Electric can openers have become so ubiquitous that we hardly pay them any attention anymore. They’re usually a device that sits alone on the counter and we don’t even consider their existence until it’s time to open up a can of peas or carrots. After reading this guide, however, we predict that is going to change. That’s because we not only reviewed the best electric can openers, but we also wrote a guide that will help you in your endeavor to find the best ones for your home. So if all of that sounds alright to you, we would like to jump right into this article.

List of the Best Electric Can Openers

Best Overall: Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch

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This sleek black electric can opener should be on everyone’s shortlist. That’s because this model is not only well built, but it looks good while it does its job. This model does an amazing job of opening cans, and because it cuts the can’s lids off at the sides, it doesn’t create annoying sharp can lids that can cut the user.

This also means that the blade doesn’t come into contact with the contents of the food, so there isn’t any possibility of food contamination. It’s also a model that you can use with one hand easily, which is a plus for most people trying to cook a meal for their family. And because the lid stays shut until you lift the lever, there aren’t any annoying spills to deal with while opening a can.

It’s also worth mentioning that this can opener doesn’t take up a lot of counter space either. It’s only 10.5-inches tall, 4.7-inches wide, and 5-inches deep, so it fits just about anywhere you need it to fit. It’s no wonder that it’s so popular. With that being said, this can opener isn’t without its flaws—or should we say flaw.

The one thing we didn’t like about it was that if the user performed more than one revolution around the can, then it could potentially create metal shavings. And this can be a problem if you just want to set the can in the opener and let it run while doing other things. For most people that isn’t a big deal, but it is worth thinking about before purchasing.

What we liked about it

• Cuts along the sides to eliminate sharp lid edges.
• Has a sleek look to it.

Best Affordable: Cuisinart Electric Deluxe CCO-50BKN

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The beauty of this Cuisinart Deluxe can opener is not its features, but its affordability. This model is very inexpensive as compared with other quality electric can openers, so it’s good for budget-conscious consumers. Now, don’t get us wrong. Just because this model doesn’t have a whole lot of features doesn’t mean that the features it does have aren’t impressive. After all, this model does do a great job of opening cans, all thanks to its power-cut blade and its powerful motor system. Other features worth mentioning are this model’s removable activation lever and its ability to be easily cleaned.

Another thing that impressed us about this model was that it could handle any standard size can quite easily. We had no problems opening up little cans of tomato paste or a big can of stewed tomatoes. And it worked every single time we used it without a problem. Unfortunately, we’ve found that no product is without its flaws, and this can opener is no exception. One of the things we didn’t like about it was that it had a cheap feel to it. However, we didn’t experience any problems with it while we were using it. Another thing we didn’t like was its short power cord. Most can openers have a 24-inch or larger power cord, and this one only had a 16-inch one.

What we liked about it

• It’s an inexpensive can opener.
• Opens cans extremely well.

Also Consider: Bangrui Automatic Safety Opener

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Kitchen Mama electric can openers are available in a variety of eye-catching colors. These colors include purple, red, or green. But these can openers are more than stylish looking, they actually perform pretty well. Once they’re placed on a can and their buttons are pressed, they go right to work opening the can. And they open the can quickly and without leaving a jagged can lid. That’s because they cut underneath the lid from the side, so when you lift the can opener, the lid comes with it. This means no mess, no fuss, and a safer can-opening experience.

We also like the fact that this model has an ergonomic lever that makes it easier to hold, even for people who may be suffering from arthritis. Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with this can opener because we did have a complaint or two about it.

One of the first complaints we had about it was that it costs slightly more than other hands-free models, but fortunately only by a little bit. Another thing we didn’t like about it was that its magnet wasn’t very strong, and this can be a problem for people who need to open larger cans. However, even with those flaws, we do have to say that this hands-free opener is still better than most of the other models available.

What we liked about it

• Works every single time it’s used.
• Is a “safe” can opener.
• Feels very durable.

