The 7 Best Smart Waste Bins of 2024, According to Interior Designers
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Smart, sleek solutions for all of your trash and recycling needs
Simple Human / Crate and Barrel
If you haven't replaced your trash can in a while, this is the time to do it. Traditional garbage cans get the job done, but smart waste bins offer additional features that marry function and fashion. Smart waste bins are typically touchless, opening and closing via a motion sensor or even voice control. In addition, many offer clever add-ons, from self-cleaning functions to self-sealing bags that make cooking more convenient.
Aesthetically, smart waste bins are more attractive than your standard garbage can. “They tend to be simple, minimal, and low profile, making the often necessary decision to have a waste bin out in the open a lot more palatable,” says Melissa Wagner, Havenly lead designer, who adds that these bins are also available in several high-end finishes as opposed to low-budget plastic or acrylic. Best of all, they come in various shapes and sizes, with options for recycling and composting, so you can find a smart bin for every space and need.
Here are the best smart waste bins, according to interior designers.
Best Overall: simplehuman Rectangular Dual Compartment Sensor Can With Voice and Motion Control
All of the experts we spoke with unanimously recommended the simplehuman brand, and this rectangular smart bin is a particular favorite. Interior designer Keren Richter of White Arrow says she uses this bin in both her own home and clients' homes, while Wagner lauds the stainless steel for how well it resists fingerprinting. (Credit a silver ion coating that helps cut back on germs, too.) "This particular model is a standout, offering both voice and motion control, and a very quiet mechanism", says Kathleen Walsh, principal designer of Kathleen Walsh Interiors.
For accurate voice control, this simplehuman smart bin has three microphones to ensure that it can hear you — even in loud environments. Plus, you can even tell it to stay open if you're on a cleaning spree. And with compartments for recycling and trash, it’s the ideal one-stop solution for all your waste-related needs. It comes in not only a smudge-resistant brushed stainless finish, but also white and matte black. This convenience comes at a price since this is one of the most expensive picks on the market.
Size: 25 x 22.2 x 13 inches | Capacity: 2 x 58-liter compartments | Finishes: 3 | Features: Voice control, motion control | Power Source: Plug-in adapter or 6 AA batteries
Best Budget: NineStars DZT-50-28SL Stainless Steel 13.2 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can
Wagner is a fan of this NineStars smart bin, lauding it for its simple design and entirely stainless steel finish. (Though it also comes in other options like gray and a stainless-black combo.) She points out that it’s a very affordable option for a smart waste bin. That being said, it is a bit on the smaller side, and while it does have a motion-control function, it doesn’t come with any other bells or whistles. It’s battery-operated, but it can open and close 10,000 times before the batteries need to be changed.
Size: 25.04 x 15.24 x 11.22 inches | Capacity: 13.2 gallons | Finishes: 3 | Features: Motion control | Power Source: 2 DD batteries
Best for the Bathroom: TOWNEW T1D Smart Trash Can
Walsh says the smaller size and Scandinavian-inspired simple design of this Townew smart bin make it a good choice for a bathroom. She also likes that it makes the process of removing the trash bag easier and more mess-free than others. “The bag thermoplastically seals, so you don’t have to go through the motions of lid removal or tying it up. You just pop it out of the bin,” she says. (It even has a feature that detects if there’s too much trash in the bag and automatically replaces each bag once it’s removed.)
This bin comes in two colors, white and black, and it runs on rechargeable batteries, which last for up to 30 days. For the small size, it is a bit on the pricier side, but the helpful thermoplastic seal feature makes it worth it.
Size: 15.8 x 9.5 x 12 inches | Capacity: 4.1 gallons | Finishes: 2 | Features: Motion control, self-sealing bag, automatic bag replacement | Power Source: Rechargeable battery
Best Design: Brabantia 60-Liter Dual Compartment Bo Touch Bin
Technically, this isn’t the “smartest” pick of the bunch — it doesn’t have any type of hands-free control function. Still, it’s the most aesthetically pleasing waste bin out there, more akin to a piece of furniture than a trash can. Walsh recommends it, calling it a sleek and statement-making piece. “If you need to have a visible household waste system, this one is a good pick as it has side-by-side bins,” she says. And while you will have to manually open it, it does have a soft open and close feature.
