Owning the best can opener usually isn’t at the top of most people’s wants and needs list. It’s such a simple kitchen tool like a jar opener or a spatula. Shouldn’t they all be just about the same when it comes to something as simple as opening can? Absolutely not.
Have you ever tried to open a can of tuna with very cheap can openers? Most of the time they won’t even grasp the can so you have to hold it there then you are lucky if the can opener can make a solid pass around the can without having to stop and reattach the can. The lid is usually botched on the cutting job as well. Maybe the can opener cuts the lid off the can and leaves an extra sharp edge in which you might cut your finger on.
Other can openers will require you to apply a lot of pressure on the handles while opening the can which is unnecessary if you own a quality can opener or maybe there are no grips or padding for comfort and easy use. These are all problems you will definitely have with a cheap can opener so it is best to read thus review before making a decision to purchase a can opener.
In this article, we will cover what to look for when choosing the best can opener and the different types of can openers. We will also cover some of the models available for purchase on the market today and which may be the best choice for you.
How to Choose the Best Can Opener
You have probably already owned several can openers in the past and all have either broken or fallen apart due to over usage or cheap quality materials. You will want to make sure that the next can opener you buy, is going to last you a lifetime because buying multiple can openers is no way to live your life. It’s best to make sure the product comes with some sort of guarantee for the company or a warranty to protect it from any defects or damages that may occur while in use or during shipping.
There are a few different types of can openers to choose from, but within those, there are many choices. In reality, there is only 3 different types that are used widely. The most commonly used type is the manual cranking model. You will have to put in a little more force to get this one to work but they are usually reliable if you can find a quality product. Then there is the electric can opener. Most hold the can in place and do all the work for you with the touch of a button, but they may cost more and may not last as long as your manual pair.
Construction and Design
When it comes to handheld manual can openers, the design has not really changed all that much. The design has changed just about as much as the cheese grater design has changed, hardly at all. They may open differently and lock on in different ways as well as make different cuts and on different types of cans. The same goes for electric can openers. They all really look and work the same but with a few added features here and there. But no matter what the design is, the product should be easy to use with clear instructions. Using a can opener improperly could result in accidents or broken parts.
What really matters to find the best can opener is what the product is constructed of. The material used need to be of high quality so they won’t break or rust over time and usage. Make sure that the structure is made of strong steel. Some of the other cheaper plastic models have a tendency to break when under pressure so having a strong frame will delete this problem.
Make sure the frame of the can opener is also ergonomically correct to better aid you in opening cans. You want the process to be easy and seamless so having a strong structure with grips or padding for comfort will make this easier.
Another feature that will help save on time and energy is having a sharp cutting blade within the gears. You want to make sure that blade is as sharp as a carving knife and won’t dull over time with a lot of usage.
For electric can openers you also want to make sure the inner workings of the can opener and the gears are made with high-quality steel or similar so that they will outlast the ceramic or plastic models.
A retractable cord will help with storing and placement in the kitchen as well.
If you get an electric model, make sure it is able to hold the can in place while opening. The opener should open a can quickly and easily on the push of a dime.
Whatever type you decide to go with, make sure the product is made of quality materials. If you don’t and decide to get a cheaper model, you might find yourself shopping for another can opener within a few months. Remember, expensive does not always mean high quality. Look before you buy.
Best Can Openers
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Can Opener
The Best Manual Can Opener
This can opener is a little bit different design than the classic cranking can opener. It is able to open all types of cans including normal can, pull tab can, bottle caps, screw top lids, soda tabs and a church key for juice cans.
While it is made of plastic with some metal helping parts, it is very cheap considering how much it is able to do.
However, it does not come with any warranty to protect it. The can opener is able to grip cans automatically without ever touching any of the contents of the can at the same time. It also has a magnetic pull top to catch the lids once they have been removed from the can. The can opener is easy and comfortable to use with an aerial turn knob and strong stainless-steel cutting tool within the grinding mechanisms. This would be a safe bet for any consumer but you may need to replace it often.
- The can opener can open all types of cans, sodas, bottles and some jars.
- Comes with a built-in lid catching system that never touches the inside of the can.
- Has an easy to use aerial hand crank and a sharp stainless-steel cutting tool to cut through metal seamlessly.
- While it is fairly cheap to buy, it does not come with a warranty.
- The body is made of plastic and may need to be replaced more often than not.
Made in USA Can Opener
The Basic Can Opener
The design that this can opener has is one of the first of its kind. It was designed in 1954 and reworked again in 2018 for strength and comfort.
