The Best Sensor Bins For Hands-Free Disposal

If you hate dealing with the mess and want to stick your waste in the kitchen bin as quickly and efficiently as possible, our pick of the best sensor bins will be able to sense your approach and be open and ready to receive your rubbish. Perfect for when your hands are full, a sensor bin is convenient and hygienic with absolutely zero contact necessary. If you didn’t think you could get excited over a kitchen bin, prepare yourselves now.

We’ve shared everything you need to know and included the best sensor bins available in the UK, in a range of sizes and designs like a double bin to fit your kitchen needs.

Using an Infrared Technology sensor, a sensor bin detects movement, i.e. when your hand is waved over the sensor and opens the bin automatically without the need to lift the lid. Offering quick and clean access to your bin, it’ll stay open and close after a few seconds of no activity so smells stay trapped within. Now, onto our buyer's guide - where we've answered your burning sensor bin questions...

Best sensor bins for your kitchen

OUR VERDICT: Which Is The Best Sensor Bin?

The best sensor bin for you will depend on your household size and budget, but we would highly recommend the EKO DLX Phantom Sensor Bin and Simplehuman Semi-Round Sensor Bin. Both measuring 45 litres in capacity, great for the average household, each combines style and technology to create a hygienic sensor bin that’ll keep your bin liners firmly in place. With a curved and slim design, both would fit neatly in most kitchens whilst the sleek stainless-steel finish will remain free from fingerprints, even from enquiring little hands.

FAQs

Key Features To Look For In A Sensor Bin

Capacity: If you want to avoid taking the bins out too regularly, you should look for a reasonable-sized bin to suit your household. A 30-40 litre bin is good for small households, a 40-50 litre bin is ideal for families of two to four, whilst a bin with a capacity of 50+ is best for larger households who produce a lot of kitchen waste.

Material: The most common materials for kitchen bins are plastic and stainless steel with most sensor bins being made of the latter. It helps that this is the best material to look for in your kitchen bin. It’s sturdy, sleek, fire-resistant, and easy to clean.

Design: If like us, you’re all about aesthetics, you’ll want to look out for a bin that ticks all your boxes for style and functionality. Depending on the size and shape of your kitchen, you may prefer a rounded, square, or rectangular bin, whilst some come in different colours too. You might also prefer a sensor bin that comes with separate internal bins for your recycling. Or, you can choose a separate recycling bin to keep on top of your eco-friendly habits.

Do Sensor Bins Need Batteries?

Yes, for your bin’s sensor to work, you’ll need to kit them out with the required batteries. The type and number of batteries can vary from model to model. So, make sure to check this when you buy. You should also check if your bin comes with the batteries included. If not, make sure you have some to hand so can you start using it straight away.

How Do You Fix A Sensor Bin?

As a sensor bin is much more complicated compared to a standard kitchen bin, you may run into issues with the sensitivity of the sensor or lid-opening mechanism.

Luckily, any issues are pretty easy to troubleshoot:

Make sure the sensor is clean and the clear film has been removed

Make sure the bin is on a flat surface

Try brand new batteries or make sure the existing batteries are installed correctly

Follow the instructions to recalibrate or reset the sensor

If you find after all these attempts that your bin still isn’t working quite right, most of the sensor bins on our list come with multi-year guarantees so you can get them replaced.

Why Does My Bin Smell?

Banish those nasty smells that emanate from your bins, especially after a warm day. As well as making sure your bin is regularly emptied, it’s also important to regularly disinfect both your indoor and outdoor bins.

It's probably odd to think of cleaning the one spot where you throw away rubbish but it's certainly a must to get rid of those smells and give you peace of mind that your kitchen and household bins are hygienically clean. Products like spray disinfectants and antibacterial wipes are ideal.

We recommend Zoflora’s Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner which you can spray until a light coverage is achieved, before wiping down to remove grease and grime. Then in between bin cleans, use Zoflora wipes in our favourite scent, Sweet Pea, to eliminate malodours and leave behind a beautiful fragrance.

Where Should I Keep My Kitchen Bin?

Where you keep your bin can really depend on the size and shape of your kitchen. However, it’s recommended to keep your bin away from your fresh food, within reach of your food preparation area, and near other cleaning zones such as your kitchen sink. Depending on the position of the sensor on your sensor bin, you may also need to consider placing your bin in an area where it can’t be set off frequently.

Which Is The Best Type Of Waste Bin To Use In A Kitchen?

For optimal hygiene, a sensor bin is the best type of bin to use in your kitchen. But, we appreciate it might be a tad out of budget. If so, choosing a pedal bin is the next best option. With foot operation, it’s hands-free and the most commercially available style of kitchen bin if you’re looking for a choice of designs, sizes, and capacities.

Eleanor Weaver was the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen accessories and appliances, including washing machines and microwaves. Having been a renter for a decade now, she loves looking for home inspiration in her spare time and is a master of DIY.