In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsThe Bottom LineChoosing the Right OneOur TestsWe Also ConsideredCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Reviews
The Bottom Line
Choosing the Right One
Our Tests
We Also Considered
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:Courtesy of Brand
Courtesy of Brand
Whether you’re a gourmet home cook with a chef’s kitchen or a takeout aficionado, you’re bound to do some dishwashing throughout the day. While many kitchens have dishwashers complete with drying features, some kitchens aren’t equipped with dishwashers, or do not have the space for them (we’re looking at you, studio apartments). No matter your kitchen format, chances are you’ll be washing and drying a dish or two—whether it’s a wooden mixing spoon, a stained red wine glass or a family-sized lasagna tray—and you’ll need a reliable dish drying rack to complete the task.A good dish drying rack should comfortably and safely fit over your sink or on your countertop. It should also be easy to clean and able to effectively dry a variety of utensils and cookware without creating an additional mess of pooling water puddles all over your kitchen.Eager to identify the best dish drying racks for your home, we tested 27 popular models. After handwashing an assortment of kitchen items, from serving spoons to oversized colanders, we identified the most efficient, sturdy and reliable dish drying racks of the bunch. Read on to see how our top picks performed.Our Top PicksBest Overall Dish Rack:Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Food52$45Jump to ReviewBest Budget Dish Rack:SALESeropy Roll Up Dish Rack at Amazon$10$8Jump to ReviewBest Splurge Dish Rack:simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack at Amazon$100Jump to ReviewBest Dish Rack for Small Spaces:SALEKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$30$23Jump to ReviewBest Collapsible Dish Rack:Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$50Jump to Review
Whether you’re a gourmet home cook with a chef’s kitchen or a takeout aficionado, you’re bound to do some dishwashing throughout the day. While many kitchens have dishwashers complete with drying features, some kitchens aren’t equipped with dishwashers, or do not have the space for them (we’re looking at you, studio apartments). No matter your kitchen format, chances are you’ll be washing and drying a dish or two—whether it’s a wooden mixing spoon, a stained red wine glass or a family-sized lasagna tray—and you’ll need a reliable dish drying rack to complete the task.
A good dish drying rack should comfortably and safely fit over your sink or on your countertop. It should also be easy to clean and able to effectively dry a variety of utensils and cookware without creating an additional mess of pooling water puddles all over your kitchen.
Eager to identify the best dish drying racks for your home, we tested 27 popular models. After handwashing an assortment of kitchen items, from serving spoons to oversized colanders, we identified the most efficient, sturdy and reliable dish drying racks of the bunch. Read on to see how our top picks performed.
Our Top PicksBest Overall Dish Rack:Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Food52$45Jump to ReviewBest Budget Dish Rack:SALESeropy Roll Up Dish Rack at Amazon$10$8Jump to ReviewBest Splurge Dish Rack:simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack at Amazon$100Jump to ReviewBest Dish Rack for Small Spaces:SALEKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$30$23Jump to ReviewBest Collapsible Dish Rack:Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$50Jump to Review
Best Overall Dish Rack:Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Food52$45Jump to ReviewBest Budget Dish Rack:SALESeropy Roll Up Dish Rack at Amazon$10$8Jump to ReviewBest Splurge Dish Rack:simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack at Amazon$100Jump to ReviewBest Dish Rack for Small Spaces:SALEKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$30$23Jump to ReviewBest Collapsible Dish Rack:Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$50Jump to Review
Best Overall Dish Rack:Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Food52$45Jump to Review
Best Overall Dish Rack:Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Food52$45
Best Overall Dish Rack:
Best Budget Dish Rack:SALESeropy Roll Up Dish Rack at Amazon$10$8Jump to Review
Best Budget Dish Rack:SALESeropy Roll Up Dish Rack at Amazon$10$8
Best Budget Dish Rack:
SALE
Best Splurge Dish Rack:simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack at Amazon$100Jump to Review
Best Splurge Dish Rack:simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack at Amazon$100
Best Splurge Dish Rack:
Best Dish Rack for Small Spaces:SALEKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$30$23Jump to Review
Best Dish Rack for Small Spaces:SALEKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$30$23
Best Dish Rack for Small Spaces:
Best Collapsible Dish Rack:Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$50Jump to Review
Best Collapsible Dish Rack:Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack at Amazon$50
Best Collapsible Dish Rack:
Best Overall Dish RackFood52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish RackPHOTO: Food52$45 at Food52
Best Overall Dish RackFood52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack
Best Overall Dish Rack
Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack
PHOTO: Food52
$45 at Food52
What we like:Incredibly sturdy and well-built, this dish rack can hold heavy pans and is a convenient trivet for hot cookware up to 550°F.
