Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Yes, you read the title right—there really are trash cans just for pet poop! These receptacles are specially designed to control odors and prevent bacteria from leaking out. They come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, and you can choose from smart or manual depending on what works for you and your budget.
If you’ve been using a regular trash can for your dog’s poop, you’re fed up with the odor, and maintenance, and are worried about germs, you’ve likely decided to make the switch. Our reviews should give you a head’s up as to what’s out there, and help you choose the best dog poop trash can for you, your home, and your budget.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
PawPail Pet Waste Station
Sturdy and durable
Comes with 200 leak-proof bags
Carbon air filter and air vents double up for odor-control
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Best Value
Litter Champ Premium Odor-Free Cat Litter Waste Disposal System
Handy foot pedal
Great for dogs that use a litter box
Triple-seal system to combat odors
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Premium Choice
Townew T03 Smart Trash Can
Self-sealing bags for odor control
Automatically replaces trash bags
Motion detectors for automatic opening and closing
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Townew T1D Smart Trash Can
Opens and closes automatically
Rechargeable 30-day battery
Seals and replaces the trash bags automatically
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PetFusion Portable Outdoor Pet Waste Disposal
Portable
Convenient
Can carry up to 8 gallons
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The 10 Best Trash Cans for Dog Poop
The PawPail Pet Waste Station was created with odor control and hygiene as a priority—something on every dog parent’s mind. There’s a built-in carbon air filter to prevent nasty odors from escaping, and the PawPail stores up to 200 poop bags that are included with your purchase. It’s built to withstand all types of weather conditions from rain to shine, so is a great option for an outdoor trash can.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 13 x 8 x 18.5 inches
Colors: Beige
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The Pawpail Pet Waste Station also has a cute, pawprint pattern that doubles up as an air vent to help minimize bad smells. On account of the Pawpail’s odor-control capabilities, cute design, and ability to weather all storms, we’ve chosen it as our best overall trash can for dog poop.
Sturdy and durable
Carbon air filter and air vents double up for odor-control
Comes with 200 leak-proof bags
Decorative and cute design
Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Sturdy and durable
- Carbon air filter and air vents double up for odor-control
- Comes with 200 leak-proof bags
- Decorative and cute design
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Expensive
Not portable
- Expensive
- Not portable
Let’s be honest—not all dog poop trash cans are easy on the wallet. If you’re looking for something simple, easy to use, and cost-effective, you might want to check out this trash can from Litter Champ. Though the name states “cat litter”, there’s no reason why this trash can can’t be used for dog poop too, especially if your dog uses a litter box rather than going outside.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 45 x 9.45 x 18.82 inches
Colors: Gray
The Litter Champ trash can has a triple-seal lock system to prevent nasty odors from leaking out into your home. It can hold a few weeks’ worth of waste and has a foot pedal so you can avoid touching the rim. The drawback of the Little Champ trash can is that it can get a little messy around the trap door due to its small size and the scoop being slightly too big. Cheap and easy to use, it’s the best dog poop trash can for the money.
Cheap
Handy foot pedal
Great for dogs that use a litter box
Triple-seal system to combat odors
Replacement bags available
Compatible with both replacement bags and other trash bag brands
- Cheap
- Handy foot pedal
- Great for dogs that use a litter box
- Triple-seal system to combat odors
- Replacement bags available
- Compatible with both replacement bags and other trash bag brands
Scoop a little too wide for the trap door—can result in a mess around the rim
Not great for outdoors
- Scoop a little too wide for the trap door—can result in a mess around the rim
- Not great for outdoors
- Townew T03 Smart Trash Can, 3.4 gal – Premium Choice
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 90 x 14.30 x 15.30 inches
Colors: White
If you’re happy to splash out a little more on a top-notch trash can, check out the Townew T03 smart trash can. As a smart trash can, it has motion sensors that detect when you’re en route with something stinky and can sense when the bag is going to overflow. When this happens, it automatically seals up. When you remove the bag, the bag-holding ring replaces it for you.
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 90 x 14.30 x 15.30 inches
Colors: White
It comes with a few nifty extra features that bump it up into the premium category. For one, it utilizes ASAR 3.0 technology. This means it consumes less energy but speeds up the automatic replacement and sealing of trash bags. On the downside, you do need to replace the refill ring when all the bags are finished.
It also has a rechargeable battery that can last for up to 80 days and is waterproof. In terms of appearance, it’s clean, sleek, and modern—this allows it to blend perfectly into any room in your home.
