Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
If your counter can accommodate a double-decker rack, then we highly recommend this one. It’s sturdy, shiny, and uses space pretty efficiently. Read More
We liked that this no-assembly-required rack can be used over the sink or on the counter. It’s collapsible and can accommodate bulkier dishes. Read More
At a glance, just a small plastic rack with metal prongs and a cutlery basket. But take a closer look, because this rack is seriously great. Read More
A modern-looking dish rack with no assembly needed, but it may not be big enough for a large family. Read More
This is small, only sits in the sink, and can be easily put away. If you have just a few dishes to wash at a time and no counter space, this is your dish rack. Read More
The most satisfying part of hand washing your dishes is seeing every plate, utensil, and glass drying after a job well done.
Even if you have a dishwasher, you still have to hand wash a few things from time to time. A good dish rack can help dry your clean dishes without leaving puddles all over your countertop. If you have limited drying space, a bin that can fit in the sink or collapse for easy storage is a lifesaver.
We tested the most popular racks on the market for weeks to find the best dish drying rack for any kitchen. Our favorite is the PremiumRacks Professional (available at Amazon) . The Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible (available at Amazon) is our best value pick.
Through two rounds of testing, PremiumRacks remains the best dish rack you can buy.
If you want a dish rack that includes easy storage, we recommend this Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Dish Rack with Drain Board.
The Joseph Joseph is our favorite dish rack for small spaces.
No real assembly needed
Lightweight
Collapsible
Legs extend to tilt the toward drain or sink
Small
May need to be cleaned often
Easy assembly
Lightweight
Easy to move out of the way
Small
No drain tray
Sturdy stainless steel finish
Wine glass holders
Inefficient use of space
Pricey
No assembly needed
Modern looking
Plates wobbled
Dishes took a while to dry
4-piece set with removable items
Poor use of space
Dishes and glasses topple over
While testing dish racks, we paid close attention, making sure excess water did not cover your countertops.
I’m Tanya Ballard Brown, a seasoned editor and project manager, and 2019 fellow with the Nieman Foundation for Journalism. After Kori Perten, a former Reviewed editor, first tested dish drying racks two years ago, I was tasked with updating this guide and reviewing new products.
Even with a remodel, I wasn’t able to squeeze a dishwasher into my small kitchen—oh how I tried!— so washing dishes now falls to me and my hands. With limited counter space, I really value a dish rack that is compact or that can rest in the sink. My kitchen is also open to the rest of the house, so being able to put it away when guests are visiting helps soothe the neat freak in me.
Kori Perton is a cooking enthusiast who spends a lot of time preparing food, which means a lot of time is spent washing dishes, too. After shattering her roommate's beloved bowl when it toppled from a particularly precarious rack, she was eager to find better options. Thankfully, after the first round of testing, she did.
Since our first round of reviews, we’ve tested over a dozen products. Each was evaluated over several weeks, noting how securely they held everything from plates and colanders to glasses and coffee mugs. We observed whether dishes actually air-dried on each rack, and checked to see if water pooled on the counter or in the bottom of the rack. We also tested for efficient use of space, special features, and customizability.
During testing, we used each rack to dry two place settings, then again to dry the dishes needed for a four-person dinner party. We also dried several oddly-shaped objects on each rack, such as a water bottle, a small cookie sheet, a Dutch oven, and baking dishes. After two hours, we noted whether objects were dry.
These tests helped compare the performance of each dish rack: Do the dishes fit? How many dishes will fit in the rack? Is it easy to put together? Are all the dishes dry after a reasonable amount of time?
After several weeks and many, many wet dishes, we are able to make confident recommendations based on data and personal observation.
Since the main purpose of these products is to dry dishes, they should perform that function. But there are other things to consider while shopping. Think about the size that works for you, accessories, assembly, and materials to help find the best fit for your kitchen.
Maybe you need a rack that can accommodate wine glasses. Maybe you want your dish rack to sit inside or across the sink rather than beside it on the counter. You should also consider the dimensions. Find the balance between “small enough for your space” and “large enough for the dishes you wash every day.”
Look hard at any accessories that come with the rack. Are they things you’ll actually use? Don’t pay for features you don’t need.
Also consider: Do you want something that is ready to use, or are you willing to spend a little time assembling? In general, simpler is better. You don’t want pieces falling off, especially if you have small pets or young children who may put them in their mouths.
Finally, consider water flow and storage. Does it drain via a spout, or does it tilt so that water isn’t pooling in the drain board? Do you want something that can be hidden away when not used? Do you want a specific color or style to match your kitchen decor?
Material can make a huge difference in a dish rack. You want something sturdy, that's easy to clean and maintain. (Some dish racks are dishwasher safe themselves, when it’s their turn for cleaning.)
Rubber or plastic may stain or require occasional washing. They also won’t look as sleek, and cheaper plastics may deteriorate over time. Stainless steel holds up well and can resist rust, but isn’t impervious to it. You can find wood or bamboo options, as well, and while they have advantages, they’re also susceptible to mold.
Kori began her journalism career as a teenage fashion blogger and has enjoyed covering a wide variety of topics ever since. In her spare time, she’s an amateur poet, avid reader, and gluten-free cake baker extraordinaire.
Michael Garrett Steele has been writing and editing professionally since 2013, and has been a part of Reviewed since 2020. An MFA in music composition, Garrett has lent audio expertise to everyone from Independence Community College to Bethesda Softworks, informing reviews of audio equipment and services. Garrett also covers tech, drawing on experience working everywhere from IT helpdesks to enterprise architecture sales. Steele has also become a go-to reviewer for minor plumbing fixtures since covering bidets for Reviewed in early 2020.
Tanya Ballard Brown is a seasoned journalist and project manager as well as a neophyte comedian who likes to try things. She has reviewed books, movies and television shows, and now Ballard Brown is reviewing all (ok, maybe some) of the things. She does this work so you don't have to.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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