Stop scrubbing sauce off your microwave ceiling
Every microwave splatter is a coating you'll be chiseling off later, and paper towels just move the mess around instead of stopping it.
A real splatter cover vents steam so food heats evenly instead of turning rubbery, seals tight enough to block grease without smothering the dish, and survives a dishwasher cycle without warping. The gap between a good one and a bad one shows up fast: cheap flat lids trap condensation and drip it right back onto your food, while a vented dome or a suction-seal lid handles both jobs without babysitting the microwave.
- Vented beats sealed for reheating A cover with steam vents keeps rice, pasta, and casseroles from turning soggy, while fully sealed lids trap condensation that drips back onto the food.
- Suction lids double as storage Silicone lids that seal on rim contact work on mismatched bowls and plates, so they replace both a splatter guard and a set of storage lids.
- Size the cover to the dish, not the microwave A 6-inch lid on a 10-inch plate leaves the edges exposed; match cover diameter to your most-used dishes rather than buying whatever fits your microwave’s turntable.
- Cookware with a matched lid skips the extra purchase A bowl that comes with its own tight lid, like tempered glass mixing bowls, handles splatter control without needing a separate cover in the drawer.
Best Overall: Tovolo Microwave Splatter Cover for Food, Medium (Charcoal)
Vented silicone dome releases steam while it heats, so leftovers stay evenly warmed instead of soggy, then collapses flat to 0.75″ for easy drawer sto
- Steam vents keep reheated leftovers from getting soggy or rubbery
- Folds flat to under an inch, so it doesn’t hog drawer space like a rigid dome
- Handle stays cool enough to grab straight out of the microwave
- Fits most standard dinner plates and mid-size bowls without shifting
- Medium size won’t cover a large casserole dish or platter
- Charcoal color shows dried-on sauce splatter more than clear covers
- Collapsible ribs can trap food debris in the folds if not rinsed right away
Best Budget: Silicone Microwave Mats, 12" Extra Large (2-Pack)
446°F heat-resistant silicone mat doubles as a splatter cover and trivet, so one $12 two-pack replaces both a plate cover and pot holders.
- Two mats for the price of most single-item splatter covers
- Heat resistance up to 446°F means it also works as a hot pot trivet
- Large enough to sit under a mixing bowl or plate, catching drips on the turntable itself
- Rolls or stacks flat for storage, unlike rigid domes
- Flat mat design doesn’t fully enclose food, so it stops turntable drips more than airborne splatter
- No handle or lip, so lifting a hot mat off the turntable means grabbing the edges directly
- Black color absorbs and shows grease stains over time
Best Value: Charles Viancin Poppy Silicone Lid (6 Inch)
Silicone lid suctions airtight onto any smooth-rimmed bowl or plate without a matching lid, blocking splatters while it reheats or cooks in the microw
- Suctions onto glass, ceramic, or ceramic-coated bowls without needing a matching lid
- Works past the microwave — goes in the oven, freezer, and fridge for storage
- Flower-petal design flexes to seal slightly uneven or chipped rims
- One lid replaces both a splatter guard and a food storage cover
- 6-inch size only fits small bowls and ramekins, not full plates
- Airtight seal means no steam venting, so it can trap condensation on longer reheats
- Requires a genuinely smooth rim; textured or scalloped bowls won’t seal well
Best for Microwave Cookware: Pyrex Smart Essentials 4-Quart Glass Mixing Bowl
Non-porous Pyrex glass won’t absorb food odors or stains like plastic covers can, and the clear body lets you watch food heat through the included lid
- Glass doesn’t absorb food odors or turn cloudy the way plastic covers do after repeated use
- Included lid means one purchase replaces a bowl and a splatter cover
- Clear body lets you watch food heat through without opening the microwave
- 4-quart size handles big-batch reheating that smaller covers can’t accommodate
- Heavier and bulkier than any silicone cover, takes up real cabinet space
- Glass can crack if moved straight from freezer to microwave without a warm-up step
- Lid isn’t vented, so longer heats can build pressure and need a quick crack to release steam
Best Premium: Charles Viancin Lilypad Lid, Extra Large 13"
13″ silicone lid seals large stockpots and mixing bowls airtight to contain splatters, handling extremes from 428°F down to -40°F for cooking or freez
- 13-inch span covers large mixing bowls and platters that smaller lids can’t reach
- Handles both high heat and deep freezing, useful for meal prep that goes straight from freezer to microwave
- Airtight seal keeps sauces and marinades from leaking during transport or storage
- Same flexible petal design as the smaller Poppy lid, so it seals on uneven rims too
- Priced well above the other covers here for what is still just a lid
- 13 inches is overkill for single servings or standard dinner plates
- No vents, so it needs to be cracked open on longer or higher-power reheats
Side-by-side comparison
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Best Overall
Tovolo Microwave Splatter Cover for Food, Medium (
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Best Budget
Silicone Microwave Mats, 12" Extra Large Multi-Use
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Best Value
Charles Viancin – Poppy Silicone Lid for Food Stor
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Best for Microwave Cookware
Pyrex Smart Essentials 4-Quart Glass Mixing Bowl
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Best Premium
Charles Viancin Lilypad Lid – Extra Large 13"
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| Cover Type | Collapsible dome | Flat multi-use mat | Suction lid | Glass bowl + lid | Suction lid |
| Size | Medium plate/bowl | 12" (2-pack) | 6" diameter | 4-quart bowl | 13" diameter |
| Vents Steam | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone | Tempered glass | Silicone |
| Price | $9.99 | $11.19 | $19.97 | – | $35.50 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
What to look for in Microwave Splatter Covers and Cookware
Is it safe to put silicone splatter covers in the microwave?
Yes, food-grade BPA-free silicone is microwave-safe and won’t leach chemicals or melt at normal microwave temperatures. Check that the specific product states BPA-free and microwave-safe, since some silicone blends are rated for lower heat than others.
Should I use a vented cover or an airtight lid for reheating leftovers?
Use a vented cover for anything with rice, pasta, or breading, since trapped steam turns those soggy. Airtight suction lids work fine for sauces, soups, or short reheats where you want moisture retained rather than released.
Can these covers double as food storage lids in the fridge?
Suction-seal lids like the Charles Viancin Poppy and Lilypad work as storage lids on any bowl with a smooth rim, going straight from fridge to microwave without switching containers. Vented domes and flat mats are built for reheating, not airtight storage.
How do I get dried sauce or cheese off a silicone splatter cover?
Soak it in warm soapy water for a few minutes to loosen dried residue, then scrub with a soft brush to reach vents and folds. Most silicone covers are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, which handles baked-on splatter better than hand washing alone.
The bottom line
- Tovolo Microwave Splatter Cover: the vented, collapsible pick that should be in every kitchen drawer.
- Silicone Microwave Mats (2-Pack): the cheapest way to protect your turntable and get a trivet along with it.
- Charles Viancin Poppy Lid: the most versatile single item, doubling as a splatter guard and storage lid.
- Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl: skips the cover question entirely with a bowl-and-lid combo built for reheating.
- Charles Viancin Lilypad Lid: the oversized option for stockpots and platters when smaller lids won't reach.
The Tovolo splatter cover is the right default purchase — it vents properly, folds flat, and costs under $10. If you’re reheating in bulk, skip the separate cover entirely and use the Pyrex bowl with its own lid instead.
