Have you ever found yourself cooking, struggling to open and close the trash can with both hands busy? We’ve been there and found that a touchless trash can isn’t a fancy item in the kitchen. It’s quite useful, making your life easy using movement sensors to open the trash can. The operating principle is simple, it opens the trash can when senses movement near its opening. An automatic trash can has a modern-looking design that blends well in any room, not only your kitchen. Your future touchless trash can is not just good looking but also has a lot of benefits that will review here.
How does a Touchless Trash Can work?
A touchless trash can is basically a trash bin with smart sensors. They maintain the same aesthetics and functionality as the traditional ones but with many other premium features. The bin is equipped with an infrared sensor that drives a motor that opens the lid once it senses your movement. There are also models with inductive and voice activation. When you handle a lot of garbage you can turn the trash in manual mode with the push of a button. Touchless trash cans use batteries or an AC adapter to power up.
Benefits of Touchless Trash Can
Garbage disposal technology has evolved so much in past years. .But many people still think that is just a fancy item in their homes. Lets see what are the benefits of owning a touchless trash can.
1. Touchless activation
Simply reach to your touchless trash can and the lid opens automatically. There’s the most convenient way to use a trash can and also time-saving.
2. Hygienic
Less contact with the garbage prevents the spread of germs and bacteria. Because you won’t have to touch it while you throw the garbage away. Your family will be safe, especially the little ones.
3. Space-saving & Ergonomic
Many brands have designed automatic trash cans with slimmed lines to accommodate less space in your room. Wider openings let throw large items away and the automatic activation won’t stress your back and knees anymore.
4. Safety
If you have pets in your house, many touchless trash can brands have a safety feature so your pets can’t open the lid and make a mess in your home.
2023’s Most Popular Touchless Trash Cans
comparison table
Read also
10 Best Touchless Soap Dispensers and Sanitizer for Your Home
Name | Touchless Trash Can | Customers Rating | Price |
Simplehuman 45 Liter Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can |  | ||
iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter and Lid Lock, Sensor Kitchen Garbage Bin |  | ||
Ninestars DZT-80-35 Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can |  | ||
Secura 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, Stainless Steel Adjustable Sensor Kitchen Trash Bin with Motion-Sensing Lid |  | ||
EKO Phantom-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Vertical Motion Sensor Trash Can |  | ||
Simplehuman Rectangular Voice and Motion Sensor Automatic Kitchen Trash Can |  | ||
Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection |  | ||
iTouchless 16(2 x 8 ) Gallon Touchless Kitchen Recycling and Garbage Trash Can |  | ||
Amazon Basics 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Motion Sensor Hands-Free Trash Can |  | ||
Ninestars AMZ-7-2 Motion Sensor Trash Can |  |
10 Touchless Trash Cans That Are Trending in 2023
Our Reviews
1. Simplehuman Semi-Round Sensor Steel Bin
Size: 33 x 39 x 64 cm
Capacity:45L/12 Gallons
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed Stainless Steel
Power: 4AA batteries
Price on Amazon
The Simplehuman 45-liter trash bin is the star of their line of quality trash cans. This semi-round touchless trash can offers outstanding features with a sophisticated design. Its soft-close lid will please even the peakiest customer. With a noise under 52db, the lid has an internal hinge that prevents it from bumping into the wall. This touchless trash can has an advanced infrared sensor. Even if you are in front or above, the trash bin will sense your movement and quickly open the lid. The build quality is outstanding, made of stainless steel and a plastic dent-free lid. A nano-coating will prevent smudges and fingerprints on your trash bin. A custom liner will fit most garbage bag types and you won’t find the edges popped out from the can. To keep things organized it also has back pocket storage for the liners. It’s powered by 4AA batteries that will last for one year. To assure the quality of their touchless trash can Simplehuman has a 5-year warranty.
