The Best Oven Mitts and Pot Holders

While kitchen towels often serve as easy-to-grab protection against hot pans, actual oven mitts and pot holders, especially silicone-coated ones, can make your cooking experience safer and easier.

Everything we recommend

Top pick

In addition to being heatproof, the silicone exterior of these oven mitts is grippy, easy to maneuver, and water-resistant, while the polyester-cotton lining adds extra protection and comfort.

Top pick

This pot holder has a silicone exterior that provides better heat protection than plain terry-cloth pot holders.

Buying Options

Also great

This pot holder is larger and more rectangular than our top pick, and it comes in a wide range of colors. A seam in the hand pocket makes gripping pans easier.

Also great

These gloves offer more dexterity than a mitt or a pot holder, but they’re less heatproof. We like that they come in three sizes.

Also great

If you want protection that keeps your whole hand free, this cover slips directly onto a pan handle, allowing you to maneuver a pot or skillet safely.

Buying Options

Top pick

In addition to being heatproof, the silicone exterior of these oven mitts is grippy, easy to maneuver, and water-resistant, while the polyester-cotton lining adds extra protection and comfort.

At 15 inches in length, the Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt protects your forearms as well as your hands from a hot oven or sheet pan. It’s easier to maneuver than others we tested, and we were able to comfortably lift a hot, heavy cast-iron skillet and remove an unwieldy roasting pan from the oven without getting burned.

This mitt is easy to clean (you can wipe it off or throw it in the washing machine), and we appreciated the comfortable fabric lining. Unfortunately, the extra-long version that we prefer for its generous forearm coverage only comes in four basic colors, whereas the shorter version comes in six brighter shades.

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Top pick

This pot holder has a silicone exterior that provides better heat protection than plain terry-cloth pot holders.

Buying Options

For extra heat protection from a pot holder, we like the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder. It is more expensive than some basic terry-cloth models, but it was able to protect our hands longer than most other pot holders we tested—roughly on a par with the mitt.

Its oval shape also helps it stay clear of stovetop flames better than holders with corners that stick out. It has a pocket for your hand to keep it secure, and its silicone side is grippy and waterproof. Unfortunately, color options are limited to black, red, and white at the time of publication.

Also great

This pot holder is larger and more rectangular than our top pick, and it comes in a wide range of colors. A seam in the hand pocket makes gripping pans easier.

If you’re looking for a pot holder with a bit more surface area or nicer color options, we recommend the KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder. It sports a helpful seam at the top of its hand pocket that runs a few inches into the middle of the mitt, dividing the pocket into two sections. This helps keep your hand in place, with two fingers tucked securely on each side of the seam (kind of in the shape of the Vulcan salute).

This pot holder comes in 21 attractive colors—by far the most of our picks. However, its thicker material and large, square corners make it a little more clunky than our top-pick pot holder.

Also great

These gloves offer more dexterity than a mitt or a pot holder, but they’re less heatproof. We like that they come in three sizes.

We like that the Grill Armor Gloves give you more dexterity and control than our other picks when moving hot pans or grilling. But they aren’t as heat-resistant as our other picks, though they’re still reasonably protective. They come in three sizes and one long-cuffed option, but all of them run a bit large. People with smaller hands may find even the smallest size clunky.

Also great

If you want protection that keeps your whole hand free, this cover slips directly onto a pan handle, allowing you to maneuver a pot or skillet safely.

Buying Options

If you’re looking for a tool that fits directly on a pan’s stick handle, we recommend the Monkey Business Penne Pan Grip. It was the most heat-protective of everything we tested in every category, and it’s long and wide enough to work with a variety of handle types. We like that it slides easily on and off handles, so you can easily pop it onto a pan while you’re cooking, but it felt a little loose to some of our testers. Plus, its pasta-like shape puts a cute spin on an otherwise utilitarian tool.

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Why you should trust us

I’m a Wirecutter contributor focused on kitchen gear, and I have also worked on the guides to the best dry food storage containers and kids lunch boxes. This guide also incorporates research and reporting by writer Anna Perling and senior staff writer Michael Sullivan, both kitchen experts who conducted past rounds of testing.

For this guide:

We sought experts who work with food outside of professional kitchens (restaurant chefs and line cooks typically use side towels when cooking). We spoke to Kate McDermott, James Beard nominee and author of Art of the Pie, who teaches pie workshops in her home kitchen, and Melissa Clark, food writer, cookbook author, and columnist for the food section of The New York Times.

We looked at pot holder and oven mitt reviews from a variety of other publications, as well as customer reviews of highly rated models on Amazon.

