The Best Can Openers of 2026: (Top 10 Tested)

The humble can opener might not be the most sophisticated or flashiest tool in the kitchen, but it is one of the most essential. Even those of us who focus on getting the freshest foods into our diets will need, sometimes, to get into that can of tomato paste or that tin of coconut milk.

Below, we'll show you our picks for the best can opener, review them by category and give them our ratings. Before we dive in, though, we'll offer some tips and tricks to keeping this handy utensil in great shape so you'll never have to buy a second one.

How to Use a Can Opener the Right Way

First, the basics. Each electric can opener will have its own specific way of going, which you'll be able to find on the operating instructions. In case you've never used a manual can opener before, the BBC's Good Food magazine offers a step-by-step video showing how it's done.

Past that, there's some debate about the right way to open a can. Some people suggest that can openers should always be used horizontally (i.e. flat against the top of the lid), while others insist that they operate best when used vertically (i.e., along the side).

When can openers are used horizontally, they take the entirety of the can lid off, which those on the vertical side of the debate say makes the entire rim of the can sharp and therefore dangerous. Champions of the horizontal method make the same argument about the can lid. When the can opener is used vertically, the edges of the lid become a cutting hazard.

The horizontalists might have an edge (so to speak), because as they note, when you use a can opener their way, the lid comes off attached to the can opener. That way, you don't ever need to fish it out of the can itself.

Many can openers are designed to work one way only, however, so they may not give you a choice. Have a careful look before you buy if you think you'll have a preference.

Can Opener Usage Tips

Before you use your can opener, wash your hands and wipe down the lid of the can.

Can openers can harbour bacteria, so make sure you wash your manual opener every time you use it. Electric can openers should be unplugged and the blade surface wiped down after use.

Ensure that the opener is completely dry before you put it away to avoid rust. If the opener gets stuck, put a bit of cooking oil on the gear and turn the handle back and forth gently until it releases. Don't use any type of oil that you could not eat yourself!

If your opener blade shows minor signs of rust, soaking it in vinegar (or scrubbing it with vinegar, if yours is electric and doesn't come apart) will remove it. If the rust is extensive, however, or if the vinegar doesn't remove the rust completely, it's time for a new one.

Can opener blades can get dull after extensive use. To sharpen yours, try running the blade along a folded strip of aluminum foil or sandpaper, or use an electric knife sharpener. Rotate the blades completely as you do this for even sharpness.

Can Opener Alternatives

Need that can of baked beans open and can't find the can opener? You might still be in luck if you have the tools and the time. You can open a can with a sharp pocket knife by puncturing the lid with the tip of the knife. You can also use the heel (that's the part of the knife closest to the handle) of a chef's knife.

Remember that you don't have to use the knife in a circle make an X in the top and pry the pieces back.

You can even open a can with a regular metal spoon by positioning the tip of the spoon's bowl end (not the handle end) in the groove where the top of the lid meets the rim's edge. Move the spoon back and forth over a section of the can until you've worn through the lid. Go section by section until you can pry the lid up.

We assume, though, that you want to do a little better than a spoon, so let's get to the reviews.

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Best Electric Can Opener

Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe Electric Can Opener (Rating: 9.5/10)

Cuisinart's deluxe electric can opener is a well made appliance at a reasonable price. Perfect for anyone who needs a solid device that's easy to use.

Features & Benefits

• Stainless steel blade
• 5.87 x 6 x 10.87 inches
• 2.6 pounds
• Black

Pros

• 3-year limited warranty
• BPA-free plastic
• Magnetic lid holder

Cons

• Fits standard size cans only
• Shreds labels

Editorial Review

This can opener from Cuisinart is simple to use, sturdy and well made. The lever is easy to press, and the magnetic lid holder keeps the lid firmly in place. The unit is lightweight, but has enough heft to it to keep it upright and is designed with a wide base to prevent any shifting around. Its power cord is a generous 36 inches, which is more than enough to be able to pull it out and move it where you want it to be.

