Which model is “the” 21-gallon Ninestars
Three current SKUs carry the 21-gallon label, and they aren’t interchangeable in price or feature set.
| Model | Differentiator | Batteries (manufacturer) | Price band observed | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DZT-80-4 | Oval stainless base, standard sensor lid, most widely stocked | 3 D | $67.90 to $119.72 (Home Depot); $103.69 (Walmart) | Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart, Staples, Quill |
| DZT-80-35 | Oval stainless base, brushed “Deluxe” silver lid | 3 D, per the manufacturer’s manual | $77.99 to $98.99 (Walmart) | Walmart, Amazon |
| DZT-80-24 | Adjustable sensor range, stainless base, silver lid | Not stated on the manufacturer’s own current listing | Not stable at time of writing; check live listing | Amazon |
The DZT-80-24 is the only one with a genuinely different mechanical feature, an adjustable sensor range, instead of just a lid-finish change. Its battery count wasn’t published anywhere captured for this page.
What size trash bags actually fit a 21-gallon Ninestars can?
Verified buyers report 33-gallon bags fit the DZT-80-4 without issue, and at least one used 36-gallon bags. Nine Stars’ FAQ separately confirms any standard extra-large or 30-gallon bag from another brand works.
Specifications and the dimension mismatch
Four sources give four different dimension sets for the DZT-80-4, and a customer flagged the inconsistency directly on the brand’s own retail page.
| Source | Depth | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot spec table | 18.11 in | 14 in | 29.5 in |
| Nine Stars, written Q&A reply, Nov 5, 2025 | 17.99 in | 14.02 in | 28.62 in |
| Walmart listing | 18.3 in | 14.8 in | 26.8 in |
| trashcansunlimited.com | 18.1 in | 14 in | 28.5 in |
Height swings by more than two inches across sources. A customer asked Home Depot directly why the listed depth exceeds the width; Nine Stars answered with a third set of numbers instead of correcting the original table. For a tight alcove, plan around the shortest reported height, 26.8 in, not a single source’s figure.
Batteries: the manual versus the retail copy
| Source | Model | Battery claim |
|---|---|---|
| Nine Stars manual, ManualsLib | DZT-80-4 | 3 D batteries |
| Amazon, current listing | DZT-80-4 | 3 D batteries, “two-year support program” |
| Home Depot, “About This Product” text | DZT-80-4 | 4 D batteries |
| Home Depot Q&A, Nine Stars rep reply | DZT-80-4 | 3 D batteries |
| Walmart listing | DZT-80-4 | 4 D batteries |
The manual and Amazon’s own listing agree on 3 D batteries. Home Depot’s sales copy says 4, but its own support reply on the identical page says 3: an internal contradiction, not just a cross-retailer disagreement.
How many batteries does the Ninestars 21 gallon take, and what type?
Three D batteries, per the manufacturer’s manual and Amazon’s current DZT-80-4 listing. Home Depot’s sales copy and Walmart’s listing both say four; the manual and the brand’s own Q&A reply are the more reliable figures.
Bag and liner sizing
No retailer’s prose addresses bag size, despite it being the most repeated complaint in reviews and Q&A. Twenty-one-gallon bags aren’t a standard retail size, so most owners size up: 33-gallon bags are reported to fit without bunching, and Nine Stars’ FAQ confirms any standard extra-large or 30-gallon bag from another brand works.
Sensor range and manual mode
Staples’ listing states the sensor triggers within roughly 10 inches at a 130-degree angle, with battery power lasting up to 6 months in normal use. A manual-open button holds the lid open for extended cleanups without repeated hand waves.
Common issues and what causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lid won’t open, green light blinks | Obstruction, low battery, or a dirty sensor | Wipe the sensor dry, check battery orientation, clear the sensor zone; email [email protected] if it persists |
| Red light flashes every 5-6 seconds | Low battery or a sensor fault, per Nine Stars’ Q&A reply | Replace batteries first; contact support if flashing continues on fresh batteries |
| Lid closes fast and loud | Soft-close runs automatically; there is no switch | If it isn’t closing gently on its own, that’s a hardware fault covered by the lid warranty |
| Open/close button cover peeling | Reported coating wear in multiple verified reviews | Covered under the 2-year lid warranty; contact [email protected] |
| Can arrives dented | Shipping damage | Return through the retailer’s window; this isn’t a lid-mechanism defect |
Two separate Home Depot reviewers reported their unit arrived dented straight out of the box.
The directions mention soft-close, but mine snaps shut fast and loud. How do I turn that on?
There’s no toggle. Soft-close runs automatically; if it isn’t engaging, that’s a hardware fault covered by the lid warranty.
Warranty and returns by channel
| Channel | Return window | Warranty note |
|---|---|---|
| Brand site | 30 days | 2-year lid warranty; base, battery caps, liner ring excluded |
| Home Depot | 90 days | Same 2-year lid warranty applies once the return window closes |
| Amazon | Standard Amazon window | Warranty requested separately from Nine Stars support |
| Walmart | Not stated on the product page | Same 2-year lid warranty |
Home Depot gives three times longer than the brand site to simply return the wrong fit.
Is the 2-year warranty for the whole can, or just the lid?
Just the lid mechanism: chip, motor, gearbox, and electrical circuits. The base, battery caps, and liner ring are explicitly excluded in Nine Stars’ warranty terms.
Price variance across retailers
Home Depot has listed the DZT-80-4 at $67.90 on its product page and at $119.72 on its brand-listing page within the same period; Walmart showed it at $103.69 before going out of stock. None of these figures is stable enough to quote as “the price.” Check the live listing before comparing.
For a household where pets or foot traffic near the can causes false triggers, the DZT-80-24’s adjustable sensor range is the only feature difference that matters; otherwise the DZT-80-4 and DZT-80-35 differ mainly in lid finish and momentary price.
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