We’ve spent dozens of hours testing oven mitts, pot holders, oven gloves, and handle covers. We’ve also collected feedback on our picks from a range of people, including some testers with limited dexterity or mobility, who we paid for their time.

Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

How we picked

After researching more than 80 oven mitts, oven gloves, pot holders, and handle covers over the years for this guide, we’ve tested 33 models to-date. Here’s a rundown of the key features we looked for when choosing what to test and recommend:

Heat protection: We looked for models that could protect our hands from high temperatures (400 °F to 450 °F) long enough to carry a heavy dish from the oven across the kitchen or into the dining room. Keep in mind that pot holders and oven mitts can only do so much to safeguard your hands from high heat; the longer you hold a hot pan, the more heat you’ll feel. Anticipate where you’re going to put a hot item before you remove it from the oven or stovetop. As cookbook author Kate McDermott said, “You don’t want to be caught holding a hot pie for 45 seconds.”

Materials: We considered models made from many materials, including cotton, poly-cotton, neoprene, silicone, and aramid fibers (synthetic heat-resistant fibers such as Kevlar and Nomex). Neoprene, we discovered, stinks and can melt at very high temperatures, so we recommend avoiding it. Otherwise, any material can work fine, depending on other factors, like thickness. Most of our picks combine waterproof silicone (to keep you from getting burned on a damp mitt), with an inner layer of comfortable, insulating cotton or poly-cotton.

Comfort and maneuverability: Pot holders and oven mitts need to be comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver, and not so bulky that they get in the way when you try to grab a pot lid. According to McDermott, a grippy exterior is paramount for some cooks—if the material of the mitt or pot holder is too slick, you’re more likely to drop a hot pan. Silicone mitts are particularly grippy, but we found them uncomfortable to use unless they have a fabric liner. We also aimed to find mitts, holders, and gloves that could fit a range of hand sizes and mobility levels.

Functionality and aesthetic: We also looked for oven mitts and pot holders with a loop for hanging, so you can hang them near your stove, always at the ready. Assuming they’ll be hung on display in your kitchen, we also wanted them to be decent looking and available in a variety of colors, though ultimately we favored protection over aesthetics.

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How we tested

In our tests, we timed how long each of our contenders was able to protect our hands from heat while we lifted a 400 °F or 450 °F, 12-inch cast-iron skillet by the handle (we upped the temperature in our 2024 tests). This is a particularly extreme, somewhat subjective test, relying on the tester’s physical strength and heat endurance—because the skillet is so heavy, it presses hard into your hand, and you feel the heat quickly. Although this test helped us evaluate the limits of each item, in real life you’ll usually be lifting lighter things and be able to hold them for even longer.

Over the years, we’ve had a range of people with hands of varying sizes try on our contenders, including a group of paid testers representing a range of needs and experience in the kitchen. Some have limited dexterity or hand strength, some have low vision, and some use a wheelchair or walker. Some are under 5 feet tall or over 6 feet tall. We sought their opinions on appropriate sizing, dexterity, and comfort.

Finally, we put all of the mitts, gloves, and pot holders into the washing machine to see how easy they were to clean and if they shrank or changed after washing.

The best pot holder: OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder

Top pick

This pot holder has a silicone exterior that provides better heat protection than plain terry-cloth pot holders.

Buying Options

While pot holders might not protect the entire back of your hand or your arm like mitts do, they’re easier to grab in a hurry and are less clunky for little tasks like lifting a pot lid or holding a skillet handle. They can also double as trivets. The OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder provided even better heat protection than our oven mitt pick, and its large, oval shape made it a great fit for most testers. We found it easy to handle and clean.

It kept our hands well insulated. The silicone exterior of the OXO pot holder, combined with the cotton and polyester lining, formed a powerful barrier between a screaming-hot skillet and our hands. We were able to lift a 450 °F cast-iron skillet with two hands for about 13 seconds longer than we could with the mitt (for a total of 53 seconds).

The silicone side is also water-resistant, so the pot holder is less likely to get damp and burn you from heat transfer.

It sports a functional pocket and hanging loop. The OXO pot holder has a silicone ring attached to a cloth loop for hanging and a pocket on the back to slide your hand into.

The backside of the pocket isn’t as heat-resistant as the pot holder’s silicone front (it’s just a layer of fabric), but it at least protects the top of your hand if you accidentally brush against the side of the oven.

It’s generously sized. The OXO pot holder is larger than some of the other pot holders we tested, which means it offers more coverage but a bit less agility. While the layers of material make it a bit stiffer than some terry-cloth pot holders we tested and the larger size can be a little more awkward to use, we were still able to grasp pot lids with ease.

