A disposable or temporary email address is an email address that you can use for a short period of time and then discard. Disposable email addresses are useful for signing up for online services, newsletters, and websites where you don’t want to use your real email address. Some key reasons to use a disposable email include:
- Avoid spam – Disposable emails let you sign up for things without having spam sent to your real inbox.
- Stay anonymous – You can keep your identity private by avoiding using your real email.
- Protect your real inbox – Your real email stays clean and professional when you use disposables for sketchy signups.
- Easy to delete – Just toss the disposable address when you are done with it.
There are many services online that provide free and easy disposable email addresses on demand. In this article, we will look at the top ways to get a throwaway email address depending on your needs.
Use a Free Temporary Email Service
The easiest way to get a disposable email is to use a website that generates a random temporary email address for you instantly. Here are some of the top free disposable email services:
Temp Mail
Temp Mail (https://tempmail.org/) is one of the most popular choices for a quick disposable email address. Just go to their website, and you’ll instantly get a random email address like [email protected]. This address will work for receiving emails, and any emails sent to it will show up in your Temp Mail inbox. The address expires after a set time limit.
10 Minute Mail
As the name suggests, 10 Minute Mail (https://10minutemail.com) gives you a disposable email that self-destructs after 10 minutes. Great for really quick signups you’ll never use again.
Guerrilla Mail
Guerrilla Mail (https://www.guerrillamail.com/) offers disposable email addresses that last longer than some temporary ones – you get to keep the address for up to 1 day. Easy to use with inbox features to view, receive, and forward emails.
Mailinator
Mailinator (https://www.mailinator.com) has an extensive list of public disposable email addresses you can use. Just pick one from their available list of public inboxes. Anyone can use these, so they may have existing emails in them already when you view them.
Use a Private Temporary Inbox
While the free public disposable email services are handy, they do have some downsides. Namely, the addresses are all shared public inboxes, so they often contain leftover emails from previous users. For a cleaner and more private temporary inbox, you can sign up for the following services:
Temp Mailbox
Temp Mailbox (https://temp-mailbox.com) provides you with a unique private disposable email inbox each time. Sign up with your email or social media account to get access to your own fresh temporary email address. Inbox lasts up to 3 days.
ThrowAwayMail
For the privacy conscious, ThrowAwayMail (https://www.throwawaymail.com/) offers encrypted private disposable email addresses. You get a new inbox and secure address each time you need one. Emails last up to 14 days.
MinuteBox
MinuteBox (https://www.minutebox.com) is another good option for private disposable inboxes that last up to 60 minutes each. Requires sign up with email or Google account.
MailDrop
With MailDrop (https://maildrop.cc/), you can create a custom temporary email alias tied to your account. So you can make addresses on the fly like [email protected]. Emails last 1 week.
Use a Browser Extension
There are also browser extensions that integrate disposable email generation right into your browser. This means you can conveniently get access to temporary addresses even when offline.
UlozEmail
The UlozEmail (https://ulozemail.net/) extension will make disposable emails for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Click the icon when on a signup page, and it will generate a temp address and auto-fill into the site’s email form.
Temp Mail
The Temp Mail browser extension works the same as the Temp Mail website, automatically generating quick disposable emails as you browse. Available for Chrome and Firefox.
MaskEmail
MaskEmail is available for Chrome and masks your real email with alias addresses, so you don’t have to use different inboxes. Creates unlimited custom aliases that forward to your email account.
Use a Dedicated Disposable Email Service
For access to unlimited disposable emails long-term, you can sign up for the following dedicated temporary and alias email services.
AnonAddy
AnonAddy (https://anonaddy.com) lets you create unlimited custom email aliases. For example, you can make [email protected]. Works with your existing email. Paid plans give advanced control.
33Mail
33Mail (https://33mail.com) provides a free account for 5 disposable email addresses. Or affordable paid plans for unlimited addresses. Easy to create and access emails.
Spambox
Spambox (https://www.spambox.us/) is a popular disposable email provider with affordable unlimited plans. Use your own domain or numbered Spambox addresses.
Firefox Relay
Firefox Relay (https://relay.firefox.com/) lets Firefox users create unlimited email aliases for free through their Firefox account. Easy to use and manage.
SimpleLogin
SimpleLogin (https://simplelogin.io/) is a paid service starting at $3/month for 15 aliases. Provides private, masked, and disposable emails. Browser plugins available.
Use a Free Alias Service
Some email providers let you create free email aliases you can use as disposables.
Gmail Dot Address
If you have a Gmail account, you can add dots to your address to create unique aliases. So [email protected] becomes [email protected]. Still delivers to your inbox.
Outlook Alias
Add “+string” to make an Outlook alias. [email protected] becomes [email protected]. Emails go to your regular inbox.
Apple Hide My Email
Apple iCloud users can enable Hide My Email in account settings to create random aliases that forward to their iCloud inbox.
DuckDuckGo Email Protection
DuckDuckGo’s email protection service (https://duckduckgo.com/email) lets you make private email aliases. Browser extension required. Waitlist for access.
Use a Disposable Debit Card
Some services like PayPal, eBay, and Amazon require an email and debit/credit card to sign up. For these, you can pair your disposable email with a disposable virtual debit card to remain anonymous.
Privacy
Privacy.com lets you create virtual debit cards linked to your bank that can be set to only allow one purchase. Works great with disposable emails.
Revolut
Revolut offers single-use virtual debit cards to enhance privacy. Disposable emails used with Revolut virtual cards maximize anonymity.
Steps to Get a Disposable Email
Here is a recap of the key steps to get a disposable email address:
- Decide if you need a free public or private temporary email address.
- Choose a disposable email service that fits your needs.
- Generate the random or custom disposable email address.
- Use the address to sign up for the website or service.
- Check the disposable inbox for any verification or confirmation emails.
- Discard the disposable email when you are finished using it.
Conclusion
Disposable email addresses provide an easy and anonymous way to sign up for online services you don’t fully trust or want spam from. There are many excellent free options to choose from, including both public and private temporary inboxes. Browser extensions make accessing disposable emails even more convenient.
Dedicated disposable email services allow you to create unlimited aliases for ongoing privacy. And pairing your disposable email with a virtual debit card maximizes anonymity when needed.
So if you are wary of using your real email address online or just want to keep things separate, get a disposable email using one of the many handy methods covered here. With a disposable email, you can protect your main inbox and privacy.