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We Tested 3 Popular Smart Trash Cans. Here’s the One That Means You Never Touch a Dirty Bag Again.
We Tested 3 Popular Smart Trash Cans. Here's the One That Means You Never Touch a Dirty Bag Again.
Most "smart" trash cans still make you tie the bag and change the batteries. One seals the bag, adds a new one, and opens with a tap of your foot.
Reviewed by:
Angelica Anderson - Dog Owner and Professional Dog Trainer
October 14, 2026
Reviewed and Edited by: SA Editorial Team
Put Yourself in the Buyer's Shoes
You open Amazon and type "touchless trash can." Hundreds of results pop up. They all look sleek. They all promise "hands-free." Most have thousands of reviews.
So which one actually works? And which one will still work next year?
We get it. Picking a trash can shouldn't be hard. But smart cans cost $80 to $400. That's real money. And the reviews are mixed. Some people love their can. Others say the lid quit after a few months.
We wanted a simple answer. So we tested three popular cans and asked one question: Which one saves you the most gross work?
How We Tested Them
We didn't just read the product pages. We put each can to work in real homes for 3 months.
5 testers used them in kitchens, bathrooms, home offices. We emptied them, refilled them, and used them every day, just like you would.
We scored each can on the same 8 things:
- Sensor: Did it open when we wanted it to, and only then? We walked past it, let pets near it, and had kids wave at it to see if it opened by mistake.
- Lid: Did the lid keep working all through testing?
- Bag changing: How much did we have to touch the bag? We timed each bag change.
- Smell control: We left the same kitchen trash in each can for 7 days and checked for odors.
- Power: How often did we need to charge it or change batteries?
- Size: How much trash did it hold before it needed emptying?
- Build: Did it dent, have sharp edges, or snag bags?
- Value: What did it really cost, counting bags, batteries and warranty fees?
We also read real owner reviews. Our testing was only part of the story. So we read hundreds of reviews on Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot and the brands' own websites, focusing on 1-, 2- and 3-star reviews. We wanted to see which problems showed up again and again, especially ones that only appear after months of use, like lids that stop working.
The reviews backed up what we found. Owners complained most about lids that quit, sensors that misfire, constant battery changes and bags that rip. They praised cans that were easy to use and kept the mess out of their hands.
Our star scores are our opinion, based on our testing and these 8 points.
The Nightmare Scenario: Why So Many "Smart" Cans Let People Down
Here's what the product page won't tell you. Many sensor cans work great at first. Then the trouble starts.
The lid gives up. This was the most common complaint we saw. One EKO Mirage-T owner wrote that "the touchless sensor component only worked for less than a year." Another said, "I got the first trash can and the lid stopped working after 2 days." An iTouchless 13-gallon sensor can owner on Home Depot wrote: "Now not even 2 years later it has completely stopped working!!!"
It ignores you, or opens for no reason. A hand-wave sensor has to guess what you want. One Mirage-T owner said it "doesn't recognize your wave of hand 80% of the time." Other cans have the opposite problem. An owner of a smaller iTouchless sensor said that "if I accidentally walk a little too close to it the lid pops open."
Batteries, again and again. Most sensor cans use throwaway AA or D batteries. One Mirage-T owner said that after about 3 months, "battery changes became common."
Bags that rip on the way out. Several EKO Mirage-T owners said a metal edge inside the rim "will catch on your trash bag preventing removal without tearing the bag and spilling trash."
Dents. "10 days in and it's already dented just trying to remove the bag to empty," wrote one Mirage-T owner. One iTouchless customer had to buy a new can body because the first one was dented.
Paying to fix it, then waiting. iTouchless charges a $14.95 fee for each warranty claim in the lower 48 states. Its warranty doesn't cover the can body or the bag ring. EKO sells new lids for $39.99 to $49.99. Some owners said they waited a long time for one. One wrote that "the lid is on backorder with no date."
And even when everything works, you still have to lift out a heavy, dripping bag, tie it, and put in a new one yourself.
To be fair, plenty of owners are happy with both brands. The iTouchless oval has 4.4 stars from 1,820 reviews on Best Buy. These problems are real, but they don't happen to everyone.
The Ones That Worked
After all that, three cans stood out. Each one is good at something different. And one of them fixes the part of trash day people hate most.
#1 SRIHome ProClean: The Top Choice
Price: 17L $199.99 · 20L $299.99 · 30L $399.99
ANNIVERSARY SALE
Size: 17L / 20L / 30L (about 4.5 to 7.9 gallons)
Warranty: 18 months, plus a free new lid if yours fails within 99 days of purchase
ProClean is built for one job:
Making sure you never touch a dirty trash bag again.
