The Best Manual Can Openers of 2023

If you couldn’t tell by the name, the Made in USA can opener prides itself on American manufacturing, and it’s by far one of the sturdiest, most built-to-last openers we tested. So what’s the catch? It’s actually the same exact product as the EZ-DUZ-IT, down to markings on the central bolt, but costs twice as much. Both can openers are emblazoned with MADE IN USA on the knob in the same place, so it looks like this can opener’s claim to fame isn’t so special after all.

In our testing, the Made in USA and EZ-DUZ-IT were basically indistinguishable. If the EZ-DUZ-IT sells out or isn’t available in your area, this opener is the way to go—but it would be foolish to spend twice on the same product otherwise.

This standard rotary opener combines the functionality of the classic EZ-DUZ-IT with the rounded, super-padded knob of the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge. It’s comfortable to hold and easy to use, and it’s OXO’s number-one seller—in addition to a fan favorite on Amazon. We’re hesitant to give it top marks, however, because of the plastic piece that secures one of the gears to the handle. Unlike the all-metal EZ-DUZ-IT, this OXO isn’t likely to stand the test of time.

This odd-looking opener took us a minute to figure out—the addition of a full bottle opener below its Mickey-Mouse-ears knob makes it look more complex than it is—but was simple enough to use once we became acquainted with it. As a safety opener, it struggled slightly when cutting through the thick perimeter of the can, requiring more force than the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge. It received bonus points for being ambidextrous and rather comfortable, but its plastic construction and odd design make it seem rather breakable. Overall, a middling performance by an interesting device.

Amazon currently sells the P-51 packaged together with its mini companion, the P-38, for a whopping $4. They’re such small, inconspicuous pieces of metal that we actually lost our first delivery of them in a mess of boxes. Because they were designed to be carried by soldiers in the field, they’re keychain-level portable and wildly durable. One Amazon reviewer claims to own a functioning P-38 from 1944!

Despite their unassuming stature, these WWII-era openers pack a punch, and can open just about any can with some practice and elbow grease. But “practice and elbow grease” aren’t what most people are looking for in a household can opener. While it was fun to try the P-51 and P-38, they took three to four times as long to use as other manual openers and started to hurt my hand. I also had trouble keeping the P-38’s blade propped up and away from its base.

If you want something small to take hiking or to give as a gift to a handy friend, these openers are a great bet—but if you’re just trying to open cans in your kitchen every day, you should probably stick to a device that won’t hurt your thumb or get lost in your drawer.

Like the U.S. Shelby Co. openers, the Korin Japanese Can Opener was a blast to use for a limited period of time. It’s sleek, handle-like design and bright red coloring are a fun alternative to traditional American rotary openers in black and chrome. Even the packaging, which looks like it contains a retro bar of soap, caught our eye. Because it’s another fixed opener, there is absolutely no plastic and zero moving parts anywhere on the device, meaning it could last you decades.

Unfortunately, the opener is just too difficult to use to be a good option for most people. It took us multiple attempts to figure out how you’re supposed to move the opener and at what angle, it unhooked itself from the sides of cans on occasion, it splattered me with liquid from the cans, and it left my hand sore. It also requires some brute strength to use and has an extremely sharp, exposed blade that can leave jagged edges, making it unfriendly to children and people with disabilities. Buy this opener if you’re skilled with your hands and want something cool to show your friends, but beware if you’re concerned with safety and actual ease of use.

Another international, bright red opener, the French Nogent Super Kim takes some getting used to. Truth be told, we never successfully figured out how to attach the opener without just forcing it down onto the lid, puncturing its side with a safety blade. Although its all-metal construction suggests durability, the Super Kim let us down in most other areas. It forces you to grip the can with one hand while you attach and turn, which resulted in splatters and messy hands during testing. Tuna cans posed a particular challenge because of their stout shape, although larger cans caused less trouble.

This traditional opener has a nifty magnet on its front end that makes fishing can lids out of cans easy, but we wouldn’t write home about anything else. Its white plastic exterior is unstylish, it’s somewhat difficult to attach to cans, and it has two red plastic buttons that look likely to snap off in time. Although the Zyliss has a high average rating on Amazon, many recent reviews support our theory and point to how often it breaks or stops working. It also feels wrong dipping the head of the opener into the can’s contents to pick up the lid, resulting in a dirty opener that needs cleaning. It will work in a pinch, but you’d be wise to invest in something else.