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Whether washing your hands when you come home from work or staying sanitary while cooking, you should reach for your soap dispenser multiple times daily. A soap dispenser can make hand washing more convenient, reduce wasteful single-use bottles of hand soap, and add a decorative yet functional tool to your kitchen or bathroom.
Because there are so many soap dispensers, we collected our favorite products in popular categories, from decorative sets to simple metal dispensers.
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser has a soft, angled pump suitable for one-handed soap dispensing. The base is non-slip, and the side has a clear window so you know when it's low on soap.
If you want a monochrome soap dispenser, this cylindrical pick from Gappo is chrome from top to bottom. It has a narrow footprint and holds about 10 ounces of soap, so it's an ideal option for smaller sinks.
This stainless steel soap dispenser has a clean design and a soft pump. The top lifts off for easy refills, and it has a line inside to let you know when it's full. It is compatible with liquid soap but not foaming soap.
For an affordable stainless steel option, the Gaussra Soap Dispenser has all the features you need in a dispenser. It has a glass container, a stainless steel shell, and a clear bottom that allows you to monitor its soap level.
The BosilunLife Hand Soap Dispenser is a compact ceramic dispenser with a modern design, and it comes in various matte colors to match any room. We appreciate the wide base, pump, and mouth for easy use and refilling.
The Estin Market Stripe Soap Dispenser almost looks like a piece of art. With a bamboo base, hand-painted stripe design, pops of fun color, and a sleek-shaped pump, this dispenser will catch your eye whenever you walk by.
Add a handmade touch to your counter with the JeffersonStreetCo Ceramic Soap & Lotion Dispenser. Each dispenser is handmade and has slight natural variations. Plus, you can also choose from several stoneware glaze colors.
Cylindrical and rectangular soap dispensers are commonplace, but what about a spherical dispenser? The Bechoicen Ceramics Soap Dispenser has a textured, round shape, four available colors, and a gold pump that stands out.
The Jasai Antique Design Soap Dispenser has a vintage design and a stainless steel pump. Because it’s glass, you won't be caught off guard when your dispenser runs out of soap.
Grove Co. Hand Soap Glass Dispenser is a simple, affordable, and reliable sink-side accessory. The classic design seamlessly blends into most bathrooms, with a body of partially recycled glass and a stainless steel pump.
The CB2 Athena Soap Pump is a glass soap dispenser with extra flair. It has an art deco look, with a ribbed design and a polished nickel top. The heavyweight glass ensures it stays upright and it holds up to 8 ounces of liquid soap.
Amber accents can instantly add warmth, and this Kuishi Home Amber Glass Soap Dispenser is no exception. The dispenser is made of 45% recycled glass and has a matte amber color, a trendy alternative to clear glass.
If you want a unique soap dispenser, opt for a handmade, made-to-order design. The AviorPottery Handmade Stoneware Soap Dispenser has a volcano blue, iridescent glaze with multiple hues that change depending on the angle.
You can have flowers year-round with the Topadorn Glass Soap Dispenser Bottle. The clear bottle has a floral pattern that elevates your countertop, and the glass is sturdy so you don’t have to worry about tipping it over.
Brighten up your counter with the SDLumeiy Refillable Soap Dispenser, which comes in a pack of two with seven colors available. The glass dispenser has a diamond-shaped design and a stainless steel pump.
The Anthropologie Bistro Tile Soap Pump is tres chic, with a black and white mosaic design reminiscent of a Parisian cafe. With gold accents, this soap dispenser is a conversation starter for your kitchen or bathroom.
This Simplehuman pick is a stainless steel dispenser that releases just the right amount of soap hands-free and has a no-drip valve so it doesn't leave a puddle of soap. One charge lasts up to three months, so you can set it and forget it.
Say goodbye to frequent refills. The Secura Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser holds up to 17 ounces of liquid soap and has a clear container so you know when to refill. You can place it on the sink or mount it on the wall, and it has a dial to let you choose between six soap volumes.
For an affordable automatic soap dispenser, opt for the RosLaen Automatic Soap Dispenser. This touchless, stainless steel, and cordless dispenser is compact enough to fit in smaller spaces and holds up to 9.5 ounces of liquid soap.
The stainless steel Safe2m Automatic Soap Dispenser has two infrared sensors to detect your hand and three adjustable volume levels you can control from the top of the dispenser. It holds up to 9.5 ounces of liquid soap and is refillable from the top for easy access.
