collage of canopers

The Best Inexpensive Can Openers

/Updated /39 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

A can opener is mandatory for every kitchen. Whether you’re a student living in a dorm, a world-class chef in a 5-star restaurant, or somewhere in between—you need the best can opener, an easy, reliable way to open a can. That’s about as basic as life gets. Why has something so simple as opening a can of food become such a challenge?

can opener collage

Bit of History

The year was 1810. Peter Durand took food preservation to new levels with his patenting of the tin can. Sadly, those first cans were so thick they had to be hammered open, eliminating all hopes of practicality for home use.

It took a few decades, but finally in 1858, just as our friend Peter was coming up with thinner cans, Ezra Warren patented the first can opener. As primitive as that first opener was, it worked! And that’s a lot more than we can say for most can openers 166 years later.

Severe Case of Angst

Can’t anyone make a can opener that’s easy to use, does a great job, and doesn’t turn into absolute junk in a matter of months? An opener that will latch on easily, twist smoothly, and give a clean, continuous cut every time? Is that too much to ask?

Perhaps you detect my severe case of angst when it comes to can openers. I’m pretty sure that through the years, I’ve owned all of them. Most work, at first. But then in what seems like no time, they begin to slip causing hits and misses. The gear parts rust causing the rotating parts to seize up. Is there anything more frustrating than a can opener that refuses to open a can?

Today, I bring you good news. Finally, I am confident that I have indeed found the best can openers in a number of categories, that are reliable—because they work well.

 

Never in the Dishwasher

I had a major ah-ha moment in all my research, testing, trials, and discoveries. And it has changed everything for me. Ready? Here it is:

Never put a  can opener—any can opener—in the dishwasher, even if it touts to be dishwasher safe. Just don’t. Never. Ever! That goes for a manual model, a sleek stainless steel option or the working parts of an electric model if those parts come off to be washed.

Repeat: Never put a can opener in the dishwasher. The cutting wheel will turn to rust, destroying its intricate working parts in time.

Instead, always wash a can opener by hand with hot soap and water; rinse well, and dry quickly to prevent rust. Keep it rust-free and a good one will keep cutting and working for many years to come.

 

 

Best Inexpensive

Starfrit MightiCan Can Opener - Safe - Holds Lid and Leaves No Sharp Edges on Lid - 3 year warranty - Comfort Grip - Heavy Duty Non-Slip Knob
Starfrit MightiCan Can Opener - Safe - Holds Lid and Leaves No Sharp Edges on Lid - 3 year warranty - Comfort Grip - Heavy Duty Non-Slip Knob
    Buy on Amazon

    tutorial for Starfrit can openerIt was EC Reader Tara, whose comment sent me back onto the Best Inexpensive Can Opener trail. I’d never heard of this brand, assuming it must be a Canadian or European item. With very little research I found it online.

    Within 48 hours I had my own little Starfrit in hand and it’s been in my kitchen utensil drawer ever since. From the moment Starfrit landed in my kitchen, I have not used any other opener. It’s what I instinctively reach for.

    Little Starfrit is lightweight, smooth, and easy to pick up and use. It’s mostly plastic—only the blade and its housing are metal. Operating Starfrit is effortless—it’s one smooth operator!

    Tara tells us she’s had hers for 30 years and it’s still working like a champ. I can believe it. And here’s the best part: Starfrit is the least expensive of all options. This is the Best Inexpensive manual can opener out there. Available in  black, red, and white

     

    Why we like it

    • Super lightweight
    • Sits on top of the can, separates the can’s lid from its body
    • Smooth edges
    • Fool-proof operation
    • Left- and right-handed operation
    • Holds lid securely until released
    • The price!

    With the Starfrit can opener, you’ll never have to touch another lid. Its Swiss-patented mechanism holds removed lids to prevent them from falling into the food, which makes this can opener both convenient and hygienic. Soft-grip handles and ambidextrous design mean it’s comfortable and easy to use for right and left-handed chefs alike.

     

    Best Heavy Duty

    Save $6.10
    EZ-DUZ-IT 3028 Deluxe Can Opener with Grips, Black
    EZ-DUZ-IT 3028 Deluxe Can Opener with Grips, Black
      $22.99 $16.89
      Buy on Amazon

      Here it is, the best heavy duty manual can opener made in the USA. With its vinyl-coated grips, it is simple and functional. It grips cans securely and cuts smoothly every time, producing a top with traditionally sharp edges. This model requires a bit of effort to run around the top of the can, but for most, the task is relatively easy. If you want a reliable economical can opener that is still made in the USA, EZ-DUZ-IT Manual Can Opener fills the bill.

