Riedel holds a clear lead, earning frequent mentions across glassware categories and serving as the primary choice for wine decanters. When buyers ask for corkscrews, OXO is instead the usual answer.
Since July, OXOrising has become the most named option for corkscrews, while PPulltap'srising has become a common answer for both corkscrews and wine openers. Spiegelaurising and Osterrising have both gained regular mentions for wine decanters and openers.
Latest insights
Week of Sep 21–27 · Since Jul 5
OXO Gap between platforms: OXO's platform gap in Wine and Whiskey Accessories narrowed: ChatGPT Search 35.1%, Google AI Mode 13.5%
Libbey Gap between platforms: Libbey's platform gap in Wine and Whiskey Accessories narrowed: Google AI Mode 31.7%, ChatGPT Search 16.8%
Libbey Slipping: Libbey fell behind Schott Zwiesel in Wine and Whiskey Accessories
Glencairn Crystal Gaining: Glencairn Crystal now ranks #4 in Wine and Whiskey Accessories, up from #6
Zalto Denk'Art Gap between platforms: Zalto Denk'Art's platform gap in Wine and Whiskey Accessories narrowed: ChatGPT Search 27%, Google AI Mode 16.2%
12% of citations point at the ranked brands’ own sites. liquor.com, seriouseats.com, nytimes.com are the most-cited sites outside the ranked brands’ own domains.
The "best" corkscrew depends entirely on your budget, style preference, and how much leverage you want. Testing and reviews from culinary authorities like The New York Times Wirecutter and Serious Eats consistently highlight a few standout performers across different categories:
Why it’s great: It is the go-to, reliable choice used by most restaurant professionals and home cooks alike. The double-hinged fulcrum gives you mechanical advantage to pull long corks out smoothly in two easy steps, and it features a built-in foil cutter and bottle opener.[](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-corkscrew/)
OXO SteeL Double Lever Waiter's Corkscrew (Best Upgrade Waiter's Style)
The two-step waiter’s corkscrew (such as the classic Pulltap's Waiter's Corkscrew ) is widely considered the most effective, reliable, and versatile device for uncorking wine bottles.
While automated or lever-style openers offer speed or brute-force ease, the simple waiter’s friend balances precision, portability, and failure-prevention better than any other style.
I want to start making fancy cocktails at home. What is a good decanter set for whiskey?
What is the best set of wine glasses?
Price: ~$20
Why it’s great: If you want a more substantial, premium feel than a standard plastic-backed bartender's opener, the OXO SteeL features a weighted, ergonomic handle with a comfortable matte rubber grip and a rounded, smooth-cutting foil blade.[](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-corkscrew/)
Houdini Lever Corkscrew (Best Easy-Pull / Lever Style)
Price: ~$25–$29
Why it’s great: If you struggle with traditional corkscrews or open a high volume of bottles, a lever-style opener does the heavy lifting for you. You simply clamp it onto the neck, push the lever down, and pull up to extract the cork in about three seconds.
Oster Electric Wine Bottle Opener (Best Electric Pick)
Price: ~$25
Why it’s great: For effortless push-button operation without any manual twisting or pulling, this cordless rechargeable opener pops corks in roughly 6 seconds and includes a charging dock.[](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-corkscrew/)
To help narrow down the ideal choice for you, tell me:
How often do you open wine?
Do you prefer a classic manual style or something that requires zero physical effort (like an electric or lever opener)?
The best corkscrew for most people is the Pulltap’s Professional Double-Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew. It’s compact, reliable, affordable, and uses the same basic two-step leverage system favored by many sommeliers and restaurant professionals. If you want something that lasts and works without batteries or bulky mechanisms, this is my top pick.
If you'd rather have a corkscrew that requires less effort, the OXO lever-style models are worth considering.
My top corkscrew picks
(Best overall)
1. OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter's Corkscrew
$20–23
Comfortable curved handle, double-hinge leverage, and a built-in foil cutter. My pick for someone who wants a well-designed everyday wine key.
A compact, professional-style opener with a double hinge and serrated foil knife. Ideal for frequent use, travel, and keeping in a kitchen drawer.
Buy:
3. OXO Steel Vertical Lever Corkscrew
About $42–50
Best for people who want easier, low-effort opening. Its lever mechanism pulls the cork with minimal twisting and includes a removable foil cutter. It's bulkier and pricier than a waiter’s corkscrew.
A premium electric option for push-button convenience. It opens bottles quickly, recharges via USB/USB-C, and comes with a charging stand. Best if convenience matters more than price.
