Are touchless kitchen trash cans worth it? Short answer: yes, if you cook often with messy hands, have small children, or want a lid that stays shut between tosses. An infrared sensor detects movement, a small motor swings the lid open, and it closes again on a timer, so you never touch the can with raw-meat or dough-covered hands. The catch is batteries, sensor tuning and a higher cost than a plain step can.
We compared 12 of the best touchless kitchen trash cans currently on the market, weighing sensor reliability, lid noise, capacity, battery type, odor control and how each one handles standard grocery store bags. The list runs from budget 13-gallon models to a 91-liter bin for busy households, so you can match one to your kitchen rather than settling for whatever fits your counter.
A touchless kitchen trash can is a waste bin with a motion sensor built into the lid or front panel. It senses hand movement within roughly 6 to 8 inches, powers a small motor, and the lid closes automatically after a few seconds of inactivity. Most run on AA, C or D batteries, a few on a built-in rechargeable pack, and all of them in this roundup let you open the lid by hand when the electronics are not cooperating.
One thing worth planning around: measurement. Sensor bins are wider and taller than open-top step cans, and the lid swings back on most of them. Before you buy, check the clearance above your can and the depth of the cabinet run beside it, especially if you are pairing it with a bin scale like the ones in our kitchen scale guide that depends on a flat, stable surface.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Touchless Kitchen Trash Cans (October 2026)
iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can
- Infrared sensor
- AbsorbX odor filter
- Pet lock
- Soft-close lid
Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can
- Touch-free wave lid
- 13-gallon capacity
- Odor-sealing lid
- Removable liner ring
EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter Touchless Bin
- Motion sensor open and close
- Stay-open lid
- No-liner 25 percent extra capacity
- Anti-fingerprint steel
All 12 Touchless Kitchen Trash Cans at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can |
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Check Latest Price |
| Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can |
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Check Latest Price |
| EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter Touchless Bin |
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Check Latest Price |
 iTouchless 24 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 Dkeli 13 Gallon Automatic Motion Sensor Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 Bigacc 13 Gallon Touch Free Garbage Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 EKO Mirage X 80 Liter Motion Sensor Bin |
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Check Latest Price |
 simplehuman 45 Liter Semi-Round Sensor Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 SIMPLI-Magic 13.2 Gallon Sensor Trash Can |
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Check Latest Price |
 EKO 13.2 Gallon Touchless Sensor Bin |
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Check Latest Price |
 Lovewind 13.2 Gallon Rechargeable Sensor Can |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can – Our Overall Pick
iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can with Lid | Pet Lock and Odor Filter
13 gallons / 50L
Stainless steel, no inner bucket
AbsorbX carbon odor filter
Soft-close and pet lock
Pros
- Infrared sensor opens instantly for food prep
- No-bucket design gives about 25 percent more usable capacity
- Manual pet lock keeps pets out
- Quiet soft-close lid
- First odor filter included
Cons
- Replacement odor filters are a recurring accessory cost
- Soft-close hinges need occasional wiping down
This is the one we kept coming back to. With more than 57,000 reviews behind it, the iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can is the most proven touchless bin in this roundup, and the reason is simple: it does the three things that matter without adding anything fragile.
The body is 13.7 inches long, 10.8 inches wide and 27.3 inches tall in brushed stainless steel, weighing 9 pounds. Because there is no inner bucket, you get roughly 25 percent more usable capacity than a standard 13-gallon bin with the same outer footprint, which in practice means one fewer bag change every week in a two-person household.
The AbsorbX carbon filter is the piece most people do not expect to matter, and it does. Carbon media neutralizes odor molecules rather than masking them with fragrance, and the first filter ships in the box. A sealed lid that stays down between tosses does the rest of the work.
Reviewers consistently single out three things: the sensor responding on the first wave, the extra room from the no-bucket layout, and the pet lock. Owners with cats report the lock doing exactly what it promises, which is unusual at this size and price point.
Is this the right size for a family kitchen?
At 13 gallons, it sits at the standard size for a household of two to four. The 27.3-inch height means you can drop plate scrapings in without bending, and the rectangular shape holds a flat back against a cabinet run, which round bins cannot do.
If you cook for six or more people daily, you will fill it faster than a 13-gallon can expects. In that case the 24-gallon iTouchless in our number four slot handles the same sensor hardware with far more volume.
What should you watch out for as an owner?
The odor filter is a consumable. It works well while it is fresh and stops working when it is not, and most households replace it far less often than they should. Budget for a replacement every few months if you cook meat often.
On r/BuyItForLife, owners question whether an electronic bin belongs in a buy-it-for-life setup, and the answer here is no. The can is durable, but the sensor board and motor are consumable parts. Buy it for convenience, not as a permanent fixture.
2. Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can – Best Value
Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid, Rectangular Stainless Steel, Silver Trim
13 gallons / 50L
Rectangular stainless steel
Runs up to 9 months on 2 D-batteries
Removable liner ring
Pros
- Wave-activated lid keeps hands clean
- Rectangular body fits flush against counters
- Precision-fit lid closes softly and seals odors
- Fingerprint-resistant exterior
- Two-year support program
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Occasional transit dents on arrival
The Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can holds a 4.4 average across more than 13,000 reviews, and that combination of rating and volume is hard to find elsewhere in this list. It is the model we would put in a rental or a first apartment because it does the core job without any premium extras.
It measures 15.24 by 11.22 by 25.04 inches and weighs 6.8 pounds, so it is lighter and shorter than the iTouchless and easier to reposition when you clean behind it. The stainless body pairs with a plastic lid, which is why it stays at a lower weight than the all-steel options.
Two D batteries run the sensor for up to 9 months according to the manufacturer, and the compartment is reachable without tools. That is the number to hold onto when you shop, because most of the complaints about touchless bins reduce to battery logistics rather than sensor quality.
The removable liner ring is a small feature that saves real time. It holds the bag edge below the rim so the mess from a week of cooking is hidden when you lift the lid, and swapping bags takes seconds instead of peeling plastic off the flange.
Will it fit beside a cabinet run?
Yes, and that is the main reason to pick it. The 15.24-inch depth and flat rectangular back sit tight against cabinetry where a semi-round or oval can would leave a gap you cannot clean behind. It also fits the standard 13-gallon grocery store bag most people already buy.
Measure the counter height above it before you commit. The lid swings rearward, and you want at least a few inches of clearance so it does not tap the underside of a cabinet or a wall-mounted microwave.
What could go wrong with it?
Batteries are not included, and that trips up almost every first-time buyer. Home Depot reviewers for the NINESTARS sensor cans call out the same 4-AA-style requirement, so budget for a fresh set before the can leaves the box.
A smaller share of owners report units arriving dented from transit even when the outer packaging looked intact. Inspect the body on arrival, since a dented corner is a return-window problem rather than something you can fix later.
3. EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter Touchless Bin – Best for Recycling
EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can or Recycling Bin, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
50 liters / 13.2 gallons
Brushed stainless steel
Stay-open lid mode
Up to 8 months on AA batteries
Pros
- Near-silent lid motion
- Anti-fingerprint finish resists smudges
- No-liner design adds about 25 percent capacity
- Hold-open option for long cleanups
- Works for trash or recycling
Cons
- Lid can stall halfway on its close timer
- Thin-gauge steel dents if overfilled
The EKO Mirage-T is the one to consider if your household wants to sort recycling without buying a second bin. It sits at the number one position in in-home recycling bins, and the reason is the no-liner body, which accepts a bag directly and gives you room for a full week of containers.
Dimensions are 14.8 by 9.8 by 24.6 inches at 4 kilograms, and it is the narrowest rectangular option here at 9.8 inches deep. That width matters if your cabinet run is shallow or the bin has to sit beside an appliance on the floor.
Two AA batteries last up to 8 months, and the stay-open lid mode holds the top up while you deal with a mess of bottles and cans. The anti-fingerprint brushed finish is one of the better ones in the group, which matters when the bin is visible rather than hidden in a garage.
For odor control, the EKO relies on the lid seal rather than a replaceable filter cartridge. In a dry kitchen that is enough. If you compost or handle raw meat daily, put a bin with an activated carbon filter next to it instead.
Is it better for recycling than trash?
For mixed recyclables, yes. The straight-sided interior and wide mouth make it easy to drop in bottles and cans without sorting on the rim, and you can line it with a clear bag so contents are visible. The 25 percent capacity bump means fewer trips to the recycling store.
For wet food waste, less so. There is no filter port on this model, so odors from a compost stream will not be neutralized. A dedicated indoor compost pail handles that job better.
What are the weak points?
Some owners report the lid pausing halfway on its way closed and staying there until you press the button again. It is a timer and hinge alignment issue rather than a sensor failure, and it tends to show up after a year of use.
The steel is thin-gauge. Overfill the bag and the wall flexes or dents, which is the most common physical complaint across EKO models. Keep the load below the rim line and the body stays straight.
