We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Products The 7 Best Can Openers for People With Arthritis These expert-approved can openers blend accessibility with efficiency. By Rachael Schultz and Elizabeth Yuko, PhD Updated on April 15, 2024 Medically reviewed by Marissa Sansone, MD Fact checked by Marley Hall Print Verywell Health / Lecia Landis Can openers seem like no big deal—just a kitchen staple that you don’t have to think twice about operating? However, when you start to experience inflammation of the joints associated with arthritis, the swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion start to affect your ability to do everyday tasks seriously, says Manisha Mittal, MD, rheumatology director at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California. In addition to hand pain and swelling, Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York, says that people with arthritis may also have to deal with deformities of their finger joints, which can make it harder to grasp and hold things, especially small objects. We researched dozens of can openers and evaluated them for power type, additional features, ergonomic designs, and value. An internal medicine physician from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy regarding arthritis, the best features to look for, and ways to evaluate can openers for people with arthritis. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Amazon Basics Electric Can Opener at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best Dishwasher Safe: Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Can Opener at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best Durability: Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best Handheld: OXO Good Grips Snap Lock Can Opener at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best Electric: Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Can Opener at Amazon ($36) Jump to Review Best Budget: Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Design: Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected Can Openers for Arthritis What to Look For Our Experts Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Amazon Basics Electric Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $18 Pros Compact Magnetic lid holder Cons Not very powerful Loud Why We Recommend It This Amazon Basic's Electric Can Opener is compact, affordable, and very straightforward to use, earning its spot as our top pick. An electric can opener eases the process. Just flip the lever down to lower the stainless steel blade onto your can and it automatically starts turning to smoothly open the can. The magnet holds onto the lid while you lift the can away. One special feature we really like: Whereas most other devices cut the top off with a jagged edge, this device cuts the lid in a wavy line, which lowers the chances of cutting yourself when you take the lid off. This is an especially great feature for people with a weaker grip who might drop the can once they remove it. Keep in Mind It won't cut odd-shaped cans or dented ones, but it does work on both standard and large circular cans. Type: Electric | Additional Features: Knife sharpener Best Dishwasher Safe Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $43 View On Target $27 Pros Extra tall design accommodates large cans Auto shutoff for hands-free operation Removable, washable cutting unit Cons Not as sturdy as earlier models Why We Recommend It If you reach for a can opener, you're likely to crack into messy but delicious ingredients like tomato sauce or pumpkin puree. Save yourself the trouble and opt for one that can be cleaned fuss-free—that is, by just running it through the dishwasher. This heavyweight opener is extra tall, which is great for easy grabbing and maneuvering. It's also electric, making it easy to use. The base stays plugged in, but the cutting unit is removable and dishwasher-safe. What’s more, this part is engineered with patented technology to ensure you can open it on the first try every time. The appliance itself isn’t too loud and when it comes to most standard size cans, you can press start and walk away while the magnet does its thing (no need to hold). We also love that it has an auto shutoff for guaranteed safety once you’re done with it. Keep in Mind It isn't as sturdy as earlier models. If sturdiness is a priority we suggest looking at those models, but the other features may differ. Type: Electric | Additional Features: Knife sharpener, cord storage Best Durability Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $35 View On Home Depot $25 Pros One-touch operation BPA-free Cons Expensive Plastic lever Why We Recommend It If you've wasted money on cheap, flimsy opener after opener, it's time for one last purchase. The CCO-50 is crafted from all stainless steel, has the backing of Cuisinart’s stellar reputation behind it—and, as an extra guarantee, comes with a three-year warranty. The device itself is remarkably easy to operate, especially if you have a limited range of motion. Just place the can and lower the lever, and the electric blade will open the can without effort. When the device is finished cutting, a magnet holds onto the lid while you move the can out, so you don't have to worry about slicing your finger in the process. Not only does it fit cans of all sizes, but it's extra wide at the base, so it won't tip over while you're trying to unlock the can. It's lightweight, easy to clean, and doesn’t take up your entire counter. Keep in Mind This option is a little pricier than others and it has a plastic lever which some may not prefer. Type: Electric | Additional Features: Warranty, extra-wide base (to prevent tipping), removable lever Best Handheld OXO Good Grips Snap Lock Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Webstaurantstore.com Pros Snap-Lock feature simplifies usage Oversized knob Cons Can be difficult to get the lock on Why We Recommend It The OXO can opener may not be electric, but its snap-and-lock feature and cushy handle make it easy to grip without much effort. The side wind is oversized, so it's easy to grab. And it moves smoothly without too much finger strength. The opener never touches the can's contents, so you don’t have to worry about washing it—throw it right back into the drawer after use. If it gets dirty, the stainless steel body is easily cleaned by hand (but can’t be run through the dishwasher). After the can is fully cut, the opener acts like a plier to remove the lid without you ever touching it. The device is designed to open cans without leaving sharp edges once they’re without their lid. This minimizes the chances of cutting your finger as you scoop out what’s inside. Keep in Mind It can be a little difficult to get the lock on. Type: Manual | Additional Features: Dishwasher-safe Best Electric Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $36 View On Walmart $42 View On Best Buy $33 Pros Cuts can lid with smooth edges One-hand operation Opening lever is easy to push Cons Complicated instructions