Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Can Opener
The #1 can opener brand in the U.S. Cuts along the side for smooth, touchable lids — opens pop-top and standard cans with a single push-down lever.
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Our review
This is the easiest can opener to use of the three, and the reason is that it asks nothing of your hands — you press and it works. For anyone with arthritis or reduced grip strength that's not a convenience, it's the difference between managing independently and needing help.
Side-cutting is the feature worth upgrading for regardless of which opener you choose. It cuts the seam rather than the lid, which means no sharp edge to handle afterwards and no blade contact with the food. This one also handles pop-tops and extra-tall cans, which trips up a lot of openers.
It's also the answer for left-handed cooks, since manual openers are almost universally built for right-handed operation. The costs are counter space and dependence on power: it occupies a dedicated spot, it's useless in an outage, and the cutting mechanism needs occasional cleaning.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Side-cutting leaves no sharp lid edges
- Opens pop-top and regular cans effortlessly
- Extra-tall design handles large cans
- 6,000+ bought monthly — proven reliability
What to watch
- Countertop footprint takes dedicated space
- Requires electricity — useless during outages
- Cutting mechanism needs occasional cleaning
Specifications
| Type | Electric, countertop |
|---|---|
| Cut | Side-cutting — no sharp lid edges |
| Can types | Pop-top and regular, including extra-tall |
| Power | Mains electricity |
Who it's for
- Reduced grip strength or arthritis
- Left-handed users
- Opening cans frequently
The verdict
The best can opener for most kitchens with the counter space, and clearly the right choice for limited grip strength or left-handed use.
