We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
You can't enjoy a good bottle of wine without a trusty wine opener. Some wine openers break after just a couple uses, some require too much strength, and others simply take up too much space. That's why we asked the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their personal recommendations and favorites.
When selecting the best wine opener for you, it's important to consider what you value most in the little kitchen gadget. It might sound silly to put any thought into it, but it's helpful in the long run since you'll end up keeping it for a while. Here are a few examples of popular wine opener styles to help:
- Winged corkscrew: Just as its name hints, this corkscrews has two arms or "wings" that shoot up during cork removal. These classic wine openers are popular for their small profile and general reliability. "I like its classic style and the fact that it works," says Nicole Papantoniou, senior testing editor and producer of the Kitchen Appliances Lab.
- Electric wine opener: These days, most electric wine openers come cordless with a charging stand, and promise the ability to open several bottles of wine on a single charge. "These are great for people with limited mobility," says Papantoniou.
- Waiter's corkscrew: This style is compact in size and popular for on-the-go. "The two joints are what's key to the waiter's corkscrew — this allows for better leverage," says food editor Catherine Lo. "While I have some higher-tech wine openers, I always turn back to my waiter's corkscrew since it's durable and easy to stash in a tote bag," adds Samantha MacAvoy, editorial assistant at the Test Kitchen.
- Lever corkscrew: Simply push down and pull up with this wine opener. It requires a bit of arm strength, but the two-motion mechanism is attractive to those who want a seamless experience.
See below for the best wine openers, according to Good Housekeeping editors and experts, plus a few top-rated picks from online reviews so you can enjoy your bottle of rosé in peace.
1
Best Overall Wine Opener
Beneno Wing Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener
1
Best Overall Wine Opener
Beneno Wing Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener
Now 24% Off
Pros
- Quality look and feel
- Reliable tool
Cons
This oldie-but-goodie is well loved by reviewers, many saying it's designed with a "high-end atmosphere" when it only costs $12. What really makes it stand out are the rubber grips that make for a more comfortable opening process. "With a corkscrew like this one, I don't have to compromise ease of use or performance," Papantoniou says.
2
Best Value Wine Opener
Cooking Light All-in-One Winged Corkscrew
2
Best Value Wine Opener
Cooking Light All-in-One Winged Corkscrew
Pros
- Under $10
- Space-saving
Cons
Made of all stainless steel, this corkscrew is no-frills and easy to clean. "I like something that takes up the least space in my drawer," says Lynn Redmile, Testing and Product Review Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, "and that's why I've been using my winged opener for more than a decade." This corkscrew style has a bottle opener at the end, making it useful for cracking open a beer or soda too.
3
Best Wine Opener for Old Wine
Belwares Ah-So Two-Prong Cork Puller
3
Best Wine Opener for Old Wine
Belwares Ah-So Two-Prong Cork Puller
Now 32% Off
Pros
- Great for crumbly corks
Cons
"The Ah-So style really works well for crumbly, problem corks," says Lo. How it works: Stick one prong on either end of the cork, wedge the wine opener down into the bottle until it encapsulates the entire cork, and twist upwards until the cork is out. You can even use the same process to cork the wine bottle.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Works on older bottles
- Sturdy feel
Cons
A few of our experts agreed that they can count on their trusty Pulltap corkscrew, and online reviewers say "the design facilitates even the most difficult cork extractions." The corkscrew is made of sturdy steel, but it folds up to take up less space in your kitchen drawer.
5
Best Wine Opener Set
Rabbit Wine Corkscrew with Foil Cutter
5
Best Wine Opener Set
Rabbit Wine Corkscrew with Foil Cutter
Pros
- Luxury pick
Cons
- Takes up too much space
- Pricey
Rabbit is one of the most-sought after wine openers on the internet, probably because of its professional design and claim to eject a cork out in just three seconds flat. Even our experts agree that the tool is easy to use, but some complain that it can be challenging to store away.
6
Best Electric Wine Opener
Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener
6
Best Electric Wine Opener
Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener
Pros
- Requires zero strength to operate
Cons
The brand claims that this electric wine opener can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge. It's cordless but its base can also be plugged in all the time, making it ready for use whenever you need. Reviewers like that the handle is slim and comfortable to grip.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Easy and effortless
Cons
- Has a wider body
If you need something that requires little to no effort, Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab, recommends this corkscrew. "It's my absolute favorite and it hasn't failed me yet," she says. To use, simply turn the corkscrew in one direction until the cork pops out. Reviewers add that it's a great choice for those who deal with arthritis or might not be as strong.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Small profile
Cons
The timeless, sleek design makes this Le Creuset pick popular among reviewers. It's basically the more modern version of the traditional twist corkscrew. The nearly 5-inch spiral worm is said to tackle corks of any size.
9
Best Portable Wine Opener
Trudeau Laguiole Stablewood Portable Corkscrew
9
Best Portable Wine Opener
Trudeau Laguiole Stablewood Portable Corkscrew
Pros
- Compact size for on-the-go
- Stylish design
Cons
- Requires a little more arm strength
- If screw is placed incorrectly, it's easy to break the cork
GH Institute director Laurie Jennings prefers the Languiole corkscrew style because she finds that the longer spiral worm allows for more control. "This method requires a little more muscle, but it's less likely to harm the cork if you want to re-bottle," she says. It also boasts a lavish design, so it's a corkscrew you won't want to lose.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Best Pull Lever Corkscrew
OXO Vertical Lever Corkscrew
10
Best Pull Lever Corkscrew
OXO Vertical Lever Corkscrew
Pros
- Two-step process
- Includes removable foil cutter
Cons
This lever corkscrew removes corks with two motions: Push down to pierce the cork and pull up to release it. "It's extremely easy to use and no hassle," says Stefani Sassos, GH's Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. It also comes with a removable foil cutter that stores right onto the corkscrew itself.
11
Most Popular Wine Opener on Amazon
Brookstone Compact Wine Opener
11
Most Popular Wine Opener on Amazon
Brookstone Compact Wine Opener
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Amazon favorite
Cons
Nearly 1,000 Amazon reviewers gave this wine opener a perfect star rating; plus it's a top-searched wine opener online. According to the brand, it can open any wine bottle in a matter of three seconds. Reviewers say the wine opener is durable and has a "solid feel" that feels like it would last a while.
Shanon Maglente
Contributing Editor
Shanon is a writer and editor who specializes in best-of product roundups and deals. She has over six years of experience, including almost three years as a Good Housekeeping product and reviews editor, covering the best sales and products across home, appliances, health, beauty, parenting and more.