The 9 Best Corkscrews of 2024, Tested by a Sommelier

Best Overall

Pulltap’s Professional Waiter’s Corkscrew

View On Amazon $10

“I have used pretty much every kind of apparatus you can to get a cork out of a bottle—sabering, port tongs, phone book, even a high heel,” says Theo Rutherford, a certified sommelier with Josh Cellars. “I always come back to the simple, reliable waiter’s wine key."

This Pulltap option is a workhorse of a wine key; plus, it's an affordable wine accessory. Designed with professionals in mind, the hinged double-lever system and serrated knife blade make it a breeze to open bottles with both long and short corks. “The two-step construction means you rarely break a cork,” adds Rutherford. “I have had the same one for at least 10 years, and it has never done wrong by me."

Wael Deek, beverage director at Osteria 57 in New York, agrees with this corkscrew's ability to preserve the cork and weighs in with advice: “Pulltap’s double-hinged corkscrew is my favorite because it secures a mess-free bottle opening experience." He continues, "A tip of mine is to never over-screw: You can never go back, and that will risk breaking the cork.”

The one thing to be aware of is that the blade may need to be sharpened periodically.

Material: Cork | Color: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.3 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches

Best Splurge

Laguiole En Aubrac Solid Horn Waiters Corkscrew

View On Amazon $180 View On Williams-Sonoma $270 View On Laguioleenaubracshop.com

Richard Vayda, Director of Wine Studies at the Institute of Culinary Education, is particularly fond of the waiter's corkscrew. “As you learn right away as a wine steward, these corkscrews are easily portable and generally very reliable openers.” He adds, "Unlike many other openers, they also sport a knife to cut the capsule on the bottle and usually a crown bottle opener for those moments where you must have a beer.”

This one from Laguiole is worthy of gift-giving, too. Each of these high-quality corkscrews is handcrafted by local artisans near the Laguiole village in France, and the design is a stunner. The finish is remarkable; the handle is made of black buffalo horn with shiny stainless steel hardware, though the revered French brand offers a range of high-end finishings, from polished teak to carbonized wood.

While it is an elegant opener, it was a bit tricky to use for opening multiple bottles because the bottle opener is under the blade. A word of warning, though, that it’s quite thin, which makes it tough to crack open bottles, although it will certainly work if you’re in a pinch. The opener itself is a single-lever (or single-stepped). This makes it more difficult to yank out the cork. 

Material: Buffalo horn, stainless steel | Color: Black and other finishes such as teak and carbonized wood | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.7 x 0.5 x 1.1 inches

Best Electric

Coravin Model Two Premium Wine Preservation System

View On Amazon $262

“Being a chef who often cooks with wine, I’ve tried and fumbled with many wine openers and preservation systems,” says Hugh Acheson, the owner of Five & Ten and a judge on "Top Chef." “But Coravin is different—it is easy to use, preserves perfectly, and pours perfectly."

Instead of completely removing the cork, the Coravin wine system is outfitted with a Teflon-coated wine needle that sails through the cork and allows you to remove a glass of wine at a time (without airing out the whole bottle). “The system helps me cherish special bottles of wine for a really long time, seeing how they change and evolve," says Acheson.

For wine enthusiasts, it’s a great way to do comparative tastings or enjoy just a taste of a specific wine without committing to a full bottle. While the initial price is hefty, note that it allows you to work through more special bottles without opening the full thing. (Though, the cost of refilling canisters can get pricey.) If your wine-drinking situations are more everyday and straightforward, then this expensive product isn't for you.

Material: Rubber, plastic, and metal | Color: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 4.25 x 8.25 inches

Best Budget

True Truetap Waiter's Corkscrew

View On Amazon $7 View On Walmart $9 View On Onestopplus.com $20

“To me, corkscrews don't have to be expensive, they just need to be functional,” says Jose Medina Camacho, owner-operator of Adios Bar in Birmingham, Ala. “I was gifted this wine key, and it works perfectly—the blade is longer than most and works for other things that don't involve opening a wine bottle.” And the price is right; at under $10, it's worth having a couple of these on hand.

With a stainless steel and aluminum construction, this double-hinged corkscrew features a Teflon-coated non-stick spiral. "The wine opener as a whole is something that is durable and firm,” says Camacho. It comes in standard black and an array of other colors.

This bottle opener is lightweight, fast, and easy to use. The knife is sharp, the joints are flexible, the levers are at the perfect angle, and it feels sturdy, considering how slim it is. However, it's not necessarily the safest bet for older corks or those that are tricky to remove, as sometimes the cork breaks with this corkscrew.

Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Color: Matte black, blue, red, pink, green, and more | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.75 x 1 x 0.5 inches

Related: The Best Wine Openers, According to Experts

Most Stylish

Viski Belmont Signature Corkscrew

View On Amazon $16 View On Wayfair $14 View On Walmart $17

"A wine key is that other tool that is just so essential to us as bartenders,” says Rochelle Tougas, general manager of Loft18 in Houston. “This is my favorite wine key I’ve ever owned."

If you're looking for a great gift for the wine lover in your life, the modern aesthetic of this Viski Belmont corkscrew makes it a great option. Doreen Winkler, a natural wine sommelier and founder of Orange Glou, a wine subscription service, seconds this: “It has a solid, sharp blade to remove foil graciously, and it's double-hinged, so it's easy for everyone to use." She adds, "It is also available in gold, rose gold, and black.” While most colored corkscrews will start to chip and wear over time, the high-end material will retain its shine and color for years to come. The design is unique and eye-catching, too.

Some reviewers have reported that it's tricky to open it with one hand and that it sometimes sticks.

Material: Stainless steel | Color: Gold, rose gold, gun metal black finishes | Dimensions (LxWxH): 0.75 x 1 x 4.75 inches

Related: The Best Wine Decanters

Best Lever

OXO Vertical Corkscrew with Removable Foil Cutter

View On Amazon $44 View On Walmart $47 View On Oxo $45

A great low-effort option, lever corkscrews remove the cork quickly, easily, and with minimal physical effort. Simply position the non-stick screw above the cork, and in two easy motions and one pump of the lever, the corkscrew removes and releases the cork. It's even compatible with corks of all construction, including plastic and synthetic. 

This one from OXO comes with a removable foil cutter that can be stored inside the opener, thereby preventing cuts and scratches from regular foil knives. Made of die-cast zinc, the handle is constructed of a soft, non-slip grip to give you leverage when opening. A nonstick screw (or worm) chisels into the cork.

The foil cutter seamlessly slides into the opener for easy storage. In case one screw breaks, an additional one is included, which is helpful just in case.

Due to this wine opener's design, it's not the most compact opener to easily tuck away in a kitchen drawer. It is also more expensive than those with a basic design.

Material: Stainless steel, black | Color: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 7.6 x 7.2 inches

Best for Sommeliers

The Durand Corkscrew

View On Amazon $145 View On Uncrate.com View On Thedurand.com

“The Durand is my favorite corkscrew,” says Malek Amrani, founder of The Vice Wine, a small-batch vineyard in Napa Valley. Though it's on the pricier side, this patented device is specifically designed to safely remove compromised or fragile corks. The two-part device gives the flexibility to insert the ah-so prongs down between the cork and the bottleneck, allowing you to slide out the cork while keeping it intact.

“I also use it for bottles when I’m monitoring or studying their aging development,” says Amrani. “You can pull the cork out and put it back multiple times without damaging the cork or the wine.” An included corkscrew allows additional support, and the device includes the worm.

While pros love it, it does require a bit of a learning curve. Consider testing out a Durand with low-stakes bottles to get the hang of it (and read the instructions carefully, too). Wine collectors with high-end cellars swear by this corkscrew. The compact cork (cute!) carrying case helps protect the legs from bending or snapping. It's definitely not the least expensive option among this selection, but if you have an extensive wine cellar and don't ever want to gamble on breaking a cork, this is the go-to special tool.

Material: Metal | Color: Silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 6.34 x 4.57 x 2.17 inches

Best Winged

Rabbit Wing Corkscrew

View On Amazon $15 View On Walmart $23 View On Ace Hardware $17

The big draw of this crowd-pleasing, classic corkscrew is that it opens bottles with minimal effort, thanks to two wide-winged arms that apply pressure on the cork. The sturdy lever arms of the Rabbit winged corkscrew give you extra leverage to gently remove corks. A stable base with a wide mouth (that fits bottles of any size) and a thicker head do all the heavy lifting. The mechanics for this old-school opener are foolproof, but it comes with a five-year warranty.

Slimmer than most winged corkscrews, this dishwasher-safe option is constructed of durable plastic and stainless steel hardware. Note that this option does not come with a foil cutter, but the versatile head doubles as a beer opener. Overall, it’s a reliable, fail-safe, entry-level option that helps you easily remove a cork without breaking it.

Material: Plastic, stainless steel | Color: Black, silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 8 x 3.3 x 1 inches