Old age is no reason to be left behind when it comes to opening cans! While manual can openers can be a pain for anyone, they can be especially difficult for seniors with arthritis or other hand pain.
We reviewed 18 products to find 5 best electric can openers for seniors with the Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe at the top of our list. The most important consideration is whether you want a corded or cordless gadget. Obviously, a cordless device offers a lot of freedom, allowing you to go with it to picnics, camping, and such. And not all electric can openers are made equal, some can only open standard cans whereas others can even deal with bottles, jars, and more. Smooth edges are also a must as you don’t want to cut yourself while getting the food out.
More features: single-touch operation; precision Power Cut blade; 36-inch cord
Cuisinart makes many great products for the kitchen and it’s no surprise they have one of the best-selling electric can opener on the market. The Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe can handle every can you throw at it with poise. The device’s sharp, precise blade and simple lever pierces cans in the right spot each time, while its magnet and spurs hold on tight throughout the process. You don’t need to hold onto the lever as it does all the hard work and knows when to stop. After a complete rotation, the lid pops off clean without splashing liquid, which will spare your surroundings of mess.
The standout feature of this electric can opener lies in the design of its casing. It is taller and narrower than most of the competition, and while this sounds like a means for tipping over, the protruding lip on its base keeps it upright even when opening a 48 oz can of chicken broth.
There are no batteries to fret about as this comes with a 36-inch power cord that you just plug in to the nearest AC outlet. The housing is stainless steel so it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and it won’t suffer any corrosion. This thing will literally shine in your kitchen and is completely safe to use. You can use it with standard types of cans.
More features: opens cans of all sizes, as well as jars, lids, bottle caps and plastic packages; cord storage
The Hamilton Beach 76389R OpenStation utilizes a combination of three accessories to open six different forms of cans. It can open cans of any size in a quick and effortless manner. The first tool is the OpenMate multi-tool, which opens pop-top cans, plastic packages, bottle caps and twist-off caps. The second is the jar opener, which as the name suggests, opens all kinds of jars. Then there’s the SureCut tool that opens up cans of all sizes on the first attempt.
All these accessories are kept conveniently on top or under the gadget, neatly tucked away for space-saving storage and to avoid losing a single one. They are detachable too, allowing for easy cleaning. Any of these tools leaves a smooth edge on cans.
It also has a magnet to hold the lid when it comes off, saving you of back-breaking work of having to pick it up from the floor. This model has a 20-inch cord and a storage for it, allowing excess cord to be pushed into the case via a hole in the back of the unit. If you are looking for a jack-of-all-trades electric opener, they don’t come any better than this Hamilton 76389R OpenStation.
More features: opens regular and pop-top cans
Some poorly made electric can openers cut the lid from the top by infusing the blade in the center, which usually leads to seeping and spilling. The Hamilton Beach 76606ZA Smooth Touch does the work without such kind of hassle-filled cutting.
This device boasts top quality side cutting blades that make it easy to cut the can lid from the side, minimizing spilling and seeping in so doing. Just so you know, blades shouldn’t be too thick or very thin because most cans have a thin layer of the top but mounted extremely tight on the can surface. Thicker blades give extra-large cuts while thinner blades give uneven cuts.
It has a large ergonomic lever for enhanced control over the can, making it easier to pull and cut. The lever is easy to hold, pull and release so that pressure exerted will be optimum. The one-touch lever has the right tension and doesn’t need too much force to open larger cans, though the device is only said to open regular and pop top cans.
Cleaning and maintaining the gadget is easy thanks to its chrome finish. The blade and outer casing are both very strong. This corded model is equipped with a 27.5-inch cord, which is enough for all kinds of households. Moreover, the cord is retractable so you can pull according to your needs.
More features: runs on 4 AA alkaline batteries; built-in magnet; one-touch operation; automatic shut-off
Easy to use, the Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener is the ultimate can opening gadget for the modern kitchen. It has an oblong design which makes it easy to store as it occupies very little space. This shape also helps you maneuver it with ease and it automatically stops when it’s done opening a can.
This electric can features one-button control that lets you attach your can to it and simply press the button. Then you just have to watch as it does the trick. It leaves smoother edges too, so if it’s something to drink, you can be sure of not hurting your lips.
The Kitchen Mama is also marketed as the perfect electric opener for chefs with delicate hands and those suffering from various physical disabilities. This compact gadget can be taken to family outings or picnics as it easily sneaks into a small pouch. Another nice touch is the integrated 2HP motor that delivers powerful, quick cutting times to help get your job done pretty fast.
A cordless device, it runs on four AA alkaline batteries which further highlights why it’s a travel device. It even has a 1-year warranty to clear any doubts.
More features: automatic shut-off; hands-free operation; rechargeable battery with adapter included
This Hamilton Beach 76501G Walk ‘n Cut is a new offering from a leading manufacturer and it does the job without you pulling a muscle. True to its name, it ‘walks’ around the lid to open any standard can size and automatically stops after a complete rotation. All you have to do is attach it to a can and see it perform magic.