Pros
Cons
Large capacity- Planetary gear system
- Stylish design for your kitchen
Quiet lid closing
You’ll have to pay a little more for this quality trash can
2. iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can
Size: 32.4 x 27.3 x 70.8 cm
Capacity: 13 Gallons
Material:Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 4D batteries/AC adapter
Price on Amazon
iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can is without a doubts, one of the best touchless trash can you can find on the market. With many happy customers, it is a top seller on Amazon. iTouchless sells for a reasonable price tag and packs a lot of great features. You’ll get a stainless steel bin with a space-saving design, large capacity, odor control and an advanced motion sensor. The trash can boasts 25% more capacity due to its design and doesn’t require inner bucket. An extra wide-opening lid will let you dump large and bulky items with no effort. You can use any regular 13-gallon trash bags. The trash bin also uses a Natural Carbon Filter that absorbs unpleasant odors. Keeping your house air clean without unbearable smells. The carbon filter will last for 3 months before needing a replacement. Its high-efficient movement sensor will open and close the lid precisely. There’s also intelligent lid status alert. The buttons will illuminate in green when the lid opens and red blinking when the lid closes. You get two options to power this touchless trash can. The first power source is from 4D batteries, that will last for 18 months of use. The second is an optional power adapter if you have a spare wall socket nearby.
Pros
Cons
- Odor control filter
- Air-ventilated holes to prevent air build-up
- Good battery life
- 1-year warranty
- You will have to buy extra odor filters for replacement
3. Ninestars Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can
Size: 14.5 x 18.5 x 26.9 inches
Capacity: 80L/21 Gallons
Material:Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 3C batteries
Price on Amazon
The Ninestars DZT-80-35 is a heavy-duty touchless trash can. Made of sturdy stainless steel and hight-quality plastic lid, that can be used in the kitchen, office, restaurant, and any other open spaces. The 430 stainless steel bin has a special coating which is fingerprints resistant. A non-skid base prevents accidental tumble even on most slippery surfaces. There’s also a new design ring liner to keep the bag sturdy and hidden from view for a neat and clean appearance. You can use standard trash bags or NINESTARS custom trash bags. Another interesting feature of this trash can is the water resistant motion sensor. So accidental spills wont break the unit. The 130 degrees sensor will flip to open te lid and will soft close it after 3 seconds you move your hand away. If you need the lid open for longer time there’s also an open button inside the touchless trash can. Unplaisant odor is keeped inside the trash can due its micro fitted lid. 3 C batteries power the automatic trash can and there’s no option for an AC adapter. There’s also 2-year unconditional warranty and a dedicated customer support.
Pros
Cons
Super-size capacity and wide opening- Waterproof motion sensor and non-slip base
- Sleek design
Automatic energy saving mode
Lack of carbon filter for odor control
4. Secura 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can
Size: 27.1 x 13.9 x 12.5 inches
Capacity: 13 Gallons
Material:Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 4 AA batteries/ AC adapter
Price on Amazon
Our list of touchless trash can reviews wont be complete without the Secura motion sensor trash can. Secura is a well-known North American brand that delivers hight-quality kitchen and bathroom items. Their products are focused around usability, quality materials and ergonomics. The design of this touchless trash can is rectangular being suitable for tight spaces and corners. The body is made of stainless steel and also fingerprints proof which is easy to clean. An inner bucket design prevents leakages and you can use regular bags for replacement. Two interesting features of Secura touchless trash can are: the rotating infrared sensor and the countdown led indicator. For optimal induction you can turn the ball sensor upward-facing or front-facing and the lid opens automatically and stays this way until you leave the sensor’s range.. The 6 countdown leds will flash counterclockwise informing you when the lid will close. Odor control is another great feature. With a charcoal activated filter unplaisant smells wont be a problem for a 3 months period when you’ll have to change it. An well designed retainer will hold the bag in place and the edges outside of view. 4 AA batteries (that are more common and easy to replace) powers the unit and you also get an AC adapter.
Pros
Cons
Adjustable sensor direction- Design that fits in tight spaces
- Doesn’t need expensive special bags
Odor charcoal filter
Battery life isn’t so great but you get an AC adapter
5. EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can
Size: 14.8 x 9.8 x 24.6 inches
Capacity: 50 L/13.2 Gallons
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 6 AA batteries
Price on Amazon
Eko automatic trash cans impress their customers with stylish designs, durability, ergonomics, and advanced technologies. And all that at a reasonable price tag. The EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter is a smart motion trash can packed with great features and a stainless steel body. Designed with no-liner form, this touchless trash can holds larger quantities of trash. Its dimensions make it suitable for small spaces and corners. A special fingerprint coating will maintain your touchless trash bin clean and smudges-free. A removable rim secures the trash bags in place and hides them from view for a cleaner look. Smart sensors will open the lid only when you need it. There’s also a touch switch that keeps the lid up as long as you need. A soft-close lid system won’t bother you every time you use the bin. To power it up, you can use 6 AA alkaline batteries, which are easy to buy and replace.
