logo
logo
  • Home
  • Products & Services
  • How-To
  • House Tours
  • Gardens & Exteriors
  • Kitchens & Baths
  • Interiors & Decors
  • Magazines
  • Buying Guides
    • Attic
    • Basement
    • Bed & Bath
    • Bedroom
    • Cleaning
    • Decks & Patios
    • Dining Room
    • Exterior Design
    • Garage
    • Home Office
    • Kitchen & Dining
    • Outdoor & Garden
    • Living Room
    • Smart Home
    • Home Improvement
    • Utilities

Be prepared this winter with the Westinghouse generator that's 30% off

  • Reviews
  • Bed & Bath

No More Germ-fests; The Best Automatic Soap Dispensers

author-image
By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 17 Jan 2023

Not washing your hands is one way to get sick. Do you want to know another? Using a soap dispenser that everyone touches. As ironic as it may sound, manual soap dispensers are breeding grounds for germs, and given the number of health crises in recent years, you should be taking better hygienic precautions, like using automatic soap dispensers. These new-generation soap dispensers are more hygienic than the old, manual models because you don’t need to push a button or touch them before they work. Instead, all you have to do is place your hand under them, and their sensors will trigger the release of small amounts of liquid soap. The top automatic soap dispensers in 2023 are not difficult to find; in fact, you can begin (and likely end) your search with the options in this buying guide.

Best Overall
logo
Everlasting Comfort Automatic Soap Dispenser
Check On Amazon
Runner-Up
logo
Secura Automatic Soap Dispenser
Check On Amazon
Best Design
logo
Simplehuman Automatic Soap Dispenser
Check On Amazon
Also Consider
logo
Hanamichi Auto Soap Dispenser
Check On Amazon
logo
Umbra Automatic Soap Dispenser
Check On Amazon
Show contents
Here Is the Best Automatic Soap Dispenser of 2023
  • 1 Everlasting Comfort Automatic Soap Dispenser
  • 2 Secura Automatic Soap Dispenser
  • 3 Simplehuman Automatic Soap Dispenser
  • 4 Hanamichi Auto Soap Dispenser
  • 5 Umbra Automatic Soap Dispenser

The Best Automatic Soap Dispensers Buying Guide

What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into the bathrooms of the most opulent hotels, restaurants, or private residences? Perhaps the exquisite interior, clean selfie mirrors, elegant lighting, or sweet aroma? Well, wait until you need to wash your hands, and you’ll discover something even better: an automatic soap dispenser.

These devices are becoming commonplace today, and why not? They are more hygienic and work better than other soap dispensing options; they also look super fancy. Thanks to this buying guide, you don’t have to break the bank or travel miles to get one for your home, office, or business. Simply scroll up to find some great automatic soap dispenser options, or scroll down to find more buying information on these bathroom appliances. It’s that easy! 

What Are Automatic Soap Dispensers?

Automatic soap dispensers are exactly what they sound like: devices that dispense small amounts of liquid soap without users touching them. They are available in portable and highly aesthetic models, making them ideal for bathrooms.

How Do Automatic Soap Dispensers Work?

It’s no news that automatic soap dispensers spritz small amounts of soap solutions without touching them. But how exactly do they work? Well, auto soap dispensers, like almost everything else these days, use various sensor technologies to detect hands and release the soap. So let’s explore some of them.

Photosensors

In this case, a light source in the auto soap dispenser emits a beam of light, and a photosensor is activated when hands disrupt this beam of light. As a result, soap is released.

Radar-based sensors

This type of sensor, like the photosensor, is made up of two parts: an emitter and a collector. The emitter sends out bursts of microwave energy, while the collector watches for a reflection of this energy caused by placing hands near the nozzle. When the collector detects a reflection, it activates the pump, causing controlled amounts of liquid soap to be released.

Passive infrared sensors

This technology detects heat energy from the user’s hands when near the sensor. Basically, a spike in heat (infrared) energy triggers the pump to release the soap.

