My grandmother struggled with cans for years. The manual twist opener hurt her hands. The electric one she bought was complicated — you had to position the can just right under a blade and hold it steady while the machine did its thing. She would wait until someone visited to open cans for her, which meant she stopped cooking certain meals altogether.

Then I found a hands-free can opener that sits on top of the can and walks itself around the rim. She presses one button and it does the rest. Here is why this type of opener is worth the money for anyone with grip issues, arthritis, or limited hand strength.

How it works

You place the opener on top of the can, press the start button, and a small motorized wheel rotates the opener around the rim while a blade cuts through the lid from the side — not the top. This means no sharp edges on the lid or the can, because it cuts the seal below the rim rather than piercing the top. The lid lifts off cleanly with a magnet. The whole process takes about 15 seconds and requires zero grip strength.

What to look for

The key feature is automatic operation — the opener should walk itself around the can without you guiding it. Look for models with a wide base that sit stably on top of the can. A magnetic lid lifter is standard on most units and prevents you from touching the sharp lid. Battery-operated models are more portable; rechargeable ones cost more upfront but save on batteries.

The Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch and the Kitchen Mama are the two most-recommended hands-free models. Both cut from the side, both are one-button operation, and both are under $30. My grandmother has used the Kitchen Mama daily for over a year and it still works like new.

The safety benefit most people overlook

Traditional can openers leave a jagged lid. Hands-free side-cut openers leave a smooth edge on both the lid and the can. For someone with reduced sensation in their fingers (common with diabetes or neuropathy), this is a genuine safety improvement, not just a convenience feature.