Enjoying a glass of wine is one of life’s best pleasures. This is why some wine connoisseurs go as far as to build an entire room or cellar dedicated solely to their wine collection. You were tired at work, so you bought a bottle of wine home to enjoy and forget all about life’s troubles for a while.
But dang! You can’t get that bottle to open because your old corkscrew was broken. A good wine opener is something most of us would take for granted. But not anymore!
Wine openers come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, so you have so much variety to choose from. A great bottle of wine deserves a wonderful corkscrew that can open the cork effortlessly without causing it to crumble and sending debris into the bottle.
To make things easier for you, we have rounded up some of the best wine openers in this guide. You may want a wine opener that does its job without any frills. Or you may want one that looks as elegant as your wine bottle. Or you may be on the lookout for a budget-friendly option.
Whatever your need, we have you covered. A quick read through this list will equip you with enough information that there’s nothing to stand between you and your beloved bottle of wine. If this is to your liking, keep reading!
In the first place, you should know the different styles or types of wine openers out there.
Disclosure: This is a reader-supported site. If you purchase a product through our affiliate links on this page, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us to bring you more free guides.
Types of Wine Openers:
There are several types of wine openers. Just bookmark them when you are about to make a purchase.
- Twist Corkscrew
- Ah So Openers
- Waiter’s Corkscrew
- Winged Corkscrew
- Lever Corkscrews
- Electric Wine Openers
- Air Pressure Wine Openers
- Air Pump Corkscrew
Twist Corkscrew
The Twist Corkscrew was invented more than 2 centuries back! It was developed by Reverend Samuell Henshall in 1795.
With an easily twistable handle, it is one of the simpler options. However, if it comes across a stubborn cork, it will fall short. You need some arm strength for this. So, if you have weak arms or if you have a lot of bottles to open every day, give this one a skip and move over to other options on this list.
Ah So Openers
The Ah So is designed for opening vintage wine bottles or for bottles whose corks are damaged, crumbled, or broken in half and stuck at the bottleneck.
Not only is it the strongest of all the wine openers in appearance, but it is one of the most difficult ones to use and require some skills so that the cork does not get pushed into the bottle.
It comes with two prongs, one bigger than the other. To uncork, insert the bigger one between the cork and bottle, and then the smaller one. Then you have to carefully shimmy between the cork and bottle. Once the prongs are all the way in, twist and pull gently to pop out the cork.
Waiter’s Corkscrew
Ever heard of the term Wine Key? It’s nothing but the Waiter’s Corkscrew. They are otherwise called a Sommelier knife. This Corkscrew was invented ages back! Carl Wienke is credited with inventing the Waiter’s Corkscrew in 1882. Coincidentally, Wien in German means wine. Talk about destiny, eh!
Light in weight and easy to carry around, they are a favorite among bartenders and waiters.
The double hinge provides ample leverage to uncork your bottle easily. This requires lesser arm strength than the twisting corkscrew, but it takes quite some skills to insert the worm properly at the middle of the cork. Also, the lever should be held against the bottle at just the right angle.
This is a stylish option too if that’s important to you.
Winged Corkscrew
This is a popular one! It was formulated and patented by H.S. Heely in 1888. It arrived in the US only after 40 years when it skyrocketed to popularity!
The pair of wings or levers are lowered after the worm is inserted into the cork and then pulled. And voila! The cork is out. Although the pair of levers makes the process of uncorking rather effortless, you may encounter problems with the shredding of the cork.
To overcome this, you will have to choose a model with a well-designed screw shape, basically, one that isn’t too wide.
Lever Corkscrew
This is a great option. Not only is it one of the easiest, but it also does not require brunt force, and it is lightning fast too. Interestingly, and rather appropriately, it is also called Bunny ears Corkscrew.
This option is great for beginners and wine enthusiasts alike.
Squeeze the handles on either side of the bottle while the worm is applied, and pop! The cork is out of the bottle.
The only disadvantage with using Lever Corkscrews are that they tend to be a little bulky, so you cannot store them as compactly as you would like, say, in a small cabinet or drawer. You cannot carry it around in your pocket either. Nonetheless, it is one of the best corkscrew styles for its elegant look, ease of use, and functionality.
