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The Best Cotton Potholder

Last updated on October 11, 2021

We looked at the top 13 Cotton Potholders and dug through the reviews from 48 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Cotton Potholders.

Best Cotton Potholder

Our Review Process

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Cooking results in delectable meals that delight the taste buds and excite the sense of smell. However, it can also result in painful burns on your hands if you’re not careful. This is why a cotton potholder is such a useful and versatile kitchen item.

Often made out of quilted cotton with several layers, the potholder is used to cover your hands when you’re picking up and moving hot items like pots, pans and casserole dishes. Whether you’re cooking on the stovetop or taking something out of the oven, a potholder makes it easier and safer to complete your tasks.

One potholder covers one hand. In most cases, you’ll need to use two potholders — one for each hand — when handling hot dishes. Even if the dish you’re picking up is light and can be managed with one hand, having the extra potholder ensures you don’t burn your other hand if you accidentally touch the scalding surface of the dish.

Most potholders come in a square shape, which is typically five inches on each side. This way, the potholder is big enough to cover the full hand but small enough so it doesn’t get caught on any handles or hang on to a lit burner.

In addition to helping cooks handle hot pans and dishes, a cotton potholder has several other uses. Depending on the size of the pan and the size of the potholder, it can be used as a trivet. This way, you can protect your table from the hot surface of the pan. Potholders can also act as coasters for any dishes that have moisture on the outside, absorbing the liquid and keeping your table clean. You can also use them as a spoon rest while cooking.

Our Picks For The Top Cotton Potholders

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

DII Machine Washable & Heat Resistant Cotton Potholder, 3-Piece

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DII

Machine Washable & Heat Resistant Cotton Potholder, 3-Piece

The high-quality terry cloth material, quilting and padding increases the heat resistance of these potholders. They can be used to take hot items out of the oven, or as a trivet to protect your table. They are durable and long-lasting for daily use.

Overall Take

Heat-Resistant Up to 400 DegreesSafely remove baking trays and cast iron pans from the oven with these cotton potholders.

Pros
" These potholders are a win on so many levels. The cotton and quilted design allows for flexibility, as well as solid grip and durability, and they come in a wide variety of color options, such as dark green and French blue."
Cons
"The fabric might melt around the rims. Material is not so thick."
 Runner Up

Odebao Anti-Skid Cotton Potholder, 8-Piece

Odebao

Anti-Skid Cotton Potholder, 8-Piece

These high-quality quilted cotton potholders have corner pockets for your hands. They are extremely flexible and able to withstand high temperatures. Home chefs will appreciate that the potholders are anti-skid to prevent slips and machine washable for easy clean up.

Overall Take

Built-In Hanging LoopThis economical set of cotton potholders comes with a total of eight pieces.

 We Also Like

DII Machine Washable & Heat Resistant 100% Cotton Potholder, 3-Piece

DII

Machine Washable & Heat Resistant Potholder, 3-Piece

The high-quality terry cloth material, quilting and padding increases the heat resistance of these potholders. They can be used to take hot items out of the oven, or as a trivet to protect your table. They are durable and long-lasting for daily use.

Overall Take

Great for CookingSafely remove baking trays and cast iron pans from the oven with these cotton potholders.

Pros
" These potholders are a win on so many levels. The cotton and quilted design allows for flexibility, as well as solid grip and durability, and they come in a wide variety of color options, such as dark green and French blue."
Cons
"The fabric might melt around the rims. Material is not so thick."
 Strong Contender

Jennice House Thread Weave Trivets Pure Cotton Potholders, 3-Piece

Jennice House

Pure Cotton Potholders, 3-Piece

Each one of these round cotton potholders has unique design details sewn in. These are perfect for picking up hot pans or being used as trivets and place mats. They are heat insulated and feature environmentally friendly coloration.

Overall Take

Unique DesignThese woven cotton potholders are accented with hand-sewn details.

Pros
" Since it is quite large in size, you can use it as a pad to place hot pans or vessels."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the cotton potholders available to purchase.
13

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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48

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Good Housekeeping, The Breslin, Food Shark Marfa, Chef's Resource, Business Insider.

33,560

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 13 Cotton Potholders and also dug through the reviews from 48 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Cotton Potholders.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Odebao Anti-Skid Cotton Potholder, 8-Piece

User Summarized Score

8.8
321 user reviews

Our Take

These high-quality quilted cotton potholders have corner pockets for your hands. They are extremely flexible and able to withstand high temperatures. Home chefs will appreciate that the potholders are anti-skid to prevent slips and machine washable for easy clean up.

What to Look For

  • One of the most important things to look for in your cotton potholder is the construction. The way the potholder is made will affect the amount of heat resistance the product provides. Some varieties of cotton potholders are woven in several layers, adding a sturdy thickness to the material and making them heat resistant. Others have heat-resistant material in between layers of cotton, adding further protection.
  • Flexibility is a key element to look for in your cotton potholder. Make sure that the material provides enough bend and movement so you can curve the potholder around the dish you’re carrying. If the material is too stiff or has too many layers, you may have difficulty picking up the pan and could end up burning your skin.
  • Potholders are a great way to add a pop of color in your kitchen. They are available in many different styles and colors. Look for one that matches your kitchen décor, or one that adds an accent color to catch the eye.
  • While potholders are not oven mitts, you can actually find some that have a fabric pocket to slip your hand into like a glove. This makes it easier to handle hot dishes, particularly heavy ones or those that are oddly shaped.
  • It’s important that cotton potholders be easy to clean. Since they are used around food, it’s likely they are going to see a lot of spills and drips. As a result, look for cotton potholders that are machine washable. This makes cleanup a breeze. If they are not machine washable, opt for one that can be easily wiped down with a wet cloth.
  • If storage is scarce in your home, you may want to look for a cotton potholder that has hanging loops. That way, you can affix hooks to your cabinets and hang your potholders while they are not in use.

More to Explore

While they may seem like a practical and mundane kitchen item, the humble potholder has had an exciting political and cultural history. During the abolitionist movement to end slavery in the United States, potholders were a way to subtly show support. The color or style of the potholder signified a way for women to identify with the movement.

During World War II while Japanese Americans were held in internment camps, the captive women created potholders to reflect their culture. This was a way for the people to showcase their pride in their background, contrasting their bleak surroundings in the dreadful concentration camps.

More to explore