Manual Can Openers

Swing-A-Way is the best manual can opener

Manual can openers have two advantages over electric models. First, they're small and easy to store in a drawer, something that people with limited kitchen counter space will appreciate. Second, they don't require electricity to operate. On the down side, they are harder to clean and more difficult to use, especially for those with poor hand strength or health conditions that make it difficult to use their hands. Most manual can openers are not dishwasher-safe.

There are any number of manual can openers that are recommended by one professional source or another, and most models fall within a narrow price range of about $10 to $20. For the purposes of this report, choosing the best manual came down to price and assessing the quality of professional and user reviews.

One manual can opener that reviewers love is the Swing-A-Way Portable (*Est. $9), a traditional top cutter. Bloggers Kristina Matisic and Anna Wallner say the Swing-A-Way Portable performs well for its budget price. We also found some recommendations for this manual opener on Chowhound.com, where a user with arthritis asks for advice on a suitable can opener. Several people reply and recommend the Swing-A-Way Portable, although a few note that it is difficult to clean. More than 50 owner-written reviews give the Swing-A-Way Portable an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five on Amazon.com. Most reviewers say the Swing-A-Way Portable requires minimal effort to operate, although there are some additional comments about difficulty cleaning this can opener. Bestcovery.com also names the Swing-A-Way Portable one of five best can openers.

Another highly rated manual can opener is the Zyliss Lock & Lift (*Est. $15), which has rubberized, nonslip handles designed for comfort. This can opener locks onto the lid and remains locked until the lid is open. A magnet holds the lid in place, allowing it to be thrown away without ever touching it. Simply attach the magnet to the lid and press the release to let it go into the trash. It comes in white or green. Shopping bloggers Kristina Matisic and Anna Wallner pit the Zyliss Lock & Lift against three other manual can openers by having a Meals on Wheels facility test each model out over the course of a few days. The Zyliss model wins out in terms of comfort; the authors say it was easy to use, and the long handles "felt good in the hand."

The Zyliss Lock & Lift earns rave reviews from several users who have arthritis at several sites, including Amazon.com, Target.com and Chowhound.com. It earns high average ratings at both Amazon.com and Target.com, although some users note that the Lock & Lift leaves sharp edges. In addition, it is not dishwasher-safe.

Oxo makes a number of manual can openers, most of which earn good reviews from pros and consumers. Our highest-rated source recommends the Oxo Good Grips Magnetic Locking Can Opener (*Est. $20), also known as the Oxo Good Grips i-series Can Opener. Among eight manual can openers tested, the Oxo is rated highest; the only downside is that it leaves sharp edges. Otherwise, testers say the Oxo Good Grips Magnetic Locking Can Opener is comfortable and easy to use. This can opener has a magnet that allows the lid to be disposed of safely, without touching it. The soft handles lock shut and are released with the push of a button. It features an oversized, easy to turn knob and a stainless-steel cutting wheel. Over two dozen owners posting to Amazon.com rate this can opener with an average of 4.5 stars out of five. Reviewers like the locking mechanism; they say it makes it easier for people with weak wrists to use. Of the few complaints, one owner says it didn't work at all, while another says the magnet began to malfunction and the can opener stopped cutting lids all the way around soon after he purchased it.

For a safer cut, the Pampered Chef Smooth Edge can opener (*Est. $30), available through PamperedChef.com and on Amazon.com, has a stainless-steel cutting blade and wheel that never come in contact with the food inside the can. By using a side cut right below the lip of the lid, it leaves no sharp edges. Five owners posting video reviews to ExpoTV.com give the Pampered Chef Smooth Edge a perfect five-star rating, and over 20 reviewers on Viewpoints.com give it an average rating of 4.86 stars out of five. Reviewers on ExpoTV.com say it's easy to use and easy to clean; simply rinse or wipe it off, allow it to dry, and store it in a drawer. Several owners say they've owned this can opener for years and it's still going strong.

Contributors on the Chowhound.com message boards also recommend the Swing-A-Way Wall Can Opener (*Est. $14), a manual can opener that can be mounted to a wall or inside a cabinet door for easy access. This wall-mounted can opener has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five on Amazon.com, based on over 60 owner-written reviews. Reviewers say the Swing-A-Way Wall Can Opener is convenient, because it's always ready to go, and the handle is nearly effortless to turn. Several say it's easy to use even for people with arthritis. This Swing-A-Way model locks into three different positions for use on any size can.