In-depth review
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Review (2026)
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch review covering the smooth side cut, easy-touch lever for weak hands, tall-can stability and permanent counter footprint.
Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Electric Can Opener 76608Z
Side-cut countertop opener that leaves a smooth, touchable edge.
Our verdict
The Smooth Touch is the countertop opener to beat: a genuinely smooth edge, a lever that arthritic hands can work, and calm handling of tall cans. Its costs are counter space and a short learning curve on seating the can.
What we like
- Side-cut action leaves a smooth edge with no sharp lid
- Easy-touch lever requires little hand strength to engage
- Handles tall and large cans on a stable countertop base
- Lid can be reused as a cover since it is not cut or bent
What to watch out for
- Takes permanent counter space
- Side-cut learning curve if you expect a traditional opener
- Not ideal for rimless or damaged cans
Who it is for
Households that open cans daily, anyone prioritizing edge safety, and users with limited grip who can press a lever. Drawer-only kitchens and minimalists should choose a handheld top-rider instead.
How the smooth cut works
Instead of slicing the top of the lid, the Smooth Touch cuts along the side of the rim below the seam. The lid lifts off whole, unbent, and smooth, and the can edge left behind has no sheared sharpness.
A side benefit: the lid can rest back on the can as a loose cover for short refrigerator storage, something a mangled top-cut lid cannot do.
Lever effort and tall cans
The easy-touch lever locks the can with a light press, and the motor does the rest. Owners with arthritis single this out as the reason they can open cans independently.
The base is tall and stable, so large tomato and family-size bean cans open without the tipping dance common on lightweight openers.
How it stacks up
Against the Cuisinart CCO-50N, the Hamilton Beach leaves a smooth edge where the Cuisinart leaves a traditional sharp one, and its lever is easier to engage; the Cuisinart counters with a removable washable lever and a classic top cut some cooks prefer for draining. Against the Zyliss Easi Can, the Hamilton Beach is faster and steadier on big cans, while the Zyliss stores in a drawer and runs on batteries.
Living with it
Plan a permanent counter spot near an outlet; this is not a stash-and-forget appliance. Wipe the cutting wheel area regularly, since dried food residue is the main cause of slipping.
First-time users sometimes seat the can at a slight angle and get an incomplete cut. A level placement fixes it, and the habit forms within a few cans.
Footprint, cord, and cleaning routine
This opener needs a permanent counter spot near an outlet, and owners note it is bulkier than expected on small counters, with cord storage that could be tidier. Plan that footprint before buying rather than moving it in and out of a cabinet, since daily users value having it ready. Cleaning is a wipe in place rather than a removable wash: keep the cutting wheel area clean, because dried food residue is the main cause of slipping noted in owner experience. First-time users sometimes mis-seat the can and get an incomplete cut, but a level placement becomes habit within a few cans, after which the routine is seat, press, and lift the smooth lid away.
Key specifications
- Cut Type
- Side cut, smooth edge
- Design
- Countertop, corded
- Can Size
- Standard and tall cans
- Power
- Corded electric
- Extras
- Easy-touch lever
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Smooth edge really is safe to touch
- Lever is easy for arthritic hands
- Opens large tomato and bean cans without tipping
- Clean cuts with very few repeat passes
Common complaints
- Bulkier than expected on small counters
- First-time users sometimes mis-seat the can
- Cord storage could be tidier
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Hamilton Beach official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Also consider
CuisinartCuisinart CCO-50N Deluxe Electric Can Opener
Classic top-cut countertop opener with a removable lever for washing.
- Cut Type: Top cut
- Design: Countertop, corded
Sources: Cuisinart official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartTraditional top cut with a removable washable lever if you prefer that cut style. Read our Cuisinart CCO-50N Deluxe Electric Can Opener review
ZylissZyliss Easi Can Electric Can Opener
Compact handheld opener that walks around the can and stops itself.
- Cut Type: Top cut, handheld
- Design: Handheld, battery powered
Sources: Zyliss official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartHandheld battery design that stores in a drawer for small kitchens. Read our Zyliss Easi Can Electric Can Opener review
Research-based assessment. TheKitchenLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
Does the Smooth Touch work on all cans?
It works on standard round cans with a rolled rim, including tall cans. Rimless, severely dented, or unusual shaped cans may not engage properly.
Is the edge really safe to touch?
The side cut leaves a smooth folded edge rather than a sheared one, and owners consistently describe it as touchable. Still handle metal lids with normal awareness.
Can the lid be reused as a cover?
Yes for short-term covering, since the lid comes off whole and unbent. It is not an airtight seal, so transfer leftovers for longer storage.