Our testers appreciated that its rounded corners made it less likely to dip an edge into food or a stovetop flame. The silicone also helps provide a secure grip.

It’s sturdy and easy to clean. Like our other picks, the OXO pot holder is machine-washable. According to OXO, it’s heat resistant up to 450 °F, and as with all OXO gear, it’s backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

But it only comes in a few basic colors, which are not as attractive as the wide-ranging shades our other pot-holder pick comes in.

Another great pot holder: KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder

Also great

This pot holder is larger and more rectangular than our top pick, and it comes in a wide range of colors. A seam in the hand pocket makes gripping pans easier.

The KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder offers top-tier protection paired with good looks. It outperformed the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder in terms of heat protection thanks to the thick, ribbed silicone padding on one side. But it’s stiffer than the OXO model, and its corners make it more prone to getting in the way on the stovetop.

A unique hand pocket gives you more control. Where many pot holders have a simple pocket that fits the whole hand, this one sports a small seam stitched part way down the center of the holder. Two of your four longest fingers can go on each side of the seam, which gives your hand an added bit of security.

Some testers said the seam made the pot holder feel a little more restricting if you’re used to the wider pockets that come on models like the OXO pot holder. But overall we liked that the seam made this pot holder feel more fitted and easy to handle. The ribbed silicone also helps you maintain a firm grip, with the grooves helping to keep pans from sliding around.

It’s a sharp-looking mitt with lots of color options. We also really appreciated the aesthetic of this pot holder; its simple squared edges and monochrome color design make it a handsome addition to any kitchen.

It comes in a variety of muted, trendy colors as well as brighter options, many of which match the colors of KitchenAid’s other products. This is especially nice given how affordable these holders are for a pack of two. (KitchenAid also makes a mitt that matches this pot holder, but it didn’t protect our hands from heat as well as our pick.)

Its material and shape could be clunky for some. While this pot holder’s thicker material means you’ll be well insulated from a hot pan, it’s a little less bendy overall than the OXO pot holder.

Also, because the pot holder is rectangular, its corners could get in the way while cooking. Some testers worried that the protruding corners could dip into food or touch a gas flame if you’re not careful. But the corners do add more surface area that can be helpful when you use the pot holder as a trivet.

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The best oven gloves: Grill Armor Gloves

Also great

These gloves offer more dexterity than a mitt or a pot holder, but they’re less heatproof. We like that they come in three sizes.

The Grill Armor Gloves provided the best maneuverability and dexterity compared with the other oven mitts and pot holders we tested. They aren’t as heat-resistant as our other picks, but they still work well for quick tasks like removing pot lids or grabbing something from the microwave.

They offer decent protection, but for a shorter time. According to the manufacturer, these cotton and polyamide gloves are heat-resistant to 932 °F for 12 to 14 seconds. In our tests, we were able to lift a 450 °F cast-iron skillet with two hands for about that long using these gloves (though you should be able to hold lighter items for a bit longer).

The fit is workable, but the gloves are a little large and harder to slip on. Gloves generally take longer to slip on compared with a traditional oven mitt or pot holder, which isn’t ideal if you’re making a mad dash to pull out that bubbling casserole from the oven. But at least the Grill Armor Gloves have grippy silicone lines painted on both sides, so you don’t have to pay attention to which hand you’re putting them on.

The gloves come in three sizes, as well as a long-cuffed option, but the fingers are large across the board. Most of our testers had room to spare around their fingers, even when wearing the size that fit them best. But for the most part it didn’t impede their dexterity.

They leave most of your arms exposed. We like the Grill Armor Gloves because they have a longer cuff than many similar oven gloves, but they still don’t offer as much arm coverage as oven mitts we recommend. Pie expert and cookbook author Kate McDermott told us, “I’ve actually gotten rack burns from [the Grill Armor Gloves] too as I had to get my arms in the oven further to get a good grip with my fingertips on the edges of the pie pan.” She said her solution was to pull the oven rack out slightly before retrieving an item.

A helpful handle cover: Monkey Business Penne Pan Grip

Also great

If you want protection that keeps your whole hand free, this cover slips directly onto a pan handle, allowing you to maneuver a pot or skillet safely.

Buying Options

The silicone Monkey Business Penne Pan Grip is a great option if you’re looking for a fitted, streamlined model that directly covers a hot pan handle. With a handle cover, you don’t risk bunchy material or drooping corners getting in the way of a good grip (or grazing an open flame).

We were pleasantly surprised by its excellent heat protection. It was one of the best performers in our tests, even when compared with models in other categories; it kept our hands comfortable holding a hot cast iron for well over a minute. This is likely due to the thickness of the silicone, which has ridges on both the interior and exterior, putting more distance between your hand and the heat without adding too much bulk or stiffness.

