Customer Reviews

Nine Stars Touchless Automatic Motion Sensor Trash Can, Set of 2

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I received the two trash cans, and was able to set them up pretty quickly. However there was a mistake in the description that caused me to rush out to get new batteries. The description said that BOTH trash cans operate on D batteries, so I had those ready. However this is not so. The large Trash Can operates on three C batteries (see photo of the trash can lid upside down), and the small Trash Can operates on four D batteries.

I am attaching 5 photos that I will be referencing in this review.

LARGE TRASH CAN

Photo #1 shows the trash can open and closed.

The outside dimensions of the large trash can with the cover on are:
18" height x 16" width x 11" depth
The inside dimensions of the large trash can with the cover off:
22" height x 15.5" width x 10" depth
The tall can with the lid open is 37 inches
The trash bag that fits this can best is 13 gallon trash bag. My favorite is Kirkland 13 gallon Kirkland Signature Drawstring Kitchen Trash Bags - 13 Gallon - Xl Size - 200 Count

The big Trash Can operates on three "C" batteries. The battery compartment is under the cover. The battery compartment is easy to reach, and batteries are easy to change. The switch to turn on the Trash Can is also under the cover. Photo #2 of the Trash Can cover upside down.

The Trash Can comes with a removable waste basket. The Trash Can automatic opening mechanism is rather sensitive but I am able to walk by it in my small kitchen without activating it. The cover operates smoothly and closes well preventing odors from escaping.

The Trash Can comes with a handy ring, which allows you to neatly tuck in the trash bag inside the can. Photo #3 shows the ring positioned correctly and incorrectly. The first time I put it on the trash bag was visible on the outside. The correct way of using the ring is to insert the bag into the ring, fold the sides of the bag over the ring, place the ring on the sides of the waste basket inside the Trash Can and tuck in the sides of the bag between the basket and the Trash Can.

The two problems I encountered are related to the batteries.

(1) Wrong size specified in description as I mentioned earlier
(2) I normally prefer to use rechargeable AA batteries with jackets that convert them to C or D batteries as needed. However the construction of the large Trash Can is such that the batteries with jackets do not make proper contact in the compartment and are ejected. The regular "C" batteries work fine.

SMALL TRASH CAN

Photo #4 show the small Trash Can opened and closed.

The outside dimensions of the small trash can with the cover on are:
13" height x 10.5" width - 6" depth
The inside dimensions of the small trash can with the cover off:
11" height x 9" width x 5" depth
The small can with the lid open is 20 inches
The trash bag that fits this can best is 4 gallon trash bag. My favorite is Glad 4 gallon due to its nice thickness Glad Small Garbage Bags, 4 Gallon 30 bags.
Note that Amazon price for 4 gallon trash bags currently is not good, I purchase my bags at a local grocery store (where the cost works out to 5 cents per bag). Amazon price often changes hopefully per bag price will help you determine when the price becomes good.

The small Trash Can operates on four "D" batteries. The battery compartment is located on the bottom, under the waste basket. The battery compartment is a little awkward to reach since you need to have both hands into a fairly small tight tall area. Changing batteries of this Trash Can is harder than those of the large Trash Can. The switch that turns the Trash Can on is on the outside, in the back of the Trash Can.

The small Trash Can is little less sensitive than the large one, which I thought was okay since in the tight space of the bathroom it is better that it does not react all the time. It comes with a removable waste basket.

The small Trash Can has no ring to hold the garbage bag, and the fit between the removable waste basket and the Trash Can itself is very tight. I had trouble keeping the bag inside between the walls of the inside and outside container. I wound up using scotch tape to tape the sides of the bag to the can so it is not pushed up as I insert the basket back into the Trash Can. When I looked at the instructions, the instructions showed the use without the trash can liner. However, this is not practical as the inside of the bin is going to start smelling bad without the liner. When I closed the Can the trash bag taped to the basket was still bunching a bit at the lip level, and therefore the lid did not close tightly. This means some ordors will escape. Photo #5 show close up of the top the Can with lid open.

The three issues I encountered with the small Trash Can:

(1) The difficulty of inserting the trash bag. I can see that it will require fussing with it every time.
(2) The lid does not close tightly because trash liner is pushed up by bunched up liner
(3) I normally prefer to use rechargeable AA batteries with jackets that convert them to C or D batteries as needed. However the construction of the small Trash Can is such that the batteries with jackets do not make proper contact in the compartment and are ejected. The regular "D" batteries work fine.

