If you’re in the market for a new trash can for your home, you have certainly noticed the wide variety of them available today, with a wide variety of price points. While you can still buy a simple plastic trash can for $20 or less, some new household trash can models can easily cost $100 or more.
Anthropologie made headlines in 2016 with its inexplicable $100 rusty trash can. We can’t justify the value of a rusty, corrugated metal can, but today’s trash cans have a variety of features that make them worth the price. What feature is that great? Touchless technology!
Touchless trash cans are the latest in trash can technology. Using infrared sensors, they can detect when an object is within five or six inches of the opening and automatically lift the lid to making throwing away trash easy and hygienic. While you might be spending extra for a touchless trash can, they are more than just a simple wastebasket, and you get what you’re paying for.
Why So Expensive?
When you are buying the pricier touchless trash can, you are buying a trash can for life. Most touchless trash cans are built to last. You may have to switch out the batteries occasionally, but you won’t find yourself needing to replace a dirty, rusted, or cracked trash can.
You are also paying for convenience when you buy a touchless trash can. Once you have an automatically opening trash can, you’ll have a hard time adjusting to using any other kind! Touchless trash cans keep your kitchen hygienic and your hands clean.
What to Look For in a Touchless Trash Can
Material
If you want to get your money's worth out of your trash can, stainless steel is a good, long-lasting option. Stainless steel resists dirt and odor, so it stays clean and fresh, and it is also durable. Plus, there are plastic options that come in a variety of colors and lower price.
Size
If you’re not sure what size trash can is appropriate for your needs, consult our handy guide. You also want to make sure you have room for it in your kitchen. Don’t forget that the space will have to accommodate the height when the lid is up as well as down; a tight space might not be ideal.
Mechanism
Since trash can get a little messy, you want to make sure the sensor on your touchless trash can is water resistant. Since touchless trash cans require a power source, you should also think about what is most convenient for you. If you don’t have an accessible outlet, you should go with a battery powered option.
Appearance
Since most people leave their touchless trash cans sitting out in their kitchen, you want something that matches with your appliances and adds to your room. If your kitchen does not have stainless steel, consider going with black or a colored option.
You also want to make sure that your trash can has a way to hide the trash can liner. A visible liner can ruin the look of a trash can.
Deodorizing
Several trash can models come with built-in charcoal filters that neutralize garbage odors effectively. Smelly garbage will be a thing of the past with this upgrade.
Our Favorite Touchless Trash Cans
iTouchless 13 Gallon Odor Blocking Stainless Steel Trash Can
Smelly and oversized garbage doesn't stand a chance with the iTouchless 13 Gallon Odor Blocking Stainless Steel Trash Can. The wide opening makes it easy to throw away oversized garbage, and the built-in carbon filter neutralizes nasty odors. The carbon filter is unscented and environmentally friendly, making it safe for use around children and pets. Don’t suffer from smelly garbage!
Nine Stars Touchless Automatic Plastic Trash Can
If you prefer the lighter weight and low price of a plastic trash can, the Touchless Automatic Plastic Trash Can from Nine Stars might be right for you. This trash can has all the features you want in a touchless trash can. The lid of the trash can opens without you ever having to touch the can itself and then closes tightly shortly after it opens. It also has improved infrared technology that prevents accidental openings.
Nine Stars 13 Gallon Touchless Automatic Kitchen Trash Can Stainless Steel
If you’re looking for quality, look no further than the Nine Stars 13 Gallon Touchless Automatic Kitchen Trash Can Stainless Steel. With one charge of the batteries, it will run for more than 10,000 openings, equivalent to a year of usage. It also includes a garbage bag fix ring to keep bags from falling and from showing outside the trash can.
iTouchless 13 Gallon Square Extra Wide Opening Touchless Trash Can
Large or unusually shaped trash doesn’t fool the extra-wide opening on the iTouchless 13 Gallon Square Extra Wide Opening Touchless Trash Can. This trash can has it all! A redesigned and stronger lid-hinge mechanism, air-escape holes for effortless trash bag removal, and a carry handle for easy mobility. It is also available in black.
Ninestars 13 Gallon Skinny Touchless Automatic Steel Kitchen Trash Can
The Nine Stars 13 Gallon Skinny Touchless Automatic Steel Kitchen Trash Can has a sleek design that will surely fit into your kitchen, hallway, and other places in your home. You don’t have to sacrifice quality if you need a smaller trash can. You can count on this trash can to last!
Nine Stars 3 Gallon Touchless Automatic Lady Bug Bathroom Trash Can
If you love having a touchless trash can in your kitchen, why not have one in your bathroom as well? The 3 Gallon Touchless Automatic Lady Bug Bathroom Trash Can has the same infrared sensor you’re used to with the larger trash cans, but it fits conveniently in a small bathroom.
14 Gallon iTouchless Stainless Steel Trash Can
The 14 Gallon iTouchless Stainless Steel Trash Can uses the latest sensor technology and has a patented space-saving lid opening design. This is the only trash can with the automatic space-saving design. No up or down lid motion means more capacity in less space. This could actually be the last trash can you ever buy, which will save you money, mess, time, and now space too.
iTouchless 13 Gallon Semi-Round Extra Wide Opening Trash Can
If you prefer the look of a round trash can, then check out the iTouchless 13 Gallon Semi-Round Extra Wide Opening Trash Can. This trash can has an extra-wide opening for large debris and also has an attractive semi-round body. This trash can fits any regular 13- or 18-gallon trash bag.
Nine Stars Touchless Automatic Medical Red Trash Can
If stainless steel isn’t your thing, check out the bright color of the Nine Stars Touchless Automatic Medical Red Trash Can! This trash can is perfect for the medical industry or for your home. The plastic material is light weight, but it has the same infrared technology you can count on from a Nine Stars trash can.
Nine Stars 2 Gallon Touchless Bathroom Trash Can
A brightly colored plastic trash can isn’t just an option for your kitchen. The Nine Stars 2 Gallon Touchless Bathroom Trash Can is available in 5 stunning colors and is small enough to fit easily into the corner of a bathroom. This device is automatic, 100% hands-free, and has a built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart-Chip that opens the can for you without it needing to be touched or stepped on.
You Can’t Touch This!
A touchless trash can is a big investment, but it’s one you won’t regret. Make your next trash can the last on you ever buy! See our full collection of touchless trash cans.