It fits a wide range of handles. We appreciate the length of the cover (almost 7 inches), which can cover a significant section of even the longest handle.

It’s a straight, not-too-wide cylinder shape with a closed end, which made it easy to slide on and off a handle quickly with one hand. Other holders with a more fitted shape required us to grip the pan with both hands to push the cover onto the handle, which is tricky if the pan is already hot.

The trade-off is that the Penne Pan Grip fits handles a bit loosely. The well-placed inner grooves help you maintain a steady grip, but some testers noticed you do have to squeeze firmly to make sure the cover doesn’t slide around. (If you prefer a more contoured cover that will fit firmly to a curved handle, check out the Other good mitts and handle covers.)

It’s durable and easy to clean. The all-silicone handle is dishwasher-safe. It fared well when we washed it and didn’t show any signs of damage or scarring after being squeezed against a piping hot pan handle.

It doesn’t fit everyone’s taste and needs. While we think its penne-pasta shape is a cute bonus, we know it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. And, of course, a handle cover is less versatile than the other models in this guide. If you need to lift a pan with two hands, the Penne Pan Grip requires you to use a supplementary mitt, holder, or glove.

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Other good mitts and handle covers

If you want an extra-thick mitt and are willing to pay for the upgrade: The Williams Sonoma Ultimate Oven Mitt outperformed our top pick in our heat test, allowing us to hold the hot skillet for about 14 seconds longer, and its size fit a wide variety of hands. Its silicone outer layer is a little thicker than other mitts, but it’s the mitt’s inner padding that adds extra protection.

We do think its thick build will help these mitts to last longer than other pricier mitts we’ve tested. But Williams Sonoma sells this mitt individually for $20, the same price for a pair of the Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts. So if you’d like a pair, you need to spend $40.

Also, the thick material makes the mitt a little clunkier and more restrictive than our top pick. (Our paid testers with dexterity or mobility limitations preferred the mitts for their flexibility.) The Williams Sonoma mitt also has a metal grommet in the cuff for hanging, which could get hot.

If you want a tight-fitting handle cover paired with a helper handle grip: The All-Clad Silicone Grips Set offered some of the best heat protection of any model during our tests. This affordable pair of grips includes one cushy cover for a stick handle and another grip that fits over a helper handle or the edge of a pan (or even doubles as a normal pot holder). The handle cover is curved and fits tightly over a handle, so it might feel more secure to grip than the straight, loose, Monkey Business Penne Pan Grip. But it’s slightly shorter than our pick, and it’s difficult to slide on and off handles in a pinch. We also worry that food might catch in its grooved texture easily, requiring frequent washing.

What about kitchen towels?

Many cooks, including professional chefs working in fast-paced kitchens, like using a kitchen towel to pick up hot pots and pans. You likely already have these in your kitchen, and they’re a great multipurpose item. In our tests, our top pick for kitchen towels, the Williams Sonoma All Purpose Pantry Towel, allowed us to hold a hot pan for longer than any glove or mitt we tested when folded over three times. (Even generic towels from Amazon tended to offer very solid heat protection if folded into several layers.) If you want protection that’s adaptable or moldable, kitchen towels could be the best choice for you.

Although we appreciate the flexibility of using kitchen towels, they aren’t without flaws. You have to make sure the towel is folded correctly before reaching for a hot item, which can take more time than grabbing a pot holder. An improperly folded towel can lead to burns or may flop onto a heating element or an open flame, posing a fire hazard.

You can also severely burn your hand if the towel is wet—and because you’ll likely also use towels to wipe messes and dry spills when cooking, they’re more likely to be damp than a mitt.

The competition

Oven mitts

The Food52 Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts, which are handsome and well padded, used to be a pick in this guide, but long-term testing revealed it was hard for cooks with larger hands to fit inside the gloves. We also heard reports that the thin silicone exterior was prone to developing holes over time.

The KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt matches the brand’s pot holder that we recommend, and it fits a variety of hand shapes. However, it was middle of the pack in terms of heat protection, its arm cavity was a little short, and it’s not machine-washable.

The Gorilla Grip Oven Mitts offered decent heat protection, but the mitt’s sizing was tight and uncomfortable on a wide range of people. They also aren’t machine-washable.

The Hedley & Bennett Oven Mitts might make a good option if you’re searching for an all-cloth mitt. But they don’t protect your hands from heat for as long as silicone mitts, they’re a little smaller than our picks, and our paid testers found them bulky and stiff.