Buy:
Which one should you buy?
If you want…
My pick
The best everyday corkscrew
OXO Double Lever
The best value and professional feel
Pulltap’s
The least physical effort
OXO Vertical Lever
One-button opening
Peugeot Elis Touch
My final recommendation: Buy the OXO Steel Double Lever for its comfortable grip and excellent everyday usability. Choose Pulltap’s instead if you prefer a traditional sommelier-style corkscrew and want to spend less. Food & Wine tested 32 wine openers and rated the OXO its overall winner, with Pulltap’s as its value pick.
I checked current 2026 reviews plus products that are actually showing as available now. The strongest options span waiter’s corkscrews, lever models, and electric openers; recent testing from Food Network, for example, favored Rabbit for manual opening and OXO’s vertical lever for ease of use.
Different uncorking mechanisms suit different contexts, bottle types, and physical capabilities.
Opener Type
Mechanism & Operation
Best Use Case
Main Trade-Off
Waiter’s Corkscrew
Hinged dual-lever arm and a spiral worm
Everyday use, travel, restaurants, and total control
Requires basic hand dexterity and manual twisting
Lever / Rabbit Style
Mechanical clamp-down and pull-up handle
Fast, repetitive opening with minimal wrist strain
Bulky to store and struggles with fragile corks
Continuous-Turn / Endless
Screw-in design that reverses to auto-lift the cork
Quick, foolproof manual operation
Larger footprint than a pocket opener
Electric Corkscrew
Motorized push-button rotation
Users with arthritis or limited hand strength
Requires battery charging and prone to mechanical wear
Ah-So / Two-Prong
Sliding dual metal prongs alongside the cork
Vintage or fragile/crumbling corks
Requires a specialized wiggling technique
Why the Waiter's Corkscrew Wins
Total Control: You can feel the density of the cork as you twist the worm, allowing you to adjust your angle if you feel the cork starting to split.
Dual-Lever Fulcrum: The two-stage notch system lets you lift the cork straight up in two clean, vertical increments rather than pulling at an awkward angle.
If you want one wine opener that’s excellent for most people, I’d choose a double-hinged waiter’s corkscrew. It’s compact, durable, inexpensive, and—most importantly—gives you excellent control over the cork. Recent testing from Food Network and Food & Wine also favors this style.
Best overall value: OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter's Corkscrew — around $20. It's compact, has a nonstick screw and double-lever action, and is a particularly good choice if you want something that feels professional without spending much.
Best for effortless opening: OXO Steel Vertical Lever — around $50. You simply press down and pull up rather than twisting manually. Food Network rated this its best lever opener and called it its personal favorite overall.
Best sommelier-style choice: Coutale — about $20. It's the style I'd pick if you want something small enough for a kitchen drawer or wine bag but capable of opening virtually any bottle.
Best if you dislike corkscrews: Rabbit Lever — roughly $40–55. Much easier mechanically, especially if hand strength is an issue.
My verdict
Buy the OXO Double Lever Waiter's Corkscrew if you want the best combination of price, durability, size, and performance. If ease of use matters more than compactness, spend the extra money on the OXO Vertical Lever.
I wouldn't prioritize an electric opener unless you specifically want push-button operation; a good manual corkscrew is simpler and doesn't need charging.
If you tell me your budget ($20, $50, $100+), I can narrow it down to the single best one and find the best current price.
Best Overall: True Truetap Double-Hinged Waiter's Corkscrew ($7–$10) — The go-to standard for professionals and home cooks alike, featuring a sturdy double-hinged fulcrum that makes pulling corks smooth and effortless.[](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-corkscrew/)
The best whiskey glass set for most people is the Glencairn set for sipping whiskey neat, or a quality set of heavy-bottomed rocks glasses if you prefer bourbon over ice or Old Fashioneds. The biggest factor is how you drink your whiskey, not how expensive the glasses are.
Here are my top picks based on current product listings and whiskey-glass reviews.
Best whiskey glass sets to buy
(Best overall for sipping neat)
1. Glencairn Whisky Glass Gift Set of 4
$32.95
Four lead-free crystal tasting glasses with the signature tulip shape, designed to concentrate aromas and make it easier to appreciate Scotch, bourbon and rye. A great choice for whiskey enthusiasts.
Best for: tasting whiskey neat and comparing different bottles.
3. Libbey Hobstar Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4
$29.99
Four decorative, vintage-inspired tumblers with a substantial look. A versatile, affordable choice for serving whiskey, cocktails and drinks to guests.
4. Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whisky Glasses, Set of 2
$85.00
A more formal, premium tasting pair with an elongated thistle-shaped bowl. Worth considering if you want elegant glassware for special pours or a refined gift.
Best for: premium gifting and leisurely single-malt tastings.
My recommendation: If you're buying one set for your own home, I'd choose the Glencairn four-pack for neat whiskey. If you want a more traditional, substantial glass that looks good on a bar cart, go with the Libbey Hobstar set.
Prices may change, and the best choice depends on whether you prefer whiskey neat, with ice, or in cocktails.
The "best" set of whiskey glasses depends entirely on how you drink your whiskey—whether you enjoy it neat, splashed with a little water, or mixed into an Old Fashioned.
The top-rated whiskey glass sets on the market are categorized by their specific use case:
Best for Tasting & Neat Pours: The Glencairn Whisky Glass
Why it's the gold standard: Officially endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association, its thistledown shape features a wide bowl for appreciating color and a tapered mouth that concentrates aromas directly to your nose while diffusing ethanol burn.
Best Heavy Tumbler / Rocks Glass: Riedel Rocks Glasses
Why it's a top pick: Riedel balances heft with elegant thin rims. Many of their sets feature a wide mouth that easily accommodates large ice cubes or whiskey stones, with subtle visual or geometric guidelines at the base.
Best for Cocktails & Mixed Drinks: Spiegelau Double Old Fashioned Glasses
Why it's a top pick: Highly praised in professional roundups (like Serious Eats ) for durability, crystal clarity, and a stout, classic cylindrical shape. They have enough volume (11 oz to 12 oz) for muddling sugar, bitters, and large format ice.
Best Modern / Innovative Design: Norlan Whisky Glass
Why it's a top pick: Blending the scientific nosing properties of a traditional tasting glass with the modern aesthetic of a contemporary tumbler, its double-wall interior helps aerate the spirit as you swirl.
Great for: Whiskey enthusiasts looking for a striking conversation piece that still performs well on the palate.
If you want to narrow down the choice, let me know:
Do you usually drink your whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails?
Are you looking for budget-friendly everyday glassware or fine crystal for special occasions?
Rabbit Original Lever Corkscrew: Evaluated as a premier lever-style tool that grips bottles securely and pulls corks cleanly with a simple pull-and-push motion, ideal for anyone looking to avoid twisting.[](https://www.seriouseats.com/the-best-wine-openers)
Best easy-to-use manual:OXO Steel Vertical Lever Corkscrew — $49.99, 4.7/5 from 42 reviews. Its two-motion lever design requires considerably less technique than a waiter’s corkscrew, and Food Network named it its favorite overall opener in testing.
Best classic/sommelier style:Coutale Corkscrew Special Edition — $19.99, 4.8/5 from 112 reviews. Compact, inexpensive, and the double-hinged waiter’s design is the style commonly preferred by wine professionals.
Best budget electric:Ozeri Prestige Electric Wine Opener — $32.99, 4.5/5 from 219 reviews. Good choice if you want push-button operation without spending much.
Best specialty alternative:Cork Pops Legacy Wine Opener — $34.50, 4.5/5 from 163 reviews. It uses gas pressure rather than a traditional screw and is designed to extract the cork intact.
My practical shortlist: If you want a single opener that feels effortless, go with the OXO Vertical Lever. If you want the compact tool you'd see behind a restaurant bar, choose the Coutale. If hand strength is a concern, an electric model is the simplest route; Food Network specifically found the Cuisinart electric opener easy to operate and suitable for arthritic hands.
Prices and availability can change, so the displayed shopping results are the current snapshot.
A double-hinged waiter's corkscrew is actually the professional favorite. Sommeliers consistently favor this design because it's compact, durable, inexpensive, and gives you excellent control over the cork.
An electric corkscrew is easiest physically—press a button and it extracts the cork. The tradeoff is that electric models are less durable over the long term than simple manual openers.
My verdict: Best for most people → OXO vertical lever. Best professional/long-term choice → double-hinged waiter's corkscrew. Easiest if hand strength is an issue → electric opener.
For an old, fragile cork, though, I'd choose a specialized Durand (Ah-So + corkscrew) rather than any of these; it's specifically designed to remove deteriorating corks without shredding them.
Best Lever-Style: Rabbit Original Lever Corkscrew ($34) — A heavy-duty, tabletop-style opener that extracts corks with a simple push-and-pull motion, minimizing physical strain.[](https://www.seriouseats.com/the-best-wine-openers)
