simplehuman 58 Liter Dual Compartment Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment can suits households that want trash and recycling together, with spare bags stored inside. Choose it for its liner storage and carry-out recycling bucket; choose an EKO alternative if you want removable bins on both sides.
On this page (9 sections)
- What makes the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment worth choosing?
- Will it fit where you need it?
- How much trash and recycling will it hold?
- When is an EKO EcoCasa a better choice?
- How do you set up the liner rim and pocket?
- What should you expect from the pedal and lid?
- How should you empty and clean it?
- Which buying mistakes should you avoid?
- Should you choose the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment?
The simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment can is a good choice if you want trash and recycling together, with fresh bags stored where you change them. Its main advantage is the daily routine: remove the trash bag, grab a replacement inside the can and carry recycling out in its bucket.
Skip it if you want a removable container beneath both waste streams. The EKO alternatives below offer that layout, with different capacity splits and lid arrangements.
What makes the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment worth choosing?
The simplehuman earns its place through bag storage and a carry-out recycling bucket. Choose it when those features solve a daily task, rather than choosing it for total capacity alone.
simplehuman 58 L Step Recycler: Best for frequent bag changes
- 58 L total capacity
- 14.2 x 22 x 25.8 in
- Handled recycling bucket
- Pocket stores 20 liners
Choose this layout if you want spare bags within reach and a bucket you can carry out to empty recycling. The trash side holds its liner directly, without a removable inner bin.
Pros
- Trash and recycling share one footprint
- Handled bucket for carrying recyclables
- Spare liners dispense inside the can
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Needs space for a 22 in wide body
- Trash compartment has no removable inner bucket
- Confirm individual compartment capacities if the split matters
The trash side holds a liner directly beneath a stainless steel rim, which grips and hides the bag. The recycling side has a bucket you can lift out by its handle.
That arrangement suits a household where one person changes trash bags often and carries loose recyclables to a larger collection bin. Spare bags stay at the point of use, instead of in a drawer across the kitchen.
The trade-off appears during cleanup. Without a removable trash bucket, a leak needs to be cleaned inside the can rather than carried to a sink in an inner container.
Who should buy the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment can?
Buy it if you already separate trash and recycling daily and want one permanent sorting spot. It also suits a shared kitchen where keeping spare bags nearby makes it easier for anyone to replace a full liner.
Skip it if your household needs separate containers in different rooms or produces much more recycling than trash. A fixed dual layout can leave one compartment full while the other still has space.
For other compartment arrangements, see our guide to the best dual-compartment trash and recycling cans.
Will it fit where you need it?
Check floor space, opening clearance and removal space before buying. A can that fits with its lid shut may still be awkward beneath a counter or beside a busy doorway.
The simplehuman measures 14.2 in long, 22 in wide and 25.8 in tall. Mark that footprint on the floor with removable tape, then check whether you can stand at the pedal without blocking the normal walking route.
Open nearby drawers, cabinet doors and appliances while the taped outline is in place. A spot beside the dishwasher may look convenient until its open door blocks access to the trash.
Leave room above for the lid and for lifting the recycling bucket straight out. If the can must sit beneath a shelf, confirm the required opening clearance before ordering.
Also consider the trip to your outdoor bins. A sorting station tucked behind a table becomes less useful when you need to carry a full bucket around chairs.
Our guide to where to put a kitchen trash can can help you choose between a prep-area spot and a less visible location.
How much trash and recycling will it hold?
Treat 58 L as combined capacity, not as the size of the trash bag. The split between compartments matters more than the total if one waste stream fills much faster.
Before choosing, watch what fills your current containers first. Bulky cartons and drink containers can use up recycling space quickly, while food scraps may need removal before a trash bag is full.
Confirm the simplehuman's individual compartment capacities if either side must meet a specific need. Don't assume its two sections are equal or that a bag sized for a single 58 L bin will fit properly.
The EKO alternatives have stated splits, which makes them easier to compare against a known routine. Both give more capacity to the larger compartment, so neither is an equal-volume sorting setup.