Size: 21.5 x 12 x 32 inches | Capacity: 2 x 30-liter compartments | Finishes: 3 | Features: Soft open and close | Power Source: N/A
Best Oversize: EKO Mirage 80 L Motion Sensor Trash Can
This Eko Mirage waste bin features a motion sensor, but it also can be used manually, so it's great for those who are skeptical of smart systems or those who just prefer having both options available to them. The bin comes in a variety of sizes, but this extra-large version is especially noteworthy. It's one of the biggest smart waste bins on the market with an impressive 80-liter capacity, so it's ideal for larger households.
Many smart waste bins tend to have improved lid or cover designs so that smelly odors won’t easily escape, notes Wagner, and indeed, this lid closes securely. It bears mentioning that this runs off of traditional batteries, so just be prepared to replace those on occasion. It also only comes in a stainless steel finish.
Size: 18.5 x 11 x 27.1 inches | Capacity: 80 liters | Finishes: 1 | Features: Optional motion control | Power Source: 6 AA batteries
Best for Smelly Trash: iTouchless 13-Gallon Oval Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can
Walsh says she especially appreciates smart waste bins that contain and neutralize odors, and this iTouchless one does exactly that. A built-in carbon odor filter simultaneously absorbs and neutralizes smells, making this a top pick in the kitchen or even to dispose of things such as kitty litter. It can be powered via an AC adapter (though that does need to be purchased separately) or run on batteries. If you go with the latter, it bears mentioning that the battery life is an impressive 1.5 years.
While many other smart waste bins require the use of special trash bags, this one works with any standard-sized trash bag. The only noticeable downside is the shape. While some may prefer a more box-like trashcan to squeeze into corners, this one has an oval shape, so it doesn't exactly optimize the space it takes up in your kitchen.
Size: 16 x 11.75 x 25.5 inches | Capacity: 13 gallons | Finishes: 1 | Features: Motion control, built-in odor filter | Power Source: AC adapter or 4 D batteries
The More You Know
The majority of smart bin models require the use of a brand-specific bag or liner that is intended for that particular trash can. However, some, like the iTouchless 13-Gallon Oval Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can, are compatible with standard trash bags.
Best All-in-One: NineStars Steel 18.5-Gallon Motion Sensor Multi-Compartment Trash and Recycling Bin
“This [NineStars] one has dual canisters for both trash and recycling, and I like that it has the icons on the front for families with young kids that are learning the difference between recycling and trash,” says Wagner. While the trash and recycling compartments are a bit on the smaller side — only holding 9.25 gallons each — the waste bin still is a great value, especially given that there is a built-in motion sensor.
While the icons are great for teaching children (or lazy partners) which side holds the recycling and which side holds the trash, some may prefer a more simple aesthetic.
Size: 26.42 x 21.34 x 12.99 inches | Capacity: 2 x 9.25-gallon compartments | Finishes: 1 | Features: Motion control | Power Source: 3 D batteries
What to Know About Smart Waste Bins
Features
Just like with a smart robot vacuum or other smart appliance, it's up to you to decide which features are important to you and your household when choosing a smart trash can. Motion sensors are a pretty standard feature for these types of trash cans, but if you want extra bells and whistles, look for things such as voice control, self-sealing bags, and various types of odor-minimizing functions. If you want a smart waste bin that is streamlined, reduces odors, and uses standard trash bags, we love the iTouchless 13-Gallon Oval Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can.
Size
There’s no shortage of sizes and shapes out there, so make sure to first carefully measure where you’re going to put your trash can before purchasing one. Since smart waste bins tend to be more aesthetically pleasing — and have lids that keep trash from being visible and odors from permeating — many people prefer to keep them out in the open, whether at the end of a kitchen island or in a living room corner.
Power Source
The majority of smart waste bins are battery-powered, either via rechargeable or standard batteries. If you are going to use one that has an AC adapter, like the simplehuman Dual-Compartment Sensor Can, make sure it will be located close to an outlet so you can easily plug it in.
Care
If your bin is made of stainless steel, like most of the smart bins on this list, including the Eko Mirage 80 L Motion-Sensor Trash Can, add a dedicated stainless steel cleaner and microfiber cloth to your cleaning products. The interior can be cleaned with warm, soapy water.
Take Our Word for It
Melanie Rud is a beauty and lifestyle writer who covers a wide array of topics, from home products to beauty trends. For this story, she interviewed several interior designers and conducted extensive research to compile the products featured on this list.
Our Expert Panel
Kathleen Walsh is an interior designer and founder of Kathleen Walsh Interiors.
Melissa Wagner is the lead of Havenly's designer experience.
Keren Richter is the principal designer and co-founder of White Arrow.
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