We all know how difficult it can be to get a can opened. If you are using a can opener that has seen better days, then you might be struggling to get a decent grip on it. However, there’s no reason why you can get into your can in super quick time with a decent tin opener.
Luckily, there have been plenty of advances in the world of can openers. There are plenty of can openers that are designed to give you an extremely comfortable grip, with some that you can just clip on the side of the can and then the tin opener does the rest for you.
What you’ll really want is a can opener that will give you very smooth edges and not result in any sharp nicks or scratches. In fact, a poorly opened can will result in some serious injuries, especially if you are going to be opening tins around young children. You’ll want a can opener that can give you plenty of purchase.
You can get can openers with great rubber grips that you can be sure will really help you if you are an elderly person who is looking to get something they can open without exerting a lot of effort, especially if they have arthritis or another painful hand condition.
So where can you find the best can openers for your needs? What features do the best can openers need? What materials should a decent can opener be made from to give you a very comfortable grip and durable hold? How much will you have to pay for a decent can opener? How long can you expect one of these can openers to last?
Well, if you are looking for the answer to these questions and a lot more, then we would strongly suggest that you keep reading. We have compiled a list of the 6 best can openers, each one offering you something very different in terms of handling, functionality and, more importantly, price.
OUR TOP PICK
Zyliss Lock N’ Lift 7″ Manual Can Opener
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Zyliss Lock N’ Lift 7″ Manual Can Opener
This first can opener resembles something that you might already have in your kitchen cupboard, coming with a two-handled design and rubber grips that will give you some of the most comfortable handlings that you can imagine.
This is very important if you are looking for something that will alleviate all hand pain – introducing the Zyliss Lock N’ Lift 7” Manual Handheld Can Opener.
This comes with an amazing magnetised connection point that will really help you to maintain contact with the lid and won’t cause the top to sink into the beans or soup.
This will also minimise the contact that you have with the sharp edges, which is great if you are worried about cutting yourself or if you have not used a can opener before.
Pros
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This comes with a magnetized edge that will help you maintain control over the entirety of your tin opener.
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This comes with rubber grips that you can be sure will help you to keep your fingers free from cuts and lesions and give you a more solid hold.
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This comes in a range of shapes that you can be sure will help you prize open even the sturdiest can.
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This comes with a thicker handle, so if you have larger hands, then this is a great model for you to use.
Cons
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This might be a little too conventional for a lot of people and might still be difficult for you to clasp when you are cutting through thicker metal.
EDITORS CHOICE
Culinare MagiCan Can Opener
This next can is another very lightweight option, which is great if you are struggling to handle a heavier can opener.
We would certainly recommend this one for older people who might not want a can opener that cuts into their fingers. This one is also safe for young kids to use – introducing the Culinare MagiCan Boxed Can Opener.
This is a great all-in-one unit that is completely sealed. It comes with curved edges, which makes it one of the most comfortable can openers to use. This will bite into the can well and requires no extra torque from your arms, which will reduce the amount of fatigue on your hands and fingers.
Pros
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This comes with an integrated handle that you can be sure will give you plenty of grip on the can and reduce the wear and tear on your fingers.
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This will cut very efficiently under the rim of the can, resulting in a very smooth cut with no jagged edges.
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If you are looking for a cheap handle, then this is the one for you. This will really save you money, which is especially good if you have already spent a lot on kitchen utensils.
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This will really cut down on the level of squeezing that you’ll have to do with your fingers, which will really come in handy for young people and the elderly.
Cons
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This is a very cheap design, which might not feel that durable or strong when you are slicing through thicker cans.
BEST VALUE
Manual Heavy Duty Can Opener
Next up, we are going with something that is once again very conventional, in that it has a turnable handle with rounded edges that you can be sure won’t cut into your hands or cause you any undue issues.
This comes with a very smooth operation, which is great if you are dealing with hard metal – introducing the Manual Heavy Duty Can Opener.
This can is very cheap and easy to use, coming with rubber on the handles to give you a very safe and secure grip. If you are looking to get a good purchase on your metal can, then we would surely recommend having a more conventional type like this one.
Pros
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This comes with a 3-way functionality, allowing you to use it as a lever, a can opener or a bottle opener. This versatility is great for someone who owns a busy kitchen.
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If you are looking for something that can easily cut through thick or thin metal, then you’ll definitely be wanting something as durable as this.
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You can clean this one very quickly and easily, all you have to do is rinse it under the tape. It comes with many gaps that food and other matter can easily slip through.
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This comes with a lever that is very easy to turn, causing very minimal stress on your hands. It is also rounded, so it won’t cut into your fingers.
Cons
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The price – you might want to pay so much for a simple tin opener. This might also cause you to strain your fingers in the same manner that a lot of other conventional can openers would.
RUNNER UP
Joseph Joseph Can-Do Compact Can Opener
Next up, we have a can opener that does not look like any other that you will have seen in the store. This is a compact can opener that is perfect for packing in your camping bag (you know you’ll be opening plenty of tins when you’re camping).
