It’s 2023 — Buy a Touchless Trash Can and Stop Touching That Gross Lid Already
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Emptying the trash ranks as one of the worst and most unhygienic household chores. Not only does it involve removing a potentially smelly, trash-filled bag, but you also risk contacting the bag’s contents and that disgusting juice that often forms at the bottom of the trash bag. It should come as no surprise that many people hate taking out the trash.
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Most people also don’t like touching the trash can itself. And for a good reason: trash bins can have up to 411 bacteria per square inch.
To minimize this interaction and keep touching to a minimum, it’s a great idea to add one of the best touchless trash cans to your kitchen (and your office, bathroom, and bedroom, too). These handy devices are available in manual and automatic models, and aside from fitting and removing the bag, they ensure you don’t have to come into contact with the can or bag at all. This lack of contact raises hygiene levels at home. That’s especially convenient if you’ve been cutting meat or other potentially bacteria-filled items and don’t want any residues left on the trash can itself.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best touchless trash cans for ordering online. Options include manual, foot-controlled garbage cans and automatic motion-sensor options, which only require a wave of the hand or foot to start the opening process.
1. iTouchless Stainless Steel Automatic Trash Can
BEST OVERALL
With over 38,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, the iTouchless Stainless Steel Automatic Trash Can is easily the most popular option on our list. It boasts an automatic opening mechanism with status indicator lights and Reflx technology, which prevents the lid from closing on your hand. The included AbsorbX Odor Filter absorbs unwanted odors to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. At the same time, the 12-inch opening ensures even the largest trash items can be disposed of without a problem. You can also choose between powering this garbage can with batteries or the included AC power adapter.
2. Simplehuman Dual Compartment Recycler
RUNNER UP
The Simplehuman Stainless Steel Dual Compartment Recycler 200 is available in six colors: white, black, rose gold, and brass. It boasts over 9,600 five-star reviews from users and sports a double-compartment design, making it ideal for households who recycle. Each compartment has its own lid and carrying handle for easy emptying. The wide steel pedal lifts the main lid and features a slow-closing mechanism to minimize noise.
3. ELPHECO Motion Sensor Bathroom Trash Can
BEST MINI OPTION
While touchless trash cans are used in the kitchen or common areas of office spaces, they can be equally valuable for the bathroom or under your desk. The slim, oval design of the ELPHECO Motion Sensor Bathroom Trash Can is discrete, and the smooth, grey color blends into most spaces. In addition, the redesigned infrared sensor on the can will only open the lid when your hand is placed above it. This prevents unnecessary openings, common with these trash cans in high-traffic spaces, like next to the toilet or in the bedroom.
ELPHECO Motion Sensor Bathroom Trash Can
4. FDW Kitchen Trash Can
BEST VALUE
The FDW Kitchen Trash Can sports an attractive design constructed from high-quality stainless steel. It features advanced technology, which prevents the obnoxious noise associated with the opening and closing operation you hear in many other competing trash cans. The 13-gallon capacity is large enough to store even a large household’s trash, and the removable lid makes fitting and removing the bag much easier. The versatile design makes this trash can a great option for any room of the house, including bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.
5. Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Metal Step-On Trash Can
BEST STAINLESS STEEL
When it comes to matters of trash, you’re probably already familiar with Rubbermaid. Now you can test out the company’s 12-gallon, stainless steel trash can without sacrificing your kitchen aesthetic. This bin has over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon and is designed to fit with modern kitchens and appliances. That means there’s no need to hide it out of sight. It also features a lid lock for easy cleanup, a slow-close release to avoid banging, and a fingerprint-friendly finish, so it doesn’t smudge up — even if you’ve got kids.
Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Metal Step-On Trash Can
6. HCB Garbage Can
QUIETEST PICK
The sound of a garbage can lid slapping down can be one of the most annoying sounds in the world. It becomes even more so if someone is trying to nap nearby or your partner is on a conference call. That’s why we like the HCB Garbage Can, which is almost mute thanks to its innovative closing mechanism. In addition, the touchless garbage can is activated by an induction sensor, and the bin itself is waterproof, making it easy to clean.
HCB Garbage Can
7. Halo Quality Sensor Trash Can
MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Unlike a normal trash can, motorized touchless trash cans require energy to operate. In the case of the Halo Quality Sensor Trash Can, this comes in the form of four AA batteries or an AC adapter. AA batteries are much smaller and more efficient than the industry-norm D batteries. Furthermore, the trash can offers a sensor-operated lid and odor control. It includes one AbsorbX Odor Filter and one lemon-scented fragrance cartridge, so it won’t just block odors; it makes your kitchen smell lemony fresh, too.
