simplehuman 45L Semi-Round Sensor Trash Can Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this trash can in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of the manufacturer's specs, retailer review summaries and owner themes, all listed at the end of this article. We found no independent lab test of this exact model, and say so below. Our method.
A touch-free can owners keep for a decade
The 45-liter semi-round sensor can opens with a wave of the hand, closes quietly, and stores spare liners in a built-in pocket. Retailer reviews are strongly positive, with averages around 4.7 out of 5 at Staples and Home Depot, and some owners report ten to twelve years of use. simplehuman backs it with a five-year warranty. The trade-offs are proprietary custom-fit liners that many owners find pricey, four AA batteries to replace, and a tall body that may not fit under an overhang.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- want a hands-free lid while cooking with messy hands
- have limited hand strength or mobility
- want a can that keeps pets out and lasts years
Skip it if you…
- want to use cheap generic trash bags
- need a can that fits under a low counter overhang
- prefer a can with no batteries or electronics
The simplehuman 45-liter (about 12 gallon) semi-round sensor can is a stainless steel kitchen trash can with a motion sensor that opens the lid when you wave a hand near it. It runs on four AA batteries and has a built-in pocket that holds a pack of custom-fit liners.
Expert lab tests of this exact model are scarce, so we leaned on large retailer review summaries and owner reports, and we flag that below.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Capacity | 45 liters (about 12 gallons) |
|---|---|
| Power | 4 AA batteries, low-battery light |
| Sensor | Adaptive motion sensor |
| Liners | simplehuman code J custom fit; pocket holds a 20-pack |
| Finish | Brushed stainless with fingerprint-resistant coating |
| Warranty | 5 years |
What owners love
What owners complain about
How it holds up over time
Owner reports of ten years or more and a five-year warranty point to a durable product. We did not find a pattern of sensor failures in the review summaries we read, but we also found no independent long-term lab test, so this rests on owner feedback.
Tips from owners
- Measure the clearance above the can before buying.
- Let the lid close on its own rather than pushing it.
- Keep spare AA batteries and swap them when the light blinks.
- Buy liners in bulk to cut the ongoing cost.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Reliable touch-free lid
- Quiet, pet-resistant closing
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless finish
- Built-in liner pocket
- Five-year warranty and long owner lifespans
What owners complain about
- Custom liners add ongoing cost
- Tall; needs clearance above to open
- Needs battery changes
- Lid can break if forced closed
Other options owners compare
These are the cans most often weighed against the simplehuman sensor can.
| Model | Opening | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| simplehuman 45L semi-round sensor can (this review) | Motion sensor | You want a premium touch-free can that lasts | See on Amazon |
| iTouchless 13 gallon sensor can | Motion sensor | You want a sensor can with an odor filter and an optional AC adapter | See on Amazon |
| simplehuman rectangular step can | Foot pedal | You want simplehuman build quality without batteries | See on Amazon |
Tired of touching the trash can lid?
Check the current price and finishes on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
What batteries does it use?
Four AA batteries, which simplehuman says last about seven months. A light blinks when they are low.
Do I have to use simplehuman liners?
No, but the custom code J liners fit best. Owners say standard bags can be a tight fit.
How long is the warranty?
simplehuman lists a five-year warranty.
Will it fit under my counter?
Check the height plus room for the lid to open. At least one owner returned it for being too tall.
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Sources we analyzed
- simplehuman: 45L semi-round sensor can — specs, batteries, liners, warranty
- Staples: simplehuman 45L sensor can reviews — rating summary and owner themes
- Home Depot: simplehuman 45L semi-round sensor can reviews — rating summary
- Thingtesting: simplehuman reviews — liner cost and durability themes
- Bob Vila: Best kitchen trash cans, tested — iTouchless sensor can and simplehuman step can notes
Figures reflect each source as of October 13, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.