Most classic designs share core features—a helical screw and some built-in mechanical leverage—but the best wine openers go beyond with details that make opening a beaujolais a whole lot easier and, dare we say, fun. Picking the right one comes down to your style and needs. If you only need functionality, an elegant (but minimalist!) T-shaped screw-pull will suffice. But if you’re a host who enjoys gadgetry, an electric opener with more bells and whistles might be at the top of your list. Here are a few features to consider, plus seven stand-out options that do more than just get the job done.

The basic T-shaped screw-pull is the simplest in design but requires strength and finesse to remove the cork in one smooth motion. While it is the most likely to create that anticipated “pop,” it is also the most likely to cause the odd spill or breakage. (First-timers, be warned).

Winged corkscrews may be your grandparents go-to; it’s tough to argue with their ease of use and simple mechanics. By adding leverage and the ability to be operated on a flat surface, they’re easier to maneuver than a screw-pull, making them our everyday choice. The only downside is that they tend to be a bit larger and therefore less portable.

Lightweight, strong, and small enough to stow in an apron or coat pocket, it’s clear why this tool is favored by food and beverage professionals. Many have foil cutters, nonstick spirals that ease friction when inserting in a cork, and double hinges to leverage stubborn stoppers. They are available at every price point.

Occasionally, corks are brittle, shrunken from time, or they just don’t want to cooperate. Using a traditional corkscrew risks splitting or turning it to mush. The Ah-So is the best tool for more delicate jobs. Rather than pushing a screw directly into the middle of a cork, the thin blades of the Ah-So hug the outside and provide enough pressure to hold older corks intact and free the sides of stuck ones. If you collect older wines (or plan to start), this tool is a must.

Electric wine openers are relatively new to the scene and make short work of most corks and younger vintages, although older bottles may need more care. Our favorites include one-touch and no-touch designs, which don’t require any tugging or pulling. An added bonus: battery-operated or rechargeable versions mean never bumping your elbows or letting your friends see you sweat.

This waiter’s corkscrew from Pulltap’s offers just about everything you need in a small, affordable package. It’s pocket-size, lightweight, comes in eight colors (including 24-karat gold), and is even available for left-handed wine lovers. The double-hinge design supplies plenty of leverage—even for stubborn corks—and the other side has a standard bottle cap opener. It won’t clog a kitchen drawer or take up precious counter space with a charging stand. It’s pretty darn near perfect.

Think back to your childhood kitchen drawers. Behind the manual egg beater and just beyond the ever-growing rubber band ball, there probably was a winged, butterfly-style opener. The design hasn’t needed to change much over the years, but this version gently improves upon it with a sleeker body and more ergonomic handle. A nonstick coating on the screw also means fewer conversation-interrupting squeaks.

This category could also have been called “the one that makes you happy every time you see it” or “the one that you’ll casually leave out when guests arrive.” Laguiole en Aubrac has been making beautiful, functional, heirloom-quality kitchen and bar equipment since 1829. While their corkscrew is light and lithe, it is far from delicate. Crafted from durable chrome steel and handsome South American snakewood, it might be your next family heirloom for generations to come. Opening great bottles of wine should feel a bit ceremonial. Why not use a tool that looks every bit as good as the wine itself?

Peugeot has managed to marry all of the best qualities of an electric corkscrew with a clean-lined aesthetic in their Elis Reverse. It removes corks with fully automatic, buttonless operation, then dispenses them with a quick turn of the wrist. The Elis Reverse can open 50 bottles before needing a charge by USB cable—no clunky stand or charging station required.

Hosting large groups is always a challenge. Why make it harder? The Secura opener set makes short work of multiple bottles by automating the process without the need to manually wind the corkscrew every time. Just set the opener on top, press one button to insert the screw and another to free the cork, then get back to the party.

Bringing out “the good stuff” means you’re more likely to have an audience when it comes time to pop the cork. But older bottles present challenges that newer ones don’t—namely crumbly corks. The Durand really perfects the Ah-So opener style by adding an optional screw to secure potentially fragile stoppers so they don’t make a mess when everyone’s watching. It’s a trusted high-end opener used by sommeliers across the world. Looking for a cheaper option? The Monopol Westmark with its smooth, comfy handle, is our runner-up.

If you don’t plan on finishing an entire bottle, this tool dispenses wine without ever removing the cork. Coravin’s needle system looks a little like magic: Wine flows freely through the device while the needle system pushes inert, food-grade argon gas into the bottle with each pour, ensuring the wine is never exposed to oxygen and stays fresh for up to four weeks. It’s a great option for savoring special vintages over multiple sittings without risking oxidation and compromising quality.

Waiter’s corkscrews, as the name suggests, are the standard for most food and beverage professionals. They deploy quickly, are made of sturdy materials, and won’t break the bank if someone forgot they borrowed yours at the next dinner party.

Typically, wine sealed with a cork is best enjoyed within hours of opening or decanting. If that’s not in the cards, it can last a few days when resealed with a cork or closure and refrigerated. For best results, bring bottles back up to serving temperature before uncorking again. Be sure you don’t store wine next to the stove; heat and oxygen are the enemies of excellence here. The more times a bottle gets opened, the more oxygen it is exposed to, hastening the decline in quality. Heat similarly disrupts wine’s delicate composition, muting more subtle flavors and eventually “cooking” it.

Luckily, most openers are low maintenance as they never come in contact with the wine itself. Some steel or nickel models are dishwasher safe, but a quick hand-wash will usually suffice. Take extra care with openers made with finer materials like wood (which may require the occasional re-seasoning with food-grade oil) or electronic openers (where specific manufacturer instructions ought to be followed).