What to know:Some items require longer drying times.
Food52’s over-the-sink dish rack, alongtime editor favorite, is made of durable stainless steel rods coated in platinum-grade, BPA- and BPS-free silicone. The roll-out rack rests flat over the sides of your sink, and when you’re finished drying your dishes, you can easily roll it back up for storage. One end of the rack features a flat colander edge that’s great for draining small items and a removable silicone colander utensil cup that empties right into your sink.
The body of this Food52 dish rack is composed of equally spaced rods, with one wider-spaced rod at the end that’s ideal for drying larger items, such as lids for pots and pans. Thanks to its heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe materials, the rack can be used as a countertop trivet or as a flat colander for washing produce directly over your sink. The rack also comes in three calming colors—”peppercorn,” “smoked salt” and “slate blue”—so you can color-match with your kitchen.
Dimensions:20.5" W x 12.25" L when open; 20.5" W x 3" L when rolled up |Materials:Stainless steel, silicone |Dishwasher Safe:Yes
PHOTO: Eating Well / Elle WignallPHOTO: EatingWell / Elle Wignall
Best Budget Dish RackSeropy Roll Up Dish RackPHOTO: Amazon$10$8 at AmazonWhat we like:Comes in various size and color options, all at a pleasing price point.What to know:The design isn’t ideal for narrow objects or fragile glassware.Are you in need of an affordable dish-drying rack that rests right over your sink? The $13 Seropy Roll Up Dish Rack is an excellent option—and it requires zero assembly. Made of stainless steel rods with silicone edges, this rack can hold up to 33 pounds. To use the rack, simply place it over your sink and unroll it. When your dishes are dry, you can roll the rack back up for convenient storage.The silicone edges of the Seropy rack not only keep it from slipping on your countertops but also allow the rack to rest over the edge of your sink without scratching it. Thanks to its heat-resistant design, this rack can double as a trivet for hot plates or pans. While it can be cleaned in the dishwasher, we did notice some water stains that appeared on the stainless steel rods after a cycle in the washer.The one-inch spaces between the rods allow any excess water to drain directly into your sink. However, we noticed that certain items, such as knives and utensils, may be too narrow to dry in the rack. Additionally, the stainless steel rods are a bit slippery, so we wouldn’t recommend drying delicate glassware on top of the rack.Dimensions:17.5"L x 11.8"W x 0.2"H |Materials:Stainless steel, silicone |Dishwasher Safe:YesPHOTO: Eating Well / Ashley SchaubroeckPHOTO: EatingWell / Ashley SchaubroeckPHOTO: EatingWell / Ashley Schaubroeck
Best Budget Dish RackSeropy Roll Up Dish RackPHOTO: Amazon$10$8 at Amazon
Best Budget Dish RackSeropy Roll Up Dish Rack
Best Budget Dish Rack
Seropy Roll Up Dish Rack
PHOTO: Amazon
$10$8 at Amazon
What we like:Comes in various size and color options, all at a pleasing price point.
What to know:The design isn’t ideal for narrow objects or fragile glassware.
Are you in need of an affordable dish-drying rack that rests right over your sink? The $13 Seropy Roll Up Dish Rack is an excellent option—and it requires zero assembly. Made of stainless steel rods with silicone edges, this rack can hold up to 33 pounds. To use the rack, simply place it over your sink and unroll it. When your dishes are dry, you can roll the rack back up for convenient storage.
The silicone edges of the Seropy rack not only keep it from slipping on your countertops but also allow the rack to rest over the edge of your sink without scratching it. Thanks to its heat-resistant design, this rack can double as a trivet for hot plates or pans. While it can be cleaned in the dishwasher, we did notice some water stains that appeared on the stainless steel rods after a cycle in the washer.
The one-inch spaces between the rods allow any excess water to drain directly into your sink. However, we noticed that certain items, such as knives and utensils, may be too narrow to dry in the rack. Additionally, the stainless steel rods are a bit slippery, so we wouldn’t recommend drying delicate glassware on top of the rack.
