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The best can opener in NZ overall is the Kenmore Electric Can Opener, thanks to its extra-tall build, wide stable base and one-touch automatic release that suits pop-top cans as easily as standard tins.
Not every kitchen needs the same opener though. Some shoppers want the smallest possible footprint for a tiny apartment kitchen, others need a battery-powered option for the bach or a caravan, and some just want something that also cracks open a stubborn jar of pickles.
This guide rounds up five can openers worth buying in New Zealand, covering electric one-touch models built for weak hands and arthritis, a manual multi-tool for jars and bottles, and portable battery-powered picks for camping and travel. Every pick below was cross-checked against real owner feedback and retailer listings before being added to this list.
| Product | Best For | Power | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenmore Electric Can Opener | Best overall | Mains electric (230V) | Extra-tall design, wide stable base, handles pop-top cans |
| Kitchen Mama Auto 2.0 | Best compact / small kitchens | 4 x AA batteries | Tilted side-cut blade, drawer-sized body |
| Kitchen Mama One-To-Go | Best auto shut-off safety | 3 x AA batteries | Auto shut-off plus manual force-stop button |
| Kitchen Mama Epic One | Best for jars, bottles & pull-tab cans | Manual | Adjustable plate opens caps, jars and pull-tab cans |
| Kitchen Mama One-Touch | Best for travel & camping | 4 x AA batteries | Non-slip grip pad, compact camping-friendly size |
1. Kenmore Electric Can Opener – Best Overall
The best can opener in NZ overall is the Kenmore Electric Can Opener, an extra-tall automatic model that handles everything from standard tins to tall pop-top cans without needing to hold anything down.
It measures roughly 10.4cm x 13.5cm x 23.4cm and weighs just under 1kg, noticeably taller than most benchtop openers so it can clear taller cans without the lid catching on the frame. The wide, splayed base keeps it planted on the bench once the blade engages.
The body is finished in black and silver with brushed stainless-steel accents on the cutting head, a step up from the plain white plastic openers most kitchens have used for years. The oversized start button is easy to spot and press even with limited grip strength.
An ABS plastic housing wraps around the stainless-steel cutting head. The base feels sturdy enough not to slide during the cut, though the outer shell is noticeably lighter-duty than the metal mechanism it houses.
Clip it onto a can, press the button once, and the side-cutting blade works its way around the rim automatically, stopping and lifting clear when the cut finishes. Because it cuts along the side rather than punching down through the lid, the blade never touches the food inside, and the smooth-edged lid left behind can double as a makeshift cover for leftovers.
It handles both standard cylindrical cans and shorter pop-top cans without needing a different setting, and the auto-stop removes any risk of over-cutting once the lid separates.
It runs on mains power (230V) rather than batteries, so there’s no cordless or camping use, and it takes up more bench space than most drawer-friendly compact openers. Shoppers short on counter space may prefer one of the smaller Kitchen Mama picks below.
Key specs: model KKCOST-AU, 60W, 230V, ABS plastic and stainless-steel construction, 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- One-touch automatic release, no holding a lever down
- Side-cutting blade leaves a smooth, reusable lid
- Extra-tall build clears taller and pop-top cans
- Wide base keeps it steady on the bench
Cons
- Mains-powered only, no cordless or camping use
- Larger footprint than most drawer-friendly openers
2. Kitchen Mama Auto 2.0 Electric Can Opener – Best Compact
The best can opener in NZ for tight kitchen spaces is the Kitchen Mama Auto 2.0, a battery-powered model small enough to live in a drawer instead of taking up bench space.
It measures about 18cm x 7cm x 5.5cm and weighs roughly 330g, closer in size to a stapler than a countertop appliance, built to compete directly against bulkier plug-in units.
It comes in red with a smooth, single-piece plastic shell and one large start/stop button on top – no dial, no lever, nothing else to learn.
An ABS plastic housing surrounds the tilted stainless-steel blade Kitchen Mama calls its “2.0” blade, which cuts along the side of the lid rather than punching through the top.
Clip the head onto the rim and press the button once. The motor drives itself around the can until the cut is complete and stops automatically. A small built-in lid-lift on the underside helps nudge the cut lid free, though testers note the magnet lifts the lid just enough to grip rather than pulling it away entirely.
It runs on 4 x AA batteries rather than a cord, so it works anywhere on the bench without hunting for a free power point.
Battery-only means no mains backup, and heavy daily use will run through batteries faster than a corded model. Like the other Kitchen Mama pick further down, it isn’t rated for soda cans with sloped shoulders.
Key specs: model Auto V2, ABS plastic body, stainless-steel blade, 4 x AA batteries (not included).
