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Can Openers: Reviews, Comparisons & Buying Guide
Electric, handheld, and heavy-duty manual openers that cut cleanly and leave safe lids, from the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch to the EZ-DUZ-IT and the Kuhn Rikon LidLifter.
A can opener is a small tool with a surprisingly sharp trade-off at its centre: the cut. A top-cut opener slices through the lid and leaves a sharp edge that can cut a finger and cannot go back on the can. A side-cut opener cuts around the rim and leaves a smooth lid that is safe to handle and can be reused as a cover. That one choice shapes the whole shortlist, and it is the first decision to make before comparing brands.
The ten openers below cover every honest way to open a can. The Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch is the pick for most people, the Cuisinart Deluxe is the classic countertop electric, and the Hamilton Beach Classic Chrome is the budget electric. The Kitchen Mama Auto and Orbit One cover handheld battery and rechargeable opening, the Amazon Basics 3-in-1 covers three tools in one body, and the OXO Smooth Edge, OXO Soft-Handled, EZ-DUZ-IT, and Kuhn Rikon LidLifter cover the manual work, from a simple turn knob to a heavy steel body and a lid-lifting side cut. Every opener here is a current Amazon listing with a verified image, and every trade-off is stated plainly, including the openers that leave sharp lids.
Every guide on best can openers (2026)
11 guidesBest of
The Best Can Openers (2026)
The best can openers of 2026: Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch and Classic Chrome, Cuisinart Deluxe, Kitchen Mama Auto and Orbit One, Amazon Basics 3-in-1, OXO Smooth Edge and Soft-Handled, EZ-DUZ-IT, and Kuhn Rikon LidLifter, compared on cut, lid safety, and grip.
Ranked on what you actually get for the money: a clean cut, a grip that holds, and a lid you can handle without a cut.
The Best Budget Can Openers (2026)
Budget can openers that still cut properly: the cheapest honest ways into electric and manual opening.
Ranked on cut style, lid safety, ease of use, and whether the opener earns its counter or drawer space.
The Best Electric Can Openers (2026)
Electric can openers compared: countertop, handheld battery, and rechargeable openers, from budget to premium.
Ranked on cut safety, grip, leverage, and build quality, with no motor, cord, or battery to fail.
The Best Manual Can Openers (2026)
Manual can openers compared: smooth-edge, simple, heavy-duty, and lid-lifting openers that need no power at all.
Review
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch 76606ZA Review (2026)
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener 76606ZA - The pick for most people: a tall electric opener that side-cuts cans for smooth, safe lids with one easy push of a lever.
Review
Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener CCO-50BKN Review (2026)
Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener CCO-50BKN - The classic electric: a single-touch Cuisinart with a Power Cut blade, a magnetic lid holder, and an automatic stop.
Review
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener Review (2026)
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener - The smooth-edge manual: a side-cut opener with soft handles and an oversized knob that leaves lids safe to handle.
Head to head
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch vs Cuisinart Deluxe CCO-50BKN (2026)
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch 76606ZA vs Cuisinart Deluxe CCO-50BKN compared: cut style, lid safety, size, and which electric opener you should buy.
Head to head
OXO Smooth Edge vs Kuhn Rikon LidLifter (2026)
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge vs Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter compared: grip, lid lifting, ring pulls, and which manual opener you should buy.
Buying guide
Can Opener Buying Guide (2026)
How to choose a can opener: side-cut against top-cut, electric against manual, grip, size, and the mistakes buyers should avoid.
Fix it
Can Opener Troubleshooting (2026)
Fixes for common can opener problems: a wheel that slips, a lid that will not come off, a motor that stalls, and a cut that leaves sharp edges.