Best Can Openers 2026: Manual, Electric & Safety Cut
The OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Can Opener ($24.95) is the best manual can opener for most people — opens standard cans with no sharp edges and can pierce bottle tops too. For electric options, the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch is the top pick for hands-free operation.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Overall | $24 Buy → |
9.2 | |
| 2 |  Hamilton Beach 76606ZA Open Ease …Hamilton Beach |
Also Excellent | $39 Buy → |
8.9 |
| 3 |  KitchenAid Classic Multifunction …KitchenAid |
Budget Pick | $13 Buy → |
8.2 |
| 4 | Worth Considering | $52 Buy → |
7.8 |
Can Openers Buying Guide
Photo by Anna Shvets / PexelsOur Top Pick
OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Smooth Edge Can Opener at $24.95 — The standard by which all manual can openers are judged — smooth cuts, no sharp edges, comfortable grip.
Budget Pick: KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener at $11.99 — KitchenAid's practical multi-tool — opens cans, bottles, and jars in one compact unit.
Great for: Anyone who regularly opens canned goods and wants a safe, smooth cut with no sharp lid edges
Not ideal if: You already have a functional opener — electric models are convenient but rarely worth replacing a working manual one
Can Opener Buying Guide
How we picked these. We compared 5 can openers across cutting mechanism smoothness, ease of use, safety edge design, and build quality, cross-referencing expert reviews from Serious Eats, America's Test Kitchen, and verified owner reviews. Products were selected for clean cuts and long-term reliability at each price point.
Manual vs. Electric: When Each Makes Sense
Top-Cutting vs. Side-Cutting Design
Traditional can openers cut through the top of the lid, leaving a sharp metal edge on both the lid and the can. Side-cutting openers (sometimes called safety openers) cut along the side of the rim instead, releasing the lid without creating sharp edges on either piece. The OXO Good Grips and Cuisinart electric opener both use side-cutting mechanisms. If you have children or regularly handle open cans, side-cutting is a meaningful safety upgrade.Gear Mechanism: Metal vs. Plastic
Ease of Cleaning
Can openers accumulate food residue between the cutting wheel and gear, which is a contamination concern with acidic or sticky foods. Dishwasher-safe models simplify cleaning — check that the cutting head specifically is rated for dishwasher use, not just the handles. Smooth-bodied openers without crevices clean more easily by hand. Electric openers typically cannot be submerged, which limits cleaning options.Ergonomic Handle Design
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“The standard by which all manual can openers are judged — smooth cuts, no sharp edges, comfortable grip.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Sharp stainless blade cuts through any lid smoothly
- No sharp edges on lid or can
- Soft non-slip grip is comfortable
- Also opens bottle caps
- 42,000+ reviews confirm excellence
Watch out for
- More expensive than basic manual openers
- Blade can rust if not dried properly
Read Full Analysis
OXO designed the Good Grips line around comfort and usability, and the can opener exemplifies that philosophy. The oversized, soft-grip handles are genuinely comfortable — important for a tool that requires sustained turning pressure. The sharp stainless steel cutting wheel slices through lids smoothly without slipping or tearing. Unlike old-style can openers that leave a razor-sharp edge on the lid and top of the can, the OXO cuts from the side, leaving smooth edges on both. The integrated bottle opener extends its utility. With over 42,000 reviews at 4.6 stars, it's one of the most-reviewed manual can openers available — clear evidence that it works as advertised.
“Best electric option — one-touch operation, smooth edges, and reliable hands-free performance.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Side-cut smooth edge - leaves safe touchable lids with no sharp edges
- Opens standard cans and pop-top cans with one lever push
- Extra tall design fits standard and oversized cans
- Hamilton Beach reliability - built to last years of daily use
- Cord storage keeps counter tidy
Watch out for
- Corded - needs to be near an outlet
- Slightly more expensive than basic top-cut models
Read Full Analysis
Hamilton Beach's Smooth Touch stands apart from basic electric can openers by using a side-cut mechanism that eliminates sharp edges entirely. One press of the lever starts the opener; it cuts automatically around the entire can and stops itself. The hands-free operation is a genuine benefit for those with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or reduced grip strength. Cord storage keeps the counter tidy when not in use. The limitation versus manual openers is counter footprint and inability to handle warped or dented cans. But for standard cans used daily, it's supremely convenient.
“KitchenAid's practical multi-tool — opens cans, bottles, and jars in one compact unit.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Opens cans, bottles, and jars — genuine multi-tool
- KitchenAid quality at a budget price
- Compact and easy to store
- Dishwasher-safe
Watch out for
- Not as comfortable as OXO for extended use
- Smaller handles can be harder to grip
Read Full Analysis
KitchenAid's Classic Multifunction opener takes a different approach — instead of being the best can opener, it aims to replace three separate tools (can opener, bottle opener, jar opener) in one compact unit. The can-opening mechanism is effective, if not as smooth as the OXO. The integrated bottle cap lifter is sturdy. At $15, it's priced between budget openers and the OXO, with the multi-tool versatility justifying the slight premium over a basic manual opener. The dishwasher-safe construction is a practical plus. Drawer-constrained kitchens will appreciate having one tool that handles multiple tasks.
“Electric can opener with a built-in knife sharpener — two tools in one counter footprint.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Built-in knife sharpener adds real utility
- Electric hands-free operation
- Brushed stainless finish matches kitchen appliances
- Extra-wide base for stability
Watch out for
- Knife sharpener is basic (not a replacement for a real sharpener)
- Bulkier than other electric options
Read Full Analysis
Cuisinart's SCO-60 justifies its spot by adding a feature no other can opener offers: a built-in knife sharpener. The sharpener is a two-slot design that handles standard kitchen knives with a carbide pre-sharpening slot and a ceramic finishing slot — adequate for quick maintenance, though not a substitute for a proper whetstone or electric sharpener. The can opener itself performs reliably with standard electric hands-free operation. The brushed stainless finish integrates well with modern kitchen aesthetics. If counter space is limited and you need both a can opener and an occasional knife touch-up tool, the SCO-60 is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best can opener?
What is the difference between a top-cut and side-cut can opener?
Do I need an electric or manual can opener?
How long should a good can opener last?
How do I clean a manual can opener?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 196,421+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →
Analysis based on Amazon customer reviews and comparative testing of can opener mechanisms and durability.