4. iTouchless 24 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can – Best for Large Households
iTouchless Patented Large 24 Gallon Motion Sensor Trash Can | Odor Filter
24 gallons / 91L
Slim oval body
Sensor 2.0 infrared
18 months on 4 D batteries
Pros
- Sensor 2.0 responds with few false triggers
- Tall body avoids deep bending
- Slim oval footprint
- Works with standard 24-gallon tall bags
- AbsorbX carbon filter included
Cons
- 33 inch height is oversized for a standard cabinet run
- AC adapter sold separately
If your kitchen generates trash faster than a 13-gallon bin can hold, this is the answer. The 24-gallon, 91-liter body stands 33 inches tall, which is genuinely tall, and that height is the whole point: you can scrape plates straight in without hunching over.
It weighs 9.9 pounds and measures 17.4 by 12.3 by 33 inches. The oval profile is slim for its volume, so it tucks alongside an island where a rectangular bin of the same capacity would stick out into the walkway.
Battery life is the standout number here: up to 18 months on 4 D cells. There is also a built-in jack for an optional AC adapter, which is the only plug-in path in this roundup apart from the rechargeable model at number twelve.
Sensor 2.0 is a revised sensor board, and reviewers note it fires on the first pass with very few false triggers even in a busy kitchen. That matters more in a large household where people walk past the bin constantly.
Will the height fit your kitchen?
Only if you measure first. At 33 inches with the lid closed, this can be taller than your lower cabinets are deep, and the open lid needs more clearance than that. It works well beside an island or in a tall pantry alcove, and poorly in a standard 24-inch cabinet recess.
Check your ceiling-adjacent obstacles too. A wall cabinet at 30 inches will stop the lid cold. If your clearance is tight, the 13-gallon iTouchless at 27.3 inches is the safer buy.
What should you know before buying?
It takes standard 24-gallon tall bags, so no proprietary liners. You do need a genuinely tall bag ring, and a 13-gallon bag will simply hang loose inside.
The AC adapter is a separate purchase. If you want the plug-in route, add it at the same time, because it is the only way to remove battery handling from the equation on this model.
5. Dkeli 13 Gallon Automatic Motion Sensor Can – Best for Small Spaces
Dkeli 13 Gallon Automatic Motion Sensor Trash Can, Stainless Steel Touchless Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, 50L High-Capacity Office Bathroom Bedroom Garbage Bin
13 gallons / 50L
Brushed stainless steel
Infrared motion sensor
Removable lid
Pros
- Affordable entry into touchless bins
- Rust-resistant finish wipes clean
- 13-gallon capacity fits standard bags
- Sealing lid contains food odors
- Anti-slip base
Cons
- Less smooth sensor tuning than premium brands
- No published battery-life claim
The Dkeli 13 Gallon Automatic Motion Sensor Trash Can is the cheapest way to find out whether you like touchless lids at all. It carries a 4.4 average from nearly 4,000 reviews, which is not what you would expect from the bottom of the range.
It measures 16 by 11.4 by 25.4 inches at 7.5 pounds, and the water-repellent, rust-resistant wire-draw stainless finish is genuinely easy to wipe down after a spill. The removable lid comes off entirely, which makes deep cleaning and bag changes straightforward.
The sealing lid does the odor work here rather than a filter cartridge. For a household that empties the can every two or three days, that is usually enough, and there is no accessory to reorder later.
RedFlagDeals threads treat budget sensor cans in this range as the value sweet spot, and the recurring advice there is to expect a slower sensor than the premium brands and to be a little more deliberate about your hand position when your hands are full.
Is the sensor good enough for daily use?
Yes, with a caveat. Owners describe the sensor as functional rather than refined, meaning it sometimes takes a second wave when your hands are full or low. Once you learn roughly where the detection zone sits in front of the lid, it becomes predictable.
That learning curve is the real cost of the lower tier. Premium boards like Sensor 2.0 in the 24-gallon iTouchless fire across a wider field, so a full-handed gesture lands more reliably on the first try.
What should you watch for?
The manufacturer publishes no battery-life figure for this model, so treat runtime as unknown. Many budget bins use 4 AA cells, and the compartment is usually at the base or inside the lid hinge.
Build consistency is the other consideration. Reviewers compare it favorably on finish but less favorably on panel fit relative to priced-up models. Inspect it on arrival and keep the packaging until you have run a few loads through it.
6. Bigacc 13 Gallon Touch Free Garbage Can – Budget Pick
Bigacc Kitchen Trash Can | Stainless Steel 13 Gallon Trash Can | 50L Touch Free Garbage Can with Lid | Electronic Sensor High Capacity Trash Bin for Bathroom Kitchen Office, Silver
13 gallons / 50L
Powder-coated stainless
Cylindrical body
On/off and manual controls
Pros
- Lowest cost among 13-gallon sensor cans
- Quiet auto-close after about 3 seconds
- Compact oval-looking footprint
- Fits common 13-gallon bags
- Manual open button for cleanups
Cons
- Warranty limited to 6 months with a 30-day damage return window
- Sensor controls are basic
The Bigacc sits at the bottom of the price range for a full-size 13-gallon sensor can and still holds a 4.4 from almost 2,900 reviews. If your kitchen is small, it is worth looking at the footprint before the feature list.
