The Best Pot Holders

To our dismay, we found that many of the models weren’t protective. Two became uncomfortably hot in every test. Others were fine if we were handling thin, lightweight bakeware but failed miserably when we handled heavy Dutch ovens and skillets.

To better understand our testers’ impressions, we performed a controlled test. After affixing lab-grade thermometer probes to the pot holders on the side where a user’s hand would be, we set them on the counter and placed a hot cast-iron skillet atop each pot holder. The performance differences among the nine pot holders were dramatic—and they mirrored our experiences in the kitchen. After 30 seconds, four of the probes’ readings were impressively cool, between 85 and 95 degrees. The probe underneath the worst-performing model was registering nearly double that, 163 degrees. We weren’t surprised—when we tried gripping the hot skillet handle with this same model, we had to let go of it 5 seconds later, not enough time to safely transfer a blazing-hot skillet from the oven to the stovetop. The best models stayed comfortably cool for 15 seconds or longer.

Although the three worst-performing holders were made from different materials (suede, terry cloth cotton, and silicone-coated fabric), they had one important trait in common: They were the thinnest holders in our lineup. The models we tested ranged from 3.0 millimeters to 9.3 millimeters thick, and we found that those thicker than 4.4 millimeters, no matter their material, performed well in our heat tests. Note, however, that many models can become damaged or even melt when exposed to too much heat for too long. Silicone will start to break down if it spends more than 30 seconds above 500 degrees, while aramid can withstand 30-second exposures to 900. We don’t recommend using pot holders of any material as trivets under very hot cookware or bakeware.

After evaluating safety, we turned our focus to testing the holders’ maneuverability. We confirmed that flexibility was key, as two of the models were too rigid to allow us to securely grip a variety of pans. One pair was made from thick, padded fabric, and the other pair was made from cotton with silicone panels attached. Both pairs sometimes slid in our hands, leaving us pinching the middle of the holders with our fingertips and resulting in the pot holders ending up in our food.

Mishaps like these led to our next round of tests—checking to see how easy the pot holders were to keep clean. We brushed them with turmeric-spiked marinara sauce and found that most were prone to not only staining but also fading slightly with repeated laundering. We would much rather use pot holders that stay clean and require less frequent washing.

The best pot holders felt secure in our hands and stayed out of the food we were maneuvering. One of these models was made of supergrippy neoprene, which clung tightly to our hands. Our other favorites had pockets into which we could push our fingertips, ensuring a close, secure grip on whatever we were holding.

The good news is that we found two styles of pot holders to recommend—one pair with pockets and one pair without. The overall winner is the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder. These pocketed holders sport a solid sheet of silicone on one side and fabric on the other, and they protected not only our hands but also our wrists. Our runner-up pair, the San Jamar UltiGrips Hot Pads, are simply flat, double-sided squares that were exceptionally simple to use. The testers who liked these holders noted that they used them without pausing to slide them onto their hands or orienting them a certain way. Made from neoprene rubber, they were very grippy and felt secure in testers’ hands while offering top-notch heat protection.