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Being an occasional party host, I have struggled to open my beer bottles. I still remember how I had almost cut my finger because the bottle was slippery, and my can opener wasn’t strong enough to fasten.
No, they weren’t cheap but cheaply made. So that’s what makes the difference. You can still look for the best budget can opener while ensuring durability. And this is what I did. My experiences prompted me to look for inexpensive can openers that would last years.
Finally, after extensive research, I have curated a list of 4 budget-friendly can openers and reviewed them precisely. Hopefully, it will help you!
Top 4 Budget Can Opener Reviews
There is no need to break the bank to get a can opener that is durable and allows you to remove the lids as smoothly as butter. Check out the top 4 picks and deduce what works best for you!
1. KitchenAid Budget-Friendly Manual Can Opener
At the top of our list, I have the manual can opener from KitchenAid. The thing about a manual can opener is that it requires a firm grip and decent hand mobility.
If you think you are ready for this manual labor, unlike those who have arthritis, this can prove to be a holy grail for you. The blades here are made of 420 J2 stainless steel.
It ensures cutting through any cans and bottles. Besides, an integrated bottle opener is placed into the head that allows you to remove the lid of the bottles effortlessly.
Here the knob of this can opener doesn’t feel tight or jammed while turning it. It’s large, easy to hold and rotate.
Sometimes the can opener’s knobs are either too small or too tight to move. It not only drains your energy but also makes you frustrated. But here, you can easily remove the lids with this knob.
The attractive aqua sky color adds an appeal to your kitchen hanger, or anywhere you place it.
This color makes it easily detectable so that you don’t cut yourself while finding it. Now comes the handles; the handles are robustly made for a secured grip and to prevent slipping.
It feels comfortable, unlike the cheap handles that feel rough against your palm. However, make sure to handwash it with lukewarm water and a little scoop of mild detergent. Once you are done washing, make sure to rinse and dry; otherwise, it can corrode.
Now the best part about this can opener is that it’s easy to use, and the handle is durable and ergonomically designed.
It won’t give you a hard time opening a sausage can. And to be fair about the setbacks, it corrodes faster and might not last more than a year if you use it persistently.
- Q. Does it leave sharp edges on the lid, or does it cut on the side?
It cuts on the lid and cuts smoothly, even for someone with arthritis
2. POHL SCHMITT Inexpensive Electric Can Opener
If you are looking for a budget-friendly electric can opener, then rejoice! You have come to the right place. This inexpensive electric can opener from POHL SCHMITT is built to last. They vow to render high-end products that are engineered to function properly and last longer than most of the can openers at this price range.
It comes with a heavy-duty motor, a steady footprint, and a push-down lever that stays in place while operating it. The push-down lever is easy to control, and handling it feels like a cup of tea.
It’s a multi-purpose electric can opener because it comes with a built-in knife sharpener and helps regain your knives’ sharpness. Apart from this, you have the bottle opener and built-in cord storage so that your countertops and cabinets don’t stay occupied but clutter-free.
Removing the lid from the pop tops and regular cans never felt easier until now. It doesn’t leave any sharp edges and allow you to use the lid again to protect the food contents from contaminants.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that it comes with a magnetic lid holder that resists the lid from falling inside the can. You don’t have to involve your fingers to get the lid out, as the lid holder will do the job.
It’s a major green flag for me because removing the sharply cut lids feel very intimidating as I have thought like “what if I cut my fingers.”
So, safety above all, this is what you get here. Another perk of this electric can opener is that the cutting level is detachable.
However, one thing that may come off as a downer for you is that it makes a loud noise while cutting the lids of the cans.
The sound can be obnoxious, or you may feel like it’s going to blow up; however, it’s no danger. If the noise isn’t an issue for you, then this product is almost perfect for your various needs.
- Q: Can I open any size can?
Yes, you can open any size can with this electric can opener.
