Every jar in a Mexican pantry seems to come with a lid that will not move: chipotles in adobo, a new jar of salsa verde, pickled jalapeños, cajeta that has dripped down the threads and set like glue. A good jar opener ends the struggle, saves a knife tip from being used as a lever, and makes a real difference if your hands are weaker or sore than they used to be.
There are four kinds worth knowing: handheld grippers, under-cabinet openers, electric openers and simple seal-breakers and grip pads. This guide covers seven, with the type, lid sizes, power and care each maker states, and says plainly which one suits which hands.
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Quick verdict: which jar opener to buy
For most kitchens, the pick is the OXO Good Grips Jar Opener with Base Pad: it takes any size lid, its stainless steel teeth hold firmly and the pad stops the jar spinning. If twisting any handle is hard, choose the Robotwist Deluxe Electric Jar Opener, which does the turning for you; for a one-handed opener that is always in the same place, the EZ Off Under-Cabinet Jar Opener.
Below, five standouts side by side, then all seven openers reviewed in full.
Five jar openers compared
One pick for each kind of opener, with the lid range and power each maker states. All seven are reviewed below.
| Opener | Type | Jar sizes (per maker) | Hand strength needed | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips Jar Opener with Base PadBest overall
|
Handheld gripper and pad | Any size lid | Some twisting | View on Amazon |
Kuhn Rikon Strain-Free Gripper Jar OpenerBest adjustable gripper
|
Locking clamp gripper | 1 to 3.5 in | Some twisting, extra leverage | View on Amazon |
EZ Off Under-Cabinet Jar OpenerBest under-cabinet
|
Mounted V-grip | Not stated in inches | One hand turns the jar | View on Amazon |
Robotwist Deluxe Electric Jar OpenerBest electric
|
Battery, automatic | 1.2 to 3.5 in | None; steady the jar | View on Amazon |
Brix JarKey Original Jar OpenerBest for vacuum seals
|
Seal-breaking lever | Metal vacuum-sealed lids | A gentle lift | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Lid sizes and features are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best jar opener
These seven openers cover the ways a lid gets stuck: vacuum seals on new jars, over-tightened threads, and sugar or sauce dried on the rim. Before you buy, measure your widest lid. Most adjustable and electric openers stop at about 3.5 inches, which covers standard salsa and chipotle jars but not every wide jar.
1. OXO Good Grips Jar Opener with Base Pad – Steel Teeth and a Pad to Hold the Jar
OXO’s opener is two pieces. The opener itself is a contoured, non-slip handle with sharp stainless steel teeth set in a wedge, so the lid slides in until it is held and the long handle gives you leverage. The second piece is a base pad that sits under the jar and stops it spinning, which OXO says reduces the force you need.
OXO says it takes any size jar lid. Because the lid wedges into the jaw rather than being clamped, it works on a small jar of chipotles in adobo or a jar of cajeta as well as a big jar of salsa, without any adjusting.
Care is easy: OXO says the opener can go in the dishwasher and the base pad should be washed by hand. It measures about 9 by 5 by 1 inches and lies flat in a drawer. For most kitchens, this is the simplest opener that does the job well.
Why we like it
- Fits any size lid, per OXO
- Stainless steel teeth
- Base pad holds the jar still
- Opener is dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Opener | OXO Good Grips, model 1173600 |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld wedge gripper plus base pad |
| Jar sizes | Any size jar lid (per OXO) |
| Power/hand strength needed | Manual; long handle for leverage, pad steadies the jar |
| Mount | None, handheld |
| Best for | Everyday jars of any size |
| Care | Opener dishwasher safe; hand wash pad |
Why we recommend it
It suits most kitchens as a first jar opener: no setup, no batteries and nothing to adjust.
Skip it if you have very little grip or wrist strength; you still have to turn the handle, and an electric opener does that for you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works on lids of any size
- Pad stops the jar spinning
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Still needs some twisting strength
- Pad is hand wash only
2. Kuhn Rikon Strain-Free Gripper Jar Opener – Three Steel Jaws Lock on the Lid
Kuhn Rikon’s opener clamps the lid rather than wedging it. You set it on the lid and turn it clockwise so three sets of steel jaws close in and lock on; then the long handle turns the lid off. Twisting the other way releases it.
