Whether it’s for your vehicle, lawnmower, or in case of emergency, it can be a good idea to keep extra fuel handy. The best gas cans are easy to fill and pour while being safe and reliable.
Not all gas cans are the same, with each brand using a different pour mechanism and materials. Our experts found and tested the five best gas cans available so you can figure out which one is right for you.
In this article:
- 5 Best Gas Cans
- Editor’s Pick: Eagle 5-Gallon Safety Can
- Easiest To Use: Surecan 5-Gallon
- Best High-Capacity Gas Storage: Scepter Duramax Flo-N-Go Fuel Caddy
- Fastest Dispensing: No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can
- Most Reliable: Justrite Type I Safety Can, 5-Gallon
- Buyers Guide: Best Gas Cans
- Our Review Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 Best Gas Cans
EPA regulations instituted in 2009 dictate certain requirements for fuel canisters sold in the US. Most notably, they disallow designs that cause the gas can to vent on its own while not in use. This has led to some new designs which have frustrated users, resulting in gas cans that are difficult to use without spilling.
We tested several gas cans of different capacities and designs to recommend the best options for at-home fuel storage. Each gas can has its own advantages and drawbacks, so figuring out which is best for you depends on your specific situation. Do you need a gas can that meets OSHA standards? Do you need a large-capacity can? Keep in mind that gasoline cannot be stored at home indefinitely as after around three months it begins to degrade.
Gas Can Testing Process
To test the gas cans recommended in this article, we traveled to a gas station and filled each fuel can with two gallons of unleaded gasoline. We transported the fuel containers back to our testing site and poured them into a vehicle. In this way, we were able to determine the relative ease or difficulty of using each gasoline can as it was designed.
Editor’s Pick: Eagle 5-Gallon Safety Can
Metal gas cans like the Eagle 5-Gallon Safety Can are high-quality and long-lasting. This particular can is OSHA and CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant, meaning it is acceptable for workplace use. Features like the flame arrestor screen and trigger-release grip make it safe to use. For a durable, reliable gas can that works, Eagle is one of your best bets.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $60
- Capacity: 5.0 gallons
- Weight: 5.25 pounds
- Material: Steel
- OSHA approved: Yes
- Type I safety can
- Also available in 2.0-quart, 1.0-gallon, 2.0-gallon, and 2.5-gallon sizes
- Comfort grip trigger release
Our Experience
The Eagle 5-Gallon Safety Can is a Type I gasoline canister, meaning it has a single opening for filling, pouring, and venting. The opening is covered by a spring-loaded cap, so you need to use a funnel to fill this canister. A funnel is included, but we found it easier to use our own.
A flame arrestor screen somewhat slows the flow of gasoline into the gan, so you can’t fill it up using the full power of the gas pump. Still, filling is simple if a little slow compared to filling your car directly and even other gas cans that we tested.
As a 5.0-gallon metal can, the Eagle is heavier than a plastic can, but still relatively light. It should weigh around 11.0 pounds when completely filled with gasoline. The handle is comfortable and the spring-loaded top ensures it stays closed with no spillage.
We had no issues pouring gas into our test vehicle using this can. The design of the valve release allows you to pull it while holding the top of the can at the same time. The gasoline poured out smoothly and consistently during our test. Getting the final drops out of the canister can be difficult as you’ll need to rotate the can some.
| Overall Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Filling | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Carrying | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Dispensing | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Eagle safety can has around 6,000 Amazon ratings and an average score of 4.8 out of 5. A total of 95 percent of reviews give this gas can 4 or more stars, and the highest-rated features are dispensing ease and safety features.
Most bought the Eagle looking for a heavy-duty gas can and were not disappointed. It is easy to lift and the handle design prevents spillage without making the can hard to operate. Many people are frustrated by EPA-complaint cans that slosh and spill gasoline and are happy to find that Eagle cans don’t present such a challenge.
Most complaints regard quality control. There are a few reviewers who received damaged or dented cans. Eagle does not appear to have a return policy so getting a replacement proved difficult and frustrating for these people.