The KitchenAid Asteroid Mini Oven Mitts are another mostly cloth option, and they protected us from heat for less time than their silicone-covered counterparts. They’re also very small; even smaller-handed testers felt they didn’t fit well.

The San Jamar 17″ BestGrip Oven Mitt enabled us to hold a 400 °F cast-iron skillet for nearly 30 seconds. However, we’ve read reviews that the stitching unravels. We also noticed that the neoprene began to smell and smoke well below its advertised maximum heat-safe temperature of 500 °F.

Though we could hold a hot skillet for 13 to 15 seconds with the San Jamar 15″ Cool Touch Oven Mitt, we found it exceptionally bulky.

Pot holders

Although the Food 52 Five Two Silicone Pot Holders are attractive, they’re not a practical size or shape. They’re smaller than the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder, and they don’t have a large pocket you can safely slide your hand into. During testing, we felt as if our hands could slip out of their protective pockets at any time, so it was difficult for us to hold anything for long periods.

The San Jamar 7″ × 7″ UltiGrips Hot Pad allowed us to hold the handle of a 400 °F cast-iron skillet for roughly 15 seconds. However, after long-term testing, we noticed that the neoprene-like material smelled terrible when holding hot items. It also melted slightly and began to smoke well below its advertised maximum heat-safe temperature of 500 °F.

Our team unanimously disliked the San Jamar EZ-Kleen Hot Pad, which has a sticky, grippy outer coating that feels similar to flypaper. The wrist strap was also too wide for nearly everyone’s hands.

In our tests, we could hold a 400 °F skillet for about eight to 10 seconds using the Ritz Terry Potholders, which was about half as long as we could stand to hold the pan with the OXO pot holder.

The Ritz Royale Collection Potholders offered decent protection considering they are an all-cloth holder, but their small size and even smaller hand pockets make them suitable only for cooks with small hands.

Oven gloves

The ‘Ove’ Glove (sold here as a single glove, Michael Jackson–style) isn’t as long as some of the other oven gloves we tested, so it offers less forearm protection.

Lanon Liquid Silicone Gloves intrigued us with their sci-fi look and bold marketing that touts a very high heat tolerance, but they were unable to protect hands from heat for long. They’re also not machine-washable, so they’re not worth the higher price.

The G & F Products Dupont Nomex & Kevlar Heat Resistant Gloves (also sold as a single glove) protected our hands from heat for only about 6 seconds. They also have less silicone coating than the Grill Armor Gloves we recommend.

Handle covers

The Lodge Hot Handle Holders were easy to slide on and off and seemed sturdily built, but they didn’t protect our hands from heat for that long since they were made solely from fabric.

This article was edited by Marguerite Preston and Marilyn Ong.

The 7 Best Oven Mitts, Tested and Reviewed

Pros

They’re affordable, protective, and flexible enough to provide plenty of grip.

Cons

They can't handle the ultra-high heat of broiling or grilling.

This pair of mitts from Big Red House remains our top overall pick because of its versatility, performance, and comfort. It features a cotton exterior and polyester lining, with an added rubberized texture that provides a similar grip as silicone without losing too much flexibility. In my tests, I was able to grab pot handles, lids, casserole dishes, and even a pre-heated Dutch oven without feeling the heat seep through the mitts. Their streamlined fit means less of a chance of catching them on anything, making them an excellent choice for safety. They can be machine-washed and laid flat to dry if they need cleaning. Plus, they’re affordable and happen to come in a handful of fun colors that can coordinate with your kitchen decor.

Dimensions: 12.5 x 7 inches | Materials: Polyester, cotton, silicone | Machine-Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 480°F

Pros

Silicone protects hands well, and they’re available in a variety of colors.

Cons

They’re not machine-washable.

At under $20 a pair, this silicone set from KitchenAid is a fantastic option if you’re not looking to spend too much on a pair of oven mitts. Made of soft silicone, they come in an array of colors that you can coordinate with your existing kitchen decor or linens. The silicone exterior covers most of the 13-inch mitt, save for the small cotton cuff, so your hands stay well protected. During my tests, I was able to grip loop handles on a casserole dish and maneuver baking cookie sheets with ease, with almost no heat transfer. While they aren’t machine-washable, they’re easy to wipe down, and feature hanging loops for storage when not in use.

Dimensions: 13 x 7 inches | Materials: Polyester, cotton, silicone | Machine-Washable: No | Maximum Temperature: 500°F

Pros

These combine a nice fit with stylish and luxurious fabric, and they’re machine-washable.

Cons

The linen-cotton blend is more susceptible to staining, and they’re sold as single mitts only.

