Best Can Openers That Actually Work in 2026

The OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge can opener cuts along the side of the can rather than the top, which means the removed lid has no sharp edges and the can rim itself stays clean and safe. If you've ever cut yourself on a freshly opened can, you'll immediately appreciate this design.

The soft, non-slip handle is comfortable for extended use and works equally well left- or right-handed. The blade stays sharp through years of regular use — OXO's stainless steel cutting wheel is noticeably better quality than what comes with budget openers.

The lid-catching mechanism holds the removed lid magnetically until you're ready to dispose of it, preventing it from falling into your food. The whole unit is dishwasher-safe. This is the can opener worth buying once and never replacing.

An electric can opener removes all the hand-cranking effort — you set the can in, press the lever, and it opens automatically. The Hamilton Beach model is the bestseller for good reason: it's reliable, fast, and sized right for a kitchen counter.

The cutting mechanism grips the can securely and cuts cleanly around the top with minimal jagged edges. A built-in knife sharpener and bottle opener add utility without adding much bulk. The detachable cutting lever makes it easy to clean or run through the dishwasher.

Electric openers are particularly valuable for anyone with limited hand strength or arthritis, where the manual cranking of a traditional opener is genuinely difficult. At $22, it costs the same as the OXO manual opener but handles a fundamentally different use case.

At $9, the Kuhn Rikon auto safety opener is a minor miracle. Like the OXO, it cuts along the side of the can, leaving no sharp edges on either the lid or the rim. The plastic body won't rust, and the compact size takes up almost no drawer space.

The one-touch operation is genuinely easy: lock the opener onto the can edge and turn the handle — it grips and guides itself around the can. The lid comes off cleanly and the opener releases without any fuss.

Build quality is obviously not on par with the OXO (it's plastic vs. stainless steel), but for an occasional-use kitchen tool, it holds up well. The main trade-off is that the plastic handle is less comfortable for large hands during extended use.

The Zyliss Lock N' Lift is a traditional top-cutting manual can opener done right. The magnetic lid lifter grabs the cut lid and holds it until you're ready to remove it — eliminating the fumbling with a dangling sharp piece of metal that plagues most standard manual openers.

The soft grip handles are comfortable and provide enough leverage that even stiff or difficult cans open without excessive effort. The cutting wheel is stainless steel and stays sharp through regular use. The locking mechanism keeps the opener closed in a drawer.

If you prefer the familiar top-cutting method but want a version that works reliably every time, the Zyliss is the classic design executed well at a fair price.

Made in the USA from heavy-gauge steel with a sharp carbon steel cutting wheel, the EZ-DUZ-IT is the kind of kitchen tool that gets handed down through families. The all-metal construction means no plastic parts to crack or break, and the riveted handles won't loosen over years of use.

The plated steel body resists rust reasonably well with basic care (hand wash and dry). The cutting wheel is replaceable if it ever dulls, extending the useful life indefinitely. It's a no-frills design with no bells and whistles — just extremely reliable can opening.

At $13, it's the buy-it-for-life option. Not the safest cut (standard top-cut with sharp edges), not the most ergonomic grip, but it works exactly as intended without ever requiring thought or maintenance.