Kitchen Tools for Arthritic Hands: 5 That Make Cooking Easier
Tools that open, chop, slice and lift without a hard grip or twist: our picks for the best kitchen tools for arthritic hands, plus simple tips from an occupational therapist.
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Our top picks at a glance
1 For jars
Robo Twist
About $30
Press a button and it grips and twists a jar lid open on its own. Read more
Pros
- No grip strength needed
- Opened every jar in testing
Cons
- Bulky
- Needs AA batteries
2 For cans
Proctor Silex Automatic Electric Can Opener
About $20 to $30
A cordless opener that cuts around a can by itself and leaves a smooth edge. Read more
Pros
- Hands-free
- Smooth cut
- Rechargeable
Cons
- A bit noisy
3 For garlic
Garlic Zoom
Roll it across the counter to chop garlic, with no knife or squeezing a press. Read more
Pros
- No squeezing
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only for small jobs
- Plastic wheels
4 For bagels
Larien Bagel Guillotine
Slices bagels and English muffins with a push, so you don't grip a knife near your fingers. Read more
Pros
- Safer than a knife
- Little grip needed
Cons
- Single-purpose
- Takes up space
5 For measuring
OXO Good Grips Magnetic Measuring Cups
Nesting cups that snap together and stick to the fridge or oven, so there's no digging through drawers. Read more
Pros
- Easy to find and grab
- Stay together
Cons
- Only four cups in the set
When your hands hurt, everyday kitchen tasks add up fast: twisting jar lids, cranking can openers, gripping knives, squeezing garlic presses. The right tools do the gripping and twisting for you, or spread the work to bigger, stronger joints.
You don’t need to replace everything. Start with the one or two tasks that bother you most.
Compare at a glance
| Tool | Task | What it saves | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robo Twist | Jars | Gripping and twisting | $30 |
| Proctor Silex Automatic Can Opener | Cans | Squeezing and cranking | $20 to $30 |
| Garlic Zoom | Garlic | Knife work or squeezing a press | Check price |
| Larien Bagel Guillotine | Bagels and muffins | Gripping a knife | Check price |
| OXO Magnetic Measuring Cups | Measuring | Digging through drawers | Check price |
Recommendations draw on Reviewed's jar opener testing, TODAY's electric can opener testing, the Arthritis Foundation's kitchen tool suggestions and advice from a Hospital for Special Surgery occupational therapist.
1. Robo Twist: For jars
Good fit for: Anyone who dreads stuck jar lids.
Reviewed found the Robo Twist was the only jar opener that opened every container they tried. Set it on the lid and press the button; it grips and turns the lid until the seal breaks. No squeezing or twisting needed.
What bugs us: It’s bulky and runs on two AA batteries. Don’t use it on plastic lids.
Skip it if: you mostly open small bottles. See our best jar openers for seniors for manual options.
2. Proctor Silex Automatic Electric Can Opener: For cans
Good fit for: Anyone who finds a crank can opener painful.
TODAY’s testers named this their best handheld can opener. It sits on top of the can and travels around the rim by itself, leaving a smooth edge, and it’s rechargeable, so there’s no cord.
What bugs us: It’s a little noisy, and you need to keep it charged.
Skip it if: you prefer a plug-in countertop model. Our can openers for arthritic hands guide has one.
3. Garlic Zoom: For garlic
Good fit for: Cooks who use a lot of garlic.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests the Garlic Zoom because you roll it across the counter with your palm instead of mincing with a knife or squeezing a garlic press. Pop in peeled cloves and roll.
What bugs us: It’s only good for a few cloves at a time, and you still have to peel them. Pre-peeled garlic helps.
Skip it if: you’re happy with jarred minced garlic.
4. Larien Bagel Guillotine: For bagels
Good fit for: Bagel and English muffin lovers.
Slicing a round bagel with a knife means gripping hard with one hand and sawing with the other, close to your fingers. The Arthritis Foundation points to the Bagel Guillotine because you drop the bagel in and push the blade down.
What bugs us: It’s a single-purpose gadget that takes up counter or cabinet space.
Skip it if: you buy pre-sliced bagels.
5. OXO Good Grips Magnetic Measuring Cups: For measuring
Good fit for: Bakers and anyone tired of digging through cluttered drawers.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends these because they nest together and stick to metal surfaces like an oven or fridge, so they’re easy to find and grab. A matching set of magnetic measuring spoons is available too.
What bugs us: It’s a four-cup set, so there’s no 2/3 cup.
Skip it if: your measuring cups are already easy to reach.
Where these picks come from
We started with tools that hands-on testers found easiest to use, then added suggestions from the Arthritis Foundation and an occupational therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery. We focused on:
- Removing grip and twist
- Using bigger joints like the palm, arm and shoulder
- Safety
- Price
We haven’t tested these tools ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.
Simple changes that help
Preston Lockwood, an occupational therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery, suggests these in an interview with CreakyJoints:
- Use lightweight pots and pans with two handles. Spreading the weight across both hands is easier on your joints. Carbon steel and some stainless skillets come with a helper handle opposite the main one.
- Pick tools with wide, light handles. Or wrap a washcloth around a handle you already own; it adds about a quarter inch and eases pressure on your joints.
- Buy precut or pre-peeled produce for the things you cut most often.
- Put dish soap in a pump dispenser, so you press with your palm instead of twisting a cap.
- Mount a rotating jar opener under a cabinet, so you can turn the jar with both hands.
The Arthritis Foundation also suggests a suction-base drum grater, which sticks to the counter and keeps your knuckles away from the blades.
Questions people ask
What kitchen tools help with arthritis? Electric jar and can openers, tools with thick cushioned handles, two-handled cookware, and gadgets that let you use your palm instead of your fingers.
Are OXO Good Grips tools good for arthritis? The Good Grips line was originally designed with arthritic hands in mind, with thick, soft handles that are easier to hold.
What’s an Ease of Use Commendation? It’s a seal the Arthritis Foundation gives products that people with arthritis find easier to use. Look for it on packaging.