If there’s such a thing as an elegant oven mitt, it’s this one from Hawkins New York. Made of high-quality linen, it comes in a handful of subdued, earthy hues that look fantastic next to olivewood bowls, marble trivets, and stoneware. Most importantly, it performed well during testing, standing up to hot pot handles and providing adequate protection for grabbing a casserole from the oven. This traditionally styled mitt retains a lot of flexibility, which silicone mitts don’t always offer. They let me have a solid grip on a heavy lasagna pan, while the cuffs protected my wrists from heat. Note that this mitt is sold a la carte, so if you’re looking for a pair, you’ll have to add two to your cart. It would also make an excellent host gift for a home cook who appreciates aesthetics.

Dimensions: 14 x 6 inches | Materials: Linen, cotton | Machine-Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: Not specified

Pros

They’re flexible with a grippy texture, and the longer length protects more of the arm.

Cons

They’re on the pricier side.

This versatile mitt from Food52 is made from silicone, offering plenty of protection against higher temperatures, up to 650°F. The extended cotton cuff provides additional coverage, shielding the entire forearm against a hot pan, while the interior is soft terry. The silicone has a grid pattern that offers an extra grippy surface, which I found useful when grabbing a hot saucepan’s handle. I also liked the flexibility of the silicone on these mitt — they gave me a very secure grip on anything I held, from a lasagna pan to a heavy Dutch oven lid. They’re easy to clean since they can be wiped down or machine-washed, and they hold up well in the machine. Hanging loops and magnets in the mitts make them easy to store. And while I wouldn’t recommend them for grilling (go for a grill glove instead), they stand up to just about any high heat in the kitchen, justifying their higher but not unreasonable price tag.

Dimensions: 15 x 7 inches | Materials: Cotton, silicone | Machine-Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 650°F

Pros

They’re versatile with excellent flexibility and heat safe up to 650°F.

Cons

They’re sold individually, so a pair is pricey compared to others we tested.

Similar to the Food52 mitts above, the Williams Sonoma Ultimate Oven Mitt pairs a silicone exterior with an extended cuff for maximum coverage. It’s heat-safe to 650°F, making it ideal for reaching into the oven with a meat thermometer, testing a cake for doneness, or handling a preheated Dutch oven prepped as a bread-baking chamber. The cuff is made of durable cotton canvas and has a grommeted hole for hanging, while the interior has a soft quilted lining. The silicone section felt flexible and gave me a tight grip on saucepan handles and the knob of a hot Dutch oven lid. I also didn’t feel any heat when reaching into the oven to pull out a baking tray. It comes in a handful of Williams Sonoma’s signature colors, coordinating with the brand’s dish towels, aprons, and the like. You can turn it inside out and machine-wash it, but I've found spot cleaning or a wipe-down with soapy water typically does the job.

Dimensions: 7 x 15 inches | Materials: Cotton, silicone | Machine-Washable: Yes (inside out) | Maximum Temperature: 650°F

Pros

Silicone protects hands well, and the mitts are machine-washable

Cons

The fit can be awkward for those with smaller hands.

This pair of silicone mitts by GIR delivers heatproof performance at a fairly affordable price tag. It has an extended cotton cuff to protect your forearms and a soft terry lining for comfort. During testing, I found that the silicone was stiffer than others I tried, so if you have smaller hands, it’s more challenging to get a grip. I was still able to maneuver hot casserole dishes and a large Dutch oven with little difficulty, and more importantly, without any heat transfer through the mitt. To clean, the silicone can be wiped down with a sponge, but if needed, mitts can be machine-washed and dried, making them very easy to care for.

Dimensions: 13 x 7 inches | Materials: Polyester, cotton, silicone | Machine-Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: Not specified

Pros

They’re well made and available in stylish colors.

Cons

This style lessens finger dexterity, so it’s not great for gripping narrow handles.

If you’re seeking mitts for pulling baked goods from the oven, this set of two from Caraway is a solid choice. Made of thick organic cotton, these puppet-style mitts feature a thumb pocket on the underside to help grip. This design tends to restrict finger dexterity, which means it works best for grabbing trays of baked goods and casserole dishes — not so great for holding a saucepan with one hand or handling a pair of hot tongs. I tested these with a baked lasagna at 400°F, and they felt comfortable as I moved the dish from the oven and onto a trivet, but I would be iffy of using them at higher temperatures. (Caraway doesn’t give a maximum temperature.) These mitts are available in three chic colorways that complement the brand’s cookware. They’re also machine-washable, and the fabric softens after washing which helps it mold better to your hand as time goes on.