Kuhn Rikon says it removes lids and caps from 1 to 3.5 inches across, threaded, smooth-sided or grooved, and that the long handle gives extra leverage on stubborn lids, including vacuum seals. The maker describes it as suited to people with limited strength or mobility in their hands and wrists.
It is 10 by 5 by 2.25 inches, with a hole in the handle for hanging. Wipe it with a damp cloth; Kuhn Rikon says it is not dishwasher safe. It carries a five-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- Self-locking steel jaws
- Fits 1 to 3.5 in lids
- Long handle for leverage
- Five-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Opener | Kuhn Rikon Strain-Free, item 22905 |
|---|---|
| Type | Adjustable clamp gripper with long handle |
| Jar sizes | 1 to 3.5 in lids and caps |
| Power/hand strength needed | Manual; the handle supplies leverage |
| Mount | None; hangs from a hole in the handle |
| Best for | Stubborn and vacuum-sealed lids |
| Care | Wipe clean; not dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who find a wedge opener slips, and anyone who wants the lid held firmly before they turn.
Skip it if you open very wide jars; its range stops at 3.5 inches.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Locks onto the lid
- Handles smooth and grooved lids
- Long warranty
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Two-step use takes practice
3. EZ Off Under-Cabinet Jar Opener – Mounted Out of the Way, Used One-Handed
An under-cabinet opener is a V-shaped grip fixed beneath an upper cabinet. You push the lid up into the V, where the teeth hold it, and turn the jar instead of the lid. Because the lid is held for you, you only need one hand, and it is always there when you reach for a jar of salsa verde.
EZ Off includes double-sided adhesive and screws for extra hold. The maker says it opens factory-locked, vacuum-sealed and stuck lids and has a non-slip grip; the listing does not give a size range in inches, so check that your widest jars fit the V. The maker’s two-pack listing describes it as durable plastic and says to wash it by hand.
EZ Off backs it with a lifetime warranty if you register the product as its packaging explains. Fit it near where you open jars most, and away from the edge of a cabinet door.
Why we like it
- One-handed use
- Mounted, so it never goes missing
- Adhesive and screws included
- Lifetime warranty with registration
Key specifications
| Opener | EZ Off under-cabinet jar opener |
|---|---|
| Type | Fixed V-grip, under cabinet |
| Jar sizes | Not stated in inches |
| Power/hand strength needed | Manual; you turn the jar, one hand |
| Mount | Under cabinet, adhesive and screws |
| Best for | One-handed opening, a fixed spot |
| Care | Hand wash (per maker’s two-pack listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants an opener that is always in the same place and works with one hand.
Skip it if you rent and cannot screw into cabinets, or you have no upper cabinets near your prep area.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Always in reach
- One hand is enough
- No batteries or parts
Cons
- Needs mounting
- No stated size range
4. Robotwist Deluxe Electric Jar Opener – Press One Button and Let It Twist
An electric opener does the twisting for you. You set the Robotwist on the lid and press the button; two vice-grip arms close on the lid and turn it while you steady the jar. Emson, the maker, says the Deluxe model has more torque than the original Robotwist.
Emson says the arms self-adjust to lids from 1.2 to 3.5 inches across, which covers most salsa, chipotle and jam jars. It runs on batteries, so it needs no outlet and can sit in a drawer between uses; pressing the button again resets the arms to their smallest position for storage.
Emson describes it as designed for people with limited grip strength, including people with arthritis. That is the case for an electric opener: if twisting any handle is hard, this takes the twisting out of it. The listing does not say which batteries it uses or how it should be cleaned, so check the box.
Why we like it
- One-button operation
- Self-adjusting arms, 1.2 to 3.5 in
- Battery powered, no cord
- Compact storage setting
Key specifications
| Opener | Robotwist Deluxe by Emson, model 2522 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric, automatic |
| Jar sizes | 1.2 to 3.5 in lids |
| Power/hand strength needed | Batteries; no twisting, you steady the jar |
| Mount | None, sits on the lid |
| Best for | Little or no grip strength |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks for whom any twisting is hard, and kitchens where several people struggle with lids.
