The best can openers for every kitchen: manual, safety, and electric options tested

A reliable can opener is one of those small kitchen tools you only notice when it fails. A dull wheel, slippery handle, or fussy latch can turn a quick dinner into a frustrating battle with a can of beans. To find out which models are actually worth keeping in your drawer, 11 different can openers were put through their paces on cans of various sizes, then evaluated for comfort, ease of use, and cut quality.

The result is a short list of manual, safety-edge, and electric can openers that consistently puncture cleanly, stay securely attached, and remove lids without leaving dangerous shards of metal behind.

How the can openers were tested

Each can opener was used repeatedly on three common can sizes and then cleaned to see how it held up over time:

• Small can test: Opening 6-ounce cans of tomato paste to see how well each model handled narrow rims and thicker metal.
• Medium can test: Opening standard 15.5-ounce cans of beans while timing how long it took, and noting how easily the tool punctured and tracked around the rim.
• Large can test: Opening 28-ounce cans of tomatoes, which put more stress on the cutting mechanism and handles.
• Cleaning test: Washing and drying each opener, then checking for rust, stiffness, or squeaking gears.

Throughout, the focus was on how intuitive each model felt in everyday use: Did it latch easily, cut smoothly, and come off the can without a struggle?

Types of can openers

Most of the tools fell into three main categories, each with pros and cons in a home kitchen.

Traditional two-handled can openers

These are the classic manual models: two handles that you squeeze together, a cutting wheel, and a side-mounted knob. They usually cut along the inner top edge of the lid.

• Pros: Familiar, quick once attached, compact, and generally affordable.
• Cons: They can leave the lid with sharp edges, and poorly designed handles or knobs can make them uncomfortable to use.

Safety-edge can openers

Safety or “smooth edge” can openers cut along the side of the can rather than the top. The lid is usually removed as a separate disk with less exposed sharp metal.

• Pros: The cut edge is typically smoother and safer to touch, which is helpful if you have kids or tend to rinse and reuse cans.
• Cons: They can be fussier to attach and often take a little practice.

Electric can openers

Electric models do the turning for you. Some are countertop appliances; others are compact battery-powered tools that latch to the rim and rotate automatically.

• Pros: Require very little strength or grip; good for people with arthritis or limited hand mobility.
• Cons: Slower than a good manual opener, require batteries or power, and take up more storage space.

What matters most in a good can opener

The tests showed that almost any opener can eventually get a can open—but not all do it safely or comfortably. The best models shared a few key traits.

Comfortable, grippy handles and a large knob

Design details made a big difference. Openers with padded or silicone-coated handles, like the Beneno and OXO models, were noticeably more pleasant to use. They didn’t dig into the palms, even when opening several cans in a row.

Knob size was equally important. Wider or longer knobs gave more leverage and required less pinching force, which reduced hand fatigue. Compact dials and thin tabs, as seen on some over-engineered designs, were harder to hold, especially for people with larger fingers or reduced grip strength.

Secure latching and smooth cutting

A good can opener should bite into the lid on the first try, then travel around the rim without skipping or detaching. Some models, including a retro-style KitchenAid opener and a compact Joseph Joseph design, struggled to stay engaged, slipping off mid-turn or mangling the can’s rim.

The most successful tools—like the Beneno, OXO, Williams Sonoma locking opener, Bartelli safety opener, and Kitchen Mama electric opener—latched decisively, cut with minimal effort, and released without twisting or warping the can.

Simple, intuitive operation

The easiest can openers to live with turned out to be the simplest. Classic two-handled designs that didn’t reinvent the wheel were faster and more reliable than many multi-feature or folding-handle models. Attempts to add complexity—such as collapsible cranks or unusual gearing—often made the tools harder, not easier, to use.

The best can openers for your kitchen

Best overall can opener: Beneno Can Opener

Style: Two-handled manual
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic
Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 8.1 ounces

The Beneno stood out as a straightforward, effective everyday opener. Its sharp cutting wheel pierced cans readily, and the long, easy-to-grip knob made it quick to zip around the rim. The silicone-coated handles felt secure and comfortable, even on larger, heavier cans.

Across small, medium, and large cans, it cut cleanly and consistently without leaving behind hanging metal shards. For a modest price, it delivers everything most home cooks need in a can opener with no serious drawbacks.