It measures 16 by 11 by 23 inches at 8 pounds, and 23 inches is the shortest body in this roundup. The cylindrical shell reads narrower from the front than a rectangular bin of the same capacity, which helps in a tight galley kitchen.
Two controls matter here. An on/off button lets you disable the sensor entirely, and a manual open/close button means you can hold the lid during a cleanup without waving at it. The lid auto-closes about 3 seconds after opening.
Owners like the quiet close and the fact that the lid detaches for cleaning. The fingerprint-resistant coating is a powder coat rather than true stainless, so it scratches more readily than the brushed finishes on the EKO and iTouchless models.
Is it the right pick for an apartment kitchen?
If your constraint is counter depth rather than features, this is a reasonable choice. At 11 inches wide it fits beside an appliance where a 12.8-inch semi-round can would not, and the short body clears a shallow counter overhang.
For a low-trash household, weigh the tradeoff. The electronics add failure points and battery cost to a job a simple step can do forever, and buy-it-for-life forums consistently make that argument.
What about the warranty?
Read the terms. The warranty runs 6 months, with replacement parts negotiated and returns not accepted after 30 days for damaged or defective units. That is thinner coverage than the two-year programs offered on the Ninestars models.
Treat it accordingly. Test the sensor and the manual button within the first month, and keep the box until you have confidence the unit works.
7. Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Trash Can – Best for Big Cleanups
Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Trash Can, 50L Touchless Motion Sensor Garbage Can with Odor-Sealing Lid & One-Touch Manual Mode, Silver Stainless Steel, Black Trim
50 liters / 13 gallons
Oval stainless steel
One-touch manual mode
Up to 9 months on 3 C batteries
Pros
- Wide oval opening takes bulky waste
- One-touch button holds the lid open
- Precision-fit lid seals odors
- Manual mode works with dead batteries
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Occasional transit dents on arrival
- One early sensor failure reported
When you are scraping a dinner’s worth of plates, the opening width matters more than capacity. The Ninestars 13 Gallon Oval Automatic Trash Can has a wide oval mouth, and the one-touch button locks the lid open so you can work without waving at it repeatedly.
It measures 15.5 by 11.5 by 25.25 inches, and the stainless steel body comes with black trim. The removable liner ring hides the bag edge, and the precision-fit lid closes softly while sealing odors inside.
Three C batteries run the sensor for up to 9 months, which is a slightly larger cell than the Ninestars 13-gallon rectangular and means fewer swaps over a year. A two-year manufacturer warranty backs it up, the longest coverage in this group.
The detail that earns its place on this list is that manual operation still works when the batteries are dead. Press the button and the lid moves. That turns a dead sensor into an inconvenience instead of an unusable bin, which is exactly the failure forum users complain about most.
Does the oval shape waste floor space?
It uses the corners differently from a rectangle. The oval front is wide and the back tapers, so it reads slimmer from the front than a square bin but needs a little more depth behind. At 15.5 inches deep it is among the deeper options here.
In exchange you get a wider mouth, which is why it suits a cook who tosses bulky takeout containers and bone-in scraps. If you only ever drop in small wrappers, the extra width is not worth the depth.
What are the reported problems?
Batteries are not included, which is the standard complaint across this entire category. A small number of owners also report units arriving dented in transit, and one reported a battery failure that stopped the sensor within weeks.
At 2,525 reviews this is a smaller sample than the two other Ninestars entries, so expect fewer long-term data points. The warranty is the safety net here, and it is a two-year program.
8. EKO Mirage X 80 Liter Motion Sensor Bin – Best for High-Volume Kitchens
EKO Mirage X 80 Liter / 21.1 Gallons Motion Sensor Trash Can or Recycling Bin, Automatic Large Kitchen Trash Can Touchless, Stainless Steel
80 liters / 21.1 gallons
Brushed stainless steel
20-minute press-to-open hold
Quiet soft-close
Pros
- 80L body holds a lot between empties
- Very quiet soft-close action
- Press-to-Open holds the lid for 20 minutes
- Anti-fingerprint finish
- Includes a roll of matching bags
Cons
- Thin-gauge steel flexes if overfilled
- Filter port and lip can tear full bags
- Capacitive touch buttons reduce the no-touch benefit
The EKO Mirage X is built for volume. At 80 liters, 21.1 gallons, it takes roughly a week of heavy cooking before it needs emptying, and the press-to-open button holds the lid up for 20 minutes of uninterrupted cleanup.
