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Buying Guide: Finding a High-Quality Smart Trash Can
Classic trash cans present you with a choice. Ones without a lid can be used without touching, but they don’t always look great and can spread odor everywhere. Trash cans with lids keep everything hidden inside, but you have to open them with your hands. Cans with a foot pedal are supposed to combine both designs, with no touching and no odor, but they’re generally not very good and can get stuck easily. The solution to this conundrum? A smart trash can that utilizes motion sensors and motors to open its lid.These smart trash cans also have the aesthetics to match the modern smart home, and some even include features like odor filtration and fullness alerts. Here’s a list of the leading smart trash cans of 2023 that offer an ideal mix of looks, features, and prices.
hOmeLabs 21 Gallon Smart Trash Can
Best Overall
EKO Mirage-T Smart Trash Can
Ideal Size
SANIWISE Smart Trash Can
Durable Construction
UHdod Smart Trash Can
Compact Design
Ninestars Smart Trash Can
Massive Capacity
Capacity
The first, and arguably the most important, part of a smart trash can is its capacity. These cans are available in all sorts of sizes, ranging from 3 gallons all the way up to 30. All of these capacities are useful for someone out there, and all you need to do is figure out where you stand.A 3 to 4-gallon capacity might be more than enough if you need a countertop trash can for your kitchen, while a single-family home will do just fine with a 13-gallon can that can also be placed inside most standard kitchen cabinets. Larger capacities, like 21 gallons, are essential for larger families or communal areas, but you can also invest in them to avoid daily trash take-out.Opening Methods
The whole point of buying a smart trash can is that you don’t have to touch it to open the lid, so a functioning motion sensor is a must. The sensor should be reliable and quick so that you don’t get frustrated every time you want to throw something away. In addition to an automatic sensor, a smart trash can should also include a manual button in case the sensor fails. A touch-sensitive button will work fine for the most part, but it’s preferable to have a physical button that won’t be affected by moisture or dirt. The lid should also have a way for you to open it without any power so that you can use the bin even if its batteries run out. Other smart trash can opening methods include a foot sensor that’s located at the bottom front of the can, as well as a kick sensor that opens the can if you kick one of its walls. These mechanisms are uncommon, but they can come in handy in certain situations.Trash Bag Mount
Many low-quality smart trash cans expect you to fold the trash bag outside and let the lid hold it in place. While this is completely functional, it can also look unclean and unattractive. Opt for cans with internal trash bag rims that hold the bags in place until it’s time to take out the trash.Power Source
There are two key methods used to power smart trash cans, and both have their Pros and Cons:Wired
The biggest benefit of a wired connection is that you don’t have to charge anything — just plug in your smart trash can and it will work as long as there’s power in the house. The only major downside of this corded design is that it severely limits your possible trash can locations to places within reach of an outlet.Battery-powered
Battery-powered smart trash cans do not have a power cord and instead rely on disposable AA, AAA, or C batteries to keep them going. These cans generally use very little power and can last for months on a single charge, but this doesn’t change the fact that it’s inconvenient (not to mention annoying) when you go to throw something away and the can won’t open because it’s out of battery. The ability to place the can anywhere you want without requiring an outlet nearby usually outweighs this annoyance, but in the end, your choice is all about which you prefer.hOmeLabs 21 Gallon Smart Trash Can
Best Overall
This automatic smart trash can from hOmeLabs sets a high bar with its sleek design, reliable opening mechanism, and impressive garbage capacity. Its slender shape features a motion sensor up front that signals the lid to open, and this sensor reliably reacts to a wave of your hand and can be adjusted depending on if you want to be able to activate it from the front or the top.Once motion is detected, this smart trash can’s double butterfly lid opens up quickly and silently and will stay open until you’re done placing garbage inside. Pair this fluid and reliable lid functionality with an ultra-strong stainless steel outer shell, and it’s easy to see why this smart trash can is number one on our list.
