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Opening a jar, fastening a button, picking something up from the floor, or getting in and out of the shower can become surprisingly difficult when arthritis affects your hands, fingers, wrists, knees, hips, or back.
The right arthritis tool won’t treat arthritis, but it can change how you perform a difficult task. Instead of asking painful or stiff joints to provide all the gripping, twisting, pinching, bending, or reaching, an assistive tool can reduce some of those demands.
Quick Answer: Which Arthritis Tools Are Most Useful?
The most useful arthritis tools are usually the ones that address a specific task that has become difficult. Depending on your needs, that might include an easy-to-use jar opener, electric can opener, adaptive kitchen utensil, button hook, reacher grabber, shower chair, bed assist rail, or other tool that reduces the amount of gripping, twisting, bending, reaching, or fine finger movement required.
You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the task that causes you the most frustration and choose a tool designed to make that particular movement easier.
Looking for a broader overview? Our Arthritis Supplies & Tools: Complete Guide to Daily Living Aids covers the different categories of arthritis aids and supplies.
Want help choosing the right type of device before shopping? See our How to Choose Arthritis Assistive Devices: Buyer’s Guide.
How We Select Products
We look for arthritis tools that can make specific everyday tasks easier, especially when hand strength, finger movement, reaching, or mobility is limited. We consider ease of use, grip and handling, useful features, product specifications, and available customer feedback. We also consider whether a tool is appropriate for different needs rather than assuming one product works for everyone.
Quick Picks: Arthritis Tools by Daily Challenge
| If you have difficulty with… | A useful place to start |
|---|---|
| Opening jars | Under-cabinet or electric jar opener |
| Opening cans | Electric can opener |
| Preparing food | Easy-grip utensils or adaptive kitchen tools |
| Buttoning clothing | Button hook and zipper pull |
| Putting on socks | Sock aid |
| Picking things up | Reacher grabber |
| Standing while showering | Shower chair |
| Bathroom stability | Properly installed grab bars |
| Getting out of bed | Bed assist rail or transfer aid |
| Getting into or out of a car | Car assist handle |
| Repetitive computer work | Ergonomic mouse or trackball |
| Crafting or gardening | Large-grip or ergonomic tools |
The right choice depends on why the task is difficult. A tool for painful gripping won’t necessarily solve a problem caused by bending, reaching, or balance.
How to Choose an Arthritis Tool
Before buying an arthritis aid, identify the specific movement that is giving you trouble.
Start With the Task
Instead of saying, “I need something for my hands,” identify the exact problem.
For example:
- Opening jars hurts my thumb.
- I can’t grip a small button.
- Bending down to pick things up hurts my knees.
- Standing through a shower makes my joints uncomfortable.
- Holding a traditional pen makes my fingers ache.
- Turning a manual can opener is difficult.
A specific problem usually points toward a more useful solution.
Consider the Movement Involved
Ask whether the task requires:
- Strong gripping
- Pinching with the thumb and fingers
- Twisting
- Repetitive wrist movement
- Bending
- Reaching
- Standing
- Fine finger movements
- Maintaining balance
The best tool should reduce the particular movement that is causing difficulty.
Check How Much Effort the Tool Requires
A product marketed for arthritis can still require considerable hand strength.
Before buying, consider:
- How much pressure does it take to operate?
- Does it require a pinch grip?
- Is the handle large enough to hold comfortably?
- Is the tool heavy?
- Can you operate it with one hand?
- Will you need to hold an object steady while using it?
This is especially important when hand strength or finger dexterity is limited.
Think About Where You’ll Use It
A permanently mounted kitchen tool may make sense if you open jars every day, while a lightweight portable tool may be more useful if you need something in several rooms.
Also consider storage. A tool that is difficult to retrieve, assemble, or clean may end up being used less often than expected.
Best Arthritis Tools for Weak Hands and Grip Problems
When arthritis affects the fingers, thumbs, or wrists, everyday objects can become difficult to grasp, twist, or hold.
Look for tools that use leverage, larger handles, non-slip surfaces, or powered operation to reduce the amount of force your hands need to provide.
Under-Cabinet Jar Openers
An under-cabinet jar opener mounts beneath a kitchen cabinet. Instead of gripping the lid tightly while trying to twist it, you position the lid in the opener and use the tool’s leverage to help loosen it.
This can be useful when twisting jar lids is particularly difficult.
Best for: People who regularly struggle with jars and want a permanent kitchen solution.
