Best Wine Opener
One of the many simple pleasures in life is sitting down to enjoy a delicious glass of wine, whether relaxing alone or laughing with friends and family. Unfortunately, getting the bottle of wine open can be quite the hassle, and that’s why having a good quality wine opener on hand is necessary.
Not all wine openers are created equal. In addition to being available in several different styles to suit every individual’s preferences, different products are made of different materials, and some could be inferior to others. Therefore, shopping with care, rather than merely buying the first wine opener you come across, is a smart move.
By taking your time and learning about the different types of wine openers that you can choose from, you can make a decision that you’ll be happy with, and you’ll have a useful product that could last a long time.
What Are Some of the Types of Wine Openers to Consider?
In the world of wine openers, there are manual and electric options. So, you can decide if you want something basic or high-tech. It’s up to you and your budget, and there’s something for everyone. The most important thing is to buy a product that will work effectively and will ensure you can remove a cork without it getting stuck, cracking, or falling into the bottle.
What are some of the types of wine openers? Well, one of the well-known options is the waiter’s corkscrew, which is a manual type of opener. Another is the winged corkscrew opener, which has two “wings” that come up on the sides as you drill into the cork, and you can then use those wings to more easily pull the cork out. Lever openers offer a similar design, making it easy to drill into the cork and then pull it out.
If you don’t want to put any effort into removing a cork, an electric wine opener might be exactly what you need. These products are designed to look modern and sleek, and they usually run on rechargeable batteries. Some even come with nice little extras, like foil removers, that can make opening a bottle of wine a snap.
Note: If you are totally new to wine openers, figuring out how they work might take some time and a bit of practice. But once you get the hang of things, you will realize that these products are designed to be really easy to use. Before you know it, you will be opening wine bottles quickly, even if you opt to go with a manual opener rather than a super fast electric opener.
Shopping for a Wine Opener? Check Out the List Below!
Sure, shopping for a wine opener can be a bit daunting, especially if you are new to these products and you are unfamiliar with the various styles that are available. There is plenty of information that you can find online on the benefits and drawbacks of each type of wine opener, but just checking out some of the products that are for sale might give you the insight you need. You can read through the features of different types of wine openers, look at the photos and videos that are available to illustrate how they work, and read customer reviews to figure out how easy they are to use and whether or not they are worth their price.
To see what we mean, continue reading. The handy list below features various wine openers that we think are worth considering, whether you have never bought one of these or you need to replace a wine opener that you no longer like or no longer works.
1. Editor’s Choice: OXO Steel Vertical Lever Corkscrew with Removable Foil Cutter
This lever corkscrew wine opener with a non-stick screw and non-slip grip is designed to make opening any bottle of wine super easy, whether you have to pull out a synthetic or natural cork. In seconds, you can remove the cork and start enjoying your wine. Plus, it comes with a foil cutter that you can store on the opener itself to use whenever you need it.
Pros:
- This wine opener features a zinc handle and is designed to be comfortable to grip.
- With just two simple motions, you can use this lever wine opener to quickly and easily remove a cork.
- You get a built-in foil cutter for added convenience.
- A replacement screw is included.
Cons:
- Some customer reviews state that they had difficulty using this wine opener, so consider if the design would be right for you.
2. Runner Up: Rabbit Original Lever Corkscrew Wine Opener with Foil Cutter and Extra Spiral
This wine opener might look a little strange at first, but it’s designed to remove a cork within just three seconds. It can be used on bottles of various sizes, as well as on synthetic and natural corks. The lever design makes it easy to insert the spiral and pull the cork out, and then it will automatically release the cork as well. Plus, it comes with a replacement spiral and a foil cutter.
Pros:
- You can remove a cork with a single pull using this wine opener.
- This wine opener features durable materials and is BPA free.
- This product features an ergonomic handle and non-stick spiral.
Cons:
- This product should be hand washed only.
- This wine opener is pricier than others on the market.
3. Best Wing Wine Opener: Vintorio Winged Corkscrew (Black/Silver) – Premium Wine Opener with Nonslip Grip Handles
This is one option that’s worth checking out if you are interested in getting yourself a wing wine opener. It is designed to be easy to use, as well as durable. Its features include a stainless steel spiral, non-slip and cushioned top handle, and ergonomically curved wings that are also rubber-cushioned for your comfort.
Pros:
- This wine opener boasts stainless steel and zinc alloy, along with heavy-duty bolts, for durability.
- This item is designed to be more comfortable than other winged corkscrew wine openers.
Cons:
- This product does not come with a foil cutter.
- Some people might find it hard to use this type of wine opener because it does require a bit of grip strength.
4. Best Waiter’s Corkscrew: True TrueTap Double Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew
If you are looking for a classic waiter’s corkscrew wine opener, this one is affordably priced and has an attractive look. Features include a double-hinged design for improved leverage, non-stick worm, serrated foil cutter, and bottle opener. So, you get a lot in a little package. Plus, it is also designed to be easy and comfortable to grip, and once you get the hang of using it, you should find that you can remove corks quickly.