Pros
- Adjustable activation sensor
- Easy-to-use garbage bag retainer
- Great for use anywhere
- Fingerprint- and dust-resistant exterior
Cons
- May be too slim for some garbage
EKO Mirage-T Smart Trash Can
Ideal Size
The Mirage-T from EKO is just the right size for most modern homes. This smart trash can’s total capacity is around 13 gallons, making it great for holding your household’s daily waste without any issues, and the great thing about it is its complete lack of an inner lining.This smart trash can’s lack of an inner lining keeps the overall dimensions of the can as close to its inner capacity as possible, allowing you to store it in tight spaces and pack a ton of garbage inside. The smart motion sensor up top is fairly fast and opens the lid immediately, and after a five-second cooldown, it closes slowly and silently.
Pros
- Includes a manual mode for longer tasks
- Bag-holding rim is easy to utilize
- Long-lasting stainless steel construction
- Smooth, silent opening and closing
Cons
- Lid requires 10 inches of clearance
SANIWISE Smart Trash Can
Durable Construction
Many people don’t buy smart trash cans because they think that, like other electronics, they’re fragile due to all the moving parts they contain. SANIWISE shatters this notion, though, with their ultra-durable touchless smart trash can. This stainless steel device features a durable design that offers a long lifespan, and even its lid hinge is suped-up to endure thousands of opening and closing cycles without running into any issues.This smart trash can’s 13-gallon capacity is more than enough for most single family homes, and its easy-to-use trash bag rim comes in handy when the can gets full and you need to take it out. In addition to its convenient motion detection system, this smart trash can also features manual opening and closing buttons for disposal tasks that are longer than this device’s five-second closing window.
Pros
- Long-lasting stainless steel construction
- Touch Open/Close buttons for manual access
- Convenient no-liner, bag-securing design
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Motion sensor can be unreliable when dirty
UHdod Smart Trash Can
Compact Design
If you’re looking for a portable smart trash can that you can take almost anywhere, it’ll be hard to find a better option than this one from UHdod. Its compact size makes it perfect for on-counter use in the kitchen or in the bathroom for makeup wipes and other small waste.This 3.2-gallon mini smart trash can has all the features you’d expect from a full-sized can. You can open it by waving your hand in front of its sensor, lightly kicking its front surface, bending your knee over it, or by pressing the manual button, and its smaller size also makes it quicker than larger smart trash cans, with a lid opening time of only 0.3 seconds.
Pros
- Small, compact design
- Can be placed anywhere around the house
- Offers four distinct ways of opening
- Only requires two AA batteries
Cons
- Can break if dropped
Ninestars Smart Trash Can
Massive Capacity
If you’re not a fan of taking the garbage out daily (and really, who is), then the Ninestars Smart Trash Can is the one for you. Its impressive 21-gallon size is more than enough to hold multiple days’ garbage with ease, and the can’s build quality is on par with its capacity.This smart trash can’s steel exterior prevents wear and tear from regular use, while its sturdy bag rim keeps the inside neat and tidy. Even the sensor used in its construction is ultra-sensitive and opens the lid in less than a second, and its non-skid base helps you avoid unfortunate accidents. This smart trash can’s overall construction quality is so good, in fact, that the manufacturer offers an unconditional two-year warranty if you run into any issues.
Pros
- Large 21-gallon capacity
- Sturdy, durable construction
- Silent opening and closing
- Comes with a two-year warranty
Cons
- Too big for many single-family homes
People Also Asked
Can I open my smart trash can without power?
Yes, most smart trash cans have a ledge or indent that allows you to open the lid manually.
What is a good material for smart trash cans?
When it comes to the material of smart trash cans, look for steel. Steel is durable, looks great, and doesn’t attract fingerprints.
How can I clean my smart trash can?
Remove the lid assembly and give it multiple wipes, first with a wet paper towel and then with a dry one. As for the bin section, you can wash it with water and dish soap.
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