Vanpopubs Motion Sensor Trash Can 2.7 Gal

If you want a small bin that opens without a hand on the lid, this two-pack has a different appeal from a basic step-free wastebasket. Each slim, lidded can uses a motion sensor, so it can suit a bathroom or office where quick, hands-free disposal is useful. The tradeoff is that its sensor needs clear space above the lid, which limits where you can put it. The set is made from white PP plastic and is listed as IPX5 waterproof for bathroom splashes.

What to know

The Vanpopubs set includes two 2.7-gallon trash cans. Wave a hand above the infrared sensor and the lid opens, if it detects no object, it closes after five seconds. That can be handy when you’re tossing a tissue or wiping up after getting ready and would rather not touch the lid. A button also lets you keep the lid open, though Always Open mode disables the motion sensor. The instructions say the blue light stays on for about a minute before the lid closes automatically, so this mode isn’t a substitute for a lid that stays open indefinitely.

The cans run on AA batteries, with alkaline batteries recommended and carbon-zinc batteries not recommended. After installing batteries, press and hold the power button for 1.5 seconds to turn a can on. A flashing red indicator means the batteries are low. Keep in mind that the sensor requires 23.6 inches of clear space above the can, the listing specifically rules out placement under desks or sinks. That’s a meaningful drawback if your main goal is to tuck a bin out of sight.

Cleaning & care

PP plastic and an IPX5 waterproof rating are intended to make these cans more practical around bathroom splashes and easier to clean. That makes a bathroom counter area or a spot beside a sink a more natural fit than a location where a sensor-equipped lid would be obstructed. The waterproof rating is a stated product specification, not a reason to submerge the can, the description only identifies splash resistance. No liner size or specific cleaning method is provided, so those details are best treated as unknown rather than assumed.

Practical tips

Leave the area above the lid open when choosing a spot, and check that nearby shelves, counters, or cabinet doors won’t interfere with the sensor. For example, next to a bathroom vanity, you could wave your hand over the bin after using a cotton pad, then let the lid shut without having to touch it. In a narrow gap beside a desk, the slim shape may help save floor space, but the overhead clearance requirement still applies.

If you need the lid to remain open while tidying, double-tap the button to enter Always Open mode and double-tap again to return to sensor operation. The battery-powered design also means you’ll need to keep replacement AA batteries on hand, the listing doesn’t specify battery life.

Before you decide

Does the set include one can or two? It is described as a two-pack, with two cans packed together.

Can it go under a sink or desk? The product instructions say no: leave 23.6 inches of clear space above the lid for the sensor.

Can the lid stay open? Yes, the button activates Always Open mode, but the motion sensor is disabled in that mode and the instructions say the lid closes automatically after about a minute.

When it makes sense

It makes sense if you want two compact, touch-free bins for spots such as a bathroom, bedroom, or office, and have room above each lid. Compared with a plain manual-lid bin, the sensor offers hands-free access, compared with a bin you can hide beneath a counter, this one needs more open space overhead. It might not be a great match if under-sink storage is essential or you don’t want to manage batteries. For a visible, splash-prone spot where quick disposal matters more than concealed placement, the two-can format and automatic lid are the main reasons to consider it.