A Guide To Electric Can Openers

Most people don’t give much thought to the electric can opener they’re buying because they probably believe that these devices aren’t all that complex, so no serious thought isn’t needed to buy one. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true. There’s a lot more to consider when purchasing one of these models to ensure that the model brought home is going to live up to expectations. In this guide on electric can openers, we’ll talk about some of the things that consumers need to think about before putting their hard-earned money down on a new model. Before we do that, however, we would like to start this article off with a bit of a history lesson on the origin and evolution of can openers throughout the years.

The History of Electric Can Openers

What most people don’t realize is that the first tin cans were invented long before can openers were invented. Cans were around for fifty years before someone would invent a can opener. Why did it take so long? Well, there are several reasons why it took 5 decades for the can opener to show up, but to explore those reasons we first have to consider why cans for food were invented in the first place. And to find the origins of food cans, we have to travel back to 1795.

Food Cans

Napoleon Bonaparte offered a bounty to anyone who could come up with a food preservation method that would keep his army’s food safe. This call would be answered by Peter Durand, who received a patent from King George III to make what many consider to be the first can. This can wasn’t just a tin can, however, it was a can that was made of a combination of iron and tin. Metal that was 3/16th of an inch and was very tough to open. Anyone who opened one of these cans would need a hammer and chisel just to get through the tough metal. A proposition that we’re sure was messy, clumsy and very difficult. Even if the modern opener had been invented, it wouldn’t have been able to cut through these cans.

Changes to the Food Can

Fortunately, these early iron/tin cans would be replaced by steel cans that were easier to open. Since steel is thinner and easier to cut than iron cans, it wouldn’t be long before somebody invented a can opener that could accomplish that very feat. And that person was Ezra J. Warner, a man who patented the first can opener on January 5, 1858. His invention featured a blade that cut into the can’s lid and it also had a guard that prevented it from puncturing the can. This enabled the user to hack their way around the can’s edge. It was crude, but it was quite effective. Unfortunately, the public didn’t like it very much, but it did see quite a bit of use by the soldiers during the Civil War.

Improvements to the Can Opener Design

During the late 1860s and early 1870s, the design of the can opener would be improved and they became closer to the ones we use today. By the roaring 1920s, the crank design manual openers were invented, and this manual opener would be the same manual opener that we see nowadays. During the 1930s, the first electric can openers began to be developed and these were modeled after the manual cutting-wheel design openers. Unfortunately, these weren’t very popular with the public, so these models eventually fell out of favor. Fortunately, electric can openers were reintroduced in the mid-1950s. And ever since then, these models have continued to evolve and improve.

What To Look For When Buying An Electric Can Opener

Now it’s time to talk about how to buy the best electric can opener possible. Fortunately, the process isn’t too difficult, and we can sum up some of the most important aspects to consider in only a few lines.

Consider Safety Features

The first thing that consumers should think about is how safe the electric can opener is to use. Although there are plenty of models that cut through the top of the can, which ends up producing a jagged can lid, there is an increasing number of electric models that cut cans safely. These models don’t cut through the lid of the can but cut underneath the lid. This removes the can’s lid without creating a jagged lid edge. We feel that these models are safer, especially for households with children.

Choose Between Counter-Top or Hands-Free Models

The next thing to consider is whether you need a countertop model or a hands-free model. In our opinion, both of these models do a great job, so it’s really up to you to think about which one you prefer before you buy one.

Other Features to Consider

And finally, below are some other features that consumers might want to consider before buying their next electric can opener.

Steak knives are an exceptionally important piece of cutlery for any steak lover to have at their table. There’s nothing more frustrating than sitting down to enjoy a nice juicy steak and end up having to hack at it with a steak knife that just doesn’t get the job done. No one should have to deal with an inferior knife, so we decided to write this guide that will give you the information to buy a great knife for cutting through hot, juicy steaks.