Pros:
- This wine opener is available in multiple colors.
- This product can work with natural and synthetic corks.
- This can be a good travel wine opener because it’s compact.
Cons:
- For some people, this type of wine opener might be the most challenging to use.
- This wine opener requires more effort compared to other types.
5. Best Budget-Friendly: Chef Craft Select Corkscrew with Wooden Handle
Another basic wine opener is this T-shaped corkscrew wine opener, which is super affordable and doesn’t have any extras you don’t need. Just grip the wooden handle, push the spiral into the cork, and pull it out. You won’t find anything like a built-in foil cutter on this item, but if you just need something that will get the job done, this might be just right.
Pros:
- This wine opener is designed to be long-lasting with chrome plated steel.
- The wooden handle is attractive and adds to the classic look of this wine opener.
- This is one of the most affordable wine openers, so it’s great if you’re shopping on a tight budget or don’t want to spend a lot.
Cons:
- This product should be hand washed only.
- This is a manual wine opener that requires a bit of effort.
6. Best Electric Wine Opener: Secura Electric Wine Opener
This is another electric wine opener that you might want to check out. It is rechargeable, and it can open 30 bottles on a single charge. All you have to do is set it in place on your wine bottle, press a button, and let it do all of the work for you. There is no need to manually screw it into the cork and you don’t need to use any effort to pull the cork out either. Plus, the clear design is nice because it lets you see the product in action.
Pros:
- This electric wine opener can remove a cork in about six seconds.
- This is a rechargeable wine opener that has a long-lasting battery.
- A handy foil cutter is included with this product.
Cons:
- The charging stand for this wine opener is larger than others, so measure your space to be sure it will fit and look great.
7. Best Travel Wine Opener: Le Creuset Pocket Model Wine Opener
This can be a great choice when you want a wine opener that you can easily pack for a picnic or other special event. It folds up neatly into a compact design, and it opens easily to reveal a rotating handle that makes it super easy to push the spiral into the cork. Overall, this is a manual wine opener that requires minimal effort, so it can be a good choice if you don’t want to go with an electric model but you tend to struggle with other manual openers.
Pros:
- This wine opener folds into a compact design for travel and storage.
- The rotating handle can be turned with just one finger.
- This product is designed to be easy to use and comfortable to grip with an ergonomic handle.
Cons:
- Some customer reviews state they were disappointed with the durability of this wine opener.
Things to look out for:
A wine opener is such a simple product, yet there are quite a few things to think about when you are shopping for one. Taking the time to consider the following can help ensure you make a choice that is right for you:
First, learn about the types of wine openers available. This will help you narrow your options, as you can focus only on the type, or types, that would be suitable. Some people find manual openers challenging because you need to apply some force and effort. Also, if your hands experience pain or you aren’t able to maintain a good grip, a manual wine opener might be too hard on your hands, so an electric alternative may be best.
Bear in mind, too, that it may take some trial and error to figure out which type of wine opener you like using the most. In the end, you might find multiple types quite easy to use. So, you might opt to buy more than one type to give them a try, rather than just reading about them without doing hands-on tests.
Next, it is also worth thinking about how much you are willing to spend on a wine opener. For example, you might discover that electric openers, which are pricier, are not within your budget, so you wouldn’t spend your time looking at those options. But no matter which type of wine opener you go with, you want it to be made of high-quality materials so it will be long-lasting and safe to use. A great choice is stainless steel. Check the features of a product closely so you can determine if it is worth the cost based on the materials that were used to make it.
As mentioned above, there are manual and electric wine openers available. If you are leaning towards getting an electric one, be sure to check details like how long the battery will last before it needs to be charged. Also, what types of batteries are used? For example, is there a convenient rechargeable battery or do you need to add batteries and replace them when they lose power? And how large is the unit, as you will want to be sure you have the room for it since these items are much larger than manual wine openers.
In addition to considering the size of an electric wine opener, it is also worth checking the dimensions of manual openers. There are some that are designed to be small enough to easily take with you when you are traveling, such as when you are planning to have a picnic at the park and want to bring a bottle of wine with you. And, of course, you will want the product to be easy to store away in between uses, so you might not want to go with one that is too bulky.
Yet another thing to consider is whether a wine opener will work on synthetic corks as well as natural corks. And there are many wine openers that come with helpful extras that are certainly worth checking out as well. If you don’t need those extras, though, sticking with a more basic opener might be just right.
Finally, ask yourself how often you drink wine. Are you the type that is opening a new bottle every week? Or, do you enjoy wine only on special occasions, such as anniversaries and holidays? Depending on your lifestyle, you might not need an expensive or high-end wine opener. For example, a budget-friendly, simple wine opener might be all you need if you only drink wine once in a while. On the other hand, if you are the type that drinks wine regularly, a product that is designed to be durable, or an electric version that will work quickly, might be the right way to go.
Photo credit: Day Of Victory Studio/Shutterstock