The opener performs well and keeps the cans and lids where they should be. We liked that the blade mechanism is removable, which makes it very easy to clean. We also liked its simple aesthetics it could blend into any kitchen decor.

What Others Are Saying

Positive: Generally, this is a really well-liked can opener. People who bought it appreciated the price and the quality. They report that it performs just like it should and that it's dependable. Many reviewers praised the size and design of the unit, and loved that it didn't take up too much space on their countertops.

Negative: Some reviewers found the appliance faulty or reported mechanical failures. One of the biggest complaints, though, was that the opener shreds the top of the label as it opens cans. Some people didn't appreciate having to clean up the paper shavings after they used it. Others recommended removing the label before use. A few people reported that theirs also shredded metal into the can.

Best Manual Can Opener

KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener / Bottle Opener (Rating: 9.5/10)

A classic kitchen item, KitchenAid's multifunction opener is basic, well-made and great at what it's built for. The range of colours adds some fun options to this simple tool.

Features & Benefits

• Stainless steel blade
• 8.34 x 3.54 x 2.3 inches
• 10.5 ounces
• Comes in many colours

Pros

• 1-year hassle free replacement/lifetime limited warranty
• Built-in bottle opener
• Ergonomic design

Cons

Hand-wash only

Editorial Review

A manual can opener is one of the great kitchen staples, and this offering from KitchenAid is a finely made option. The quality of the product is obvious, and it has a nice weight to it without being heavy or bulky. It has ergonomic handles that are easy to grip and a larger knob that makes the opener easier to use.

Aside from those comfortable extras, there aren't a lot of bells and whistles here, and there doesn't need to be. We really appreciated the strong warranty that comes with the product you're purchasing this item to do 2 basic jobs and it's nice to feel like you might not ever need to buy another product to do those jobs.

What Others Are Saying

Positive: Reviewers really like this product. It gets rave reviews for its quality and sturdiness. People found it easy to handle and dependable to use. They reported that it has a smooth action and that the ergonomic features made opening cans easier on their hands. The overwhelming sentiment was that it's a great value for the price.

Negative: This product gets very high reviews from most users, but some experienced mechanical failures right away, or found the opener hard to use. The lack of a magnet was a common complaint. Some people reported that the opener skips while turning, and others that it tears the labels as it goes. Still others said that the product got rusty, even when washed as per the manufacturer's directions.

What is the Best Can Opener for Seniors?

Black & Decker JW400 Lids Off Open-It-All Center (Rating: 9/10)

Black & Decker's Open-It-All Center is a 3-in-1 unit that opens cans, jars and bottles. Versatile, convenient and easy to use, this product pulls its weight.

Features & Benefits

• Stainless steel blade
• 11 x 10 x 11.1 inches
• 3 pounds
• White

Pros

• Opens jars and bottles as well as cans
• Dishwasher-safe blade assembly
• Easy to operate

Cons

• Takes up a lot of counter space
• Expensive, and can be difficult to find

Editorial Review

For seniors who have trouble opening jars as well as cans, this product could be a great addition to the kitchen. The can opener functions with an easy to press lever, while the jar opener is button-touch operated.

While not absolutely every jar, can or bottle will fit in the unit, it works on a wide range of them. It can be incredibly frustrating having to ask someone to open a jar or a can for you so you can make food, and if you know someone in that position, this could be an excellent gift.

Note that it is clunky looking and will take up a fair bit of your counter space, but if you're using it every day, you might not mind giving it up.

What Others Are Saying

Positive: Overall, this product gets solid reviews. Most people who use it are seniors or folks who don't have the hand strength to open jars and cans anymore. They praised how effective and useful the product is, as well as how easy it was to figure out. The jar opener got especially high marks. Many reviewers even felt like this product had given them back some independence.

Negative: A few users had difficulties with returns. Many noted that the product was bigger than they expected. Others had issues with the can opener coming apart. Some people who experienced that issue explained that because the blade assembly is designed to come off for easy cleaning, it can come off easily when removing the can. They did note that it's simple enough to put back together, though.