Pros
- Small enough to store flat in a drawer
- Tilted side-cut blade never touches the food inside
- Runs on batteries, no power point needed
- Simple single-button operation
Cons
- Battery-only, no mains backup
- Not rated for sloped-edge soda cans
3. Kitchen Mama One-To-Go Electric Can Opener – Best for Auto Shut-Off Safety
The best can opener in NZ for anyone nervous about a cutter running unattended is the Kitchen Mama One-To-Go, which stops itself the instant the lid is fully cut and includes a manual force-stop button as backup.
It measures around 13cm x 7cm x 5.6cm, one of the smaller Kitchen Mama models here, built around a 3 x AA battery compartment sealed behind a magnetic cover for quick swaps.
It is available in red, white or yellow, with a rounded, toy-like shell that feels less clinical than the stainless-steel Kenmore above.
A stainless-steel tilted blade cuts 360 degrees around the side of the lid so it never touches the can’s contents. The body itself is ABS plastic, light enough to hold one-handed throughout the cut.
Press the button once and the auto shut-off stops the motor the instant the cut finishes, rather than relying on the user to judge timing. A dedicated force-stop button lets the user manually interrupt the cycle if a dented or misshapen can jams partway through. The magnetic lid lift eases the cut lid free, though Kitchen Mama’s own instructions note it assists rather than fully pops the lid off.
It works on round, oval and square cans. The brand is upfront that it is not designed for soda cans with sloped rims, and it can still struggle with heavily dented cans without the force-stop assist.
The auto shut-off is a genuine safety feature, but the smaller 3 x AA battery bay means more frequent battery changes than the larger Kitchen Mama models in this list.
Key specs: model One-To-Go, wipe clean with a damp cloth only, never submerge or dishwasher, 1-year manufacturer replacement warranty.
Pros
- Auto shut-off stops the cut automatically
- Manual force-stop button for jammed or dented cans
- Magnetic lid lift eases the cut lid free
- Compact and light enough for one-handed use
Cons
- Smaller 3 x AA battery bay means more frequent changes
- Not designed for soda cans with sloped rims
4. Mama Epic One Multifunction Opener – Best for Jars, Bottles & Pull-Tab Cans
The best pick in NZ for a household that struggles with more than just cans is the Kitchen Mama Epic One, a manual multi-tool shaped like a parrot that also handles bottle caps, jar lids and pull-tab cans.
It is small enough to sit as a fridge magnet when not in use, roughly 14cm long with a moulded parrot-shaped body that doubles as a decorative kitchen accessory rather than an appliance that has to be hidden in a drawer.
It is sold in red, teal, blue, white and metal grey, with a glossy moulded plastic shell and a stainless-steel adjustable plate as the working part of the tool.
The body is ABS plastic with a stainless-steel gripping plate and a built-in magnet strong enough to hold the tool to a fridge door between uses.
Press the tool down onto a bottle cap, jar lid or pull-tab can and twist. The adjustable plate grips caps from around 24mm to 36mm and jar lids up to about 24mm wide automatically, with no fiddly pre-adjustment before each use. Being manual rather than motorised, it still needs the user to supply the twisting force – the leverage design just makes that force easier to apply than gripping a lid bare-handed.
It opens beer bottle tops, water bottle caps and various jar sizes with one consistent motion, and works on pull-tab cans, though it is not built to cut open a fully sealed tin the way the electric models above do.
It’s the only manual, non-electric pick in this list, so anyone who has lost most of their grip strength may still find the initial twisting motion difficult. It’s best thought of as a companion to an electric can opener rather than a replacement for one.
Key specs: model MO5600, ABS plastic and stainless steel, 1-year manufacturer replacement warranty.
Pros
- Handles bottle caps, jar lids and pull-tab cans in one tool
- Adjustable plate needs no pre-sizing
- Doubles as a fridge magnet when not in use
- Five colour options
Cons
- Manual, so still needs some hand strength to twist
- Cannot cut open a fully sealed tin can
5. Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener – Best for Travel & Camping
The best can opener in NZ for the bach, caravan or camping trip is the Kitchen Mama One-Touch, a battery-powered model built to work just as well off-grid as it does on the kitchen bench.
It measures about 12cm x 7cm x 5cm and runs on 4 x AA batteries, with a non-slip pad wrapped around the body for a secure one-handed grip while it cuts.
It comes in purple, red, teal or avocado, giving it more colour choice than most of the other picks in this list, in a compact shape that tucks into a chilly bin or camping kit without adding much bulk.
A stainless-steel blade is paired with an ABS plastic body. One long-term owner review on Kitchen Mama’s own site describes a pair of these units lasting around 10,000 can-opens across three years of regular use before needing replacement.