Electric Wine Openers
The idea of manually uncorking a bottle may be off-putting for some. If that’s the case, an electric wine opener is an ideal choice for you.
For the elderly and those with arthritis who have problems with dexterity, this is perfectly suited. All you have to do is pop it over the bottle, push the button on which will lower the worm, and tada! The cork is out, and your wine is ready to drink.
Air Pressure Wine Openers
This model is super easy and fun. A needle is used in place of a screw. Once the needle is completely inserted into the cork, a simple button press will send some Carbon Dioxide into the bottle from a cartridge, which in turn will push the cork out.
Quick, super effortless, and perfectly suited for those with arthritis of frail arm strength and dexterity, there’s a snag and a major one.
These will last for only 80 to 100 uses, after which they are worthless. Not an opener that is friendly in the pocket! If you are a regular wine drinker, it can turn out to be one of the most expensive options.
Air Pump Corkscrew
This model would look right at home in a bicycle shop! However, a majority of wine aficionados swear by it. Go for it if you want something a little quirky and different.
Similar to the Air Pressure Opener, it uses a needle that goes right through the cork. However, the air is pushed into the bottle from a pump instead of a cartridge to force the cork out.
By now, you should have had a taste of the best wine openers (and perhaps some wine as well?). So, are you ready to buy one with all the confidence in the world? Just hold your horses a bit. We have narrowed down some of the best wine openers available that will make your talk of buying a good wine opener as easy as sipping on a great glass of wine! Read on.
Best Wine Openers
1. Secura Electric Wine Bottle Opener
If arm strength is an issue for you, and you don’t want to put up with the hassle of angling your cork, then electric wine bottle openers are a great choice. And when it comes to electric wine bottle openers, it doesn’t get better than Secura.
This model features an elegant stainless steel design and a rechargeable battery that can open up to 30 bottles after charging for 6 to 7 hours. It also comes with a foil cutter that gives a perfect cut. The transparent shell surrounding the corkscrew lets you know exactly when the cork has been fully removed from the bottle.
Accented with internal LED lights, it is as aesthetically appealing as it is functional.
✨ Standout Features:
- It is an electric corkscrew model.
- It weighs 1.2 pounds.
- Measures 12*2.7*7.5 inches.
- Wine opener and foil cutter.
✔️ Pros:
- Can open up to 30 bottles with a single charge.
- The transparent shell around the corkscrew will let you know exactly when the cork is removed.
- Runs very quietly at just 40 decibels.
- Easy to handle.
- Removes corks in seconds.
- Compatible with most wine bottles.
- Compact and easy to store. Looks very elegant too.
❌ Cons:
- Some users have raised complaints that it is underpowered.
Secura Wine opener takes the hassle out of uncorking your wine bottle and does the job easily. It comes in handy if you have arthritis or other hand issues. Compact and elegant, it looks stunning. Easy to handle, you can open up to 30 bottles after a one time charge. This is perfectly suited for your home use and even a small commercial establishment. It stands out from other electric corkscrews in that it operates very quietly. Despite all these functionalities, it is extremely affordable, which makes it a popular choice.
2. Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener
Coming in at a close second, The Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener is a stellar option if you are scouting for an electric wine opener-or really any wine opener!
Stunning to witness, it falls with the same range as that of Secura. The remarkable feature about this wine opener is the cord-free comfort, so you don’t have to rely on an electric outlet.
Quite the consummate electric wine opener, it is one of the most popular choices of everyday drinkers. The rave reviews speak for themselves, and people can’t sing enough praise about this one!
Firstly, admire its sleek, elegant, and sophisticated design. And then be in awe of the glamorous, smooth, and shining silver color.
Secondly, it is easy to handle and uncorks wine bottles faster and almost effortlessly.
To use this opener to uncork the bottle, place it over the bottle, and press the lower switch. And just like that, the corkscrew enters the bottle and pulls out the cork. Pressing the switch again will release the cork.
It is ergonomic and durable – quintessentially Oster! Added to that, it can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge and comes with a foil cutter so you don’t have to purchase a separate device to remove the wine bottle foil. It is a great option to get a large party started!
✨ Standout Features:
- It is an electric model.
- It is silver in color; also available in Merlot and Champagne finishes.