This cordless model comes with a built-in Ni-cad battery and adapter for charging, meaning you’ll never have to remove the battery. It works with 120V outlet, which is the standard in North America. One full charge is said to open up to 19 cans, which unless you have a party, it will take a few days before recharging. You can always charge it overnight since Ni-cad battery takes many hours to charge, unlike Li-Ion counterparts.
The device is compact and lightweight at just 1.25 pounds and it will have no problem fitting in a drawer. The cutting lever is removable so as to allow easy cleaning.
The only downside is that this model does not produce smooth edges. While this may be okay for solid food cans, it may not be the best thing to open drinks. All in all, still a great device for hassle free opening especially for people with arthritis.
Electric can openers are super-convenient to have in any kitchen. They wok rather fast and are a necessity for seniors who have trouble manually opening cans. In this guide, we look at why the elderly should use an automatic can opener, features to consider when buying and we also provide answers to some of the FAQs about electric can openers.
Needless to say, our bodies and muscles become weak as we get older. Seniors no longer have the manual dexterity they had in their youth and so having gadgets that can do the heavy lifting for them is life-saving. With an electric can opener, there’s very little to no effort required from a human.
These devices are also a lot safer to use than manual openers because they do not jam. Moreover, an electric opener is outfitted with a magnet that holds onto the lid after opening the can, so elderly folks can easily dispose it off without getting their hands dirty.
We previously mentioned a few including the choice between corded or cordless, and the ability to open a variety of cans, but below you will learn everything that will influence your purchasing decision. Electric cans are available in different sizes and styles, and we know that manufacturers can often downplay any flaws. This section can help you narrow down to your best electric opener for the elderly.
Corded models are equipped with a cable that needs to be plug in to an electric socket for power. While this limits its use in a mobile way, it does offer unlimited use period. Many of them come with an integrated cable compartment where the cord can be hidden after use. These devices are often larger than cordless models, but usually provide better and more powerful performance.
Battery operated units are practical and flexible, since there is no cable. They can be used anywhere indoors or outdoors, however, the batteries can only last a certain time. Most units, including Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener in this review, are also not supplied with the battery itself, leaving you to incur an extra cost.
There’s no doubt this one of the crucial factors to consider. Most units can open standard-size cans, but some such as the Hamilton Beach 76389R OpenStation can also open bottle caps, jars, plastic packages and all kinds of lids.
It’s essential that your electric can opener leaves a smooth edge so you get hurt when handling the can or perhaps if you have to sip from it. As we have seen, not all units leave a smooth edge. These models, however, usually have a magnet to pick up a can lid so you don’t have to. But if you’re concerned about the sharp edges that are left on the can itself, get a safety can opener.
An electric can opener uses the same principle as a manual opener except that the former has automatic features. Perhaps the most important one is the auto shutoff, which makes the device to stop immediately after opening a can, allowing you to remove the can with an easy touch.
That is the case with models such as Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe and Hamilton Beach 76501G Walk ‘n Cut. You don’t need to push any button at all, though you will have to in order to get is started. For starting, you need to check whether you need to push a button once or continuously. The latter operation isn’t that good for elderly people as not only some effort is required, but also if you accidentally let it go, it can damage the can.
There may be some other additional features but it’s important to think about whether you need them. A built-in cord storage is obviously a plus for corded units like the Hamilton Beach 76389R OpenStation, but you can also get another version of it that comes with scissors. That would be at an extra cost though. This particular model is equipped with three tools to open nearly anything; jars, cans, bottles, etc.
The size of electric opener to buy will depend on where you intend to use it. If you need compact and portable opener, small ones like the Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener will suit you best. A bigger one will work perfect for permanent installation in your kitchen.
When it comes to electric stuff, the warranty of a unit is an important aspect of it. A full warranty means you can benefit from the full repair or replacement of the electric opener in case you discover any defects with the period. A limited warranty only allows you to get a repair or a replacement of a certain component.
Run this foil steadily over the blade to sharpen it. Twist the blade along the length of the aluminum foil to make sure you’ve covered the entire blade, and do this multiple times. If the blades won’t cut after this, you may need to purchase a replacement from a repair store or get a brand-new gadget.
There exists several brands and electric can openers in the market, but only a few meet the requirements to be termed the best electric can openers. The ones we have discussed here are high-quality, high-performing, can open almost all kinds of cans, and some are elegantly designed to add a touch of class in any kitchen.
Our best overall is the Cuisinart SCO-60 Deluxe Electric Can Opener with an unmatched cord length of 36 inches, single-touch operation; it opens all standard size cans and is backed by an industry-leading 3-year warranty.
Coming in second is the Hamilton Beach 76389R OpenStation, which can handle almost anything you throw at it. Moreover, its cutting unit is removable and easy to wash.
Another top pick is the Hamilton Beach 76606ZA Smooth Touch. A huge favorite for most people, it opens both standard cans and pop-top cans with an easy touch using one hand.
