The Best Can Openers for Easy, Pain-Free Prep
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Opening cans of chickpeas and coconut milk is never glamorous, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard or uncomfortable, either. I’ve wrestled with enough dull, hard-to-use openers to know the frustration: the skipping blade, the jagged edges, the finger gymnastics. Whether I’m simmering a Sunday sauce or opening a can of black beans for taco night, I just want a can opener I don’t dread using.
If you, too, have a can opener that’s started to rust, misalign, or lose grip mid-turn, it’s time to upgrade. Luckily, you’ve come to the right spot: I tested the internet’s most popular can openers and spoke to chefs for their input on which tools stand up to daily use, clean easily, and open cans without threatening to slice your fingertips. Whether you want something minimalist, ergonomic, or automatic, these are the best can openers for pain-free food prep.
Shop the best can openers
What we loved: With more than 36,000 5-star Amazon reviews, I had to see if Oxo’s cushy can opener lived up to the hype. I’m happy to report that it does. Erin Clarke, a cookbook author and food creator behind the Instagram, @welpllated, confirms it too: “My Oxo can opener has lasted me for years. The rubberized handles are comfortable to grip, it's easy to clean, and it takes up very little space in my drawer.”
This thing just works; the oversized knob turns like butter, the ergonomic handles feel good in your hand even when you're elbow-deep in prep, and the blade stays sharp through many, many cans of beans. It’s easy to see why shoppers love it so much. One Amazon reviewer calls it the “smoothest and most effortless [can opener] I’ve ever used,” and adds that “the padded handles are comfortable to use and the ‘turner’ works so well, my arthritic hands never hurt at all….I expect to use this one for the rest of my life!”
This is the manual can opener everyone should own. Whether you’re cracking open pumpkin purée or a can of tuna, the Oxo Good Grips gets the job done every single time—and for just $17.
What we’d leave: It’s technically not dishwasher-safe, although there are plenty of Amazon customers who claim it goes through the wash just fine. Just to be safe, I’d recommend hand-washing it (and drying it well to prevent rust). And while it’s precise and clean, it does leave a sharp edge, so if you’re looking for a smooth-lid finish, a safety opener is probably better suited.
Materials: Stainless steel, rubber
Pros & ConsPros- Cushioned, nonslip handle
- Oversized knob for easy turning
- Built-in bottle opener
- Under $20
Cons- Not dishwasher safe
What we love: Who knew can openers could be so fun? Kitchen Mama’s one-button wonder is another Amazon-beloved contraption that makes opening cans of tomatoes and chicken noodle soup so easy and, dare I say, entertaining. The magic happens from the can opener’s magnet, which sticks to the lid while the blades automatically trace along the can’s perimeter. There’s no pressing or having to turn the can—it does everything for you (and is mesmerizing to watch).
And it works. The first time I tried it, I didn’t think it worked; the cut in the can’s lid was so subtle. It was only when I pushed the edge of the lid up that I realized the whole thing had been smoothly sliced off.
Shoppers agree that this gadget is downright cool and makes their prep work much easier. One Amazon customer likes it so much, she bought three as gifts for friends and family: “I’ve had any number of manual and electric can openers of varying quality and utility, and the Kitchen Mama puts them all to shame. It may seem odd to get this excited about a can opener, but it's rare to find an innovative, well-designed product like this that does exactly what it’s designed to do with no muss or fuss.” Enough said.
What we’d leave: It’s significantly slower than a manual can opener, but what it lacks in speed, it makes up for in ease of use. It’s also rechargeable, so if you’re someone who often neglects to charge their gadgets, maybe opt for a manual option. However, you won’t have to recharge it that often; it opens 130 round tins per charge, according to the brand. Lastly, at $55, it’s expensive, but if you’re someone who cooks with canned foods a lot, it’s worth every penny.
Materials: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel
Pros & ConsPros- Hands-free, automatic operation
- Removes the whole lid with no sharp edges
- Compact and lightweight
- Rechargeable
- Great for folks with limited mobility
- Available in multiple colors
Cons- Pricey
- Slower than manual openers
What we love: Caraway makes some of the best-looking kitchen gear out there, so it’s no surprise that even its can opener is a stunner. It’s made of nontoxic stainless steel and has a satisfyingly weighty, durable feel. The smooth-turning crank and large, curvy handle make it easy to grip.
Also, the blade is so smooth: Multiple Amazon shoppers call out how good it feels while it glides around, cutting through aluminum like silk. “It pierces the lid cleanly and smoothly, and the mechanism is so well designed that it requires minimal force,” says one shopper. “It’s a huge improvement over the cheaper can openers I’ve used in the past that often struggled with thicker lids or left jagged edges.”
Is it more expensive than your average manual can opener? For sure. But if you’re someone who already loves Caraway for its cookware, or just want to upgrade the everyday tools in your kitchen, it’s a splurge that makes even opening a can of chickpeas feel just a little bit fancy.
