Hand-Washing Doesn’t Have to Be Boring—Shop Our Favorite Soap Dispensers (2025)

A soap dispenser isn't likely the first thing you think about when styling a kitchen or bathroom. It's a simple tool, often overlooked—until you encounter a faulty one.

I learned this the hard way after buying a matching set of stylish, embossed resin soap dispensers that looked perfect by my bathroom sink—at first. Within a few months, the resin around the necks started to crumble, and one eventually gave out completely, leaving a gritty mess behind.

The right dispenser should be built to last. It also needs to enhance your kitchen or bathroom’s functionality, keep countertops tidy, and improve hygiene. Whether you’re seeking the touch-free convenience of an automatic model, wrapping up a bathroom remodel, or are tired of constantly knocking over a plastic bottle of dish soap, we’ll help you find the best soap dispenser for your space that not only looks great but actually does its job.

Best Manual Soap Dispensers

Manual soap dispensers are the best choice for simplicity, affordability, and minimal maintenance. They don’t rely on batteries or sensors, making them suitable for any bathroom or kitchen. These classic pump-style dispensers are operated by hand, giving you control over how much soap is dispensed with each press.

Perfect for people who want something practical yet stylish, manual dispensers come in a wide range of designs and materials to blend in with or match other bathroom accessories, like farmhouse-inspired glass bottles or sleek, modern silhouettes.

They're also an excellent option for households looking to reduce plastic waste, since you can use them with refillable bulk soaps, as well as dish soap and most lotions.

Best Foaming Soap Dispensers

Foaming soap dispensers mix air with liquid soap, creating a lightweight lather that’s easy to spread across hands. They’re especially popular in family bathrooms or guest powder rooms thanks to their gentle feel and mess-free performance.

To function properly, foaming dispensers require a specific type of soap (a diluted liquid soap solution). They can help reduce product usage and make handwashing more efficient since the light lather from foaming soap encourages shorter rinses, thus reducing water use. Our recommended models below offer aesthetic charm and practical performance for a price that won’t break the bank.

Best Automatic Soap Dispensers

If hygiene and convenience are your top priorities, automatic soap dispensers are worth the investment. These touchless models rely on infrared motion sensors to detect when your hand is placed underneath, which helps reduce the spread of germs and makes them especially appealing in shared or high-traffic bathrooms. They’re also ideal for anyone with limited hand mobility, since you don’t have to push down on a pump.

Most automatic dispensers are battery-powered—usually with a couple of AA or AAA batteries—though some more premium options are rechargeable. You can find models that work with gel soap or foaming soap, and that hold between 10 and 15 ounces of product, which is enough to last through several weeks of regular handwashing.

Automatic dispensers tend to cost more upfront than manual pumps, but they make up for it in convenience. I rely on the simplehuman 9-ounce touch-free automatic pump in both my primary bathroom and kitchen. They’re easy to refill and come in a variety of finishes to match your space—I have the sleek matte black and the eye-catching white model, both of which resist grime and fingerprints, so they don’t need frequent wipe downs. A single charge lasts around three months, and the silicone valve closes cleanly after each use to keep drips to a minimum.

Best Mounted Soap Dispensers

Mounted soap dispensers can be installed directly to your wall, tile, or backsplash, making them ideal for small bathrooms or for anyone trying to maximize countertop space and reduce clutter.

Wall-mounted designs are often used in commercial or hospitality settings. In fact, my gym uses the simplehuman single wall mount soap dispenser in its showers. It features a wide opening at the top for mess-free refills, is built with rustproof materials for long-term durability, and offers a generous 15-ounce capacity, so the staff doesn’t have to top it off constantly.

However, mounted soap dispensers are also a decent option for busy households and those seeking a more permanent fixture. Models like the YNESOER Automatic Foaming Soap Dispenser combine hands-free operation with the sleekness of wall-mounting, while other manual dispensers, like the Umbra Penguin Wall Pump, make it easy to pump out large quantities of soap for washing heavily soiled dishes.

