Skip to main content

Simplehuman Voice-Activated Sensor Trash Can review

Simplehuman puts a new spin on dirty talk with its voice-activated trash can

Go to wedding registry sites like Blueprint Registry or Zola, and you’ll find Simplehuman trash cans. The stainless steel receptacles can cost as much as $200. Some let you step on a lever to open, others raise their lids when you wave your hand over a sensor. This year, the company introduced a new way to open a can: talk to it. Available in a $200, single-compartment version and a $250, dual-compartment option, the 58-liter can is one of the most expensive places to sling dripping takeout containers and moldy leftovers we’ve ever seen. And yet, we jumped at the chance to review a Simplehuman voice-activated trash can.

Do the can-can

For $140, you can get a 10.5-liter, single-compartment Simplehuman trash can that you open by pressing a lever on top of the can. That’s a lot of money for what is essentially a nice-looking garbage receptacle. Is $60 more for a voice-and-hand-activated version worth it? If you’re already blowing that kind of cash on something that gets grimy, it kind of is.

The sensor can comes in silver, white, rose gold (of course), and black. You can either plug it in or power it with six AA batteries if you don’t keep your trash near an outlet. When it opens, it makes a quiet, mechanical whirring sound and closes with a soft whoosh. Inside the can is a slot to keep extra bags. If you want to use specially fitted Simplehuman bags, you’ll find the bag code under the lid. A box of 60 liners costs $27, about 45 cents per bag. You can buy 90 Hefty bags for under $13 on Amazon, spending about 14 cents a bag. It took some stretching, but we did manage to fit a regular, 13-gallon bag around the sensor can’s wider opening. If you don’t want that struggle, you’ll either want to stick to the company’s bags or look for something larger that will better fit the can’s more-than-15-gallon capacity.

Recommended Videos

Say what?

There are two ways to get the can to lift its lid: wave your hand in front of the sensor or say “Open can.” Actually, you can say “open” in any capacity around the can, and it will usually work. Open sesame, open lid, “I forgot the U.S. Open is on…” Seriously, that last one actually prompted the can to leap into action.

Adding voice-activation to Simplehumans’ already expensive trash cans makes them more useful and only a little pricier.

The motion sensor is pretty sensitive, too. Our cats’ tails seem to set it off when they walk by. Also, our kitten is fond of sitting on it, but while the lid will attempt to open, it hasn’t sent him flying yet. The frequent, unwanted opening might not be a huge deal — unless the can contains something with a particularly ripe scent  — though it could drain battery life.

Garbage cans are probably not beacons of cleanliness in any home, even if they regularly get de-germed. It’s hard to lift the trash’s lid with scallop fingers and not transfer some ick onto the can itself. The gimmick of a voice-activated trash can is that you can dump your garbage without touching the receptacle itself. It’s pretty useful and means you don’t have to break out the disinfectant every time you’re making chicken.

Simplehuman voice-activated sense can review
Jenny McGrath/Digital Trends
Jenny McGrath/Digital Trends

Of course, the U.S. Open example proves that having microphones in everything is a spooky concept. However, while Simplehuman said at CES that a later version would have Wi-Fi, this first iteration does not. That means that even if the trash is listening to every conversation, it’s not transmitting your words to the cloud or anything. Simplehuman already has an Amazon Dash button, but it wants to put that tech into the can itself, so it can reorder you bags (Simplehuman brand, of course) when you’re running low. It doesn’t seem like it wants to help you reorder groceries, though, as some smart trash cans are supposed to.

Warranty

Simplehuman offers a five-year warranty on its sense can.

Conclusion

A voice-activated trash can sounds like a ridiculous product, but we actually found it to be pretty useful. It can be a little sensitive, but we’d rather have it open when we don’t need it than have it fail when our hands are full of greasy, grimy garbage. We don’t think there are any other voice-activated garbage cans, but iTouchless and Nine Stars both have motion-activated models. They should still be less germy but won’t help if your hands are full. There are a lot of moving parts to this trash can. Well, one, really, but it’s the part you really don’t want to fail. If it does stop responding to commands post-warranty, it will still work like an old-school trash can and should still look pretty fancy. For those already considering an expensive Simplehuman trash can, the voice-activated version isn’t that much pricier and could make your life a smidge easier.

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Apple’s smart home display already sounds like a convenience victory
Nest Hub Max

Over the past few weeks, rumors of Apple developing a smart display for home control have picked up pace. The company is said to be developing two versions, and one of them might even feature a robotic arm and revive an iconic Mac’s design. 

Now, Bloomberg has shared some juicy details about how the entry-level option will look and work. The device will offer a 6-inch screen with a square-ish format flanked by sensors, including a FaceTime camera in landscape orientation. 

Read more
Serta Black Friday: Save up to $500 on Perfect Sleeper mattresses
Serta Perfect Sleeper huge mattress sale hero image

Staying in line with Serta's excellent mattress deals, the discounts are sticking around for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What does that mean for you, exactly? Now's a great time to shop for a new mattress or upgrade your existing one. Everyone deserves a good night's sleep and with Serta's Perfect Sleeper mattress collection that's totally possible. They come in a variety of sizes, from Twin to California King, and in various designs so you can find your ideal setup. Imagine a firm, supportive mattress. Or, one that's excellent at regulating your temperature if you're a hot sleeper? Both of these scenarios are possible with the Perfect Sleeper collection and so much more. For Serta Black Friday you can expect to save up to $500 off select mattresses. Why not go take a peek?

 
What to shop in the Serta Black Friday sale on Perfect Sleeper mattresses?
Let's go over what versions of the Perfect Sleeper mattress are available: First, there's the Serta Perfect Sleeper X Hybrid, then the Serta Perfect Sleeper X Quilted Hybrid, Serta Perfect Sleeper Innerspring, Serta Perfect Sleeper Hybrid, and finally the Serta Perfect Sleeper Sleep Excellence. I know, things can get a bit confusing but each one offers a different experience and most are on sale.

Read more
How to make a video call on the Roborock Qrevo Curv
The Qrevo Curv and its mobile app.

The Roborock Qrevo Curv is one of the best robot vacuum and mop combos. It's capable of producing up to 18,500 Pa of suction, and with a bold new dock design, it’s both a striking work of art and a useful tool to have around the home. But aside from its good looks and effective cleaning skills, Roborock packed the gadget with some fun auxiliary features. And one of the often-overlooked features is its ability to make a video call.

Read more