6 Best Touchless Trash Cans (2023 Guide)

A manual trash can may be unhygienic, as you have to touch the lid that might be contaminated with bacteria from your trash. To prevent the spread of germs in your home, read our review on the best touchless trash cans online.

Top 6 Touchless Trash Cans

• Best Capacity: Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can
• Best Medium-Sized Can: EKO Mirage-T Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can
• Best Round Can: iTouchless Touchless Sensor Trash Can
• Best Butterfly Lid: hOmeLabs Automatic Trash Can
• Best Multi-Compartment: Nine Stars Trash and Recycling Bin
• Best Compact: Nine Stars Motion Sensor Trash Can

Best Capacity: Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can

Pros and Cons

✔ Designed with a rear compartment for extra trash bags
✔ Built with Clorox odor protection to inhibit unpleasant smells
✔ The lid closes automatically after 5 seconds

✘ Doesn’t offer the option to power it with an adapter
✘ Takes up a lot of space because of its 20-gallon capacity

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers said that they liked this trash can because it was sleek and easy to use. Several also said that it was convenient because it took several days to fill with trash. However, we also saw some negative reviews said that the lid stopped working after a short period of time.

Best Medium-Sized Can: EKO Mirage-T Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can

Pros and Cons

✔ Built without an interior liner for additional storage space
✔ Has a soft-close lid that shuts gently and quietly
✔ Backed by a 3-year warranty

✘ Doesn’t work with rechargeable batteries
✘ Doesn’t come with a deodorizer

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed several reviewers say that this product was easy to use and responsive. Unsatisfied customers had various complaints about this trash can, including problems with the motion sensor and customer support.

Best Round Can: iTouchless Touchless Sensor Trash Can

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes an activated carbon filter to absorb trash odors
✔ Features an infrared motion sensor that automatically opens the lid
✔ Has an easy-to-clean steel exterior

✘ Doesn’t include the optional adapter for operation
✘ May open from nearby pet or child activity

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said that they recommend this product for its functionality, price, and quality. However, we also noted that some less satisfied customers said that its base was wobbly and its motion sensor was too sensitive.

Best Butterfly Lid: hOmeLabs Automatic Trash Can

Pros and Cons

✔ The smart bag retainer ring conceals garbage bags and makes bag removal effortless
✔ Has a fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel exterior
✔ Has a lid that’s equipped with a battery holder, jack, and switch for automatic or manual operation

✘ Doesn’t come with the batteries needed for operation
✘ Most expensive option in this guide

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said that the hOmeLabs Automatic Trash Can was easy to clean and held a lot of waste. We also noted that many said that it kept curious pets and toddlers out of the garbage. Dissatisfied customers said that the lid eventually stopped closing, and a few mentioned ongoing issues with the sensor.

Best Multi-Compartment: Nine Stars Trash and Recycling Bin

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a quiet and gentle soft-close lid system
✔ Has a fingerprint-resistant coating
✔ Includes a non-skid base to protect flooring

✘ The required batteries aren’t included
✘ Is relatively heavy for a trash can at over 11 pounds

What Customers Are Saying

This touchless trash and recycling bin received primarily positive feedback from customers. In four and five-star reviews, customers liked the bin’s size, reliable touchless operation, and sharp looks. Critically, unhappy customers said that the lid stopped working as expected within months of owning the product.

Best Compact: Nine Stars Motion Sensor Trash Can

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes in several vibrant colorways
✔ Fits in tight or cramped spaces
✔ Weighs less than 2 pounds

✘ Can’t fit a lot of items inside due to its small capacity
✘ Some users thought that the trash bin was overpriced given its small size

What Customers Are Saying

Positively, we saw that customers who reviewed this motion sensor trash can liked its hands-free operation, fun and interesting color offerings, simple design, and compact size to fit in tight, cramped spaces. Negatively, some customers thought that the can was too small to be practical in their homes, and others said that it wasn’t sturdy enough for their needs.

Buying Guide for Touchless Trash Cans

Read our guide on touchless trash cans below to learn about important factors that will help inform your purchasing decision.

Material

Trash cans are made of metal or plastic.

• Metal: Metal trash cans are the most common touchless option. They’re more durable and resistant to smells for better odor control than plastic. They’re also available in several sleek finishes, with stainless steel trash cans being the most popular option.
• Plastic: Plastic trash cans aren’t as durable or as good at repelling odors, but they are more affordable and come in a variety of colors.

Size

Garbage bins and cans range in size from about 2.5 gallons to 30 gallons. The size you choose should depend on where the can will be used. For example, if looking for a bathroom trash can, opt for a small 2.5-gallon can. If the trash can is for a kitchen, choose one that’s at least 13 gallons in size because a lot of leftovers, wrappers, and other food-related waste gets thrown away in there.

Shape

Trash cans are available in several shapes, including square, rectangular, and circular. Square or rectangular cans are better when space is at a premium because they fit nicely in corners. You can extend your options to include round shapes when the can is for a larger room, such as a master bathroom or a kitchen since you don’t have limited space.

Sensor

Touch-free trash cans use a motion sensor to open.

• Direction: The can’s motion sensor usually faces upward instead of to the side. This prevents the can from opening when someone is just walking by.
• Range: Some trash cans can sense movement from as far away as 10 inches. This allows you to open the can without your trash touching and contaminating the sensor.

Power Source

Most touchless trash cans use batteries as a power source. However, some use cords that plug into wall outlets. With batteries, you have the freedom to place your can anywhere, but you also have to remember to change them every few months. If you use an AC adapter for power, you won’t need to worry about replacing batteries, but you will be more limited with placement options.

Odor Elimination

Some trash cans have inserts for odor-eliminating filters. This decreases the likelihood that smelly trash, such as raw meat packages or leftovers, will stink up your home.

Touchless Trash Can Tips and Tricks

When using a touchless trash can, here are some tips our team came up with to ensure you’re getting the best use out of it.

• Make sure the can is located in a convenient location so it’s easy to use.
• Ensure that the sensor is positioned correctly and isn’t obstructed by any objects that could block the sensor’s view.
• Keep your touchless trash can clean and free of debris that could interfere with the sensor’s operation.
• If your touchless trash can isn’t opening with a wave of your hand, check the batteries to see if they need to be replaced.
• For added convenience and ease of use, consider a touchless trash can with a step pedal.
• If you plan to use your touchless trash can outdoors, make sure it’s rated for outdoor use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Touchless Trash Cans

Are touchless trash cans worth it?

Touchless trash cans are worth it if you’re willing to spend a little more for a brand-new waste receptacle. Though they’re not an absolute household necessity, touchless trash cans are worth it for homeowners who don’t want to risk touching any garbage.

How do I ensure that the motion sensor on my touchless trash can works properly?

You can ensure the motion sensor of your touchless trash can works properly by avoiding direct sunlight. Also, avoid placing your can under an overhang, such as a countertop, as this may cause the motion sensor to open when you’re not using it.

What are the benefits of a touchless trash can?

The primary benefits of touchless trash cans are that they’re more sanitary than other trash cans since you don’t have to actually touch the lid of the can. Additionally, they’re more convenient, stylish, and elegant compared to traditional trash cans.

Are there other touchless trash cans that don’t use motion sensors?

Yes. Step trash cans are touchless trash cans that don’t use motion sensors. While you still have to make contact with these cans to throw items away, you don’t have to open the lid with your hands.

Why does my touchless trash can have a lock on it?

Your touchless trash can has a lock to prevent children and pets from getting into the trash. Most locks have an on/off switch for the motion sensor.

How We Selected Touchless Trash Cans

To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of touchless garbage cans with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4-5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

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The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.

Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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