We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Let us help you.

I have an embarrassing confession to make: I used to treat my car like a trash can.

Whatever I could crumple and throw into the front passenger footwell of my battered, clanking Subaru Crosstrek, I would. Crinkled receipts, balled up fast-food wrappers, empty plastic coffee cups, even used tissues—my car was extremely gross, but I just couldn’t be bothered to put in the effort I assumed it would take to keep my car clean. (Especially since that car, with over 150,000 miles and a check-engine light that seemed to always be on, made me a regular at the mechanic’s.)

But then I traded in my garbage can of a car for a shiny, clean Subaru Crosstrek that still had that new-car smell. I couldn’t bring myself to foul it with garbage. Something had to give—I had to take better care of my car this time around, especially since, as a lease, it’s not even technically mine.

Enter: the car garbage can. (The carbage can?)

You can hang this $10 lidded 2-gallon trash can on the back of a seat, in the footwell of the front passenger seat, or behind the center console. It’s also leakproof—critical for those almost-but-not-quite empty coffee cups. But most importantly, a trash can provides a convenient place to effortlessly stash trash while on the go—and it’s no exaggeration to say I’m a cleaner and better person now that I have a carbage can.

I researched nearly a dozen options before I finally landed on the Hotor car trash can. Not only did it have thousands of positive reviews and a rubber lid to conceal the contained mess, but it was only about $10, making it a very low-stakes and affordable choice. After ordering, I was so excited about my future as a tidy person that I checked the front door nearly every hour of my scheduled delivery window— though I still wasn’t sure what to expect, quality-wise, from such an inexpensive can.

So when the Hotor finally arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by a well-constructed, thoughtfully designed receptacle. With its waterproof vinyl interior and zippered lid, this trash can reminds me a lot of an insulated lunch bag—if lunch bags had an opening at the top of the lid covered by rubber flaps (and you crammed garbage into them). These easy-to-clean flaps keep trash tamped down and out of sight while still giving you enough access to toss your garbage without needing to futz with the zipper.

The trash can’s adjustable strap makes it easy to install in any kind of car. I chose to thread the strap around the lid of my center console so that the trash can hangs directly behind the console in the back seat, but this method includes closing the lid on the strap, and that might make the console harder (but not impossible) to close.

You can try to encircle the whole console if you want to avoid closing the lid on the strap, but supervising editor Joshua Lyon, who also tested the Hotor in his subcompact car, found that the straps slid loose when he tried that method. He also had luck with closing the center console over the straps and tightening them in place.

The company offers additional placement suggestions, as do some folks who’ve reviewed the Hotor on Amazon. Some people prefer to hang the can off the back of the headrest of the passenger seat, while others secure the strap to the gear shift so the can sits in the footwell of the front passenger seat.

Where you place the trash can ultimately depends on what works for you and your car. But what’s most important is that you find a place that’s safe and easy to access while driving—keeping your eyes on the road and a hand on the wheel is key. Both Joshua and I have found that hanging the can from the back of the center console makes this easy. When I, say, pull away from a drive-through with a crumpled Taco Bell receipt in hand, all I need to do is reach back to stuff it into the can.

This rectangular, collapsible trash can has plenty of added touches that make using it an enjoyable experience, like an adjustable strap for easy installation, magnetic clips placed near the lid of the bin to keep trash bags in place, and three netted exterior pockets for added storage. The Hotor comes in seven colors, including a perky millennial pink and more than one camo; I got the black to match my car’s interior, but folks looking for something bolder have multiple options.

This trash can is so convenient that I don’t realize I’m tidying up even as I do it. The Hotor is so well-designed that I barely notice it, and that makes maintaining order in my car infinitely easier.

The 2-gallon receptacle can hold a lot of trash and, because I’m typically the only person in my car, I can go nearly two months before changing out the bag. This is especially ideal for anyone like me who just knows they’re not going to keep up with weekly bag changes. (Don’t worry: I never throw away anything that can mold or produce a funky smell.)

The Hotor is also a versatile little thing—not only is it a trash can, but this leakproof container can alternatively be used as a car cooler during long rides or as a handy place to keep a first aid kit, snacks, or toys to keep the kids busy. I can’t see myself using it for anything else besides garbage, but it’s nice to know I could if I needed to.

The Hotor car trash can is the most valuable $10 I’ve spent in a really long time. Any car garbage bin could have helped me keep my slovenly tendencies in check, but this can in particular is so easy to use that it’s actually held me accountable. I really needed that, and so did my car.

This article was edited by Ben Frumin.

by Sarah Bogdan, Liam McCabe, and Tyler Wells Lynch

We’ve reviewed portable carpet cleaners since 2016, and we recommend the Bissell Little Green 1400B because it’s an effective cleaner and costs less than most.

by Michelle Ma and Sarah Bogdan

The Black+Decker BDH2020FL and Dyson Humdinger are great for cars since they can reach into tight spaces, come with handy tools, and have decent run time.

For a dependable, versatile, and affordable cleaner, we prefer a bagless upright, but we have recommendations for other types of vacuums as well.

After 100 hours of research, talking with experts, and testing 23 sets, we recommend the WeatherTech FloorLiners as the best floor mats for most drivers.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Subscribe now for unlimited access.

© 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company