List of the Best Steak Knives

Best Overall: Dalstrong Gladiator Series Straight-Edge Knives

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Sometimes we come across a knife that’s not only the best steak knife available but one that’s a work of art. That’s precisely what we thought when we found this beautiful knife from Dalstrong. It’s a knife that features a 5-inch blade that has a 56+ Rockwell hardness level. Its satin-smooth finish is simply remarkable.

Its blade is stain-resistant and has a very nice look to it. It has a smooth edge that’s been hand-sharpened from 14 to 16-degrees per side. It features dimples on the side of the blade, allowing the meat to slide off the blade as it cuts. The result is a perfectly sliced cut of meat.

The next thing that we’d like to discuss is the fact that this knife has a full tang. Its blade travels the entire length of the knife and rivets affix it to the handle. This prevents the problem of the blade snapping, which is common among cheap budget steak knives. Its handle is smooth, made out of Pakkawood, and is comfortable to hold. These knives also come with sleeves to keep the blades in good condition, and there are four knives to every set. These are beautiful knives that will most certainly treat any steak they cut with the respect it deserves.

What we liked about it:

• Features 5-inches of sharpened German steel.
• Knife has a full tang through its handle.

 

Best Value: Kitchenaid Gourmet 4 Piece Steak Knife Set

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This non-serrated steak knife set is another set that has a visual appeal to it. The surgical stainless steel blades have a nice smooth texture. These blades are also extremely strong and resistant to corrosion and stains.

Each of these blades has been sharpened with a 17-degree angle per side, which makes them extremely sharp right out of the package. Unfortunately, we did find that they didn’t retain this razor sharpness for a long time and that we had to frequently resharpen them.

Another thing that we liked about these knives was that they had a full-tangle handle that was triple riveted to a food-grade ABS handle. This handle had the feel of wood and made cutting steaks easy and comfortable. We were also fond of how the knives were packaged, making them great for giving away as gifts. All things considered, we feel these are the best value steak knives currently available.

What we liked about it:

• Knives are very easy to hold and cut with.
• Straight edge ensures a smooth cut.

 

Best Rounded Tip : Victorinox Swiss Classic Serrated Round-Tip Knives

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Most people are familiar with the company Victorinox from their quality line of Swiss Army knives but not everyone realizes that this company has been making steak knives since the 1880s. In our opinion, that makes them masters of the knife making business, and their attention to detail shows in this beautiful set of knives.

These 4.5-inch serrated steak knives have a rounded tip for safety and are made with hardened steel. Each set of these knives come with 6-knives, so there is plenty for the average-sized family to use. And because they’re made with such detail to quality, these knives are great to be given away as gifts as well.

These knives are precisely balanced, so cutting through steak is a lot easier to do. Another thing we noticed was the blade’s handles. They weren’t exactly what we expected out of a quality knife set and they had a cheap plastic feel that we didn’t initially like but got used to after cutting a few steaks. Fortunately, that was the only disappointment with these steak knives. While we didn’t like the handles, we loved the sharp, flexible blades and felt they did a great job of cutting through steak without tearing it.

What we liked about it:

• Has a thin, sharp serrated blade with a rounded tip.
• Blade made out of quality hardened steel.

 

Best Affordable: Zongchuan 4.5 inch Steak Knives, Set of 4

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We decided to see if we could find a great budget steak set that cut through steak well without ripping it apart, had a stain-resistant blade, and that had the potential of lasting for quite a while.

And what we discovered was that it was indeed possible to find all of these characteristics in a cheaper knife set. This is the set that we found, and we feel that it’s one of the best budget steak knives available. Let’s take a closer look at it.

The first thing that we noticed about this steak knife set was that it had a blade that was made of 1.4115 German stainless steel. This means that the blade had a high level of hardness and was resistant to staining and rusting. We also found this blade to come out of the packaging with a very sharp edge. However, we had to repeatedly resharpen the edge to keep it cutting well. Other features found on this budget knife set include an ABS handle and a 17-degree knife-edge. All of this means that it’s not the best steak knife available, but it’s certainly an inexpensive one that will serve you well.

