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Liquor / Chloe Jeong
With so many ways to open a bottle of wine, finding the right wine opener depends on your personal preferences, tastes, and capabilities. “I look for functionality, style, and price,” says Tekla Israelson, certified sommelier and hospitality & education manager for Lavinea Winery. “I want something straightforward that is easy to use [and] won't take up a lot of space—but still looks good on my bar cart.”
According to Israelson, there are a few industry standard options to consider: the waiter’s friend (the classic manual key used in restaurants), electric openers, and winged corkscrews—with levers and air pump systems also popular among home wine drinkers. Her personal favorite is the waiter’s friend style: “[They] make it easier to pull the cork out of the bottle.”
Although Israelson believes that a bottle of wine doesn’t need to be expensive to be good, she does recommend investing in a quality opening tool. We researched and put a few wine openers to the test, looking at their ease of use, durability, design, size, and features.
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Inexpensive
Takes up minimal counter space
Long-lasting charge
Sleek design
Less durable than other options
Warranty only lasts one year
Small learning curve at first
Oster’s cordless electric opener is among the top-rated of its kind. Its simple, straightforward design, compact charging base, and approachable price point make it ideal for those who want to get the job done quickly, with no frills.
This opener comes with a foil cutter for easy removal and a clean, blank canvas for easy opening. If you're not familiar with electric wine openers, you might find there's a learning curve at first to use this one. But like most electric wine openers, all you do is place the device on top of the cork, switch it on, and let the bottle opener do the work for you. With just a single charge (that lasts six to eight hours), you can open up to 30 bottles—appropriate for large gatherings and parties.
We did find it lightweight and not as sturdy when holding in the hand as other options, and the warranty is only for one year. But it is inexpensive and budget-friendly.
What’s Included: Electric wine bottle opener, foil cutter, charging base, power adapter, user manual
Material: Plastic | Finish: Brushed | Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.51 x 14.96 x 5.32 inches
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Liquor.com / Sarah Freeman
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Small and portable
Simple and easy to use
Durable
Foil cutter can come loose
Efficient, budget-friendly, and sleek, this classic wine key is another great all-rounder that is durable and easy to use. Made by the trusted French cookware brand Le Creuset, the Waiter’s Friend corkscrew appeals to the service industry and home drinkers alike with its two-step design and grooved screw, which assures a vertical and smooth movement through the cork. The metal corkscrew is also BPA-free. Some users did note that the foil cutter can become loose and wobbly on this corkscrew though.
Most waiter’s friend-style corkscrews are extremely versatile and work well for any type of cork. Plus, they can easily live in a pocket or bag—another reason Israelson highly recommends this option.
What’s Included: Two-step wine key
Material: Metal | Finish: N/A | Weight: 0.18 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 0.8 x 6 x 1.5 inches
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Very simple and effortless to use
Uses standard USB charger
Small and compact
Built-in foil cutter
May be difficult to apply correct pressure at first
If you’d like to minimize physical effort (and do so stylishly), Rabbit’s popular electric corkscrew is your best bet. Charge it up before use—each full charge is good for around 30 corks—and when you’re ready to drink your bottle of choice, whether white or red wine, open up the top to reveal the built-in cutter and remove the foil cap. Then, place the device atop the bottle’s neck and bring it down onto the cork until it automatically begins to work its magic: pulling out the cork and ejecting it gently once finished. You might find it difficult at first to apply the correct pressure but once you figure that out, this small and compact electric corkscrew is very simple to use.
This electric corkscrew is the first of its kind and is compatible with all cork types. Perfect for novices, the electric variety is one of the easiest options for home use, notes Israelson.
What’s Included: Electric wine bottle opener, built-in foil cutter, USB charging cord
Material: Plastic | Finish: Silver | Weight: 0.62 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2 x 2 x 9.5 inches
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Liquor.com / Sarah Freeman
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Prevents oxidation
Allows you to have just a glass or two at a time
Includes 2 argon gas capsules
Product and refills are expensive
Works only on natural cork
Needle is easy to break
A leader in wine preservation, the Coravin system uses a needle and inert gas (argon), allowing users to access wine without actually opening the bottle. This is essential because cork is a self-healing material and will close back up again after the needle is removed.
“It gives the flexibility of tasting a bottle without being forced to open the whole thing,” says Beth Martini, a certified sommelier. Coravin systems are typically used for reserve wines as a measure against loss and oxidation, and Model Two is a unanimously popular choice across the industry.