What we’d leave: It’s expensive, which makes sense given how much premium stainless steel is used to make it. It was also one of the heaviest can openers I tested, which can be tough on hands, wrists, and fingers. Keep that in mind if you’re someone who prefers a lightweight alternative.
Materials: Stainless steel
Pros & ConsPros- Premium stainless steel construction
- Sleek design
- Large, easy-to-turn knob
- Smooth, skip-free operation
Cons- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not dishwasher safe
What we love: Another fancy option that takes up way less space is this minimalist can opener from Zwilling. It swaps the standard dual-handle for a sleeker, understated profile that left me wondering how it worked. Turns out, it’s easier than it looks—you just rest the loop on top of the lid, allowing the lip of the can to sink in between the blade and the base of the knob. Then you turn the handle and let the can opener go to work, slicing seamlessly along the edge of the can for a smooth, hazard-free finish.
“This can opener uses an unusual method—it cuts into the side of the can just below the top, rather than into the top,” writes one Amazon shopper. “So the top comes off clean—no sharp edges—and it can be put back on the can if necessary. This thing is a joy.”
There’s a learning curve, but once you’ve got it, you’ve got it. Plus, it takes up barely any space in your cabinet and has a hanging loop that can dangle from kitchen hooks if that’s more your speed.
What we’d leave: It’s definitely on the expensive end of manual can openers, and it takes a little finesse to get started on smaller or irregular-shaped cans. It also requires some leverage. Sometimes you have to realign the blade and press down, but once you start opening, the results are impressive. And, like other stainless-steel kitchen tools, it’s hand-wash only.
Materials: Stainless steel, silicone
Pros & ConsPros- Ergonomic handle
- Large crank
- Smooth, skip-free turn
- Doesn’t leave sharp edges behind
- Loop for hanging storage
Cons- Pricey
- Not diswasher safe
- Tricky to get leverage
What to look for in a can opener
Manual vs. electric
Unless you’re struggling with mobility, Clarke says to stick with manual options. “They’re less bulky, don’t require an outlet or hog counter space, and you never have to worry about a motor burning out,” she says. In most home kitchens, a good-quality manual opener will outlast and outperform an electric one.
Smooth-edge removal
If you’re like me, too many close calls with cans have left you terrified of grazing your knuckles or nicking your fingertips when taking the lid off an open can. This is why George Guzman, chef at Carta Wine Bar in New York City, recommends using smooth-edge openers, which cut along the side rather than the top.
“Side-cut safety openers are a must,” he says. “Clean lid removal is key, especially if you’re serving from the tin.” Not only are they safer, but they also leave the can smooth and resealable.
Durability and feel
No one wants a can opener that bends under pressure or slips out of your hand mid-twist. Clarke recommends choosing a model with “heavy-duty stainless-steel parts and a smooth-turning mechanism.” A solid, well-built opener should feel substantial, not wobbly or plasticky. Rubberized or silicone handles offer a more comfortable, nonslip grip, especially when your hands are wet or oily. If it feels flimsy right out of the box, trust your gut: It probably won’t hold up over time.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Should my can opener have a bottle opener?
It can, but it doesn’t have to. “Some models include bottle openers or pull-tab lifters, which are nice to have but not essential for me,” says Clarke. She prefers something simple and sturdy over anything else. That said, it’s a personal preference.
How do I clean my manual can opener?
Some can openers are technically dishwasher-safe, but many manufacturers recommend hand-washing to preserve the mechanism (especially if it’s made from stainless steel). Even if the handles are dishwasher-friendly, repeated high-heat cycles can dull blades or cause rust. If the blades are really dirty, you can dunk a toothbrush in soap and water to scrub them, then dry thoroughly. Some openers come apart for easier cleaning (bonus points for those).
What’s the best type of can opener for people with arthritis?
Automatic can openers, like the Kitchen Mama Mini Plus Rechargeable Can Opener, open cans with the push of a button and don’t require any twisting or squeezing. You can also look for manual options with oversized, cushioned handles that require less grip strength.
Other can openers we tested
These aren’t the best, but you could do worse!
This manual can opener from KitchenAid is one of the most popular models on Amazon, and for good reason—it’s affordable, it’s widely available, and it comes in a ton of fun colors. The large, ergonomic handles and crank are comfortable to grip, and it does a decent job of puncturing and turning through cans. But during testing, it didn’t feel quite as smooth or precise as some of our top picks. It occasionally skipped or required repositioning to get a clean cut, especially on thicker cans. Still, it’s a solid entry-level option that looks cute in your drawer and gets the job done most of the time. Added bonus: It has a built-in bottle opener, so it’s really two gadgets for the price of one.
The Figmint Can Opener—sold exclusively at Target—is part of the retailer’s sleek, modern kitchen line. Visually, it’s a stunner with clean lines and neutral tones. It has a soft-touch handle and a minimal profile, which makes it great for small kitchens. Unfortunately, looks only get it so far. While it opens cans, it’s not the smoothest ride. During testing, it felt stiff and took some muscle to puncture lids properly. If aesthetics and price are your priority, this one checks those boxes. But if ease of use matters more, there are better options.
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