Easiest To Use: Surecan 5-Gallon
As a plastic gas can, the Surecan does not meet OSHA standards (one requirement of these standards is that cans be made of metal). However, plastic gas cans are lighter and can work just as well, though they aren’t as suited for long-term fuel storage.
We like the Surecan because of how easy it is to use. It dispensed gas the fastest and easiest of any of the fuel containers that we tested. It can be used with or without a funnel and is easy to fill.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $60
- Capacity: 5.0 gallons
- Weight: 4.0 pounds
- Material: Plastic
- OSHA approved: No
- Rotating, bendable spout
- Thumb trigger
Our Experience
The safety cap is somewhat difficult to remove in order to fill this can, though this is by design. Once off, the can fills simply. Because fuel is not filled and dispensed through the same opening, there is no need for a safety mechanism that would slow fuel filling.
As a plastic can, this is lightweight and so easy to carry. The handle is comfortable and has an ergonomic handle.
The small spout means this can fills slowly, but the spout is located on the bottom of the can, which makes it easy to get all of the gasoline from the can to your tank. To meet EPA standards, a fuel canister cannot have an always-open vent, so you’ll need to hold down a venting handle while dispensing. This isn’t too difficult to do while pouring the can, though it would be easier if you didn’t need to hold down this lever.
Overall, we really like the design of this can for a simple, no-spill solution. The long funnel means you aren’t likely to make a mess.
| Overall Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Filling | 4 out of 5 |
| Carrying | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Dispensing | 5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Surecan has an average Amazon review score of 4.7 based on over 1,200 ratings. A total of 93 percent of reviewers rate it 4 or more stars. This can gets high marks for being sturdy and easy to use.
Most appreciate the easy-to-use spout and report that it is excellent for preventing spillage. The SRSUR5G1 from Surecan is an especially useful can for those who may not have a funnel handy and for filling up a lawnmower. One reviewer uses it for their boat.
There are some complaints about the filling tube. If it isn’t properly drained after use, it can leak. Some others mentioned the difficulty of removing the cap to fill the tank.
Best High-Capacity Gas Storage: Scepter Duramax Flo-N-Go Fuel Caddy
This high-capacity gas dispenser is meant for commercial and industrial applications. Though it is not OSHA-compliant (over 5.0-gallon capacity and not metal), this portable fuel container is good for medium-sized gas-powered vehicles like tractors, jet skis, generators, and ATVs.
This gas can doesn’t have quite the filling speed as smaller canisters but is a good option for those who need large-capacity storage. While very heavy when full, the attached wheels make this fuel caddy easy to transport.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $135
- Capacity: 14.0 gallons
- Weight: 19.0 pounds
- Material: Plastic
- OSHA approved: No
- Has wheels
- Includes siphon pump
Our Experience
We found the Scepter to be easy to fill, but a little harder to move and dispense. The large size and high capacity make it very heavy. While the wheels work fine on a level surface, you’ll need at least two people to load a filled caddy into your car.
Gravity is used to dispense gasoline and there are two valves that must be turned to get the gas flowing. Because they aren’t labeled, it took us a couple of tries to be sure both were in the open position simultaneously. Once opened, this pump works, though filling up is a little slow and it’s very difficult to get the last drops out of the canister without tipping.
What also makes use difficult is that the caddy should be higher than the gas tank that you’re filling, so to get it to fill our test vehicle we needed to hoist it above our vehicle. You’ll want to keep it in an elevated area.
| Overall Rating | 3.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Filling | 5 out of 5 |
| Carrying | 3 out of 5 |
| Dispensing | 3 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
With more than 5,400 reviews, the Scepter has an average Amazon review score of 4.3. A total of 83 percent of reviews rate the product 4 or more stars. It gets the highest marks for being leak proof and maneuverable.
Those most satisfied with this gas can are people who need a high-capacity tank for filling generators and motor vehicles like ATVs and airplanes. Scepter offers an excellent way to transport large amounts of fuel. Most are satisfied with the construction and find this gas pump easy to use (if heavy).