Best Kitchen Soap Dispensers

Kitchen soap dispensers have slightly different requirements than those generally used in bathrooms. In the kitchen, your dispenser needs to withstand frequent use, greasy hands, and potentially thicker dish soaps. That’s why many of the best kitchen models are made from durable materials like stainless steel, ceramic, and even concrete, and feature easy-to-clean exteriors that won’t degrade over time.

Durable, one-handed pump-style options like the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser feature nonslip bases and clean lines that blend effortlessly into modern kitchens. But for something more unique, the Polished Jar Handcrafted Raw Concrete Kitchen Soap Dispenser brings a handcrafted look that can elevate any space.

These dispensers arguably offer the most variety, with designs ranging from sleek and functional to highly decorative. We suggest opting for a soap dispenser that has at least a 10-ounce capacity.

How We Picked the Soap Dispensers

We selected the best soap dispensers by focusing on aesthetics, durability, ease of use, and functionality. Products included in this guide stood out due to their exceptional user reviews, reliable construction, and stylish yet versatile designs suitable for a wide range of decor. When possible, we factored in our personal experience as well.

For automatic models, we also noted battery life and any adjustable settings. While we awarded bonus points for budget-friendly dispensers, we prioritized options that effectively balanced style, durability, and lasting performance over cost alone.

What to Look for in a Soap Dispenser

Materials and Design

The soap dispenser’s construction significantly impacts its durability and style. Glass dispensers like the JASAI Clear Glass Soap Dispenser offer elegance and the ability to see how much soap remains while simultaneously complementing chic bathrooms. Alternatively, metal and concrete dispensers, like The Polished Jar Handcrafted Raw Concrete Kitchen Soap Dispenser, bring a contemporary, durable touch to your kitchen or bathroom.

Amber bottles, like those popularized by upscale restaurants and brands such as Aesop, are especially trendy and give off an apothecary-inspired look. However, their tinted design can make it harder to tell when it's time for a refill. For a similar aesthetic, consider the UUJOLY Amber Foaming Soap Dispenser, which pairs that classic amber tone with the addition of a foaming pump.

Manual vs. Automatic Soap Dispensers

While manual soap dispensers like the OXO Good Grips Soap Dispenser offer straightforward, dependable operation to complement your bathroom faucets, automatic soap dispensers provide superior hygiene and convenience. Automatic options, such as the simplehuman Touch-Free Automatic Rechargeable Sensor Pump and the Secura Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser, dispense a respectable amount of soap effortlessly while reducing the transmission of germs.

Additionally, it's important to check what type of soap each dispenser supports. Some are designed specifically for gel soaps, and others are only compatible with diluted foaming soap formulas.

Size and Capacity

Consider your dispenser’s capacity and factor in how frequently it will be used. High-traffic areas and kitchens will benefit from a larger capacity model like the simplehuman 16 oz. Pulse Pump, and reduce the need for frequent refills. For powder rooms, smaller capacities such as the 10-ounce OXO Good Grips Soap Dispenser should suffice.

Lastly, soap dispensers typically have a tiny footprint, so they’ll fit on most countertops without issue. For homes with pedestal sinks, narrow vanities, and minimal shelf space, it may be worth double-checking the dimensions to ensure the dispenser can fit and function properly—or consider a wall-mounted option like the Umbra Penguin Wall Pump.

But if you're tight on counter space, pairing a soap dispenser with a bathroom tray or small organizer can help reduce clutter and keep everything organized and in reach.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Brandon Carte has over a decade of experience testing and researching consumer products. He is someone who knows that even the smallest details, like a soap dispenser, can have a big impact on your living space. He has covered bathroom hardware, towel warmers, and vanities, and recently remodeled his own bathroom, giving him a practical perspective on balancing style and function.

For this guide, he thoroughly evaluated more than 75 soap dispensers, analyzed thousands of customer reviews and online discussions, and is likely one of the few people who can confidently say he has read an instruction manual for a soap dispenser. He uses the simplehuman rechargeable soap dispenser daily and admits he still accidentally triggers it when cleaning the counter, despite knowing for over a year that there’s a power switch on its backside.