Every kitchen should be clean and organized. We mean, who wouldn’t want it to be that way? There’s just something so satisfying about cooking in a kitchen that’s orderly and spotless. And if you’re one of those people that hate clutter, wet countertops, and stained utensils, perhaps getting a dish drying rack is a good addition to your gourmet workspace.
We know what you’re thinking: why would I get one if I have a dishwasher? But you should know that using a drying rack is possibly the best way to store your dishes after a quick clean-up. Perhaps you just want to clean a glass or your favorite ramekin after a dessert. This is when drying racks come in handy. It’s also a good way to air-dry your utensils without consuming electricity.
If you’re considering picking a rack for your kitchen, you need to consider some things before buying one. Worry not, read on for our top picks this year as well as some tips you need to know to help you find the best drying rack for your kitchen.
Our Favorite Dish Drying Racks at a Glance
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Best Overall: ROTTOGOON Aluminum Dish Rack
A drying rack made from a quality aluminum frame that is light and durable.READ MORE -
Best Versatile: ADOVEL Dish Drying Rack and Drainboard Set
The versatile drying rack with a double-layer design for extra storage space.READ MORE -
Best Budget-Friendly: Deluxe Chrome-Plated Steel Small Dish Drainers
An inexpensive chrome-plated dish drainer for those on a tight budget.READ MORE -
Best Large: Boosiny Large Dish Drying Rack and Drainboard
A large two-tier rack that comes with a chopping board holder, utensil holder, and a cup holder.READ MORE -
Best Space Saver: Kesol Expandable Dish Drying Rack
The perfect space-saving rack that can sit on your countertop or on your sink.READ MORE -
Best Roll Up: Surpahs Over The Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
A roll-up drying rack that can be used as a heat-resistant trivet mat.READ MORE -
Best Over the Sink: LONOVE Over the Sink 2 Tier Dish Drying Rack
This over-the-sink drying rack can store all your cookware from utensils to chopping boards and pot covers.READ MORE -
Best Wall Mounted: Sorbus Wall Mounted 2 Tier Dish Rack
A suitable drying rack for those who want to keep everything off the kitchen countertop.READ MORE -
Best Stainless Steel: KitchenAid Full-Size Dish Rack
This stainless steel rack is designed to accommodate even the heaviest of pans and pots.READ MORE -
Best Wood: Bambüsi Bamboo Dish Drying Rack
A natural bamboo drying rack that won’t stain from soaps and foods.READ MORE -
Best Copper: mDesign Copper Sink Drying Rack with Removable Tray
Add a sophisticated look to your countertop with this copper drying rack from mDesign.READ MORE -
Best Foldable: Masirs Pop Up and Collapse Dish Drying Rack
A pop-up and collapse drying rack for space savers as well as those who like to go camping.READ MORE
Best Dish Drying Racks
1. Best Overall: ROTTOGOON Aluminum Dish Rack
What We Love
- Corrosion-resistant
- Adjustable water spout that moves 180 degrees
- Modern design
What We Don't Love
- Only has 1 size
What’s better than Rottogoon Aluminum Dish Rack to take our top spot? This dish rack checks all the boxes on your list. It’s a space saver, comes with a spout, and has a minimalist design that can make your kitchen look and feel sophisticated. It also comes with a removable cutlery and knife holder. This one does not come with a magnetic knife holder but it still does its job. And the best of all, all that feature comes with one very affordable price!
In addition, durability is not a problem because this drying dish rack is made of aluminum alloy that is corrosion-resistant and can withstand the heaviest of cookware. Scratched and chipped countertops brought about by kitchen racks are also not an issue. Not only does it protect your dishes from slipping and moving, but its four rubber feet can protect your marble countertop as well. And did we mention that its drainage spout is adjustable to 180 degrees?
2. Best Versatile: ADOVEL Dish Drying Rack and Drainboard Set
What We Love
- Stable and secure
- Detachable parts are easy to clean
- 360 degrees rotating swivel spout
- Bottom tray has high walls
What We Don't Love
- A bit pricey
Just because it’s a dish drying rack, doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to looking for one that can only accommodate plates and utensils like your handy cherry pitter. A good dish drying rack is able to withstand and store small to medium saucepans and even your knives. That is why this two-tier dish drying rack from Adovel is our pick as the best versatile. Its top layer is designed so you can fit glasses and small pots at the same time.
This modern dish drying rack is made from stainless steel 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm wire that is durable, stable, and secure. With this, you won’t experience wobbly wires even when the drying rack is at full capacity. They’re also oil and corrosion-resistant for added durability. But what sets this drying rack from the rest is that the bottom tray has high walls for added protection in case you bumped into it. It’s especially useful when you have kids.