Some have complained about receiving faulty products. In a few cases, customers received canisters that leaked at the fuel intake or hose. While these reports are a minority of reviews, there is a small return window, so be sure to test this canister for quality when you receive it.
Even positive reviews typically note that this container is very heavy when filled and so can be difficult to maneuver. Also, keep in mind that it must be positioned higher than the tank being filled, so be sure you have a space or shelf to effectively use the Scepter.
Fastest Dispensing: No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can
The No-Spill gas can features a wide, stable shape and a large neck for quick dispensing. The push button design prevents spilling and overfilling. This plastic container is not OSHA-approved, but it is EPA and CPSC compliant for safe home use.
We found the No-Spill spout to indeed prevent leaks, though it can be awkward to position the tank over a car’s gas tank. However, once the gas started flowing, it filled our tank more quickly than any of the other canisters that we tested.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $36
- Capacity: 5.0 gallons
- Weight: 2.0 pounds
- Material: Plastic
- OSHA approved: No
- Push button control
- No-spill design
- EPA and CPSC compliant
- Wide bottom for improved stability
Our Experience
This gas can is easy to fill and carry. Gas is inserted and dispensed through one opening, and you must remove the spout to fill this can, which is easy enough. The can is lightweight and easy to carry. We like the wide-bottomed design which helps prevent tipping when placed on the ground.
Admittedly, the push spout is somewhat difficult to operate. You may need a funnel to use this can to put gas in your fuel tank, and the long dispensing spout can make that difficult. Plus, it requires a good amount of finger strength to keep the push button depressed while filling. However, this button does an excellent job of preventing spills and leaks and the gas flows very quickly once the spout is opened.
Getting the last dregs of gas from this container proved somewhat difficult because of the angle we needed to tip the canister combined with the long dispensing spout and the angle of our funnel.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Filling | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Carrying | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Dispensing | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon customers rate the No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can an average of 4.6 stars. There are nearly 7,500 ratings and ninety-one percent of those give this gas can 4 or more stars. It scored highest when it comes to safety features.
Most appreciate this gas can’s anti-spill features. Satisfied reviewers rave about the no-overfill valve and simple features. Those sick of spilling gasoline like this can.
A few people received faulty caps that leaked. One reviewer recommended testing the cap using a carbonated beverage if you buy this gas can. Those that don’t leak appear to be long-lasting, with one user reporting that his No-Spill has held up for several years (and it is kept outside).
Most Reliable: Justrite Type I Safety Can, 5-Gallon
The Justrite Type I Safety can is designed to meet federal safety standards. It also meets OSHA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements. Justrite cans are manufactured in the United States and thoroughly tested to ensure that they are completely leak-free.
The design of this can is similar to the Eagle, though it only has one handle instead of two. We found it comparable to the Eagle gas can, though slightly less easy to use.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $53
- Capacity: 5.0 gallons
- Weight: 7.0 pounds
- Material: Steel
- OSHA approved: Yes
- Type I safety can
- Also available in 1.0-, 2.0-, and 2.5-gallon cans
- Arrestor screen stops flashback ignition
- Safe-squeeze trigger
- NFPA and CARB compliant
Our Experienc
The design of this gas can is most similar to the Eagle can we recommend as our editor’s pick. The main difference is that the handle which opens the spring-loaded spout cover is the same handle you use to carry the can. This can make it a little awkward to use as you’ll need to pull the handle and tip the can from the bottom simultaneously.
Once properly positioned, gasoline flows pretty quickly, and the can is not especially heavy though it is of steel construction.
Filling this canister is easy. Like the Eagle, you’ll need to use a funnel to keep the lid open while adding gasoline.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Filling | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Carrying | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Dispensing | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
More than 1,500 Amazon reviews rate the Justrite Safety Can an average of 4.7 stars. A total of 93 percent of reviewers give this can 4 or more stars. It scores highest in the durability and leak-proof categories with average ratings of 4.8 and 4.7 stars, respectively.
