Nobody gets genuinely excited about can openers. There is no glossy magazine spread devoted to them, no breathless influencer unboxing videos, no cult following gathering on Reddit to debate the merits of one cutting wheel over another. And yet – and yet! – the moment yours fails, the moment that blade slips or those handles dig into your palms like tiny instruments of torture, you realize this humble tool matters rather more than you thought.
I have spent an unreasonable amount of time opening cans lately, working through tinned tomatoes and coconut milk and beans of every description, all in pursuit of answering a question nobody asks aloud but everyone secretly wants answered: which can opener will not make you curse under your breath at half past six on a Tuesday? The options below represent what actually works, from rock-solid budget choices to the sort of premium gear that makes you feel slightly smug about owning kitchen equipment.
Three Key Things When Shopping for Can Openers
Consider whether you want manual or electric. Manual openers offer simplicity, reliability, and zero counter space commitment. Electric openers deliver effortless one-touch operation but require an outlet and tend to expire eventually – often at the least convenient moment, naturally.
Think about edge safety. Traditional can openers that cut from the top leave sharp metal edges capable of drawing blood. Side-cutting openers remove lids more safely, though some people find the mechanism fussier to master initially.
Check handle comfort if going manual. You will grip this thing regularly for years, possibly decades. Cushioned handles and oversized turning knobs transform an annoying chore into something almost pleasant – or at least not actively painful.
Best Can Openers for 2026: Tested & Reviewed
OXO SteeL Can Opener - Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick is the OXO SteeL Can Opener. There exists a particular satisfaction in using a tool that does precisely what it should, every single time, without drama or complaint. The OXO SteeL delivers this satisfaction in spades. The stainless steel construction has that reassuring heft suggesting it will outlast most marriages, and the sharp cutting wheel slices through can lids with almost startling ease – none of that labored grinding that makes you question your life choices.
The oversized knob turns with minimal effort – genuinely minimal, not marketing-copy minimal – and the large handles feature cushioned touch points that absorb pressure rather than transferring it directly into your palm. Works equally well for left-handed and right-handed cooks, which seems obvious but apparently required mentioning. The built-in bottle opener proves surprisingly useful, saving you from rummaging through drawers when someone produces a bottle of something interesting. OXO backs this with their Satisfaction Guarantee, which speaks to confidence in the product.
OXO SteeL Can Opener
- Sharp stainless steel cutting wheel
- Oversized easy-turn knob
- Large cushioned handles absorb pressure
- Built-in bottle opener
- Ambidextrous design
This is the can opener for people who appreciate things done properly. The price sits above budget options but remains entirely reasonable for something you will use multiple times weekly for the foreseeable future. Worth every penny.
Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty Can Opener - Best Budget Pick
Our Best Budget Pick is the Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Can Opener. At under fifteen dollars, this opener has no business being as capable as it is. The stainless steel cutting wheel punches through lids without complaint, and – here is the genuinely clever bit – it delivers smooth-edge cuts rather than the jagged metal nightmare of cheaper alternatives. No more gingerly fishing lids from cans while worrying about tetanus.
The soft-touch handles provide genuinely comfortable grip, and the extra-large turning knob means you work with the motion rather than fighting against it. Manages round cans, square cans, and includes a built-in bottle opener because apparently that is the law now. The heavy-duty construction feels substantial without being unwieldy – seven inches long, which fits most hands comfortably. Hand wash only, but honestly, who dishwashes their can opener?
GORILLA GRIP Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Smooth Edge Manual Can Opener
- 100% stainless steel rust-resistant blade
- Smooth-edge cutting eliminates sharp lid edges
- Extra-large turning knob for easier operation
- Soft-touch slip-resistant handles
- Built-in bottle opener
Perfect for first kitchens, backup openers, or anyone who quite sensibly refuses to spend premium prices on humble equipment. The smooth-edge cutting alone justifies the modest outlay.
KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener - Best for Brand Devotees
Best for Brand Devotees is the KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener. If your stand mixer already sits on the counter in that distinctive KitchenAid silhouette – Empire Red, perhaps, or any of the other colours that make kitchen equipment feel vaguely aspirational – then this opener completes the visual story. The stainless steel cutting wheel is properly sharp, slicing rather than sawing, and the oversized easy-turn knob offers a secure grip even when your hands are covered in whatever you are actually cooking.
The soft ergonomic handles minimize strain during extended use – not that you should be opening that many cans at once, but occasionally one does host dinner parties. Built-in bottle opener handles caps with equal competence. KitchenAid calls this versatile for everyday use, which sounds like marketing until you realize they mean it: soup cans, beverage bottles, the lot. Available in that fetching Empire Red.
KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener and Bottle Opener
- Sharp stainless steel cutting wheel
- Oversized easy-turn knob for secure grip
- Soft ergonomic handles minimize hand strain
- Built-in bottle opener
- Empire Red colour coordinates with other KitchenAid products
The ideal choice for cooks who have already invested in the KitchenAid ecosystem and appreciate coordinated kitchen aesthetics. Matches the mixer, matches the toaster, matches the general vibe of taking cooking seriously.
OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Can Opener - Best for Comfort
Best for Comfort is the OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Can Opener. OXO built their empire on making kitchen tools that accommodate actual human hands rather than some theoretical ideal, and this opener exemplifies that philosophy. The big cushioned handles provide a non-slip grip even when wet – because sometimes you do need to open a can while your hands are still damp from washing vegetables, and slippery can openers feel genuinely dangerous.
The oversized knob turns easily, taking the hard work out of what should never have been hard work in the first place. Sharp stainless steel cutting wheel handles the actual cutting with quiet efficiency. Includes the now-obligatory bottle opener. OXO backs this with their Better Guarantee – if you experience any issue, they will repair or replace it, which suggests they are rather confident you will not need to ask.
OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener
- Large cushioned handles for comfortable grip
- Non-slip even when wet
- Oversized easy-turn knob
- Sturdy stainless steel cutting wheel
- Built-in bottle opener
- OXO Better Guarantee
Particularly suited to cooks with arthritis, limited grip strength, or anyone who simply appreciates tools designed with ergonomics in mind. Sometimes comfort matters more than aesthetics.
EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener - Best Heritage Pick
Best Heritage Pick is the EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener. There is something pleasingly old-fashioned about this opener, manufactured in the USA with the sort of heavy-duty chrome-plated steel construction that suggests someone’s grandmother might have used something similar. The smooth-turning mechanism works without fuss, and the ergonomic design with those cheerful red grips provides comfortable handling that belies the traditional appearance.
This opener handles cans of all sizes with equal aplomb – small sauce tins, large family-sized containers, everything in between. The cutting mechanism adapts automatically, which means you need not think about it. Smooth edges during cutting minimize the risk of accidental cuts, and the easily washable cutting gear ensures cleanliness without requiring a degree in engineering to disassemble. Built to last, full stop.
EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener with Red Grips
- Heavy-duty chrome-plated steel construction
- Ergonomic red grips for comfortable handling
- Smooth-turning mechanism for effortless operation
- Works on all standard can sizes
- Creates smooth, safe edges
Perfect for cooks who appreciate straightforward tools that work without pretension. Sometimes the simple approach is the correct one.
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener - Best Electric
Best Electric is the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener. If you are committed to the electric route – and there are legitimate reasons to be, particularly for those who open many cans or have limited hand mobility – Hamilton Beach claims the number one spot in American can opener sales for good reason. This model cuts along the side of the can rather than the top, producing smooth touchable lids without the murderous sharp edges of traditional cutting methods.
The easy-touch lever allows one-handed operation with minimal pressure – just align the can and press lightly. Opens both pop-top and regular cans, which solves the particular frustration of those ring-pull lids that inevitably break off in your hand at inconvenient moments. The sleek chrome and black design looks appropriately serious on the countertop without dominating the visual landscape. One year warranty, which seems standard for the category.
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener
- Side-cutting produces smooth, safe lid edges
- Easy-touch lever for one-hand operation
- Opens pop-top and regular cans
- Extra tall design accommodates larger cans
- Chrome and black finish
The sensible choice for kitchens that genuinely need electric can opening – high-volume cooking, accessibility requirements, or simple preference for countertop convenience.
Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener - Best Electric Runner-Up
Best Electric Runner-Up is the Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener. Cuisinart brings their customary refinement to the electric can opener category, offering single-touch operation that automatically opens and stops when ready. The precision-engineered motor system and sharp cutting blade handle any standard can size without the grinding hesitation of lesser machines.
The sturdy non-slip base prevents sliding or tipping during use, which matters when you are trying to open a can while simultaneously managing something on the hob. The detachable activation lever allows safe and easy cleaning – a thoughtful detail that suggests someone at Cuisinart actually uses kitchen equipment. The limited three-year warranty exceeds most competitors, indicating confidence in build quality.
Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener
- Single-touch automatic operation
- Precision-engineered motor and sharp cutting blade
- Stable non-slip wide base
- Detachable lever for easy cleaning
- Limited 3-year warranty
A solid alternative to the Hamilton Beach, particularly for those already invested in Cuisinart equipment or seeking the longer warranty coverage.
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter - Best for Safety
Best for Safety is the Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter. The Swiss have a reputation for precision engineering, and Kuhn Rikon demonstrates why. This opener cuts from the side of the can rather than the top, leaving a smooth rim without sharp edges – a feature that sounds minor until you have sliced your finger on a conventional lid. The patented LidLifter mechanism grips and lifts the removed lid without your fingers touching food or sharp metal, which feels almost civilized.