3. ZYLISS Low Budget Battery Operated Can Opener
Do wanna get rid of all the manual labor that goes into using a can opener? If yes, then this battery-operated can opener from ZYLISS will do the job.
It features a one-touch design where all you need to do is place the can opener on top of the bottle’s lid and press the switch mounted on top.
Once you have pressed the button, it will automatically open the can by rotating itself all the way until the lid finally comes off. There’s a built-in red LED light that gleams brightly when in action.
It leaves no shape edges since it cuts from the side of the can below the rim. That means you are gonna get a safe operation with one touch of the button. The built-in magnet will lift the lid and offer you safe hands-free disposal.
Now that it’s a battery-operated can opener, you stress over running out of battery life. Worry no more!
It features a slide cover on top, which opens into two slots for AA batteries. When you run out of battery life, you can change it easily. However, it doesn’t come with the batteries inserted. You have to buy them yourself.
About the material, it’s made of plastic, and it’s no secret to you that plastic materials aren’t really strong in the long run.
So, I won’t give you false hope about the durability. Albeit, it can last more than a year if the maintenance is done properly and used occasionally. For extreme working loads, it won’t be an ideal choice.
But it smoothly works on small, medium, and large cans from 2 inches and larger.
- Q: Would this work with the use of only one hand?
Yes. since it automatically opens the lid from the can just by a single press on the switch, it’s obvious that it can be operated with the use of only one hand. On top of that, you don’t have to use your fingers to remove the lid because the built-in magnet holds the lid from falling inside and ensures easy and safe disposal.
- Q: How many cans can be opened on a fresh set of batteries?
First of all, it depends on the usage. If you are using it regularly for opening beer bottles or fish cans, then on a fresh set of batteries, it can last for more than 2 months and open more than 20 cans. And the battery can still survive. On the other hand, if you are an infrequent user, it can last more than 3 months and open more than 30 cans.
4. Swing-A-Way Cheapest Commercial Can Opener
A can opener that is used in a commercial setting needs to be strong and comfortable to work with. Here you have the cheapest commercial can opener by Swing-A-Way. They claim to offer high-quality products.
And they do honor their claims as they have been fulfilling the various needs of their consumers since 1938. You know it’s reliable when it has a history of satisfied customers.
Now about the can opener, it comes in a black and silver color combination.
The handle is dark black, and the entire construction is stainless steel. No wonder it’s durable and immune to corrosion.
You don’t have to worry about rusting or flaking. The handle is coated with soft rubber so that it remains gentle against your skin. It’s a manual can opener, and the handle is made to ensure the user’s comfort and prevent your palms from hurting.
The soft rubber coating on top of the handle and crank reduces the potentials for hand strain or fatigue. You can open 1 to 100 cans without feeling any pressure in your hand. In fact, senior citizens with arthritis issues can also use it.
As it weighs only 12 ounces and has the ability to open dented cans, you can imagine how easily you can operate it. There is a handful of positive reviews about this product. From homemakers to professional chefs who require opening those large pizza sauce cans, anyone can use them and never get disappointed.
However, one thing that may feel a little bit problematic is the size of the crank handle; it is relatively longer for normal-sized cans.
And when turning the handle, the bottle tends to lift. So, make sure to use it on the edge of the counter and be careful with liquid cans.
- Q: Is the steel stamped China or USA?
It is stamped in the USA.
- Q: Is it possible for 5 oz cans to be opened with this swing-away?
Yes, it is possible. In fact, you can open all sizes with this swing-away can opener.
Final Thoughts
A lot of people take budget-friendly can openers as cheaply made products. But in reality, an expensive can opener can also be poor in quality and give you a hard time, mainly when you don’t have a steady hand and suffer from arthritis.
So, what’s really important is to look for those with a reputation for user-friendliness. In today’s guide on the best budget can opener, I have enlisted four different types of can openers.
You have manual ones, electric ones, battery operated once and one for commercial use too. All are built differently yet do the job without breaking the bank.