Most are satisfied with the reliability and sturdiness of the design. There are many reviewers that say this can never leaks or spills, with the seals and welds holding up particularly well.
There are not many major complaints about this gas can. Some reviewers noted, like us, that the single-handle design can make it awkward to pour this gas can into your tank, especially when you want to get the final drops. You’ll need to use two hands and creative thinking to properly position this can.
Buyers Guide: Best Gas Cans
The best gas can should be easy to use and leak-free. Beyond that, the best gas can for you depends on your needs and preferences. In general, you’ll want to consider can capacity, material, and safety standards.
Capacity
Most gas cans are sold in 1.0-, 2.0-, 2.5-, and 5.0-gallon varieties. There are gas cans, like the Scepter Duramax, which can hold upwards of 10.0 gallons, but these are less common. Given that you don’t want to store gasoline for more than six months if possible, most people don’t require such large gas cans, especially considering that these are heavy and hard to move.
The smaller the gas can, the easier it is to handle, so purchase a gas can that is the right size for your needs.
Material
Gas cans can either be made of metal or plastic, and each has certain advantages and drawbacks.
Metal cans are more durable and better for long-term fuel storage. A metal can may rust but is less susceptible to bloating and leaks. Only metal cans are OSHA compliant (certified for use in a workplace).
Plastic cans are lighter and often less expensive than metal cans. A well-designed plastic can may last for several years.
Safety Standards
All gas cans sold in the US must meet federal EPA guidelines. These guidelines were instituted in 2009 and mandate that gas cans cannot self vent. This means complaint cans typically have a self-closing vent that prevents leaking gas fumes and vapors.
Not all gas cans meet OSHA and CARB standards. OSHA standards must be met for a gas can to be legally used in a workplace, and CARB requirements apply to gas cans in the state of California. Even if you plan to use your can at your own home and outside of California, cans that meet these standards may provide peace of mind regarding safety and emissions controls.
Color
Gas cans are typically color-coded by fuel type:
- Red for gasoline
- Blue for kerosene
- Yellow for diesel
- Green for oils
Obviously, you can put whichever type of fuel you want in any color can, but following these guidelines can make it easier to remember what fuel is stored in which container.
Our Review Standards
The gas cans in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices. We combed through customer reviews and specs to find top-rated gas cans.
The five gas cans that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing. We evaluated each can based on its ability to store, carry, and dispense gasoline safely and efficiently. Each gas can was given a rating out of 5 stars based on its filling, carrying, and dispensing properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a metal or plastic gas can better?
Metal gas cans are more durable than plastic gas cans. Plastic gas cans can leach chemicals into your gasoline over time and are less suitable for long-term storage. Only metal cans are OSHA compliant. However, plastic cans weigh less and often cost less. Both can be suitable options for gas storage.
What is the best gas can for long-term storage?
Metal gas cans are better for long-term storage. Keep in mind that no matter what type of can you use, gasoline will begin to degrade over time, typically around three to six months. It’s not generally recommended to store gasoline for more than a year, but if you must there are additives that can help stabilize your fuel for long-term storage.
Are there any gas cans that actually work?
EPA regulations instituted in 2009 have resulted in some gas cans with difficult-to-operate design. But not all new gas cans are ineffective. We found that Justrite, Eagle, No-Spill, Scepter, and Surecan all make EPA-compliant gas cans that work well.
Who makes the best 5.0-gallon gas can?
Based on our testing, we think that Eagle makes one of the best 5.0-gallon gas cans. Eagle cans are leak-free, easy to fill, easy to dispense, and simple to carry.
How long does unleaded fuel last in a jerry can?
Unleaded fuel typically lasts between three and six months before it begins to break down and fuel quality deteriorates. Additives and stabilizers can increase the shelf life of gasoline, but generally, you don’t want to store gas for more than a year.
What is the difference between type I and type II gas cans?
Type I gas cans have one opening for filling and dispensing. Type II gas cans have separate openings for filling and dispensing.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