Why We Recommend It Electric can openers are remarkably easier to use if you have limited strength or limited range of motion in your hands. And while this appliance is a tad pricier than anything else on our list, it’s also hands down the product with the fewest compromises or complaints. For starters, this appliance is very well designed: Hold the can up to the blade and press down on the top lever—which is huge and features minimal resistance, making it easy to press regardless of mobility and strength. Then, the appliance will hold the can up on its own as it cuts all the way around, letting you focus on pushing the lever down. Once it's done, just release the lever. This device opens standard-size cans and pop-tops, along with non-circular-shaped tins, which most others can’t. The sleek black-and-chrome design looks clean and inconspicuous and will fit right into any kitchen. The device itself is wider across the bottom so that it won't tip over. It even has a retractable cord, so it won't get in the way if you always keep it on your counter. Keep in Mind The instructions are a little complicated to comprehend. Type: Electric | Additional Features: Also opens pop-top cans Best Budget Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Sur La Table $22 View On Wayfair $23 Pros Excellent value Soft-touch, easy-to-turn handle Stainless steel blade Cons Hand-wash only Made of plastic Why We Recommend It The cost of adaptive devices for treating arthritis can easily rack up. Luckily, the Zyliss Lock N’ Lift features a few bells and whistles without breaking the bank. While the opener features a manual design, it includes two notable details that reduce effort and keep things mess-free. The “lock” part of the name comes from a mechanism that locks the cutting wheel in place, leaving less strain on your hand. The “lift” part comes from a built-in magnet that lifts the lid off the can, making it easier to dispose of. Plus, the handle is ergonomically designed with non-slip grips for easy grasping. Keep in Mind A few downsides are that the opener is hand-wash only, and pulling and squeezing are involved, so it may be a better fit if your arthritis symptoms are milder. Type: Manual | Additional Features: Magnet to lift lid and allow for hands-free disposal Best Design Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Walmart $49 View On Wayfair $44 Pros Works with push of a button Lid comes off with smooth edges Ergonomic grip Cons Batteries not included Hand-wash only Why We Recommend It This petite, egg-shaped device may not look like a can opener at first glance, but is catered towards those with mobility issues or even recovering from injuries. Electrically operated so you can be hands-free, it starts and stops with the push of a button and removes the lid while keeping the edges smooth to prevent accidents. Compatible with most cans, it’s also conveniently battery-operated, so you can take it with you when you travel or anywhere else you may need to open cans. Finally, the ergonomic design makes the Kitchen Mama easy to hold—even for people with difficulty fully gripping an object. Its one-touch operation and oversized design means less prep time and strain, making it a solid option worth considering. Keep in Mind It’s not dishwasher-safe or the cheapest option on our list. Type: Electric | Additional Features: Battery-operated, compact How We Selected Can Openers for Arthritis We consulted experts and used their guidance to research dozens of can openers. We evaluated them based on the following criteria: Power type: We checked to see whether it was manual or electric. If electric, we looked to see what powered it and how accessible those features were.Additional features: Following the guidance of our experts, we looked for any additional features that would benefit people with arthritis. This includes oversized features, minimum touch requirements, and any extra safety mechanisms. Ergonomic designs: We assessed the can openers for ergonomic designs that would benefit people with arthritis in their hands.Value: We compared all of the above to the price point to see if the financial cost is worth the value offered. What to Look for in a Can Opener for Arthritis Oversized features: For handheld can openers, bigger handles and knobs can reduce the amount of grip pressure and energy needed, which helps preserve small joints, Mittal says. Similarly, if you opt for a manual can opener, Dr. Kaplan recommends getting one thick built-up handle because it's easier to use force. Overall, joint protection, activity modification, and energy conservation are all crucial for hand arthritis, says Patrycja Pedzinska, OTR/L, CHT, a senior occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Stamford Health. Minimum touch requirements: For electric or battery-operated openers, look for ones with one-touch features, which can help to avoid joint pain and the stress of holding a button down the entire opening process. Additionally, opt for an appliance with a magnet so you don’t have to hold the can up the entire time it’s being opened. Frances Lomibao, MD, a rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care, advises patients with arthritis to opt for electric can openers whenever possible because manuals may present more fine-motor challenges and steps, which can be time-consuming and painful. Size and weight: Mittal also urges people with arthritis to consider the size and weight of the item. For example, handheld can openers have the built-in advantage of being light and easy to stash away in the kitchen. However, he adds that if you’re going electric, ensure it’s light and convenient enough for storage to account for limited strength and mobility. Ergonomic design: When selecting a can opener, Lomibao says it’s important to look for one with an ergonomic design or modified handle that resembles the natural curve of the grip. Pedzinska explains that this is necessary because the pain caused by arthritis eventually leads to decreased grip and pinch strength, making it even harder to use a can opener. Our Experts We consulted experts through every step of researching, writing, and editing this article. The experts include: Frances Lomibao, MD, a rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care Patrycja Pedzinska, OTR/L, CHT, a senior occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Stamford Health Manisha Mittal, MD, rheumatology director at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York Why Trust Verywell Health Rachael Schultz is a freelance writer with a focus in health and nutrition. Her articles have appeared on a handful of other Health sites, and she has a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She specializes in breaking down science and medical jargon into digestible information. Additional reporting to this story by Elizabeth Yuko, Ph.D. As a seasoned health writer and editor, Elizabeth Yuko is always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges and needs. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit