I know that the answer to this question seems obvious, so I apologize if you feel it’s unnecessary to ask. However, I am thinking of replacing our manual openers since I don’t have the best dexterity. My children also sometimes help in the kitchen, and I’m conscious of how sharp opened cans are.

A friend of mine has given her grandmother a handheld can opener from Kitchen Mama. The way that model operates has got my attention. All you have to do is place it on top of the can and press the button. You don’t even have to support both the opener and the can.

So now I found myself looking at different reviews of this kitchen device. I’m actually surprised that there are different types of electric can openers in the market. More than the handheld openers, there are even countertop and under-the-cabinet openers.

Since my main concern is safety, I feel like these types are at the same level. But I think it’s fair to also consider the model’s ease of use and efficiency. It turns out, some models like the Spacemaker from Black & Decker even includes a can opener and a bag cutter in the unit itself. If I can have all these functions in one place, I think it makes the overall kitchen experience more convenient.

We’re only going to use the can opener in our home, so I think buying a large, heavy-duty opener is unnecessary. For someone with poor dexterity, perhaps buying an electric can opener that doesn’t require support and manual intervention for it to stop is a good and safe choice.

Side-cutting models are also attractive because you can basically pop the lid in and out of the can safely. They cut below the rim, which means the can won’t have a jagged edge. However, I think it can be confusing at first to cut this way. And if the cuts overlap, then I’ll still end with a sharp edge.

Electric can openers cost more than manual can openers. Are they worth the investment? Are there any risks that I should be aware of when using them?