Halo Quality Sensor Trash Can
8. AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can
BEST MANUAL OPTION
If you prefer a manual, touchless trash can, then the AmazonBasics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can is your choice. The sleek, black design won’t look out of place in any kitchen, and the 32-liter capacity provides plenty of space for storing your trash. You’ll also find a soft-close lid to prevent unpleasant noise during opening and closing. The internal plastic bucket can be removed for easy emptying, and the non-slip rubber feet help to prevent unwanted movement during use.
9. BestOffice Red Touchless Trash Can
MOST COLORFUL
Not all touchless trash cans have to be black, white, or grey. They can be fun colors, too, like the BestOffice Red Touchless Trash Can. This 13-gallon can is designed for office use, but it would work equally well in a retro-inspired kitchen. The automatically opening lid activates when a user swings their arm or hand over the top of the trash can. It then stays open for five seconds, giving you enough time to deposit your garbage.
BestOffice Red Touchless Trash Can
10. NINESTARS Infrared Trash Can Combo Set
BEST COMBO
The NINESTARS Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can Combo Set includes not one but two touchless trash cans. The bigger garbage can holds up to 13 gallons of trash, while the smaller one has a capacity of two gallons, making it suitable for bathrooms or under the sink. Each is activated by infrared motion detection and features delayed sensing technology to prevent unnecessary openings. As a bonus, these trash cans also seal to prevent unwanted odors from sneaking into your home.
NINESTARS Infrared Trash Can Combo Set
11. Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can
BEST ODOR PROTECTION
Let’s face it. Trash cans can get stinky. That’s why it may be important for your household to invest in a touchless trash can with odor protection like the Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can. It includes Clorox Odor Protection, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria around the lid and the frame. In addition, this trash can also boasts a rear bag compartment, so you don’t have to search for your trash bags every time you take out the trash.
Glad Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can
12. Home Zone Living Sensor Trash Can
MOST ADVANCED
Sporting a silent opening and closing mechanism, an adjustable sensor, and a sleek silver design, the Home Zone Living Sensor Trash Can has it all. It’s available in either a dual 50-liter or 68-liter option, depending on your family’s needs. The infrared motion sensor can be set off with a wave of your hand, giving you an easy way to deposit trash without contacting the garbage can. There’s also a four-second delayed close and the option to keep the lid open longer using the button on the rim.
13. Nine Stars Touchless Garbage Can
BIGGEST CAN
The Nine Star Touchless Trash Can gets rave reviews, which all seem to boil down to three great selling points. First, this touchless trash can is larger than average and can accommodate 21-gallon trash bags. Second, it’s very energy-efficient, allowing 10,000 opens and closes before the batteries run dry. And finally, the hands-free operation is simple and easy to get used to. This is one trash can to get excited about.
Nine Stars Touchless Kitchen Garbage Can
14. SONGMICS Step Trash Can
BEST FOR RECYCLING
In the modern age of recycling, it only makes sense that your trash can features more than a single, throw-everything-in-one-place compartment. In the SONGMICS Step Trash Can, you’ll have a double-compartment bin, and each compartment will have its functioning pedal. The design also sports slow-closing lids for minimal noise and handles at either end for easy transporting around the house. This touchless trash can is available in three color options: black, silver, and brown.
15. hOmeLabs Automatic Trash Can
MOST STYLISH
With its sleek and rectangular design, the hOmeLabs Automatic Trash Can adds a touch of class to any room of the house. The two-piece lid delivers a fast-acting motion detector alongside a manual option when required. The garbage can is available in a 13 or 21-gallon option and sports a fingerprint-free, stainless steel exterior. For easy emptying, this model features a smart ring bag, helping to prevent any unnecessary contact with the bin’s contents.
16. iTouchless Rolling Sensor Kitchen Trash Can
BEST ROLLING
Sometimes you need a trash can that can go where you need it. That’s exactly what the iTouchless Rolling Sensor Kitchen Trash Can does, thanks to its four caster wheels. While moving, it will require touching it; you won’t need to contact the lid thanks to its sensor-operated opening mechanism. In addition, it comes with an AbsorbX Natural Carbon Odor Filter to neutralize odors, and it’s fingerprint-proof and smudge-resistant.
iTouchless Rolling Sensor Kitchen Trash Can
17. simplehuman voice + motion rectangular sensor can
VOICE & MOTION SENSOR
This 15.3-gallon trash can gives new meaning to the term “hands-free.” It does it all, making trash duty both clean and effortless. With just the sound of your voice, you can command the lid to open and close as desired. It also has a motion sensor that opens with a simple wave of your hand. There’s an inner liner pocket to store and dispense trash bags for rapid and convenient liner changing. Made of stainless steel, it also features an invisible fingerprint-proof coating infused with Agion, an EPA-registered antimicrobial that stifles the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew.
simplehuman Rectangular Voice + Motion Sensor Automatic Kitchen Trash Can
simplehuman voice + motion rectangular sensor can
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