Smart trash cans offer the innovation and technology that make throwing away trash and recyclables an easy and more streamlined experience. Ideal for the kitchen, office or anywhere trash accumulates, these trash cans or keep your trash neat while their modern design makes your kitchen look like a million bucks.
These smart cans come with touch-free motion sensors that automatically open the lid when you are in close proximity, making them 100% hands-free. Other bells and whistles include odor-controlling options and modern stainless steel designs that resist germs and fingerprints with an easy-to-clean surface.
What To Look For In Smart Trash Cans
Ease of bag removal is important for all trash cans and many of the options on our list include smart rings that make removal much less messy.
Decide where your trash can will be placed before purchasing it. Some of the cans on our list are better designed for areas with limited clearance, like under a countertop.
Do you live in an area with recycling pickup? Then you may want to invest in two smart trash cans or if space is limited, opt for a design with two slots.
How We Chose The Best Smart Trash Cans
Smart trash cans offer added convenience to daily chores and can be especially helpful to those with limited mobility. Often run by batteries, we looked for options that had a long battery life or an AC adapter option. We’ve also included a variety of sizes and styles to help fit every room in the home. All the trash cans on our list have thousands of positive reviews and work with most tall kitchen-style garbage bags.
Keep the mess off your hands and in the garbage bag with these smart trash cans.
1. simplehuman 58 Liter Step Can
BEST OVERALL
Simplehuman’s 58 Liter Trash Can features dual compartments that make sorting your trash and recycling easy and convenient. The step-can also comes with a silent close lid that opens easily and a brushed stainless steel finish that has a nano-silver clear coat to help the can’s surface resist germs and fingerprints. This trash can features a wide, stainless steel pedal that is engineered to last 150,000 steps.
NINESTARS Automatic Trash Can uses advanced sensor technology which allows you to pass a hand or wave within 10 inches from the sensor and the lid will automatically open and close. Delay sensing technology preserves the battery life and prevents any unnecessary opening from anyone walking by. A touch-free motion sensor lid seals in odors and eliminates cross-contamination of germs. A removable ring liner holds trash bags sturdy in place and prevents them from overhanging for a neat and clean appearance.
The iTouchless 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can is equipped with a special Carbon Filter Gate that uses activated carbon to eliminate and neutralize odors. It has an extra-wide opening that allows for the disposal of larger trash. It has advanced sensor technology to open and close the can. The lid will automatically open when you are within 6 inches and closes when you walk away. The iTouchless fits all standard 13-gallon tall kitchen trash bags which means you won’t have to buy any pricy, custom bags.
4. hOmeLabs 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can for Kitchen
SPACE-SAVING OPENING
If you want a smart trash can that will fit into areas with limited clearance, we recommend the hOmeLabs 13 Gallon Automatic Trash Can for Kitchen. The split door, ‘butterfly opening’ is conducive to fitting under a sink or countertop. Using an infrared sensor, the trash can detects hands or trash when nearby and automatically opens. Powered by batteries or an AC adapter (sold separately), the fingerprint-resistant trash can also has a manual open and close button. A smart ring bag makes empty the can easily and we like that the can comes in 13- and 21-gallon options. Swiveling sensor balls make it possible to open the trash can on the top and front.
5. TOWNEW T1 Self-Sealing and Self-Changing 4 Gallon Trash Can
SEALS GARBAGE BAGS
For the ultimate in avoiding ickiness, the TOWNEW T1 Self-Sealing and Self-Changing 4 Gallon Trash Can is a smart can that can do just about everything except walk the bag of trash to the curb. The built-in motion sensor automatically opens the can when motion is detected. When the bag is full, simply hold the touch button down and the TOWNEW will automatically seal the bag. Once the bag has been removed, the TOWNEW will automatically pull a new trash bag into place. Throw in a rechargeable battery, an odor-sealing top, and an overload feature and you’ve got your new favorite trash can.
6. EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter 13.2 Gallon Touchless Trash Can
SMALL FOOTPRINT
Have a small space but don’t want to be emptying your garbage can every day? We get it. That’s why we like the EKO Mirage-T 50 Liter 13.2 Gallon Touchless Rectangular Motion Sensor Trash Can, which is designed without a liner in order to achieve a greater inner capacity, helping you go longer between trips to the curb. The battery-powered EKO has motion sensors that will keep the soft close lid open for five seconds. An inner rim holds the bag in place and a touch switch is also included for manual operation.
Glad is all about fighting odors and bacteria, so it makes sense that their smart trash can is designed with the same features as their garbage bags. The stainless steel trash can has an oversized 20-gallon capacity and boasts Clorox odor protection thanks to the tight seal of its lid, which helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Using the buttons on the front of the can, the lid will open and remain open until the close button is pushed, or users can simply wave their hand over the lid to activate the motion sensor technology that will keep the lid open for five seconds. When it’s time for a new bag, the trash can features a helpful storage area on the back to keep empty bags.
Need a place for your trash and recycling but don’t have room for side-by-side trash cans? Then we recommend the NINESTARS Automatic Touchless Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can/Recycler. The 18-gallon trash can features water-resistant infrared motion sensors that allow users to wave their hands over the lid to activate the opening function. The delay sensing helps to extend the battery life and ensures the lid won’t open when children or pets walk by. Odors are sealed inside the dual compartment trash can, which has a removable ring liner to keep the bags neatly contained inside. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel base also helps keep the can looking clean and tidy, making it a great option for kitchens.