This is very lightweight and easy to use – introducing the Joseph Joseph Can-Do Compact Can Opener.
Once you have placed this can opener on top of your can, then it clamps into place and will then cut through the top of your lid. This is ideal for use by people of all ages and will come especially handy if you have been hiking all day and don’t want to exert too much effort trying to open a tin.
Pros
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This is the ideal can opener for camping, coming in a small puck shape that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for a solid opening.
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This can be used in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise fashion, which is perfect if you are tired and don’t want to use much brain power.
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This can opener can be used by people of all ages, it is probably one of the safest can openers that we have on this list.
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This is a great can opener that you can use for both left- and right-handed users. So if you are ambidextrous, then this is the perfect can opener for you.
Cons
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This might be a little tricky to use for anyone who is used to using only conventional can openers.
RUNNER UP
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
Next up, we have a can opener that is very conventional in some ways but comes with an original twist.
This is a curved can opener that you can be sure will have everything that you need for a solid grip that will work with the natural curvature of your hand. This is a solid can opener – introducing the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener.
This can opener will fold expertly over the rim, which is great for reducing the number of sharp edges that you will experience when you are opening your can. If you are clumsy when it comes to opening cans, then something like this is perfect for you, giving you everything that you need for a decent cutter.
Pros
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This comes with a 3-pronged crank that you can be sure will give you plenty of purchase when you are trying to cut through your metal.
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Whether it is thin or thick metal, this can opener will make short work of the whole thing. This can opener is smooth and effective.
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This will work well to smooth out the affected edges, which makes it a great model for keeping you and any small children you might have safe.
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If your trash bags keep splitting in the bin because of sharp edges, then using this can opener might be a solution to your problems.
Cons
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This might be considered quite expensive to some users, especially as it does not really have that much in the way of comfortable features.
RUNNER UP
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener
Finally, we have a unit that will be perfect for anyone who is looking for a hands-free option.
That’s right, you won’t have to exert a calorie of energy to get into your tins, as all you have to do is connect it to the magnetized housing, press a button and away you go – introducing the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener.
This can opener will make short work of your tins, cutting through the tops like a knife through butter. You can be sure that messy lid tops will be a thing of the past, as this can opener will smoothly separate your lid from your can. This comes with a sleek chrome design that will look great in any kitchen.
Pros
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This will open the can for you without you having to exert any force. This makes it especially useful for elderly users.
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This will look great in whatever kitchen worktop that you have. Whether it is vintage or modern, you’ll have everything that you need with this can opener.
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This comes with plenty of wattage, so you won’t have to worry about it shorting out or struggling to open thicker metal.
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This has a one-touch system, which is very easy to use. If you have struggled to get your can opener the right way in the past, then never fear – that problem is gone with the Hamilton Beach can opener!
Cons
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This is the most expensive can opener that we have on this list. So you’ll need to be sure that you are going to be opening plenty of tins before buying it.
Buyer’s Guide
When you are searching for the right can opener, you’ll need to make sure that it comes with certain features. Fortunately, there are many species of can opener, so you won’t be struggling to find the model that you are looking for. Here are a couple of handy features to keep an eye out for:
Is It A Manual Or Electric Can Opener?
Electric can openers might be more expensive, but they can be a godsend for anyone who is struggling to get their tins open. If you are a senior user or you have conditions like arthritis, you won’t want to go with any other option.
However, for the rest of us, spending a lot of money on a can opener simply isn’t an option. This is where having an old fashion clip-on can opener can really help and cut down on costs. However, that is not to suggest that conventional can openers don’t have features that will really make for easy and comfortable use.
How Comfortable Is It To Hold?
If you are going with a more conventional can opener, then you can be sure that you’ll be expending a lot of force in your hand by squeezing it tight and cranking the dial at the same time. However, there are plenty of can openers that are fitted with soft rubber to make it easy on your hands.
You’ll also want to consider the shape of your can opener. If it comes with rounded edges, then you can be certain that it won’t cut too deeply into your fingers. This will be an extra boon for younger and older users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should You Look For In A Can Opener?
You’ll need to make sure that it has an ergonomic design and that it is intuitive to use. If you have one with graspable handles, then this will be relatively straightforward. However, if you are using an electric can opener, then you might be having to consult the manual to see where to clip it in.
What Type Of Can Opener Is Best For You?
Well, this all depends on what exactly it is you are looking for. If you have pains and little strength in your hand, then we would suggest that you buy an electric can opener, as this will really help take all the work out of opening your cans.
Sometimes you can’t just rely on the ring pull that comes with a tin of dog food or some soup. Sometimes these can break. So by investing in a solid can opener, you can be sure that you’ll have everything that you need to get into the contents of your can.
Our Final Say
We really hope that our list of some of the best can openers has helped you to decide which one you’ll need to help get your tins open so that you can enjoy your soups, beans and corn in no time at all!
