Comparison: Best Microwave Bacon Cooker (Updated | May 7th)

If you’re tired of your microwave looking like a crime scene after breakfast, the PrepSolutions Microwavable Bacon Grill is a solid middle-ground option. What really catches my eye here is the vented cover and the recessed handle; it’s clearly designed for someone who wants to grab their food and go without a fuss. It fits about 4 to 6 slices, making it the perfect size for a solo breakfast or a couple’s quick meal. It’s also surprisingly versatile for things like taquitos or pizza rolls, which is a nice bonus if you have kids or just love snacks.

I’d recommend this for the casual cook who prioritizes easy cleanup above all else. Since it’s dishwasher safe and the lid keeps the grease from painting the interior of your microwave, it saves a lot of scrubbing time. However, there is a catch: you need a fairly large microwave. The 12.5-inch minimum turntable requirement is no joke, so if you’re living in a dorm or have a compact kitchen setup, this grill might actually be too big to spin properly, which would lead to unevenly cooked, rubbery bacon.

There is something to be said for the “made in the USA” durability of Nordic Ware, and this Bacon Rack with Lid feels like a throwback to quality kitchen staples. The magic here is in the ribbed surface that is deep enough to actually keep the bacon from sitting in a pool of its own rendered fat. Because it comes with a lid, you aren’t forced to waste paper towels just to keep the splatters down. It’s a great pick for someone who wants a compact, reliable tool that doesn’t feel like flimsy, disposable plastic.

This is the ideal choice for people who are sensitive about materials, as it is BPA and melamine free. It’s a functional, no-frills workhorse. The trade-off you’ll have to accept, though, is the maintenance. Unlike many modern competitors, this one is not recommended for the dishwasher. You’ll be hand-washing that greasy, ribbed surface with warm soapy water every time you use it. If you hate manual cleanup, the extra effort required to get into those grooves might make you think twice before reaching for it on a busy Tuesday morning.

The Original Makin Bacon dish looks a bit strange at first—it’s essentially a T-shaped rack—but it is legendary for a reason. Instead of laying the bacon flat, you drape the strips over the bars. This allows the fat to drip straight down into the tray, completely separating the meat from the grease. In my view, this produces some of the crispiest microwave bacon possible because the air can circulate around the entire strip. It’s a brilliant design that claims to reduce fat by up to 35%, which is a huge win for the health-conscious breakfast lover.

This is the best option for the “crispy bacon or bust” crowd. If you hate soggy, limp strips, this vertical method is your best bet. It’s also dishwasher safe and easy to disassemble for storage. The downside is that it doesn’t come with a lid. You have to drape a paper towel over the top yourself to prevent grease from hitting the microwave ceiling. While it’s a simple fix, it feels a bit less “complete” than the models that include a dedicated cover, and you’ll constantly be going through your paper towel roll.

The ONEMORE Ceramic Bacon Tray is for the person who wants their kitchen tools to look as good as they function. Transitioning from plastic to heavy-duty ceramic changes the game; it feels premium and doesn’t hold onto that stale grease smell that plastic sometimes absorbs over time. Because it’s an 11-inch round dish, it looks like a piece of serving ware. You could honestly pull this out of the microwave or oven and put it right on the brunch table without feeling like you’re serving food off a piece of Tupperware.

I’d suggest this for the “multi-purpose” cook. Since it is oven safe, you aren’t limited to the microwave; you can use it as a roasting rack for small portions of meat or as a stylish serving plate. It’s perfect for someone trying to move away from plastic in their kitchen. The obvious hurdle here is the lack of a lid. Ceramic gets very hot, and without a cover, you’re still dealing with potential splatters. You’ll need to be careful handling it when it’s hot, and you’ll definitely need to cover it with something if you want to keep your microwave clean.

This ONEMORE Ceramic Bacon Tray with Lid takes the elegance of the ceramic model and adds a layer of much-needed practicality. The standout feature is the silicone cover, which solves the splatter problem while maintaining that high-end feel. It’s a sturdy, 11-inch round maker that resists stains and odors much better than cheap plastic alternatives. It’s the kind of tool that makes you feel like a “grown-up” in the kitchen, offering a healthier way to cook bacon by lifting it onto those ceramic ridges to let the grease drain away.

This is the “best of both worlds” choice for someone who values aesthetics but needs a clean microwave. It’s great for gifting or for someone who frequently hosts guests for breakfast. However, you have to be very careful with the silicone lid. The manufacturer warns that it shouldn’t be used at high temperatures (over 212°F) for more than five minutes, or it might deform. This means if you’re trying to cook a massive, thick-cut batch of bacon on high power for a long time, you might accidentally ruin the lid, which limits its utility for heavy-duty cooking.