Self-sealing bags for odor control
Motion detectors for automatic opening and closing
Automatically replaces trash bags
Waterproof and splash-proof
Looks great
- Self-sealing bags for odor control
- Motion detectors for automatic opening and closing
- Automatically replaces trash bags
- Waterproof and splash-proof
- Looks great
Very expensive
Refill ring needs to be replaced when used up
- Very expensive
- Refill ring needs to be replaced when used up
4. Townew T1D Smart Trash Can
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 20 x 11.00 x 15 inches
Colors: Black, white
The Townew T1D smart trash can was designed to make waste disposal as hygienic and stress-free as possible. As a smart trash can, it utilizes motion sensors, so opens automatically when it senses something incoming and closes after disposal. Its trash bags are also self-sealing and will automatically seal a bag when it senses overflow to avoid leakage.
When you press a button, a special refill ring replaces the trash bag for you so you don’t need to get your hands dirty—say goodbye to holding your nose and trying not to heave every time you empty the trash! The Townew T1D is a little cheaper than the Townew T03 but has a shorter battery life, isn’t as fast, and isn’t waterproof.
Opens and closes automatically
Seals and replaces the trash bags automatically
Rechargeable 30-day battery
Sleek and modern
Cheaper than the Townew T03
- Opens and closes automatically
- Seals and replaces the trash bags automatically
- Rechargeable 30-day battery
- Sleek and modern
- Cheaper than the Townew T03
Refill ring needs to be replaced when used up
Still pretty expensive
- Refill ring needs to be replaced when used up
- Still pretty expensive
5. PetFusion Portable Outdoor Pet Waste Disposal
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 6 x 10 x 16.7 inches
Colors: Transparent
This portable outdoor trash can is a great option for dogs that use the bathroom outside or dog parents with vast lawns. The interior of the lid is fitted with a charcoal deodorizer and a silicone gasket to keep odors locked in. The inner basket is removable so it’s easy to freshen up, and it comes with a bag dispenser on the side and a handle so you can move it around as needed.
When you put a new bag in, the bag clips securely into place on each side of the can. The downside to this product is that the bags that come with it are hard to find, but you can always use other bag brands instead. If you’re looking for something you can move around freely, this product wins points for portability and convenience.
Portable
Convenient
Can carry up to 8 gallons
Easy to clean
Great for use inside and outside the home
- Portable
- Convenient
- Can carry up to 8 gallons
- Easy to clean
- Great for use inside and outside the home
Replacement bags are hard to find
- Replacement bags are hard to find
6. Zuby Dog Poop Trash Can
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 1 x 13.6 x 12.1
Capacity: 8–13 gallons
Colors: Black
This Zuby trash can is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It comes with a rake and steel tray for poop scooping and a removable inner bin, making it easy to freshen up when necessary. There is no setup required—the included tools simply click into place. You can use pretty much any trash bags with this dog poop trash can and any bag from 8–13 gallons should work just fine.
Because the Zuby trash is pretty roomy, you only need to change it out approximately once per week. This helps to minimize your plastic bag use. If you’re looking for something portable, however, you’ll need to look elsewhere as the Zuby doesn’t come with a handle. If you need a trash can with a high capacity that simply stays in one place, the Zuby trash can might be a good option for you.
Simple and easy to use
Comes with a rake and pooper scooper
Foot pedal
Easy to clean
Doesn’t require frequent bag changes
- Simple and easy to use
- Comes with a rake and pooper scooper
- Foot pedal
- Easy to clean
- Doesn’t require frequent bag changes
Not portable
A little pricey
- Not portable
- A little pricey
The Doggie Dooley In-Ground waste disposal system is another eco-friendly alternative to using plastic bags and traditional trash cans. It’s designed to act as a kind of septic tank and you need to dig a hole to install it. The waste is then broken down and absorbed into the soil. Once a week, you need to put in a waste terminator tablet and add water regularly to keep things moving.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 5 x 16.5 x 8.5 inches
Colors: Black with green lid
It’s perfectly safe for pets and won’t damage your lawn or plants in any way. You can use it with any kind of soil except for hard clay. One pack of waste terminator tablets lasts a long time and it’s cheap to buy more when you run out. This method of waste disposal is great for the environment, so it’s definitely worth considering if you have a dog that uses the bathroom outside. On the downside, some may be put off by having to dig a hole and the amount of water this product requires.
