Which Outdoor Trash Can Actually Keeps Raccoons Out?
The Toter 96 Gallon Two-Wheel Trash Can is the top curbside choice, thanks to a rugged body and large wheels. The Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE 32 Gallon is the toughest general-purpose can here. Areas with chewing wildlife do best with the Behrens 31 Gallon Galvanized Steel Can instead.
Curbside collection favors the Toter 96 Gallon Two-Wheel Trash Can, built to survive years of automated truck lifting. General households needing the toughest build should look at the Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE 32 Gallon. Where raccoons and rodents are the real problem, the Behrens 31 Gallon galvanized steel can wins instead.
Outdoor bins fail at the extremes more than in daily use: lids blow open in wind, hinges crack in freezing weather, and small wheels stop dead on gravel. Material behavior in cold, latch design and wheel diameter matter more than the stated gallon figure. We compared published capacities and materials, lid and latch design, wheel size, and what owners report about animals and cold-weather cracking.
The shortlist, ranked
Toter 96 Gallon Two-Wheel Trash Can
Rotationally molded polyethylene gives this can a genuinely different construction than cheap injection-molded bins, which is why it survives years of automated truck lifting. Large wheels roll over gravel and grass rather than digging in, and the attached lid stays put in wind. Most municipal services use this exact can, which says something about its durability.
Pros
- Rotomolded body resists cracking in cold weather
- Large wheels handle gravel drives and grass
- Works with automated truck collection arms
Cons
- Needs dedicated storage space for its large footprint
- Gets heavy to maneuver when full
Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE 32 Gallon Container
This is the industry-standard commercial container, with a seamless body and reinforced ribs that survive treatment that destroys household bins. The base configuration skips wheels, which matters or does not depending on your setup, and a dolly sells separately. Owners report it outlasting several consumer bins in a row.
Pros
- Delivers genuinely commercial-grade durability
- Seamless body will not split at a joint
- Offers a wide accessory range, including lids and dollies
Cons
- Sells the lid and dolly as separate purchases
- Ships with no wheels in the standard configuration
Rubbermaid Roughneck Wheeled Trash Can 45 Gallon
The Roughneck sits between commercial durability and household convenience, with molded wheels, a hinged lid and side handles for lifting. Forty-five gallons makes a practical household size, easy to roll to the curb without feeling unwieldy. Its lid latches enough to resist moderate wind but will not defeat a determined raccoon.
Pros
- Offers a practical household size and weight
- Keeps a hinged, attached lid that will not go missing
- Rolls easily on paving and driveways
Cons
- Lid latch will not stop determined animals
- Injection-molded body tolerates cold less than rotomolded designs
Behrens 31 Gallon Galvanized Steel Trash Can
Steel is the one material rodents and raccoons cannot chew through, which makes this can the practical answer in areas with persistent wildlife. A locking-style lid pairs with side handles, and the galvanized finish resists rust for years outdoors. It runs heavier and noisier than plastic, and it dents rather than flexes if dropped.
Pros
- Cannot be chewed through by rodents
- Resists rust outdoors thanks to its galvanized finish
- Holds its shape indefinitely thanks to a rigid body
Cons
- Weighs more and runs noisier than plastic
- Dents permanently instead of flexing
Suncast Trash Hideaway Outdoor Trash Can
This can wraps a standard bin liner in a resin cabinet with a wood-texture finish, reading as patio furniture rather than a bin. It suits a deck or entrance where a plain bin looks out of place. Capacity stays modest, and it is not built for curbside collection, so treat it as a supplementary can.
Pros
- Looks like outdoor furniture rather than a bin
- Makes bag changes easy through a front door
- Will not rust or rot since it is resin
Cons
- Is not intended for curbside collection
- Can shift in strong wind when empty
Keter Copenhagen Outdoor Trash Can
Keter styles this resin enclosure with a hinged lid and a front opening to look like a deck box rather than a bin. It holds a standard bag and keeps contents out of sight and out of the rain. Like other cabinet-style bins, it favors presentation and convenience over heavy-duty waste handling.
Pros
- Looks attractive enough to sit on a deck
- Keeps waste out of sight and out of the rain
- Resists fading and rust thanks to its resin build
Cons
- Does not suit automated collection
- Offers modest capacity for a family household
United Solutions 32 Gallon Wheeled Trash Can
United Solutions covers the essentials with a wheeled bin, an attached lid and side handles at a low entry point. Its walls run thinner than commercial or rotomolded cans, so handle it gently in freezing weather when plastics turn brittle. For a mild climate and normal household waste, it does the job without fuss.
