Posted by Best Choice on 5/4/2026 to Articles

I don’t know about you, but for the past several years, it seems like most food and pill containers have become more difficult to open.

  • Bags inside cereal boxes have to be cut open with scissors rather than pulled open by hand.
  • Safety seals on over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and other supplements must be opened with a sharp knife.
  • Many “child-resistant” prescription vials are also “adult-resistant” … unless you remember to ask your pharmacist for caps that aren’t child-proof.
  • “Convenient” pull-tabs on cans of food and soda can’t be lifted without breaking a fingernail.
  • Twist-off jar lids are so tightly sealed that they can’t be twisted off unless you bang them against the edge of your kitchen counter.
  • Twist-off plastic caps on bottles of milk and soda have to be opened with pliers.

OK. I’ll admit it. These don’t happen all of the time. But, they do occur often enough to be a hassle that I don’t need.

No, I haven’t grown weaker. It just seems like companies make changes to suit their needs and, in the process, make life more difficult for their customers.

The good news is that we have a variety of inexpensive solutions. Here are just a few examples:

Zyliss 5 Way Opener

The Zyliss 5 Way Opener makes opening metal bottle caps, soda pop tops, machine-sealed plastic bottles, and pull tabs on canned beverages much easier. This multipurpose opening aid gives users the added leverage needed to open most bottles and cans. The hook on the end lifts pull-tabs on cans, a twist cap bottle opener opens bottle caps, and a slotted opener opens crimped caps.

Jar Jaw Jar Opener

The Jar Jaw Jar Opener opens or closes all types of screw-on lids, from jar lids to bottle caps. Simply slip the jar top or bottle top into V-shaped opening until it wedges and then turn the jar. It’s designed to be mounted under-the-cabinet with the self adhesive, or the included screws. The Jar Jaw uses rubber grippers instead of dangerous metal teeth that can cut fingers and damage jar lids.

OXO Good Grips Jar Opener with Base Pad

The patented handle on the Good Grips Jar Opener with Base Pad provides a flexible, non-slip grip for easily opening twist-off lids from ½ to 3 ¾ inches in diameter. The metal grip strip has sharp, stainless steel teeth that grip the jar lid firmly as you open jars and bottles. The soft grip handle is ergonomically designed to fit the palm of your hand comfortably, providing leverage for twisting jar and bottle lids open with less pressure on your hands. The pressure-absorbing rubber handle puts less tension on the hands, while providing an outstanding grip, and is dishwasher-safe.

Easy Grip Jar and Bottle Opener

The Easy Grip Jar and Bottle Opener helps open a variety of food containers and jars. The cone-shaped head is designed for opening water and soda twist off bottles. The flexible rubber body is for opening caps and lids of various sizes. A packaging cutter is between the ears and is used for cutting through paper and plastic seals on bottles. On the back is a magnet for storing on the refrigerator. The soft material feels good to your skin and is contoured to fit your hand for maximum gripping power. The gripping surface is textured to prevent slipping.

These and many more can be found in our Kitchen Openers section.