Dimensions: 12 x 6 inches | Materials: Organic cotton | Machine-Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: Not specified

How I Tested Oven Mitts

Food & Wine editors selected 11 of the best oven mitts on the market based on research and previous testing. I tested each set of oven mitts in my home kitchen, incorporating them into my regular cooking routine.

Design: I observed the overall design of each oven mitt. I evaluated each for their overall size and fit, the available colors, and the material used. I also noted how many colors and styles were available for each product.

Stovetop test: I used the oven mitts on pots and pans over the stovetop to gauge their performance as pot holders. This involved holding saucepan handles, draining water from large pots, handling pot lids, and generally using the oven mitts over hot areas of the stove.

Oven test: I also wore the oven mitts to transfer baking trays, casseroles, and heavy Dutch ovens in and out of the oven. I noted any detectable heat transfer, their ability to grip, and how practical they were in terms of safety.

Factors to Consider

Shape

Conventional oven mitts are in the shape of a mitten, with a large section for four fingers and a separate compartment for the thumb. This style of mitt doesn’t offer a ton of finger dexterity, but it is typically flexible enough to get a decent grip on pot handles, lids, and the like. Puppet-style mitts have a compartment for four fingers, but the thumb compartment is on the underside of the mitt, requiring your hand to function like a crab’s pincer. These tend to be more restrictive than their conventional counterparts, but you can use them to safely move baking dishes and trays to and from the oven. Other options include a glove-style mitt with five individual finger compartmnets. This offers the most in finger dexterity, allowing you to switch from maneuvering hot dishes and pans to using utensils without having to remove the glove entirely.

Material

Traditional oven mitts are made of some type of thick cloth, like cotton canvas or denim, padded to provide protection against heat. These tend to offer a lot of flexibility as they mold to the hand easily, allowing for a tighter grasp on smaller handles and the edges of a baking dish. Overly padded cloth mitts, however, can also be bulky and rigid depending on how thick they are.

Silicone is another option for oven mitts because of its high heat resistance and easy maintenance. If selecting a silicone mitt, check to ensure the silicone is not so stiff that it prevents you from getting a good grip on pans and handles. Additional texture on a silicone mitt can give additional grip that may come in handy especially if a pan is wet or greasy.

Temperature Resistance

All of the mitts we’ve listed here are for indoor use, with varying maximums between 350°F and 650°F. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specs to note your mitts’ maximum heat threshold to prevent burns. For reaching into an oven when using high heat (i.e. the broiler or prepping a Dutch oven for bread baking), opt for a mitt that can withstand at least 500°F, which will most likely be made of silicone or a silicone-fabric hybrid. For outdoor use on grills and pizza ovens, look for grilling mitts that are rated for temperatures up to 900°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my oven mitts?

The easiest answer is to check the oven mitt’s care tag, but if that isn’t available, most all-fabric mitts can be machine-washed and laid flat to dry. Mitts made of silicone and cloth may also be machine washable, but some are designated as “wipe clean only”. Be sure to read the care instructions for your particular mitt and follow them.

Can you use a towel as an oven mitt?

Technically, yes, but it isn’t the safest option. Even a folded dishcloth may not provide adequate protection from heat or a secure grip. A kitchen towel’s dangling ends may also be prone to catching fire or snagging on a pot handle. Moreover, if your kitchen towel is even slightly damp, it can cause an instant steam burn if it comes in contact with a hot handle or baking dish. The best course of action is to use the appropriate tool — an oven mitt or pot holder — instead.

Are silicone oven mitts safe to use?

Totally. Food-grade silicone kitchen implements can handle a large temperature range and are famously easy to maintain, as long as you stay within their specified care guidelines.

What’s the best material for oven mitts?

It depends on your personal preferences and cooking needs. The best material for oven mitts is one that is thick enough to insulate your hand from the heat, but not so thick that you can't control your grip. You may want a set of cloth mitts for general use and a silicone set for working with higher temperatures. It’s a great idea to try both cloth and silicone versions to see what you’re most comfortable with.

Other Oven Mitts I Tested

Le Creuset Oven Mitt ($50 each at Amazon)

In terms of heat protection, this mitt performed beautifully. I love the extended, closed cuff that kept most of my forearm well-protected against hot pans or handles. It's unnecessarily expensive for a single mitt, but it could make a great gift for a die-hard Le Creuset fan.

Dusen Dusen Oven Mitt ($29 each at Revolve)

This mitt’s vibrant stripes make it a fun addition to any kitchen, but the puppet-style silhouette made it difficult to securely grasp smaller, narrower handles. It’s generously sized, which can be great for those with large hands, but it’s impractical for anyone with a smaller grip. It did well against heat, as it’s heatproof to 400°F and machine-washable, but it’s pricier than its performance and versatility warrant.