It measures 18.5 by 11 by 27.1 inches, making it the largest rectangular body here. The soft-close action is noticeably quieter than on older sensor cans, which matters in an open-plan kitchen where the bin sits in the middle of the room.
Unlike the Mirage-T, this model comes with a generous roll of matching bags, so you are not hunting for 21-gallon liners on day one. The sensor is also tuned not to fire when someone simply walks past, which addresses the most common sensor complaint.
Owners who live alone or in a two-person home often find this excessive. The volume makes more sense for a family of five or a household that cooks every day, and for anyone running a small home business kitchen.
Is the 20-minute hold mode useful?
Very much so, and it is the reason this can earns its place. Cleaning out a large bin, scrubbing the liner ring and wiping the body takes more than the 5 to 8 seconds a normal sensor cycle allows. Twenty minutes removes the interruption entirely.
The same button is a manual override, so it also works as a fallback when batteries are low. The compromise is that these are capacitive touch buttons, which means the no-touch benefit does not apply to that control.
What are the drawbacks?
Thin steel again. Owners report the wall flexing and denting when a bag is overfilled, so treat the 80L capacity as a maximum rather than a target. The filter port and folded lip can also tear a full bag when you pull it out.
There is also an isolated report of a unit that stopped working within 10 months. At 2,428 reviews the sample is smaller than the top picks, and sensor or motor failure is the most common long-term complaint across every model in this category.
9. simplehuman 45 Liter Semi-Round Sensor Trash Can – Best for Quiet Operation
simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel
45 liters / 12 gallons
Semi-round stainless steel
Planetary gear motor
Built-in liner pocket
Pros
- Infrared fields sense above and in front
- Planetary gears deliver very quiet movement
- Outer lid lifts for liner access
- Integrated liner pocket dispenser
- Silver-ion coating resists fingerprints
Cons
- Premium cost for a 12-gallon capacity
- Semi-round shape needs more counter width
Noise is the spec that separates this one. The planetary gear motor and precision gearing move the lid with almost no whine, and reviewers consistently describe the action as the quietest in the category. If your kitchen is open to a living space, that is worth paying for.
It measures 15.4 by 12.8 by 25.2 inches at 10.3 pounds, the heaviest body here. The semi-round shape is the reason for that weight and width, and it is the single biggest compromise on this list.
The infrared sensor uses multiple fields that sense above and in front of the lid, so a wave opens it from a higher angle than a single-sensor bin. That is a real usability gain when you are holding a hot pan in one hand and gesturing with the other.
Two details make it feel like a different class of product. The outer lid lifts for liner access without removing the whole top, and a built-in pocket dispenses bags one at a time. A silver-ion coating resists fingerprints and slows germ spread on the surface.
Is 12 gallons enough for a family?
For three people cooking most nights, yes. For five or more, you will empty it more often than you would a 13-gallon bin, and the 45-liter figure sits just below the standard size. The wide opening partly compensates, since loading is fast.
The liner pocket also means bags are always on hand, which removes one of the most common reasons a bin gets overfilled and starts to smell. That habit alone can stretch the interval between changes.
What about the size of the footprint?
At 12.8 inches wide, the semi-round body is the widest of the 13-gallon class. It will not tuck into a narrow gap between a wall and an appliance the way the Bigacc or SIMPLI-Magic does. Measure the floor space before choosing it for a small kitchen.
For a large, open kitchen, the quiet motor and the premium finish are hard to beat. For a tight one, the narrower bins below are a better fit.
10. SIMPLI-Magic 13.2 Gallon Sensor Trash Can – Best for Narrow Gaps
SIMPLI-Magic 13.2 Gallon / 50 Liter Rectangle Kitchen Sensor Trash Can, Touchless Automatic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft-Close Lid, Gray
13.2 gallons / 50L
Slim rectangular gray
Soft-close lid
4 AA batteries, not included
Pros
- Slim rectangular profile fits tight spots
- Soft-close lid reduces noise and holds odors
- 13.2-gallon capacity suits everyday waste
- Battery powered with no wiring
Cons
- Lowest average rating in this group at 4.0
- Batteries sold separately
- Listed dimensions appear transposed
The SIMPLI-Magic is here for one reason: width. It is the slimmest rectangular body in the roundup, and if your bin has to live in a narrow slot beside a cabinet or a wall unit, that single dimension decides the purchase.
The soft-close lid reduces noise and helps hold odors inside, and 13.2 gallons covers everyday kitchen waste for a couple or a small family. It runs on 4 AA batteries with no wiring, which means no outlet near the bin.
