I recently put three different bestselling can openers head-to-head to see which one I liked best. Instead of comparing a bunch of can openers within the same category, I wanted to compare three very different approaches: a manual can opener, a hands-free battery-powered model, and a countertop electric can opener. I also threw in a bonus test with a 5-year-old version of the manual opener, plus a set of silicone can lids to see if they were actually useful.
Where to Purchase
Below are links to the products covered in this review.
- KitchenAid Manual Can Opener
- Kitchen Mama Hands-Free Can Opener
- Cuisinart Electric Can Opener
- Silicone Can Lids
Can Opener Comparison
For this comparison, I tested the KitchenAid manual can opener, the Kitchen Mama hands-free can opener, and the Cuisinart Power Cut Series electric can opener. All three are bestselling models in their respective categories, so I thought this would be a good way to see how the most popular styles stack up against each other.
I put them through four rounds using different can sizes: standard green beans, a small can of diced green chiles, a tuna can, and a large can of refried beans. I wanted to see not just which one worked, but which one felt the smoothest, which one was easiest to use, how they handled different can shapes, and what kind of lid each one left behind.
The KitchenAid manual can opener made a very good first impression. Right out of the box, it felt smooth and easy to turn. On the standard-size can, it punctured the lid with very little effort and opened the can cleanly. That pattern continued throughout most of my testing. It handled the small can well, it did a nice job on the tuna can, and it worked smoothly on the large can of refried beans too. One of the biggest advantages of the manual opener is flexibility. I could use it over a sink, hold the can at different angles, and I did not need batteries or electricity.
That said, the manual opener came with one big caveat. I have been using the same exact KitchenAid model for about five years, so I also compared my old one to the brand-new one. The difference was dramatic. The new one was smooth and quiet. The old one felt rough, required more force, and did not cut nearly as cleanly. It still worked, but it was noticeably harder to turn and clearly had not held up all that well over time. That long-term test really changed how I looked at the manual model. I liked how it performed when new, but I also came away feeling that it may not be the best choice if I want something that is going to hold up for years of regular use.
The Kitchen Mama hands-free can opener was probably the most unusual of the three. This is the battery-powered model that attaches to the can and works its way around the edge automatically. It uses a smooth-edge cutting method, which means it does not leave a sharp lid behind. That is one of its biggest selling points, and I can see why people like that feature. In my tests, it successfully opened every can I threw at it, including the small can and the tuna can, which I thought might give it trouble. It was also interesting how strong the magnet was. On the tuna can, it was actually able to lift the can.
The downside of the Kitchen Mama is that it was the slowest and loudest of the bunch. It worked, but it did not exactly feel quick or elegant. It was more of a patient, let-it-do-its-thing kind of gadget. I also found myself wishing it had a better way to lift the lid off after opening. Some hands-free can openers have a little attachment to help with that, but this one did not. Even so, it did what it claimed to do, and I can definitely see the appeal for someone who wants a smoother lid or who has grip-strength issues.
The Cuisinart electric can opener was the fastest and most effortless overall. Once I got the can lined up properly and pressed the lever, it cut through the lid quickly and stopped on its own. It also held the can in place, which made the process very easy. In terms of convenience, this one had a lot going for it. It was especially good on standard and large cans, and it just felt efficient from start to finish.
The main drawback with the Cuisinart was the lid it left behind. Out of the three, this one produced the roughest, most mangled lids. I had to be the most careful handling those lids, especially compared to the smooth-edge result from the Kitchen Mama. It also caused a little splatter on the tuna can test, which the other two did not. So while it was fast and easy, it was not the cleanest or safest in terms of the lid itself. It also requires counter space and electricity, which may or may not matter depending on your kitchen setup.
After all that testing, I had a lot of open cans sitting around, which gave me a good excuse to try a bonus gadget: a set of silicone can lids. These were designed to fit a variety of can sizes and provide a leakproof seal for storage. I found that some of the lids fit well and worked nicely, especially on standard and tuna cans. One size in the set seemed a bit awkward and did not clearly match the cans I had on hand, but overall the concept worked better than I expected.
I was also curious how those lids would work with cans opened by a smooth-edge opener. One of the nice things about smooth-edge openers is that you can place the lid back on the can for short-term storage. The problem is that it is not really airtight. In my testing, the silicone lids offered a better solution, and they even seemed to work with the smooth-edge-opened cans. So while they are not the main focus of this review, I thought they were a worthwhile add-on if you deal with open cans often.
In the end, each opener had clear pros and cons. The KitchenAid manual opener was smooth, easy to use, and the cheapest of the three, but my long-term experience suggests it may not hold up especially well. The Kitchen Mama hands-free opener was slow and loud, but it opened every can I tested and provided smooth-edge lids, which some people will really appreciate. The Cuisinart electric opener was the fastest and easiest overall, but it left the roughest lids and takes up space on the counter.
If I had to pick a winner for my own kitchen right now, I would go with the Cuisinart electric can opener as my main go-to. It was quick, hands-free, and consistently easy to use. I would still keep the KitchenAid in the drawer because I like having a manual option, and I can also see a place for the Kitchen Mama if smooth-edge lids are important to you. But for my personal preference, the electric model came out on top.
Video Review
You can watch the full review below.