To determine the best gas can, we looked at the following features — materials, fuel compatibility, pouring mechanism and spout, capacity and safety features. Depending on the type of fuel you’ll be storing, you need to find the right type of gas can. Most people will be fine with plastic gas cans, but steel gas cans are ideal if you’re concerned about safety. And you should also prioritize gas cans that help to prevent spills and give you better control over the pour operation.
After taking all of the above into account we nominated… we selected the No-Spill 1415 1-1/4-Gallon Poly Gas Can as our Top Pick. We were impressed with the safety specifications such as the automatic shut-off feature that prevents spills from happening while pouring out of the container. And the thumb control button is extremely responsive to ensure that liquid doesn’t continue to flow once the button is no longer pressed. Continue reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.
Top 5 Best Gas Can
#1 No-Spill 1415 1-1/4-Gallon Poly Gas Can
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: An easy to use and affordable polypropylene plastic gas can with an auto-stop nozzle to prevent overflows and easy flow control thanks to the thumb control button that makes this the best gas can for lawn care.
- Best Budget & great for lawn care
- 3 gallon/minute flow
- Stop nozzle prevent over flows
- Must lift to pour
No one wants to spill gas on themselves or their surroundings, but you might not be able to afford some of the more expensive models on our guide. The No-Spill 1415 1 ¼ Gallon Poly Gas Can is the perfect solution for your operational pain points and your budget. While this gas requires that you lift it to pour out the contents, you’ll like that it has efficiency built into the design. Plus you’ll enjoy speedy flow rates, at three gallons per minute.
For efficiency, this can that is rated solely for use with gasoline offers a stable, no-tip design with a wider bottom so that you don’t have to worry about spills or tipping over in transit or while in storage. The nozzle on this can feature an auto-stop design that prevents overflows once your tank reaches maximum capacity. And you’ll like that you can easily control the fuel flow with the responsive thumb button. All of these features help to make this the best gas can for lawn care projects.
#2 Justrite 7250130 Galvanized Steel AccuFlow Gas Can
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy stainless steel gas can with a long 9-inch flexible hose that’s grounded to prevent sparks makes this the best gas can for long term storage.
- Best Quality & great for long storage
- Two openings for easy fill and pour access
- Grounded 9” flexible hose prevents sparks
- Inconsistent customer service
If safety is a major concern for you — especially if you plan on storing fuel for the long term — then it’s a given that steel gas cans are the preferred option. You’ll like our Best Quality recommendation, the Justrite 7250130 Galvanized Steel AccuFlow gas can be at the top of your list. You’ll note that it’s the only metal gas can in our roundup, but it prioritizes safety and compliance and is a Type II safety can, which is why it deserves that award.
Specifically, you’ll like that there is plenty of space to accurately label the contents and prevent user errors. And the fact that this can is rated to meet OSHA and NFPA requirements makes this ideal for professional use as well if you must adhere to regulatory standards. We also like that this gas can comes with a flexible nine-inch hose that’s also grounded to prevent static sparks from occurring. The Safe-Squeeze trigger helps you control the pour and flow rate and the separate fill nozzle also enhances the streamlined functionality of this gas can. Speaking of keeping your car on the road, the best car battery charger will also help with that. Another great option for your next trip to the gas station is the GarageBOSS Press ’N Pour Gas Can. It uses a simple button-operated spout for precision and accuracy while pouring. Also, as of when this product was last updated, it’s rated as the top bestselling gas can on Amazon.com. Also, consider investing in a flame arrestor to safely prevent flames from traveling up the spout and into your gas can, like the EZ-Pour Gas Can Flame Arrestor.
#3 RotopaX RX-3G Gasoline Pack Gas Can
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Award: Best for Mounting
WHY WE LIKE IT: A rugged designed plastic gas can that’s designed for transporting and outdoor activities makes this the best off-road gas can.
- Best off-road
- Excellent spill-proof design
- Built-in mount hole
- Most expensive
- Mounting kit sold separately
If you’re thinking of buying a gas can so that you can take fuel with you for extended outdoor trips, then you also know that space is at a premium. You may not have the space necessary for a gas can with a traditional design. The RotopaX RX-3G Gasoline Pack is the solution to your problems.
We like that this three-gallon gas pack features a slim design with dual handles for easy positioning. Plus it features a center anchor point so you can securely attach the gas can to their proprietary mounting system that can hold two or more gasoline packs simultaneously. However, it’s important to note that you will need to purchase that mounting kit separately.
#4 No-Spill 1457 Diesel Fuel Can
Award: Best Diesel
WHY WE LIKE IT: An approved gas can for diesel fuel storage that showcases popular features such as auto shut off and thumb controlled.
