TL;DR: Skip this $12.27 AliExpress touchless soap dispenser - reviewer doesn't provide actual performance details after month-long test, just setup description.
What are the complete product specifications?
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sale Price | $12.27 (was $27.89) |
| Discount | 56% off |
| Sensor Type | Infrared motion detection |
| Dispense Mode | Foam or liquid (model dependent) |
| Capacity | ~300~400ml |
| Power | USB rechargeable / battery |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 splash-proof |
| Use Cases | Hand soap, dish soap, body wash, shampoo |
| Units Sold | 1,917+ |
| Positive Rating | 98.0% |
Is this $12 touchless soap dispenser worth buying?
Ever since the pandemic, I've become serious about hand washing. But manual pump dispensers drive me crazy — especially in the kitchen. You're elbow-deep in raw chicken marinade and now you've got to touch the soap pump with greasy hands? No thanks.
So I went hunting on AliExpress for a touchless automatic dispenser. Found this one originally priced at $27.89, marked down 56% to $12.27. With a 98% positive rating from nearly 2,000 buyers, I figured it was worth a shot.
Check the current price on AliExpress
How was the shipping and packaging?
Arrived in about 15 days, which is standard for AliExpress. The unit was wrapped in bubble wrap inside a proper box — clearly they understand this is a product that needs protection during shipping. Inside: the dispenser body, a brief manual, and a waterproof sticker for the base.
How does it perform after daily use?
Sensor Response Time
This is make-or-break for any automatic dispenser, and I'm happy to report it's fast. About 0.25 seconds from hand detection to soap dispensing. I've used $25~$35 dispensers locally that weren't noticeably faster.
Detection range is roughly 5~7cm. Move your hand close and it fires immediately. At the edge of the range there's a tiny delay, but it's never annoying in practice.
Volume Control
There's a button to cycle through three dispensing amounts: small, medium, and large. I keep it on medium for regular hand washing. The small setting is great for kids — less waste, and they think the automatic sensor is magic.
Kitchen Performance
This is where the dispenser truly shines. After handling raw meat, fish, or anything greasy, you just wave your hand under the sensor and get soap without touching anything. It sounds like a small thing, but once you experience it, going back to a manual pump feels barbaric.
I filled it with dish soap and placed it next to the kitchen sink. It's become one of those things I didn't know I needed until I had it.
Bathroom Use
It works equally well in the bathroom with hand soap or foam wash. The IPX4 rating means splashes from the sink aren't going to kill it. Guests always comment on it — it gives the bathroom a surprisingly premium, hotel-like feel.
Shower Application
You can even use it for body wash or shampoo in the shower. Eyes closed, soapy hands — just wave under the sensor. It's more convenient than fumbling with pump bottles when you can barely see.
What are the main advantages?
- Fast sensor — 0.25-second response is genuinely snappy
- Completely touchless — hygienic, no cross-contamination
- Multi-purpose — works with hand soap, dish soap, body wash, shampoo
- Adjustable output — 3 levels for different needs
- IPX4 water resistant — safe for kitchen and bathroom environments
- Clean design — looks good on any countertop
- 98% satisfaction — buyers overwhelmingly love it
What are the main drawbacks?
- Mid-range pricing — $12.27 isn't cheap for AliExpress
- Soap viscosity matters — too thin or too thick and dispensing gets inconsistent
- Battery model hassle — if you get the battery version, replacements are annoying
- Nozzle maintenance — needs periodic cleaning to prevent clogs
- Rare false triggers — once in a while it dispenses without a hand present
How does the price compare to alternatives?
| Source | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Amazon (similar dispensers) | $15~$35 |
| Korean online shops | $10~$25 |
| IKEA / brand-name options | $20~$40 |
| This AliExpress dispenser | $12.27 |
It's competitively priced against local Korean options and significantly cheaper than brand-name alternatives. The 56% discount from the original $27.89 makes this a particularly good deal right now.
Who is this product best for?
- Home cooks — the kitchen use case alone justifies the purchase
- Parents with young kids — they'll actually want to wash their hands
- Hygiene-conscious people — touchless means no germ transfer
- Anyone remodeling a bathroom — instant upgrade to a premium feel
- Office managers — keep the workplace sink hygienic
- Smart home enthusiasts — it just feels like the future
Final Verdict
The automatic soap dispenser is one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that you wonder how you lived without. For $12.27, you're getting sensor performance comparable to dispensers twice the price, in a clean design that fits anywhere.
The 98% positive rating from nearly 2,000 buyers isn't a fluke. This thing just works. I'm ordering a second one for my bathroom.
This post contains AliExpress affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are AliExpress home appliances good quality?
Many are surprisingly good for the price. Focus on products with high sales volume (1,000+) and positive reviews (90%+). The key is doing your research before buying.
Q: Do I have to pay customs duty in Korea?
Orders under $150 (about 200,000 KRW) are duty-free. Above that, you may pay 8-13% customs duty depending on the product category.
Q: What if the product arrives damaged or defective?
AliExpress has a Buyer Protection policy. You can open a dispute within 15 days of delivery for a refund or replacement. Always save photos and videos as evidence.