What to look for: A mounting arrangement that works with your cabinets, a mechanism that is easy to use, and enough clearance for the jars you commonly open.
Electric Jar Openers
Electric jar openers automate much of the opening process and can be useful when manually gripping and twisting a lid is particularly difficult.
Best for: People looking to minimize manual gripping and twisting.
When considering one, pay attention to how the jar and opener are positioned and whether you can comfortably operate the controls.
Rubber Grip Pads
Sometimes a simple grip aid is enough. Rubber grip pads increase traction between your hand and a lid or container, which may make opening easier without requiring another appliance.
Best for: Mild grip difficulties and people who want a simple, inexpensive starting point.
Related Reading: Best Hand Relief Tools for Arthritis
Best Kitchen Tools for Arthritis
Cooking can involve repeated gripping, pinching, twisting, chopping, stirring, and lifting. If preparing meals is becoming difficult, look for tools that reduce the force or repetitive movement required.
Electric Can Openers
An electric can opener removes most of the manual turning required by a traditional can opener. You position the can and let the motor perform the cutting action.
Best for: People who find manual can openers difficult because of hand pain, stiffness, or reduced grip strength.
Easy-Grip Kitchen Utensils
Adaptive kitchen utensils often have wider or ergonomically shaped handles that can be easier to hold than narrow traditional utensils.
When comparing them, look for:
- Larger-diameter handles
- Non-slip surfaces
- Lightweight construction
- A shape that doesn’t require a tight pinch grip
- Handles that feel comfortable for the way you hold utensils
Lightweight Cookware
Heavy pots and pans can be difficult when arthritis affects the hands, wrists, shoulders, or elbows.
Two-handled cookware can sometimes make lifting and carrying easier because the weight can be distributed between both hands. Lightweight cookware, silicone grips, and rolling kitchen carts can also reduce the effort involved in moving cookware.
The goal isn’t always to find a stronger way to lift something. Sometimes the better solution is to reduce how often you need to lift it.
Push-Down Food Choppers
Manual chopping can require repetitive wrist and hand movement. A push-down food chopper may reduce the need for traditional knife work.
If you consider one, check how much downward force is required. A tool that still requires substantial pressure may not be helpful if pressing down is itself difficult.
Related Reading: Kitchen Tools for Arthritis
Best Dressing Aids for Arthritis
Getting dressed can become difficult when arthritis affects the fingers, thumbs, shoulders, hips, knees, or back.
Different dressing aids solve different problems, so consider which part of getting dressed is causing the difficulty.
Button Hooks and Zipper Pulls
A button hook allows you to fasten a button using a hooking motion rather than pinching the button between your fingers.
A zipper pull makes a small zipper tab larger and easier to grasp.
Best for: Finger stiffness, painful thumbs, and reduced dexterity.
Sock Aids
A sock aid holds the sock open so you can slide your foot into it and pull the sock up without bending forward as far.
Best for: People who have difficulty bending, reaching toward their feet, or pulling socks into place.
Long-Handled Shoe Horns
A long-handled shoe horn can help you put on shoes without reaching down toward your feet.
Best for: People who have difficulty bending because of stiffness or discomfort affecting the back, hips, or knees.
Look for a handle that is long enough for your height and comfortable to hold.
Adaptive Clothing
Sometimes the most useful dressing aid isn’t a tool.
Clothing with elastic waistbands, magnetic closures, Velcro fasteners, larger zipper pulls, or looser fits may be easier to manage than garments with small buttons or difficult fasteners.
Related Reading: Adaptive Clothing and Dressing Aids for Arthritis
Best Reacher Grabbers for Bending and Reaching
A reacher grabber can help you pick up dropped objects, reach items on higher shelves, and retrieve things without repeatedly bending down.
For someone whose arthritis makes bending or reaching difficult, changing the movement can be more useful than trying to perform the same movement with greater effort.
What to Look For in a Reacher
Useful features can include:
- Lightweight construction
- An easy-to-squeeze trigger
- Non-slip gripping jaws
- A rotating head
- A magnetic tip for small metal objects
- A length appropriate for your needs
A longer reacher isn’t automatically better. Excessive length can make a tool harder to control or operate.
Best for: People with difficulty bending, reaching, or picking up objects from the floor.
Best Bathroom Tools for Arthritis
Bathrooms deserve particular attention because wet surfaces can create additional safety concerns.
If arthritis affects your mobility, strength, balance, or ability to stand for long periods, the right bathroom equipment can reduce some of the physical demands of bathing and moving around the bathroom.
