best sensor bin uk

Best Sensor Bins of 2023

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Top 10 Best Sensor Bins

  1. Tower T80901 Stainless Steel with Automatic Soft-Close (Editor’s Choice)
  2. Tower Freedom T938010PM Recycling System (Luxury Choice)
  3. Rect 30L Stainless Steel (Best Value)
  4. Swan SWKA4500YELN Retro 45L Square Yellow (Best Retro)
  5. Amazon Basics Automatic Stainless Steel Dustbin (Best Slim)
  6. display4top Stainless Steel Automatic (Best Rectangular)
  7. Morphy Richards Chroma 971517 (Best Square)
  8. GRANDMA SHARK Stainless Steel (Best Anti-Fingerprint)
  9. Deuba Sensor (Best with LED Display)
  10. Amagabeli Automatic Motion, Stainless Steel (Best 50L)

We all know that bins can become unsanitary unless you clean them regularly, just through food and rubbish waste becoming stuck to the lid, outer and inner sections. You then have to touch the lid with your hand to lift it, dispose of your rubbish, transferring the germs to your hands.

But what if you didn’t have to touch the bin? That is where sensor bins come in. They are a fantastic invention, maintaining hygiene and meaning that you don’t need to stop to wash your hands after every time you open your bin!

Sensor bins come in many shapes and clever features such as a soft close lid, LED display, or a stainless steel finish to prevent visible fingerprint marks. They also mean that gone are the days that you have to rely on a foot pedal to open a bin without touching the lid because we all know that, invariably, these stop working at some point along the way!

So, if you are in the market for the best sensor bin in the UK, read on for our top ten picks and helpful tips and information.

How We Compared Sensor Bins

To find the right sensor bins, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Capacity
  • Size
  • Shape
  • Sensor effectiveness

Our editorial team examined and analysed hundreds of sensor bins to select the best options suitable for all kinds of needs. After planning comparison points and evaluating customer reviews, we compiled the following list.

Have a look here to find out more about our process.

Sensor Bin Reviews

Tower T80901 Stainless Steel with Automatic Soft-Close (Editor’s Choice)

The Tower T80901 is the best sensor bin in the UK stores offer if you have a very busy kitchen. It has a 58-litre capacity, large enough for the average household, but also looks stylish, finished in sleek silver, making it perfect for any modern kitchen.

The motion sensor on the kitchen bin detects your hand opens, allowing you to throw your rubbish away without any contact with the bin, and it will then automatically close after 5 seconds of inactivity. There is a manual operation option on this sensor bin if you need to press a button to open it. The brushed stainless steel is easy to clean and can be wiped down, and this kitchen bin comes with a 1-year guarantee which can be extended to 5 years on registration!

However, note that batteries are not included when you purchase this bin. Also, there are times that the lid may automatically close even if you are not done disposing of waste into it.

Pros:

  • Easy to clean stainless steel
  • Large 58 l capacity
  • It goes well with modern kitchen decor
  • Automatic silent close lid
  • Motion sensor

Cons:

  • Batteries may not be included
  • The sensor may not have longevity
  • The lid may close when you are still scraping food waste into the bin

Tower Freedom T938010PM Recycling System (Luxury Choice)

Another great choice is the Tower Freedom t938010PM Recycling System. Let us tell you why.

This recycling bin system offers three bins in a clever, stackable design. A large recycling bin sits at the bottom and is topped by two smaller kitchen bins with motion sensors. In total, the system offers 100 l capacity, the recycle bin being 50 l and the top two bins 25 l each.

These sensor bins allow you to throw away your rubbish without contacting the bin lid and provide sufficient capacity for large families. The matt black coating is fingerprint-proof, and you can choose how to stack the bins or whether to have them lined up separately along your kitchen wall.

The only downside to these motion sensor bins is that they require quite a lot of battery power to operate.

Pros:

  • Three bins included
  • Can be stacked
  • Includes two sensor bins
  • Perfect for large families
  • Fingerprint proof

Cons:

  • The quality of the recycling bin material may not be commensurate with the price of it
  • It might be at the top end of the price range of our reviewed items
  • The bottom bin may not fit flush in the frame

Rect 30L Stainless Steel (Best Value)

If you are looking for something light on the pocket, the Rect 30L Stainless Steel is an excellent option.

This electronic bin comes in stylish black steel and a chrome-plated plastic lid for easy cleaning. This bin has a 30 l capacity, but other sizes within the range are also available. Another positive of this bin is that it doesn’t require much kitchen floor space to store it due to its compact design, but it is still sufficient for a family to use.

The touch sensor bin allows you to wave your hand over the controls, and the lid will lift automatically, and there is also an on-off switch to make changing the bin liner easier. Additionally, an inner collar helps keep the bin liner in place and means that you don’t get any of the bag visible from the outside of the kitchen bin.

