The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Turkey Basters in 2023

As Thanksgiving approaches, home cooks everywhere are gearing up for the big meal by ensuring they have the right tools in their kitchen. And while there’s certainly no shortage of gadgets and appliances designed to make holiday cooking easier one of the most important—and often overlooked—is a good turkey baster.

I’ve roasted many turkeys over the years and I can say from experience that having a quality baster on hand makes all the difference. A good turkey baster allows you to easily baste the bird meaning you can cover it in those flavorful pan juices and end up with a perfectly moist and delicious result.

So if you’re in the market for a new baster this Thanksgiving or just want to step up your roasting game in general, you’ve come to the right place. I tested and reviewed the top-rated turkey basters to help you find the best one for your needs and budget.

How I Evaluated the Best Turkey Basters

As a food writer and recipe developer I’ve used my fair share of basters over the years. So to find the best options currently available, I compared several top-rated models side-by-side evaluating them on the following criteria

• Design: Is the baster thoughtfully designed and comfortable to use? How does it look?

• Performance: How well does it suck up and release liquids? Is it truly dripless?

• Build Quality: Does it feel sturdy and well-made?

• Ease of Use: Is the baster easy to maneuver and control? Can you access all areas of a turkey?

• Cleanup: Is the baster straightforward to wash by hand or dishwasher safe?

• Value: Is it fairly priced given the performance and build quality?

After rigorous testing, I determined the winners in various categories based on how well they met the above criteria. I also took into account factors like versatility, ease of storage, and overall user experience.

So without further ado, here are my picks for the best turkey basters you can buy in 2023.

The Best Turkey Basters of 2023

Best Overall: Tovolo Dripless Baster

If you want the absolute best turkey baster out there, look no further than the Tovolo Dripless Baster. This baster tackles the number one annoyance with most basters—dripping—thanks to a genius valve that prevents liquid from running out until you squeeze.

In my testing, the Tovolo baster drew up significant quantities of both thin pan juices and thick gravies with ease. The angled tip and transparent tube make maneuvering around a turkey and monitoring liquid levels a breeze. And true to its name, it didn’t spill a single drop, even when tilted at extreme angles.

The Tovolo is also thoughtfully designed with a removable tip and included cleaning brush for easy washing. It’s top-rack dishwasher safe too.

For superior performance and ingenious dripless design, the Tovolo Dripless Baster earns its place as the best baster overall. The only downside is the lack of measurement markings, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker.

Key Features:

• Dripless valve prevents spills and messes
• Generous 12-inch tube with angled tip
• Heat-resistant up to 600°F
• Removable tip and included brush for easy cleaning
• Dishwasher safe on top rack

Runner Up: OXO Good Grips Angled Baster

If the Tovolo is sold out or over budget, the OXO Good Grips Angled Baster is a solid second choice. It similarly has an angled design for easy maneuvering, along with a soft, comfortable squeezable bulb.

The OXO baster has helpful ounce and milliliter markings, and the footed base allows it to stand upright when not in use. During testing, it dripped only minimally and wasn’t far behind the Tovolo in suction power.

For a slightly more affordable yet still high-performing option, OXO’s angled baster is an excellent runner up pick. It includes a cleaning brush too.

Key Features:

• Angled tip and tube for easy maneuverability
• Large squeezable silicone bulb
• Measurement markings up to 1 1/2 oz
• Integrated stand to prevent tipping
• Stay-cool handle

Best Value: Norpro Nylon Baster

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a decent turkey baster. Case in point: the Norpro Nylon Baster. For less than $10, this no-frills baster gets the job done surprisingly well.

The retro-style baster features a 10.5-inch translucent nylon tube and classic rubber bulb. During testing, it wicked up pan juices easily and distributed them evenly over turkey. Dripping was minimal, even when tilted. While not as precisely engineered as the Tovolo, it’s a time-tested design that withstands heat up to 450°F.

For a tried-and-true baster at a wallet-friendly price point, Norpro’s nylon model is a great value pick. Just take care not to leave it resting at an angle, or juices may leak out.

Key Features:

• Inexpensive classic design
• Translucent nylon tube
• Traditional rubber bulb
• Heat resistant to 450°F
• Includes fluid ounce markings

Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Brass Baster

If money is no object and you want a baster that looks as beautiful as it performs, splurge on the Williams Sonoma Brass Baster. With a gleaming brass finish and smooth walnut handle, it doubles as a decorative kitchen accent.

The brass baster has a generous 16-ounce capacity and oversized bulb for quick basting. In testing, it wicked up thick and thin liquids with ease. Little to no dripping occurred when held upright or slightly tilted.

Made of food-safe, rust-resistant brass, the Williams Sonoma baster is a worthwhile investment for serious home cooks. Just take care not to use metal utensils, which could scratch the finish.

Key Features:

• Gorgeous brass finish with walnut handle
• Generous 16 oz. capacity
• Oversized bulb for quick basting
• Rust resistant and food safe
• Hand wash recommended

Best Set: Miiko Stainless Steel Baster & Brush Set

For next-level turkey roasting, grab the Miiko Stainless Steel Baster & Brush Set. The duo includes a heavy-duty stainless steel baster plus silicone basting brush for applying thicker liquids like gravy.

The baster itself has an impressive build quality, with a robust stainless tube that promises years of service. An injection needle also allows you to infuse flavor right into the turkey. In testing, it wicked up ample juice and released it evenly.

Meanwhile, the soft silicone brush excelled at spreading thick sauces over the turkey’s surface. Its long handle keeps your hands safely away from the heat.

If you want an all-in-one basting solution, Miiko’s set is a smart buy. Just avoid abrasive scrubbers when cleaning, as they may scratch the stainless.

Key Features:

• Includes stainless steel baster and silicone brush
• Robust stainless construction
• Helpful built-in injection needle
• Long, stay-cool brush handle
• Hand wash recommended

Best Easy Cleaning: Norpro Plastic Self Cleaning Baster

Cleaning a turkey baster can be a hassle, but the Norpro Plastic Self Cleaning Baster makes it quick and easy. Just fill it up, attach a nozzle to the end, and squeeze—water jets through the tube, flushing out debris in seconds.

Beyond the self-cleaning design, this Norpro baster simply works well. The tube is tapered for easy maneuvering, with a generous capacity of 2 ounces. During testing, it wicked up sufficient juices and distributed them evenly over the turkey.

If you dread the cleanup that comes after basting, this ingenious self-cleaning baster eliminates the headache. The only downside is potential leaking when tilted.

Key Features:

• Self-cleaning with built-in water nozzle
• Tapered tube for maneuverability
• Generous 2 oz. capacity
• Easy squeeze bulb
• Top-rack dishwasher safe

Best Glass: Norpro Glass Baster

For those who prefer glass over plastic, Norpro’s aptly named Glass Baster is a great pick. The borosilicate glass tube withstands heat up to 450°F without warping. And since it’s see-through, you get an unobstructed view of the basting liquid.

In testing, the Norpro glass baster performed admirably, drawing up sufficient juices and distributing them evenly. Dripping was minimal when held upright and only moderate when tilted. The traditional rubber bulb provides a comfortable, secure grip.

Just take care not to knock the glass baster against cookware, as