Shower Chairs
A shower chair allows you to sit rather than stand for the entire shower.
Best for: People who have difficulty standing for extended periods or who find showering tiring because of knee or hip problems.
When choosing one, check:
- Seat height
- Weight capacity
- Leg adjustability
- Foot stability
- Whether it fits comfortably inside your shower or tub
A shower chair isn’t a substitute for a professional assessment if you have significant balance or transfer difficulties.
Grab Bars
Properly installed grab bars can provide a stable handhold when entering or exiting a shower or tub and when standing near the toilet.
Installation matters. Grab bars should be secured appropriately rather than relying on suction alone for situations where substantial support is required.
Best for: People who need additional stability during bathroom transfers or movement.
Non-Slip Bath Mats
A properly designed non-slip bath mat can help provide traction on wet bathroom surfaces.
Check that the mat stays securely in place and doesn’t curl at the edges. A mat that moves or creates a raised edge can become a tripping hazard.
Related Reading: Best Non-Slip Bath Mats for Arthritis (2026 Guide)
Long-Handled Bath Sponges
A long-handled sponge or brush can make it easier to wash areas that are difficult to reach, particularly when arthritis affects the shoulders, back, hips, or hands.
Related Reading: Best Bathroom Safety Aids for Arthritis
Personal Care and Grooming Tools for Arthritis
Grooming tasks can require small, repetitive hand movements that become difficult when arthritis affects the fingers or thumbs.
Consider tools with:
- Larger handles
- Non-slip surfaces
- Easy-to-operate buttons
- Lightweight construction
- Powered operation when appropriate
- Longer handles when reach is the problem
The important question is which movement causes the difficulty.
If squeezing a small toothbrush is uncomfortable, a larger handle may help. If reaching or repetitive shoulder movement is the problem, a lighter or longer-handled tool may be more appropriate.
Related Reading: Personal Care Tools for Arthritis: When You Can’t Grip or Reach
Bed Assist Rails and Transfer Aids
Getting into or out of bed can sometimes be more difficult than the activity itself.
Bed Assist Rails
A bed assist rail provides a handhold that can help when changing position or getting out of bed.
Before buying, check that the rail is compatible with your bed and mattress setup and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
If you have significant difficulty transferring from bed or are concerned about falling, professional guidance may be appropriate before choosing equipment.
Car Assist Handles
Getting out of a low vehicle can require considerable bending, pushing, and weight shifting.
A car assist handle designed for vehicle use provides an additional handhold when entering or exiting.
Important: Check that the device is compatible with your vehicle and use it only as directed by the manufacturer. A portable assist handle should not be treated as a substitute for a properly installed vehicle support system when one is needed.
Ergonomic Tools for Work, Crafts, and Hobbies
Arthritis doesn’t stop being a problem when you sit down at a desk or start a hobby.
Typing, writing, sewing, painting, crafting, and gardening can involve repetitive gripping or hand and wrist movements.
Potentially useful tools include:
- Large-grip pens
- Ergonomic keyboards
- Trackball mice
- Cushioned wrist supports
- Easy-grip scissors
- Adaptive craft tools
- Ergonomic gardening tools
Again, focus on the movement that causes the problem.
If gripping a narrow pen is uncomfortable, a larger barrel may be easier to hold. If moving a traditional mouse aggravates your wrist, a trackball may reduce the amount of movement required.
Related Reading: Best Craft Tools for Arthritis | Ergonomic Gardening Tools for Arthritis
Best Arthritis Tools by Specific Need
| Your biggest challenge | Start by considering |
|---|---|
| Weak grip | Jar opener or easy-grip tool |
| Painful twisting | Electric opener or mounted jar opener |
| Difficulty bending | Reacher grabber or long-handled tool |
| Fine finger movements | Button hook and zipper pull |
| Putting on socks | Sock aid |
| Difficulty standing while showering | Shower chair |
| Bathroom stability | Properly installed grab bars |
| Getting out of bed | Bed assist rail or appropriate transfer aid |
| Getting into a car | Vehicle assist handle |
| Cooking-related hand difficulty | Adaptive kitchen tools |
| Repetitive computer work | Ergonomic mouse or trackball |
Think of this table as a starting point rather than a prescription. The appropriate tool depends on your symptoms, strength, mobility, environment, and the specific task you are trying to make easier.
Common Mistakes When Buying Arthritis Tools
Buying for the Label Instead of the Problem
A product doesn’t automatically become useful because it is marketed as an “arthritis aid.”
