Electric bottle openers do more than just take the gruntwork out of opening a bottle. “I prefer an electric wine opener over a traditional wine key because the screw always hits the center of the cork,” which is important because a well-placed screw will prevent cork breakage, says Michele Pokowicz, president and partner at Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. “I think it is safer than using traditional wine keys.”
Aside from effortlessly centering the screw and fuss-free uncorkings, electric wine openers also come in handy for large events or parties where multiple bottles need to be opened quickly. Plus, for those who may be limited in terms of mobility when it comes to the hand-intensive process of using a traditional corkscrew, an electric opener can make drinking wine more accessible.
Best overall electric wine opener
The Cuisinart Cordless was consistently recommended by experts for its reasonable price point, long-lasting charge, and included vacuum-seal stopper, which pumps out air before storage to keep half-finished bottles fresh. With two buttons — one removes the cork from the bottle, the other ejects it from the opener — “it’s super easy to use,” Pokowicz says, explaining the cork “never gets stuck.”
Christy Frank, founder of upstate New York–based wine shop Copake Wine Works, hates to give up her loyalty to the manual double-hinged waiter’s corkscrew, but begrudgingly admits, “I’m a fan.” And Erin Mooney and Sara Walker, owner and general manager of Tre Luna Catering, respectively, rely on it for large events, such as a recent occasion where they had to uncork 232 bottles of wine in a short amount of time as the event began. “This wine opener is capable of doing at least 80 bottles without having to charge it,” they say.
Best (less expensive) overall electric wine opener
Chef and author of the cookbook One With the Kitchen Chris Valdes has 14 years of experience opening wine in professional settings and points to three features that make the Secura stand out: how easy it is to use, how it can open up to 30 bottles of wine per charge, and its charging station. “Bye-bye, batteries,” he says.
Leah Sullberg, partner in the Wine Caterers, mentioned all the same features as Valdes and added one. “The small footprint of the opener allows for discreet storage when not in use, making it convenient for any setting,” she says. At $23, it is one of the most affordable options our experts recommended, but its price doesn’t compromise its functionality. Valdes points out some of the gadget’s thoughtful design elements. “It includes a foil cutter to make life easier and avoid spending minutes removing the foil topper or risking a cut,” he says, “and it has a sturdy spiral hook for durability, which you can see at work through a transparent window.”
Best effortless electric wine opener
Peugeot’s Elis Reverse was frequently named by experts I spoke with, including Andrew W. Maturana, chef and owner of RAPT, a New York–based catering company. “What sets it apart is its reverse technology and automatic cork extraction,” he says. Once the screw has hooked itself into the cork, the Peugeot’s “reverse technology” simply requires a 90-degree turn of your wrist, and the screw reverses direction — ejecting the cork automatically.
While Maturana favors the matte-black original, others prefer Peugeot’s beechwood version. John Stanley, founder and owner of Stanley’s Wet Goods, a wine shop and restaurant in Culver City, California, was among those who recommended the slightly larger wood model. “I don’t love kitchen gadgets cluttering our countertop, but this one looks so fantastic, there’s no ‘gadgetry’ to even notice,” he says. Ian Asbury, co-founder of downtown L.A. wine shop and wine club Good Clean Fun, adds, “It’s quiet so you aren’t annoying to your anti–electric wine opener friends.”
Best electric bottle opener for slow drinkers
A few experts I spoke with endorsed a less traditional method of opening wine; they use the Coravin Pivot, a wine opener that pierces through the cork instead of removing it. Marian Cheng, co-founder of New York City dumpling shop Mimi Cheng’s, explains, “Its technology keeps wine at its optimal taste for weeks of storage and aerates it as you pour.”
The device works by piercing through the cork, then remaining attached to the bottle as you pour wine through its aerating spout. It maintains freshness by injecting pure argon gas into the space left behind by the displaced wine. So if you’re done drinking before the bottle is finished, simply pull out the device and the cork will reseal, keeping the wine preserved until next time. Using this opener “relieves the pressure of having to finish a bottle,” says Cheng. The method should keep the wine good for weeks, which culinary influencer and designer Stephanie Nass also appreciates. “It allows me to drink each bottle gradually,” she says.
Best rechargeable electric wine opener
The Rabbit Pro is quiet and smooth, and it has a sturdy, sharp corkscrew that seamlessly slides corks from bottlenecks. “It’s easy to use and has a chic design,” says wedding planner Christina Lovelace of Lovelace Design. “All you need to do is press a button, hold it for a few seconds,” and the bottle is opened. She finds it especially useful behind the bar at events when needing to open a larger amount of wine in a short period of time. Sommelier and James Beard Award semifinalist Liz Martinez agrees. “It’s sleek, uncomplicated, and really takes the work out of things,” she says. “Why not make it easier to get to that delicious juice?”
Best lightweight electric wine opener
This Wine Enthusiast electric opener has opened more than its fair share of bottles in my household, all while never stalling or slowing. I love the opener’s lightweight construction — I can easily throw it in a bag for a picnic without worrying about extra weight — and its foil cutter helps to break the seal safely and efficiently before I put the gadget to use. I found this opener is especially handy when uncorking a bottle in low light: Its automatic blue light provides ample visibility to work both buttons in semi-darkness.
Best-designed electric wine opener
As an admirer of vintage wines with delicate corks, chef Shimi Aaron told me he loves how easy the Witanhurst is to use as well as how it looks. “It has a gorgeous design, love the black-and-gold combo,” he says. “I host a lot, and this one definitely sparks a conversation.” The opener comes with a stylish and compact matching black-and-gold charging base that won’t take up too much countertop real estate. It also boasts a built-in motion sensor that signals the corkscrew to reverse direction once the bottle has been uncorked, so you don’t need to fiddle with any buttons at all.
Best easy-grip electric wine opener
Along with Monique Loré Stinson, founder of the Wine Caterers, who loves the Oster’s speed and sleekness when opening bottles at dinner, Brianne Cohen, an L.A.-based certified sommelier and wine educator, also depends on this opener. “It’s priced under $30, is incredibly easy to use, and easy to find on Amazon and at many large retailers,” she says. The Oster operates with just a single button, making it super user-friendly. With a comfortable grip and a charge indicator light, the cordless gadget can open up to 30 bottles per charge and nestles into its upright charging station for storage.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