The body and entire frame are constructed of strong stainless steel including the gear mechanisms and the extra sharp cutting tool. So, this means as long as you take care of it and don’t get it wet, it should last a lifetime. There is some rubber padded grips to help with slip resistance and comfort but really the manual crank will take some elbow grease to get a lid off a can.
- Has the original design that has been in production for more than 65 years.
- Has a solid stainless-steel body, cutting tool and gears to ensure strength over time.
- Has padded slip resistant grips for ease of use.
- While it is a very cheap buy it does not come protected by a warranty.
- Will take a little more work to open a can.
EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener
The Other Basic Manual Can Opener
There is really not much to say about this can opener as it is exactly like the Made in USA Can Opener in this same list. Literally every part of it exactly the same from the price to the construction. It is still made of strong stainless steel all throughout the can opener and with the slip resistant grips. When it comes to these two, it doesn’t matter. Take a shot in the dark or flip a coin.
- Has the same design that has been in production for more than 65 years.
- Has a solid stainless-steel body, cutting tool and gears to ensure strength over time.
- Has padded slip resistant grips for ease of use.
- While it is a very cheap buy it does not come protected by a warranty.
- Will take a little more work to open a can.
Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Can Opener
The Runner Up for the Best Electric Can Opener
When it comes to electric can openers, this is the next best thing. It also is about half the price as the other on our list. However, it is not protected by a warranty.
It has a lot of the same features as the other in comparison. It doesn’t have the easy one touch button or that it is dishwasher safe, but it does have the magnetic lid catcher and easy release. It also has the strong stainless-steel cutting tools and gear mechanisms. This can opener would be a great compromise because of what it can do and how much it costs.
- The can opener can open any style of can and any size of can.
- The cutting tool is constructed of strong stainless steel.
- Easy to use with just a touch to turn on/off and release lids.
- While it is a very affordable electric can opener, it does not come with a warranty.
OXO 1049953 Can Opener
The Clean Cutting Can Opener
This can opener is very similar to the Kuhn Rikon opener in the sense of what it is constructed of and how it operates. It uses the aerial turn knob instead of the traditional side crank. This keeps the edges of lids smooth. A little expensive for what it is and still has no warranty.
- Has an easy to use aerial hand crank and a sharp stainless-steel cutting tool to cut through metal seamlessly.
- Cuts the lids on the side so that the edges are smooth for safety.
- It is fairly pricey for what it can do and it does not come with a warranty.
- The body is made of plastic and may need to be replaced more often than not.
Hamilton Beach 76380Z
The Little Brother Electric Can Opener
This model by Hamilton Beach is the little brother of the Hamilton Beach can opener on our list. It is still constructed in the same way with the same dimensions and the material used is the same as well. This one is about 10 bucks less than the other but doesn’t come with a warranty. The cutting tool is also removable and dishwasher safe. There is also a space within the machine that allows you to store the power cord.
- Solid and strong design that can cut any style or size of can.
- The cutting tool is removable and is also dishwasher safe.
- There is a space for the power cord to store within.
- While it is very cheap to purchase, it does not come with any warranty to protect it.
Zyliss 20362 Lock N’ Lift Can Opener
The Easy to Use Manual Can Opener
This manual can opener was designed with comfort in mind and for ease of use. The body is made of all plastic but the cutting tools are made of stainless steel. The cutting tool is also magnetic so that it can catch the lids once they are cut. The handles have soft slip resistant grips and are also contoured for extra leverage and comfort. There is also a locking mechanism that locks the cans in place during and after they are cut. This is a pretty cool manual can opener but it may break easily and it has no warranty.
- The handles have soft, slip resistant grips and are also contoured for extra comfort and leverage.
- The can opener is completely dishwasher safe.
- The cutting tool is magnetic to hold the lids after being cut.
- While it is very cheap, it may break easily and is not protected by a warranty.
KitchenAid Can Opener
Another Basic Manual Can Opener with a Twist
This can opener is also very similar to the Made in USA Can Opener. It’s constructed of stainless steel, has an ergonomic handles and easy-to-grip turn knob. KitchenAid Can Opener is very easy to use and clean. However, there is one bonus to this can opener compared to many others on the list. It comes with a 1-year warranty to protect it.
- Has the same design that has been in production for more than 65 years.
- Has a solid stainless-steel body, cutting tool and gears to ensure strength over time.
- Has padded slip resistant grips for ease of use.
- Comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Will take a little more work to open a can.
Conclusion
No matter what can opener you decide to go with just make sure it is reliable and made of quality materials.