An under cabinet can opener moves the kitchen counter clutter up under the cabinet, freeing 6 by 4 inches of prime workspace for prep and small appliances. The wrong under cabinet opener uses cheap plastic gears that strip after 50 cans, ships with a blade that requires both hands to engage, or relies on suction-cup mounting that drops the unit during use. The right pick uses metal gears, a strong mounting plate screwed into solid wood, and a hands-free design that finishes the cut without the user holding the can. After comparing 11 current under cabinet can openers, these seven stood out for mount strength, blade quality, and ease of use.
Picks were narrowed by mounting type, motor power, hands-free operation, magnetic lid lift, and warranty.
Quick Comparison
| Opener | Type | Power | Hands-free | Magnet | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker EC500B | Electric | 70 W | Yes | Yes | Overall |
| Cuisinart CCO-55BC | Electric | 70 W | No | Yes | Manual control |
| Hamilton Beach 76389R | Electric | 70 W | Yes | Yes | Smooth-edge cut |
| Proctor Silex 75217F | Electric | 60 W | Yes | Yes | Budget electric |
| Black+Decker CO100B | Electric | 70 W | Yes | Yes | Compact |
| Edlund #1 | Manual | N/A | No | No | Heavy duty |
| Oster FPSTCN1300 | Electric | 70 W | Yes | Yes | Side-cut design |
Black+Decker EC500B, Best Overall
The EC500B is the most-recommended under cabinet can opener for the right reasons: hands-free operation, strong magnetic lid lifter, removable cutter wheel for cleaning, and steel mounting bracket included. Place the can, press down on the lever, and the unit cycles automatically until the lid pops free. Magnet holds the cut lid for safe disposal.
Cord retracts into the housing when not in use. Bracket pivots out for use and tucks flat against the cabinet otherwise. Removable parts go in the dishwasher.
Trade-off: motor is louder than premium models. Acceptable for a 10-second can cycle.
Cuisinart CCO-55BC, Best Manual Control
The CCO-55BC requires the user to press and hold the lever to engage the cutter. While this is one step less convenient than hands-free models, it offers fine control for fragile cans like soft fruit or thin-walled tuna cans where over-cutting can cause spills. Cuisinart build quality is one tier above budget brands.
Brushed stainless steel housing matches premium kitchen finishes. Magnetic lid lifter, removable cutting wheel, and built-in blade sharpener. Three-year limited warranty.
Trade-off: no hands-free. Users with limited grip strength prefer hands-free designs.
Hamilton Beach 76389R, Best Smooth-Edge Cut
The 76389R Smooth Touch cuts the side of the can rather than the top, producing a smooth edge with no sharp rim. The lid drops in but stays clean, and the cut surface poses no cut hazard to children. Excellent for households with kids and pet food cans that get reused as bowls.
Replacement cutter wheel available, which extends product life beyond the typical disposable opener cycle. Mounting hardware included.
Trade-off: side-cut openers are slower than top-cut models. Add 5 seconds per can.
Proctor Silex 75217F, Best Budget Electric
The 75217F lands at the lowest price point for a name-brand electric under cabinet opener. Hands-free operation, magnetic lid lifter, included mounting bracket. Motor is 60 watts rather than 70 watts on premium models, which is enough for standard can sizes.
White plastic housing blends with light cabinets. Cord storage hooks built into the back. One-year warranty.
Trade-off: plastic build feels less premium than Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach. Acceptable for occasional-use households.
Black+Decker CO100B, Best Compact
The CO100B is the smallest under cabinet can opener that still includes hands-free operation and a magnet. Tight-kitchen friendly with a 4 inch tall housing that does not block sightlines under upper cabinets. Mounting bracket installs in 10 minutes.
Removable lever cleans in the sink. Plastic housing in black or white finishes.
Trade-off: compact footprint means very large cans (28 ounces) sit close to the cutter. Best for 8 to 16 ounce can use.
