The best oven mitts

• The best oven mitts provide excellent dexterity, protect your hands from burns, and will last for many years to come.
• The Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts cover all the bases, plus, they're easy to clean and keep your forearms protected from scalding-hot liquids or when you're reaching deep into the oven.

Whether you tried to grab a hot cast-iron skillet with a wet cotton pot holder or you were helping a mageirocophobic friend use their oven for the first time and had to make do with a beach towel, anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the kitchen has been burned by bad oven mitts. Fortunately, there are several low-cost solutions that will protect you from all degrees of burns.

For the purposes of this guide, we are essentially looking at all types of oven mitts, gloves, and pot holders that were created for the express purpose of handling hot cookware safely. Each style has its own benefits and pitfalls, so you'll want to choose which kind of protection is best for your needs.

Oven mitts are a favorite because they tend to cover your hands and the forearms, giving you extra protection when reaching into an oven. The downside is that they are bulkier. Pot holders are preferred by many because they are small and easy to grab in a hurry. Finally, oven gloves are the top choice for people who want dexterity above all else.

Silicone is one of the most popular materials used in oven mitts these days because it provides a combination of heat protection and grip. Aramid fibers, like Nomex and Kevlar, are also found in the high-end options. These materials were designed for superior protection from burns. Terry cloth and quilted cotton continue to be popular for pot holders.

We found the best oven mitts were made from a combination of materials. For instance, there are several mitts that have a silicone exterior and cotton liner. Many of the top oven gloves are made with aramid fibers and have silicone elements throughout.

While researching the best oven mitts, we considered dozens of different options. Some were highly rated by experts but had bad reviews from the buyers who actually used them. The mitts and pot holders that made our list are considered superior by professionals and amateur home chefs alike because of their durability, heat protection, and flexibility.

• Best overall: Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts
• Best oven gloves: Grill Armor Gloves
• Best Kevlar oven mitt: San Jamar Kool-Tek Nomex Oven Mitt
• Best silicone pot holder: OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder

Prices and links are current as of 5/20/20. We added a product showcase at the top of the guide to give you the best snapshot of our picks. We also added more purchase options for several products on the list so you can choose which retailer you'd like to shop from.