The Jillmo Silicone Microwave Bacon Cooker is a clever departure from the hard plastic or ceramic norms. Because it’s made of food-grade silicone, it’s naturally non-stick and incredibly flexible. What makes it stand out is the deep groove design and the four pour corners. When you’re done cooking, you don’t have to awkwardly tip a rigid tray and hope the grease doesn’t spill; you can easily funnel the liquid fat into a jar for disposal or saving. It feels durable, doesn’t have a weird smell, and is virtually indestructible.

I think this is the top pick for someone with a busy, high-traffic kitchen where things might get dropped or banged around. It’s also excellent for someone who cooks more than just bacon, like sausages or hot dogs, because the large 9.85-inch surface provides plenty of room. The trade-off is the lack of rigidity. While the handles help, a silicone tray full of hot, liquid grease can be a bit floppy. You need a steady hand to move it from the microwave to the counter without the “wave” of hot oil sloshing over the sides.

The Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray & Food Defroster is a classic, utilitarian piece of American-made kitchenware. Its standout feature is the slanted, rectangular design. Unlike flat trays, the slope uses gravity to pull the grease away from the meat and into a reservoir at one end. It’s also quite large, making it one of the better options if you’re trying to cook a full pack of bacon in fewer batches. The fact that it doubles as a defrosting tray for frozen meats makes it a useful tool to keep in the cabinet year-round.

This is the best choice for the “no-nonsense” cook who wants a high-capacity tray and doesn’t care about bells and whistles. It’s simple, effective, and gets the job done. However, the lack of a lid is a significant downside. Because it’s a large, open tray, the grease has a lot of surface area to pop and splatter. You’ll essentially always need to use a layer of paper towels over your food, which can be annoying if the paper towels get soggy and stick to the bacon as it crisps up.

The Presto Microwave Bacon Cooker is a bit of a legend in the world of microwave gadgets. What makes it stand out is the vertical rack system; you hang the bacon over three bars. This allows the fat to drip down into a deep base, ensuring the bacon never sits in grease. It can handle up to 12 slices at once, which is massive compared to almost every other microwave cooker on the market. When you’re done, the racks pop out and store inside the tray, making it surprisingly compact for how much it can cook.

This is the definitive choice for families or big eaters. If you’re trying to feed four people breakfast at once, this is the only microwave tool that won’t have you running five different cycles. It’s also entirely dishwasher safe. The honest trade-off here is the loading time. You have to individually drape each slice over the bars, which takes significantly more effort than just tossing them onto a flat tray. If you’re in a massive rush, the “assembly” required might feel like a bit of a chore.

If you want a bit of personality in your kitchen, the Joie Piggy Microwave Bacon Tray is hard to beat. It’s undeniably cute with its pig-themed splatter lid, but it’s more than just a novelty item. The grooved rack does a decent job of elevating 4 to 5 strips of bacon, and the lid is actually quite effective at keeping the mess contained. It’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe, making it a very low-maintenance addition to a small kitchen or a fun gift for a college student.

This is clearly the best use case for single-person households or as a quirky gift. It doesn’t take up much space and it’s very easy to clean. However, the limited capacity is the main drawback. You can only fit about 4 or 5 strips at most, and if you’re using thick-cut bacon, it might be even fewer. If you’re cooking for a family or someone with a big appetite, you’ll find yourself running the microwave over and over again, which kind of defeats the “quick” benefit of microwave cooking.

The Nordic Ware 11-inch Microwave Bacon/Meat Rack is about as straightforward as a kitchen tool gets. It’s a square, white plastic rack with high ridges designed to keep your meat out of the grease. What makes it stand out is its simplicity and size; the 11-inch square footprint offers a lot of surface area for bacon, sausage links, or even reheating leftovers that you don’t want getting soggy. It’s a “buy it and forget it” kind of product that doesn’t try to be anything fancy.

I’d recommend this for someone who wants a basic, durable rack that fits perfectly in a standard mid-to-large microwave. It’s a great “starter” piece for a first apartment. The honest downside, however, is that it is extremely basic. There is no lid, no specialized drainage spout, and no vertical hanging system. Because it’s white plastic, it is also highly susceptible to staining from grease or spices over time. After a few months of heavy use, it might not look nearly as clean and white as it did the day you bought it.