Whether you’re after a compact, over-the-sink, two-tiered, or collapsible design, we’ve rounded up the best dish racks and caddies to suit your kitchen and budget.
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Regardless if you love or hate handwashing dishes there’s one kitchen item that’s essential for the job: a dish rack.
Owning a sturdy dish rack or caddy will help you dry your plates, glasses, utensils and pots without leaving puddles of water all over your countertop. If you have limited drying space there are designs that sit in or on top of your sink or easily collapse for convenient storage.
With durability, ease of cleaning, functionality and sturdiness in mind, we researched the best types of dish racks and caddies on the market to find the best one within your budget. No matter your preferred design – compact, over-the-sink, two-tiered, stainless steel or collapsible – you’ll find the perfect match for your kitchen here.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
We think this Joseph Joseph Extend Steel model ticks all the boxes — design, durability, sturdiness, ease of use and drainage and drying capacity.
It’s compact enough for smaller kitchens but will also work for larger spaces thanks to the two-part sliding tray that extends the draining space when you need more room.
It’s designed with a movable cutlery drainer that has specific slots for sharp knives, a sturdy rail at the back for chopping boards and larger items and non-scratch draining prongs for excellent organisational capacity.
Additionally, the draining spout can be placed in three different positions to accommodate any countertop and sink, which is not a feature on offer in the majority of dish racks on the market. Besides the higher price tag, it’s actually challenging to find fault in this number. What we can confirm is that it’ll quickly become a valuable asset worthy of the investment.
One of the thousands of five-star reviewers said: “This product has solved all my problems. It functions well, I can leave it on top of the bench and use throughout the day and it’s compact enough to put under the sink and pack away. The dishes sit well for drying. Drainage is great as it has that little spout on the side, I’ve had no issues with leakage. Definitely solved my problems and would recommend to anyone!”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Keep your kitchen sponges and brushes neat and tidy with this convenient caddy. It features two compartments — the first stores brushes and other cleaning tools upright for easy access, and the second has an elevated sponge tray to keep two sponges dry and super handy. There’s also a removable drip tray with a built-in spout that comes apart for easy cleaning. The sleek and minimal design is just an added bonus.
One “very satisfied” reviewer wrote: “The stainless steel sink caddy is beautiful, sleek looking, and eliminates clutter in the sink area. The caddy fits comfortably on the edge of the sink and is solidly constructed so it is secure and doesn’t slide or tip over. It is also fingerprint-proof … There is adequate ventilation around the dividers, allowing for sufficient air circulation to help brushes and sponges dry more quickly.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This best-selling stainless steel rack is satin-coated and rust-resistant for maximum durability. It’s designed with a removable flatware caddy and adjustable compartments for cutlery and speciality items. If you’re after something bigger, it also comes in a full-size, large enough to handle pots and pans.
“We decided to go dishwasher-less in our new place, and this dish rack has been a lifesaver,” one five-star reviewer admitted. “It’s sturdy, and we always find that there’s enough room for our after-meal dishes. Plus, it’s a little more stylish than other dish racks I’ve seen.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The beauty of this two-tiered rack is that it can free up a lot of countertop space because it sits vertically. The top tier has designated slots for plates while the bottom can be used for cups, bowls and pots. It also comes with removable plastic cutlery and glassware holders and a drip-free draining board to keep your benchtop or sink dry.
Various reviewers have been amazed at how much the dish rack can hold, as one person said: “This dish rack works perfectly, and fits way more than I thought it would. Cannot recommend enough.”
BEST FLAT DISH RACK FOR SMALL KITCHENS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Another genius dish drier from Joseph Joseph, however, instead of being a standing (read: bulky) rack, this lies flat for an inconspicuous option. Simply place it on a flat surface and pull each end to expand it to over twice its size. Each of the three tiers features a wide enough platform to hold a variety of items and raised ribs to prevent water from being trapped inside cups and glasses. Push the tiers together again to collapse and drain any excess water via the handy spout. Now, its compact size means you can easily store it in any kitchen cupboard or drawer.
“Very practical and easy to fold away,” one person wrote. “Perfect if you prefer a clean look in the kitchen without the clutter.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This dish rack stands 14cm tall when open but collapses down to half its thickness, allowing for maximum use of space and decluttering of your benchtop. It’s crafted from a combination of non-slip plastic and silicone that’s resistant to tearing. The three cutlery slots and spacious basket allows you to arrange your items in an organised manner. Because of its collapsible and compact design, it really does make the perfect home and camping essential.
