iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Trash Can Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The iTouchless 13 gallon Pet Lock Sensor Can suits households that want hands-free disposal and a manual lock to stop sensor opening. Choose it for those features and its included odor filter, after checking floor space and lid clearance.
On this page (11 sections)
- What does the iTouchless 13 gallon sensor can offer?
- How does it compare with the EKO Mirage-T?
- Is the oval iTouchless a better choice?
- What should you measure before ordering?
- Is a 13-gallon can the right size for your household?
- How should you set up the sensor can?
- When should you use the pet lock?
- How much odor control should you expect?
- Should you use batteries or an AC adapter?
- How do you clean it without damaging the lid?
- Which iTouchless 13 gallon option should you choose?
The iTouchless 13 gallon sensor can is a good fit for households that want touchless disposal plus a manual pet lock. Choose the featured rectangular model when you need to stop sensor opening at certain times and want an included carbon odor filter.
Its main tradeoff is placement: the body needs floor space, and the lid needs room above it. The EKO Mirage-T suits longer prep sessions with its stay-open switch, while the oval iTouchless offers a different shape for an open kitchen spot.
What does the iTouchless 13 gallon sensor can offer?
The featured model combines infrared opening, a manual Pet Lock and a soft-close lid. Its brushed stainless steel body holds kitchen waste without a separate inner bucket.
iTouchless 13 Gal Pet Lock Sensor Can: Best for homes with pets
- 13 gal capacity
- Manual pet lock
- AbsorbX carbon odor filter
- 12.7 x 10.8 x 27.3 in
Choose this rectangular sensor can when you need a manual lock to disable automatic opening. The included carbon filter adds odor control for kitchens that collect food scraps.
Pros
- Manual lock disables sensor opening
- Includes an AbsorbX carbon filter
- Uses standard 13-gallon drawstring bags
- Soft-close lid
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Manual lock must be engaged when needed
- Open-lid clearance needs checking
This is the strongest match here for someone who wants automatic opening during cooking but needs a way to disable it afterward. The lock is manual, so it works as part of your routine rather than making the decision for you.
The included AbsorbX carbon filter gives you another way to manage food-waste odors. iTouchless says it traps and neutralizes smells, but wet scraps and leaks still need prompt attention.
Without an inner bucket, you don't have a separate container to lift out and rinse after a bag leaks. That makes sound bags and careful loading especially useful, particularly when disposing of food packaging with sharp edges.
Who should buy this iTouchless 13 gallon model?
Buy it if you regularly carry scraps with both hands, want to avoid touching a lid during food prep, and will remember to engage the lock when needed. Its combination of features suits a shared kitchen where convenience and controlled access both matter.
Skip it if you want disposal that stays available without batteries, a cord or a lock routine. A pedal bin may suit that preference better, as our touchless versus step trash can guide explains.
How does it compare with the EKO Mirage-T?
The EKO Mirage-T is the better fit for repeated disposal during a long cleanup, thanks to its stay-open touch switch. It also has a shorter closed body, although that doesn't make it suitable for every under-counter spot.
EKO Mirage-T 13 Gal Sensor Can: Best for long prep sessions
- 50 L capacity
- Brushed stainless steel
- AA battery power
- Stay-open touch switch
The EKO's stay-open touch switch suits meal prep that involves repeated trips to the bin. Its shorter closed body still needs enough overhead space for the raised lid.
Pros
- Stay-open switch for longer cleanup tasks
- Fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless finish
- Uses standard 13-gallon kitchen bags
Cons
- Requires 36 in of height with lid open
- AA alkaline batteries are not included
- EKO says not to use rechargeable batteries
A stay-open lid helps when you're peeling vegetables, clearing several plates or sorting packaging. Instead of approaching the sensor for each small load, you can keep the opening available for the task.
Close it again when you're done, especially if food scraps or curious pets are nearby. A convenient open lid also leaves the waste accessible.
The EKO stands 24.6 in closed and needs 36 in with the lid open. Measure the full opening space before placing it beneath a shelf or countertop overhang.
It uses standard kitchen bags secured by a removable inner rim, with no separate inner bucket. EKO specifies AA alkaline batteries and says not to use rechargeable batteries.
Choose the featured iTouchless when the manual lock and carbon filter solve your main problem. Skip the EKO if your planned location cannot accommodate its raised lid or you want to use rechargeable cells.