Be aware of the numbers here. This is the weakest performer in the group, holding a 4.0 average from 739 reviews with roughly one in five buyers giving it a single star. The complaints cluster around inconsistent sensor response and durability rather than any one broken feature.
Owners who like it tend to cite the narrow footprint and the quiet close. The slim body is a real advantage in a small kitchen where every inch of floor counts, and that is the reason we kept it on the list rather than dropping it.
Is it worth the risk on sensor consistency?
If you are sensitive to a can that hesitates when your hands are full, choose one of the higher-review models instead. The 4.0 average reflects a meaningful share of owners who found the sensor unreliable within weeks.
If you are buying it purely for the narrow profile and you can live with occasional re-waving, it does the job. Confirm that the seller supports returns, since the smaller review base makes it harder to predict long-term behavior.
How do you verify the dimensions?
Ask for them directly, and measure. The listed figures on this listing appear transposed, and a 26-inch number is not plausible for a 13.2-gallon rectangular bin, so do not plan your floor space around it.
Most manufacturers in this category publish a body width around 10 to 12 inches and a height near 24 to 27 inches. Measure your gap and compare against those, then check the listed figures against a photo of the actual unit before ordering.
11. EKO 13.2 Gallon Touchless Motion Sensor Bin – Best for Fast Response
EKO 13.2 Gallon Touchless Motion Sensor Kitchen Trash Can, Stainless Steel
13.2 gallons / 50L
0.2 second opening
Brushed stainless steel
20-minute stay-open mode
Pros
- Fastest stated opening in this roundup
- Stay-open button holds the lid up to 20 minutes
- No-bucket design adds about 25 percent capacity
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless finish
- Anti-slip base
Cons
- Designed around proprietary Code F bags
- Some owners report the sensor firing on its own
- Batteries not included
This EKO lists a 0.2-second lid opening, the fastest figure published by any model here, and the first 331 reviews sit at a 4.5 with roughly 81 percent five-star. It is a newer release, so the sample is small, but the engineering claims check out on paper.
The body is 13.31 by 10.35 by 24.61 inches, and at 32.6 inches with the lid open you know exactly what clearance you need before it hits a wall cabinet.
Up to 8 months of AA battery life comes from 4 cells, and EKO advises against rechargeable cells, which respond to a declining voltage signal differently. The stay-open button holds the lid up to 20 minutes, and the no-inner-bucket layout gives about 25 percent more usable space. The fingerprint-resistant brushed finish and anti-slip base round out a build that feels more considered than the price suggests.
Two practical notes before you commit. The bag system is proprietary, fitting EKO Code F liners that sit more snugly than generic ones, and a few owners report the sensor opening without being waved at.
The 0.2-second opening is genuinely useful when your hands are wet or covered. A slower sensor means a second wave while you hold a dripping pan, which is the moment you notice the difference most.
What are the drawbacks of the Code F bag system?
Cost and availability. Code F bags are not the standard 13-gallon grocery store bag, so you are ordering a specific size, and they fit tighter than generic liners, which means the bag can tear on the rim if you overfill it. Samples are included, so confirm the fit before committing.
Buy a box before the samples run out rather than after. EKO also specifies alkaline AA cells and advises against rechargeables, which is worth following since the sensor board reads voltage to estimate remaining life.
What are the drawbacks of the sensor reliability?
With 331 reviews, reliability data is still thin. What exists points to occasional uncommanded opening, which is more annoying than a lid that will not open because it wakes the household and reveals where the bin is.
Give it a full week of testing inside the return window. If it opens on its own repeatedly, exchange it early rather than trying to work around it.
12. Lovewind 13.2 Gallon Rechargeable Sensor Bin – Best Rechargeable Power
13.2 Gallon Automatic Kitchen Trash Can,Touchless Sensor Garbage Can,Silver
13.2 gallons / 50L
Built-in 1500mAh rechargeable battery
Type-C charging
0.3 second opening
Pros
- No disposable battery swapping
- Charges with the included Type-C cable
- Opens in 0.3 seconds
- Button locks the lid open for 15 minutes
- Countdown indicator shows time remaining
Cons
- One owner reported a lid that failed to open after a full charge
- Bag retaining ring is flimsy
- Opening is slower than the fastest models
Every other battery-powered can in this roundup asks you to buy cells. The Lovewind 13.2 Gallon Rechargeable Sensor Bin has a 1500mAh battery built in and charges over the included USB Type-C cable, which removes the single most common complaint about touchless bins.
It measures 16 by 10.47 by 22.9 inches at 8.1 pounds, so it is compact for its capacity and the 10.5-inch width is among the narrowest here. The polished stainless surface wipes down quickly after a splash.
