Royal Bin® vs EKO: Self-Sealing vs the Mirage-T Sensor Can
The EKO Mirage-T is the sensor can the roundups love: 50 liters (13 gallons) for $89.99 to $99.99, a fast sensor, and a soft-close lid. It is a good motion-sensor trash can. It is not a self-sealing one. EKO's own published bag-change process is four manual steps, and that is the whole story of this comparison: the Royal Bin® 17L ($199) automates the bag itself, sealing the full one and loading a fresh one, while the Mirage-T automates only the lid.
At a glance
| Royal Bin® 17L | EKO Mirage-T (50L) | EKO Mirage-X (80L) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $89.99 to $99.99 | $109.99 |
| Capacity | 17L | 50L (13 gal) | 80L (21.1 gal) |
| Seals the bag for you | Yes | No | No |
| Loads a fresh bag | Yes, automatically | No | No |
| Controls | Touchscreen plus motion sensor | Motion sensor | Motion sensor |
| Power | Rechargeable battery, USB-C | 4 AA batteries | 4 AA batteries |
| Bags | SmartRing™ refills, up to 25 bags per ring | Standard bags fit; fitted Code F bags available | Standard bags fit; fitted Code G bags available |
| Warranty | Lifetime | No duration published on EKO's US store | No duration published on EKO's US store |
Where EKO genuinely wins
Price and capacity, clearly. A 13-gallon Mirage-T costs half what a Royal Bin® 17L does, and the 80-liter Mirage-X ($109.99) is one of the biggest sensor cans sold. EKO cans take standard 13-gallon bags (their own FAQ confirms the fit), and their fitted Code F bags run about $0.23 to $0.25 each in bulk, cheaper per bag than a SmartRing™. The Deluxe Mirage-T ($99.99) adds a deodorizer compartment for carbon filters and scent pods. If your priorities are a big can, a low price, and bags from any store, EKO is the honest pick.
The sealing difference
EKO publishes its bag change as a process you do yourself: remove the lid, lift the liner ring, secure a regular bag around the ring, replace the lid. No EKO model heat-seals the bag or reloads a fresh one; the liner ring in their copy is a bag holder, not a sealing system. The Royal Bin® removes that whole routine. When the bag is full, it seals it shut inside the bin and loads the next bag from its SmartRing™. You lift out a closed bag and never tie one.
Power and warranty
The Mirage-T runs on 4 AA batteries (EKO claims up to 8 months per set) with no rechargeable or plug-in option published. The Royal Bin® recharges over USB-C. On warranty, the gap is about what is written down: EKO's US store publishes no warranty duration on the product pages we checked (their UK store lists 3 years on its sensor line), while every Royal Bin® carries a lifetime warranty, stated plainly.
Odor, two ways
The Deluxe Mirage-T treats odor with a deodorizer compartment: charcoal filter kits at $9.99 for two and scent pods at $14.99, each pod lasting up to 45 days per EKO. The Royal Bin® treats odor by sealing it inside a closed bag the moment the bin is full. One approach manages odor in an open can on an ongoing consumables tab; the other removes the odor source in a sealed bag.
Comparing brands? Start with our guide to the best self-sealing trash cans, or see Royal Bin® vs simplehuman, Royal Bin® vs TOWNEW, Royal Bin® vs Airdeer, and Royal Bin® vs Ninestars.
FAQ
Does EKO make a self-sealing trash can?
No. Based on EKO's own product pages and published bag-change steps, no EKO model seals the bag or loads a fresh one. The bag change is a four-step manual process, and their liner ring holds a regular bag in place.
What does the EKO Mirage-T cost and run on?
The Mirage-T (50 liters, 13 gallons) is $89.99 to $99.99 on EKO's US store depending on finish, and the Deluxe version is $99.99. It runs on 4 AA batteries, which EKO says last up to 8 months. The Royal Bin® 17L is $199 and recharges over USB-C.
Does EKO publish a warranty?
EKO's US store does not publish a warranty duration on the product pages we checked; its UK store lists 3 years across its sensor line. The Royal Bin® carries a lifetime warranty.
Do EKO cans need special bags?
No. Standard 13-gallon bags fit, per EKO's own FAQ, and EKO also sells fitted coded bags (Code F runs about $0.23 to $0.25 per bag in bulk). The Royal Bin® uses SmartRing™ refill rings at about $0.28 to $0.50 per bag, and in exchange the bag seals and reloads itself.
How does each can handle odor?
The Deluxe Mirage-T has a deodorizer compartment for carbon filters and scent pods (pods $14.99, up to 45 days each). The Royal Bin® seals each full bag shut, trapping odor inside the bag instead of treating it in the can.
Which is better for a kitchen?
For capacity and price, the Mirage-T or the 80-liter Mirage-X. For never touching the bag, the Royal Bin® system: the 17L seals and reloads itself, and for kitchens and big households the Ultra 30L ($349) runs the same system at kitchen size.
Sources
ekousa.com product pages for the Mirage-T, Deluxe Mirage-T, Mirage-X, and Phantom lines, plus EKO FAQ and bag pages, checked October 10, 2026 (UK store ekohome.co.uk for the warranty comparison). Trash King® facts from trashkingstore.com product and policy pages. Prices and terms change; each brand's own page is the final word for its products.