Maintenance Tips for Automatic Soap Dispensers

  • Corrosion can compromise the integrity and functionality of your soap dispenser, so keep an eye out for it.
  • Remove cigarette burns and other stains with a scouring pad and powder cleaner
  • Clean water stains with a vinegar-water solution
  • Examine the screws and other connections to ensure they are secure
  • Never direct any light source to the sensor from below
  • Reset the amount of soap released using the remote control
  • Check the soap container under the dispenser and refill or unclog as needed
  • Replace the batteries from time to time

Benefits of Automatic Soap Dispensers

Auto soap dispensers have many perks that make them really good investments. Here are some of them:

Reduced cross-contamination

Automatic soap dispensers eliminate the need to operate the device manually. As a result, if no one touches it, there is almost no chance of germ transmission or infection.

Ease of use

You’ll agree that some manual soap dispensers are difficult to operate. Sometimes you have to press the button or pump several times to get the amount of soap you need, and other times they won’t work at all. This is no longer an issue, thanks to automatic soap dispensers. Simply place your hands under the nozzle, and the device will take care of the rest.

Cleaner sinks

Auto soap dispensers deliver the correct amount of soap solution, resulting in fewer soap spills. This not only reduces waste but also cleans your sinks.

Buying Auto Soap Dispensers: Tips and Tricks

You must be very serious about getting an auto soap dispenser if you’ve made it this far in the buying guide. So to bolster your resolve, we’ll highlight some factors to consider when purchasing these devices. This way, you’ll be able to identify and purchase only high-quality models.

Type

There are three types of auto soap dispensers: sink-mounted, wall-mounted, and shower-mounted. The use-cases, in this case, are self-explanatory, so simply select auto soap dispensers based on where you intend to use them. 

Capacity

Capacity (measured in ounces) in auto soap dispensers refers to the amount of soap it can hold at once, which is an essential feature to consider. In this case, the best auto soap dispenser to choose is determined by where you intend to use it and the anticipated number of users. For example, if you intend to install the device in your home for use by a small family, 8-ounce auto soap dispensers are a good choice. However, if the dispenser is for a large restaurant or hotel with many customers, 20-ounce models should suffice.

Soap dose control

The best automatic soap dispensers have controls that allow you to regulate how much liquid soap is released. It is best to purchase automatic soap dispensers with this feature because it aids in managing soap waste.

Design

The best auto soap dispensers are known not only for automatically spritzing soap but also for their elegance. The design of your dispenser can make or break the overall aesthetics of your bathroom, so choose portable and exquisite models. It is also critical to check the color and shape of the dispenser to ensure that it matches your bathroom’s interior design.

Water-resistance

Soap dispensers will always be in contact with water, so it only makes sense to purchase waterproof models that won’t suffer water damage. So, before purchasing an auto soap dispenser, look for a waterproof tag, read product reviews, or ask the salesperson about its waterproof status.

Lather formation

Some auto soap dispensers, known as foam soap dispensers, inject air into liquid soap to create lather when released, whereas others, known as liquid soap dispensers, simply release the liquid soap as it is. Here’s why foam soap dispensers are a great choice:

They produce a thicker lather than liquid soap dispensers, making hand washing more convenient. This thick lather also keeps your hands from getting dry too quickly. And because the lather is frequently diluted, it reduces the risk of allergic reactions or irritations.

Ease of refilling

Eventually, your auto soap dispenser will run out of liquid soap and you’ll have to refill it. You can make this process easy for yourself by buying units with wide openings that make refilling easy. On the other hand, narrow-mouthed auto soap dispensers are not only difficult to refill, but they also waste liquid soap, so avoid them if possible.

Summary

Finding the perfect soap dispenser can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider when purchasing one; however, some people only consider the cost and leave the rest to chance. You can do better by going through the buying information in this guide or choosing one of the listed products in the first section.

Here Is the Best Automatic Soap Dispenser of 2023

1

Everlasting Comfort Automatic Soap Dispenser

– Best Overall
img
Buy on Amazon

This product is one of the best auto soap dispensers available. It dispenses soap using infrared motion technology and has five soap dose levels. This product also has a 17-ounce capacity, and the amount of liquid soap it can hold at once will wash your hands 1400 times. In addition, the Everlasting Comfort automatic soap dispenser is battery-powered and water-resistant, with a sleek design that will complement even the most luxurious interiors.