For the home user, Rebecca Sinn, sommelier, advises: “Try to keep it in a cool and dry place in its original case, just like storing a bottle of wine.” Because Model Two is made of stainless steel and fiberglass nylon, doing this will help prevent rusting, she explains. Martini recommends avoiding any forcing of the needle into the cork and making sure to puncture in different places, allowing the cork to self-heal as much as possible. The Coravin system works only on natural corks and the needle needs to be carefully inserted as it can break easily. Both the product and refills are on the pricier side.
What’s Included: Model Two Wine Preserver, two Coravin capsules (each capsule allows you to pour up to 15 5-ounce glasses of wine)
Material: Stainless steel, zinc, ABS plastic | Finish: N/A | Weight: 0.68 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 4.25 x 8.25 inches
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Liquor.com / Sarah Freeman
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Simple and comfortable to use
Works with any type of cork
Smooth, ergonomic design
Plastic body is less durable than all-metal options
Winged corkscrews are another way to remove a cork with minimal physical effort, hallmarked by a set of levers on either side of the worm. This style offers several advantages, according to Erik Delanoy, a service industry veteran and hospitality professional.
“It removes a lot of the guesswork: It guarantees that the corkscrew will be inserted into the center of the cork at the correct angle parallel to the bottle, and the corkscrew itself is usually more of a blade style, which reduces chances of breaking a cork that might be dried out," he explains.
This style does require a bit of work, but not nearly as much as the waiter’s friend, for instance, because the wings do most of the labor when pulling the cork out. Delanoy elaborates: “It’s great for stubborn corks or, in general, for those who don’t necessarily have a lot of arm strength." He adds that this OXO model’s built-in cutter, which makes for a clean line on the foil, is a welcome bonus. Our tester found this opener easy to use and intuitive with its smooth and ergonomic design, but said the plastic exterior felt a bit unstable and cheap in hand, as there aren't any rubber or silicone grips. Best of all, this corkscrew works on any type of cork whether natural or synthetic.
What’s Included: Winged corkscrew, removable foil cutter
Material: Alloy steel | Finish: Non-stick, steel | Weight: 0.8 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2 x 4.5 x 10.25 inches
Related: The Best Wine Aerators
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Nearly effortless to use
Great grip
Comes with extra screw
Must be washed by hand
Foil cutter is not as effective as other options
With just two simple motions, this lever corkscrew lets you quickly open your wine without forcing or pulling. The compact design won’t take up valuable real estate on your kitchen counter, and the removable foil cutter stored inside the device means this tool does everything you need.
Even the most stubborn corks pop out effortlessly with this device's streamlined design: Just slide the nonstick screw into a natural or synthetic cork, then pump the lever down and back up to remove the cork in seconds. Meanwhile, the ergonomically designed handle prevents your grip from slipping.
Our tester found the illustrated instructions for this lever corkscrew to be clear and accurate and said the corkscrew worked quickly and effectively, but the foil cutter was rather flimsy. This OXO model comes with an extra screw in case of wear and tear, but the quality is high enough that you shouldn’t need it for a while. This model is not dishwasher safe and should be washed by hand.
What’s Included: Corkscrew, removable foil cutter, extra nonstick screw
Material: Stainless steel | Finish: Non-stick, steel | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 7.6 x 7.2 inches
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Timeless and elegant design
Simple and classic mechanism
Durable and high-quality
Very expensive
Must be cleaned and maintained properly
This beautifully designed classic corkscrew isn’t just a great way to open wine in style—it’s also a stunning conversation piece to elevate your dining room décor. You’ll want to prominently display this top-of-the-line wine opener from the iconic French artisan knife brand Laguiole, founded in 1829, next to your good wine glasses.
“The brand matters because quality matters, and Laguiole wine openers are outstanding and durable,” says Chad Arnold, manager of Paul Marcus Wines in Oakland, California. Sure, it’s pricey, but Arnold adds, “I’m happy to pay for a quality product, and a quality wine opener is one that will get me through ... lots of anniversaries, graduations, and Tuesday afternoons.”
Featuring an eye-catching turquoise stone handle and durable Sandvik stainless steel, this masterpiece is handmade by a single master cutler from start to finish; it's adorned with the signature accents of the individual craftsman. The easy-to-use waiter’s corkscrew comes in an attractive storage box that makes it the perfect gift for the serious oenophile in your life. This corkscrew is very pricey so make sure to keep it cleaned and maintained properly so it lasts a long time.
