The Best Dish Racks

Dish racks also tend to be a more sanitary choice than towel-drying your dishes because, let’s be honest, not many people remember to consistently wash their dish towels. Here are some fantastic dish racks that we recommend for you and your kitchen.

Buying Guide for Dish Racks

Why should you buy a dish rack?

A dish rack is the most convenient way to dry dishes when hand washing your kitchenware. Even though you may be tempted to stack them next to your sink over a dish towel, that method isn’t as effective, nor is it conducive to many kitchens.

What should you consider when buying a dish rack?

If you are looking to add a dish rack to your kitchen, here are a few things you should consider before buying:

• Material: Because dish racks are meant to store wet dishes, you’ll need to look for a rack made of anti-rust materials, such as stainless steel or bamboo. Dish racks made of these materials tend to be more durable and longer-lasting than typical plastic dish racks, ensuring that you’ll have an appliance that will last you for years to come.
• Storage Space: In order to keep your dishes organized, consider looking for a dish rack that comes with multiple storage compartments. Your dish rack should have sections for all of your dinnerware components, including cutlery, full-sized pots and pans, and cutting boards.
• Size: Your dish rack should be large enough to hold all of your dishes without taking up too much space in your kitchen. If you have a smaller kitchen, consider choosing a dish rack that fits over a section of your sink to maximize the space. You can also invest in a two-tier dish rack that will double the amount of storage you’ll get while still preserving plenty of valuable counter space.

Where should you place your dish rack?

You may think there’s only one place for your dish rack, but in fact, there are a few different options. In addition to a more traditional model that is right next to the sink, there are several that can go directly over the sink. Some people might prefer to place them in a butler’s pantry where they won’t be as much of an eyesore. Ultimately, a dish rack belongs in a place in or near your kitchen that can provide enough airflow to dry your dishes effectively.

Our Picks for the Best Dish Racks

Pros: This large capacity dish rack is made to hold everything from utensils and cutlery to delicate bowls and full-size cooking pans. It has a draining mat that fits over a sink to keep your kitchen counters clean and dry. Heavy-duty, satin-coated, and rust-resistant wires will make sure that your dish rack looks as good as it works for years to come. User-friendly features like a removable caddy for utensils and cutlery make this dish rack super helpful during kitchen cleanup.

Cons: Rusting can still occur, even though the materials should resist this flaw. It’s easy for users to assemble incorrectly, causing water draining issues and a big mess until it’s put together appropriately. It’s important to orient the mat properly to avoid making an extra mess in your kitchen.

Bottom Line: This high-quality dish rack holds several dishes of all varieties and even drains water back into the sink when set up correctly.

 

Pros: If you’re lacking real estate on your kitchen counter, this is a fantastic option. This over-the-sink drying mat allows dishes to dry and channels excess water directly into the sink. It also rolls up and can be stored wherever it’s most convenient. The food-grade silicone mat has steel rods to ensure its strength to hold several items without a problem. It is oil-resistant and easy to clean.

Cons: While it can hold several dishes, larger items like heavy pots or pans may be too much for this rack, and it’s not as big as other options. Since it does go over a sink, it limits how much sink space you have when in use.

Bottom Line: This is a favorite dish rack among people with limited counter space because of its functionality, ease of use, and space-saving abilities.

 

Pros: This two-tier dish rack holds dishes, glasses, cutting boards, utensils, cutlery, and even small pans—it supports up to 110 pounds of kitchenware! The H-frame design is sturdy and comes with an added feature of adjustable feet, so it can sit level even if your countertop isn’t. It includes three removable water trays. The rack is made of stainless steel that won’t rust and comes with simple instructions to assemble.

Cons: The dimensions of this rack are smaller than most dish racks. While it can hold a variety of dinnerware, it’s important to consider how big your dishes may be. Removing water trays can end in a big mess. It’s best not to put dishes with noticeable water in the rack, or the tray will fill up fast and probably make a mess.

Bottom Line: This is another great space-saving dish rack for a small kitchen or family. It may not withstand very large items, but it’s a thoughtful solution for someone who may not have a dishwasher.

 

Pros: This dish rack is made of high-quality bamboo, so it’s easy to clean and maintain. When in use, it dries 13 plates on the top tier and can fit several mugs, cups, or bowls on the bottom level. It comes with a utensil holder as well. The fresh look is perfect for a kitchen with natural-looking elements. Plus, when it’s not drying the dishes, it easily collapses to save counter space.

Cons: Assembly is easy with the dish rack, but if the screws go in crooked for the utensil holder, it could split, so you have to be careful. Some users reported mold growth over time. Consider treating it with a wood sealant.

Bottom Line: The space-saving features while in use and while collapsed make this dish rack great for small spaces. It’s also more aesthetically appealing since it’s made from bamboo.

 

Pros: This over-the-sink dish drying rack saves space with an innovative design that includes storage for pretty much any type of dish you could wash. The several compartments are adjustable, removable, and customizable, allowing you to make this work for your specific needs. It comes in various sizes to fit your sink and kitchen space (so be sure to measure accurately). Water drops directly into the sink to keep counters clean and dry. Sturdy stainless steel covered in a black finish ensures no rust. Suction cups on the feet help keep it stable.

Cons: Assembly instructions aren’t super clear, so be sure to read it over a few times before trying to assemble. Since it’s a very customizable rack, it may take you some time to figure out exactly which baskets and hooks to use for your kitchen needs.

Bottom Line: If the Jetsons had a dish rack, it would probably look like this one. This dish rack is an innovative, space-saving option and is especially useful for small kitchens. It’s convenient for drying and storing dishes and kitchenware.

 

Pros: This compact dish rack is great for a smaller kitchen. The familiar design on a smaller scale does everything you need it to do. The rack is coated to prevent rust, furnished with nonslip rubber feet, and has a removable utensil holder with holes to prevent water from sitting in the bottom. The tray collects water that you can dump back into the sink.

Cons: Rust shows up for some users, even after only a few washes. The water tray needs to be dumped out periodically, so users should get as much water off the dishes before putting them into the rack so that they don’t have to dump the water as often. It’s compact, so be mindful of measurements before expecting it to hold several large dishes.

Bottom Line: This model isn’t anything fancy, but it does dry dishes well. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller families and kitchens.

Final Thoughts

Thankfully, even a mundane task in the kitchen like washing dishes has solutions that meet the needs of almost any person and kitchen size. Choose from large-capacity or compact sizes, over-the-sink mats, or multiple-tier storage solutions to make dish washing and drying a more enjoyable experience.