Best Jar Openers
Jars of preserves are sealed tight to lock in freshness, but as much as that tight seal is necessary, it can become a nuisance when you need to open the jar. Some people have arthritis or otherwise struggle to open jars, and this is when a jar opener comes in handy. Jar openers are a safe, portable, compact, and time-saving device that can make life so much easier in the kitchen. And jar openers can also be pretty cute in your kitchen, too. They come in a wide range of styles and features, and sometimes it is hard to know which to choose.
You might think that a basic, simple kitchen accessory such as a jar opener doesn’t require much forethought put into before buying, but you’re wrong. Each different design and style has its pros and cons, and what works wonders for some people won’t do the job for others. This is why you should carefully consider different features and options before you pick a jar opener for your own kitchen.
We’ve handpicked the best jar openers available on the market today to suit a wide range of different budgets and preferences – read on to find a perfect fit!
1. Editos’s Choice: Evriholder Easi-Twist Easy Grip Jar Opener
This jar opener quickly opens jars of many different sizes. Its patented design can handle most caps and lids. No jar is too small. It also accommodates your hands well, whether they are small or large. This jar opener is a great choice for disabled or elderly people, children, or professional chefs.
It delivers the right amount of torque needed to remove the lids from your jars. It has a soft inner rubber casket that provides a firm and secure grip on your jar lid, making the removal process swift and easy. Simply slip it over your jar lid and twist to open. It works with wet or dry lids, and wet or dry hands.
This jar opener has a snazzy and innovative design, and comes in a variety of colors. It is made of BPA-free plastic and rubber.
The handles are ergonomic and fit well in any hand. They are suitable for people with limited hand strength or hand injuries. The handles can be extended to help you get a better grip.
This device is simple to clean with hand washing, and stores away easily due to its small size.
One drawback is this jar opener has difficulty fitting onto very large jar lids. It might snap while doing this.
Pros
- Patented design accommodates most jar lids – no lid is too small
- Accommodates all hand sizes
- Great choice for elderly, disabled, people with limited hand strength, children
- Rubber casket grips lids firmly and securely, making removal process easy
- Works well with wet or dry lids, and wet or dry hands
- Compact and stores away easily
Cons
- Does not work well with very large jar lids – device may snap
2. Runner Up: EZ Off Under Cabinet Jar Lid & Bottle Opener
This jar lid is very versatile, and accommodates a wide range of lid sizes, from tiny nail polish bottles to very large pickle jars. It has a special dual V-grip which enables it to open your jar lid extra fast. This jar opener is mounted under your kitchen counter so it is hidden away from sight, making it ideal for small kitchens.
This is a manual jar opener, but the lid removal is effortless. All you have to do is put your lid up to the device. It will grab your lid firmly and then all you need to do is twist.
It is a great choice for anyone with limited hand strength, such as arthritis sufferers and the elderly, and it is easy enough for kids to use. It can be operated with one hand, and thus is suitable for amputees or anyone who has had recent shoulder or hand surgery.
It will take off any lid regardless of whether the lid is factory sealed, child proof, or tamper proof. It installs securely using three screws, so it won’t fall off. Once installed, it is rock solid and works perfectly.
Pros
- Accommodates a wide range of lid sizes – nail polish containers to pickle jars
- Dual V-grip design removes lids extra fast
- Mounted under kitchen counter, so it is hidden away
- Simply put your jar lid up to the device and then twist
- Great for anyone with limited hand strength and can be used with just one hand
- Takes off any lid – even those that are factory sealed, child proof, or tamper proof
Cons
- None mentioned by users
3. Customer Choice: Kuhn Rikon Strain-Free Gripper Opener
This jar opener is great at effortlessly opening stubborn jar lids of varied sizes. It works best on lids from one to three-and-a-half inches in diameter. The device is designed so you do not need much force to open the lids. The head of the device efficiently grips your lid, and the handle provides lots of leverage.
