ELECTRIC (ONE TOUCH) JAR OPENERS:
battery operated and electric corded
(updated for 2024)
One touch jar openers (also called hands free, automatic, electric) make a jar opening a breeze with no heavy muscle required.
Since very little effort is needed to use it, this type of opener is a great choice for seniors, for people with arthritis or weak hands, children, and is also suitable for one-handed operation.
There are two categories of one touch electric jar openers:
1) battery operated automatic jar openers,
2) electric jar openers that need to be plugged into a standard household outlet to work.
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Battery Operated (Cordless) Jar Openers
Electric battery operated jar openers open jars automatically with one touch of a button. They are able to apply the amount of force needed to open vacuum-sealed jars, screw on lids, and stuck on jars.
What is on the market?
There are 3 main reliable models of hands-free battery operated jar openers on the market today:
1. RoboTwist jar opener (as seen on TV)
RoboTwist (as seen on TV) is just a newer version of One Touch (as seen on TV) jar opener. The only difference I can see is that One Touch promises to open lids 1-4″ in diameter, and RoboTwist: 1.2 – 3.5″.
There are some copycats of the mentioned models, but I wouldn’t recommend them because of low ratings, or because consumer reviews were hijacked and do not match the reviewed product.
If you decide to go with a battery operated jar opener, get a Robotwist. First of all, it’s the most reasonably priced, it rarely runs out of stock on Amazon. And if you get it from the Hammacher Schlemmer website, it will have a lifetime warranty, since all products on this site come with lifetime guarantee.
How do battery operated jar openers work?
All existing models have the similar design featuring two sets of jaws: one set of gripping jaws firmly holds the jar and the other holds and twists the lid.
In order to operate One Touch and Robo Twist as seen on TV models, you need to install 2 AA batteries (not provided), place the opener on the lid of the jar that needs to be opened, press and hold the On/Off button for 3 seconds and let the opener to do its magic.
Please, view Robo Twist users’ manual in Resources section.
Are There any restrictions of use?
All manufacturers of battery operated one touch jar openers instruct not to use their gadgets on plastic jars because the grabber arms can crush the jar. But a lot of people using Robo Twist, and some using OpenEase were able to unscrew lids on plastic jars with peanut butter and report that the plastic jars were opened. None of the battery operated jar openers are able to open screw on small caps like on a 2-liter soda bottle.
Things I like about one touch battery operated jar openers
a) they do open jars most of the time. In some instances, especially with OpenEase, you will need to hold the opener on the top of the jar with your hand preventing it from slipping.
b) also, unlike in the battery operated can openers (read related article about one touch can openers) the batteries in automatic jar openers last for a long time.
Things I do not like about the battery operated automatic jar openers
a) they are noisy;
b) it takes a long time (from 20 seconds to up to 1 minute) for the gadget to open the jar. That is a long time to wait and listen to the loud whiny noise that machine makes;
c) one touch battery operated jar openers are not recommended by manufacturers for plastic jars;
d) all of the battery operated jar openers have just one year of manufacturer warranty. (Note. The Hammacher Schlemmer website now sells the Robotwist jar opener and Hammacher Schlemmer promises lifetime guarantee on all products it sells.)
Verdict on battery operated jar openers
They are loud, they are slow, they are not made for use on plastic jars, their warranty is not great, but battery operated one touch jar openers work most of the time. Does the benefit of not needing to apply force in order to open a jar outweigh mentioned negative points? It is for you to decide. But before making that decision keep on reading to learn about the alternatives.
A word of caution. If you decide to buy an automatic jar opener on Amazon that is not mentioned in this article because you saw hundreds of 5 star reviews – please, be aware that sometimes automatic battery operated jar opener reviews do not match the product listed for sale, so be sure to scroll down and actually look through the latest reviews. Read my in depth article about hijacked Amazon reviews. It is especially important if you are gifting a jar opener to somebody, because your loved ones might get a piece of junk.
Corded electric jar openers
What’s available?
Black & Decker JW400 All in One center
(jar, can and bottle opener)
According to ncsu.edu, the prototype of Lids Off was created by Yale University student Jen Davis which she called Twistmaster. Black & Decker acquired ownership of the Twistmaster in late 1999.
For whom is it made?
The first version of Lids Off appeared on the market in 2003. It was designed
What can Lids Off open?
Lids Off jar openers adjust to fit almost any size, shape and material of the jar: large jars (pickles), narrow jars (capers), small jars ( baby food), jars with plastic lids (peanut butter). It opens most standard sized jars measuring up to 4 1/2″ in diameter and up to 8 inches in height.
JW 400 (Lids Off open-it -all center) is able to open regular and vacuum sealed screwtop jars, any size of cans without pull rings and bottles with metal caps.
Black & Decker Lids Off JW 275 electric jar opener
How to operate it?
In order to operate Lids off jar opener you need:
1. Plug jar opener in a standard electric outlet.
2. Push back the Release button with the thumb, and lift the upper part of the device until it locks in the raised position.
3. Place the jar in the middle of the turntable.
4. Lower upper body of the opener until it rests on the lid of the jar.
5. Press the “On” button ( in JW 275 it looks like a dome on the top of the opener)
6. Remove the jar with loosened lid from the opener.
It is that easy and quick!
Watch a short YouTube video in Best Jar Openers for Arthritic Hands to see Lids Off JW 275 in action.
Final thoughts on Lids Off
All described Black and Decker Lids Off models collapse for easy storage.
Lids Off corded electric jar openers are handy and easy to use and maintain. The Lids Off JW 400 can cutter blade assembly is removable and dishwasher safe.
The negative point is that they are expensive. Also, Lids Off won’t work without electricity. They are made overseas and come with 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Despite the mentioned drawbacks, users with arthritis or weak hands, and those that can operate a device with just one hand, reported these machines as a blessing that gives them independence. You cannot put a price tag on that.
This device can make a wonderful gift for the aging parents or relatives.
Next step and alternatives to one touch jar openers
Now, take a look at the best performing one touch jar openers in the tables below for easy visual comparison side-by-side and pick one that is right for your situation.
If you want to read instructions on how to operate and care for the openers before buying it, visit manufacturers’manuals page in our resources section.
If you are interested in much cheaper but functional alternative to automatic jar openers, read the article about under cabinet jar openers.
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