On sweltering days, there’s nothing quite like diving into your freezer for a homemade ice pop—but the satisfaction only comes if you can smoothly extract that ice pop. Having a popsicle mold that is simple to fill, store, and remove treats from can make a world of difference. After evaluating numerous popsicle molds, conducting tests on 31, and creating nearly 200 ice pops over time (and consuming enough to give a whole army brain freeze), we have determined that the Tovolo Classic Pop Molds create the most consistent and easy-to-enjoy pops among all the molds we have explored.
Our Top Pick
Crafted from plastic, these molds produce ice pops of the traditional shape that come out smoothly. The individual molds are detachable and fit snugly in a narrow tray, occupying minimal freezer space. Moreover, the entire set is dishwasher safe.
The Tovolo Classic Pop Molds consistently delivered the most effortless-to-remove 4-ounce pops in a classic shape (rectangular, with a rounded top) that is delightful to savor. With a bit of warm water, our pops slid out of their plastic mold seamlessly, never shattering during any of our recipe trials. The drip catcher is the most efficient we’ve encountered, requiring a complete 90-degree tilt to spill any melted pop. Additionally, the molds, reusable sticks, and tray are all resilient and safe for the dishwasher.
Also Recommended
Adorable and entertaining, this set features unique shapes and a silicone mold that peels off easily. The moderate size is perfect for older kids (we have an even smaller option for the younger ones).
The Tovolo Penguin Pop Molds are excellent for children due to their slightly smaller size and charming shapes. This collection comprises four silicone molds placed on a sturdy plastic tray. Each mold creates a penguin of slightly different shape, with varied hats or accessories, offering your kids a fun surprise or the chance to select their preferred pop. The molds hold approximately 2 ounces of liquid, making the pops just the right size for kids to relish without feeling overwhelmed. While these molds can be a bit tricky to fill, the silicone easily peels off your frozen pops without requiring any soaking or rinsing in warm water. Additionally, this set is easy to clean since all components are dishwasher safe. Tovolo also offers similar molds in other shapes like dinosaurs or monsters; while these molds likely perform similarly to the penguin molds, we have not personally tested them.
Also Recommended
These imaginative underwater molds produce even smaller-than-average pops, making them more manageable for younger kids to finish. The silicone molds release easily, but they are also more prone to overfilling than our main pick.
If you seek eye-catching visuals in a smaller size compared to the Tovolo Penguin Pop Molds, we suggest the Zoku Fish Pop Molds. The delightful aquatic figures will thrill young ones, and ours appeared sharp and professional regardless of the pop recipe used. Extracting the fish-shaped pops from their silicone molds is effortless, with each mold holding about 1.5 ounces depending on the shape—ideal for toddlers. However, these molds are easy to overfill, and this particular set is the only one we recommend that is not dishwasher safe. It does occupy quite a bit of freezer space, although the broad, firm base helps prevent spills. The pops from these molds were the simplest to remove compared to any of the kid-friendly molds we tested. If sea creatures are not your preference, Zoku also offers similar molds in other shapes such as dinosaurs or polar animals that are expected to perform well, too.
Also Recommended
Each fruity silicone mold in this collection is a distinct piece, allowing easy stacking in the freezer. These amusing shapes are effortless to extract pops from and are completely dishwasher safe.
For a fun yet sophisticated option, we recommend the 3.2-ounce Lékué Tropical Fruit Ice Pop Molds. These pricier molds come in the forms of watermelon slices and whole pineapples, creating cute yet elegant pops perfect for gatherings. While they do not come with a tray for support and must lie flat, the molds have lids and are stackable, enabling you to organize them in your freezer as desired. The silicone peels off easily, and each component is dishwasher safe. However, the reusable stick lacks a drip catcher, so be cautious when handing these pops to kids—spills may occur.