3. Best Budget-Friendly: Deluxe Chrome-Plated Steel Small Dish Drainers
What We Love
- Budget-friendly
- Elegant and modern design
What We Don't Love
- Doesn’t come with drying mats
- Utensil holder is made from plastic
You’ll find a good yet inexpensive dish drainer with Neat-O! This black dish drying rack is one of the cheapest drying racks you can probably find in the market. Don’t underestimate this rack though, as its chrome-plated wire has perfectly combined elegance and utility. What with its color-coated base that functions as extra protection for your kitchen utensils and added modern design. This rack can sit unassumingly on your countertop!
However, the downside of this drying rack is that it doesn’t come with a drainboard. To avoid having wet spots on your countertop, you may want to buy a separate dish drain though it can perfectly sit on the sink as well.
4. Best Large: Boosiny Large Dish Drying Rack and Drainboard
What We Love
- Anti-scratch feet
- Customizable holders
What We Don't Love
- Feet not rubbered
- Glass holder is made of plastic
If you have a medium to large family household, this large dish drying rack is the best option for you. Its racks are made to withhold a maximum of 110 pounds of weight without wobbling. What’s more, you’d think that a rack like this will consume an extensive section of your kitchen, but it’s actually designed to save space as well. In fact, it saves space so well you won’t think it also houses multifunctional utensil holders for your potato peeler, forks, spoons, and knives. You may also throw in your chopping board on top of all that weight and it’ll remain sturdy as ever.
You can also customize holders however you like. For instance, you can move the holder according to your kitchen’s space or how you want your rack to look sitting on your countertop. Another great feature is its quality stainless steel that also prevents rusting even after years of use. It can withstand the toughest of use too as this rack passed the 24-hour salt test to ensure it is corrosion-resistant.
5. Best Space-Saver: Kesol Expandable Dish Drying Rack
What We Love
- Quality service for up to five years
What We Don't Love
- No drying mat
- Plastic cup holder
Choose where you want to put this expandable drying rack from Kesol. You can place it on your countertop or over your sink. Wherever you decide to put it, this space-saver dish drying rack can even maximize the area over your sink.
You can also say goodbye to scratched countertops because this drying rack has 4 rubbered feet that can prevent further slips and scratches. This is especially useful if you’re planning on resting it on your countertop. However, one major drawback that comes with using this drying dish rack is that it does not come with a drying board. You have to buy a separate one for this product. So if it isn’t in your plan to purchase two separate products, you may want to look for another option below.
6. Best Roll-Up: Surpahs Over The Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
What We Love
- Full lifetime warranty
- Heat resistant up to 400 degrees F
- Dishwasher safe
- Rubber-coated rack
What We Don't Love
- Heavier than it looks like
- Heavier than it looks like
Aside from using an over-the-sink drying kitchen rack, you may also use a roll-up dish drying rack if you’re looking for one that can be placed over the sink. It’s a favorite among people who want to keep everything off the countertop too! Besides, it’s the perfect way to help your kitchen look roomy and spacey if you’re trying to make it look bigger than it actually is.
But the real deal with this roll-up drying dish rack is that it’s multifunctional. Among other types of drying dish racks, this is the only rack that can be used in a number of ways. One way you can use it is as a heat-resistant trivet mat on the countertop when you rest your dish server for your electric skillet. You can also place it over the sink, put a chopping board on top and you can maximize your space. It’s also a plus that it can carry even the heaviest of cookware without it slipping as its wires are completely covered in silicone.
7. Best Over-the-Sink: LONOVE Over the Sink 2 Tier Dish Drying Rack
What We Love
- Adjustable length
- Customizable holders
- Anti-slip feet
What We Don't Love
- Length not as high
Find your all-in-one kitchen storage with Lonove’s over-the-sink dish drying rack. Like our pick for best versatile, this rack has everything you need in one amazing rack. It can keep and air-dry all your kitchen dishes including bowls, utensils, plate, your handy wine opener, chopping board, and even the heaviest of pot lids. However, that’s not all it can accommodate. You can also store your detergent and cleaning supplies under the top layer.
To add, one of its strongest features is its adjustable rack and compartments that can be freely modified based on the size of your sink. No more bulky-looking rack that feels cramped together.