Skip it if you open wide jars over 3.5 inches or do not want to keep batteries on hand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No twisting needed
- Fits most standard lids
- Works anywhere
Cons
- Needs batteries
- 3.5 in maximum
- Bulkier than a manual opener
5. Brix JarKey Original Jar Opener – Lifts the Lid Edge to Break the Seal
The JarKey does not turn the lid at all. It is a small lever with a hooked tip: you slip it under the edge of a metal lid and lift the handle gently, which lets air into the jar and breaks the vacuum. Once the seal goes, most lids spin off by hand. Brix says the design has no sharp edges or moving parts.
Brix makes it in Denmark from BPA-free plastic. It is 5.62 inches long, fits in any gadget drawer and can go in the dishwasher.
It is the simplest fix for the most common problem: a new jar of salsa or chipotles whose lid is held by vacuum rather than over-tightened threads. It will not help with a lid glued on by dried sauce, and it is meant for lids with an edge to lift, not plastic caps.
Why we like it
- Breaks the vacuum seal
- No moving parts
- Dishwasher safe
- Made in Denmark
Key specifications
| Opener | Brix JarKey (Jar Pop) |
|---|---|
| Type | Lever that lifts the lid edge |
| Jar sizes | Not stated; metal vacuum-sealed lids |
| Power/hand strength needed | A gentle lift; then turn the lid by hand |
| Mount | None, pocket size |
| Best for | New, vacuum-sealed jars |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone whose trouble is new, vacuum-sealed jars, and it makes a good second opener to keep in a drawer.
Skip it if your lids are stuck with dried sauce or over-tightened; it only releases the vacuum.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tiny and simple
- Very little force needed
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Does not turn the lid
- Vacuum seals only
6. Kuhn Rikon 5-in-1 Strain-Free Multi-Opener – Jars, Bottles and Ring-Pull Cans
This is Kuhn Rikon’s gripper with more tools added. The main jaw adjusts and locks onto lids and caps from 1 to 3.5 inches, threaded, smooth or grooved, like the Strain-Free above.
In the handle there is a fluted eye for small bottle caps, such as hot sauce and condiment bottles, a church key for crown caps and a beak that lifts the tab on ring-pull cans. That covers a jar of jalapeños, a bottle of Valentina and a can of beans with one tool.
It is 5 by 10 by 2.25 inches. Kuhn Rikon says to wipe it with a damp cloth and that it is not dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- Five opening functions
- Locking jaw, 1 to 3.5 in
- Fluted eye for small caps
- Ring-pull lifter
Key specifications
| Opener | Kuhn Rikon 5-in-1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Adjustable clamp gripper plus bottle and can tools |
| Jar sizes | 1 to 3.5 in lids and caps |
| Power/hand strength needed | Manual; long handle for leverage |
| Mount | None, handheld |
| Best for | Jars, small bottles and ring-pull cans |
| Care | Wipe clean; not dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen that wants one tool in the drawer for every kind of lid and cap.
Skip it if you only need a jar opener; the plain Strain-Free does that with fewer parts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers caps, cans and jars
- Locking grip
- One tool instead of several
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- More bulk than a jar key
7. Norpro Non-Slip Rubber Jar Opener Pad – A Rubber Square That Adds Grip
The simplest jar opener is a rubber pad. Norpro’s is a 6-by-6-inch square of textured, flexible rubber that you lay over the lid to give your hand traction on a slippery metal or plastic lid. Norpro says it fits virtually any size, from soda caps to wide-mouth mason jars.
It doubles as a non-slip mat: lay it under a cutting board or a mixing bowl to stop it moving on the counter, or under the jar while you twist the lid with another pad.
A pad adds grip, not leverage. You still twist with your own strength, so it suits a cook whose hands simply slip, not one who struggles to turn at all. It rolls up or lies flat in a drawer.
