EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin review: "who knew waste disposal could be so smart and stylish?"

Price on writing: £170 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

• Features: 4.5/5

• Ease of use: 4.5/5

• Design: 4.5/5

• Value for money: 3/5

Prior to trying out the EKO Deluxe Phantom, I didn't know quite how much I'd appreciate a sensor-operated bin in my kitchen. With a simple wave, the lid flaps quietly open up, allowing you to throw your waste in before they gently close again, around six seconds later. It was a novelty that initially garnered lots of interest in my house (on the first go, I couldn't help but exclaim "Alohomora" Harry Potter-style as my hand hovered over the sensor). But it's not just a fun feature; it was also very useful for hygiene purposes as you can avoid touching the bin lid every time you need to use it.

The main downside is the cost; £170 is more than I'd usually spend on a kitchen bin. On the plus side, it does feel robust and built to last, and I can see it having a much longer lifespan than my previous basic pedal bin. It's also good for space saving too; it sat neatly under my kitchen counter, yet still held a decent 30-litre capacity.

What is the EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin?

An impressive mix of style and technology, the EKO Deluxe Phantom is a sleek stainless steel bin which features a battery-powered motion sensor for hands-free opening. It also offers a manual touch option for convenience during longer tasks like food prep.

Made with ease of use and durability in mind, the EKO Phantom aims to make everyday waste disposal that little bit easier, and the space-saving design means it'll fit neatly into most kitchen sizes without compromising on capacity.

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How easy is the EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin to set up?

I've never had a kitchen bin that I've had to 'set up' before beyond taking it out of the box and popping a bin bag in it, so I took some time to give the EKO's instructions a thorough read. It was fairly easy to get the bin up and running, though slotting the batteries in was a fiddly process, and I did initially make the mistake of trying to reinsert the battery holder the wrong way round. Once resolved though, it was simple to pop the lid back on the base and start using it straight away.

I liked that it came with a few EKO bin bags to get started, though the six batteries needed to power the bin weren't included, so you do need to factor that into the initial outlay.

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How easy is the EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin to use?

In terms of everyday use, it's very simple to operate. All it needs is a quick wave over the motion sensor and it opens up for just under seven seconds. This is the highlight of the Phantom's design, and unsurprisingly, it was my favourite feature. I despise touching bin lids so I loved being able to hygienically pop stuff in there without needing to put my hands on it.

The motion sensor is positioned on one side of the bin lid, however, so you do need to make sure it's placed on the side you'll use the most in your kitchen for convenience.

There's also an icon you can touch to keep it open, which I found ideal for longer tasks, like having a clear out of my fridge freezer, emptying my vacuum cleaner, or peeling veg over it. Then, there's another one-press icon for closing the lid. Admittedly, this function isn't entirely touch-free, but it's nice to have the option if you don't want to risk the lid closing too soon.

Fitting bin bags in was easy too; both the included EKO and regular supermarket own brand bags were simple to pop in, and there's a handy holder for excess that keeps the bags firmly in place until they're ready to be emptied.

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EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin: design and style

With a luxury, brushed stainless steel design, the Phantom looks exceptionally sleek for a kitchen bin. Who knew waste disposal could be so smart and stylish?

My only grumble on the design front was that although it's finger-print proof, the metallic finish did need a regular wipe down to keep it looking spick and span, and a small, albeit not very noticeable, scratch did occur during testing. That being said, it did get some pretty heavy duty use, and otherwise was in very good condition after a month of extensive use.

It's compact too and slotted neatly into my kitchen without being too obtrusive. While I tested the 30L size, which is ideal for medium-sized households, there's also an option to upgrade to either the 45L or 20L + 20L version - the latter of which is great if you have a small kitchen and want a two-in-one system to fit your recycling in as well as regular rubbish.

Price: does the EKO Phantom Sensor Bin offer value for money?

The high price tag is the biggest drawback of this impressive EKO bin. At £170, there's no denying it's eye-wateringly expensive for something to hold your rubbish, but is it worth splashing out? Well, it depends.

If you're looking for a basic, does-the-job bin, the EKO isn't for you. However, if you can afford the expense and love your mod cons, then I think it's a great buy for a family home. The three-year guarantee is a plus point, giving extra peace of mind that this is a kitchen gadget built to last.

The only thing to bear in mind is that you will need to buy batteries from time to time - though reviewers do say they last a while.

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How we tested

I tested the EKO Deluxe Phantom Sensor Bin in my north London home. During testing, I carefully rated it on its features, ease of use, design, and overall value for money, evaluating how it performed in a real-life kitchen setting.

• Tested in a four-person household over a one-month period

• Used everyday and emptied regularly

• Cleaned regularly during testing

About the author

Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing all home and kitchen content on the website. With numerous years of editorial experience under her belt, her work has also been featured in prestigious national publications like The i Paper and Stylist Magazine, and she's written on a wide range of topics.

As a seasoned reviewer, she's meticulously examined a whole host of kitchen kit for Mumsnet, including everything from the best kettles for hard water to the top slow cookers. With a discerning eye and a hands-on approach to testing, Natasha has developed a rigorous assessment process and knows exactly which products really do make life easier in the kitchen.

When she’s not busy seeking out the best buys and advice for Mumsnetters, you can find her searching for the next best restaurant, watching live music, curling up with a good book, cross-stitching, or enjoying a good hike or swim.

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.

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