Pros
Cons
Touch switch for manual mode- Soft-close lid
- Vertical design that saves space
3-year warranty
Special Eko bags that are delivered with the trash bin can’t be bought online
6. Simplehuman Rectangular Voice and Motion Sensor Automatic Kitchen Trash Can
Size: 13 x 18.5 x 24.8 inches
Capacity: 58 L / 15.3 Gallon
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Rose Gold
Power: 4 AA batteries
Price on Amazon
Simplehuman rectangular automatic kitchen trash can is truly a smart bin. More options and flexibility to control your touchless trash can. Use your voice and easily control your trash can. You just have to say ” open can” and the lid opens quickly. When you need it open for a long time say ” stay open” and the lid won’t close until you give the ” close can” command, otherwise will close in 10 minutes. The three microphones will triangulate the sound and voice activation will be accurate even in busy and loud environments. If not comfortable speaking with your hands-free trash can you can always wave your hand and the lid opens without false triggers. Made of quality stainless steel the trash can has many finishes to choose from: white rose gold, dark bronze, brushed, and black stainless. All of them feature nano-coating that will keep the stainless steel shiny. The touchless trash can does not have an inner bucket, which means a larger capacity for holding trash. Custom-fit liners are made of strong material to prevent tear down or leakages. A well-designed liner pocket dispenses liners from inside the can for easy replacement. Known for its planetary gear system, Simplehuman has a powerful motor that is quiet as a whisper. The touchless trash can will withstand heavy use and benefits from a 5-year warranty.
Pros
Cons
Voice hands-free trash can- Nano-silver fingerprint-proof coating
- Quiet opening lid
Back pocket for the liners
The microphone is way too sensible and triggers the lid to open
7. Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection
Size: 14.5 x 16.2 x 27.8 inches
Capacity : 20 Gallons
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 6 AA batteries
Price on Amazon
The GLAD brand is well -known for trash bags in America. Furthermore they developed a Waste Management System that includes traditional and touchless trash cans. The Glad sensor trash can is a 20 gallons large bin suitable for a big family. Its design is modern blending well in any room of the house. Made of stainless steel and Clorox Odor Protection of the lid and frame, the trash can offers antibacterial protection and inhibits unplaisant odors. The hinged lid frame makes the replacement of the bags an easy task. Special rings keep the bags in place preventing from falling of f. There’s also, a special compartiment in the back for keeping extra bags. Soo the dispense and replacement of the bags is more convenient. The Glad extra large touchless trash can uses a motion sensor that will open the lid just when you need it by the wave your hand. And will close it automatically in 5 seconds. A special LED timer will count the seconds until lid closes. On tasks that require time you can use the open/close button of the lid. Glad offer 2-year limited warranty and a 30-day money back.
Pros
Cons
- 20 gallon large capacity
The Clorox Odor Protection
Special bag storage compartiment
Open/Close lid button
The lid creaks at the first use
8. iTouchless 16(2 x 8 ) Gallon Touchless Kitchen Recycling and Garbage Trash can
Size: 13.14 x 23.13 x 23.13 inches
Capacity:16 Gallons
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power: 4 D batteries/ AC adapter
Price on Amazon
Did you know that in United States only 30% of solid waste is recycled? If you want to start recycling iTouchless 16 gallon touchless trash can is the perfect choice. The dual -compartiment trash can has two inner buckets, that let you separate the trash and recycling. Recycling is easy an hygienic due its motion sensor that automatically opens the lids. There’ s a 6 inch range soo no false triggers. ITouchless is made from durable stainless steel and is fingerprint-proof and smudges-resistant. Beeing a large capacity trash can iTouchless is designed for mobility. 4 removable wheels are included with the bin for easy movement in your house. You get two choices to power this hands-free trash can. By an AC adapter or with 4 D batteries.
