The humble can opener is an essential part of any kitchen. So much of our food comes tinned nowadays, it’s hard to find kitchens without them. Tinned tomatoes for chilis and pasta sauces, soups, that British favourite of baked beans, so much fruit for those smoothie lovers among you, even hummus – most home kitchens are going to use tinned chickpeas for that. It’s a fair comment, then, to say a can opener is indispensable. Besides, tinned food lasts forever, and the tins are recyclable too, so it’s also a conscious thing.

Sure, you could buy a can opener that looks like it was made out of paperclips, as long as you don’t mind it (probably) bending and/or breaking on the first use. Or, you could buy an electric one, and take all the hassle out of the process. Cheap tin openers that dig into your palms will be a thing of the past after you’ve seen the following selection of electric can openers.

1. Cooks Professional

The handheld Cooks Professional Electric Can Opener is a smart and fuss-free solution to opening tinned food. Once clipped on, which is easily done thanks to a smooth ergonomic shape, the one touch button takes care of cutting the lid. A magnet, which helps with attaching, also makes disposal of lids super straightforward as well as safe, as it keeps your fingers away from any jagged edges.

Taking 4 AA batteries, this obviously uses a very small amount of power and so will last plenty on one set of batteries. Cooks Professional do also offer a free extended 2-year warranty, which is great for peace of mind.

2. Kenwood CO600 3 in 1

Kenwood’s 3 in 1 is a freestanding electric can opener which would even stand up to the rigours of a more industrial scale kitchen, with the capacity to carry cans of up to 1.2kg. Cutting automatically, cans are quickly attached below a metal guide and held in place with a magnet. A lever then controls the cutting, which also features an auto stop when it’s finished cutting. The magnet also serves the secondary purpose of preventing the lid from falling back into the can once it’s done.

Relying on non-slip feet to keep it in place on the worktop, the cutting blade can be removed for straightforward cleaning. The 3 in 1 functionality comes courtesy of a built-in knife sharpener and bottle opener, making the Kenwood a super versatile kitchen gadget.

3. JML Hands Free

For UK customers, JML may be synonymous with hilarious infomercials. However, don’t that put you off a great budget option with great functionality. A straightforward, ergonomic design, a magnet allows you to clip the opener on as well as holding the lid for safe and easy disposal. A simple one-touch operation lets the can opener do its thing automatically and handsfree.

The white plastic outer wipes clean, and the whole unit is powered by 4 AA batteries. It cuts neatly, leaving no jagged edges, and can handle square cans, round cans or even those with ring pulls, meaning it’s a great choice if you may struggle with limited hand mobility.

4. Culinare One Touch

Culinare’s One Touch electric can opener is available in a couple of different colours, so it could be the colour-matched kitchen accessory you never knew you needed. Whether in white with blue highlights or black with white highlights, it opens tins the same – quickly and neatly, with simple one touch operation. By pressing the button, the lid gets cut – then button can then be pressed again to reverse the cutting wheel, and it’s easily handled thanks to an ergonomic shape.

It relies on a built-in magnet to easily attach the opener to tins, and also to safely and hygienically lift and dispose of lids. Power comes courtesy of just two AA batteries, and it’s capable of handling small cans up to large cans with ease.

5. Cqueang Electric

The electric can opener from Cqueang is a surprisingly stylish option with its bold red and white plastic body and a smooth, ergonomic design that is suitable for both right- and left-handed users. A built-in magnet ensures that the opener stays firmly in place when attached to the can, as well as holding onto the can lid after cutting to allow you to lift it away mess and fuss free. This also makes it more hygienic as well as safer, as you can keep your fingers free of any sharp edges.

Operated with a single touch button, it couldn’t be easier to use. Adding to the safety elements, the cutting blade is concealed on the underside of the unit. Drawing power from just two AA batteries it’s undoubtedly economical and is a good value purchase to boot.

6. Morphy Richards Multi

The Multifunction Can Opener by renowned homewares manufacturer Morphy Richards is a true kitchen workhorse, putting an awful lot of functionality into just one appliance. A freestanding unit finished in a smart, understated shiny black, it is not only an effective can opener but can also tackle jars, bottle tops and hard plastic packaging. It can also stand up to tricky cans including those with ring pulls.

