Rabbit automatic electric corkscrew

This sleek, lightweight tube opens wine bottles with little effort, at least 30 bottles with one charge.

Manufacturer: Metrokane

Does it work? Yes. It is easy to use and opens a bottle of wine in less than 30 seconds. I surely wasn’t going to drink 30 bottles of wine in a sitting — or even in a week — so I’ll trust the manufacturer’s claim that a single charge opens at least that many bottles.

Pros: Even after drinking a couple of glasses, the corkscrew remains easy to use.

Cons: After the initial four-hour charge, I put the Rabbit off to the side, planning to test it a couple of days later. A couple of days turned into several weeks, and when I took it out for a party, the Rabbit was dead. I plugged it in for 15 to 30 minutes, and it was good to go.

While I don’t think the Rabbit is dangerous, it has no off button and no cover for the corkscrew area. If someone were to stick a finger into the hole where the bottle top goes — you get the picture. There is a tiny “safety” button next to the charging port. I suggest testing the button once the Rabbit is charged and reading the manual. To press it, use a toothpick or the tip of your fingernail.

Cost: About $50. But several companies sell electric corkscrews for as little as $19.99 (Oster electric wine bottle opener at bedbathandbeyond.com) up to $99.89 (Elis rechargeable electric corkscrew at winevine-imports.com). The Oster comes with a recharging base, while the Rabbit uses a wall charger.

Worth it? While I wouldn’t buy this for myself, I would give this as a gift to someone who loves wine. The sleek design and colors (red, black and silver) are pleasing to the eye.

Who needs it: People who have to open a large number of wine bottles at one time or someone who has difficulty using manual corkscrews.

Where can I get it? Google the product and several websites will pop up, including amazon.com, rabbitwine.com and wineenthusiast.com. The Rabbit is also available at Williams-Sonoma in Ala Moana Center (silver only) for $49.95.

Got a gadget you love, or one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com.