As I was doing research on this product before the purchase, I found a comment by H.Campbell that described how to solve a problem when the lid does not fully open even after the battery has been changed. This comment was one of several comments and was easy to miss. I am including the solution in this review so it is easier to find as several people mentioned this problem.

Resetting the lid mechanism after the battery change:

PROBLEM: The lid only opens 1 inch even after a battery change.
SOLUTION: Manually push the lid into the fully open position and then forced the lid back a little bit more until you hear two clicks from the hinge area. Release the lid (it will go back into the closed position). From there on the automatic lid opener will works like new, going into the fully open position, as before.

Overall I am pleased with the Trash Cans. The small issues I encountered with each are not deal breakers. The Trash Cans look good, and open and close well.

Update 6/30/11

After two weeks of using the trash cans I have two tips

1) The tall trash can was opening more than I preferred. I have a small kitchen and often when I walked by it would opened and the trash odor escaped. I found that if I turn the trash can around to face the wall it is totally not sensitive when I walk by and it is still convenient to to use and not bad looking.

2) It is difficult to put the trash liner into a small can because the fit between the waste basket and the trash can is very tight. However fitting the liner is a bit easier if you flip the handle of the waste basket forward (or totally remove it).

I am enjoying the convenience of touch-less trash cans! It is like having a helpful hand whenever I need it. Recommend!

Ali Julia review

P.S. As of 12/15/2011 Both cans are still running on the same set of batteries (6 months)

I bought this set from Costco around a year ago to replace my old trash can and we love this product. At first I was uncertain about the battery life, but I've only had to replace the batteries once in the entire year of owning this. The sensor isn't too sensitive and I haven't had any problems with it not responding when it should, although we do clean off the top at least once a week when cleaning the house. People who come to visit always get a small scare at the trash can opening on its own when they go to throw something away which is always fun to watch. The smaller can is a nice bonus that we use in the bathroom, although the handle on that one can get in the way when I go to empty the trash bucket inside and put it back in, but other than that this product has been excellent.

Nice package, although the item I replaced from the same series had a faster reaction time than this one when approaching the sensor light. But then again, the previous one opened too quickly at the slightest motion in front of it. So, perhaps this model works out fine. Also the battery holder has been improved quite a bit. Much easier to replace batteries on this set. Yes, I'm pleased with them.

I was very disappointed with our trashcan. The lid stopped opening all the way after less than a year and now it barely opens an inch. Even worse than that is trying to reach someone at Nine Stars. Despite numerous phone calls, I have never ever EVER been able to reach a real person, generally the voicemail box that I am directed to is "Full" and one the 2 occasions where I was able to leave a message, no one ever returned my call. I wouldn't waste your money--get a foot pedal one instead.

I consider myself an intermediate-advanced user of trash containers. I often have things that I want to throw out, and usually place them in trash cans. I would say that I have thrown out maybe 5-10 items per day for the past 15-20 years or so. Maybe more.

That being said, I am not easily impressed. I have placed my garbage in many different sized containers, and might I say that this is a nice container. It has a shiny outside so that you can see a bended version of your legs when you stand in front of it, and it shows your face is you go up close to it. I am not sure if it would work as a mirror though, which is disappointing, because then I wouldn't need both. I think it is very unlikely that mirrors will ever replace garbage cans, but perhaps if the can were shinier it could make conventional mirrors obsolete.

All in all, I would put my trash in here with confidence. A warning: then sensor can be activated from the inside, so beware if throwing out things that are still moving.

Bought my first one of these from Costco about 4 years ago. My daughter had undergone a stem cell transplant and we were quite gem conscious. We named it "Oscar" and my 3 year old granddaughter was very intimidated by it. Later I bought a second one and my daughter also bought one. They have been wonderful, with one exception... If they ever get overfilled and the lid tries to close unsuccessfully, they're history. They get stuck in a mode where they just open/close, open/close, open/close. I've called the company and they say to turn the unit off for 5 minutes or remove the batteries for 5 minutes and it should reset - doesn't work.
They are built tough, are heavy (but not too heavy), and look very attractive. If you have desire to do garbage "germ-free" and won't overstuff the can (beware of teenagers) you probably will like this product.