Flatten suitable packaging and keep large shipping boxes outside the kitchen bin. Follow your local recycling rules rather than forcing every recyclable item into the indoor bucket.
Use our kitchen trash can size guide to compare total volume with the space you actually need for each waste stream.
When is an EKO EcoCasa a better choice?
Choose an EKO when removable bins on both sides matter more than storing spare liners inside the can. The two models here differ most in capacity and independent lid access.
EKO EcoCasa II 36 L + 24 L Dual Can: Best for bucket-based cleanup
- 60 L total capacity
- 36 L + 24 L split
- Two removable inner bins
- Color-coded compartments
Choose the EcoCasa II if you want to lift out either compartment for emptying and cleaning. Its larger trash section suits households that produce more bagged waste than recycling.
Pros
- Both inner bins have carry handles
- Known capacity for each compartment
- Outer side handles help with repositioning
Cons
- Needs 37 in of open-lid clearance
- Fixed compartment split may not suit recycling-heavy households
The EcoCasa II suits households that want to carry either inner bin out for cleaning. Its 60 L total is split into 36 L and 24 L, with color-coded bins to help keep the two streams distinct.
Both inner bins have carry handles, and the outer body has side handles for repositioning. That makes this layout worth considering if you regularly move the can to clean the floor around it.
Skip it if recycling is your larger waste stream and the smaller compartment would fill too quickly. It also needs 37 in of clearance with the lids open, so check overhead space carefully.
EKO EcoCasa 30 L + 20 L Dual Can: Best for separate lid access
- 50 L total capacity
- 30 L + 20 L split
- Two removable inner bins
- Independent pedals and lids
Choose this EcoCasa for separate access to trash and recycling when a lower total capacity fits your routine. Each side has its own pedal and lid.
Pros
- Open either side independently
- Both inner bins lift out by their handles
- Known trash and recycling capacity split
Cons
- Less room between emptying trips
- Lower capacity does not guarantee a narrower footprint
The smaller EcoCasa suits households that want to open each side separately. Its independent pedals and lids let you access one compartment while leaving the other shut.
Its 50 L total is split into 30 L and 20 L, and both inner bins lift out by their handles. Choose it if that volume matches your emptying schedule rather than buying extra capacity you rarely use.
Skip it if frequent overflow is your current problem. Its open height is 35.1 in, but lower capacity does not automatically mean a much smaller floor footprint.
How do you set up the liner rim and pocket?
Fit the trash-side liner evenly beneath the rim, then stock the pocket before the first bag change. The simplehuman uses Code H liners, and its pocket stores 20 replacements inside the can.
Start with the bag fully opened so its bottom reaches into the compartment. Smooth the top around the opening and secure it beneath the rim without leaving loose folds near the lid.
Don't stretch the bag tight across the opening or leave excess material in the closing path. A bag caught near the hinge or rim can interfere with normal lid movement.
Keep the recycling bucket unlined if your collection routine allows loose recyclables. Check local collection rules before carrying bagged recycling to an outdoor cart.
For a household sorting system, agree on which side holds which waste stream from the start. A small nearby reminder is useful when guests or children use the kitchen.
If you buy bags for more than one simplehuman model, keep the packs clearly separated. Our guide to simplehuman liner codes and sizes explains why the brand name alone isn't enough to choose a bag.
What should you expect from the pedal and lid?
Expect foot-operated access and a controlled close, with different lid materials across these choices. The simplehuman pairs a brushed stainless steel body with a plastic lid and uses Lid Shox to slow its closing movement.
simplehuman says its steel pedal is engineered for over 150,000 steps. EKO gives an over-200,000-step design figure for both EcoCasa models, which use soft-close stainless steel lids.
Those figures describe pedal design targets, rather than a set number of years in your kitchen. simplehuman backs its can with a 10-year warranty.
Use the pedal on a level surface and let the closing mechanism finish its movement. Avoid pushing the lid shut against its controlled close or leaving packaging across the opening.
Don't choose any of these solely for pet security. A step mechanism and closing lid do not establish that a determined dog cannot get inside.