A mains-powered unit, the cable can be stored in an internal storage cavity, while non-slip feet on the base of the unit ensure that even the largest cans will be no match. What’s more, the different parts of the opener are removable and dishwasher safe, while the main unit itself is wipe-clean. Therefore, maintaining and cleaning it couldn’t be easier.

7. Swan SP20110N 3 in 1

While it occupies the slightly more premium end of the price spectrum, Swan’s 3 in 1 electric can opener justifies its price with a host of useful features and great design. A modern stylish finish, with a mixture of brushed stainless-steel and black plastic, makes this at home in a home or professional kitchen, something which is aided by the built-in knife sharpener and bottle opener.

The can opening operation is handsfree and automatic – once clipped in, a small lever push sets the cutting action off and a magnetic lid holder takes care of holding onto the lid for extra safety and hygiene from start to finish. It also features removable parts for ease of cleaning, making this an overall user-friendly piece of kitchen gadgetry.

8. Geepas 3 in 1

Geepas’ electric can opener features a super useful 3 in 1 functionality that matches the can opener with an integrated knife sharpener and bottle opener, making it perfect for home, as well as commercial, use in the kitchen or even behind a bar or café counter. Operating with a handsfree cutting action, the machine holds cans in place via magnet and at the press of a button automatically rotates and holds the can during opening. For added safety and hygiene, it will also hold on to the lid after cutting for easy disposal.

A sleek black plastic body with stainless-steel highlights make this a stylish package that’s easy to wipe clean, and a powerful 60W motor makes short work of unusual can shapes, ring pulls and even hard plastic packaging. Non-slip feet give this stability on the worktop, while the mains cable can be stored inside the unit for convenience.

9. Bangrui Electric

This neat little (almost avocado-shaped) one-touch electric can opener by Bangrui is a high quality and useful kitchen gadget. Available in three colourways; white with red, green (pictured) or purple highlights; it’s sure to complement every kitchen. Designed to be easy to use, firstly thanks to an ergonomic shape and secondly thanks to a simple design, it clips on to cans with a built-in magnet and operates via a single button press. The magnet also aids hygiene and safety, holding onto the lid after cutting for easy recycling.

The colour highlights are more than just an aesthetic choice, as they’re made of a grippy material. The rest of the unit is made from hardwearing ABS plastic while the moving parts are built from alloy steel, all of which are designed to be durable and easy to clean. It’s powered by an economical 4 AA batteries, and promises very clean cuts on everything except irregularly shaped cans.

10. GOURMETmaxx 06689

This neat little electric can opener by GourmetMaxx has all the functionality you’d want in a small handsfree electric can opener, with smart looks to boot. Available in 3 finishes (pictured: red. Green and purple also available), it’s surely a stylish addition to any kitchen. Working automatically thanks to a one touch operation, simply clip on to cans, press the button and you’re set. The built-in magnet keeps the device stable, while holding onto can lids for easy, clean and safe disposal (also preventing lids from falling back in the can).

It’s powered by 4 batteries with an economical life, and cuts can edges smoothly and cleanly leaving no sharp bits of metal. It also wipes clean easily, making it an all-round user-friendly option.

11. Coopers of Stortford

This compact battery-operated electric can opener by Coopers of Stortford is a great option for handsfree can opening. Benefitting from an ergonomic shape, also suitable for right- or left-handed users, it has a super simple operation. A magnetic plate holds on to the can when attached, and a single button sets off the cutting action, automatically stopping when its finished. The magnet also works to lift the lid cleanly and hygienically away for straightforward disposal. It also cuts very neatly, leaving no sharp edges.

Running on 4 AA batteries, this little device can handle any size of round can with ease and wipes clean after use for easy maintenance. Durable plastic body and steel cutting apparatus also ensure that it’ll last, which isn’t bad for what is already a good value item.

12. Judge Horwood JEA48

The Horwood electric can opener by Judge is a smart freestanding unit, finished in black plastic with brushed stainless-steel highlights. Operating as a 3 in 1 unit, it also features a built-in bottle opener and knife sharpener which make it a good choice for both the home and the professional kitchen. It’s also a tough piece of kit, able to accommodate cans of up to 11kg in any of the common shapes and sizes.

It holds cans in place thanks to a magnet, but this as well as the blade arm can be removed for ease of cleaning. Operation is super simple with a single button press, but also features an automatic shut-off mechanism when the cutting is finished. The mains electric cable can also be stored unobtrusively inside the unit, while non-slip feet keep things stable on the worktop.

