Kitchen bins aren’t often something to write home about.
The simple, vacuous tubs often become piled high with rubbish because not a single member of the household wants to run the risk of trailing untold slimy substances across the floor just to get to the outside bin, which can be equally repulsive to some.
We pinch our noses and use the tips of our fingers to open and close both indoor and outdoor bins for fear of contaminating ourselves with invisible bin-laden microbes. Then, scrub the bottom of the vessel, disinfect the lid and immediately wash our hands to rid ourselves of any possible stench we could’ve caught in the process.
Rubbish is neither the most glamorous of topics, nor the most enviable of household chores. But what if we told you there was a luxurious, hi-tech and accessible means of improving your home waste disposal system? We’re talking about a piece of kit that even the wizarding world of Harry Potter would be fascinated by, one of our favourite muggle inventions of all time; the automatic sensor-operated bin. You won’t need a magic wand to operate it, either.
Hyperbole aside, most of us have heard of sensor bins, but have never felt the need to spend more than a few pounds on a standard trash can – after all, it’s only there to hold rubbish. Yet with the wave of a hand, a hi-tech sensor bin can alleviate the anxieties of germaphobes and ease the gruesome battle one usually encounters with the bin lid when trying to free a full waste bag from the depths of the refuse receptacle.
Some high-end sensor bins even come equipped with odour-reduction technology which prevents your rubbish from smelling awfully rotten, even if you accidentally forgot to take the bins out over the weekend. Welcome to adulthood, where even the most banal improvements to our home and kitchen accessories feel like a glorious, miraculous achievement.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best sensor-operated rubbish bins on the market for the most hygienic garbage disposal you’ve ever experienced.
Shop now
Best electric can openers to get into tins with ease
Best electric showers for your home in 2023
Best kitchen bins for recycling, compost and general waste
Best toasters: Top four slice and two slice toasters for perfect breakfast every time
Best bin storage solutions to keep your wheelie bin safe
Best kitchen compost bins to turn your food waste into fertiliser
Swan Retro Kitchen Bin with Infrared Technology
Capacity: 45L
Power source: AA batteries
Available in a vast array of delightful pastel tones and pared-back colourways, the retro-inspired design of this Swan senor bin delivers hi-tech amenities without compromising the aesthetic of your home. Truly, we’ve never known a vessel for waste to look so good. The easy-to-clean iron-coated body, retaining ring to keep rubbish bags in place and ability to switch from automatic to manual mode make this option a kitchen winner in our eyes.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
Ladson Steel Motion Sensor Rubbish Bin
Capacity: 30L, 42L, 50L
Power source: D batteries
The Ladson Steel motion sensor-operated bin is another option which is offered in a myriad of colourways. The 30L option in particular is great for smaller households. This model comes with an odour-busting seal which keeps the smell of rubbish from entering your kitchen, and it is also protected by a six-month warranty.
Buy now £66.65, Wayfair
HOMCOM Sensor Dustbin Touchless Trash Can Automatic Stainless Steel 48L
six-monthCapacity: 30L, 42L, 50L
Power source: D batteries
The Ladson Steel motion sensor-operated bin is yet another option with an array of colourways to suit all interior aesthetics. The 30L option, in particular, is ideal for smaller households. This model comes with a odour-busting seal which keeps the smell of rubbish from entering your kitchen, and it is also protected by a six month warranty.
Buy now £57.99, B&Q
Deluxe Phantom Kitchen Bin 30L
Capacity: 30L
Power source: AA batteries
Designed to open like a book, this waste bin by Eko is named the ‘Phantom’ because you’ll hardly notice its presence in your sleek, stylish and contemporary kitchen space. We’re particularly big fans of how this space-saving piece of kit fits flat against the wall, which means no more losing bits of rubbish behind the back of the bin.
Buy now £135.99, Eko
Tower 58 Litre Sensor Bin - Rose Gold and White
Capacity: 58L
Power Source: AA batteries
The perfect addition to any feminine household, this rose gold and shiny white waste bin from Tower features a silent sensor lid mechanism and a soft-close function to further minimise any noise disruption.
Delicate and functional, we didn’t know rubbish bins could genuinely pose an aesthetic addition to our kitchens – until now.
Buy now £60.00, Habitat
Addis 50 Litre Recycling Sensor Tower Bin with 4 compartments
Capacity: 50L
Power Source: AA batteries
Though at first glance, it may seem as though you have to play a game of Tetris in order to find each compartment of this hi-tech and highly organised kitchen bin – it’s rather the opposite.
Designed to accommodate hectic households, sorting your recyclables from your regular rubbish has never been easier or better smelling than with this odour-filtering bin from Addis.
Buy now £109.01, Amazon
