Open The Lid Automatically Without Touching the Bin

Touching a garbage can isn’t hygienic, especially in the kitchen environment. With a motion sensor trash, you will automatically open and close the lid of the bin without needing to touch the bin physically.
When the infrared motion sensor detects the motion of your hand or foot, the lid opens automatically. The hands-free technology makes a motion sensor trash very hygienic and convenient because of the hands-free operation.
Top 10 Automatic Trash Bins
Disclosure: This article is reader-supported. If you click on a product and make a purchase, we may earn a commission – learn more.
Top 10 Automatic Trash Cans
What are the top picks for touchless trash bins with motion sensors? We’ve selected the best and most popular electric garbage cans. Most of the recycling bins contain a single compartment for your trash or recycling. But we also recommend a few double compartment sensor trash cans for sorting and separating your trash and recyclables in your kitchen. More information about sensor trash cans? Check our Sensor Trash can Guide.
#1 | Ninestars DZT-70-11R – 18 Gallon
“Automatic dual recycling trash can”
The two compartments in the Ninestars will help you with separating waste and recycling at home or in the office. Its 100% stainless steel body makes it easy to clean and keep clean as it is fingerprint-resistant. The lid seals odors and trash bags are hidden as the lid covers the top of the dual buckets.
- Capacity: 18 gallons
- Power: Batteries
- Compartments: 2
- Dimensions: 13 x 21.3 x 26.2 inches
#2 | iTouchless DZT13 – 13 Gallon
“Popular and afforadable automatic garbage can”
The iTouchless DZT13 electric trash can neutralizes any odors with carbon odor filters, so your home won’t smell. The touch-free lid opens quickly for easy waste disposal and also closes smoothly and silently. It’s powered by D-size batteries or with a separate AC power adapter, which are not included.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries / adapter
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 10.5 x 27 inches
#3 | iTouchless AutoStep – 13 Gallon
“Automatic foot pedal and odor control”
The automatic foot pedal of the iToucheless autostep only requires a light tap for the trash to open itself. Odor control neutralizes any odors so your home won’t smell like garbage. The elegant stainless steel body is fingerprint-resistant and available in three colors.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries / adapter
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.8 x 22.2 inches
#4 | Ninestars DZT-80-35 – 21 Gallon
“Elegant brushed stainless steel and 2-year warranty”
This super stylish Ninestars DZT-80-35 sensor trash can has a body made of brushed stainless steel. Designers of this trash can improved it overall by learning from the flaws of previous models. Large volume and opening and long warranty, this trash can is ideal for big households.
- Capacity: 21 gallons
- Power: Batteries
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 18.5 x 26.9 inches
#5 | iTouchless Oval Sensor – 13 Gallon
“Space-saving stainless steel design”
The tall oval design is space-saving and allows the bin to fit in almost any space. Its stainless steel body is germ-resistant, fingerprint-proof, and easy to clean. The motion sensor allows users to open the trashcan with the wave of a hand.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries / adapter
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 16 x 11.8 x 25.5 inches
#6 | iTouchless Sliding-Lid – 14 Gallon
“Automatic trash bin with space saving design”
A trash bag retainer ring hides the trash bag and keeps it in place, preventing it from falling into the can. This trash can features a filter that provides up to three months of odor elimination, and It is easy to replace. A unique feature is the roll ball sensor which allows you to choose which direction it faces.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries / adapter
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 27 x 14 x 12 inches
#7 | hOmeLabs Automatic – 21 Gallon
“Large trash can with butterfly lid”
The hOmeLabs features a unique butterfly lid with one flap on either side which opens simultaneously. It has a smart bag retainer ring for keeping garbage bags hidden and effortless bag removal. The long-lasting batteries, quiet operation, and quality materials give it a luxury feel.
- Capacity: 21 gallons
- Power: Batteries / adapter
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 16.2 x 10.3 x 33.5 inches
#8 | AmazonBasics Automatic – 13 Gallon
“Budget friendly, automatic and stainless steel”
This AmazonBasics automatic garbage can focuses on functionality and being budget-friendly. The stainless steel body is easy to clean and the ring liner allows easy bag replacement. Its delay motion sensor technology prevents accidental opening from residual motion.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 16.4 x 11.3 x 26.4 inches
#9 | Simplehuman Semi-Round Automatic – 12 Gallon
“Simplistic and reliable brushed stainless steel”
The superior motor of the Simplehuman Sem-Round allows the trash can to open and close smoothly with minimal noise. A Nano-Silver clear coating protects it from fingerprints and germs. The long 5-year warranty suggests makes this trash can a reliable companion in the kitchen.