What we liked about it:

• Comes out of the packaging razor sharp.
• It’s a great budget knife set.

A Steak Lover’s Guide to Steak Knives

When we started searching for the best steak knives available, we knew that we not only wanted to not only find knives that can expertly cut through steaks, but we also wanted to impart on our readers a little bit of knowledge. We wanted our readers to have the tools available to them to buy and maintain their steak knives, which is why we’ve decided that a guide on the subject might be helpful. So, let’s cut this introduction short and start with what the consumer should look for when buying a new set of steak knives. After we cover that subject, we’ll then move on to keeping those newly bought knives in good condition for as long as possible.

How To Buy the Best Steak Knives for Your Table

We would like to kick this guide off by talking about how you can purchase a great set of steak knives for your home. Although you can simply choose one of the knife sets that we recommended up above, we wanted to give you the ability to choose one for yourself.

Step One: Consider The Metal

The first step to choosing a great steak knife is to consider the metal used for the blade. Although there are a variety of different types of steel used for steak knives, we feel that you are better off choosing a knife made out of high-carbon German steel or 18/10 stainless steel. Whichever blade composition you choose, just be sure that the blade is made from stainless steel and not some other inferior type of metal.

Step Two: Choose An Edge

The next step to choosing a knife for cutting steak is to consider the knife’s edge. And consumers have three choices available to them to choose from. These choices include Serrated Edges, Straight Edges, and Hollow Edges. Let’s take a look at each of these three types of edges and see what purpose they serve.

Serrated Edges

These edges are often seen in steak houses, but we don’t feel that they’re the best choice for cutting steaks. These knife edges rip and tear more than they end up slicing, but it’s on such a small level that it’s not really noticeable. These blades are good for cutting meat on a bias for making fajitas or for slicing chicken for salads, but it’s not our first choice for steak knives. The benefit of these blades is that they don’t require frequent sharpening. Unfortunately, when they do need to be sharpened, it can be more difficult for the average person to sharpen them.

Straight-Edges

In our opinion, straight edges are one of the best choices for steak knives. These edges cut through steak and other types of meats with surgical precision, and there’s no ripping or tearing of the meat fibers. These blades do require more frequent sharpening than serrated edges, but they’re easy for consumers to sharpen in the home.

Hollow Edges

Another type of steak knife edge that we appreciate is the hollow edge. This is a straight-edge knife that has dimpling on the side of it. What purpose does the dimpling serve, you ask? Well, it serves to create a pocket between the blade and the meat. It’s this tiny pocket of air that prevents the meat slices from clinging to the blade and helps to keep the entire cut smooth. In our opinion, these are the best steak knife blades available. While they’re usually more expensive than other types of blades, they do an amazing job of cutting steak. Try it and you’ll see.

Step Three: Choose A Proper Handle

Although steak knife handles seem unimportant, they affect how you handle the knife, and ultimately, how the knife cuts through the steak. When choosing a handle, choose one with an ergonomic design and one that feels good in the hand. That will ensure that the knife is easy to use.

It’s also important to try to choose knives with a full-tang whenever possible. What “full-tang” means is that the knife blade extends from the tip through the handle and travels the entire length of the knife. The handle is then riveted to the blade itself. This creates a stronger knife and prevents the blade from breaking at the handle like so many cheap knives do. A person can usually tell if a steak knife has a full tang by checking to see if it is listed on its description or by looking for rivets on the handle. Full-tang knives will have rivets, while knives that aren’t full-tang will not.

Keeping Your Steak Knives in Good Condition

We would like to talk about taking care of your steak knives once you get them home. A properly maintained steak knife will last for years, while ones just tossed into a drawer will not. Having said that, let’s take a few moments and go over some steak knife care tips.