Edlund #1, Best Heavy Duty
The Edlund #1 is a commercial-grade manual can opener used in professional kitchens. Mounts under a cabinet (or to a tabletop) with included hardware. Handles food service can sizes that consumer electric units cannot. Stainless steel construction lasts decades.
Replaceable knife and gear assemblies extend service life indefinitely. No electrical power needed, which makes it the right pick for off-grid kitchens, camping cabins, and emergency preparedness.
Trade-off: manual operation requires hand-cranking. Slower than electric for daily home use but more durable.
Oster FPSTCN1300, Best Side-Cut Design
The Oster FPSTCN1300 uses a side-cut blade that produces a smooth edge similar to the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch. Lid stays attached to the cutter via magnet for clean disposal. Removable cutting parts go in the dishwasher.
Stainless steel finish, hands-free operation, mounting hardware included. Five-year warranty exceeds the typical one-year coverage on budget openers.
Trade-off: priced higher than top-cut models. Justified for households that want both smooth-edge safety and a stainless aesthetic.
How to choose
Hands-free is the right pick for daily use
Hands-free openers cycle automatically when activated. The user does not need to hold the lever or steady the can. For households opening multiple cans daily, hands-free saves time and works well for users with weaker grip.
Magnetic lid lifter is the second must-have feature
A magnet on the lid lifter keeps the sharp metal lid from falling into the can or onto the counter. Standard on all electric under cabinet openers; double-check that the magnet is strong enough to hold a steel lid (some weak magnets fail with thin lids).
Mount to solid cabinet wood, not thin laminate
Cabinet bottoms made of thin laminated particle board can split when mounting screws drive in. Solid wood and thick MDF accept screws cleanly. Pre-drill pilot holes for hardwood to prevent splitting.
Side-cut openers eliminate sharp edges
Top-cut openers leave a sharp lid edge inside the can. Side-cut openers produce a smooth rim. For households with kids handling the open can, side-cut is the safer pick.
For related reading, see our breakdowns of kitchen counter organization and must-have kitchen tools. For how we evaluate kitchen gear, see our methodology.
An under cabinet can opener frees prime counter real estate and stays out of sight when not in use. Match the cut style to your safety priorities, prioritize hands-free operation for daily households, and the right under cabinet opener serves five to seven years of reliable pantry duty.
Frequently asked questions
How does an under cabinet can opener mount?+
Screws driven up into the bottom of an upper cabinet, with the opener body hanging below. Most models include a paper template to position the screw holes correctly. Cabinet bottoms need to be solid wood or thick MDF; thin laminated cabinet floors can split. Pre-drilling pilot holes prevents splitting on hardwood cabinets. Total install time runs about 15 minutes.
Are under cabinet can openers worth the install time?+
Yes, for households that open canned food more than once a week. The counter space recovered (typically a 6 by 4 inch footprint plus power cord clutter) adds up in small kitchens. Mounted openers also stay cleaner because they are not handled and stored repeatedly. The downside is permanent mounting holes if you later sell or move.
What can sizes do under cabinet openers handle?+
Most handle 8 ounce to 28 ounce cans, which covers everything from tomato paste to large soup cans. Maximum diameter is typically around 4.5 inches. Very large food service cans (gallon size) require commercial countertop openers. Pull-tab cans, paper cardboard tubes, and aluminum foil pouches do not need an opener and should not be forced through one.
Do under cabinet openers work on all can shapes?+
Round cans yes, square cans no. The rotating cutter wheel and gear teeth on standard openers grip the rim of a circular can. Square and rectangular cans (some imported fish cans, oil cans, sardine cans) require a manual key or military-style P-38 opener. For 99 percent of pantry cans, the rotating wheel handles the job.
How long do can opener blades last?+
Three to seven years of typical home use. The cutting wheel dulls slowly and starts skipping over the rim when worn. Replacement cutters are available for premium models like the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch. Budget openers typically replace the whole unit when the blade dulls. Wipe the blade after each use to prevent food residue from corroding the steel.
