Which diaper pail is the better pick?
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Best looking — steel construction with nursery-friendly colors
Amazon Basics Smudge Resistant Rectangular Trash Can
Most practical — a regular trash can that works surprisingly well with frequent emptying
Specs Comparison
| Feature | Ubbi Steel Pail | Amazon Basics Trash Can |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Steel Sealed Pail | Standard Trash Can |
| Capacity | Holds up to 30 diapers | 10-12 gallons |
| Odor Control | Rubber-sealed lid + steel body (no odor absorption) | None built-in (use bags with odor control) |
| Bag Type | Any standard 13-gallon trash bag or Ubbi bags | Any standard trash bag |
| Hands Free | No — sliding lid (one hand) | Yes — foot pedal |
| Childproof Lock | Yes — safety lock | No |
| Ongoing Cost | Low — standard trash bags | Lowest — standard trash bags |
| Price Range | $$ | $ |
Ubbi Steel Pail
Strengths
- Steel construction doesn’t absorb odors like plastic
- Uses any standard trash bag — no proprietary refills
- Available in 20+ colors to match nursery decor
- Childproof safety lock
- Rubber-sealed lid contains smells effectively
Weaknesses
- No foot pedal — requires one hand to slide lid open
- Sliding lid less effective at odor sealing than Diaper Genie system
- Steel can dent if knocked over
Amazon Basics Trash Can
Strengths
- Foot pedal for hands-free operation
- Smudge-resistant stainless steel looks clean
- Multi-purpose — use as a regular trash can after diaper years
- No proprietary bags or refills ever
- Lowest total cost of ownership
Weaknesses
- No odor-sealing technology — you smell it when you open it
- No childproof lock
- Requires more frequent emptying to manage odor
The Pragmatic Pick: Ubbi Steel Pail
In this head-to-head, Ubbi Steel Pail gets the nod. While both are solid choices, Ubbi Steel Pail stands out with steel construction doesn’t absorb odors like plastic and uses any standard trash bag — no proprietary refills. Amazon Basics Trash Can counters with foot pedal for hands-free operation, which may matter more to some families. But on balance, Ubbi Steel Pail delivers a more compelling overall package for the typical parent.
← Back to Best Diaper Pails (2026)
Other Comparisons
- Munchkin UV Pail vs Diaper Genie Platinum
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- Munchkin UV Pail vs Amazon Basics Trash Can
- Diaper Genie Platinum vs Ubbi Steel Pail
- Diaper Genie Platinum vs L.A. Baby Magic Pail
- Diaper Genie Platinum vs Amazon Basics Trash Can
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- L.A. Baby Magic Pail vs Amazon Basics Trash Can
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