This device is suitable for people who have joint pains or other hand issues. It locks onto your lids with its three sets of steel jaws/teeth, and eliminates the struggle of opening lids. It is very easy to operate and gets the job done with a single twist, even if your lid is vacuum sealed.
It is made of reliably designed, high quality plastic components which makes this jar opener durable and long lasting. It is white in color which means it will match with any type of kitchen décor.
The handle is ergonomically designed.
Unlike many other jar openers, this one is dishwasher safe, so it is easy to maintain.
It is easy to store, as it has a hole which you can use to hang up your jar opener. You can hang it within easy reach for the next time it’s needed. Or if you prefer, you can take it with you wherever you go, as it is ultra-lightweight and portable. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your camping trip.
This jar opener is easy to clean. Simply wipe with a damp cloth. It is not dishwasher safe.
One drawback is this jar opener is not compatible with all types of lids, i.e., those less than one inch or greater than three-and-a-half inches in diameter. It is easy to tell just by looking at the lid, whether it will work with this opener.
Pros
- Effortlessly opens jar lids of varied sizes – from one to three-and-a-half inches
- Head of device grips lid, and ergonomic handle provides leverage
- Made of high quality plastic components, which makes this device very durable
- White color matches any kitchen décor
- Dishwasher safe
- Has hole for hanging up when storing; also very portable
Cons
- Not compatible with all sizes of lids
4. Best Stainless Steel: Leifheit Extra Wide Stainless Steel Lid and Jar Opener
This strongly constructed device opens standard jars, bottles, and tubes effortlessly. It has a hinged design that makes it perfect for removing lids from almost any size of jar. Its stainless steel teeth grip your lid and open it without causing stress to your hand.
This jar opener is a great choice for people who have wrist problems or pain in their hand joints. It enables the user to get a tight grip and remove those lids easily. It works especially well for people who have large hands.
The elegant stainless steel design goes well with any décor you might have in your kitchen. The stainless steel is also rust-free and very durable.
The long, oval-shaped handles provide a secure, firm grip while you are removing the lid. The handles are ergonomically designed for comfort.
This opener is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
One drawback is the handles are set far apart, which makes it difficult for people with small hands to use.
Pros
- Strongly constructed, opens jars, bottles, tubes effortlessly
- Stainless steel teeth grip the lid and remove it easily
- Great choice for people with wrist or hand problems, especially those with large hands
- Stainless steel design goes with any décor and is rust-free
- Long, oval-shaped handles provide secure grip
- Easy to clean, dishwasher safe
Cons
- People with small hands will find it hard to use
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5. Best Durable: OXO Good Grips Jar Opener
This device opens jars effortlessly and works smoothly with jars of different sizes. You can use them with glass or plastic jars. The opener has stainless steel teeth that grip your jar, which reduces the amount of pressure needed to open the jar.
It comes with an innovative base pad that keeps your jar stable on your countertop. Simply place your jar on the base pad, slide the jar opener over the lid, and twist slightly to remove the lid.
The device has a contoured handle that fits comfortably in your hand. It reduces pressure on your hands and wrists. This reduces the chance of injuring your hand or damage to your jar. The handle is non-slip, for a better grip.
You can also use this device to tighten your jar lids after use.
This jar opener is dishwasher safe. The base pad is hand washable and attaches to the jar opener for easy storage.
One drawback is, users say it is only useful for removing lids that are less than three inches in diameter. Some users find the stainless steel teeth do not grip as well as they should.
Pros
- Opens jars effortlessly and works with jars of different sizes
- Works with both glass and plastic jars
- Stainless steel teeth grip well, requiring minimal pressure to open the jar
- Innovative base pad keeps jar stable on countertop
- Contoured handle is comfortable and reduces pressure on wrists and hands
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Some users find the stainless steel teeth do not grip as well as they should
- Not useful for removing lids more than three inches in diameter
6. Best Space Saver: The Grip Jar Opener: The Original Under Cabinet Lid Opener
This jar opener is designed with premium quality materials, to effortlessly open any stubborn jar. It can open all sizes of jars, from tiny nail polish containers to six inch pickle jars. It is simple to use – seniors, people with arthritis, amputees, and children use it with ease. It is not only used in home kitchens, but also in commercial kitchens, dental labs, and NICUs.
