Best Electric Can Openers (6 Picks for Every Kitchen in 2026)

An electric can opener takes the twist and grip out of opening cans. Set the can in place, press a lever or a button, and the opener does the rest.

They help anyone with weak hands or arthritis. They are also faster when you open several cans for chili or soup.

The short version: The Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch is the best electric can opener. It cuts along the side, so lids have no sharp edges. On a budget, the Cuisinart CCO-50BKN costs about $20 with a 3-year warranty. For hands-free cordless use, choose the Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best overall: Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch Electric Can OpenerJump to review ↓
• Best budget: Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe Electric Can OpenerJump to review ↓
• Best multi-tool: BLACK+DECKER EasyCut EC500B Extra-Tall Can OpenerJump to review ↓
• Best rechargeable: Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless Can OpenerJump to review ↓
• Best battery hands-free: Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can OpenerJump to review ↓
• Best stainless: Oster FPSTCN1300 Retractable Cord Can OpenerJump to review ↓

Pick	Cut Style	Power	Key Feature	Maker’s Price
Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch	Side cut, smooth edge	Corded	Opens pop-tops	$39.99
Cuisinart CCO-50BKN	Top cut	Corded	Magnetic lid holder	$19.95
BLACK+DECKER EC500B	Top cut	Corded	Bottle opener, cap catcher	$25.99
Proctor Silex Cordless	Side cut, smooth edge	Rechargeable	60 cans per charge	$29.99
Kitchen Mama Auto	Side cut, smooth edge	Batteries	One-button hands-free	See listing
Oster FPSTCN1300	Top cut	Corded	Retractable cord	See listing

1. Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch: Best Overall

The SmoothTouch cuts along the side of the can, not into the top. That leaves a smooth, touchable lid edge.

That is safer for everyone, especially kids. It also means the blade never touches the food, and the lid lifts off whole.

The lever needs only a light touch. You hold it down for one rotation, then lift the lid away.

It opens pop-top cans too, which many top-cut openers struggle with. Hamilton Beach also sells versions with a knife sharpener and bottle opener (76608) or scissors (76607).

Who should buy it: Families and anyone who hates sharp lid edges.

2. Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe: Best Budget

The Cuisinart Deluxe is the best value here. It costs about $20 and comes with a 3-year warranty, longer than most.

A magnet holds the lid after cutting, so it does not drop into the food. The lever comes off for cleaning.

The weighted base resists sliding and tipping, and it handles any standard can size.

It is a top-cut opener, so lids have the usual sharp edge. Use the magnet to lift them.

Who should buy it: Anyone who wants a reliable opener for little money.

3. BLACK+DECKER EasyCut EC500B: Best Multi-Tool

The EasyCut is a can opener with extras. A removable multi-tool opens bottles and catches the cap, and a knife sharpener is built in.

Its extra-tall body handles large cans, such as big tins of tomatoes or coffee.

BLACK+DECKER backs it with a 2-year warranty. It is the only can opener BLACK+DECKER currently lists on its own store.

The one-touch lever is easy to press, and the cutting parts are easy to reach for cleaning. It is a good fit for a dorm, rental or first apartment, where one gadget doing three jobs saves a drawer.

Who should buy it: Small kitchens that want one tool to do several jobs.

4. Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless: Best Rechargeable

The Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless sits on top of the can and runs around it by itself. Press the button and walk away.

It recharges by USB. One charge opens about 60 cans, and a full charge takes 2 hours.

The side cut leaves smooth edges, and a built-in lid lifter grabs the lid when it is done. No cord means you can store it in a drawer.

It comes in black, mint and red.

Because it rides on top of the can, it fits short tuna cans and tall cans alike. Many cooks with arthritis prefer this style, since there is no lever to hold and no can to lift into place.

Who should buy it: People with arthritis and anyone short on counter space.

5. Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can Opener: Best Battery Hands-Free

The Kitchen Mama Auto is a popular hands-free can opener. You set it on the can, press the button and it travels around the rim.

