We Had a Sommelier Test Wine Openers—These Are Her Favorites

Best Overall

Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  4.8/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Oster’s Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener is your quintessential electric workhorse. It's a go-to for many casual everyday wine drinkers (the rave reviews speak for themselves), is available in multiple color options, and comes with a foil cutter.

Our testing found that this rechargeable electric wine opener, which can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge, fits all traditional wine bottles and is extremely easy to use. To remove any cork in seconds, with zero physical effort, just place the opener on the neck of the bottle, and press the lower switch to bring the worm down into the cork. Press the upper switch to pull the cork out, and voilà.

During testing, we found this ergonomic bottle opener comfortable to hold and quite foolproof, though a little noisy, which isn’t ideal for more high-end wine situations. We also enjoyed that the unit lights up when it's in the charger, which may not need to be used very frequently, as we found that the unit could easily open dozens of bottles without a charge-up.

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions: 5.51 x 14.96 x 5.32 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Material: Plastic

Best Waiter’s Friend

Le Creuset Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew

5

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

“Sometimes called a ‘sommelier’s cork puller,’ the double-hinged versions are, by far, the most preferred by the wine community. They’re sturdy, they fit perfectly in your hand and then into your pocket, and the investment is easy to swallow,” says Linda Trotta, director of North Coast Winemaking at WX Brands. Double-hinged corkscrews, as compared to those with a single hinge, provide additional leverage to safely and easily remove either synthetic or natural corks from any bottle. According to Trotta, this style also generally avoids puncturing through the bottom of the cork, which can lead to cork bits ending up in your wine (although if it’s natural cork, that is no big deal—just remove the pieces if they make it into your glass). 

You can find plenty of quality double-hinged classic corkscrews for a bargain price, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, go for a design with a grooved worm, like this Le Creuset waiter’s friend. The elegant grooved worm makes quick work of tough corks (even delicate aged ones or thicker plastic ones), allowing you to smoothly and quickly get to the bottom.

We noted during testing that the grooved worm really goes into corks like butter, which eliminates any risk of breaking the cork, and the design is far more elevated than your standard wine key. We also appreciated that the hinged steps are a particularly nice feature; it lends you the leverage you need to guide a stuck cork out. 

Price at time of publish: $32

Dimensions: 0.8 x 6 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 2.82 ounces | Material: Metal and steel

Best Preserver

Coravin Model Two Premium Wine Preservation System

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  4.9/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

A Coravin is every wine pro’s secret weapon. While it’s not technically an opener, it not only pours your wine but preserves whatever you don’t drink. Essentially, you’re accessing your wine without actually opening the bottle. Think of it as a fancy tap that bypasses the cork using a needle and inert gas, allowing you to pour your wine without exposing it to oxygen, so it will keep as if you'd never opened it at all.

This means that you don’t really have to think about whether or not you’re going to finish a bottle, and you’ll minimize your wine waste significantly. Now, this tool is an investment (as are its accessories, from stoppers to new cartridges), but it’s also a game-changer. You’ll need to stock the gas cartridges, and you can also add on other attachments like an aerator. Just note that this system is not compatible with screw caps.

Testing found this item very easy to use. We thought the learning curve was low and that it pulled out fresh glasses with ease. We were impressed with how the wine maintained its freshness, and we were able to enjoy a few glasses over the course of a week (even of an unfiltered natural wine that typically dies within a few hours of opening). All in all, the Coravin was surprisingly easy to use. It required minimal effort and poured a perfect glass of wine.

Price at time of publish: $205

Dimensions: 2.5 x 4.25 x 8.25 inches | Weight: 10.9 ounces | Material: Mixed material

Best Specialty

Monopol Westmark Germany Steel Two-Prong Cork Puller with Cover

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

The Ah-So style is something that most wine professionals own. Featuring two prongs that slide down the sides of the cork, this tool is designed to gently and effectively pull old and brittle corks. This type of opener is great to have around if you drink the occasional older wine, but it’s not exactly essential for the casual everyday drinker and shouldn’t be the only one you have on hand. Still, having one is essential for wine lovers; if you feel that the cork in your older Barolo or your aged port is at risk, whip out this two-pronged opener to avoid having to use cheesecloth and a decanter.

A good, high-quality Ah-So makes an excellent gift for any wine collector or advanced enthusiast in your life. MONOPOL Germany’s expertly crafted two-prong steel opener comes in a sleek, silver satin finish with a decorative cover and five-year warranty.

During testing, we noted that while pros will love this unit, it has a learning curve. Consider testing out your first Ah-So with a few low-stakes bottles before opening a premier cru Burgundy. Also, note that no foil cutter is included with this unit, so you will have to use a separate knife.

Price at time of publish: $22

Dimensions: 11 x 6.5 x 1 inches | Weight: 2.46 ounces | Material: Steel

Best Value

TableCraft Hand-Held Winged Corkscrew

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  5/5
• Quality
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

Winged corkscrews are a bit old-school, but they have their perks. They’re also relatively affordable, generally speaking (particularly this model). D.C.-based blogger and wine pro Alicia Chew recommends a winged-style corkscrew for a few reasons: “[These have] an additional lever, and this is a popular option because it's easier to use than the standard wine key,” she says. “It's almost impossible to angle the lever incorrectly with a winged corkscrew.”

To use, simply secure the corkscrew onto the neck of the bottle after removing the foil, double-checking that the screw itself is aimed straight down at the center of the cork. Then, twist the top clockwise to drive the worm downward and into the cork. Once it’s fully inserted, the wings will have risen—push those down with both hands, and it’ll do most of the work to pull the cork out for you with the help of your leverage. This Tablecraft corkscrew is a budget-friendly, no-frills model with a plastic ring to protect the bottle. Its also got a sturdy chrome construction that will carry you through many a bottle.

Besides its affordability, we noted during testing that it is easy to use and requires less skill than a waiter’s friend. If you’re not one to drink a lot of wine, but desire an opener for when guests swing by, this option is an excellent all-purpose option. However, keep in mind that there is no foil cutter, so you will have to use kitchen scissors or a paring knife to open the foil.

Price at time of publish: $16

Dimensions: 6.8 x 2.44 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Material: Chrome

Best Electric

Secura Stainless Steel Electric Wine Opener

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Electric models can be pricier than manual models, but this is an incredibly easy tool to operate—and our hands-on testing can confirm. To use this set, remove the foil with the included cutter, and then place the opener on the bottleneck, making sure that the worm is centered on the cork. (The tool generally keeps things pretty centered, but it’s always good to double-check through the transparent window.) From there, push the down button, and your cork will be removed in approximately six seconds. The opener will stop automatically once the cork has been removed from the bottle. To remove the cork from the opener, press down on the upper part of the switch. The corkscrew will turn counterclockwise and release it.

While it doesn't require much muscle strength, we noticed during testing that the Secura Stainless Steel Electric Wine Opener requires a small amount of pressure to work properly. If you don't press down firmly, the worm will just spin around and not make contact with the cork. With that guidance in mind, cork removal is a breeze with this tool.

We really enjoyed the addition of a sharp and effective foil cutter. We found that while it is large (it takes up quite a bit of space in a cupboard or drawer), it makes quick work of a cork. We appreciated that it removed the cork, rather than requiring us to pull it out. That means it’s great if you’re struggling with a tough cork!

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions: 12 x 2.7 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Material: Stainless steel