Unfortunately, the sensor of this bin may not be that accurate. It sometimes opens when someone walks past it or automatically closes even if you are not done throwing waste into it.

Pros:

  • Slim, compact design
  • At the lower end of the price range for our top ten best bins
  • Collar for holding bin liners in place
  • Good capacity for a small family
  • Robust design

Cons:

  • The bin lid may open when someone walks past the sensor
  • The lid may close before you have finished scraping kitchen waste away

Swan SWKA4500YELN Retro 45L Square Yellow (Best Retro)

This square sensor bin by Swan brings character and retro style to your kitchen. If you want something with a nostalgic vibe, this is the right choice for you.

This bin brings a vibrant pop of yellow colour to your kitchen decor, enough to brighten up even the darkest of days in winter! Unlike many sensor bins, this one comes as part of a matching range of kitchen items so that you can accessorise your kitchen with items such as toasters, fridges, kettles, and bread bins!

However, this stylish kitchen bin is not all style over substance, as the body of the bin is made from iron, making it robust and long-lasting. It also has a 45-litre capacity, perfect for single or family households.

Pros:

  • Robust metal bin
  • Good capacity
  • It comes as part of a matching range
  • Stylish, retro design
  • Shallow design so it does not protrude into your kitchen

Cons:

  • The lid mechanism may break over time
  • The sensor may be overly sensitive and activate too easily
  • The bin liner may tear on the liner pocket as you remove it

Amazon Basics Automatic Stainless Steel Dustbin (Best Slim)

The Amazon Basics Automatic Stainless Steel Dustbin is the best choice if you prefer something that does not consume too much space.

This kitchen bin is functional and perfect for a narrow gap in your kitchen, and despite its small footprint, it has an incredible 50 l capacity. A removable inner liner holder keeps the bin liner from being visible. This clever sensor bin also has a delay function that prevents it from accidentally opening, unlike other bins, when children or pets sweep past it.

Another thing that we like about this non-touch bin is that the two batteries needed to power it are included when you purchase it!

However, please take note that the sensor may stop working overtime. Also, the lid may make clicking noises as it closes.

Pros:

  • Batteries are included when you purchase this sensor bin
  • Stainless steel finish
  • Space-saving design
  • 50 l capacity
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • The lid may stay open for only a few seconds
  • The sensor may stop working effectively over time
  • The lid may make a clicking noise as it closes

display4top Stainless Steel Automatic (Best Rectangular)

Despite being at the lower end of our reviewed products cost-wise, this sensor bin has been constructed and tested to open and close up to 200,000 times, which guarantees a lot of rubbish disposal. Additionally, a flashing red light warns you when the batteries are running low, so you do not find yourself suddenly unable to open your trash container!

This none-touch bin also has a large 58 l capacity, so you will not have to empty it all the time, which is perfect for a larger family. The lid has a quiet close function, so you do not get a loud clunk when it shuts. As a bonus, it only shuts 5 -6 seconds after an object has moved away from the range of the sensor, not just after 5-6 seconds which is what some other touch-free bins do.

When opting for this bin, some things to look out for are that the sensor may not work properly at times, and the bin lid may stop working sooner than you have expected.

Pros:

  • Quiet close
  • Large capacity
  • Batteries are kept in a separate compartment at the back of the bin
  • Wide design
  • Only closes once an object has left the range of the sensor

Cons:

  • Bin bags could catch on the lip of the bin
  • The sensor may be a bit temperamental in when it opens and closes
  • The bin lid may stop working after some time

Morphy Richards Chroma 971517 (Best Square)

This square sensor bin by Morphy Richards is made from steel and coated with a non-corrosive, blacktop layer to ensure that the bin stays looking good for longer. Being square, it can fit neatly at the side of kitchen units or into a corner.

It has a great 50 l capacity, and additionally, three bin liners are included when you purchase this sensor bin! There is also a liner ring to keep them in place and hide the bags from being seen outside. For peace of mind, there is also a 1-year guarantee and an additional four years if you register the product online.

On the other hand, the sensor technology may not be the best. Also, it may not come with batteries, so you’ll need to purchase them right away so you can immediately check if your bin is working properly.

Pros:

  • Stylish black finish
  • Non-corrosive coating
  • 50 l capacity
  • The square design fits well against units or in corners
  • Three liners included

Cons:

  • Batteries may not be included
  • The sensor technology could be improved
  • The inward ring could catch the bags as you take them out

GRANDMA SHARK Stainless Steel (Best Anti-Fingerprint)

This sensor bin is at the lower end of the cost range in this review and comes in a polished stainless steel finish which will look great in any kitchen. At 38 l capacity, it is at the smaller end of bins that we have reviewed, but that will be plenty sufficient for a smaller household or if you like to empty your bin regularly to prevent odours.