What is the Best Can Opener for Arthritic Hands?

Hamilton Beach (76606ZA) Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener (Rating: 9/10)

With its ergonomic lever and ease of use, Hamilton Beach's Smooth Touch can opener is a great option when you need an opener you won't have to struggle with.

Features & Benefits

• Stainless steel blade
• 4.67 x 5.01 x 10.2 inches
• 3.1 pounds
• Black

Pros

• Extra tall
• Ergonomic lever
• Easily locks cans in

Cons

• 1-year limited warranty
• Must be used properly to avoid the opener biting into the metal

Editorial Review

The push down handle of this unit is great for people who have pain in their fingers or wrists. It's extremely easy to use, locks cans in, keeps them secure and doesn't require any real force to operate. It leaves smooth edges to the can when it's finished. This can opener cuts horizontally, and you can even replace the lid afterwards and keep it for storage. We liked the modern aesthetic of this unit, too.

The retractable cord is a pro and a con, as it can get stuck and limit the reach of the product. As the instructions mention, you do need to make sure the can only goes around once otherwise, the opener can start cutting into the metal. This could be a hazard for those who aren't paying attention to the machine.

What Others Are Saying

Positive: This can opener gets great reviews, especially from those who have arthritis or other issues with hand pain. They love the ergonomic lever and say that the opener grabs cans easily, so there's no fighting to get them into position. Many users remarked on the sturdiness and quality and thought the product was a great value.

Negative: More than a few reviewers warned that the opener left slivers of metal inside the can: some reported that the can opener did this if it revolved around the can more than once, but some said they ended up with metal shavings even with normal use. Other common complaints were about the short cord length, and that people found it difficult to separate the lids from their cans afterwards.

What is the Best Can Opener for a One-Handed Person?

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener (Rating: 8.5/10)

A hands-free, battery powered product that opens cans with the push of a button. Compact and light like a manual opener, but easy to use as an electric.

Features & Benefits

• Stainless steel blade
• 7.09 x 2.76 x 2.17 inches
• 8.5 ounces
• 4 colours available

Pros

• Battery powered (4 AAs)
• 1 year "worry-free replacement" (as stated on their website)
• Push button operation

Cons

• More expensive than other options
• Potentially short lifespan
• Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener - Best Can Opener Review
• Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

Editorial Review

This is an interesting hybrid from Kitchen Mama that works a bit like an automated manual can opener. It latches onto the top of the can magnetically. You push a button to start it, watch it move around the can and then push a button to stop it when it finishes going around.

Expect the same kind of noise that an electric can opener produces, but don't expect the same speed. Depending on your perspective, that could be a small price to pay for the hands-free ease of it. The battery feature is a bit of a double-edged sword. Its fantastic to be able to use this opener in a power outage, but it does need regular battery changes, which can, ironically, be difficult to do with one hand.

What Others Are Saying

Positive: Many people purchased this because they had been injured, were going in for a hand or arm surgery or knew someone who was one-handed, and were delighted with its performance. They noted that the instruction video was helpful since this opener is slightly different from other options, but that once they got the hang of it, it was hassle-free. Most reviewers found that it worked well and made their lives much easier.

Negative: On the negative side, some users experienced defects right out of the box that led the product to becoming extremely hot. Others said their product had a very short lifespan. Still others wondered whether the product was worth the extra cost.

BOTTOM LINE

Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe Electric Can Opener

While we love simple, classic manual kitchen devices, not everyone can use them. So for accessibility, quality and value, our top pick is the Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe Electric Can Opener.

It gets great reviews, works reliably and is simple to use and to clean. The more substantial warranty that comes with it turned our heads, as well. We always think it's a good sign when a company has the confidence to back up their product beyond a year.

If you're in the market for an electric can opener that's dependable and straightforward to use, Cuisinart is a sound choice and a good value for the price. It even looks good in the kitchen. And that's important, too.