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.
#7 in our rankings · Best smooth-edge manual
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
Best for: Buyers who want a manual opener with safe lids, and anyone who prefers a tool with no motor, cord, or batteries.
#10 in our rankings · Best lid-lifter
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter Can Opener with Ring Pull Black
Best for: Buyers who want the safest possible lid, and anyone who reuses lids as covers for pet food and coffee cans.
Our recommendation
Buy the OXO Smooth Edge if you want the easiest smooth-edge manual: soft handles, an oversized knob, and a clean side cut. Buy the Kuhn Rikon LidLifter if you want the safest possible lid: built-in pliers lift the lid off without touching it, and the ring-pull tool opens stubborn pop tops. Both leave smooth lids, so the choice is grip and ease against lid lifting.
Grip and turning
The OXO has soft non-slip handles and an oversized side-wind knob that give steady control with little strain. The Kuhn Rikon has a large turning knob and a single long handle, which gives good leverage but takes practice to seat correctly on the rim. For most hands, the OXO is the easier tool to pick up and use.
Lid lifting and ring pulls
The Kuhn Rikon has built-in mini-pliers that grip the lid and lift it off, so fingers never touch the cut edge, plus a ring-pull tool for stubborn pop tops. The OXO leaves the lid smooth and safe to lift by hand, but it has no pliers and no ring-pull tool. Buyers who reuse lids as covers or open pop-top cans often will value the Kuhn Rikon extras.
What they share
Both cut around the side of the rim and leave smooth lids that can go back on the can as covers. Both need no power, fit in a drawer, and cost more than a basic manual. Neither is the fastest manual in the list: the EZ-DUZ-IT wins on speed and leverage for heavy daily use.
Choose OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener if…
- You want the easiest grip and knob
- You want a simple tool with no learning curve
- You open cans a few times a week
Choose Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter Can Opener with Ring Pull Black if…
- You want pliers that lift the lid off
- You open pop-top cans often
- You reuse lids as covers for pet food and coffee
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener | Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter Can Opener with Ring Pull Black |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| Operation | Manual, side-wind knob | Manual, side-cut |
| Blade | Stainless steel | - |
| Cut | Smooth edge | Side-cut, smooth edge |
| Handles | Soft non-slip | - |
| Model | 1049953 | 2240 |
| Care | Hand wash | - |
| Length | - | About 8 inches |
| Extras | - | Ring-pull tool and lid-lifting pliers |
| Colour | - | Black |
| Best for | Buyers who want a manual opener with safe lids, and anyone who prefers a tool with no motor, cord, or batteries. | Buyers who want the safest possible lid, and anyone who reuses lids as covers for pet food and coffee cans. |
| Skip if | Your budget stops at the basic manuals, or you need an electric opener for weak hands. | Your budget stops at the basic manuals, or you want the fastest manual cut in the list. |
Strengths and limitations
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
Strengths
- The smooth-edge side cut leaves lids safe to handle, and the lid can be reused as a cover for storage in the fridge.
- The soft non-slip handles and oversized side-wind knob give steady control with little strain on the hands.
- The stainless steel cutting wheel cuts cleanly without touching the food, which keeps the cut hygienic.
Limitations
- It costs more than most manual openers, and the premium buys the smooth-edge cut rather than extra features.
- It needs a firm grip to start the cut, and it can be awkward on very small cans.
- It must be washed by hand, since the soft handles and knob do not suit the dishwasher.
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter Can Opener with Ring Pull Black
Strengths
- The side cut leaves a smooth edge that is safe to handle and lets the lid go back on the can as a cover.
- The built-in mini-pliers grip the lid and lift it off, so fingers never touch the cut edge.
- The ring-pull tool opens stubborn pop-top cans, and the large turning knob gives good leverage.
Limitations
- It takes practice to seat the opener correctly on the rim, and the first few cans can feel fiddly.
- It struggles with dented rims, where the side-cut wheel cannot grip the bead cleanly.
- It costs more than most manual openers, and the premium buys the lid-lifting design rather than speed.
How they fit the wider field
- OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener: ranked #7 (Best smooth-edge manual) in The Best Can Openers. Read the full OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener review.
- Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety LidLifter Can Opener with Ring Pull Black: ranked #10 (Best lid-lifter) in The Best Can Openers.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Which one is better for weak hands?
The OXO Smooth Edge, because the soft handles and oversized knob give the easiest grip and the most forgiving turn. The Kuhn Rikon has good leverage but takes practice to seat, which can frustrate weak hands at first.
Do both leave lids safe to handle?
Yes. Both cut around the side of the rim and leave smooth lids that are safe to handle and can be reused as covers. The Kuhn Rikon adds pliers so fingers need not touch the lid at all.
Which one is better for small cans?
The OXO, slightly, since the side-wind knob gives steady control on small rims. Both can be awkward on very small cans, and a compact electric or a simple manual with a small head suits tiny cans better.