If a simplehuman lid stops closing fully, check for a trapped liner or waste near the rim first. Our guide to why a simplehuman trash can lid won't close covers the next checks.
How should you empty and clean it?
Remove waste before it becomes tightly packed, and clean spills when they happen. Overfilling makes bag removal harder and can leave debris where the lid needs to close.
On the simplehuman, lift the trash bag directly out and check the compartment beneath it for leaks. Carry the recycling bucket by its handle, but empty it before the weight makes that trip awkward.
With either EKO, you can remove the inner container from either side for cleaning. That is the main reason to favor their bucket layout if containing drips during cleanup matters to you.
Empty leftover liquid from recyclable containers before putting them in the bucket, following local preparation rules. Liquid pooled at the bottom creates extra cleaning even when the contents are otherwise recyclable.
For routine care, follow the brand's cleaning directions and use a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads, and dry cleaned parts before replacing bags or returning the bucket.
simplehuman says its silver-ion coating resists fingerprints, while EKO describes both models as fingerprint resistant. Food residue and spills still need wiping away.
Our guide explains how to clean a stainless steel trash can. For food-related smells, use our advice on keeping a kitchen trash can from smelling rather than waiting for the compartment to fill.
Which buying mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid choosing by total liters alone or assuming a closed lid solves every waste problem. The right can matches your sorting habits, available space and emptying routine.
- Replacing one large trash bin with a dual can of similar total capacity. Some of that volume now belongs to recycling, so trash may need emptying more often.
- Buying more capacity to reduce every emptying trip. Wet food waste can need removal well before the bag is full.
- Ignoring access to the pedal. A narrow gap may hold the body while leaving too little space to use it comfortably.
- Assuming all recyclables belong together. If your local program separates materials, one recycling compartment may only be part of your setup.
- Packing waste above the rim. This can obstruct closure and catch the liner during removal.
- Choosing a bucket layout you dislike cleaning. Decide whether you prefer lifting out a container or wiping the fixed trash compartment before buying.
A useful final check is to walk through a full bag change in the intended spot. Make sure you have room to remove the bag, lift the recycling bucket and reach your bag supply.
Should you choose the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment?
Choose the simplehuman 58 liter dual compartment if keeping spare bags inside the can and carrying recycling out in a bucket will simplify your daily routine. Its directly lined trash side is the deciding trade-off.
Pick the EcoCasa II if you want removable containers on both sides and its larger compartment split suits your waste. Choose the smaller EcoCasa if separate lid access matters and you can manage with less capacity.
If you rarely recycle in the kitchen, a dual can may divide space you would rather keep for trash. Compare the simplehuman 45 L rectangular step can before committing to two compartments.
For the wider brand decision, read Are simplehuman trash cans worth it?. Pay for the features you'll use during each bag change, after checking that the can fits your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the simplehuman 58 L Step Recycler?
The simplehuman measures 14.2 in long, 22 in wide and 25.8 in tall. Those are closed-body dimensions, so leave extra clearance for the lid and for lifting out the recycling bucket.
Also check the pedal space, nearby cabinet doors and the route to your outdoor bins.
Does the simplehuman 58 L have separate trash and recycling compartments?
Yes, it separates trash and recycling within one body. The trash side holds a bag directly beneath a liner rim, while the recycling side has a handled bucket that lifts out.
The 58 L figure is the combined capacity, so don't treat it as the size of the trash compartment.
Which liners fit the simplehuman 58 L Step Recycler?
The trash side uses simplehuman Code H liners, and the recycling bucket can be used without a bag. Match the code to this model rather than choosing by total can capacity.
Our guide to simplehuman liner codes explains how bag codes differ across the brand's cans.
How does the simplehuman 58 L compare with the EKO EcoCasa II?
The main difference is the inner layout: simplehuman has a directly lined trash compartment and a removable recycling bucket, while the EcoCasa II has two removable bins. Choose simplehuman for its built-in liner storage, or EKO if lifting out either compartment matters more to your emptying and cleaning routine.