Press the single button and the auto-stop cycle handles the rest, cutting around the side of the lid and stopping once the cut completes. The surrounding grip pad keeps the unit steady in one hand rather than needing a benchtop to brace against, useful when there is no flat surface nearby.
It works on round, oval and square cans. Like the other battery-powered Kitchen Mama models here, it isn’t designed for sloped-edge soda cans, and the brand’s own FAQ notes the magnet helps lift rather than fully removes the cut lid.
Battery life isn’t quoted in cans-per-set, so anyone camping for an extended stretch may want to pack spare AAs. It also can’t be rinsed or submerged for cleaning – a damp cloth only.
Key specs: model CO2100, 4 x AA batteries (not included), 1-year manufacturer replacement warranty.
Pros
- Non-slip grip pad for steady one-handed use
- Compact enough for a chilly bin or camping kit
- Auto-stop cycle needs just one press
- Four colour options
Cons
- Battery life per set is not quoted
- Wipe-clean only, cannot be rinsed or submerged
How to choose a can opener
Type of opener matters most. Fully automatic electric openers do the gripping and turning for anyone with weak hands, arthritis or a wrist injury, while manual multi-tools like the Epic One above still need some hand strength to twist, just less than gripping a jar lid bare-handed.
Look for a side-cutting, smooth-edge design over older top-piercing openers. Safety can openers cut around the rim rather than punching down through the lid, leaving both the can and the lid free of sharp edges and making the lid genuinely reusable as a cover.
Mains electric models like the Kenmore above need a nearby power point and some bench space, while battery-powered picks trade unlimited runtime for the freedom to sit anywhere on the bench, or travel to a bach, caravan or campsite. None of the battery models here are rated for soda cans with sloped shoulders, so anyone who mostly opens ring-pull drinks won’t need a can opener at all.
Cleaning matters more than most buyers expect. Every electric model in this guide should only be wiped with a damp cloth, never submerged or run through a dishwasher, since moisture can damage the motor.
A kitchen leaning on small appliances for easier prep often needs more than just a can opener. It might be worth comparing air fryers for hands-off cooking. Electric frypans suit one-pot meals that need less standing over the stove. Food processors take the chopping and grating out of meal prep entirely. Juicers suit anyone leaning into fresh produce. A set of milk frothers rounds out the small-appliance line-up for coffee at home.
Verdict
The Kenmore Electric Can Opener is the pick for most NZ kitchens, combining an extra-tall build with genuine one-touch ease. Shoppers tight on bench or drawer space should look at the Kitchen Mama Auto 2.0, while anyone wary of an unattended cutter will appreciate the One-To-Go’s auto shut-off and force-stop button. The Epic One earns its place for jars and bottles rather than cans alone, and the One-Touch is the natural choice for camping, caravanning or a bach without reliable power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric can openers worth buying?
For most kitchens, yes. Electric can openers earn their keep for anyone opening cans several times a week, dealing with arthritis or reduced grip strength, or wanting smooth, safe edges with no blade near the food. Someone who opens one can a fortnight with full hand strength may find a quality manual opener does the job just as well.
What is the safest type of can opener to use?
Safety, or side-cutting, can openers are considered the safest option. Rather than piercing through the top of the lid, they cut horizontally around the side of the rim, leaving a smooth edge on both the can and the lid. That removes the sharp, jagged edge left by older top-cutting openers and lets the lid double as a food cover.
Is a battery-powered can opener better than a plug-in electric one?
It depends on where it’s used. Battery-powered openers go anywhere on the bench, or travel to a bach, caravan or campsite, without needing a power point, but they stop working once the batteries run flat. Mains-powered models offer unlimited runtime provided there’s a socket nearby, suiting a fixed kitchen bench better.
How should an electric can opener be cleaned?
Electric can openers should only be wiped with a damp cloth after use. They should never be submerged in water, rinsed under a running tap, or placed in the dishwasher, since moisture can damage the internal motor. A dry toothbrush can help clear food residue from around the cutting blade and gear before wiping the body down.
What should someone with arthritis or weak hands look for in a can opener?
Look for a one-touch or automatic model that only needs a light press to start, rather than sustained squeezing or twisting. Side-cutting blades that leave smooth edges, magnetic lid lifters and non-slip grips all reduce the effort needed. Fully automatic electric openers ask the least of a weak or painful grip.
Can an electric can opener open every size and shape of can?
Most electric can openers handle round, oval and square cans, plus pop-top varieties, without needing a different setting. Several models are not designed for soda cans with sloped shoulders, and heavily dented cans can still cause a jam, which is why some openers include a manual force-stop button as backup.