The square shape of this sensor bin means it will fit into the corner of a room, and the sensor makes it so much easier to use than a pedal bin. You can manually open and close the lid if you want to, but this sensor bin will mean that you have to wave a hand near the sensor, and it will open for you!

However, if you have a huge household or if many people are going to use the bin, then this might not be ideal for you.

Pros:

  • Polished finish
  • Manual open and close
  • Square shape
  • Lower cost range

Cons:

  • Batteries may not be included
  • The bin may not be very tall
  • It may be smaller than you have expected

Deuba Sensor (Best with LED Display)

This best kitchen bin is a stunning white, which gives a clean and aesthetic line when typical kitchen bins are stainless steel or perhaps black. It also has a 56 l capacity while still tall and slim, so it does not take up much space in your kitchen.

Another thing we love about this sensor bin is its led display which shows when the batteries need replacing or allows you to see the sensor when it is dark. There is also the option to turn the sensor off, which is handy for when you need to clean the bin or if you have a lot of things to throw away. Additionally, the bin has an anti-slip ring on its base to prevent it from moving around, and it fits standard-sized liners.

However, please note that this bin consumes a lot of battery power, so you may have to change the batteries more frequently.

Pros:

  • White design rather than metal
  • Slim but large capacity
  • Anti-slip
  • LED display
  • On-off switch

Cons:

  • The white colour may have a grey hint to it
  • It may use a lot of battery power
  • The sensor technology could be improved

Amagabeli Automatic Motion, Stainless Steel (Best 50L)

This sensor bin by Amagabeli has a divider down the middle of the inner bucket allowing you to have separate compartments for recycling and general waste. It also has a great 50 l capacity which will suit a family.

An override open and close button on the lid allows you to keep the bin open for longer if you are clearing away a large dinner, for instance. Additionally, there is a bin liner rim within the bin to hold them in place securely.

Unfortunately, it may not be the most durable. Also, the sensor may not work properly at times.

Pros:

  • Large family capacity
  • Override open and close option
  • Divider for recycling bin and waste
  • Liner rim
  • Robust stainless steel

Cons:

  • The divider may be easy to damage
  • It may not come with a removable inner bucket
  • The sensor may become temperamental with time

Sensor Bins Buyer’s Guide

A kitchen bin with sensor technology has many benefits over ordinary touch bins and pedal bins, which, although stopping you from needing to touch the bin lid, are prone to breaking. There are several things to look out for when purchasing the best bin for you, and we have listed some of them below.

Capacity

It would help if you were sure that the sensor kitchen bin you are selecting is sufficiently big enough for your household and the amount of rubbish you generate. The kitchen bins in this review ranged from 30 to 100-litre capacity, and the amount of trash that you can contain in your bin will directly correspond to the number of times that you find yourself having to empty the bin liner from the inner bucket and take it outside to your larger bins.

Size and Shape

The best kitchen bins come in all different shapes and sizes, and you need to be sure to select the right shape for your kitchen. A square sensor bin will fit nicely into a room corner, or you can choose a tall slim bin if you don’t have much available space.

A small point, but one taking worth taking note of, is the height of the automatic kitchen bin as some can be quite low down, and if you are tall, this can result in you having to stoop to activate the sensor, which will no doubt become tiresome with time!

The other consideration around the shape of your bin is whether it requires custom-fit liners. If it does, this can mean you have to spend more money and effort when buying them than you would if you can get standard ones from the local supermarket.

Sensor

When looking into automated bins, it is worth reading the details about the sensor and how it works on each particular bin as it can vary. The distance that the sensor is triggered from can vary, with some opening when someone walks past them, which you can imagine becomes annoying and kills the battery life!

Another aspect you should consider is how long the bin stays open before closing. Some of the best kitchen bins will not close until the sensor has registered no object and then will time 5 seconds, whereas others will close after a defined period, whether you are still at the bin trying to scrape plates clean or not!

Conclusion

We hope that we have provided some helpful information and advice in our buyer’s guide and that our top ten products have helped you select the suitable sensor bin for your needs. However, if you are still unsure, why not go for our editor’s choice – the Tower T80901 Stainless Steel with Automatic Soft-Close.

The stainless steel finish of this best sensor bin in the UK is modern and will compliment any kitchen design. Its 58-litre capacity is perfect for a family without imposing or using too much space. We think you will also love the motion sensor opening and automatic silent close lid! This best kitchen bin has everything you could need to get rid of general waste from your kitchen hygienically.

We hope you are soon enjoying your kitchen bin with a sensor without having to wash your hands every time!

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