Look at what the product actually does.
Does it reduce gripping? Avoid twisting? Make reaching easier? Reduce bending? Provide a larger surface to hold?
Choosing a Tool That Requires Too Much Force
An assistive device can create a new problem if operating it requires more hand strength than you have available.
Check the mechanism before buying whenever possible.
Buying More Features Than You Need
More features don’t necessarily make a tool more useful.
A simple jar opener that you can easily operate may be more practical than a complicated device with functions you never use.
Ignoring Size and Weight
A tool may look helpful online but still be awkward if it is too heavy, too long, or difficult to hold.
Consider your own hand size, strength, reach, and storage space.
Buying Everything at Once
You don’t need an entire collection of adaptive equipment.
Start with one or two tasks that cause the most frustration. If a tool genuinely makes one task easier, you can use the same approach to address other problems around the home.
When to Ask a Professional for Help
Many simple daily living tools are straightforward to use, but professional guidance can be useful when safety, mobility, or transfers are involved.
Consider talking with an occupational therapist or physical therapist if:
- You aren’t sure which assistive device is appropriate.
- You have significant balance or mobility problems.
- You’re considering a cane, walker, or rollator.
- You have difficulty transferring in or out of bed or a chair.
- A tool continues to cause pain.
- You’re unsure how to safely use a bathroom or mobility aid.
A professional can assess how you move and help identify equipment that fits your abilities and environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Tools for Arthritis in the Hands?
The best tool depends on the task causing the problem. Jar openers, electric can openers, easy-grip kitchen utensils, large-grip pens, and button hooks can all address different types of hand difficulty.
If gripping is the problem, look for a tool that reduces the amount of grip force required rather than simply providing another object to hold.
What Kitchen Tools Help With Arthritis?
Electric can openers, jar openers, easy-grip utensils, lightweight cookware, and food choppers can reduce some of the gripping, twisting, chopping, and repetitive hand movements involved in meal preparation.
What Tools Help With Arthritis and Difficulty Bending?
Reacher grabbers and long-handled tools can reduce how often you need to bend down or reach into awkward positions.
A reacher may be useful for retrieving objects from the floor, while long-handled grooming or bathing tools can reduce the need to reach certain areas of the body.
What Tools Help People With Arthritis Stay Independent at Home?
Different tools address different limitations. Reacher grabbers, dressing aids, jar openers, adaptive kitchen tools, shower chairs, grab bars, and bed assist rails can each make particular daily tasks easier.
Start with the activity that is limiting you the most rather than trying to equip every room at once.
Are Arthritis Tools the Same as Assistive Devices?
The terms overlap. An arthritis tool is generally any product that helps make an everyday task easier, while “assistive device” can refer more broadly to equipment that helps a person perform an activity or function.
The important question is not the label but whether the device reduces the specific physical demand that is causing difficulty.
For help understanding the different types of devices, see our How to Choose Arthritis Assistive Devices: Buyer’s Guide.
Are Expensive Arthritis Tools Better?
Not necessarily.
A simple product that solves your specific problem can be more useful than an expensive device with features you don’t need.
For frequently used tools, pay particular attention to ease of operation, comfort, durability, weight, cleaning, and whether the tool actually reduces the effort required.
Should I Buy Arthritis Tools for Every Room?
Not necessarily.
Start with the rooms and activities where arthritis causes the greatest difficulty. Once you know which types of tools are genuinely useful, you may decide that having a duplicate in another frequently used location is worthwhile.
Start With the Task That Bothers You Most
You don’t need to redesign your entire home or buy a collection of specialized equipment.
Start with one frustrating task.
If opening jars is difficult, consider a jar opener. If bending down is painful or difficult, consider a reacher. If getting dressed is frustrating, try a button hook or sock aid. If standing through a shower is difficult, look at a shower chair or appropriate bathroom support.
The goal isn’t to find a tool that claims to be “for arthritis.”
The goal is to find something that changes a difficult task so your joints don’t have to do as much work.
Once you find a solution that works for you, you can apply the same principle to other parts of your daily routine: reduce unnecessary gripping, twisting, pinching, bending, reaching, or repetitive movement.
For a broader look at the different types of arthritis aids and supplies available, visit our Arthritis Supplies & Tools: Complete Guide to Daily Living Aids.
For help deciding what type of assistive device you need before shopping, see our How to Choose Arthritis Assistive Devices: Buyer’s Guide.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, rheumatologist, or occupational therapist before making changes to how you manage your arthritis.