The Williams-Sonoma Hold Everything Soap & Lotion Dispensers are clear and cylindrical, with a zinc alloy and stainless steel pump. Each dispenser holds up to 15.5 ounces of liquid soap, and the bottles are dishwasher safe.
These GalDal Hand Soap Dispensers are made of resin and natural sandstone material, giving them an earthy, matte finish. Whether you choose beige, white, gray, or black, these soap dispensers are an attractive way to hold your soap.
The Rail19 Soap Dispenser Set includes two low-profile glass soap dispensers and a metal caddy. The low-profile rectangular shape has a modern feel, and the glass has enough heft to make the dispensers feel substantial.
Your counter will look like something out of a luxe hotel with this pair of MaisoNovo Glass Soap Dispensers. The dispensers are available in amber, black, or white, and you get a concrete tray and six waterproof labels.
The best soap dispenser for you depends on your needs and preferred type of soap. Manual soap dispensers come in many different styles, designs, and materials and are suitable for liquid hand and dish soap.
Meanwhile, automatic soap dispensers offer touchless operation, which is convenient and can reduce the spread of germs. However, they are more expensive than manual dispensers and require batteries or a power source.
Also, keep in mind that if you want to use foaming soap, you need a soap dispenser with that specific type of pump. The key difference between foaming and regular dispensers? Foaming soap dispensers pump air into the soap, giving it that frothy feel. Standard soaps only dispense the liquid alone (which is typically thicker than a foaming soap).
A soap dispenser usually resides next to the sink, close to the faucet, so the size you choose will depend on how much room you have.
Hand soap dispensers typically range from 9 to 12 ounces, while dispensers made for dish soap or shower toiletries tend to span from 16 to 32 ounces. Laundry detergent dispensers will typically run larger (up to 98 ounces), as the best options are designed to replace the entire bottle that the detergent comes in.
Whatever capacity you opt for will have a primary impact on how frequently you need to refill your pump. For hand and dish soap, minimizing the amount you have to think about refills is ideal—so choosing a generous size that still fits your space is key.
If your soap dispenser is in a high-traffic area (like a main bathroom ), consider a size that doesn’t require constant refilling and still fits within your space. The higher the capacity, the less frequent you'll need to refill.
Soap dispensers come in various materials, which vary in design, durability, and maintenance.
Metal: Metal, such as stainless steel, is durable and has a sleek look that can complement most kitchen and bathroom decor. This material is easy to wipe down and can be lightweight. However, they may be prone to rusting over time if exposed to moisture, according to Toner.
Glass: Glass soap dispensers are stylish and minimal. They also make it easy to tell when to refill your dispenser. Glass is usually heavier, more fragile, and may break if dropped or knocked over.
Ceramic: Ceramic soap dispensers can be more decorative than metal or glass, as they often come in more shapes, styles, and colors. They are more fragile and may chip or break if dropped or knocked over.
Not all soap dispensers are compatible with foaming soap, so we recommend reading the product description carefully if you want foaming soap instead of liquid soap. Foaming soap dispensers usually have a different type of pump because they’re “specifically designed to mix air with liquid soap to create a foamy lather," says Toner.
"While some dispensers come with foaming mechanisms built-in, others may require the use of pre-mixed foaming soap or dilution with water,” she continues. Using foaming soap in a non-compatible soap dispenser may not create enough or any foam.
Soap dispensers should be easy to clean to maintain proper hygiene. “Look for models with removable pump mechanisms or wide openings that allow for thorough cleaning and refilling,” says Toner.
Several options on the list, including the Grove Co. Hand Soap Glass Dispenser and the Kuishi Home Amber Glass Soap Dispenser, have dishwasher-safe bottles, so you can clean them with the rest of your dishes. “Regularly cleaning your soap dispenser with warm, soapy water can help prevent the buildup of bacteria and soap scum,” says Toner.
There’s no set amount of time, but all the soap dispensers we’ve rounded up on this list are designed to stand the test of time. Rust-resistant materials and sturdy pumps play a big role in their longevity. Overall, if properly cleaned and maintained, a soap dispenser could easily last years. For refilling and recharging (or replacing batteries), you’ll likely need to manage that at least once every three months. Certain devices can go longer between refills, depending on their capacity, but most will need to be recharged within that time span.
Soap Stainless Steel This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, she thoroughly researched a variety of soap dispensers based on material, dimensions, and capacity. For expert advice, Lesley spoke with Karina Toner, the operations manager at Spekless Cleaning.