Why we like it
- Fits nearly any lid
- Doubles as a non-slip mat
- Flat and light
- Rolls up for storage
Key specifications
| Opener | Norpro, model 597 |
|---|---|
| Type | Rubber grip pad |
| Jar sizes | Virtually all lid and bottle sizes (per Norpro) |
| Power/hand strength needed | Your own twist; adds grip only |
| Mount | None |
| Best for | Slippery lids, a non-slip mat |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants an extra grip, and a mat for steadying bowls and boards.
Skip it if you need leverage or help turning; a pad only stops your hand slipping.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works on any lid
- Two uses
- Stores flat
Cons
- No leverage
- Care not stated
How to choose the right type of jar opener
What makes your lids stick. A brand-new jar is usually held by its vacuum seal, and a seal-breaker like the Brix JarKey solves that with almost no force. A jar you have opened before is usually stuck by over-tightening or by sauce dried in the threads, which needs a gripper that turns the lid.
How much hand strength you have. A rubber pad adds grip but no leverage. A handheld gripper like the OXO or the Kuhn Rikon adds leverage through its handle. An under-cabinet opener holds the lid so one hand can turn the jar. An electric opener does the twisting itself. If gripping or twisting is painful, go further along that list; if a lid just slips in your hand, a pad may be enough.
Lid size. The OXO wedge and the Norpro pad take any lid. The Kuhn Rikon grippers and the Robotwist list a range of about 1 to 3.5 inches; EZ Off gives no range, so check the V against your jars.
Where it lives. A drawer tool is easy to lose at the back of the drawer; a mounted opener never moves. An electric opener needs a spot on the counter or in a cabinet and a supply of batteries.
Cleaning. Jar openers meet sticky lids. OXO says its opener can go in the dishwasher and Brix says the JarKey can too; Kuhn Rikon says its grippers cannot. Several listings do not say.
How we chose these seven jar openers
We sorted openers by how they work, because that decides who they suit, and chose the clearest example of each type from an identifiable maker sold on Amazon in the United States. We checked that each was in stock when we wrote this and took every specification from the maker’s listing, writing “not stated” where a maker gives no detail. The Black+Decker Lids Off and Hamilton Beach Open Ease electric openers were showing limited stock when we checked, so they are not here. We have not used these products ourselves, and we make no medical claims: if a hand condition makes kitchen tasks painful, an occupational therapist can advise on the right tools.
Jar opener questions, answered
What is the best type of jar opener?
For most kitchens, a handheld gripper with a handle for leverage, such as the OXO Good Grips. If any twisting is hard, an electric opener; if your trouble is mostly new, vacuum-sealed jars, a seal-breaker like the Brix JarKey.
What is the best jar opener for weak hands?
An electric opener takes the most effort out, since it turns the lid while you only steady the jar. An under-cabinet opener is the next easiest, because it holds the lid and leaves one hand free to turn the jar. Emson describes the Robotwist as designed for limited grip strength.
Do electric jar openers work on big jars?
Up to a point. The Robotwist lists lids from 1.2 to 3.5 inches, which covers standard salsa, jam and chipotle jars. Measure your widest jars before buying.
How do you open a jar that is stuck with dried sauce?
Run the lid under hot water for a moment to soften the sugar or sauce in the threads, dry it, then use a gripper with a handle. A seal-breaker will not help here, since the problem is not the vacuum. Wipe the rim before you close the jar next time.
Are rubber jar grippers worth it?
They are simple and add grip, and Norpro’s doubles as a non-slip mat. But a pad adds no leverage, so if you struggle to turn a lid at all, a gripper with a handle or an electric opener will help more.
The opener we would keep in the drawer
Start with the OXO Good Grips opener, add a Brix JarKey for new jars, and choose the Robotwist if twisting is hard. Openers are only one part of a kitchen that is easier on the hands: see our guides to the best can opener and the best citrus juicer for arthritic hands. For what is in the jars, read our guides to the best chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, the best jarred salsa and the best cajeta brand.
If grip strength is the problem, see our guide to the best jar openers for arthritis and weak hands.
Prefer one-button opening? See the best electric jar openers.
When you would rather someone else did the cooking, see our menu and call to order.