I have never used one are they worth it and what do they really do?

Definitely worth it! They help your cake to rise evenly - no more humps in the middle

i bought bake strips after reading about them on this site and they def do the job of a level cake and i just ordered the large size because i found the small dont fit my bigger pan - for me, def worth it

Absolutely worth it! Also helps keep the sides of your cake from getting done before the middle. I baked without them...once. Never again! Ended up with hard edges. By the time trimming was over, my 8" layer ended up a 6"

I've read here that some people use wet strips of old toweling to get the same results...much better for the cost factor.

Definitely worth the investment, PLUS I added "extenders" by cutting strips off a teflon oven mitt obtained from the local dollar-store. soaked them as usual and pinned them onto the originals, works great !!

For me, after I switched from using the Wilton pans to Magic Line pans in first year of business, I've never had to use the Magic Strips or wet towels again. I bake at 325 degrees, and for larger pan sizes (12" & above) use a flower nail in the middle. After six years, I haven't had any issues.

I use Magic Line pans and the strips. Bake at 325 and use the flower nails. Makes a level cake and the edges don't get as crisp!

Absolutely worth it. They make such a huge difference. You don't have to buy the Wilton ones though. I have those but I also tore up part of an old towel to make strips that were long enough to go around my larger pans. The towels work just as well as the strips themselves, and they're much cheaper!

I like them.

They do work well but after reading a thread here on CC about leveling cakes, they used a clean cotton dish towel. When the cake comes out of the oven just press down gently all over the top of the cake. I have been doing this for a long time and it works great and no need for bake even strips. The only thing I have noticed doing it this way is the cake is a little bit denser. Just remember to do it just as soon as it comes out of the oven

I don't find them to be that effective. I do still use them with my cheapo pans but do not use them with my magic line pans. I actually found that using them with my magic line pans caused my edges to be too undone! And I feel the need to level my cake after its baked regardless of whether I use the strips or not.

I'm going to have to get some of those Magic Line pans. They sound wonderful.

YES YES DEFINITELY YES. I never have to level a cake anymore, saves time and less wastage. I do also pop a flower nail in as well.