The Best Touchless Automatic Trash Cans

Touchless automatic trash cans can add a unique design element to your kitchen or office space and come with a variety of useful features to avoid spreading germs, particularly the hands-free opening. Some are even built to separate recycling, compost, and trash. Others can keep pets and children from creating a trash disaster in your kitchen. There are varying designs to meet varying needs, so here are some great options we recommend.

Buying Guide for Touchless Automatic Trash Cans

Why by a touchless automatic trash can? 

The most common reason people buy touchless automatic trash cans is to prevent the spread of germs. Quite simply, if you don’t have to touch it, you don’t make contact with surfaces that could be crawling with millions of microorganisms. Another great reason to own a touchless automatic trash can is that the motion sensor makes it easy for home cooks to toss handfuls of scraps and mess away without fussing with foot pedals or lids. Also, most touchless automatic trash cans are built to keep the lid sealed when it’s not prompted to open. This means that kids and pets can’t get into the can easily, and that prevents you from having to clean up a giant mess.

What should you consider in a touchless automatic trash can?

• Power Source: Be sure to consider your trash can’s power source. Most are battery-operated, while others come with an A/C adapter. If you don’t like using batteries, be sure to find one that uses an adapter. Otherwise, check out trash cans that promise a long battery life.
• Durable Material: If you want a touchless automatic trash can that will last, consider the material it’s made of. Heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel are popular choices. Stainless steel models that are powder-coated to be fingerprint-proof are a real plus.
• Size: When shopping for an automatic touchless trash can for your kitchen, be sure it’s around 12-16 gallons of capacity. The standard bag size is typically 13 gallons, but anything between 12-16 gallons will still be considered standard size for both kitchen trash cans and bags.

What can you expect to spend on an automatic trash can?

There are hundreds of touchless automatic trash cans on the market. Touchless automatic trash cans vary in price from around $50 for basic plastic cans that offer simple sensor technology, all the way up to $1,000 for fireproof touchless cans with odor-free technology and all the fancy bells and whistles. Prices vary depending on your needs, but the average price for a nice, reliable touchless automatic trash can with long battery life (or an A/C adapter) is around $100.

Our Picks for the Best Touchless Automatic Trash Cans

Pros: The stainless steel on this trash can is sleek, resistant to fingerprints, and will go with most kitchen aesthetics. The batteries last a long time since the sensor isn’t annoyingly overly sensitive. You can use standard 13-gallon trash bags, and they’ll stay in place with the holder. The lid keeps smells contained well. Plus, you’ll get an extra 3-gallon trash can to use for another room like the bathroom.

Cons: You’ll need to buy batteries separately. The smaller included trash can isn’t as convenient as the larger one since it doesn’t hold very much.

Bottom Line: This is a reliable, well-functioning stainless steel trash can. The liners won’t slip inside, and it’s a great value since it comes with a smaller one, too. Overall, it’s a great buy for most people.

 

Pros: The trash can has two internal side-by-side compartments and four wheels on the bottom that easily move for your convenience. They are also removable if you want your can to remain stationary. It fits the standard 13-gallon trash bags in both compartments. And the stainless steel exterior is fingerprint-proof, keeping it clean and shiny.

Cons: While it can operate with an A/C adapter, you have to buy it separately. The removable bins can be a little tricky to get the trash liners on. The lid sensor is very sensitive, so some users have experienced the bin swinging open while they’re just walking past. The can is not very heavy, so larger pets may be able to knock it over.

Bottom Line: The side-by-side motion sensor lids on these trash cans make it easy to separate your trash from recyclables for a greener lifestyle. The interior of the can is as easy to clean as the exterior, keeping nasty smells out of your kitchen.

 

Pros: The heavy-duty steel and durable lid keep smells from permeating your space and stand up against smudges and dents. You can get this trash can in white, black, or stainless steel to fit almost any space and match modern decor well. Since it’s skinny, it won’t take up much floor space in your kitchen.

Cons: It won’t fit larger items very easily since it’s round and on the skinny side. Removing the filled bag to empty the trash might take some wiggling to get the bag out.

Bottom Line: This steel round trash can is great for smaller homes and kitchens since it won’t get in the way but will still hold a good amount of waste. It’s sleek, easy to maintain, and affordable.

 

Pros: You can use four C batteries to power it, but other purchase options offer an A/C adapter. Air vents in the bottom of the can prevent vacuum suction, making trash bag removal a snap. It’s slim enough and well contoured to fit even in small spaces. And there’s a small lever that can swing over the lid as an extra measure to keep curious kids and dogs out of your trash.

Cons: This trash can doesn’t come with batteries or an A/C adapter, and each option can run a bit costly. It also only comes with one odor-absorbing pack. The odor control pack and batteries sit below the trash line, so you need to clean up and sanitize before replacing either.

Bottom Line: If you live in a pet-friendly home, this iTouchless trash can with the pet-proof lid can save a ton of cleanup hassle. The odor-free feature is impressive as well as the energy-saving motor that doesn’t eat through batteries. It’s slim and stainless, so it can fit with just about any modern kitchen design.

 

Pros: The four compartments separate your waste, eliminating hassle for your recycling needs. The CAYNEL can uses smart-sensor technology, allowing your batteries to last for over a year. The durable coating over the stainless steel keeps your can looking clean, and it also helps it to avoid dents and dings.

Cons: Though it holds over 16 gallons of waste altogether, the two compartments are smaller than most standard trash cans. Therefore, you might have to settle for liners that only fit okay. Unfortunately, there’s no A/C adapter for the current model, so you must use batteries to power your automatic lid.

Bottom Line: If you love being environmentally conscious or if you live in an area where you need to separate your recycling, this trash can makes it super easy. The touchless design helps eliminate germs, and the motion sensor is long-lasting. The sleek, black finish works well in kitchens and offices.

Final Thoughts

While they’re a great choice for some families, a touchless automatic trash can isn’t necessarily for everyone. However, if you’re an avid cook who often has full hands, if you live in a busy household full of kids, or if you have curious pets, a touchless automatic trash can could be the modern, convenient option you need.