We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals.
Oxo is the best can opener I've ever tested, and I write about kitchen products for a living
Stop the hand cramps and dangerous sharp edges by replacing your dull can opener with an Oxo.
I'd never really thought about there being a can opener hierarchy until a few years ago, when I realized the cheap one I'd bought completely conked out after less than a year of use. I promptly replaced it with a similar model, and, yep, it experienced the same fate. Having grown up using electric can openers, I knew I didn't want to go that route (no interest in relying on batteries and cords). So when a friend told me that the Oxo Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener was the best manual model out there, I knew I needed to try it. Here's my honest review:
Yes, there is such a thing as a superior can opener — and you're lookin' at it!
At first I was a little apprehensive about spending $26 on a non-electric can opener. But my aforementioned cheap can openers clearly weren't doing the trick, so I figured there must be something that set this one apart. Oh how quickly it made a believer out of me.
Well, not super quickly. I'll admit, the Oxo did take me a few tries to understand how it worked. Essentially, you place the blade (which is not at all sharp) parallel to the top of the can's lid, rather than perpendicular. Once you've clamped it on, you twist the knob as you would any other manual can opener — but it won't seem like anything is happening. I was convinced I'd attached it wrong; it looked like it was just going around in a circle, as the lid wasn't being pierced.
And that's precisely the point — it doesn't pierce through the lid, it cuts around it to eliminate any sharp edges. Genius! Now that I've gotten the hang of it, I can say that my lids have popped off easily every time, and I don't have to worry about slicing my fingers, either. I find it so satisfying to remove the lid still intact, and if you're not using the entire contents of the can, you can stick it back on to save the leftovers. Oh, and the coolest feature? There's a set of teeny built-in claws you can use to pick up messy lids so you don't have to touch anything icky.
I also appreciate the soft, nonslip feel of the knob and handles. I don't have a whole lot of upper body strength, but I never feel like the Oxo can opener is going to fly out of my hands; I'm able to maintain a good grip. Plus, it's really easy to clean, since there's no sharp blade to navigate (and it doesn't even touch the contents of the can).
Since getting this game-changing tool, I'm convinced I'll never buy another type of can opener again — in fact, I love using it so much, I actually look forward to having cans to open. Cranberry sauce, I'm ready for ya!
Don't just take my word for it — over 10,000 Amazon customers are smitten, too.
"I love this can opener like family," joked one satisfied shopper. "This thing does all the work for you. It turns so smoothly, the little pinchers take the top off and the edges are completely smooth. And the best part is it never comes in contact with the stuff in the can, so it's not going to get all rusted and make you think you'll get tetanus from touching it. ... Who knew you could get so much joy from a kitchen gadget?"
"This may very well be my first across the board five-star rated product," raved another impressed buyer. "I've never been an electric can opener kind of girl. The blades get too gross on something that can't be tossed in a sink of soapy water. ... I've owned less than stellar manual openers for 40+ years. Enter Oxo's can opener. All kinds of awesome! Easy to use. The lid can be replaced back on the can and put in the fridge (for me, canned dog food). ... I just love this gadget."
"I have arthritis in my hands, and it has gotten to the point where I always have to ask my husband to open cans for me," shared a final fan. "Wow! It works like a charm, and I had no problem opening a can with this ingenious design. Also — no more cut fingers retrieving lids from opened cans. ... The one thing that will require a work-around is draining tuna in a can. Because there is no lid to push down inside the can, I'll have to drain tuna and canned chicken with a strainer. This design is well worth that small sacrifice." (Psst: Here's a can colander designed for that very purpose!)
A can opener might seem like a strange gift, but trust me — this one's like the Rolls-Royce of kitchen tools, and would make a great stocking stuffer for the home cook in your life.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