It cuts the side, so edges are smooth. The blade does not touch the food.

It runs on batteries instead of a charger. That suits kitchens without a spare outlet and makes it easy to take camping or to an RV.

Kitchen Mama also sells a rechargeable Auto 2.0 and a One Touch model.

Keep a spare set of batteries in the drawer with it. When the motor slows down or stalls partway around a can, that is the sign the batteries are running low.

Who should buy it: Seniors and anyone with limited grip strength.

6. Oster FPSTCN1300: Best Stainless

The Oster FPSTCN1300 has a brushed stainless steel body that matches stainless appliances. It looks better on the counter than plastic openers.

Its retractable cord pulls back into the body. That keeps the counter tidy when it is not in use.

The extra-tall design fits large cans. It is a classic top-cut opener, so lids will have a sharp edge.

Stainless also wipes clean more easily than textured plastic. A quick pass with a damp cloth removes splashes, and fingerprints come off with a dry microfiber towel. If you already own stainless pans and a stainless toaster, this opener ties the counter together.

Who should buy it: Kitchens with stainless appliances that want a matching opener.

Side-Cut vs Top-Cut Can Openers

Top-cut openers cut through the lid just inside the rim. They are fast and cheap. The lid edge is sharp, and the blade dips into the food.

Side-cut openers cut through the side seam below the rim. Lids come off whole with smooth edges. The blade stays outside the can, which keeps it cleaner.

If you have kids, weak hands or a habit of cutting your fingers on lids, choose side-cut.

Corded vs Cordless

Corded openers are faster and never need charging. They take up counter space and an outlet.

Rechargeable openers store in a drawer and charge by USB. They are hands-free but slower.

Battery openers need no outlet or charger, but you will replace batteries.

In a small kitchen, a cordless model frees counter space. See our countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen.

What to Look for in an Electric Can Opener

Can height. Extra-tall models fit large cans. Cordless openers that ride on top fit any height.

Ease of use. Light-touch levers or one-button operation help weak hands.

Lid handling. A magnet or lid lifter keeps lids out of the food.

Cleaning. A removable cutting lever is much easier to wash.

Extras. Knife sharpeners and bottle openers save drawer space. For serious knife care, a dedicated knife sharpener works better.

Warranty. Cuisinart and Proctor Silex offer 3 years; BLACK+DECKER offers 2.

How to Clean an Electric Can Opener

1. Unplug it. Or remove the batteries.
2. Remove the lever. If yours detaches, wash it in warm soapy water.
3. Scrub the cutting wheel. Use an old toothbrush to clear food and grime.
4. Wipe the body. Use a damp cloth. Never submerge the motor.
5. Dry fully. Let every part air dry before you plug it back in.

Clean it after opening oily or saucy cans. Dried food on the wheel causes slipping.

Small Appliances Worth Pairing

Canned beans and tomatoes become quick meals. A rice cooker and an electric skillet turn them into dinner fast.

For soups, an immersion blender purées right in the pot. A food processor under $100 chops onions and peppers in seconds.

If you cook for one, see the best small kitchen appliances for cooking for one and how to stock a small kitchen for solo cooking.

Storing Opened Canned Food

Never store food in the open can. Move leftovers into a sealed container and refrigerate them.

USDA guidance says opened low-acid foods, like beans and meat, keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. High-acid foods, like tomatoes and fruit, keep 5 to 7 days. Use airtight food storage containers for the best results.

Canned coconut milk is a common leftover. See our best coconut milk substitute guide for swaps if you run out.

Small-Kitchen Storage Tips

A corded opener can live in a cabinet near an outlet. A cordless one fits a drawer.

See how to organize kitchen drawers in a small kitchen and our small kitchen cabinet organization ideas.

Electric vs Manual Can Openers

Manual openers are cheap, need no power and fit any drawer. They need a firm grip and some wrist strength. Good ones last for years.

Electric openers do the work for you. They are faster, especially when you open several cans at once. They cost more and take up space or need charging.