Pros
Cons
Fingerprint-proof stainless steel- Dual-Compartment
- 4 removable wheels for mobility
Fits any regular 8 to 13 gallon size trash bags
4 D batteries and AC adapter sold separately
9. Amazon Basics 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Motion Sensor Hands-Free Trash Can
Size: 16.38 x 11.34 x 26.4 inches
Capacity:50L /13.2 Gallon
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Brushed
Power : 2 D batteries
Price on Amazon
Amazon Basics make all sort of things imcluding touchless trash cans. This is a 13.2 gallon automatic trash can made of stainless steel. Like its most competitors has a special coating to prevent unwanted fingerprints and smudges. A special delay motion sensor prevents accidental opening by pets, children. or other residual movements. With stylish and modern design this touchless trash can fits well in the kitchen, bathroom , office or any other hight-traffic areas. Special ring liner holds in place the trash bag preventing the spread of odor and bacteria. There’ s no need for special bags. Amazon Basics is compatible with any standard 50L trash bag. To power this automatic trash can you can use 2 D batteries included with bin.
Pros
Cons
Pet-proof delay motion sensor- Amazing build quality
- Affordable for most buyers
1-year warranty
Lack of “on/off” button for manual lid operation
10. Ninestars 3 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can
Size: 7.8 x 10.3 x 14 inches
Capacity: 12L/ 3 Gallon
Material: Stainless steel / ABS Plastic
Finish: Brushed / Painted
Power: 2 AA batteries
Price on Amazon
We reviewed touchless trash cans with medium and large capacity. They are not always a suitable choice, when you need a small trash can in the bathroom or office. Soo what is the best option? Ninestars 3 gallon motion sensor trash can is the best option at an affordable price. Even it is a small trash can Ninestars uses quality materials such as ABS plastic or stainless steel. Its small size makes it perfect for tight spaces where a large bin wont fit. To complement the room design it comes in many finishes and colors like : brushed stainless, white, burgundy, rose gold, pink and yellow. With an IPX3 spalsh proof infrared sensor there’s no worry to use it in he bathroom or humid spaces. There’s also a delay sensing tehnology to prevent accidenal opening by pets or children and it saves the battery life too. Special removable ring liner holds the bag in place for a cleaner look. And you can use standard or Ninestars custom trash bags. It requires 2 AA batteries to power-up and you get 2-year hassle free warranty.
Pros
Cons
Splash-proof infrared sensor- A variety of finishes
- Good battery life
Special ring liner for a cleaner look
There is no fingerprint-proof special coating
What is the best touchless trash Can?
The best touchless trash has to be convenient to use, hygienic, and made to last for years. Also you have to choose one with a responsive motion sensor that is made from quality-materials easy to clean and mantain. There isnt the perfect touchless trash bin for everyone. But, based on their : design, features, capacity and customers review we choose this ones:
- Best Heavy-duty Trash Can Ninestars DZT-80-35 Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can
Best Voice Activation Simplehuman Rectangular Voice and Motion Sensor Automatic Kitchen Trash Can
Best Budget Ninestars 3 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can
Best Touchless Trash Can for Recycling iTouchless 16(2 x 8 ) Gallon Touchless Kitchen Recycling and Garbage Trash Can
Best Odor Control iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can
Source:Amazon
Is an automatic touchless trash can worth it?
When you are in search of a trash can you’ll find plenty of options in the market. From cheap plastic bins at 15$ to expensive ones made from stainless steel and motion sensors priced at 100$ or more. Choosing an automatic trash can will cost you more, but actually is a money-saver over time. The best touchless trash cans are built to last for years, soo you won’t need to buy another one every time soon. Many of them have a modern design, large capacity, and slim lines to save space to fit anywhere in your house. Most buyers pay a little more for ease of use, but most importantly for hygiene. Once you will get used to hands-free trash cans you’ll forget traditional ones.
What to Look For When Buying the Best Touchless Trash Can?
Not sure what to look for when buying a touchless trash can? There are some important features to look for: build quality, motion sensors, size and design, power, and also extra features. We considered every feature when we made the list of best touchless trash can reviews.
