Best corkscrews and wine openers in 2020
Classic corkscrews and luxury upgrades to level-up your bottle opening.
Finding the best corkscrew may not feel like an essential purchase, but once upgrade you will wonder why the hell you didn't do it sooner.
That's because there are certain kitchen accessories that, after using them, you know you absolutely have to upgrade as soon as you can. The rubbish kitchen that can barely cut a carrot. The blender that doesn't blend at all, leaving everything a lumpy mess. And the humble corkscrew – supposedly a simple way to get that nice bottle of wine open, but more often than not a source of deep frustration.
As soon as you stop using them, however, you instantly forget – until the next time you try and fail to open that bottle or blend that sauce and you're faced with more with frustration and regret.
Well, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to live like this! Our guide to the best corkscrews features the high quality, high value models you need in your life.
- Ready for another upgrade? Read our best blender test
Best corkscrews
1. The Original Rabbit Corkscrew
The main benefit of the Rabbit Corkscrew is speed. It claims to be able to open a bottle of wine in three seconds flat, which definitely beats struggling with your cheap corkscrew for approximately 20 minutes. It also looks like a rabbit, which is a plus, and comes with a ten year warranty.
2. Le Creuset Bottle Opener
Le Creuset makes some of the best kitchenware in the world: you'll almost certainly have coveted one of its classic casserole dishes if you like to cook.
It also does great line in smaller accessories. This gorgeous olive wood and stainless steel corkscrew and bottle opener removes corks, natural and synthetic, and also has a foil cutting blade and a bottle opener for beers or soft drinks. It looks good doing it, too.
3. Waiter's Friend with holder
A classic French waiter's friend corkscrew, this pretty much does what it says on the tin (tin not included). But the holder is where it really shines. Made of beautiful chiviri wood, it's an understated but stylish way to show off your corkscrew.
4. Cuisinart Electric Wine Opener
High-tech but affordable, this electric wine opener works on natural and synthetic corks, and comes with a foil cutter and vacuum sealer to help preserve flavour. It comes with a docking station for ease of charging and looks good in your kitchen, too.
5. Victorinox Waiter Army Knife
Technically a multi-tool, this corkscrew comes part of a Swiss Army knife set. It's not the easiest to use – you're not going to get the cork out in three seconds flat, that's for sure – but it is a very useful tool. If you go to the odd picnic, will end up drinking in the park or on the move, it's going to be a pretty good option.
6. Coravin Model Two Wine Preservation Opener
Alright, so this isn't cheap. But it does have some very tempting features.
Calling it a corkscrew might be misleading. The whole point is that you never pull the cork. This system instead uses a needle, allowing you to preserve the fresh flavour of your wine for as long as you want. You probably aren't going to use it for a cheap bottle you got in the supermarket, we'll admit, but for real wine fans this is indispensible.
7. The Durand corkscrew
The Durand corkscrew is pretty specific, designed to remove old and fragile corks whole and undamaged. It grips the sides of the cork, to avoid it falling apart when removed.
Again, may not be one for the casual buyer. But if you have any number of aged wines, this is essential.