Many cooks keep both. An electric opener handles daily use, and a manual one sits in a drawer for power cuts, camping and picnics.

Best Can Openers for Seniors and Arthritis

Opening cans is one of the first kitchen tasks that gets hard with arthritis. Look for these features:

• Hands-free operation. Cordless models like the Proctor Silex and Kitchen Mama run around the can on their own.
• Light-touch levers. The Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch needs very little pressure.
• Smooth edges. Side-cut lids are safe to grab, which reduces cuts.
• Lid lifters or magnets. You never need to pick a lid out of the food.
• Stable bases. Heavy bases stop the opener sliding as you load the can.

Pair a hands-free opener with other easy-grip tools. An electric potato peeler and a light hand mixer also reduce hand strain.

Can Opener Safety Tips

• Never touch the cutting wheel. Unplug the opener before cleaning it.
• Lift lids with the magnet or lifter. Top-cut lids are sharp.
• Do not open dented or bulging cans. A bulging can may mean the food inside has spoiled. Throw it away unopened.
• Wipe the can top first. Dust on the lid can fall into the food when it is cut.
• Keep cords away from water. Store corded openers away from the sink.

Quick Meals From Canned Food

A good can opener makes pantry cooking fast. A few ideas:

• Chili: Canned beans, tomatoes and ground meat simmered in a stockpot with a lid.
• Tuna melts: Canned tuna, mayo and cheese under the broiler.
• Chickpea curry: Canned chickpeas, tomatoes and coconut milk over rice. A rice cooker for brown rice keeps it hands-off.
• Bean and sausage bake: See how to cook sausages in the oven, then add canned beans for the last ten minutes.
• Fruit smoothies: Canned pineapple or peaches blend well; see the best blenders for smoothies.

For batch cooking, our easy meal prep ideas for one person use many pantry staples.

Organizing Canned Goods

Cans are heavy and easy to lose at the back of a shelf. A tiered can rack or a lazy Susan organizer puts every label in view.

If you have no pantry, see how to organize a small kitchen with no pantry. Rotate stock so older cans get used first, and keep shelves clean to keep pests out of a small kitchen.

Which Electric Can Opener Should You Buy?

Buy the Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch for smooth, safe lids and pop-top cans.

Pick the Cuisinart CCO-50BKN for the best value and a 3-year warranty.

Choose the BLACK+DECKER EC500B for a bottle opener and knife sharpener in one.

Get the Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless for hands-free, rechargeable use.

Go with the Kitchen Mama Auto for battery-powered hands-free opening.

Choose the Oster FPSTCN1300 for a stainless look and retractable cord.

Which Cans Give Electric Openers Trouble

Very small cans, such as tomato paste, can be too short for some openers to grip. Large commercial cans may not fit at all. Dented rims can also stop the cutter partway. Keep a manual opener in the drawer as a backup for these.

Related Guides

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• Best 2-Slice Toaster
• Most Energy-Efficient Small Kitchen Appliances
• Best Electric Potato Peeler
• Best Electric Apple Peeler Corer Slicer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best electric can opener?

The Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch is the best pick in this guide. It cuts along the side of the can instead of the top, so the lid and rim are smooth to the touch. It usually sells for around $40.

What is a smooth-edge can opener?

A smooth-edge or side-cut opener cuts through the side seam of the can, just below the rim. The lid lifts off whole with no sharp edges. The blade never touches the food, and the lid can even sit back on the can.

Are electric can openers good for arthritis?

Yes. Hands-free models like the Kitchen Mama Auto and the Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless open a can with one button press, so you do not need grip strength. Light-touch lever models like the Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch also need very little pressure.

How do you clean an electric can opener?

Unplug it first. Many models have a removable cutting lever that you can wash in warm soapy water. Wipe the body with a damp cloth and use an old toothbrush to clear food from the cutting wheel.

Do electric can openers work on pop-top cans?

Side-cut models such as the Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch open pop-top cans. Many top-cut openers can struggle with the raised ring, so check the listing if you buy a lot of pop-top cans.