The sensor opens in 0.3 seconds, and a button press locks the lid open for 15 minutes, which is shorter than the 20-minute holds on the EKO models but longer than a normal cycle by a wide margin. A countdown indicator shows how long before the lid shuts.
It fits standard 13-gallon bags, so there is no proprietary liner cost. That combination, no batteries to buy and standard bags, is the reason this model is worth a look for a household that has been burned by both.
Reviewers mostly like the design. The main drawbacks reported are a weak bag retaining ring that can be pushed into the can and an isolated unit whose lid would not open after a full day on charge.
Is rechargeable better than disposable batteries?
It removes the recurring cost and the trips to the hardware store, and the charge lasts long enough that most people top it up weekly or less often. It also removes a common failure point, since a dead sensor is often just a set of old cells.
The tradeoff is that the battery is sealed inside the can. When it eventually degrades, a repair means sending the unit back rather than swapping four AA cells, so check the warranty terms before you commit to a sealed design.
What should you look out for?
The bag ring is the part most likely to disappoint. It is described as flimsy and can be pushed inward when you load a bag, so line the can rather than relying on the ring to hold a heavy bag in place.
Keep the Type-C cable accessible. It is included, but since the battery is internal you cannot run the can without it, and a lost cable means a dead bin until you find a replacement.
How to Choose a Touchless Kitchen Trash Can?
Most buyers over-index on the sensor and under-index on the lid geometry and the bag system, which are what you interact with every single day. Work through these in order.
Start with capacity and shape
The 13-gallon, 50-liter size is the standard for a household of two to four people cooking most days. Below that, you are emptying constantly; above it, you are carrying a large bin for a small amount of waste. Rectangular bodies hold a flat back against a cabinet run, which round and semi-round shapes cannot, and that gap is where crumbs collect.
Measure the floor space and the height above the bin before you order. Every can here needs more headroom than an open-top bin because the lid swings back, and the simplehuman at 12.8 inches wide will not fit a narrow slot that the 10.35-inch EKO drops into.
Check the sensor behavior, not just the sensor
Every bin in this roundup uses an infrared sensor. What differs is the field of view and the tuning. A sensor that senses above and in front of the lid is easier to trigger one-handed than one that only watches the panel directly, and wider fields mean fewer false triggers in a walkway.
Watch for a sensitivity adjustment, a pet-proof mode, or an on/off switch. These are not universal. A manual on/off control is the single most useful feature for a shared kitchen because it lets you stop the lid opening every time someone walks past.
Budget for the batteries honestly
Published figures in this category run from about 8 months on 4 AA cells to 18 months on 4 D cells. Real-world runtime is shorter in a busy household, and a heavily maintained sensor can can go through far more batteries than the label suggests over a year.
Two things almost every buyer gets wrong. Batteries are frequently not included, so buy a set with the can. And rechargeable cells are a poor fit for most of these sensor boards, which estimate remaining life from voltage; alkaline cells last longer here. Two models in this roundup avoid the issue entirely with a built-in rechargeable pack or an AC adapter jack.
Look at what the odor control actually is
There are three different things sold as odor control, and they are not equal. A sealed lid slows odor escape, which every can here does to some degree. An activated carbon filter cartridge, such as the AbsorbX media in the iTouchless models, neutralizes odor molecules and needs replacing on a schedule. An antimicrobial surface coating resists bacterial growth on the metal but does nothing about smell in the air.
Filters work while they are fresh and stop working when they are not, and most households replace them far less often than advertised. Treat the filter as a scheduled consumable with a replacement cost, not a permanent feature.
Check the lid mode and the manual override
A stay-open or hold-open button is more useful than it sounds. It is your override for cleanups, and on several models it is the only way to use the can once the batteries are dead. The Ninestars oval in our number seven slot is the standout here, since manual operation survives a dead battery pack.
Soft-close matters more than buyers expect, especially in open-plan kitchens. A motor that whines through every open is a genuine annoyance in a quiet kitchen at night.
Place the sensor where it can actually see you
Placement causes more false triggers than sensor quality. Do not aim the front panel into a main walkway or a doorway, because every pass becomes an opening. Keep the bin off to the side of the main traffic path, facing the working side of the kitchen where you stand while cooking.
Avoid direct sunlight on the sensor, since infrared detection can be triggered by bright ambient light. Leave the sensor window clear of condensation and crumbs, and wipe it monthly. For pets and toddlers, a manual lock or an on/off switch beats trying to aim the sensor narrowly.
Decide whether touchless beats a step can
A foot-pedal step can does the same job with no batteries, no sensor and no electronics to fail. It will outlast any bin on this list, and buy-it-for-life communities make that argument consistently.