Most "touchless" cans only open the lid. You still grab the full bag, tie it, and put in a new one. ProClean does those steps for you. It seals the full bag on its own. Then it puts in a new bag on its own. You just lift out the closed bag and go.
It also opens in a different way. There's no hand-wave sensor. Instead, you tap the kick sensor near the bottom with your foot. So it won't pop open when someone walks by, a pet sniffs around, or a child waves at it.
It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts about 90 days on one charge, so you can stop buying throwaway batteries. A UV light inside the lid helps cut down on kitchen smells. And the lid can be replaced, so a worn-out lid never means buying a whole new can. If yours fails within 99 days of purchase, the new lid is free.
PROS:
The kick sensor means no more surprise openings from people walking by, pets or kids.
It seals the bag for you, so you never hold up and tie a dirty bag.
It puts in a new bag by itself, so no more fitting a fresh liner.
A UV light helps reduce kitchen smells.
It's rechargeable, and one charge lasts about 90 days, so no more piles of AA or D batteries.
You get a free new lid if yours fails within 99 days of purchase.
CONS:
High Demand Product. May easily go out of stock.
Best for:
People who hate touching trash bags. It fits small kitchens, apartments, bathrooms, home offices and nurseries. It's also a good pick for older adults or anyone who finds tying heavy bags hard, and for homes tired of lids popping open on their own.
#2 EKO Deluxe Mirage-T 50L: The Big-Capacity Pick
Price: $109.99 on Amazon · $99.99 on EKO's website
Size: 50L (13.2 gallons)
Warranty: 1 year
Main Strength
The EKO Deluxe Mirage-T is a good-looking, full-size kitchen can. It has a stainless steel finish that hides fingerprints and a quiet lid that closes softly. A light bar counts down before the lid shuts. It has no inner bucket, which EKO says gives you 25% more room. A ring holds a regular 13-gallon bag in place. As one owner put it: "No need to buy special bags."
There's also a spot in the lid for a deodorizer, but the deodorizer isn't included. The can runs on 4 AA batteries. EKO says they last up to 8 months. EKO's manual says not to use rechargeable batteries.
It's a good can if you need a lot of space. But you still tie and change every bag yourself. And lid problems come up often in reviews.
PROS:
It's big: 50L (13.2 gallons), a full-size kitchen can.
It has a spot for a deodorizer (sold separately).
It uses regular 13-gallon bags.
The lid closes quietly, with a light that counts down first.
Owners say the fingerprint-resistant finish looks great with stainless or black appliances.
CONS:
It runs on 4 AA batteries that you'll keep replacing.
There's no rechargeable option, and EKO's manual says not to use rechargeable batteries.
It doesn't seal or add bags. You still lift, tie and change the bag yourself.
Some owners say the lid stopped working anywhere from a few days to a year in.
Some owners say the sensor often misses hand waves.
Some owners say the rim can rip full bags and the thin steel dents.
A new Deluxe lid costs $49.99, and some owners said it was on backorder.
Best For
Homeowners who care about style and want a can that matches stainless or black appliances. It's also good for families who need a full 13-gallon kitchen can. One owner called it the "perfect size for my family of 5." It suits anyone who wants to use regular store-bought bags.
#3 iTouchless 13 Gallon Oval Sensor Can (Matte Black): The Value Pick
Price: About $80 to $115, depending on the store
Size: 50L (13 gallons)
Warranty: 1 year ($14.95 fee per claim)
Main Strength
The iTouchless oval can is a slim sensor can that won't break the bank. It's only 11.4 inches deep, so it fits beside a counter or in a narrow space. It comes with one AbsorbX carbon filter to fight smells, and it uses regular 13-gallon bags.
You can power it with 4 D batteries, or buy a plug-in adapter. One owner wrote, "Love the AC Adapter option." It's a well-known brand. The Best Buy listing shows 4.4 stars from 1,820 reviews.
The downsides: the can can dent, you still handle every bag yourself, and some owners of iTouchless sensor cans say the lid stopped working anywhere from a few months to about two years in.
PROS:
It's big: 50L (13 gallons).
It has an AbsorbX carbon filter for smells, and you can replace the filter.
Its slim oval shape fits tight spaces.
You can buy a plug-in adapter (sold separately) so you don't need batteries.
It's the cheapest of the three.
CONS:
Some owners say the can dents, and the warranty doesn't cover the can body.
It doesn't seal or add bags. You still tie and change the bag.