Build Quality
Touchless trash cans are made to last for years. The main materials used to build a trash can are stainless steel and plastic. Stainless steel is the most commonly used material. It is sturdy, won’t rust, has a special fingerprint-proof coating for easy cleaning, and blends well in any room design. There are also plastic elements with special features like a dent-free lid or anti-slip base. There are also plastic touchless trash cans. They come with a lower price tag, many colors to choose from, but not so durable as a stainless steel one.
The sensor
Best touchless trash cans use infrared sensors that open the lid quickly. You will not want to deal with sensors, that take ages to sense your hand movement to open the lid. There are also automatic trash bins with a delayed motion sensor to prevent accidental openings from pets and children. Try to invest in a waterproof touchless trash can to prevent water damage to the infrared sensor. Especially if you use it in the bathroom or the kitchen, and unwanted spills may happen.
Size and Shape
Choosing the best touchless trash can depends on your needs. The size and shape is an essential feature. Consider the size of an automatic trash can suitable for your family’s needs. Standard sizes come from 12 to 21 gallons suitable for the kitchen. There are also smaller ones that will fit well in your bathroom or office. Larger ones and those with multiple compartments suit best for heavy-duty usage and recycling. The shape is an important factor. Many models come in an oval shape for a stylish look others are square with slimmed lines to fit in corners and tight spaces.
Odor Control
Nobody wants unpleasant smells coming from the trash can. That’s why many brands introduced models with odor control. You will find trash cans that use a carbon filter inside that absorbs odors keeping the air fresh and healthy in your home. The downside is that these filters need replacements every few months. Some brands use micro-fitted liners to contain the smells coming from the trash.If you don’t need these features you will have to take out the trash more often.
Trash bags
Raplacement of trash bags inside the can is another factor to consider. Some brands use custom fitted bags to maintain a clean look and easy cleaning. These bags wont tear down to make a mess in your home but are little bit pricey. Most trash cans use regular replacement bags. Just make sure to use the appropriate size according to your touchless trash can capacity.
Power Source
The best touchless trash cans are powered by batteries. Most of them use D-type batteries and are brands that use AA alkaline batteries. Typically with 4 batteries your trash can will run for at least an year. If o have nearby a wall socket you can always plug in your automatic trash can and forget about batteries replacement.
Extra features
If you are an enthusiast of gadgets then a voice activated trash can is a good choice. Smart touchless trash cans can be controlled by your voice or apps on your phone. A must have feature is also, manual operation. Many touchless trash cans have a dedicated switch that opens the lid for easy cleaning and trash disposal. Pet owners choose pet-proof trash cans. With special lock systems this trash can prevents pets from opening the lid and making a mess in your home. There’s also soft-close lid feature. It’s soo annoying when you hear loud bang when the lid closes. The special mechanism opens and closes the lid gently with no sound.
How to fix a touchless trash can if stops working?
You are a happy owner of a touchless trash can and suddenly stops working. Don’t worry we have a few tips to troubleshoot it.
Check the batteries
Always check your batteries. When a touchless trash can stops working most common issue is dead batteries. Check your user manual find the batteries compartment and replace them.
Infrared Sensor
Check the infrared sensor. Over time debris may be accumulated over it and reduced its sensitivity. Use a soft cloth moistured in water to clean it. Don’t use chemicals that could affect the sensor.
Blocked hinges
Check the hinges. If the lid makes strange noises or doesn’t even open, the hinges can be blocked by food and debris. At the same time, they can be bent or cracked especially on plastic models.
Sunlight
Don’t place your touchless trash can in direct sunlight. Many infrared sensors will malfunction in the presence of a light source as bright as the sun.
Reset
Reset the touchless trash. If none of the above methods work reset the trash bin. Remove the batteries and AC adapter and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before power it again.
Warranty
If your touchless trash can still not working call your manufacturer’s customer service for further troubleshooting. That’s why it’s important to choose a brand with a good warranty and replacement policy.
For more in-depth troubleshooting information, see our guide: How to Repair a Touchless Trash Can? Here’s How To Fix It
Conclusion
When it comes to your home’s cleanness and convenience there are many decisions to be made. Choosing the best touchless trash can isn’t an exception. We believe we have covered all the questions in this guide of best touchless trash can reviews to ease your choice.