Best for stubborn or dented cans: EZ-Duz-It Deluxe Can Opener

Style: Two-handled manual
Materials: Chrome-plated carbon steel with rubber-coated handles
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 9.4 ounces

The EZ-Duz-It is a sturdy, all-metal classic that feels built to last. Its robust construction and aggressive cutting wheel handled tough, dented, or thicker cans with ease, making it a good choice if you often open bulk or pantry-staple cans.

The long knob and grippy handles provided solid leverage. The only downside is that the handles are loosely attached and tend to swing open when you pick it up, and it’s a bit heavier than other top picks. Still, for durability and power, it’s an excellent value.

Most comfortable manual can opener: OXO Good Grips Soft Handle Manual Can Opener

Style: Two-handled manual
Materials: Stainless steel and soft-grip plastic
Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 7.8 ounces

OXO’s soft-handle opener has long been a kitchen favorite, and this test reinforced why. The cushioned grips and rounded knob are gentle on the hands, making it particularly friendly for smaller hands or anyone prone to hand fatigue.

It opened medium cans quickly in testing and cut smoothly around the rim. Like most manual openers, the cutting wheel will eventually wear, but given its comfort and performance, it remains a top pick for everyday use.

Best locking can opener: Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Locking Can Opener

Style: Two-handled manual with locking mechanism
Materials: Stainless steel with coated handles
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 6.6 ounces

This model adds a locking feature to the familiar two-handled format. Once clamped onto the can and locked, it won’t detach until you release it, which prevents the tool from slipping off mid-turn. The grippy coating on the handles and knob enhanced comfort during use.

The locking mechanism takes a moment to learn, and the opener is pricier than some competitors, but it rewards that small learning curve with secure, confident cutting.

Best safety-edge can opener: Bartelli Soft Edge 3-in-1 Ambidextrous Safety Can Opener

Style: Safety-edge manual
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic
Length: 4.5 inches
Weight: 4.2 ounces

Among the safety-edge designs, the Bartelli was the clear standout. It sits on top of the can and cuts along the side, separating the lid with a relatively smooth edge that’s safer to handle. The lid lifts away cleanly, which is helpful if you want to drain or store contents in the can.

Instead of a traditional side knob, it uses a wide tab at the top that you turn with your fingers. This motion can be tiring if you’re opening many cans at once, and attaching it is less intuitive than a classic opener. Still, for those prioritizing safety edges or left/right-hand flexibility, it’s a strong choice.

Best electric can opener: Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

Style: Battery-powered electric, side-cutting
Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
Length: 7.25 inches
Weight: 12.1 ounces

The Kitchen Mama electric opener is ideal if you want a nearly hands-free option. You place it on the can, press a button, and it rotates around the rim, cutting below the top edge. Press the button again to stop it, and the lid can be lifted away.

It was significantly slower than manual models in testing, and its size, battery compartment, and need for storage space are trade-offs. However, for people with limited hand strength or dexterity, the convenience and minimal effort may outweigh the extra time.

Models that didn’t make the cut

Several well-known or stylish openers underperformed in practical use:

• Caraway Can Opener: Solid stainless steel build and clean cutting, but extremely heavy (over one pound) and expensive compared with the winners.
• KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener: Attractive design, yet frequently slipped off cans and left incomplete cuts.
• Joseph Joseph Can-Do Compact Can Opener: Difficult to attach and uncomfortable to turn due to a very small dial; tended to twist cans out of shape.
• Joseph Joseph GoRound Can Opener: A folding crank handle meant to add leverage instead flopped around and made operation awkward.
• OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener: Side-cutting design with a top dial that was hard to turn, tricky to latch, and difficult to remove cleanly.

Common questions about can openers

Are there good options for left-handed users?

Many traditional two-handled openers are designed with right-handed users in mind. However, side-cutting and electric models like the Bartelli safety opener and Kitchen Mama electric opener can be used effectively with either hand.

Why do can openers stop working?

Over time, the cutting wheel on a can opener can dull, bend, or fall out of alignment with the gear that drives it. When this happens, the opener may spin without biting into the lid, or it may struggle to puncture the can. Tools made with sturdier metal components generally last longer, but even good-quality openers eventually need replacing.

What’s the best style for most home kitchens?

For most people, a well-designed two-handled manual opener is the best balance of speed, simplicity, and cost. The Beneno and OXO soft-handle openers offer excellent performance and comfort. If sharp edges are a concern or you have limited grip strength, adding a safety-edge or electric model as a secondary tool can be worthwhile.