Pros
- Costs less than any other option in this group
- Includes an attached lid and wheels as standard
- Stays light enough to move easily when empty
Cons
- Cracks more easily in cold weather due to thinner walls
- Offers little animal resistance from its lid
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Capacity | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toter 96 Gallon Two-Wheel Trash Can | 96 gallons | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE 32 Gallon Container | 32 gallons | Best durability | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Rubbermaid Roughneck Wheeled Trash Can 45 Gallon | 45 gallons | Best for households | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Behrens 31 Gallon Galvanized Steel Trash Can | 31 gallons | Best for animal resistance | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Suncast Trash Hideaway Outdoor Trash Can | Around 33 gallons | Best for patios | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | Keter Copenhagen Outdoor Trash Can | Around 30 gallons | Best styling | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | United Solutions 32 Gallon Wheeled Trash Can | 32 gallons | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
What to look for
What does my collection service require in a trash can? Many municipal services specify a container size, a compatible lid and sometimes a color or an approved rotomolded body for automated truck arms. Buying a bin the truck cannot lift becomes an expensive mistake. Checking local requirements first, then choosing from the compatible options, avoids that problem entirely.
How does material affect a trash can in cold weather? Rotationally molded polyethylene keeps a thick, uniform wall that stays flexible in the cold, which is why commercial cans favor it. Thinner injection-molded bins turn brittle in freezing weather and crack when handled roughly or knocked by a truck arm. Galvanized steel never turns brittle at all, though it dents and weighs more to move.
How do you keep raccoons and rodents out of a trash can? Raccoons open unlatched lids easily, and bears defeat almost anything short of a certified bear-resistant container. A gravity or clip latch handles most urban wildlife, while steel bodies stop rodents from chewing through. Securing the can to a post or rail usually beats relying on lid design alone where wildlife is a persistent problem.
What wheel size and placement work best? Small hard wheels stop dead on gravel and lawn, so bins traveling over anything but smooth paving benefit from larger-diameter wheels. Storage location matters too, since a 96-gallon can needs real space and gets heavy to steer once full. Rinsing the bin occasionally and using liner bags does more for odor control than any deodorizing product.
Questions worth asking
What size outdoor trash can does a household need?
A typical family generates enough waste for a 45 to 65 gallon can between weekly collections, while 96-gallon cans suit larger households or biweekly pickup. Smaller 32-gallon cans work well as supplementary bins. Checking whether a service charges by container size helps before going large.
How do I stop raccoons from getting into the bin?
A latching lid handles most raccoons, and securing the can to a fence post or rail stops them from tipping it over. Storing bins in a garage or shed until collection morning offers the most reliable fix. Rinsing the can occasionally reduces the smell that attracts them in the first place.
Are metal trash cans better than plastic?
Steel resists chewing from rodents and never turns brittle in the cold, both real advantages. Plastic stays lighter, quieter and dent-free, and rotomolded plastic proves extremely durable on its own. Wildlife problems favor steel, while everyday convenience favors plastic.
Will a plastic trash can crack in freezing weather?
Thin injection-molded bins can turn brittle and crack when knocked at low temperatures, especially while dislodging frozen contents. Rotationally molded cans handle cold far better. Avoid slamming or dropping any plastic bin during a hard frost.
Do I need a can compatible with automated collection?
If your service uses trucks with mechanical arms, yes, and the required specification is usually published by the service itself. Cans without the correct lifting bar or body strength risk damage or refusal. Some services supply the container directly.
How do I keep an outdoor trash can from smelling?
Use liner bags, keep the lid closed and rinse the can periodically with a hose and a mild cleaner. Baking soda in the base absorbs moisture and odor between rinses. Keeping the can out of direct sun makes a noticeable difference in summer.
What wheel size should I look for on a trash can?
Larger-diameter wheels roll over gravel, grass and cracked paving far better than small hard wheels. Wheel size matters less if a bin only travels on smooth concrete. Checking whether replacement wheels and axles are sold separately helps too, since they wear out first.
Can I use an outdoor trash can for fireplace ash?
Only a metal can with a metal lid, and only after the ash has cooled for several days, since embers can stay hot far longer than expected. Never put ash in a plastic bin. Keep the can on a non-combustible surface away from the house.
Is a wheeled trash can worth it over one without wheels?
Wheels help most on longer hauls to the curb or over uneven ground, which is why curbside cans like the Toter 96 Gallon include large ones. Cans that stay in one spot, like the Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE, get by fine without wheels. A dolly can add mobility to a wheel-free can later.
The bottom line
The Toter 96 Gallon takes the top spot because a rotomolded body and large wheels solve the two things that break cheaper bins: cold-weather cracking and rough ground. The Rubbermaid Commercial BRUTE remains the most durable general-purpose container for anyone who does not need wheels. The Behrens galvanized steel can stands out where wildlife keeps winning against plastic lids.
Sierra Daniels
Sierra's background is in landscape design and nursery retail. She focuses on lawn and garden equipment, outdoor furniture and gear durability, weighing published specs against how materials actually hold up outside.
