KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener

The Verdict

The KitchenAid Classic Multifunction Can Opener has been sitting on my counter for three weeks now, and I’ve put it through the wringer — canned tomatoes, condensed soup, dog food, the works. Here’s the honest breakdown.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the can opener itself — no batteries, no attachments, no surprises. It’s a manual side-cut can opener with a few smart design touches. The body is a matte-finish plastic (available in several KitchenAid colors like Empire Red and Onyx Black) with a stainless steel cutting blade. The standout feature is the integrated bottle opener built into the top of the handle — a small addition that’s genuinely useful if you’re opening a beer while cooking.

The cutting mechanism is a smooth-edge style, meaning it cuts along the side of the can lid rather than the top. The result: no sharp edges on the lid or the can rim. If you’ve ever sliced a finger on a standard can opener’s jagged lid, you’ll appreciate this immediately.

Performance and Build Quality

Here’s where the KitchenAid earns its 4.6-star rating. The cutting action is smooth and consistent. The large turning knob is the real selling point — it’s roughly twice the size of a standard can opener’s knob, which means significantly less hand strength required. I tested it on a can of diced tomatoes where the lid had been slightly dented in shipping, and it still bit through cleanly without skipping.

One feature I didn’t expect to care about: the bottle opener. It’s not a gimmick — it’s positioned at the handle’s end, uses the same leverage principle as a dedicated opener, and pops bottle caps without bending them. A small thing, but it’s one less drawer gadget you need.

The cutting blade is stainless steel and easily removable for cleaning — push the tab, pull the blade, rinse, click it back in. The rest of the body can be wiped down but shouldn’t be submerged.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Scrolling through the 229 ratings, several patterns emerge. A verified buyer named Sarah M. noted: “The large knob makes a huge difference. I have mild arthritis in my hands and this is the first can opener I’ve used without pain.” That’s the most common theme — accessibility.

Another repeated point is the smooth edge. Tom R. wrote: “I love that the lid comes off with zero sharp edges. Perfect for feeding my cats — no risk of them licking a sharp rim.” A fair number of reviewers also mention the “satisfying click” when the blade disengages at the end of a full rotation, which is a nice tactile detail.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be direct about the downsides. This is a two-handed tool. You hold the base with one hand, turn the knob with the other. If you have limited use of one hand, this won’t work for you — look for an electric opener instead.

The plastic body also feels lighter than you might expect from a KitchenAid product. It’s durable — I’ve dropped it twice with no damage — but it lacks the premium heft of a stainless steel opener like the OXO Good Grips. At its typical price point, you’re paying a small premium for the brand name and the color options.

One more nitpick: the blade is sharp (as it should be), but the removal mechanism requires a bit of pressure to release. Not a problem for most, but worth noting if you have very weak grip strength.

Who Should Buy This

• Home cooks who hate sharp lid edges — the smooth-edge cut is the main reason to choose this over a $10 opener
• People with arthritis or weak hands — the large knob genuinely reduces effort
• Anyone who wants a matching KitchenAid counter aesthetic — the color options are nice
• Not for anyone who needs one-handed operation or prefers a wall-mounted or electric opener

FAQ: Three Questions Shoppers Ask

Q: Does it work on cans with pull-tabs? A: Yes, but you’ll need to remove the pull-tab first. The cutting mechanism works fine on all standard can sizes from 3 oz to 28 oz.

Q: Is the blade dishwasher safe? A: The blade is removable and dishwasher safe on the top rack. The body should be hand-washed only — the plastic housing can warp in dishwasher heat.

Q: How does it compare to the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge? A: Both produce smooth edges. The OXO has a more comfortable grip for large hands and a slightly stronger cutting mechanism. The KitchenAid wins on the integrated bottle opener, the larger turning knob, and available colors. For most home cooks, either is a solid choice.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You want a reliable, comfortable manual can opener that eliminates sharp edges and doubles as a bottle opener. It’s especially worth it for anyone with hand pain.

Skip it if: You need one-handed operation, prefer the heft of a metal-bodied opener, or already own a smooth-edge opener that works fine.

Rating: 4.6/5 — The KitchenAid Classic Multifunction is a well-executed upgrade over basic openers, with the oversized knob and smooth-edge cut justifying the price. It’s not a revolutionary tool, but it does its job with minimal effort and no bloodshed. That’s a win in my kitchen.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.