OXO Good Grips Silicone Oven Mitt ($15 each at Amazon)

We’re big fans of OXO, but sadly, this mitt fell short. While the silicone section has added texture for grip, it was also very stiff, making it difficult for me to grab the loop handles of a casserole dish or a saucepan handle. The cuff is also on the narrow side, which may not work for someone with larger forearms.

Hedley & Bennett Oven Mitts ($30 a set at Hedley & Bennett)

I wanted to love these mitts for their vibrant colors and sturdy build, but I found them to be very difficult to use. Their thicker design protected my hands from the heat but also kept me from getting a secure grasp on anything, including something as simple to carry as a baking tray. Even after one wash, they still felt too bulky and rigid, especially when compared to other mitts with a similar design.

We Tested 13 Oven Mitts and Pot Holders and Found 4 That'll Keep Your Hands Cool

I would venture a guess that if you cook, you know the pain of burning your hand on a frying pan or singeing your forearm as you pull a sheet pan out of the oven. If that’s you, welcome: We are all members of the not-so-pleasant club marked by kitchen battle wounds. And because friends look out for each other, I tested 13 different oven mitts and pot holders to keep hands and forearms safe while cooking. I examined their grip, heat resistance, and functionality and found four winners that'll let you grab a hot pot or skillet without fear of getting singed.

The Tests

Dexterity Test: I used each product to grab and use kitchen tongs, rotate casserole dishes, move sheet trays, and lift heavy pots from my stovetop. I assessed how easy it was to keep a secure grasp and if I could easily adjust my grip. I looked for a snug fit and secure grip that offered good flexibility. I also had my spouse try on the mitts to account for a variety of hand sizes.

Heat Protection Test: I set my oven to 425ºF and let a cast iron skillet preheat in it for 10 minutes. After removing the skillet from the hot oven, I used an infrared thermometer to check the handle temperature, which read around 330ºF. I tested each mitt’s heat protection by grasping the handle of the hot skillet, timing how long it took until I began to feel heat through the mitt and when that heat became uncomfortable.

Real-World Test: Once there were a few standouts, I kept the top contenders handy in my kitchen for real-world, everyday use. I bake often and use our air fryer toaster oven multiple times a day, so I rotated through the stack to make sure they all got some hands-on use for my typical kitchen tasks. I washed them, too.

What We Learned

What’s the Difference Between an Oven Mitt and a Pot Holder?

The goal of an oven mitt or pot holder is to protect your hands and arms from hot surfaces (and therefore painful burns) while cooking. Both can technically be used in any situation where you need a barrier between your skin and a hot surface, but the glove-like design of the oven mitt provides better grip and flexibility. Alternatively, a pot holder is flat, often with a built-in pocket. They may not have the same kind of flexibility as with a mitt, but the lower profile design is less bulky, which can be nice for storage and grabbing smaller handles or rims. It can also be used as a trivet.

Oven Mitts Provided More Control

Generally speaking, oven mitts offer much better grip and versatility than pot holders. In addition to the flexibility that comes with having a mitten-style fit, they also protected my forearms from heat, giving me more freedom to reach in and out of ovens or across a hot stovetop. At 15 inches long, the Food52 and Williams Sonoma oven mitts are both great options if you need to reach into the oven to lift a heavy casserole dish, and would offer nice coverage when grilling, too. The OXO oven mitt was a little shorter at 13 inches but had a more snug fit, so I was still able to confidently reach into a hot oven. My spouse first thought that the OXO felt too snug, but when he compared its grip with a looser mitt, he agreed that the tighter fit gave him more control.

Silicone Offered the Best Heat Protection

Silicone performed the strongest in the heat protection test, and the OXO and Crate & Barrel pot holders stood out in particular. Somehow, despite their thinner profile, I was able to comfortably hold onto the skillet for almost a full minute before needing to let go. Every other product lasted 30 seconds or less. I’m sorry to say the KitchenAid oven mitt had abysmal results, failing at around seven seconds, certainly not long enough for removing a dish from the oven and transporting it to a dining table in the next room.

While silicone was best for heat protection, not all silicone options performed the same. For example, the Gorilla Grip and HOMWE mitts were extremely slippery, and the KitchenAid and Big Red House, which are primarily fabric with added silicone grips, were also slick. The KitchenAid pot holder and Food52 oven mitts were far and away grippiest silicone options. In the case of the KitchenAid pot holders, the product listing states that the silicone is “waterproof for additional protection,” which I suspect is the reason behind its epic anti-slip grip. My theory about the Food52 silicone is that the checkerboard texture contributes to its success.

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