Touchless wins on three specific points: you never touch the lid with messy hands, the lid stays shut between tosses, and there is no pedal to step on when your hands are full or your foot is dirty. If none of those matter in your kitchen, a step can is the better purchase.
How to Fix a Touchless Trash Can That Stopped Working?
Sensor failure is usually a battery or a dirty lens problem, not a dead board. Work through these steps in order before you consider a replacement.
1. Replace all the batteries at once, with fresh alkaline cells of the correct size. Mixed old and new cells cause exactly the symptom owners describe, where the lid stops partway through its cycle. Check the count and type listed for your model, since AA, C and D are not interchangeable.
2. Clean the infrared sensor window with a damp cloth and dry it fully. Grease, condensation and a fine dust layer from flour or sugar will block detection, and this is the most common fixable cause of a sensor that will not open.
3. Look for a battery reset or on/off control. Many models have a switch on the base or inside the battery compartment. Turn it off, wait about 10 seconds, turn it back on, and wave to test. This resets the low-battery lockout that stops the motor mid-cycle.
4. Test the manual button. If the lid opens by hand but not by wave, the problem is the sensor or its power. If nothing moves at all, the motor or its power supply has failed, which is not a user-fixable fault.
5. Check the lid hinge for obstruction. A bag caught in the hinge, a warped liner ring or debris in the pivot can stop the motor before it reaches the sensor stage. Empty the bin and clear the hinge completely.
6. Test the sensor in a different position. Carry the can to an empty room and wave with a full sweep of the hand. If it works there, the fault is environmental, meaning a sunlit window, a busy walkway or a reflective surface in front of the panel.
If the motor runs but the lid stalls halfway on the way closed, that is a hinge alignment or timer issue common on the EKO models, and a full open-close cycle with the bin emptied often clears it. Persistent stalling after that is a hardware fault, and the two-year programs offered on the Ninestars models are the reason to buy from a brand that has one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are touchless kitchen trash cans worth it?
For a household that cooks daily with messy hands, yes. The lid opens on a hand wave so you never touch it with raw-meat or dough-covered fingers, and the lid stays shut between tosses, which slows kitchen odor. They are less worthwhile in low-trash apartments where a simple step can does the same job with no batteries and fewer failure points.
How long do sensor bin batteries last?
Published figures in this category run from about 8 months on 4 AA cells to 18 months on 4 D cells, and heavy use shortens that. A well-maintained sensor bin in a busy household can consume far more batteries over a year than the label implies. Batteries are frequently not included, so buy a set with the can, and prefer alkaline over rechargeable cells because the sensor board reads voltage to estimate remaining life.
What are the common problems with automatic trash cans?
The recurring issues are batteries dying without warning and freezing the lid partway open, false triggers when someone walks past in a high-traffic kitchen, a sensor that needs a precise angle or a second wave, loud motors, lids that slam instead of soft-closing, and batteries that are not included with a compartment that is hard to reach. Thin steel bodies also dent when overfilled.
My touchless trash can stopped working. What can I do to fix it?
Start with fresh alkaline batteries of the correct size, installed all at once, because mixed cells cause the partway-open symptom. Next clean and dry the infrared sensor window. Then find the on/off or reset control on the base or battery compartment, switch it off for about 10 seconds and back on. Finally test the manual button to tell a sensor fault from a motor fault.
Which sensor trash can is the best?
The iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can is the strongest all-round choice, pairing the most reviews in this roundup with a carbon odor filter, a pet lock and a no-bucket body that gives about 25 percent more usable capacity. For value, the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can holds a 4.4 average with a 9-month battery claim. For a large household, the iTouchless 24-gallon model takes far more between changes.
What are people saying about the iTouchless trash can?
Reviewers consistently praise the sensor responding on the first wave, the extra capacity from the no-inner-bucket design, and the manual pet lock keeping cats and dogs out of the bin. The recurring point of friction is the AbsorbX replacement odor filter, which is a consumable that needs replacing far less often than it should be. The 24-gallon version draws the main complaint about overall height.
Our Verdict for 2026
After weighing all 12, the iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can is the best touchless kitchen trash can for most people, thanks to the deepest review history in the group, a carbon odor filter that works, a pet lock and a body that fits against a cabinet. If you want to spend less, the Ninestars 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can gives you the same core experience with a 4.4 average and a nine-month battery claim.
Pick the 24-gallon iTouchless if you have a large household, the simplehuman if quiet operation matters most, and the Lovewind if you would rather never buy batteries again. Measure your clearance, buy a set of cells with the can, and check that the bin faces your cooking position rather than the walkway.