Pros
  • The motion detection is faster than most
  • It is easy to install and clean
  • It is also easy to refill
Cons
  • The sensor doesn’t detect glass items
2

Secura Automatic Soap Dispenser

– Runner-Up
img
Buy on Amazon

The Secura touchless soap dispenser is not your average soap dispenser. It’s also not one of those with great looks but terrible functionality. The infrared sensors are razor-sharp, and it comes with a soap volume control that allows you to regulate how much soap is released. This wall-mounted auto soap dispenser is suitable for homes, offices, schools, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals due to its versatility. It also has a 17-ounce capacity, which means it can hold enough liquid soap for many users.

Pros
  • It is easy to refill
  • The product is resistant to water damage
  • The dispenser volume control prevents soap wastage
Cons
  • It’s not compatible with granular soap
3

Simplehuman Automatic Soap Dispenser

– Best Design
img
Buy on Amazon

The Simplehuman automatic soap dispenser is your best bet if you’re looking for something a little more futuristic. It has a simple yet elegant design that won’t take up too much sink space. Moreover, unlike most touchless soap dispensers, you can also use this product with hand sanitizer. Amazing, right? Another interesting feature of this product is that it does not require batteries! Instead, you can easily charge it with your USB cord, and each full charge can last up to three months.

Pros
  • It doesn’t cause any messy drips
  • The product is waterproof, which makes cleaning easy
  • It rarely gets clogged
Cons
  • The small, 9-ounce capacity doesn’t make it ideal for busy areas
4

Hanamichi Auto Soap Dispenser

– Also Consider
img
Buy on Amazon

The Hanamichi auto soap dispenser is special because of its tech. It has built-in infrared sensors and PIR sensor technology for precise motion detection and buttons for adjusting soap volume and switching on/off. Furthermore, it is portable and will not take up much of your sink space. One of its most appealing features is its 13.5-ounce capacity, which makes it ideal for use in high-traffic areas such as hotels and restaurants.

Pros
  • The upgraded sensors make its circuits more durable than most
  • It doesn’t waste soap
  • It is compatible with a variety of soap types
Cons
  • The plastic build may be susceptible to damage
5

Umbra Automatic Soap Dispenser

img
Buy on Amazon

Whether it’s liquid soap or hand sanitizer, the Umbra Otto automatic soap dispenser can and will deliver. It has a fluid level indicator and a non-drip spout that prevents spills and clogging. In addition, it comes in a sleek, futuristic build that’ll transform the look of any bathroom. This product also comes in various color options, including black, nickel, white, and white gray.

Pros
  • It is easy to refill
  • The cost is relatively affordable 
  • It dispenses soap faster than most
Cons
  • It is not ideal for granular, foaming, and thick-gel liquid soaps and sanitizers.

Automatic Soap Dispenser FAQ

Q: Can automatic soap dispensers be refilled?

A: Yes All you have to do is pull a lever or push a button (based on the dispenser’s design) to open the lid. Next, pour the liquid soap into the container and close it back.

Q: Do automatic soap dispensers use batteries?

A: Yes.  Many auto soap dispensers run on D.C. power (batteries), which is better because you don’t need electricity for them to function. All you need to do is replace the batteries from time to time.

Q: How much do automatic soap dispensers cost?

A: Since automatic soap dispensers come in different shapes, sizes, and sensor technologies, it is expected that their prices will differ. That said, automatic soap dispensers may cost between $20 and $50.

Bathroom Bathroom Accessories
author-image
By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Related Reviews
img
Bring Luxury to Your Bathroom Using the Best Bidet
img
Make Your Showers Relaxing and Functional With the Best Shower Bench
img
Say Goodbye To Soggy Soaps With the Best Soap Dishes
  • Subscribe to Magazine
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Get Your Company Listed
  • Digital Editions
  • Subscription Services
  • Renew Subscription
  • Give a Gift
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Sister Sites
  • Traditional Building
  • Period Homes
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Log Home Living
  • Woodsmith
  • Timber Home Living
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Horticulture
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Writers Digest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
© 2023 Old House Journal