Dimensions:17.5"L x 11.8"W x 0.2"H |Materials:Stainless steel, silicone |Dishwasher Safe:Yes
PHOTO: Eating Well / Ashley SchaubroeckPHOTO: EatingWell / Ashley SchaubroeckPHOTO: EatingWell / Ashley Schaubroeck
Best Splurge Dish Racksimplehuman Steel Frame Dish RackPHOTO: Simplehuman$100 at Amazon$100 at Target$110 at WayfairWhat we like:Sturdy and spacious with plenty of room for wine glasses, utensils and larger kitchenware.What to know:This rack spans nearly two feet wide, so it will take up precious countertop space.The steel frame dish rack from simplehuman boasts a lot of bells and whistles while also delivering on performance. This sturdy device is composed of a silicone-wire rack that sits in a stainless steel basin with a hydrophilic-coated plastic tray for quick drying. It’s elevated on anti-slip rubber legs and features an adjustable “swivel spout” to direct the water drippage into the sink. There’s also a wine glass holder with an attached drip tray, a utensil holder and rings on the side to hang cups and glasses.This dish drying rack weighs seven pounds and is easy to assemble and clean. The wire rack and utensil holder are top-rack dishwasher-safe, and the remaining parts can be washed in soapy, warm water.When we tested this dish rack, we loved the variety of drying cavities, such as the four wine glass holders designed for your extra large Bordeaux glasses and a dedicated water-catcher beneath. There are separate utensil holders and cup ring holders (also with a water catcher), and the silicone-covered rack prongs help to keep your dishware safe from scratches. The unique swivel spout design drains residual water directly into your sink and never on your countertops.While the drying rack scores big in efficiency, we’ll note that it’s awkward to clean underneath the bulky drying rack due to the short clearance to the countertop. This rack comes in gray, black or white, and if this model is too large for your kitchen, simplehuman offers acompact version(view at Amazon) as well.Dimensions:20.2"L x 22.3"W x 11.5"H |Materials:Stainless steel, silicone, plastic |Dishwasher Safe:Utensil holder and wire frame, yes; the rest must be hand-washedPHOTO: Eating Well / Riddley SchirmPHOTO: EatingWell / Riddley SchirmPHOTO: EatingWell / Riddley Schirm
Best Splurge Dish Racksimplehuman Steel Frame Dish RackPHOTO: Simplehuman$100 at Amazon$100 at Target$110 at Wayfair
Best Splurge Dish Racksimplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack
Best Splurge Dish Rack
simplehuman Steel Frame Dish Rack
PHOTO: Simplehuman
$100 at Amazon$100 at Target$110 at Wayfair
What we like:Sturdy and spacious with plenty of room for wine glasses, utensils and larger kitchenware.
What to know:This rack spans nearly two feet wide, so it will take up precious countertop space.
The steel frame dish rack from simplehuman boasts a lot of bells and whistles while also delivering on performance. This sturdy device is composed of a silicone-wire rack that sits in a stainless steel basin with a hydrophilic-coated plastic tray for quick drying. It’s elevated on anti-slip rubber legs and features an adjustable “swivel spout” to direct the water drippage into the sink. There’s also a wine glass holder with an attached drip tray, a utensil holder and rings on the side to hang cups and glasses.
This dish drying rack weighs seven pounds and is easy to assemble and clean. The wire rack and utensil holder are top-rack dishwasher-safe, and the remaining parts can be washed in soapy, warm water.
When we tested this dish rack, we loved the variety of drying cavities, such as the four wine glass holders designed for your extra large Bordeaux glasses and a dedicated water-catcher beneath. There are separate utensil holders and cup ring holders (also with a water catcher), and the silicone-covered rack prongs help to keep your dishware safe from scratches. The unique swivel spout design drains residual water directly into your sink and never on your countertops.
While the drying rack scores big in efficiency, we’ll note that it’s awkward to clean underneath the bulky drying rack due to the short clearance to the countertop. This rack comes in gray, black or white, and if this model is too large for your kitchen, simplehuman offers acompact version(view at Amazon) as well.
Dimensions:20.2"L x 22.3"W x 11.5"H |Materials:Stainless steel, silicone, plastic |Dishwasher Safe:Utensil holder and wire frame, yes; the rest must be hand-washed
PHOTO: Eating Well / Riddley SchirmPHOTO: EatingWell / Riddley SchirmPHOTO: EatingWell / Riddley Schirm
Best Dish Rack for Small SpacesKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying RackPHOTO: Amazon$30$23 at Amazon
Best Dish Rack for Small SpacesKitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack
Best Dish Rack for Small Spaces
Kitsure Space-Saving Dish Drying Rack
$30$23 at Amazon
What we like:Compact and rust-resistant, this is a great option for smaller kitchens.
What to know:With its limited capacity, this rack may not be ideal for larger households.
While this rack is compact and lightweight, it’s also sturdy in build and stays steady when fully loaded. After washing our dishes, we were impressed to see that everything dried within two hours—and left the countertops dry, as well.