This device is installed under your cabinets, so it is hidden away from sight. Installation is easy. The adhesive is industrial grade and bonds permanently.
The Grip’s manufacturers actually invented the first under cabinet jar opener ever, back in 1977. They have made continual improvements over the years.
Simply place your jar lid inside the V-shape design, twist, and your lid is removed. The carbon steel blades are strong and durable, and never wear out or get dull. They grip your lid as you are twisting to remove it. The body of the device is made of highly durable plastic.
It can open child proof medicine bottles, water and pop bottles, vacuum sealed items, slippery lids like peanut butter, and so much more. And it can be used with only one hand.
Pros
- Installed under your cabinets, so it is hidden away, and installation is easy
- Effortlessly opens any stubborn jar
- Opens all sizes, from tiny nail polish containers to six inch pickle jars
- Seniors, people with arthritis, amputees, and children use it with ease
- Simply place your jar lid in the V-shape design, twist, and your lid is removed
- Opens child proof bottles, water and pop bottles, vacuum sealed items and much more
Cons
- None mentioned by users
What to look for in a jar opener
As you can see, there are many jar openers on the market today, and they often have different features and attributes. This means, if you want to get the best bang for your buck, you have to take them all into account. So what factors should you be considering when looking to buy a jar opener of your own? What features are actually important and which are not worth paying extra $$$ for? Let’s take a look at some suggestions.
Power mode
All of the jar openers listed in this article are manual operated but there are also battery and electric-powered models available. Manual models are ideal because they more easily remove stubborn lids than the battery or electric versions. They are also great if you live in a remote area, and some manual models are perfect for camping or when you’re on a vacation. Manual models are also less expensive and, as you might think, they do not rely on batteries or electricity, so you can use them in a power outage. All in all, our vote goes to manual jar openers as a reliable, heavy-duty option that does well in the house or on the go.
Types of jars you need to open
Nope, not all jar openers are a universal fit for any jar, so you’ll have to evaluate which type of jars you actually use. Some jar openers can open all kinds of jar types and diameters, so if you need a versatile, all-in-one tool, these are the ones to go for. Others are limited in terms of the type of jar, such as glass versus plastic. Still others have limits on the size. They might only open a specific range of lids, and not anything too small or too large. Take time to determine what types of jars you anticipate you will need your device to open. The last thing you want is to reach for your trusty jar opener when you need it the most only to realize it won’t fit on that stubborn jar lid!
Quality
Stainless steel jar openers tend to be of high quality, long lasting, and rust-proof. However, they are also more expensive than their plastic counterparts. If you choose a plastic model, make sure the quality is strong and hard enough to give enough torque to easily open your jars. There are also rubber or silicone jar openers as well, and while they are durable, they can only help with opening to a degree – they won’t do the job for you like some more advanced models.
Size and weight
Size is especially important if you have a small space or storage issues. You should also consider the size of the jar opener if you plan to use it to open things at outdoor parties or plan to move it around a lot.
Weight is also important, especially if you have issues with hand strength, dexterity, or arthritis.
A lightweight opener is great if you are planning to bring it around with you or go camping.
Handle
A well designed handle reduces stress on your hands. It reduces the amount of force you have to exert to remove your lids. Look for an ergonomically designed handle that is comfortable and provides a secure grip. A longer handle gives a better grip and delivers more torque when you are removing lids.
Ease of cleaning
You might also want to look for a model that is dishwasher safe, as this will make it easier to clean in the long run.
An effective jar opener can make things so much easier in the kitchen, even if you do not have issues with your hands or wrists. Jar openers are a convenient device that is always handy. Through comparing the various popular brands, and considering their features, you are sure to find the opener that works best for your household and budget.