The Best In-home Recycling Bins
We compared 8 EKO recycling bins on owner ratings, capacity, and battery life. The EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can is our top pick for its balance of capacity, quiet operation, and durability.
Updated
The bottom line
The EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can is our top pick for in-home recycling bins. It has a 50-liter capacity, a whisper-quiet closing mechanism, and a durable fingerprint-resistant finish. Priced at $80.84, it strikes a balance between features and cost. The EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can is a close runner-up at $99.99, offering similar features with a slightly higher price. For a budget option, the EKO Madison Trash Can at $19.07 has a compact design with a soft-close lid, though it has a much smaller 1.6-gallon capacity.
EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can $80.84
Best balance of capacity and quiet operation
The EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can has a 50-liter capacity, whisper-quiet closing mechanism, and durable fingerprint-resistant finish for $80.84. Owners rate it 9/10, citing its spacious design and quiet operation. The tradeoff is its higher price compared to smaller models.
Check price on Amazon
EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can $99.99
Similar features at a slightly higher price
The EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can has a 50-liter capacity, whisper-quiet closing mechanism, and durable fingerprint-resistant finish for $99.99. Owners rate it 9/10, praising its quality and functionality. The tradeoff is its higher price compared to the top pick.
Check price on Amazon
EKO Madison Trash Can $19.07
Compact and affordable with a soft-close lid
The EKO Madison Trash Can has a compact 1.6-gallon capacity, soft-close lid, and fingerprint-resistant finish for $19.07. Owners rate it 9/10, appreciating its space-efficient design. The tradeoff is its much smaller capacity compared to larger models.
Check price on AmazonThe field, ranked
- EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can Best balance of capacity, quiet operation, and durability. 9.0/10 $80.84 Amazon
- EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can Similar features to top pick at a slightly higher price. 8.5/10 $99.99 Amazon
- EKO Madison Trash Can Compact and affordable with a soft-close lid. 7.0/10 $19.07 Amazon
- EKO Mirage-T Trash Can Touchless operation with a larger capacity, but battery life concerns. 7.0/10 $70.83 Amazon
- EKO EK9262MT-45L Horizon Trash Can Motion sensor for hands-free operation, but requires battery replacement. 6.5/10 $52.89 Amazon
- EKO Mirage X Motion Sensor Trash Can Large capacity and touchless operation, but higher price. 6.0/10 $109.99 Amazon
- EKO EcoSmart Motion Sensor Trash Can Large capacity and soft-close lid, but limited owner ratings. 6.0/10 $109.99 Amazon
- EKO Madison Nardo Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can Durable build and fingerprint-resistant finish, but no unique features. 5.0/10 $100.99 Amazon
Where the differences show up in daily use
The EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can and the EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can both have a 50-liter capacity and a whisper-quiet closing mechanism, making them suitable for households that generate a moderate amount of waste. The EKO Madison Trash Can, while smaller at 1.6 gallons, is a good fit for compact spaces or as a secondary bin. The touchless models, such as the EKO Mirage-T and EKO Mirage X, offer a hygienic disposal solution but come with battery life concerns and a higher price tag.
What owners complain about after buying
Owners of the EKO Mirage-T and EKO Mirage X have reported issues with battery life, necessitating frequent replacements. Some users of the EKO Madison Matte Stainless Trash Can and EKO Madison Stainless Steel Kitchen Step Trash Can have noted that certain trash bags do not fit well, though this is a minor issue for most. The EKO Madison Trash Can, while well-received, is criticized for its smaller capacity, making it less suitable for larger households.