Brabantia Bo Hi Recycling Touch Bin review: is this premium bin worth the splurge?

Price on writing: £179 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

Before trying the Brabantia Bo Hi, I honestly never expected a kitchen bin to make any kind of statement. But with its sleek monochrome design, raised legs and high-quality build, it manages to be both practical and surprisingly stylish. The elevated design doesn’t just look good either - it also makes the bin easier to use and clean underneath, which is a small but very appreciated bonus.

The soft-touch lid opens with minimal effort and closes quietly, containing odours effectively. And while it doesn’t offer motion sensor functionality like the EKO Phantom I previously tested, it still feels hygienic and very intuitive to use. The two 30L inner buckets also make recycling and general waste separation effortless, and they both lift out easily when it’s time to empty.

Overall, this is a bin for those who want more than basic functionality. It’s designed to blend seamlessly into contemporary kitchens and has clearly been built with longevity in mind, backed up by a reassuring 10-year warranty. If aesthetics and engineering matter to you (even in a bin!), the Brabantia Bo is our top pick.

How easy is the Brabantia Bo Hi Recycling Touch Bin to set up?

Because the Bo Hi stands on legs, I was bracing myself for a bit of DIY (which is not my strong suit!), but it was surprisingly straightforward to set up. All I needed to do was attach the legs - no screwdriver required - and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. The whole process took just a few minutes from start to finish.

Read next: Best dishwashers

How easy is the Brabantia Bo Hi to use?

The soft-touch lid opens gently and closes smoothly, and I found it did a great job of sealing in any unpleasant pongs. While a motion sensor would make it fully touch-free and a little more hygienic, the manual mechanism is still very easy to use and feels sturdy.

Both inner buckets lift out smoothly and are easy to empty. I was also happy to discover that supermarket bin bags fit well. The Brabantia liners are definitely the best fit, but the cheaper alternatives still work perfectly fine. I liked that the bin came with a few Brabantia bags to get started, which was a nice touch, but I switched to budget liners afterwards.

Read next: Best integrated dishwashers

Brabantia Bo Hi Bin: design and style

Without a doubt, this is one of the most stylish bins I’ve tested. The elevated design gives it a furniture-like presence and stops it looking clunky. The monochrome finish is contemporary, and it doesn’t attract fingerprints - a common annoyance I've had with metallic bins in the past.

Brabantia Bo Hi Recycling Bin: cleaning and maintenance

Overall, the Bo Hi is easy to keep clean. The exterior wipes down well, and thanks to the elevated legs, it’s also simple to clean underneath the bin. The inner buckets are removable, which makes maintenance straightforward, although they are quite deep - so if any grime builds up at the bottom, I found it awkward to reach in properly.

Price: is the Bo Hi Recycling Touch Bin worth it?

At £179, the Bo is undeniably expensive - especially for a non-sensor-operated bin. If you’re simply after something functional to hold rubbish, this likely isn’t worth the investment. However, if you value premium home design and want a bin that compliments your kitchen rather than detracts from it, the cost may feel more justifiable - especially when you factor in the the generous 10-year warranty.

Best for: Style-conscious households willing to invest in quality design and convenience.
Avoid if: You’re on a tight budget or just want something practical without the flourishes.

How we tested

I tested the Brabantia Bo Hi Recycling Touch Bin in my home in Hertfordshire over a three-month period, using it daily. Testing covered everyday kitchen waste as well as regular recycling, with frequent emptying and cleaning to assess durability and practicality over time.

The bin was then evaluated against MNHQ’s core home review criteria (each scored out of 15):

• Performance

• Quality and durability

• Ease of use

• Value for money

I also rated it out of 10 for these bin-specific measures:

• Capacity

• Lid mechanism

• Odour control

• Ease of cleaning

These results were then combined to give an total score out of 100, which informed the overall star rating.

About the author

Natasha Gregson is Mumsnet’s in-house expert on all things home. With years of editorial experience and a knack for assessing performance, ease of use and value for money, Natasha makes sure every recommendation is grounded in both rigorous research and real-life insight. Her work has also been featured in national titles including The i Paper and Stylist.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.