Due to its petite size, however, this rack cannot accommodate larger items like stockpots and sheet pans. We recommend using this dish drying rack for smaller items like plates, bowls and utensils. We also think this Kitsure rack is best for single adults or couples, as opposed to larger families.
Dimensions:15.6"L x 12"W x 4.9"H |Materials:Stainless steel |Dishwasher Safe:No
PHOTO: Eating Well / Michelle ParentePHOTO: EatingWell / Michelle Parente
Best Collapsible Dish RackTotally Bamboo Dish Drying RackPHOTO: Amazon$50 at Amazon$50 at WalmartView on Totallybamboo.comWhat we like:When assembled, this foldable dish drying rack has three distinct areas to dry all sorts of dishes.What to know:Lacks a water tray, so count on placing a towel or dishcloth beneath the rack to soak up water.The Totally Bamboo dish drying rack is made of—you guessed it—bamboo. The sustainable rack is composed of evenly spaced bamboo rods and, thanks to hinges, the rack can open and sit on your counter or close like a screen. When the dish drying rack is open, there are three tiered areas to hold items, with a larger V-shaped main tier and two smaller side areas. When you’re not using the drying rack, you can easily fold and store it away.We found this rack was sturdy once set up, and it dried dishes quite well. While we enjoyed the various convenient tiers for different-sized items, unfortunately, the utensil drying caddy is sold separately. With so many drying areas, this rack works well for a family or a household with several people. We also liked the light finish of the eco wood, which looks nice on countertops. To clean, wipe the rack with a damp cloth and avoid soaking in water or washing in a dishwasher.Dimensions:19” L x 18” W x 9.5” H |Materials:Bamboo |Dishwasher Safe:NoPHOTO: Eating Well / Cara MilhavenPHOTO: EatingWell / Cara MilhavenPHOTO: EatingWell / Cara Milhaven
Best Collapsible Dish RackTotally Bamboo Dish Drying RackPHOTO: Amazon$50 at Amazon$50 at WalmartView on Totallybamboo.com
Best Collapsible Dish RackTotally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack
Best Collapsible Dish Rack
Totally Bamboo Dish Drying Rack
$50 at Amazon$50 at WalmartView on Totallybamboo.com
What we like:When assembled, this foldable dish drying rack has three distinct areas to dry all sorts of dishes.
What to know:Lacks a water tray, so count on placing a towel or dishcloth beneath the rack to soak up water.
The Totally Bamboo dish drying rack is made of—you guessed it—bamboo. The sustainable rack is composed of evenly spaced bamboo rods and, thanks to hinges, the rack can open and sit on your counter or close like a screen. When the dish drying rack is open, there are three tiered areas to hold items, with a larger V-shaped main tier and two smaller side areas. When you’re not using the drying rack, you can easily fold and store it away.
We found this rack was sturdy once set up, and it dried dishes quite well. While we enjoyed the various convenient tiers for different-sized items, unfortunately, the utensil drying caddy is sold separately. With so many drying areas, this rack works well for a family or a household with several people. We also liked the light finish of the eco wood, which looks nice on countertops. To clean, wipe the rack with a damp cloth and avoid soaking in water or washing in a dishwasher.
Dimensions:19” L x 18” W x 9.5” H |Materials:Bamboo |Dishwasher Safe:No
PHOTO: Eating Well / Cara MilhavenPHOTO: EatingWell / Cara MilhavenPHOTO: EatingWell / Cara Milhaven
The Bottom Line: The Best Dish Drying Rack
After thorough research and testing, we found theFood52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack(view at Food52) to be the best overall dish drying rack. We love the stable and durable build and convenient trivet that can handle hot cookware up to 550°F. If you’re looking for a budget pick, we like theSeropy Roll-Up Dish Rack(view at Amazon) because it comes in a variety of sizes and colors and can be found for less than $15.
Choosing a Dish Drying Rack
Dish drying racks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and have various bells and whistles. Before purchasing a dish drying rack, consider these factors:
Space Is a Consideration
Dish drying racks are available in various sizes and dimensions. Take a look at your kitchen countertops and try to measure how much space you’re willing to give to a drying rack. Many dish drying racks end up living on your counter, while other drying racks are designed to rest over your sink and may also fold and collapse for easy storage.