See our EKO Mirage-T 13.2-gallon review for more help deciding whether its controls and shape suit your kitchen.
Is the oval iTouchless a better choice?
The oval iTouchless is worth choosing when its shape fits your planned spot better. It offers sensor opening and a carbon filter, but the rectangular model remains the choice here for a manual Pet Lock.
iTouchless Stainless 13 Gal Sensor Can: Best for open kitchen layouts
- 13 gal capacity
- Oval shape
- AbsorbX carbon filter
- 16 x 11.4 x 25.3 in
This oval alternative suits an open spot beside an island or cabinet where its longer footprint fits. Choose it for that shape and its carbon filter, rather than the featured model's manual Pet Lock.
Pros
- Includes a replaceable carbon filter
- Fits standard 13-gallon kitchen bags
- Can run on batteries or a separately sold adapter
Cons
- AC adapter is sold separately
- Longer footprint needs room beside cabinets
Its body measures 16 x 11.4 x 25.3 in, so it needs more room along its long side than the featured can. Picture it beside an island or at the end of a cabinet run, then check whether the curve leaves a useful walking path.
Don't assume that an oval body is automatically a space saver. A rectangular corner and a rounded body use floor space differently, and the better fit depends on the exact gap.
This option makes sense for someone who wants a filtered sensor bin and has room for the longer footprint. Skip it if you're choosing mainly to control pet access or trying to squeeze a can into a short, tightly bounded gap.
Its standard bag fit and choice of battery or adapter power keep everyday supplies straightforward. Those conveniences are useful, but they aren't reasons to accept a poor physical fit.
What should you measure before ordering?
Measure the floor footprint, raised-lid space and bag-removal path before choosing any of these cans. Closed height alone doesn't tell you whether daily use will be comfortable.
The featured rectangular iTouchless measures 12.7 x 10.8 x 27.3 in. Mark that footprint with removable tape, then open nearby drawers, the dishwasher and cabinet doors to check for conflicts.
Stand where you normally scrape plates or prepare food. You should be able to reach the opening without turning sideways, leaning over the can or blocking the route through the kitchen.
Leave room to remove the lid and pull a full bag upward. A bin can fit beneath a shelf yet still need moving every time you empty it.
Check raised-lid clearance for the exact iTouchless model before ordering if the spot has an overhead limit. Don't substitute its closed height for the space needed to open it.
Capacity describes volume, not floor fit or lifting weight. Our kitchen trash can size guide explains the difference, while where to put a trash can in a kitchen helps you choose a practical location.
Is a 13-gallon can the right size for your household?
A 13-gallon can makes sense when it matches how often you take out kitchen waste, not simply because a larger bag holds more. Consider what fills your current bin and what makes you empty it.
If dry packaging fills it first, a full-size kitchen can gives that waste room. Flatten clean cartons where appropriate, and separate recycling according to local rules rather than using trash capacity to solve every storage problem.
If food scraps make it smell before the bag is full, more capacity won't fix that routine. You may still need frequent emptying, especially after preparing meat or fish.
Heavy waste creates a different limit. Don't keep packing a bag just because space remains; you need to lift it without stretching the plastic or dragging it against the rim.
Keep sharp items from pressing directly against the bag. A puncture matters more in a can without a separate inner bucket because escaped liquid can reach the can body.
How should you set up the sensor can?
Set up the power, bag and filter before choosing the final position, then check that the lid opens and closes freely. Follow the model's instructions for removing packaging and fitting each part.
Install the correct batteries in the marked direction, or connect a compatible adapter. Keep the battery area dry and don't combine old and new batteries.
For the featured can, spread a standard 13-gallon drawstring bag into the body before securing its retainer ring. Leave enough slack for the bag to reach downward rather than hanging its entire load from the rim.
Keep folded bag material clear of the lid's closing path. Then fit the filter as directed and return the lid without trapping the bag.
Place the can on a stable, level surface and check normal approaches from your prep area. If passing movement repeatedly opens it, try a position farther from the main walkway.
Finally, engage the Pet Lock and confirm that sensor opening stops. Make that check part of setup so you know how the control behaves before relying on it during your daily routine.
When should you use the pet lock?
Use the manual lock when you need to disable sensor opening, such as when pets are left near the can. It is most useful when everyone in the household knows when to engage it.
The tradeoff is simple: a locked lid also interrupts normal touchless disposal. If several people share the kitchen, agree on a routine so someone carrying food scraps doesn't discover the lock at the last moment.
