This voice- and motion-activated trash can keeps my hands free of germs as it collects my garbage

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• The Simplehuman Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can goes above and beyond my criteria for a trash can.
• It's motion- and voice-activated, has two compartments for keeping trash and recycling separate, and has a storage area for liner refills.
• Though it costs more than most (currently $250 on Amazon), this trash can eliminates the need to touch germ-prone areas and is backed by a five-year warranty.

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Even though my house is more than a century old, I enjoy outfitting it with as many high-tech devices as possible. I have voice-controlled robotic vacuums, a smart thermostat, a smart light switch, and even a Wi-Fi-enabled air fryer. So, when I saw a motion-activated trash can at a friend's house, I had to get one.

Fortunately, Simplehuman had contacted me to see if I'd test their Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can. This product is not only high-tech – I can open it simply by saying "open can" – but it's also practical since it can reduce the spread of germs with its hands-free operation and containment of garbage. Here are my experiences with the touch-free trash can.

Specs

The Simplehuman Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can has two compartments: a 24-liter side with a removable basket for recyclables and a 34-liter side for trash. Within the trash side is a storage spot that fits the box of liner refills perfect. The trash bag is held in place with a liner lid that is easy to lift manually and stays in place as you're emptying the contents.

The Touch-Free Trash Can is similar in design to previous Simplehuman models, including this one we've previously tested. The main differences are that this newer model is motion- and voice-activated, and there's no foot pedal. When you say "open can," the lid automatically opens.

I tested the second generation of the Touch-Free Can, which was released at the end of 2019. According to Simplehuman, the updated features of the second-gen can include:

• A new digital signal processor.
• Increased number of microphones from one to three to improve voice recognition performance and help with noise cancellation.
• Additional trigger commands including "stay open" and "close can."

The new Simplehuman Dual-Compartment Trash Can is available in five color options: white stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, dark bronze stainless steel, rose gold stainless steel, and black stainless steel, which is what I tested.

The trash bin comes with a power adapter, or you can choose to power it with six AA batteries. Simplehuman backs it with a five-year warranty.

Set-up process

Set up took about five minutes.

All you have to do is take the can out of the box, remove all of the packaging and stickers, plug the can in or insert the batteries, and put a liner in. It comes with can liners that fit perfectly so you can start collecting your trash in it right away. The cord for the power adapter — the recommended power source — was about six inches too short so I opted for the less optimal battery-powered solution. I recommend using rechargeable batteries.

What makes the trash can stand out

I've tested the Simplehuman Voice-Activated Trash Can for more than 100 days now, and it never fails to attract comments from people who come into the kitchen. They are impressed by the motion activation and the attractive appearance.

Believe it or not, I don't choose trash cans to impress people. Functionality is the most important factor. And, this bin functions well. Though it occasionally opens on its own when I'm listening to a podcast, it does a good job of recognizing my voice, even when I'm speaking quietly and there are other ambient sounds. It also closes when I tell it to. And, my favorite part is the "stay open" function that keeps the lid up when I'm emptying several items into the can.

As mentioned above, I mainly use battery power to run the bin. I like that when the batteries are getting low on juice, the indicator light on the lid goes from blue to red.

Another useful feature is the compartment on the back of the can where you can store the box of liner refills. The opening is inside of the can so you can easily pull the liners out when it's time to take out the trash. The Simplehuman brand trash bags that fit the can perfectly cost a bit more than I typically like to spend, but they are worth it thanks to their sturdy construction. Plus, you can save a buck or two by choosing Amazon's Subscribe & Save option.

Cons to consider

At first, I couldn't get the "stay open" function to work. And, when I asked the can to open, it would only stay open for a second and close while I was trying to scrape food scraps into the trash. From reading reviews, this appears to be a common problem. But, after a little experimentation, it appears that the can wasn't getting enough power from my batteries. When I plugged it in or used fresh batteries, these functions worked perfectly well. So, as Simplehuman suggests, try to plug the can into a wall outlet if you want to get the most out of it.

The most logical place in my kitchen for the Simplehuman Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can is a heavy-traffic area. Consequently, the can opens up whenever someone goes into or leaves the kitchen and passes it. I wish there was a way to turn off the motion sensor or to make it less sensitive. Of course, with a piece of black electrical tape, you can block the sensor completely without harming the aesthetics of the bin.

The bottom line

Despite these negatives, we still think the Simplehuman Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can provides the best balance of functionality and attractiveness. Though it's pricey, this is a trash can that you can get excited about.

Should you buy it?

The $250 is quite the investment for a trash can. However, if you can afford it, you'll have one of the most hygienic options available thanks to the touch-free motion and voice activation as well as the germ-resistant nano-silver coating. If you are looking for a sanitary, high-tech, dual compartment bin with an attractive appearance that will complement your décor, this Simplehuman Trash Can is worth the price. Plus, it's backed by a five-year warranty so you can count on it lasting. And, if you don't like it, you can return it to Amazon for free within 30 days of purchase.

What model should you get?

Simplehuman offers several trash cans, including the popular 58-Liter Rectangular Recycler. However, in this section, we're going to keep it high-tech. Simplehuman sells one other voice-activated trash can, a single-compartment, 58-liter unit. It costs $50 less than the dual-compartment model and might be a good solution if you already have a separate recycle bin.

What are your alternatives?

I haven't tested any alternatives that come close to the quality and performance of the Simplehuman Touch-Free Dual-Compartment Trash Can. However, Insider Reviews' Kyle Schurman compiled a guide to the best trash cans that may be worth checking out if the Touch-Free Can isn't right for you.

Pros: Voice- and motion-activated, features a compartment for storing liner refills, germ-resistant nano-silver coating, separate compartments for trash and recycling

Cons: Short power cord, "stay open" function doesn't work when batteries are low, unable to adjust motion sensor sensitivity