Which Electric Can Opener to Go for?

Best quality & features – Whether at home or in a professional kitchen, the Morphy Richards 6 in 1 Multifunction electric can opener is the do-it-all appliance you never knew you needed. Superb build quality, in keeping with the brand’s reputation, combined with great functionality and easy maintenance make for a great package. What’s more, all of these features come in at a very wallet-friendly price point relative to similar products, so this is a gadget that would very quickly become indispensable in your kitchen.

On a budget – The Electric Can Opener by Coopers of Stortford is, without a doubt, the best option for those who want the functionality of an electric can opener on a limited budget. High quality cutting, super easy one touch operation and great build quality at the cheapest price point of anything on our list make this a sure thing for a budget option.

Neatest cutting – Bangrui’s Electric Can Opener may be among the smallest options here, but it promises superb cutting quality. Specifically designed to cut the inner edge of can lids while keeping the whole thing steady, it cuts methodically to leave suitably blunted edges that stay safe and hygienic.

Best larger-scale option – The 60W 3 in 1 Electric Can Opener by Geepas is the best choice for larger scales, whether that is in terms of kitchens, cans or both. The powerful motor promises to make short work of cans of any shape or size, also being touch enough to handle jars and hard plastic packaging. Being mains-powered as well, it’s definitely a great option for those bigger jobs.

Easiest to use – JML’s Hands Free Battery Powered Can Opener is user-friendly from start to finish, with a simple ergonomic shape and great, easy functionality. It’s sure to become an indispensable kitchen gadget, as it’s incredibly simple to use and as such ideal for those with limited hand or wrist mobility. A strong magnet ensures it stays firmly on cans with minimal effort from you, and the one touch operation with automatic shut-off means using it is a breeze.

Electric Can Opener Buying Guide

While quite a small appliance, there are nonetheless a few questions you can ask yourself before you buy an electric can opener. It all depends on how often you find yourself needing to open cans, as well as what kind and where you need to do it.

Read on to check out our buying guide, which sums all the different points you might want to take into account before you embark on the next stage of making your culinary life easier.

What kind of use?

This is an important consideration that takes into account how many cans you’re likely to be opening on a regular basis. If, for instance, you work in more of an industrial or restaurant/café setting, you may benefit from a freestanding unit – they’re usually capable of handling higher volumes of cans, as well as the much larger cans more common in food preparation settings. If you’re just in a home kitchen, then a smaller handheld unit may be more beneficial, not least of all because they are usually a bit cheaper, but also because industrial or commercial settings more often see larger or irregularly shaped cans. These are something that freestanding units are typically better at dealing with.

Health considerations

Electric can openers are, at their core, a great choice for people with certain health considerations who still want to cook. With electric can openers, those suffering with hand or wrist problems can still get cooking, but even then, there are still differences. It might be worth considering a can opener with a more ergonomic design, or even a freestanding one that requires minimal use of hands to operate. The other consideration between the two types here, however, is also weight. Freestanding units, while by no means massive and unwieldy, usually need two hands to move by merit of their size and shape. So, if you’re looking for something that will put no strain through injured arms, hands or wrists, then a compact handsfree can opener might be a better bet.

Clean cutting

A can opener that can barely cut open a can hardly seems worth it, right? But they are nonetheless out there – make sure that you purchase an electric can opener that will reliably open cans without leaving a jagged metal edge after cutting. After all, if it’s a toss up between spending slightly more on a unit that cuts cleanly and the potential for injury, the choice seems obvious.

Power type

Broadly, you’ll encounter two types of power source for electric can openers; namely, battery powered (typically AA batteries) handsfree options or mains-powered freestanding units. Your choice here is largely dependent on where you’re likely to use the can opener, and what you plan to use it for. If it’s going to be a permanent fixture in a kitchen with constant access to mains electricity, it makes sense to go for a corded option, to save you the potential hassle of fumbling with batteries in the middle of cooking. Battery powered handsfree options, however, are absolutely the go-to if you take this on the road for a camping trip, for instance, where space and electricity supplies are at a premium.

Now you know how much easier cooking will be with an electric can opener, you’ve also got a good selection to choose from as well as the tools to make an informed decision. No matter where you’re cooking, go on and make your life just a little bit easier, and bon appétit!