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Our top picks
Short on time? Our top recommendation is the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener.
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At a glance
The traits that separate these picks, side by side.
| # | Product | Best for | Key feature | |
|---|
| 1 | | — | Extra-tall opening capacity | Check ↗ |
| 2 | | — | Quality-engineered motor | Check ↗ |
| 3 | | — | Under-cabinet mounting | Check ↗ |
In depth
The 3 best, explained
Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Top pickHamilton Beach
Extra-tall capacity handles large coffee and juice cans that standard openers can't clamp
- Extra-tall opening capacity
- Push-down lever
- Opens standard, pop-top, and extra-tall cans
- Stainless steel scissors included
- Corded motor
✓ Pros
- Extra-tall capacity handles large coffee and juice cans that standard openers can't clamp
- Corded motor maintains torque through a full large-can cut without slowing
- Also handles standard and pop-top cans, so it's not a single-purpose unit
✕ Cons
- Does not reach true #10 restaurant-size can height
- Takes up permanent counter space
- No auto-stop, so listening for the motor to finish is the cue on a longer cut
Cuisinart
Stronger motor keeps a consistent cutting speed on larger, heavier cans
- Quality-engineered motor
- Single-touch automatic operation
- Nonslip wide base
- Handles standard and large cans
- Automatic stop
✓ Pros
- Stronger motor keeps a consistent cutting speed on larger, heavier cans
- Nonslip base keeps a heavier full can stable and centered during the cut
- Automatic stop removes the guesswork on a longer cut cycle
✕ Cons
- Not rated for true extra-tall coffee-can height like the Hamilton Beach
- Costs more than the Hamilton Beach at typical pricing
- Bulkier footprint on the counter
Black+Decker
Corded motor keeps steady torque through a larger can's cutting cycle
- Under-cabinet mounting
- Corded motor
- One-touch lever
- Frees counter space for maneuvering large cans
- Built-in cord wrap
✓ Pros
- Corded motor keeps steady torque through a larger can's cutting cycle
- Freeing the counter gives more room to position a tall or heavy can underneath
- Fixed mounting keeps the unit stable under the added weight of a large can
✕ Cons
- Fixed under-cabinet height limits maximum can height more than a countertop unit
- Requires installation before first use
- Smaller owner base than the two market leaders
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
- Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
- Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
- Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
- Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.
How to choose: the factors that matter
- Capacity and sizing — Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
- Build quality and materials — Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
- Ease of use and setup — Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
- Maintenance and cleaning — Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
- Warranty and support — A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.
The bottom line
There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best electric can openers for large cans right now?
Our top pick is the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener (top pick), because extra-tall capacity handles large coffee and juice cans that standard openers can't clamp. The runner-up is the Cuisinart Deluxe Electric Can Opener CCO-50N, followed by the Black+Decker Spacemaker EC600 Can Opener.
Is the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our electric can openers for large cans research, though does not reach true #10 restaurant-size can height.
What size can does a standard electric can opener handle?
Most standard electric can openers are built for typical 15 to 29-ounce grocery cans, roughly 4 to 5 inches tall. Anything taller, like a 39-ounce coffee can, a large juice can, or a restaurant-size #10 can (about 7 inches tall, common for bulk beans or tomatoes), needs a model specifically rated for extra-tall or large-can capacity. Checking the maximum can height in the listing before buying matters more for this use case than almost any other spec.
Can a standard-size electric can opener be forced onto a large can?
Not safely or reliably. A can opener sized for standard cans has a fixed clamp height and cutting arm reach; a taller can either won't fit under the cutting head at all, or will fit at an angle that produces an uneven, partial cut. Forcing it risks stalling the motor mid-cut or leaving a jagged edge that's actually more dangerous than a clean cut would have been. It's worth checking the specific maximum height in ounces or inches rather than assuming any electric opener works on any can.
Do #10 restaurant-size cans need a commercial can opener?
True #10 cans, standard at about 7 inches tall and holding roughly 6 pounds or 105 ounces, are common in bulk cooking and food pantries. Some consumer extra-tall models, including the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch, are rated to handle extra-tall cans beyond standard grocery sizing, though very large-volume #10 cans used constantly in a commercial kitchen are better served by a dedicated commercial can opener built for that duty cycle. For occasional #10 can use at home, an extra-tall consumer model is usually sufficient.
Does opening large cans wear out an electric can opener faster?
A taller, heavier can puts more stra in on the motor and the gear mechanism than a standard can, since there's more metal to cut through and more weight for the clamp to support. If large cans are a regular part of your routine rather than an occasional exception, prioritize a corded model with a stronger motor over a battery-operated handheld one, since battery-driven units tend to slow down or stall more often on tall, heavy cans.
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