Eco-friendly
Gets rid of waste naturally
Easy to use
Inexpensive
No bags required
- Eco-friendly
- Gets rid of waste naturally
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
- No bags required
Digging required for installation
You need to add 5 gallons of water 2–3 times per week
- Digging required for installation
- You need to add 5 gallons of water 2–3 times per week
8. Pet Waste Wizard BioBin
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 10 x 10 x 18 inches
Colors: Black
An eco-friendly option, the Pet Waste Wizard BioBin is made from 100% recycled material. This unique dog poop trash can turns your dog’s poop into fertilizer with the help of a waste digester. You need to keep the inside of the BioBin damp to create the right conditions for composting to occur. The BioBin is made of thin plastic, so on the downside, it’s not the sturdiest product.
It’s also designed to minimize odors and break down waste quickly to prevent overflowing. If you’re on the lookout for an eco-friendly, composting dog waste receptacle but are put off by having to dig a deep hole, the Pet Waste Wizard might be the best dog poop trash can for you. To install it, you need to cut into the Earth with the blade of your shovel around the base area.
Eco-friendly
Attracts worms—this is good for the soil
No hole-digging required
- Eco-friendly
- Attracts worms—this is good for the soil
- No hole-digging required
Needs to be kept damp inside
Not very sturdy
- Needs to be kept damp inside
- Not very sturdy
This Litter Genie litter disposal trash can comes with a scoop, a scoop holder, and bag refill. It mentions cat litter in the name, but there’s no reason why you can’t use it for your dog. It uses specially designed bags with five layers to help keep your home odor and germ-free. You do have to replace these specific bags though—it’s not an option to use other brands of bags.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 5 x 8.5 x 22.5 inches
Colors: Silver
Litter Genie has a few different litter disposal models, but we picked the XL model because it can hold up to 50% more litter and waste. This may be more suitable if your dog is on the larger side. If your aim is to cut down on trips to the trash can to get rid of the waste on a daily basis, the Litter Genie XL is worth looking into.
Cheap
Odor control
Bags with barrier technology for germ control
Comes with a scoop, holder, and bag refill
- Cheap
- Odor control
- Bags with barrier technology for germ control
- Comes with a scoop, holder, and bag refill
Not great for outdoors
Can only be used with Litter Genie replacement bags
- Not great for outdoors
- Can only be used with Litter Genie replacement bags
Dimensions (L x W x H): 3 x 3 x 5 inches
Colors: Blue, red, pink
If you’ve ever faced the dilemma of being unable to find a poop trash can while out walking with your dog, it might be time to consider the DDT Dog Doo Tube. Instead of feeling self-conscious walking along with a big bag of stinky dog poop, you simply pop the bag inside this nifty little tube that locks in smells and germs so you can continue on your way!
Though not really a solution for dog poop at home, a small, portable trash can is a life-saver when enjoying walks with your dog. It can hold up to 20 oz (600 ml), which is good for one large-sized dog or two medium-sized dogs.
Perfect for walks
Lightweight
Cheap
- Perfect for walks
- Lightweight
- Cheap
Not suitable for home use
- Not suitable for home use
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Trash Cans for Dog Poop
When picking out the best trash can for dog poop, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help make the decision-making process easier. They are:
- Is this trash can designed to seal in odors and germs?
- Do I need an indoor or outdoor trash can?
- Do I need a portable trash can or is it okay for it to stay in one place?
- Can I use any trash bags or do I need to buy product-specific replacement bags or refills?
- Does this trash can’s price fit into my budget?
- What does this trash can come with that will make my life easier (i.e. rakes, shovels, bags, etc.)?
- Do I want something more simple or traditional or am I happy to splash out on a trash can with smart features?
In short, first and foremost, you’ll want to look for something that will keep your home or outdoor area as hygienic and odor-free as possible. You’ll also want to look for a trash can that works for your living arrangement and fits within your budget.
After all, as great as smart trash cans are, they’re not the most affordable. If you’re not up for spending a huge amount, then take a look at a cheaper option. Whether cheap or expensive, any trash can that tackles bad smells and bacteria will do the trick.
No matter how hard you try, pets will always leave you cleaning up smells, stains, vomit, hair, and everything in between. With the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, you can advance your clean-up routine!
It permanently removes the very worst pet stains and smells (and truly makes clean-up a breeze). Click here to learn more, order a bottle, and freshen up your home today.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best overall trash can for dog poop is the PawPail Waste Station—the carbon air filter combined with the decorative air vents pack a double punch when it comes to odor control.
If it’s value for money you’re after, we recommend the Litter Champ Premium Odor-Free Cat Litter Waste Disposal Unit. For those who want something a little fancier, our premium choice is the Townew T03 Smart Trash Can.
We hope our reviews have helped you make an informed and confident decision on which trash can for dog poop is best for your home.
- You may also want to read: 10 Best Cat-Proof Trash Cans – Reviews & Top Picks!
Featured Image Credit: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz, Shutterstock
