Best Electric Can Openers and Jar Openers of 2025: 6 Top Picks for Easy Kitchen Access

Opening cans and jars should be the least memorable part of cooking. But if you’ve ever wrestled with a stuck lid or a can opener that skips halfway around, you know a bad one can turn a two-second task into a 30-second frustration. For anyone with arthritis, reduced grip strength, or just bad luck with lids, it’s even worse.

We tested 6 electric can openers and jar openers — fully automatic can openers that cut around the side, traditional electric can openers, under-cabinet mounted units, and universal jar-gripping tools.

What to Look For in an Electric Can Opener and Jar Opener

Automatic vs. Manual Electric Operation

Fully automatic can openers clamp onto the can, puncture the lid, and rotate themselves around the entire can with one button press. You don’t hold anything — just press start and wait. Semi-automatic models require you to press a lever or hold the can while the cutting wheel rotates. Fully automatic is worth the premium for anyone with hand pain, but semi-automatic models are more affordable and still easier than manual openers.

Side-Cut vs. Top-Cut Blades

This matters more than most people realize. Side-cut openers slice through the side seam of the can, removing the entire lid and leaving no sharp edges. You lift the lid off cleanly (no metal touching the food) and the can rim isn’t sharp to the touch. Top-cut openers puncture the lid from the top, leaving a jagged edge. Side-cut designs are safer and cleaner but cost more.

Lid Magnet Strength

If the opener has a magnetic lid holder, the magnet needs to be strong enough to hold the lid when you release it. Weak magnets drop the lid back into the can or onto your counter. Check reviews specifically for lid magnet complaints — this is the most common failure point on otherwise good openers.

Jar Opener Mechanism

Standalone jar openers fall into two categories. Under-cabinet mount openers screw into the bottom of your upper cabinet — you twist the jar lid against a rubberized grip surface. Multi-jar grip pads are flexible silicone pads that give you extra traction on lids of any size. Under-cabinet models work best for everyday access; grip pads are more portable and fit in a drawer.

Ease of Cleaning

Can openers get dirty fast. Removable cutting heads that wash in the dishwasher are a big advantage. Models with non-removable cutting assemblies collect food residue in crevices and are harder to keep clean. Also look for openers with a built-in bottle opener on the back — a small bonus but genuinely useful.

Top 6 Electric Can Openers and Jar Openers Reviewed

1. Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch — Best Overall

The Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch is the electric can opener that keeps coming up in conversations — and for good reason. It cuts around the outside of the rim (side-cut), leaving a smooth, non-sharp edge on both the can and the lid. The lid magnet is strong enough to hold the lid when you pull it away, and the cutting blade is removable for dishwasher cleaning. One-touch operation with an automatic stop when the cut is complete.

Type: Electric, side-cut | Operation: One-touch automatic | Magnet: Strong | Dishwasher safe: Cutting assembly only

Pros: Side-cut leaves no sharp edges; one-touch automatic operation; strong lid magnet holds consistently; removable cutting assembly for dishwasher cleaning; automatic shut-off when finished Cons: Bulky on the counter; can’t open taller cans (needs clearance above); occasional skip on dented cans

Verdict: The electric can opener most kitchens should have. Side-cut safety with one-touch ease.

2. OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener — Best Manual (with Leverage)

This isn’t electric, but it beats most electric options for reliability. OXO’s smooth edge opener uses a locking lever mechanism and a rotating knob — you clamp it on, turn the knob, and the side-cut blade travels around the rim. No batteries, no cord, no motor to fail. The oversized knob and non-slip handles make it genuinely easier to use than most electric openers, especially for people with arthritis.

Type: Manual, side-cut | Operation: Turn knob | Magnet: Yes (lid lift) | Dishwasher safe: Yes

Pros: No batteries or cord; side-cut edge is smooth; oversized knob is easy to grip; dishwasher safe; OXO lifetime guarantee Cons: Requires two hands; slower than electric models; turning mechanism can feel stiff on first use

Verdict: The best non-electric option. Reliable, easy to clean, and the oversized knob makes it work for hands that struggle with standard can openers.

3. Cuisinart CGO-7000 — Best Fully Automatic

The Cuisinart CGO-7000 is a fully automatic can opener that clamps onto the can, punctures, and rotates itself around — you do nothing after pressing the button. It shuts off automatically when the can is opened, and the magnet holds the lid. The sleek stainless steel body looks good on the counter, and the cutting mechanism detaches for easy cleaning. It’s the most hands-free option we tested.

Type: Electric, fully automatic | Operation: Clamp, press, walk away | Magnet: Strong | Dishwasher safe: Cutting mechanism

Pros: Truly hands-free — clamp and press, it does the rest; automatic shut-off; detachable cutting mechanism for cleaning; stainless steel looks good; no sharp edges Cons: Expensive for a can opener; can’t handle very large cans (over 15.5 oz); motor is louder than expected

Verdict: The set-it-and-forget-it choice. If you want to press one button and walk away, this is it.

4. Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Opener — Best Compact Emergency Opener

The Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master is a compact manual opener that clamps onto the rim and cuts the lid from the outside, leaving no sharp edges. It runs along the rim smoothly without requiring you to pierce the lid first. Small enough to keep in a drawer or take camping, and it works on dented cans that defeat automatic openers.

Type: Manual, side-cut | Operation: Clamp and twist | Magnet: No | Dishwasher safe: Yes

Pros: Compact and portable; works on dented cans; side-cut with no sharp edges; Swiss-made quality; no batteries Cons: Slower than electric options; no magnet (lid stays in can); takes a moment to learn the clamping technique

Verdict: The best backup opener. Keep it in a drawer for when your electric opener fails on a dented can.

5. EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener — Best Vintage-Style Manual

The EZ-DUZ-IT is a legend in the can opener world — the same design has been made in the USA since the 1950s. It’s a classic top-cut wall-mount opener with a heavy-duty steel cutting wheel and a gear mechanism that grabs even slick, dented cans. The wall-mount design keeps it off your counter and makes it easy to use with one hand. It’s not pretty, but it will outlast every electric opener on this list.

Type: Manual, wall-mount, top-cut | Operation: Press lever, turn | Magnet: No | Dishwasher safe: No (wipe only)

Pros: Built to last decades; handles dented cans better than anything; made in the USA; wall mount saves counter space; one-hand operation possible Cons: Leaves sharp edges on lid; not dishwasher safe; requires installation; no jar opener feature

Verdict: The buy-it-for-life option. If you hate replacing appliances and don’t mind a top-cut edge, this is the last can opener you’ll buy.

6. Kuhn Rikon Jar Opener — Best Jar Opener

This simple silicone pad from Kuhn Rikon solves jar lids more effectively than any electric gadget. The flexible silicone grips lids of any size — even oddly shaped ones — and the textured surface gives you traction where your bare hands slip. Rinse it, dry it, place it over the lid, and twist. It takes up less space than a sponge and never needs batteries.

Type: Silicone grip pad | Operation: Place and twist | Size: Fits any lid | Dishwasher safe: Yes

Pros: Simple and foolproof; works on any lid size; dishwasher safe; takes up almost no space; costs under $10 Cons: Only helps with grip — won’t break a vacuum seal on its own; doesn’t help if the lid is physically too tight to turn; can be hard to find in a cluttered drawer

Verdict: The single most useful kitchen tool under $10. Every household should have one in the drawer next to the can opener.

Comparison Table

FAQ

Are electric can openers worth it for someone with arthritis?

Yes — fully automatic models like the Cuisinart CGO-7000 require almost zero grip strength. Clamp it onto the can, press the button, and the opener does the rotation for you. For a lower-cost option, the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge has an oversized knob that’s much easier to turn than standard manual openers. The Kuhn Rikon jar opener pad also helps with jar lids that require grip strength.

How do electric can openers handle dented cans?

Not well. Most electric openers rely on a smooth, round rim to track consistently. A dent can cause the cutting wheel to skip or jam mid-way. The EZ-DUZ-IT manual opener is the best for dented cans — its aggressive gear teeth grab even bent rims. The Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety manual opener also handles dents better than electric options.

What’s the difference between a side-cut and a top-cut can opener?

Side-cut openers cut around the outside of the can’s rim, separating the lid from the side seam. The lid lifts off cleanly with no sharp edges, and the food never touches the cutting blade. Top-cut openers punch into the top of the lid and cut along the inside rim — they leave a sharp edge on both the lid and the can. Side-cut is safer and cleaner but typically costs more.

Can I put an electric can opener in the dishwasher?

Only the removable parts — never the motor base. The Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart models have detachable cutting assemblies that are dishwasher safe. Non-removable parts should be wiped clean with a damp cloth. The OXO and Kuhn Rikon manual openers are fully dishwasher safe.

Do jar openers actually work?

The silicone pad type (like the Kuhn Rikon) works very well for 90% of stuck lids. It adds traction to your grip, letting you twist harder without your hand slipping. For truly vacuum-sealed lids that won’t budge, run the jar under hot water first to expand the lid, then use the pad. Under-cabinet mount openers are more convenient if you deal with stuck jars regularly.

The Bottom Line

• Best for most kitchens: Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch — side-cut safety, one-touch operation
• Best non-electric: OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge — reliable, arthritis-friendly, no batteries
• Best hands-free: Cuisinart CGO-7000 — press one button, walk away
• Best for dented cans: EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe — indestructible and never skips
• Best emergency backup: Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety — portable, works on anything
• Best jar opener: Kuhn Rikon Jar Opener — under $10, lives in your drawer forever

A good can opener is one of those things you don’t think about until it stops working. Then you remember how many cans you open in a week. Pick one that works for your hands, not one that looks fancy on the counter.

We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.