The best can openers at any time are always the ones that are already in your kitchen readily at hand. It’s an absolute essential and you need to it to be there when you need it. And it has to work.
But not all can openers are created equal. They break or wear out, and sooner or later it’s time to buy a new can opener.
Canned food has been a staple of American life since it’s invention – and where there’s canned food – there has to be a can opener. [source: Britannica]
What will you eat when the zombie apocalypse arrives? You guessed it, canned food.
So, we worked hard to do in depth reviews of the latest and greatest can openers in an effort to determine the best can openers of the year.
We’ve done the hard work. Now it’s up to YOU to choose among these top can openers.
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Automatic Can Opener
This gets our vote for best automatic can opener. We’re not always convinced that automatic electric can openers are the way forward.
They can be expensive, and they can break down after extended use.
The Hamilton Beach electric opener is, however, relatively inexpensive and while it may not last forever – it’s robust enough to last a long time. It performs excellently and is one of the best electric can openers out there.
You can check the latest price of the Hamilton Beach Automatic Can Opener online.
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
This gets our vote for safest manual can opener. This can opener uses a grip lock to ensure that when you open the can, it’s done with the smoothest action possible from its brilliant smooth edges.
It’s also built so that when you open cans your hands never touch the lid that’s being removed and that ensures you won’t get cut by it.
It’s the safest can opener on the market today. It’s pretty good value too.
The OXO Good Grips is one of the best manual can openers I’ve ever used, especially because the safety opener featured.
You can check the latest price of the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener online.
Kuhn Rikon 2262 Auto Safety Master Can Opener
This gets our vote for most flexible manual can opener. This is more than just a can opener. It’s a multi-purpose device with a built in bottle opener, jar opener, etc. and it works with a really interesting action.
In fact, it’s so interesting that we recommend that you watch this video, below, to see it in action because it’s really clever.
So, not only is this the most flexible of our can openers it’s also the most fun. Definitely a good can opener and has the convenience and ease of use of all of the featured.
You can check the latest price of the Kuhn Rikon 2262 Auto Safety Master Can Opener online.
ZYLISS Lock N’ Lift Can Opener With Lid Lifter Magnet
This gets our vote for best no effort manual can opener. This unusual looking can opener works like a pair of scissors on can lids.
We’re happy to report that it takes a lot of the effort out of using manual can openers. We’d recommend this to anyone with weak hands.
It’s also very safe thanks to the lid lifting magnet.
You can check the latest price of the ZYLISS Lock N’ Lift Can Opener With Lid Lifter Magnet online.
Made In USA Can Opener
This gets our vote for best budget friendly can opener. This is a cheap and well-made stainless steel can opener which is not just budget friendly but also made in America.
We love American made products and given that at this price there are no frills on a can opener – that’s our deciding factor for this award.
It’s one of the best overall simple manual openers out there. It’s even dishwasher safe.
You can check the latest price of the Made In USA Can Opener online.
P-38 and P-51 Can Opener
This gets our vote for best can opener for a camping trip. Why are these the best can openers for a camping trip? It’s because they are dirt cheap and very easy to use.
They say that when the US Army is on the march this is the can opener of choice among the soldiers.
They slip easily on to a keyring and do much more than just open a can.
Just be warned – they leave very sharp edges on the can when they’re done.
You can check the latest price of the P-38 and P-51 Can Opener online.
Last Word On The Best Can Openers
There are lots of choices for a new can opener on the market these days but we think these six are going to suit nearly every family kitchen in America.
They are the best can openers of the year!
Searching for more kitchen tools? Check out our guide to the 50+ Best Kitchen Gadgets.