- Thumb button for precise no spill pours
- Overflow elimination nozzle
- 3 gallon/minute flow rate
- Must lift to pour
One important thing that people often forget is that you need to find an approved container that’s compatible with the type of fuel you plan on storing. And for diesel users, this typically means you need to bypass those ubiquitous red gas cans. The No-Spill 1457 Diesel Fuel Can is the perfect solution if you rely on diesel and holds five gallons.
Much like our Honorable Mention (also from the same brand), this model features many of the same features that will help to prioritize safety and prevent spills. While you do need to lift to pour fuel with this model, we do like that you have the auto shut off feature that automatically detects when a tank is full and stops the fuel flow. And likewise, the fuel flow that gives you a speed of three gallons per minute, is controlled with the push-button thumb button which is extremely responsive. Plus the ⅞ spout is small enough to work with even the most petite of equipment. This also comes with a dust cover so that you can keep the spout clean.
#5 Eagle UI-25-FS Metal Gas Gan with Funnel
Award: Best OSHA-Compliant
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable Type 1, 24-gauge galvanized safety can with a large funnel to minimize spills and safety features to prevent vapor buildup, making it OSHA approved
- Excellent rust-resistance
- Self-closing spout cap for spill prevention
- 2.5 gallon capacity
- Not compatible with gas nozzles that have boots
When safety is a priority, metal cans can be preferable — especially if they help to reduce the risk of spills or vapor buildup. The Eagle UI-25-FD Metal Gas Can with Funnel is great for professionals who only need a small amount of storage. With a total capacity of 2.5 gallons, you’ll like that this Type 1 24-gauge galvanized steel can is OSHA approved.
We also like that it comes with a nozzle to make filling it easier, and the fact that it’s packed with safety features to prevent hazards at the workplace. This includes a self-closing spout cap to avoid leaks and spills and a cap assembly that automatically opens to assist in venting vapors. And there are safety warnings listed on the can in three languages to maintain compliance.
How We Decided
Finding the right gas can be a process but we looked at the following criteria to narrow the field — materials, fuel compatibility, pouring mechanism and spout, capacity and safety features. Except for our #5 recommendation, all of the remaining gas cans in our buying guide are designed for use with gasoline. Our #4 pick is designed for diesel.
In terms of materials, except for our Best Quality, the rest are all made from plastic. Plastic can be ideal because it’s lighter to maneuver and tends to be cheaper. However, steel gas cans (as seen in our Best Quality pick) can provide enhanced safety features, especially if you plan on using a gas can to store fuel over time.
We also prioritized the pouring mechanism and spout. Except for #3, the rest of our recommendations feature enhanced spouts that are designed to either minimize the risk of sparks (Best Quality) or to control flow and prevent spills (Top Pick & #4).
Capacity is going to depend on your needs, but we’ve highlighted a range of options from 1.25 gallons to as much as five gallons. And finally, for safety, you’ll see that our Best Quality offers the most safety features and is also OSHA and NFPA compliant — an important factor if you’re thinking of buying gas cans for professional use.
Gas Can Buying Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Durability
If you’re looking at gas cans, the reality is that you’re thinking of storing gas for a while. So you’ll want to look for materials that can safely contain the gas without breaking down or somehow changing the composition of it. This is important if you’re going to buy a gas can for long term storage. - Type of Fuel
Gas cans might seem like they can work for any type of fuel but this isn’t the case. You need to decide whether you’re planning on storing or transporting diesel, gasoline, or kerosene, and shop accordingly. - Materials
Most gas cans are made from steel or plastic since they tend to be the most durable. Steel gas cans are the most durable, but will also be pricier. Plus they are usually significantly heavier once liquids are added to them. In contrast, plastic is much lighter, even when full. However, a plastic gas can is more susceptible to being punctured if you store them near sharp objects. - Capacity
How much gas are you planning on storing in a gas can? Gas cans come in a range of sizes. If you’re just hoping to keep an emergency reserve of gas or to refill your gas-powered power tools, then you might not need a large-capacity gas can. - Pouring Mechanism & Spout
Many gas cans feature a no-spill spout. This is ideal as gas is flammable and a hazardous material — anything you can do to reduce the risk of spilling it is going to be a good feature to have. Likewise, many gas cans have adjustable nozzles located towards the bottom which makes it easier to use the gas can when it’s full. And auto-shutoff features also help prevent accidental spills that typically happen when you overfill a tank. - Safety
It can’t be stressed enough that you should be careful when working around gas. And this is especially true if you plan to store your full gas can in a garage where it might be subject to warm temperatures in the summer. Look for gas cans that offer pressure release valves that can help to alleviate pressure build-up that can naturally occur when heat causes the gas to evaporate and creates vapors.