      Why we like it

      • Heavy-duty can opener; made of heavy gauge chromed steel
      • Features carbon steel cutting blade and thick rubberized deluxe handles for easy grip
      • Gear-driven design allows for smooth, easy operation
      • Made in the USA!
      • Offers many years of service when washed by hand with warm soapy water.

      Best Electric

      Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener with Easy Push Down Lever, Eliminates Sharp Edges, Opens All Standard-Size and Pop-Top Cans, Extra Tall, Black and Chrome (76606AG)

      This smooth touch, electric can opener with the easy push-down lever, is ideal for anyone who enjoys a beautiful appliance sitting out on the counter, but especially for seniors with arthritic hands or other challenges that make a manual opener problematic.

      Easy to operate, this opener opens all standard-size and pop-top cans. This Hamilton Beach Automatic Can Opener cuts along the side of the can, producing smooth, “touchable,” safe lids.

      Why we like it

      • Eliminates sharp lid edges: This electric can opener cuts cans along the sides for smooth, touchable lids.
      • The price!
      • A manually retractable cord.
      • Opens pop-top and regular cans: No need to struggle with or handle sharp and messy pop-top lids any longer.
      • Easily open cans with one hand, designed with an easy-touch opening lever makes this the perfect option for anyone with physical challenges or conditions.
      • Sleek chrome and black design: the stylish design of the Hamilton Beach can opener looks great on the countertop and complements any décor.
      • 1-year warranty, provided you never put any part of it in the dishwasher!

       

      Best Luxury Safety

      Save $4.88
      Rösle Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip, 7-inch
      Rösle Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip, 7-inch
        $88.99 $84.11
        Buy on Amazon

        This beautiful stainless steel manual luxury model can opener sits on top of the can, rather than the more traditional “hanging” from the side approach of other can openers. In this way, the can opener separates the lid from its body, so there are no sharp edges.

        The beautiful Rosle Safety Can Opener with pliers-style grips is smooth and feels great in the hand. Super smooth operation! Wow! And the lid, once removed from the can, can be re-used to store the can’s contents. Gorgeous!

        Why we like it

        • Made of durable and hygienic 18/10 Stainless Steel
        • Easy positioning pliers that grip onto the top of the can, lift the lid from the can so your hands never come into contact with the food.
        • Suitable for both right- and left-handed users.
        • Ergonomically shaped thumbscrew for smooth and effortless turning
        • Safe, lateral cutting wheel which avoids sharp edges along the rim and lid of the can by separating it from the can.
        • Can lid can be reused to store the can’s contents.
        • 20-year warranty with Rosle, when washed by hand!

         

        Published 1-25-23; Updated and Republished: 1-15-24

         

         

        Everyday Cheapskate participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

         

         

         

         

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        39 replies
        1. Shellie says:

          I bought a pampered chef can opener in 2007. It was always a pain to use. I couldn’t find anyway to return it, so I gave it away. I then got a swing away. It also jammed up, and was hard to turn. I kept both of them very clean. My mom has a hard time opening cans, so for Christmas I bought her the Kitchen Momma. I’m very impressed with how easy it opens the can with no rough edges. It just pops the glue ring loose. It has a magnet to hold the lid. It’s very small, and fits in the drawer like a manual can opener. It takes 4 AA batteries. It’s $30.00 on Amazon.? I’ll be ordering myself one.

          Reply
        3. Carol says:

          I bought the Starfrit can opener after reading your article. I love it! It is so easy to use and it works great! Thank you for doing the research!

          Reply
        5. Joan says:

          I bought the Starfrit after seeing this article. Both my husband and I LOVE IT. I am left handed and he is right. It is smooth and comfortable for both of it. It turns so easily, sometimes I think I am not opening the can. Thank you for the recommendation, Mary!

          Reply
        8. Pat C says:

          I have arthritis in my hands and wrists and find can openers that you have to twist/turn too painful. Also, the current ones, even if they have the same brand name, are nothing like the quality of the ones I grew up with. I ended up buying a Kitchen Mama can opener because that’s all I could find online during lock down. I’m really happy with it. It turns down the edges of both the lid and the can so you don’t cut yourself. It’s small enough to live in my silverware drawer so I don’t have to give it counter space and it’s batter operated, so it doesn’t need to be plugged in. Sometimes, I do need to let it go around twice, but that’s no big deal. I’d be interested if you think there’s a better one out there.