This set was a surprising reward to me after getting it setup. Setup was a simple as opening a box and putting in 4 D batteries in each can. I had to laugh at me when attempting to get the little one to work. I searched all over the can to find the On Button. Then I heard this voice next to me say "look on the back" and there is was as big and bright as anyone could expect. That and that alone was the biggest issue about these cans.

While I am with the little one permit a short it works and works well. It is sitting next to me as I click away and it is waiting for me to feed it but with the top closed and the red light off. The moment I get close to the motion device it turns red and opens its mouth to get fed. I keep a plastic bag in it; however, I believe when I remove it I will not include the bag. The inside container is removable and has so few dirt collecting points that a bag is redundant. We'll see and if excluding the bag creates a problem I will update this to include that information and now it is just the perfect little gizmo for a tidy workplace. Can on tghe left, shredder on the right and everything else in front of me. Unlike other cans that held the space this one has clean lines and just looks like a quality product and it is indeed a quality product. It just a can but more than that. It is a no smell can of high quality.

The Big Mouth can is a fun can sorta. The lines are clean and the top works well. Ours is placed in a position that we cannot help but open the top almost every time one of us walks by. If the dogs are nearby they can't help but see and hear the top which leads to their barking. Thank goodness they have not attacked yet. It holds a 13 gallon bag with ease and the manner in which it's placed provides for no parts of the bag hanging out. Before I forget the one element of the design I would consider changing is placing a small hole on the bottom so that the plastic bag could be removed with ease instead of its not wanting to come out because the bag is so full. This hole would have to be one that opened only to the inside. That way should any liquid accidentally get in the bottom of the can it would stay in the can and not go onto the floor. I thought the batteries would not last any time; however, after constant use neither can has had to have its batteries replaced.

Bottom Line: Two perfect trash cans that will enhance the appearance of almost any kitchen and provide practicality congruently. If kitchen space permits the small can would be perfect for use as a wet garbage can since the inner liner is solid and waterproof. This is just a fine set and I would buy it again without hesitation.

The infrared sensor works well. Once I learned where the zone was, it was easy to use. I really like not having to touch the trash can. The only possible downside might be the battery life. I have not owned it long enough to know how long the batteries will last.

I first became aware of a similar product at a friend's house I was visiting. It was more rectangular than the more oval unit I ordered, but functionally it worked very well indeed. The only downside was full bag removal was not as easy and troublefree as the unit I'm reviewing here.

Bottom line, we are extremely pleased with both products in the two pack. One unexpected benefit is we find the auto opening covers more pet proof. Our golden retriever would actually step on the foot pedal of our previous kitchen can and open it to forage in. Now he leaves it alone because while the can will open for him, he doesn't like it closing on his snout. The smaller unit is used in one of our bathes, replacing an open container. Here again, he has stopped foraging at that can for the same reason. We're planning to order several more for our other bathes.

I had another touch-less can (itouchless), which I also reviewed and gave 1 star. So why buy another, well in general this got good reviews, but the price of this being a stainless steel can, that also has a bonus can made it worth the risk of further disappointment. Well, I just got it so I can't really comment on the dependability. However I can compare the two, the first thing is the shape it is much wider making it much easier to throw larger things out. Second though the battery compartment is also under the lid on this model (which was why the itouchless broke) unlike the itouchless model it feels more secure, and uses 3 C batteries instead of 4 D batteries which puts much less weight on the compartment cover. Oddly the smaller one does use 4 D batteries, but rather smartly it is on the floor of the can ensuring it can never break from the force of gravity. Other than that it works, one person had on here had a similar problem as me, that I had with the itouchless, where the opening spring broke, hopefully that won't happen here. Right now I am very happy and if you are comparing the two different types for purchase, I think this one is a much better value, not just because of the extra can but because of the better design. (update) There is one major design flaw the on/off switch is located under the lid near the battery compartment making turning this thing off a hastle. Mine is located near my washing machine and I wish I could just turn it off when loading things in, because it keeps opening when clothes pass the sensor. This is also a hastle when you need to change bags and it keeps opening. However, these are minor compaints and it still works great.