The Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover is the best microwave splatter cover because it vents steam properly so food heats instead of sweating, collapses flat for drawer storage, and is made of BPA-free silicone that shrugs off tomato stains and dishwasher cycles. A splatter cover is the difference between wiping your microwave monthly and chiseling sauce off the ceiling weekly, but the wrong cover traps steam into sogginess or warps on the first bowl of chili. These four each solve the problem a different way.
The Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover is the best microwave splatter cover, with real steam vents, a collapsible space-saving design, and stain-resistant silicone. The Hover Cover is the pick if you want a lid that stores magnetically on the microwave ceiling.
- Best overall: Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover
- Best value: Hover Cover Magnetic Microwave Splatter Lid
- Best budget: Nordic Ware Microwave Splatter Cover
- Avoid: Unvented covers and thin bargain plastic that warps over hot sauce
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect our product rankings or recommendations.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover, Proper steam vents, collapsible flat storage, and stain-resistant BPA-free silicone.. Check price on Amazon
- Best value: Hover Cover Magnetic Microwave Splatter Lid, Sticks to the microwave ceiling between uses so it is always where you need it..
- Best budget: Nordic Ware Microwave Splatter Cover, The simple vented classic that covers standard plates for pocket change effort..
Comparison Table
| Splatter cover | Material | Best for | Storage | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tovolo Vented Collapsible Cover | BPA-free silicone and plastic | Most microwave users | Collapses flat in a drawer | Check Price |
| Hover Cover Magnetic Lid | BPA-free plastic with magnets | People who lose their cover | Sticks to microwave ceiling | Check Price |
| Nordic Ware Splatter Cover | BPA-free plastic | Budget buyers | Stacks in a cabinet | Check Price |
| Cuchina Safe Vented Glass Cover | Tempered glass | Stain-proof durability | Doubles as a lid for pots | Check Price |
How We Chose These Microwaves Picks
We compared venting design, dome height, plate coverage, materials, dishwasher and heat tolerance, and storage convenience across the popular covers, then read owner feedback for warping, staining, and magnet failures. Covers without steam vents were excluded outright since they defeat reheating.
Key Takeaway: A splatter cover must be vented. Trapped steam pressure-cooks your leftovers soggy and can pop an unvented cover right off the plate mid-reheat.
Best Overall: Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover
Best for: Anyone who reheats plates and bowls daily and wants a cover that vents properly, cleans easily, and does not hog cabinet space. Why it made the list: The perforated vents release steam so food reheats instead of steaming soggy, the silicone construction resists the tomato-orange staining that ruins cheap plastic covers, and the collapsible dome flattens to about an inch for drawer storage.
- Key specs: BPA-free silicone and plastic construction, perforated steam vents, collapses flat for storage, covers standard dinner plates around 10 to 11 inches, dishwasher safe, heat resistant for microwave duty
- What we like: Steam escapes instead of raining back onto food, sauce splatter stays inside the dome, and it goes from drawer to plate to dishwasher without fuss
- What we do not like: The collapsible folds can trap grease in their creases if you skip the dishwasher, and the dome is too short for tall bowls and mugs
- Who should buy it: Daily leftover reheaters, families sharing one microwave, and anyone whose current cover is a paper towel
- Who should avoid it: People reheating tall containers like large soup mugs; a taller rigid dome or the glass Cuchina cover fits those better
- Common complaints: A few owners report the silicone folds holding odors after chili and curry until a proper wash, and some find the collapse action stiff when new
- Size note: Measure your dinner plates first; this covers standard plates well but oversized 12 inch pasta bowls will poke out at the edges
- Cleaning note: Top rack dishwasher safe; pop it fully open before washing so water reaches inside the folds, and air dry open to prevent trapped moisture smells
- Alternative: The Cuchina Safe Vented Glass Cover is the buy-it-once option that cannot stain or warp, though it is heavier and needs cabinet space
Microwave Splatter Cover Buying Guide
Venting is non-negotiable
Steam has to escape or it condenses on the cover and rains back down, turning crispy leftovers soggy and building pressure that can lift the cover off the plate. Look for purpose-built vent holes or an adjustable vent flap, and skip any cover that seals tight to the plate rim.
Materials: plastic, silicone, or glass
Cheap thin plastic warps over high-fat foods and stains orange with tomato sauce within weeks. Silicone resists stains and heat and enables collapsible designs, while tempered glass is effectively permanent and doubles as a pot lid, at the cost of weight and storage space.
Fit, height, and storage
Match the cover diameter to your most-used plates and the dome height to what you actually reheat, since a flat cover cannot clear a piled bowl of pasta. Then think about where it lives: magnetic ceiling-mount covers stay in the microwave, collapsible ones vanish into drawers, and rigid domes need a cabinet slot.
Safety Notes
- Only use covers labeled microwave safe and BPA-free; improvised plastic wrap or grocery containers can melt into food.
- Always leave vents open while heating so steam pressure cannot build under the cover.
- Lift the cover away from your face; the escaping steam cloud can scald.
- Let the cover cool a few seconds before grabbing it after long reheats of fatty or sugary foods.
What to Avoid
- Unvented covers that trap steam and turn leftovers soggy.
- Thin bargain plastic that warps over hot grease and stains permanently.
- Covers that seal tight against the plate; pressure needs somewhere to go.
- Running magnetic covers in the microwave with the magnets unshielded against the ceiling plate; follow the maker’s placement instructions.
FAQ
Do microwave splatter covers actually work?
Yes. A vented cover catches essentially all sauce and grease splatter while letting steam escape, which keeps the microwave interior clean and your food properly reheated rather than soggy. It is the single easiest microwave upkeep habit.
Are magnetic microwave covers safe to use?
Yes, covers like the Hover Cover are designed for microwave use with shielded magnets and are widely used without issue. Follow the instructions, keep the cover on the food rather than empty in the running microwave, and inspect it periodically for cracks.
Can I just use a paper towel instead of a splatter cover?
A paper towel blocks light splatter but soaks through with saucy foods, can stick to the food, and does nothing to contain popping grease. A vented reusable cover works better, costs almost nothing over its life, and cuts paper waste.
Final Verdict
The Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Cover is the best microwave splatter cover, combining real venting with stain-resistant collapsible silicone, while the Hover Cover Magnetic Splatter Lid is the value pick that stores itself on the microwave ceiling and the Nordic Ware Splatter Cover covers budget basics.