Some owners say the lid stopped working within months to about 2 years.
Some owners say the batteries die fast, even though iTouchless says they last 1.5 to 2 years.
There's a $14.95 fee for each warranty claim.
Best for:
Shoppers on a budget. It suits narrow kitchens and tight corners, and anyone who would rather plug in than buy batteries. It's also a good fit for people who want a carbon filter for strong smells.
Quick Comparison
Feature
SRIHome ProClean
EKO Deluxe Mirage-T 50L
iTouchless 13 Gallon
Oval Sensor Can
Adds a new bag for you
✅ Yes
❌ No
❌ No
Seals the full bag
✅ Yes
❌ No
❌ No
Rechargeable
✅ Yes
❌ No (4 AA; manual says no rechargeables)
❌ No (4 D batteries or optional plug-in adapter)
Kick sensor
✅ Yes (Kick only)
❌ No (hand-wave sensor + buttons)
❌ No (hand-wave sensor + button)
Price
$199.99 / $299.99 / $399.99
$109.99 Amazon; $99.99 EKO site
About $80–$115
Size
17L / 20L / 30L (about 4.5–7.9 gal)
50L (13.2 gal)
50L (13 gal)
Smell control
UV light to help reduce smells
Deodorizer spot (deodorizer not included)
AbsorbX carbon filter (1 included)
Power / battery life
Rechargeable, about 90 days per charge
4 AA, up to 8 months (EKO claim)
4 D, up to 1.5–2 years (iTouchless claim), or plug-in adapter
Bag type
ProClean refill bags
Regular 13-gal
Regular 13-gal
New lid
Free if yours fails within 99 days of purchase
$49.99
Sold separately
Warranty
18 months
1 year
1 year ($14.95 fee per claim; can body not covered)
Feature
SRIHome ProClean
Adds a new bag for you
✅ Yes
Seals the full bag
✅ Yes
Rechargeable
✅ Yes
Kick sensor
✅ Yes (Kick only)
Price
$199.99 / $299.99 / $399.99
Size
17L / 20L / 30L (about 4.5–7.9 gal)
Smell control
UV light to help reduce smells
Power / battery life
Rechargeable, about 90 days per charge
Bag type
ProClean refill bags
New lid
Free if yours fails within 99 days of purchase
Warranty
18 months
Feature
EKO Deluxe
Mirage-T 50L
Adds a new bag for you
❌ No
Seals the full bag
❌ No
Rechargeable
❌ No (4 AA; manual says no rechargeables)
Kick sensor
❌ No (hand-wave sensor + buttons)
Price
$109.99 Amazon; $99.99 EKO site
Size
50L (13.2 gal)
Smell control
Deodorizer spot (deodorizer not included)
Power / battery life
4 AA, up to 8 months (EKO claim)
Bag type
Regular 13-gal
New lid
$49.99
Warranty
1 year
Feature
iTouchless 13 Gallon
Oval Sensor Can
Adds a new bag for you
❌ No
Seals the full bag
❌ No
Rechargeable
❌ No (4 D batteries or optional plug-in adapter)
Kick sensor
❌ No (hand-wave sensor + button)
Price
About $80–$115
Size
50L (13 gal)
Smell control
AbsorbX carbon filter (1 included)
Power / battery life
4 D, up to 1.5–2 years (iTouchless claim), or plug-in adapter
Bag type
Regular 13-gal
New lid
Sold separately
Warranty
1 year ($14.95 fee per claim; can body not covered)
The Bottom Line: How the Three Compare
All three cans open without your hands. That's where the likeness ends.
The EKO Deluxe Mirage-T and iTouchless Oval are both full 13-gallon cans. They hold about two to three times more than ProClean, and they cost less. If you have a big family and want one large can, either one will do the job. Just know that owners report lid and sensor trouble. You'll also keep buying batteries, and you'll still pull out, tie and replace every bag yourself.
ProClean is smaller and costs more. But it's the only one of the three that seals the bag, adds a new one, and opens with a kick instead of a wave. It's also the only rechargeable one. And if the lid fails within 99 days of purchase, you get a free new one instead of a $49.99 bill. If your goal is to never touch trash again, ProClean is the one built for that.
Our pick: ProClean. It's the best choice for anyone who wants trash day to be touch-free from start to finish.
We'd Love to Hear From You
Have you had a great (or not-so-great) experience with a touchless trash can? We'd love to hear about it. At Shopper's Advocate, we're always looking for products that make home life a little easier. Your feedback helps us improve our guides and our products. Send us an email at emailus@shopperadvocate.com. We read every message.