Don't read a lid lock as proof that the whole can resists tipping, chewing or determined pulling. Keep bones, unsafe foods and other hazardous waste somewhere pets cannot reach.
For households without that access problem, the lock may add little value. Choose based on a need you actually have rather than treating every extra control as a reason to buy.
How much odor control should you expect?
Expect the carbon filter to support a clean-bin routine, not replace one. Smell control starts with removing the waste that causes it and cleaning liquid before it sits in the bottom.
Drain excess liquid from food waste where appropriate before disposal. Keep especially smelly scraps contained, and take them out promptly rather than waiting for the whole bag to fill.
Check beneath the bag if the bin still smells after emptying. A small leak or scraps caught around the rim can leave an odor source that a fresh bag won't remove.
Follow iTouchless's instructions for filter replacement and care. Don't wash the carbon filter unless its instructions specifically allow it, and avoid guessing a replacement schedule.
Our guide to keeping a kitchen trash can from smelling covers waste handling and cleaning habits that work alongside a filter.
Should you use batteries or an AC adapter?
Choose batteries for flexible placement and a compatible adapter for a fixed spot with a nearby outlet. The featured iTouchless uses 4 D batteries, which aren't included.
iTouchless claims up to 2 years of battery life for this model, but treat that as an estimate rather than a replacement schedule. Frequent opening and battery condition affect how long a set lasts.
An adapter makes sense if you want to avoid routine battery changes and can route its cord safely. Confirm compatibility and what's included before planning your setup around plug-in power.
Don't run the cord through a walking path, pinch it beneath the can or leave it where spills collect. If the only available outlet creates an awkward cable route, battery placement is the cleaner choice.
If the lid stops opening, check the lock, power source and sensor area first. Follow our guides to why an iTouchless trash can won't open and changing sensor trash can batteries before assuming the opening mechanism has failed.
How do you clean it without damaging the lid?
Clean the body and electronic lid separately, keeping liquid away from the sensor and battery compartment. Turn off or disconnect power before cleaning, following the model's care instructions.
Remove the bag and wipe loose debris from the rim and inside. Clean any leaked waste, then let the body dry before fitting a new bag.
Use a soft cloth and a cleaner suitable for the finish. Fingerprint resistance helps with marks, but greasy hands and food splashes still need wiping.
Wipe the sensor window gently with a lightly dampened cloth rather than spraying cleaner directly at it. Don't immerse the electronic lid or flood its seams.
Avoid abrasive pads that could scratch the brushed surface. Our stainless steel trash can cleaning guide explains how to handle the exterior without harsh scrubbing.
Which iTouchless 13 gallon option should you choose?
Choose the rectangular iTouchless 13 gallon Pet Lock Sensor Can when controlled access is your deciding need. Confirm the opening space, plan when to use the lock and have the correct power supply ready.
Pick the EKO Mirage-T if keeping the lid open during meal prep matters more. Choose the oval iTouchless when its shape fits the room better and you don't need the featured model's manual lock.
If none fits your placement or disposal routine, broaden the search before buying. Our kitchen trash can picks compare lid types, while the best touchless trash cans offer more automatic options.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iTouchless 13 gallon sensor can keep pets out?
The B000EJVYTS has a manual Pet Lock that disables sensor opening when engaged. Use it when pets could trigger the lid, and check that you've engaged it before leaving the kitchen.
It doesn't establish resistance to tipping or chewing, so keep dangerous scraps and other unsafe waste away from pets.
What size bags fit the iTouchless 13 gallon can?
Standard 13-gallon kitchen drawstring bags fit the B000EJVYTS, so custom liners aren't needed. Its retainer ring holds the bag in place and hides the edges.
Seat the bag fully before securing the ring, and leave enough unused material at the top to tie it closed without forcing down the trash.
How is the odor filter meant to work?
The included AbsorbX carbon filter is designed to absorb waste odors, and iTouchless says it traps and neutralizes smells. It supports regular emptying and cleaning rather than replacing them.
Follow the filter instructions for installation and replacement, and check for leaked liquid or trapped scraps if smells persist after changing bags.
How does it get power?
The B000EJVYTS runs on 4 D batteries, which aren't included, or a compatible iTouchless AC adapter. Battery power gives you more freedom to place the can away from outlets.
Choose a compatible adapter for a fixed location where you can route the cord clear of walkways, spills and the lid.
