there’s a small slit that you can pull the edge of the bag through so it won’t fall into the can when you add trash – you’ll never have to go fishing through trash for the bag again! 

This Rubbermaid garbage can is designed to fit in any space with a very slim design, perfect for tucking in beside a workspace or another narrow space. 

If you ever want to use it without a trash bag, there are two sturdy handles at the top as well as two-finger grips on the bottom of the can for simple lifting and dumping. 

What I don’t like 

The capacity of the garbage can is a bit small at 23 gallons, so it may require extra emptying and additional bags compared to a larger can. While the slim design is appealing from a space-efficiency perspective for your garage, it does mean that rounder, larger objects won’t fit inside either, so that’s something to keep in mind. 

Verdict

If you’re fine with changing the bag more frequently, or don’t have tons of garbage to throw away regularly, this Rubbermaid Slim Jim garbage can will be a great fit, especially if you find those subtle but common garbage can issues annoying.

Also Great Garbage Can for Garage

Rubbermaid Commercial Products Brute Heavy-Duty Trash

Looking for a garbage can that won’t break no matter what you throw at (or in) it? This is the one for you. 

What I like

The amazing durability of this Rubbermaid garbage can is most impressive; it can be driven over with a car, left out in all types of weather without sustaining any damage, and will never bottom out under the heaviest trash. 

These garbage cans are also easily stackable, so you can have multiple out during messy tasks and stack them away neatly when they’re no longer needed. 

This garbage can has venting channels and bag cinches that make bag management much easier – bags install and remove without any trouble. 

Despite the 32-gallon trash capacity, this garbage can is easily dumped out thanks to a specially-designed rounded handle that will never tear and deep hand grooves on the bottom for grip. 

What I don’t like

The interior of the garbage can has ridges that create lots of small spaces for dirt and debris to gather, so it makes cleaning a bit tougher if your liner or bag happens to have a hole or tear. 

Verdict

This Rubbermaid Brute trash can is the right choice if you want a value-packed option that will last years in any climate in your garage.

Best Wheeled Garbage Can for Garage

Brute Rollout 

This extra-large wheeled trash can is a must for big messes. 

What I like

The Brute Rollout Rubbermaid garbage can has two large, durable wheels that allow you to wheel the can to the curb for pickup, whether that’s 10 ft away or down a long driveway. The wheels make it easy to turn, move, and maneuver the garbage can even when full.

The extra-large 50-gallon capacity leaves room for all sorts of waste, including leftovers from a woodshop or spring lawn cleanup. I also like that the garbage can comes with a hinged lid that keeps odors and pests at bay. 

The handles are contoured for your grip and can be used to push or pull the can, whatever is easiest for you. They can also be used even if the lid is open since the lid opens fully to be unobtrusive. 

What I don’t like

The bin cannot be lined with a bag, so it may become sticky and dirty depending on what type of trash you’re filling it with. 

Verdict

The usability and versatility of this Rubbermaid Brute Rollout garbage can make it ideally suited for rural communities that must walk their garbage down longer driveways, or for those who need to toss heavy or large amounts of garbage regularly and want to save their back the trouble.

Best Small Garbage Can for Garage

GLAD 74L Extra Capacity Plastic Step Can

This portable, hands-free garbage can keeps things tidier than ever.  

What I like

This small 20-gallon trash can is one of the most portable options since it is made of a lightweight plastic shell that can be easily picked up and moved around as needed. Plus, the can only take up 42” of space even with the lid up

A foot pedal allows for hands-free trash disposal to keep your fingers clean and germ-free. As a bonus, the lid and lid frame have Clorox odor protection that reduces that trash can smell. 

Inside the garbage can are two bag rings that hold bags in place so there’s never a lost edge – or a lost bag. These also keep the bag tucked to achieve a tight seal when the lid is closed to block odors. 

What I don’t like

You’ll have to change the garbage more frequently due to the small capacity, and it can only fit smaller items. 

Verdict

If you don’t have high demands for your garbage can in your garage, this plastic step can by Glad will get the job done in a space-efficient fashion.

Best Garbage Can for Outside

Suncast 33 Gallon Hideaway Can Resin Outdoor

Need an outdoor garbage can with a pleasing aesthetic so your home won’t look trashy? Look no further. 

What I like

This is one of the most visually appealing garbage cans out there, so it will class up your outdoor space rather than create an eyesore like most trash cans. 

It is the perfect choice for locations that have trouble with pests since the hinged lid latches in place so critters can’t gain access

The resin exterior is durable and has minimal maintenance demands. One of the best features of this outdoor garbage can is that the lid stays upright on its own, so you can toss handful after handful of garbage without fighting with the lid at the same time. 

What I don’t like

Since the bag is hidden inside the unit, changing out the bag, especially when heavy, can be a bit of a pain compared to the average garbage can. 

Verdict

If you’re looking for an outdoor garbage can that can withstand weather and maintain your home’s chic aesthetic, this is the only choice.

Final Thoughts

No matter what you need to throw out, or how much trash you accumulate during a normal week, the best garbage can for your garage can help.

For total convenience, the Rubbermaid Slim Jim garbage can is the right choice, though the Brute Rollout garbage can is best for larger trash amounts.

Finding that your garage stinks? The best garage deodorizer might be your best bet.

About Roy Cohen

I'm Roy, founder of Hack My Garage. I started out like most not knowing how to hammer a nail, but now I know more than most people about home improvement and DIY. I want to spread my wealth of knowledge with the world and hope to make it a better place.

You can find Roy at his LinkedIn or his email: roy@hackmygarage.com