Original Can Opener
Last verified by the Lifetime Picks Editorial Team
Why we picked it
Made in Englewood, NJ at Central States Manufacturing since 1935
EZ-DUZ-IT is the can opener Americans bought before electric / safety can openers existed, and the company has continuously made the same simple steel design in Englewood, NJ since 1935, about as 'Buy It For Life' as a $15 tool gets. The pivoting steel cutting wheel pierces the lid; the geared knob walks the opener around the rim; the cut is clean and the lid lifts off via the magnet (or your fingers, in the basic version). r/BuyItForLife, r/Frugal, and r/Cooking name EZ-DUZ-IT specifically as the answer to 'best can opener' because every cheaper unit's pivot wears out within 2 years and every electric opener eventually dies in a way you can't fix. The whole thing is steel; no plastic parts to fatigue, no battery to die.
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Community & Review Summary
769 Amazon reviews
r/BuyItForLife satisfaction
Total mentions (370 positive)
Amazon category rank
Why Reddit Recommends This
Price History
Best Price!Tracking since Oct 1, 2025.
Lowest
$14.58
May 26
Average
$15.59
Highest
$16.99
Oct 1
Pros & Cons from Reviews
Pros
- +Made in Englewood, NJ at Central States Manufacturing since 1935
- +100% steel construction - no plastic gears or pivots
- +Cutting wheel sharpens itself slightly with each turn
- +Magnetic lid catch (on the magnet version) prevents lid drop into can
- +Replaceable cutter wheel if it ever dulls (after decades of daily use)
Cons
- -Manual only - no electric assist for arthritic hands
- -Side-cut style (cuts inside the lid rim), not the safer 'pry-top' style
- -Steel will rust if left wet - wipe and store dry
- -Slightly heavier than plastic-bodied openers
Independent Video Reviews
Hands-on reviews from independent channels (not the manufacturer), covering what they like and what they do not.
Warranty & Returns
Warranty
Replacement of defective units from Central States
Return Policy
Most items are returnable within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. Some categories have shorter return windows.
Read full return policy