- Capacity: 12 gallons
- Power: Batteries
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 12.8 x 15.4 x 25.2 inches
#10 | iTouchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can – 13 Gallon
“Semi-Round & Extra-wide opening”
The iTouchless sensor trash can is convenient and hygienic in use. You open the lid by waving your hands in front of the motion sensor. The carbon odor filter, that is included, absorbs and neutralizes odors of your trash. Because of the tall and semi-round design, this automatic kitchen trash can saves space on your kitchen floor.
- Capacity: 13 gallons
- Power: Batteries
- Compartments: 1
- Dimensions: 14 x 25 x 12.5 inches
More about automatic trash cans
Navigation:
- What is an automatic trash can?
- Why buy an touchless trash can?
- Choose a touch-less trash can with a high-quality sensor
- Other things to keep in mind
- See how a sensor trash can works
What is an automatic trash can?
A trash can with a motion sensor is called an automatic trash bin, touchless trash can, or motion sensor trash can. The terms all mean the same. These bins get equipped with infrared sensors, which open the lid via an internal motor that’s hand activated.
So you don’t need to touch the bin at all, which makes these types of bins hygienic in use. Perfect for your home. Find out more touch-free devices for extra hygiene at home or in the office.
Most sensor bins require batteries, but some of the containers can also get powered with an AC-adapter.
Why buy a touchless trash can?
The less you and your family need to touch a trash can, the more you prevent spreading germs and bacteria. Because of the infrared sensor, you don’t need to touch the bin at all, unless you want to replace a full trash bag, of course.
So if you want a trash can that is hygienic, safe, and fun to use, an electric trash can with a motion sensor is the type of bin to look for. An alternative for these bins is a step-on trash can.
Another advantage of a touch-less trash can is that these bins are difficult to open for cats, dogs, and other pets. So if you have a dog walking around in your house that is always curious about the inside of your kitchen trash can, you might want to consider a sensor bin.
It isn’t guaranteed that all motion sensor garbage cans are cat and dog-proof. It depends on the type of sensor and how intelligent your pet is to open the lid.
An automatic trash bin is also great when you like kitchen gadgets. A sensor recycling bin is a more futuristic and fun way to dispose of trash and recyclables with your family at home. Especially kids will love these types of waste receptacles because it works fully automatic and is fun to use.
Choose a touchless trash can with a high-quality sensor
When choosing a trash can with a sensor, it is essential that the sensor only activates the lid when you want it to. One of the annoying things with some sensor bins is that the top opens after you walk by your garbage can. You don’t want this to happen because it will become annoying after a while, and it also drains the battery. Most of the time, the more cheap sensor trash can suffer from this issue.
Our advice is to read customer reviews for the automatic trash carefully can you’re interested in. In these reviews, you can find out if the sensor works well or not. So don’t rely entirely on the product descriptions of the trash can manufacturer alone.
Other things to keep in mind
Warranty terms
Because an automatic trash receptacle contains parts that can break, it is essential to determine the warranty terms. The sensor, lid mechanism, and motor can get defect after a while, and these parts are crucial for an automatic trash can to work correctly. A 1-year warranty is a minimum. When you plan to purchase an expensive automatic garbage can, we advise you to get a minimum guarantee of 5+ years.
Power supply
An automatic motion sensor garbage can needs the power to work. Most of the bins work on batteries. Type D batteries are standard in sensor bins. Some trash cans with automatic lid can also get powered with an AC power adapter. It would be best if you generally bought these adapters separately.
How many months will a set of batteries last until you need to replace them with new or full ones? It depends on the sensor bin, the energy-saving technology, and how often you dispose of trash with your family every day. Generally, the batteries will last for about six months to 1 year. You will notice when the batteries are getting low on power when the automatic sensor bin won’t work correctly.
If you don’t want the hassle of replacing batteries, you can also power some electric trash cans with an AC power adapter. Check if there is a wall socket available in the area you want to place the touchless trash can before purchasing the adapter.
Manual operation
The idea of an automatic trash bin is that you don’t need to touch it when you want to dispose of trash. Nevertheless, some sensor bins get equipped with open/close buttons for manual operation. On some occasions, this is pretty convenient.
For instance, when you want to throw away multiple items and don’t want the lid to close right after your hands are out of the sensors to reach. With the buttons, you can open the cover manually to take your time disposing of your trash.
See how a sensor garbage can works
- Watch video on Youtube: Simplehuman semi-round sensor trash can
- Watch video on Youtube: Trash can with deodorizer