What’s Included: Corkscrew, storage box
Material: Stainless steel, turquoise | Finish: Polished | Weight: 0.77 pound | Dimensions (LxWxH): 8.19 x 4.61 x 4.41 inches
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Ideal for bottles of wine
Great for brittle corks
High quality
Learning curve to use it
The Monopol Westmark Two-Prong Cork Puller is made of high-quality alloy steel that looks similar to a key, especially if stored in a decorative and protective cover. This cork puller is the ideal wine opener to keep on hand if you love older wine that might have a more brittle cork.
The two prongs slide down the sides of the cork and gently grasp it to pull it out without getting any pieces of cork in the wine bottle. The cork can also be inserted back into the bottle. While that sounds simple, it does take a bit of a learning curve to use it. The brand recommends you watch their video to get tips and learn how to operate this cork puller.
What’s Included: Corkscrew, decorative case/protector
Material: Alloy steel | Finish: Chrome | Weight: 2.46 ounces | Dimensions (LxWxH): 11 x 6.5 inches
Final Verdict
If you prefer the effortless ease of an electric wine opener, the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener is your best bet—it does virtually all the work for you. For its simplicity, compact design, and durability, the classic waiter’s style corkscrew just can’t be beaten. For a stylish take on this industry favorite, go with the Le Creuset Waiter's Friend Corkscrew.
How We Selected
For research and product recommendations, we talked to experts in the field, including Tekla Israelson, a certified sommelier and hospitality & education manager for Lavinea Winery, Beth Martini, a certified sommelier, Rebecca Sinn, a sommelier, Erik Delanoy, a service industry veteran and hospitality professional, and Chad Arnold, a manager of Paul Marcus Wines in Oakland, California. We then sent a variety of highly-rated wine openers for hands-on, at-home testing. Our testers rated the items based on ease of use, comfort, performance, and value.
What to Look For When Buying a Wine Opener
Ease of Use
If you are a seasoned wine professional who opens bottles all the time, you may want to choose a simple style like the waiter’s friend or a winged corkscrew. However, if you find these manual options difficult to use, choose an electric model or a lever-style corkscrew that automates most of the work.
Features
Think about whether you need any special features with your wine opener, like a built-in or removable foil cutter or an extra screw for long-term use. If you choose an electric wine opener, you’ll want to consider whether you prefer a battery-operated model or one with a charger that plugs into the wall.
Durability
If you are choosing a wine opener for frequent use, choose one that can withstand plenty of wear and tear over time. If you are an occasional wine drinker, this may be a lower priority than other considerations, such as ease of use.
Size
If you have limited space or want a wine opener you can travel with, choose a smaller option. But if you have plenty of room on the kitchen counter or in your home bar setup, feel free to choose a larger model, especially one with an attractive design that you will want to display proudly.
Design
If aesthetic appeal is a priority, choose a wine opener you can proudly display on your home bar or bar cart. It's a simple way to add an elegant accent to your decor, combining functionality with style. If you’re looking for something to take with you on the go, you’ll want a smaller, simpler, inexpensive design—especially because you’re more likely to leave it behind somewhere.
FAQs
Are electric wine openers easier to use?
For those with dexterity or strength issues, electric wine openers are an ideal choice because they require minimal or no effort. They're also useful if you need to open many bottles in a short period of time (during a party, for instance). If you are not experienced with manual corkscrews, electric wine openers can be a great choice, but some oenophiles prefer manual styles—especially the classic waiter’s friend—because they are simple, portable, inexpensive, and quick and easy to use once you get the hang of the technique.
How do you clean and care for wine openers?
Each wine opener will have a set of care instructions unique to its individual specifications. In general, electric corkscrews should be wiped clean with a damp cloth and should never be submerged in water. Manual corkscrews can be cleaned in the dishwasher if they are more durable or washed by hand and immediately dried if they are made from more delicate, fine materials. If your corkscrew includes a foil cutter, the dishwasher may dull the blade over time.
How long do wine openers last?
Simple waiter’s friends and winged corkscrews tend to be the most durable because they have a simple design and are typically made from sturdy materials. Electric wine openers are more susceptible to wear and tear and often lose their ability to fully charge over time. Most electric models will need to be replaced within one to three years. Of course, this all depends on how frequently you're using your wine opener.
Why Trust Liquor.com?
As a half-French person and longtime beverage writer, wine is basically second nature to Céline Bossart. Throughout her adult life, she has opened (and sabered) too many wine bottles to count, and not just for the sport of it.
Nikki Goddard, who updated this piece, is a wine writer with 14 years of industry experience, as well as CSW and WSET Diploma certification. She is passionate about taking the intimidation out of wine education and has taught classes for WSET levels 2 and 3. In 2019, Nikki was named a Top Young Wine Writer by Vinous Media.
Read Next: The Best Corkscrews, According to Experts
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