Amazon Basics Rectangular Small Trash Can Review
A Nickel finish, 20 liter (5.3 gallon) rectangular step trash can from Amazon Basics with a soft-close lid and a removable inner bucket.
| Brand | Amazon Basics |
|---|---|
| Model | GS43020L |
| Part number | GS43020L |
| Color | Nickel |
| Capacity | 20L / 5.3 gallon |
| Dimensions (feature text) | 12.4 x 7.3 x 15.4 inches |
| Best for | Bedrooms, offices, living rooms or bathrooms needing a compact, hands-free step trash can |
Product Overview
Amazon Basics builds this can around a 20 liter (5.3 gallon) capacity, positioned as versatile waste storage for bedrooms, offices, living rooms and bathrooms rather than a full kitchen-size can. A removable inner bucket with a carry handle simplifies emptying and cleaning.
The stainless steel exterior uses a Nickel finish paired with a heavy-duty plastic inner bucket, which Amazon Basics states is built for lasting strength and reliability in everyday use.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Quiet, smooth opening and closing without a loud slam.
Lets users dispose of multiple items without re-pedaling each time.
Lifts out with a carry handle for easy disposal and cleaning.
Smudge resistant exterior paired with a heavy-duty plastic bucket.
Sized for bedrooms, offices, living rooms and bathrooms.
Design and Build Quality
The manual foot pedal operates a soft-close lid for silent, smooth opening and closing, and the lid can stay open for hands-free disposal of several items in a row without pedaling each time. Amazon Basics' feature text states compact dimensions of 12.4 by 7.3 by 15.4 inches, while the listing's separate item dimensions field states 11.81 inches long, 11.42 inches wide and 20.67 inches tall, a notably different set of figures the listing does not reconcile.
The can weighs about 7.69 pounds and carries part number and model GS43020L. The removable bucket and carry handle are designed for easy disposal and convenient cleaning across home and office use.
Performance in Everyday Use
Amazon Basics states the foot pedal and soft-close lid combination delivers quiet, smooth operation rather than a loud slam or rattling lid, and the stay-open feature lets users dispose of several items hands-free before the lid needs to close again. The removable inner bucket is the can's main cleaning convenience, lifting out separately from the outer shell.
These are Amazon Basics' own published capacity, material, pedal mechanism and dimension figures rather than independent durability or pedal-cycle testing of this specific can.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lid mechanism | Soft-close, stay-open foot pedal | Listing states a manual foot pedal with soft-close lid delivers silent, smooth opening and closing, featuring a stay-open lid for hands-free disposal | 8.2 | A named lid mechanism shows how quietly and conveniently the can operates during use |
| Capacity | 20L / 5.3 gallon | Listing states a 20 liter / 5.3 gallon rectangular trash can | 8.0 | A confirmed capacity shows how much waste the can holds before needing to be emptied |
| Materials | Stainless steel exterior, plastic inner bucket | Listing states a stainless steel exterior with nickel finish paired with a heavy-duty plastic inner bucket | 8.0 | Named materials show the durability and finish basis of the can |
| Dimensions | Two different figures stated | Feature text states 12.4 x 7.3 x 15.4 inches while the item dimensions field states a length of 11.81, width of 11.42 and height of 20.67 inches | 6.5 | Reporting both figures flags a real inconsistency in the listing's own sizing data |
| Weight | About 7.69 pounds | Listing's item dimensions field states a weight of 7.6941329438 pounds | 7.6 | A stated weight shows how substantial the can feels when empty and being moved |
| Cleaning design | Removable bucket, carry handle | Listing states a removable bucket and carry handle for easy trash disposal and convenient cleaning | 8.1 | A stated removable bucket design shows how easily the can can be emptied and cleaned |
Who Should Buy It
- Bedrooms, home offices and bathrooms needing a compact can
- Buyers wanting a quiet, soft-close pedal lid
- Anyone wanting hands-free disposal of multiple items at once
- Households wanting a removable, easy-to-clean inner bucket
- Buyers prioritizing a smudge resistant stainless steel finish
- Anyone needing a large kitchen-capacity trash can rather than a 5.3 gallon compact size
- The listing's feature text and item dimensions field give two different sets of measurements for the can
- Only available in the Nickel finish on this listing
- At 5.3 gallons, the capacity is too small for a full kitchen trash can role
- No stated warranty period appears in the listing
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | Amazon Basics | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lid mechanism | Soft-close, stay-open foot pedal | Basic lid without soft-close or stay-open | Comparable soft-close pedal design |
| Inner bucket | Removable plastic bucket with carry handle | Fixed, non-removable inner liner | Comparable removable bucket design |
| Finish | Smudge resistant Nickel stainless steel | Standard finish, fingerprints show easily | Comparable smudge resistant finish |
| Capacity | 20L / 5.3 gallon | Smaller capacity for a single small room | Comparable mid-size capacity |
| Listing consistency | Two different dimension figures stated | Single consistent dimension figure | Single consistent dimension figure |
Alternatives Worth a Look
The Amazon Basics Rectangular Small Trash Can delivers a 20 liter (5.3 gallon) capacity with a soft-close, stay-open foot pedal lid and a removable bucket in a Nickel stainless steel finish. It suits buyers wanting a compact, quiet step trash can for smaller rooms, with the caution that the listing's own dimension figures do not agree between the feature text and the item dimensions field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this trash can's capacity?
20 liters, or 5.3 gallons, per the listing.
How does the lid open and close?
Via a manual foot pedal with a soft-close mechanism, with a stay-open option for hands-free use.
What are the can's dimensions?
The listing gives two figures: 12.4 by 7.3 by 15.4 inches in the feature text, and 11.81 by 11.42 by 20.67 inches in the item dimensions field.
Is the inner bucket removable?
Yes, it lifts out with a carry handle for easy disposal and cleaning.
What finish does this can come in?
Nickel, on a stainless steel exterior, per the listing.
How much does the can weigh?
About 7.69 pounds, per the listing.
This review is based on Amazon Basics' stated capacity, material, pedal and lid mechanism, dimensions and weight for this trash can as listed. It is editorial analysis of the features as described, not independent pedal durability or long-term finish wear testing of this specific can.