How to choose a bin
Sensor, pedal, press-top or pull-out
Motion sensor bins open when you wave a hand over the lid, which helps when your hands are messy from cooking. They run on batteries, so there's no cord to plug in. Pedal bins open with your foot and need no power. Slim press-top bins suit bathrooms and narrow gaps, and pull-out bins slide into a kitchen cupboard to keep rubbish out of sight.
Capacity
Sensor bins in this range go up to large sizes like 70L and 82L, which suit busy family kitchens. Bathroom and office bins are much smaller. Bigger bins mean fewer trips outside, but check the size of bin bags that fit.
Material and finish
Stainless steel is the most common material here and wipes clean easily, in silver, black or white. Plastic bins are lighter and cheaper. Foldable bins collapse flat for camping, cars or storage.
Fit and clearance
Check the bin's footprint and the height with the lid open, especially if it sits under a benchtop overhang. For pull-out bins, measure the cupboard's inside width, depth and door opening.
What to spend
Bins start from about $22, with most around $60, and large sensor models costing more. If you're fitting out the kitchen, see kitchen cabinets and kitchenware.