Design and Features
When choosing a dish drying rack, consider the items you’ll most likely be washing. Do you intend to hand-wash larger bowls and heavy pots and pans? Then, you’ll most likely want a solid and sturdy rack that can support a lot of weight. If you plan on hand-washing smaller items, such as sharp knives and cooking tools, a dish drying rack with a utensil holder may come in handy. If you hate puddling on your countertops, look for a dish drying rack with a water spout that drains excess water into your sink.
Care and Maintenance
Just as you put effort and care into your dishes and utensils, the same goes for your dish drying rack. Many racks are dishwasher-safe, so throwing them into the dishwasher when they need a deep clean is easy. Other racks, such as bamboo or stainless steel, must be wiped down with a damp cloth or washed with soap and water. Consider which maintenance efforts make the most sense for your household.
Our Dish Drying Rack Tests
We home-tested 26 drying racks over the course of several days. We evaluated factors like materials, dimensions and countertop footprint, assembly, ease of cleaning and overall performance for each rack. To get a complete picture of how the dish racks performed, we loaded them with various items, including flatware, glassware and larger items like sheet pans and colanders. After washing our dishes and placing them on the racks, we observed and noted how efficiently each rack dried our items over the course of two hours and overnight.
EatingWell / Anna Knief
simplehuman Compact Kitchen Dish Drying Rack($80 at Amazon):A smaller version of our overall favorite, this sturdy little rack nevertheless has an impressive capacity. We ultimately preferred the Yamakazi’s two-tier design for small kitchens.
OXO Good Grips Aluminum Dish Rack($55 at Amazon):We loved the sturdy and durable build and attachable utensil holder but found the design awkward for stacking and storing bowls.
Better Homes & Gardens Bamboo Kitchen Dish Drying Rack($15 at Walmart):We appreciate the smaller footprint and price of this drying dish rack, but since it doesn’t have a draining spout, we had to place a dish towel under the rack to collect water. The rack also lacks a utensil holder, so you may need to get creative with certain items.
KitchenAid Full Size Dish Rack($85 at Amazon):With its larger footprint, this drying rack can hold many dishes, including awkwardly shaped baking trays and cutting boards. However, this rack is not the best option for kitchens with limited counter space due to its size.
Joseph Joseph Excel Steel 2-Tier Dish Rack($75 at Walmart):Compact and efficient, we loved the stacked design of this rack and how well it dried our dishes. But since it’s on the smaller side, it’s not the best for drying large items.
Shortwave Dish Rack($154 at Nordic Nest):Modern and stylish, this splurge-worthy Danish dish rack can hold an assortment of dishes and kitchen equipment (and look good while doing it). However, for the price, we wish that it came with a dedicated cutlery holder.Yamakazi Home Two-Tier Dish Rack($88 at Food52):This two-tier design is an excellent space saver. While its countertop footprint is small, note that this rack does take up some space height-wise.
Eating Well / Cara Milhaven
What’s the best way to clean a dish drying rack?
As with all kitchenware, dish drying racks need a deep clean from time to time. The best way to clean a dish drying rack depends on the materials of the rack. For instance, certain stainless steel racks should be hand-washed with warm, soapy water and dried thoroughly to prevent staining and rust. Other dish drying racks, such as those made of silicone, are designed to be cleaned in your dishwasher. Some materials, such as bamboo, require a gentler approach of wiping them down with a damp cloth. Before cleaning your dish drying rack, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines.
Should you put something underneath the dish drying rack?
When we think of washing and drying dishes, we often think of water splashing all over our countertops. Fortunately, many dish drying racks incorporate a built-in drainage spout, so water drains directly into your sink. Dish racks that rest over your sink will also drain into the sink basin. If your dish drying rack does not feature a water tray or spout, placing a dish towel underneath the rack can help soak up excess moisture from your drying dishes.
Is handwashing dishes better than using a dishwasher?
While a dishwasher can be a powerful tool for blasting off heavy-duty stains, plenty of items should be handwashed instead. For instance,your prized chef’s knivesand other sharp kitchen tools will benefit from handwashing, as dishwashers can often dull the blades. (Just use caution when cleaning sharp and pointy tools.)
Larger-scale items, such as colanders, sheet pans and baking trays,may not fit convenientlyin a dishwasher, so handwashing those items may be the best bet. Additionally,items made of certain materials, such as wood, cast iron and certain plastics, should not be placed in the dishwasher as the cleaning agents and high heat can be too harsh. So, hand-washing your seasoned cast iron skillet after Sunday brunch is recommended.
Lastly, fragile items like your grandma’s gold-gilded china, treasured silver and crystal wine goblets may prefer a gentle, warm and sudsy handwash instead of a cycle in the dishwasher.
EatingWell / Elle Wignall
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