- Weighs 1 pound.
- Measures 5.51*14.96*5.32 inches,
- Features an LED charging light at the top and a power indicator light on the base.
- Recharges in 6 to 8 hours.
- Opens around 30 bottles of wine on a single charge.
- Comes along with a foil cutter.
- It features an in-built recharging base.
✔️ Pros:
- Opens around 30 wine bottles.
- Has a comfortable soft-grip handle.
- Removes corks effortlessly and quickly.
- Can use it to open all traditional wine bottles.
❌ Cons:
- After the opener screws into the cork, some users have trouble with pulling out the cork.
- Non-responsive customer service.
Oster is popular for being an electric model, so ease of use and faster uncorking is guaranteed. Additionally, the ergonomic handle and the foil cutter makes the whole process of uncorking a bottle of wine a soothing experience.
Charge for 6 to 8 hours, and Oster is good to go! You can entertain a large party of 25-30 members because it can uncork up to 30 bottles on a single charge. Comfortable and elegant, it is cordless, but its base can also be plugged in all the time. So, you can use it whenever needed!
And the crowning glory of it all is that it is very affordable and well within the price range of anyone’s pocket.
3. Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew
Based out of Barcelona, Pulltap is universally acknowledged as one of the best wine openers.
What is so cool about Double-hinged? It gives you greater leverage to remove a cock easily and effortlessly without crumbling or breaking it. It gives you a distinctive advantage over a single-lever opener. A corkscrew without a double hinge tends to break over time.
This model is the golden standard for waiters, bartenders, and wine lovers around the world. It is designed keeping the professionals in mind.
This wine opener has so many things going for it that it is not surprising how much popularity it enjoys. For one, there is the Teflon-coated worm for extra leverage and smooth removal of the cork. It works on short or long, and natural or synthetic corks. The solid stainless steam arms lend sturdiness to the Pulltap opener.
The handle, made of black metal, allows you a firm clutch without nil chances of slipping. The standard black, brown, white, and silver options don’t appeal to you? Well, there are a dozen other color options for the fussy picker!
The serrated knife is nice and sharp, and the blades cut across the foil smoothly and efficiently. It folds up compactly, and not only does it occupy very little space in your kitchen, but you can even take it on your trip out, pop open a bottle of wine easily, and enjoy your drink!
And to top it all, it is the cheapest option on our purview today, and one of the least expensive corkscrews in the market!
✨ Standout Features:
- Made of stainless steel material.
- Measures 4.75*0.75*0.5 inches.
- Weighs 2.08 ounces.
- Double-hinged fulcrum.
- Teflon-coated worm.
- Serrated foil cutter.
✔️ Pros:
- Provides greater leverage.
- No need for any electric source to operate.
- Compact and portable.
- Simplistic, but does the job; no frills.
- Easy to use.
- Comes in more than a dozen color options.
❌ Cons:
- As with all manual screws, you need to put in some effort to uncork a bottle. This may be a disadvantage for those who may not be able to exert much physical force.
When it comes to corkscrews, Pulltap is a classic and trusted brand that has everything you need. It is efficient, easy to handle and use, compact, can be taken anywhere you go, and comes in so many colors, so you have a wide pool to choose from.
Sturdy and durable, it is perfect for people in commercial establishments who have to pop open many wine bottles a day. It is equally great for home use too.
The cherry on the cake – it is inexpensive that anyone can afford it. Great value for money!
Conclusion
If you started reading this guide with no clue regarding the best wine opener, or you simply thought you would pick the cheapest one, hope you have rearranged your ideals now. There are many different styles, shapes and sizes of corkscrews in the market.
Instead of going for a cheap one, spend a little more on an electric wine opener, waiter or winged wine openers, each with its own pros, cons and standout features. These should typically last a few years without any fuss.
Here’s hoping this guide will come in handy in picking up the right wine opener for you. The right fit based on your wine drinking habits, budget, quality of build, performance and how well it does its job, and durability are important factors to consider.
Before you rush out to grab that bottle of wine, and perhaps an opener to go with it, bookmark our site- we have everything you need to make your wine drinking journey pleasurable, except the wine, of course!
🍸 Read Our Other Bartender Buying Guides Next:
