Which electric can openers are the easiest to use?

From fruits and vegetables to ready-to-eat meals, it’s rare to find a pantry without at least a handful of cans, thanks to their longevity and ease of use. But unless you have a can opener, it’s anything but easy to open them up. Most people use either a manual or an electric can opener, depending on their preference. But for people with joint pain or arthritis, for example, a user-friendly electric can opener is a requirement.

In this article: Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe Electric Can Opener, Pignr Electric Can Opener and Hamilton Beach Two-In-One Electric Can Opener.

Type of electric can opener

Most electric can openers are either handheld or standing models. 

• Handheld openers can tackle any can height, and you can take them on the go. Some run on replaceable or rechargeable batteries.
• Standing openers usually have extra features and plug into an outlet, so there’s no risk of losing power halfway through opening a can. However, they may not be able to open especially tall or large cans, and they take up some counter space. 
   

There’s also a third type: mounted. These are expensive, hard to install and awkward to use, so they’re rarely worth it. They do tend to include other opening abilities, though, such as jars and bottles.

How it opens the can

Electric can openers remove the lid from the inside edge or the outside edge of the can.

• Inside edge openers are more common. However, these cut the lid off completely, which can leave a sharp edge. Plus, you can’t reseal it.
• Outside edge openers cut the lid in such a way that it unseals the top from the body of the can. This leaves a clean, safe edge, and you can firmly press the removed lid back down onto the body to somewhat reseal it.

Extras

Electric can openers sometimes include some extra features. The most common is a magnet, which helps lift the lid away from the can, no matter how it’s cut. Another extra is a small knife sharpener for paring knives.

Color

Most electric can openers come in white, black and stainless steel. Red is also a popular option. If you want a specific color to match your kitchen’s aesthetics, you might need to shop around.

Cost

Basic standing and small handheld electric can openers typically cost between $15-$30. Larger, more stable standing ones and especially those with extra features, typically cost around $30-$60.

Best electric can openers

Amazon Basics Electric Can Opener

This is an excellent budget opener, thanks to its magnet, built-in knife sharpener and a hinged blade that makes it easy to pierce cans. It comes in black, red and white.

Sold by Amazon

Ankuwa Electric Can Opener

This battery-operated opener unseals the lid from the outside edge, and it has a magnet in the center to help remove the lid. It triggers by pushing a single button. It is powered by two AA batteries and can only open standard-size cans.

Sold by Amazon

Bella Electric Can Opener

This opener holds the cans upright as it turns and cuts them. It continues to hold them up until you remove them. A magnet helps pull the lid away, and it has a built-in knife sharpener.

Sold by Amazon

Brentwood Automatic Can Opener

This opens bottles as well as cans, and it has a large knife sharpener in the back that can sharpen the average chef’s knife. It also has built-in cord storage, so you won’t have to deal with cable clutter.

Sold by Amazon

Bulbhead Safety Can Express Electric Can Opener

This opener is just as capable of cracking open large, heavy cans as it is a tiny can of tuna. The edges of the removed lids are so safe that they don’t pop a balloon, and there’s also no sharp knife on the opener.

Sold by Amazon

ChefVille EC02 Electric Can Opener

This opener automatically stops once the lid is severed, plus it removes the lid from the outside, so there are no sharp edges. It runs on four AA batteries and has a three-year warranty.

Sold by Amazon

Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe Electric Can Opener

This opener proudly claims it can open any size can. The base is sturdy enough to stay put, even under the duress of large cans. It comes in black, white, silver and stainless steel.

Sold by Amazon

Hamilton Beach Walk ‘N Cut Electric Can Opener

This rechargeable handheld opener has a removable cutting blade for easy cleaning, and the blade is protected by a flap when not in use. It can attach to the edge of any size of can.

Sold by Amazon

Hamilton Beach Two-In-One Electric Can Opener

This can opener is technically a handheld model, but its charging cradle doubles as a stand. You can use the handheld version on the go for extra-large cans.

Sold by Amazon

Hystrada Electric Can Opener

The magnet in this opener has two roles: It lifts the lid away, and it helps center the opener to ensure it functions correctly. It runs on two AA batteries.

Sold by Amazon

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

This handheld opener runs on four AA batteries and removes the can from the outside edge to leave a safe rim behind. It can’t open large cans, but it comes in eight designs.

Sold by Amazon

Oster Electric Can Opener

This opener has a cord wrap-up, so you don’t need to leave a long, snaking cord on the countertop. It also has a built-in knife sharpener and a magnet to help lift the lid after cutting.

Sold by Amazon

Pignr Electric Can Opener

This opener opens four other types of containers: bottles, jars, tin lids (like those found on paint cans) and pull-tab cans. It’s comfortable for both left- and right-handed people.

Sold by Amazon

Zyliss EasiCan Electric Can Opener

This handheld opener has a feature not often seen: a red LED light to let you know it’s on and functioning. It can open any size of can, and it comes in white or red.

Sold by Amazon

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Jordan C. Woika writes for FranksWaffle. FranksWaffle has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

FranksWaffle spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.