          Reply
        9. Kim says:

          I received the Ez-Duz-It can opener as a wedding shower gift in 1976. It is finally time to replace it. I’m happy to see this is still available.

          Reply
        11. Pat syblik says:

          My mother had a Swingaway on the wall in the house I grew up in. When we moved, she bought a handheld Swingaway. They lived in that house for at least 30 years. When I got married, that was the first kitchen appliance I bought. I returned the two electric can openers I received as wedding gifts. I am still using my original Swingaway. We have been married 53 years! When my son was about 16, a friend’s family got a new electric can opener. He wanted to buy me one and I said NO. They always break. A few months later, he admitted that his friend’s electric can opener was already broken. I do have two can openers, both Swingaway, because when he started to work, he was taking cans of food to work for lunch. He always borrowed mine…..I bought the second one in self-defense. He is married now, and he bought a Swingaway for himself!

          Reply
          • Mary Hunt says:

            The black and white are basically the same … mine is the white one, but I’ve used both. You can’t go wrong either way. Hope that help;s …

            Reply
        14. kathny says:

          I have had an EZ-DUZ IT can opener for about 10 years. I bought 5 different brands of can openers to test them and EZ- DUZ IT is the only one that still works as well as the day I bought it. In fact, I was just thinking today that I should probably pick up one or two more to have on hand in case this one gets lost (or taken by one of my kids!). Thanks for the link!

          Reply
        15. Nancy says:

          Love my Hamilton Beach smooth touch can opener! Have given to adult kids who also love it. Favorite feature: no sharp edges as Mary mentioned. (I probably first read about it years ago in a prior column as most all my good tips come from Mary!)

          Reply
        16. Tara says:

          I am a doofus who can’t even use the cheap dollar store side hinge ones, as I grew up with an electric and then a starfrit. Star frit is the brand I trust most for can openers- I have 2, and one I’ve had for over THIRTY years!! And it still works fabulously!

          Reply
          • Cally Ross says:

            I agree! the Starfrit is the best, and last, can opener I’ve bought.
            (not a fan of the sound of an electric can opener, plus I’ve found they frustrate THIS doofus even more) 🙂

            Reply
          • Larry says:

            We have had the same for about the same length of time. Just now replaced with a new Swing-Away. Great product, still available.

            Reply
        18. Robin says:

          I have a can opener I bought from a Pampered Chef party years ago and I love it. It opens cans like the Rosele one here. I LOVE this canb opener!

          Reply
          • alien18302 says:

            i also vote for the one from pampered chef! mine is about 25 or more years old. i have arthritis in my hands but i can operate this one easily. i love it!

            Reply
          • Norma says:

            I too have the Pampered Chef can opener and love it. I actually bought a second one because I was afraid they might not have it anymore. Best can opener I’ve ever used!

            Reply
            • Mary Hunt says:

              The Pampered Chef Can Openerdidn’t make the cut with me as I found it to be challenging to open large cans. And the $50 price tag was completely off putting when inexpensive Starfrit is, in my opinion, so much better. (I don’t know what the price is at a Pampered Chef party, and I’ll never know because I do not participate in MLM in any way, which is probably a sujbect for another time).

          • Mary Hunt says:

            Are you certain it was the EZduzit brand? There are a number of knock-offs out there. Either way you should return it for a replacement or refund!

            Reply
        21. Glenda says:

          Like the article on can openers but I’m looking for an electric under the counter model as I don’t like appliances on counter. I have arthritis issues and don’t wanna open manually! Any advice on a product to attach under the counter?
          Thanks in advance, Mary!

          Reply
          • pat says:

            Glenda, I don’t think they’re available anymore. I had one in my old life and loved it. Now, the only electric ones I can find are countertop.

            Reply
        22. Linda Hubler says:

          I have the Hamilton Beach electric can opener and it is the best can opener I have ever owned. I always had trouble with can openers. I am left-handed and it always seemed that every can opener I tried felt “backwards.” Finally along comes an electric can opener that works for me! I am thinking I might get a second one, just in case this one breaks down in the future! It has a great price as well. Not expensive.

          Reply
        23. Sharon Benton says:

          Best inexpensive jar openers. I had an all in one can opener and jar opener from black and decker but the jar opener doesn’t work anymore. They have discontinued this model. Any suggestions?

          Reply
        24. Reg Pitt says:

          My wife and myself are OLD. We’ve used all types of manual and electric can openers over decades. The BEST can opener we’ve ever used is the Nogent can opener.

          Reply

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