Let’s be real for a second. Nobody actually wants to spend their Saturday afternoon obsessing over where they’re going to throw away used dental floss and empty shampoo bottles. It’s a bin. It sits in the corner. You step on a lever, the lid pops up, and you move on with your life. But then you walk into a big-box store and realize that choosing a target bath trash can is surprisingly annoying because the options are either five dollars and look like a bucket from a crime scene, or sixty dollars and have "smart sensors" that stop working after three months of bathroom humidity.
Target has basically cornered the market on this specific niche of home goods. They’ve mastered that weird middle ground where something looks like it belongs in a boutique hotel but costs about the same as a large pizza. If you've spent any time browsing the Brightroom or Threshold aisles, you know the vibe.
Why Everyone Ends Up Buying Their Bin at Target
The psychology here is pretty simple. You go in for milk and paper towels, and suddenly you’re standing in the back corner of the store staring at a matte black step-can. Why? Because the target bath trash can selection hits a very specific aesthetic that Amazon often misses. On Amazon, you’re gambling on some brand with a name that looks like a keyboard smash. At Target, you can actually touch the pedal to see if it feels flimsy.
Quality varies wildly. Honestly, some of the plastic Room Essentials bins are a bit too thin. They slide around on tile floors every time you try to step on the lever. It’s a common gripe. You’ll see reviews from people frustrated that their "non-slip" base is actually just smooth plastic. If you have a slick marble or ceramic floor, that little bin is going to go on a journey across the room every time you use it.
The Metal vs. Plastic Debate
Metal looks better. Obviously. But in a bathroom? It’s a gamble. Most of the lower-priced metal bins at Target are powder-coated steel. If the coating chips—which it will if you’re aggressive with the vacuum cleaner—that exposed metal is going to rust in the humidity of a post-shower steam room.
Plastic doesn't rust. It’s "lifestyle-proof." The Brightroom line has these heavy-duty plastic cans that actually have a bit of weight to them. They don't look as expensive as the brushed nickel versions, but they also don't get those weird tea-colored rust spots around the base after six months. If you’re living in an apartment with zero ventilation, plastic is the move. Trust me.
The Hidden Costs of Special Liners
Here is the thing that most people get wrong about buying a target bath trash can. They look at the price of the bin and ignore the price of the bags. Target is notorious for designing cans that fit "custom" bags. It’s a classic printer-and-ink business model.
📖 Related: White Sheep Black Face: The Surprising Truth Behind the World's Cutest Breeds
- Standard grocery bags (the plastic ones we all hoard under the sink) usually don't fit well. They’re too big, they hang over the side, and they make your "chic" bathroom look like a dorm room.
- The "A" or "B" sized liners are sized perfectly.
- You end up paying a premium for a bag that is designed to be invisible.
If you want to save money, look for the bins that have a removable inner bucket. This is the secret hack. You can tuck a standard small trash bag between the inner bucket and the outer shell. It hides the messy edges of the plastic bag while still giving you the convenience of a sturdy liner.
Does the Soft-Close Lid Actually Matter?
Yes. 100%. If you live with other people, the "clanging" of a cheap metal lid at 2 AM is the loudest sound in the world. Target’s Threshold line usually features a soft-close mechanism. It’s basically a tiny hydraulic damper. It’s fancy. It’s satisfying. It’s also the first thing to break if a kid decides to manually push the lid down instead of letting it drift.
There’s a specific model—the 5-liter round step can—that is basically the gold standard for guest baths. It’s small enough to tuck between the toilet and the vanity. It’s large enough that you aren't emptying it every single day.
Size and Spatial Awareness
Don't eyeball it. Seriously. Measure the gap between your toilet and the wall. Most people buy a target bath trash can that is just a half-inch too wide, and then it sits at a weird angle and the lid hits the porcelain every time it opens. It drives you crazy.
- Check the "swing" of the lid. Some flip up and back, meaning they need an inch of clearance from the wall.
- Look for "slim" designs if you’re in a tight urban apartment.
- Round cans are classic, but rectangular ones utilize corner space much better.
Real Talk About Durability
Let's look at the facts. Target isn't Simplehuman. While Target's brands like Brightroom are great, they aren't meant to be "buy it for life" items. You’re likely going to get 3 to 5 years out of a target bath trash can before the pedal mechanism starts to feel mushy.
Is that a dealbreaker? Probably not. Most people change their bathroom decor more often than that anyway. But if you want something that survives a move across the country, go for the solid resin models without moving parts. A simple open-top basket is indestructible. Of course, then you have to look at your trash.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you're heading out to grab a new bin today, do these three things first. First, measure that floor space. Don't guess. You'll lose. Second, decide if you actually need a lid. If it's a high-traffic bathroom, lids keep things looking clean, but they're annoying for quick tosses. Third, check the bottom of the can in the store. If it doesn't have rubber feet, grab a pack of those sticky felt or rubber bumpers while you're in the hardware aisle. It’ll stop the "sliding bin" syndrome immediately.
Skip the motion-sensor ones. They’re a gimmick that eats batteries and eventually gets triggered by the shower curtain blowing in the wind. Stick to the mechanical step-pedal or a simple open-top design. You'll thank yourself when you aren't changing AA batteries in your trash can at six in the morning.