The ergonomic knob and precision gears make operation genuinely effortless, requiring less strain than traditional designs. Includes a built-in ring-pull tool for those pull-tab lids that always seem to require more finger strength than one possesses. Swiss-engineered durability suggests this will outlast trendier alternatives – Kuhn Rikon has been at this for over a century. One year warranty covers defects in material or manufacturing.
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter/Can Opener with Ring-Pull
- Side-cut design leaves smooth, safe rim
- Patented LidLifter grips lids without touching food
- Ergonomic knob and precision gears for effortless turning
- Built-in ring-pull tool for pop-top cans
- Swiss-engineered quality
The premium choice for safety-conscious kitchens, particularly households with children learning to cook or anyone tired of fishing sharp lids from cans with trepidation.
Brabantia Tasty+ Universal Opener - Best for Versatility
Best for Versatility is the Brabantia Tasty+ Universal Opener. This clever tool transcends the can opener category entirely, handling cans, jars, and bottles with equal facility. The high-grade stainless steel construction adjusts to grip lids ranging from tiny (0.4 inch) to substantial (3.94 inch diameter), which covers essentially everything short of industrial containers.
Hanging loops on both handles allow easy storage – a small detail that nonetheless prevents the drawer-rummaging that plagues less thoughtfully designed tools. Dishwasher safe, which few can openers can claim honestly. Brabantia backs this with a five-year guarantee, suggesting they expect it to become a permanent fixture in your kitchen. The light grey finish looks appropriately understated.
Brabantia Tasty+ Universal Can, Jar, Bottle Opener
- Opens cans, jars, and bottles
- Adjusts to lids 0.4 to 3.94 inches diameter
- High-grade stainless steel construction
- Dishwasher safe
- Hanging loops for easy storage
- 5-year guarantee
Ideal for kitchens where drawer space comes at a premium – one tool replacing three separate implements has genuine appeal when storage matters.
Best Can Openers for 2026 Buyer’s Guide
Manual vs. Electric: The Eternal Debate
Most kitchens genuinely need a manual can opener rather than an electric one. Manuals require no outlet, take minimal storage space, cost less, and – crucially – never die at the exact moment you need them most. The OXO SteeL represents this category at its finest, delivering reliable performance without requiring anything beyond your hands.
OXO SteeL Can Opener
- Sharp stainless steel blades for effortless cutting
- Ergonomic design reduces hand strain
- No electricity required
- Compact storage footprint
The Case for Smooth-Edge Cutting
Traditional top-cutting openers leave lids with edges sharp enough to draw blood – a particularly grim detail when you are trying to prepare food rather than administer first aid. Side-cutting openers like the Kuhn Rikon eliminate this hazard entirely, producing lids you can actually touch without wincing.
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter/Can Opener
- Side-cut design creates smooth edges
- Patented LidLifter removes lids hygienically
- No sharp metal to handle
- Particularly suited for households with children
Budget Considerations
Spending under twenty dollars on a can opener that performs admirably is entirely possible. The Gorilla Grip demonstrates that budget pricing need not mean compromised quality – the smooth-edge cutting and comfortable handles compete with openers costing twice as much.
GORILLA GRIP Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Can Opener
- Excellent value under fifteen dollars
- Smooth-edge cutting included
- Heavy-duty construction
- No compromises on functionality
When Electric Makes Sense
Electric can openers serve specific situations genuinely well: kitchens with high-volume can opening, cooks with arthritis or limited grip strength, and those who simply prefer countertop convenience. The Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch represents the category excellently, with side-cutting that produces safe edges and one-touch operation requiring minimal pressure.
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener
- One-touch operation with minimal effort
- Side-cutting produces safe edges
- Ideal for accessibility needs
- America’s best-selling can opener brand
In Conclusion
The can opener market in 2026 offers genuine quality across price points, from budget workhorses to Swiss-engineered precision instruments. Whether you need a straightforward manual opener, an electric model for accessibility, or a versatile tool that handles jars and bottles alongside cans, the options above represent the strongest performers we have tested. Each serves a distinct purpose, making the choice less about finding a single best opener and more about matching features to your actual kitchen habits.
Our top recommendation remains the OXO SteeL Can Opener. The combination of sharp precision cutting, ergonomic handles, satisfying heft, and that built-in bottle opener makes it a genuine pleasure to use – or at least as much pleasure as one can derive from opening cans. If you value equipment that performs beautifully and reliably for years, this opener justifies its position at the top of our recommendations.
OXO SteeL Can Opener
- Sharp stainless steel cutting wheel
- Oversized easy-turn knob
- Large cushioned handles absorb pressure
- Built-in bottle opener
- OXO Satisfaction Guarantee