In addition to the pain and swelling in the hands, Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau, in Oceanside, New York, says that people with arthritis may also have to deal with deformities of their finger joints. “This makes it difficult to grasp and hold things, especially small objects,” says Dr. Kaplan.
When shopping for a can opener, it’s important to keep an eye out for features like an ergonomic design, minimal touch features, and oversized grips. We researched dozens of can openers and evaluated them for power type, additional features, ergonomic designs, and price.
Here are the best can openers for people with arthritis.
One special feature we really like: Whereas most other devices cut the top off with a jagged edge, this device cuts the lid in a wavy line, which lowers the chances of cutting yourself when you take the lid off. This is an especially great feature for people with a weaker grip who might drop the can once they remove it.
This heavyweight opener is extra tall, which is great for easy grabbing and maneuvering. It’s also electric, making it easy to use. The base stays plugged in, but the cutting unit is removable and dishwasher-safe. What’s more, this part is engineered with patented technology to make sure your can opens on the first try, every time.
The appliance itself isn’t too loud and when it comes to most standard size cans, you can press start and walk away while the magnet does its thing (no need to hold). We also love that it has an auto shutoff once you’re done with it for guaranteed safety.
Price at time of publication: $27
The device itself is remarkably easy to operate, especially if you have limited range of motion. Just place the can and lower the lever, and the electric blade will open the can with no effort on your part. When the device is finished cutting, a magnet holds onto the lid while you move the can out, so you don’t have to worry about slicing your finger in the process.
Not only does it fit cans of all sizes, but it’s extra wide at the base so it won’t tip over while you’re trying to unlock the can. It’s lightweight, easy to clean, and doesn’t take up your entire counter.
Price at time of publication: $25
The opener never touches the contents of the can, so you don’t have to worry about washing it—just throw it right back into the drawer after use. If it does get dirty, the stainless steel body is easily cleaned by hand (but it can’t be run through the dishwasher).
After the can is fully cut, the opener acts like pliers to remove the lid without you ever touching it. And the device is designed in a way that it opens cans without leaving sharp edges once it’s without its lid. This minimizes the chances of cutting your finger as you scoop out what’s inside.
Price at time of publication: $18
For starters, this appliance is very well designed: Hold the can up to the blade and press down on the top lever—which is huge and features minimal resistance, making it easy to press regardless of mobility and strength. Then, the appliance will hold the can up on its own as it cuts all the way around, letting you focus on pushing the lever down. Once it’s done, just release the lever.
This device opens both standard-size cans and pop-tops, along with non-circular shaped tins, which most others can’t do. The sleek black-and-chrome design looks clean, inconspicuous, and will fit right into any kitchen. The device itself is wider across the bottom so it won’t tip over. And it even has a retractable cord so it won’t get in the way if you keep it on your counter all the time.
Price at time of publication: $38
A few downsides are that the opener is hand-wash only, and pulling and squeezing is involved, so it may be a better fit if your arthritis symptoms are more mild.
Price at time of publication: $20
While it’s not dishwasher-safe or the cheapest option on our list, its one-touch operation and oversized design means less prep time and strain, making it a solid option worth considering.
Price at time of publication: $35
“Joint protection, activity modification and energy conservation become very important with hand arthritis,” Patrycja Pedzinska, OTR/L, CHT, a senior occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Stamford Health tells Verywell Health. “Automatic can openers will be preferable over manual, however, if you’re unable to obtain one, one with a large and padded/soft grip would be superior to a standard one.
Minimum Touch Requirements
For electric or battery-operated openers, look for ones with one-touch features, which can help to avoid joint pain and stress of holding a button down the entire opening process. Additionally, opt for an appliance with a magnet so you don’t have to hold the can up the entire time it’s being opened.
“There is an intricate array of supporting tendons that attach to the bones in the hands and fingers, where if something is malfunctioning, it can cause the rest of the structures in the hands to also malfunction," Frances Lomibao, MD, a rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care explains. She advises patients with arthritis to opt for electric can openers whenever possible. “Using a manual can opener would present many fine-motor challenges. It would require many steps that are both time-consuming and painful.”
And while you’re thinking about minimizing the amount of pressure you need to apply when using a can opener, Mittal also urges people with arthritis to consider the size and weight of the item. For example, handheld can openers have the built-in advantage of being light and easy to stash away in the kitchen. However, if you’re going electric, make sure it’s light and convenient enough for storage to account for limited strength and mobility, he adds.
Ergonomic Design, Including a Handle
When selecting a can opener, Lomibao says it’s important to look for one with an ergonomic design, or modified handle, “that follows the natural curve of the grip.” This is necessary, Pedzinska explains, because the pain caused by arthritis eventually leads to decreased grip and pinch strength, making it even harder to use a can opener.
“Stiffness in the hands will result in decreased finger range of motion, making it hard to even assume the position needed to grip or pinch properly,” Pedzinska says. “A feature to look for [in a can opener] would be a handle that allows you to grip with your hand rather than pinch, and ideally one that will allow you to use the bigger joints and muscles in the body such as the shoulder.”
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Rachael Schultz is a freelance writer with a focus in health and nutrition. Her articles have appeared on a handful of other Health sites, and she has a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She specializes in breaking down science and medical jargon into digestible information.
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis change a person’s joints, Pedzinska notes. “The thumb joint is especially affected with osteoarthritis, making pinching very painful due to the wear and tear of the cartilage at the ends of the bones at the base of the thumb,” she explains. “Using a manual can opener requires a person to use a key pinch. The force applied at the tip of the thumb gets multiplied as much as 20 times as it travels down to the base of the thumb resulting in excruciating pain even with the lightest force.”
As for hacks to simplify can opening? Dr. Kaplan recommends wrapping a thick rubber band around bottle caps to help cut down on the manual effort. If your symptoms are new, consider consulting an occupational therapist to cope with the everyday difficulties and gain knowledge on adaptive devices.
Additional reporting to this story by Elizabeth Yuko, Ph.D.
As a seasoned health writer and editor, Elizabeth Yuko is always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges and needs.