8. Best Wall Mounted: Sorbus Wall Mounted 2 Tier Dish Rack
What We Love
- Adjustable shelf rack
- Holders made of metal
- Iron metal holders
What We Don't Love
- No storage space for cups
Reduce the chance of your rack toppling over with this wall-mounted 2-tier drying rack from Sorbus. Apart from fixing your rack to your wall, this rack can also minimize clutter and make use of the space on your kitchen that’s never been used before. It’s also a good way to keep little prying hands from reaching heavy dishes and sharp knives.
Another feature that we like about this rack is that its utensil and knife holders are all made of iron metal with a black finish. And because it is metal, it can hold your heaviest serrated knives plus the weight of your other utensils without the danger of it breaking. And last but not the least, each rack is also adjustable based on the height of your dishes so you can fit any dishes without hassle.
9. Best Stainless Steel: KitchenAid Full-Size Dish Rack
What We Love
- Heavy-duty wires built for large capacity
- Self-draining board
What We Don't Love
- No compartments for tidier storage
When you’re in doubt, go with the best stainless steel rack you can find. And that is true with KitchenAid dish drying rack. This drying rack is made of heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant wires for durability and stability when in use. You can even store small to medium stock pots in this drying rack.
Each purchase of this stainless dish drying rack comes with a drying mat and three utensil holders. However, it doesn’t come with specific compartments for your plates or for your bowls. And so, it will look messy when you store several dishes. Our takeaway with this rack is that it has a modern design that can completely make your kitchen sophisticated and up to date. That, plus its self-draining board that avoids water overflows and bacteria growth.
10. Best Wood: Bambüsi Bamboo Dish Drying Rack
What We Love
- Natural design
- Made from premium hand-selected bamboo
What We Don't Love
- No utensil holder
Add a pop of Nordic touch in your kitchen with this wooden dish drying rack from Bambüsi. It’s especially perfect too if you’re all about displaying a complete set of dishes on your countertop for added design. It can fit up to 14 dinner plates and six medium-sized stemless wine glasses.
This bamboo dish drying rack is made from premium hand-selected bamboo that’s harder than most common woods you can find. And so, it’s perfectly capable of supporting your dishes just as fine as the metal ones.
11. Best Copper: mDesign Copper Sink Drying Rack with Removable Tray
What We Love
- Elegant design
- Adjustable water drainage spout
What We Don't Love
- A bit pricey for its size and function
- Does not drain water too well
Here’s another rack that can sit pretty on your countertop. But of course, it’s still important that the rack is still functional. Which is why this rack is made of strong steel that won’t rust, break, or get flimsy when you store heavy cookware! The plastic drainboard is also BPA-free and won’t easily shatter upon use.
Although this copper dish drying rack may look small in the picture, it sure can store a sizeable number of plates and glasses. You see, this rack features 12 slots for plates as well as seven hooks on both sides for your glasses and mugs. But since the rack has specific slots for plates, there’s not much cookware you can put in it too like bowls, ramekins, or perhaps your flour sifter after baking. For bigger storage space, you might have luck with other racks from this list.
12. Best Foldable: Masirs Pop Up and Collapse Drying Rack
What We Love
- Collapsible
What We Don't Love
- Holes in the drainboard are too small
If you are serious about taking everything off the countertop especially when you’re not using it, this pop-up and collapse drying rack is the perfect fit for your needs. This foldable dish drying rack from Masirs takes the cake in space-saving as it is easily collapsible when you’re not using it. People love it especially for its easy storage and handy design that you can take anywhere especially on a camping trip.
What To Look for In a Dish Drying Rack
Make sure you get the most out of your money when you buy the perfect drying rack for your kitchen. To help you cherry-pick the best dish rack, here are some factors you need to consider:
Versatility
When you buy a dish rack, pick one that can be used for more than just drying plates and utensils. Compared to the traditional dish racks, modern racks now have compartments for almost every utensil and cookware in the kitchen. It also has features that have never been added before like the 360 degrees swivel drain spout and the foldable type that’s very multifunctional.
Material
When choosing a material, it’s also important to consider options that are easier to clean. Of course, you also have to consider its stability and durability. Stainless steel fits the bill on both accounts. It’s sturdy, durable, and easy to clean.
Size
Dish racks come in all sizes. There are extreme space-savers like the collapsible, roll-up, and foldable racks. But, there are also ones that take so much counter space. These are made for large batches of dishes. Make sure that the one you pick can sit snugly on your countertop or over your sink.
Capacity
Just because a dish drying rack is big, doesn’t mean it can hold more dishes than smaller dish racks. Though smaller, a modern 2-tier dish rack might actually hold more than the traditional ones. These racks are space-savers and can maximize the space it already occupies by adding hooks and hanging compartments. Obviously, these racks can air-dry and store most of your kitchen tools.
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