“This fits perfectly in my double sink! I have a tiny kitchen, so this is exactly what I wanted,” one person said. “When not in use, I flatten it and it slides perfectly out of sight. Easy to clean.”
A second person added: “This dish strainer is the last one that I will probably have to buy after having many, many strainers! All of them would eventually rust. This one is sturdy and will NEVER rust.”
BEST OVER-THE-SINK FLAT DISH RACK
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you’re looking to free up counter space, consider this versatile dish rack that sits right over the sink to create a study platform. Made from premium stainless steel and thermoplastic polyurethane that’s easy to clean, this drains water directly into the sink so there’s no need for a drying mat or drainboard. Once you’re finished using it, simply roll it up and store it until you need it again. Aside from being an excellent space-saving dish drier, it also doubles as a trivet mat to avoid damaging any surfaces with hot dishes. Furthermore, the pipes are removable to fit different kinds of sinks and it’s available in three different sizes so there’s one to suit your kitchen.
One person summed it up, saying “Really great idea for a big sink. Fits well and doesn’t slip.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
One of the best features of this spacious, two-tiered dish rack is it folds up flat for easy storage. In saying this, we think its stylish, modern design is too good to be hidden and will actually make a nice addition to your kitchen when left out.
The top rack is crafted from rustproof aluminium and makes the perfect platform for drying plates and bowls, while the bottom rack holds glasses, mugs and cups. It comes with a removable utensil cup that can be positioned at either end of the rack, non-slip feet so it sits study and ridges for quick drying and countertop protection. What’s more, the rack doubles as a draining board for smaller loads when folded flat. The only downside, as noted by several users, is the non-existent drain hole, meaning water does pool on the tray. However, it’s not a total deal-breaker and the whole unit dismantles easily for quick clean-up.
This dish rack has received a 4.7 out of five-star average rating on Amazon, with hundreds of reviewers praising it for its quality, design and durability.
“This dish drying rack really works for us. It looks way better than the plastic ones. It won’t rust like other metal ones,” one person wrote. “You do need to make sure you have enough clearance under a cabinet when it’s on the counter with dinner plates on it. I really like it. Folds up easy if you need to put it away. Thumbs up purchase.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The beauty of this stainless steel Abey dish rack is its ability to sit on your benchtop or comfortably inside a sink. Unlike most of the other dish racks in this roundup, the DR007 features one of the most simplistic designs without any attachments, tiers or collapsible elements. What you do get is a sturdy, hassle-free dish rack you can set and forget about.
One reviewer commented, saying “This is a really wonderful dish rack … it is so much better than a cheap dish rack from the shops. It doesn’t slip, there’s plenty of space and it looks stylish. I am really happy with this item.”
BEST DISH RACK WITH DRYING MAT
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you love the idea of lying all your dishes flat on your bench without ending up with pools of water, look no further than this option from Madesmart. The microfibre mat is exceptionally absorbent and provides plenty of space for “handwash only” items and heavier cookware (read: pots and pans). Plus, it also comes in handy for cleaning up spills or drying down wet surfaces. It’s equipped with a removable tray that provides plenty of aeration for glasses.
“Excellent product,” one person admitted. “The rack part is perfect for glasses so they actually dry as the air can flow underneath. The microfibre is absorbent and dries fast. Does not take up much space on the counter and you can easily fold it away.”
BEST EXTRA LARGE DISH RACK
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If your counter space is extremely limited and you’re not entirely concerned about aesthetics, this heavy-duty stainless steel frame will free up a lot of space. The multifunctional dish rack can be placed over the sink or on the counter and used to hold a large variety of plates, bowls, cups, utensils and cleaning supplies. It measures 64x52x32cm, has a maximum load of 40kg, can be customised to fit your space and is designed with D-shaped feet for superior stability. Also included in the set is a bowl rack, knife holder, chopping board rack, hooks, cutlery cages, a versatile square basket and a fruit and vegetable basket.
For the affordable price tag, users have been pleasantly surprised with the outstanding quality. As one person said “Surprisingly sturdy and well made. We thought it was going to be flimsy and not at all durable but its very firm. It’s customisable as well to fit your space and liking.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Bamboo may seem like the popular wooden choice for dish racks, however, nothing quite compares to teak wood, which has been used to craft this rack from Utoplike. This type of wood is normally used for outdoor furniture because of its ability to withstand all types of weather without deteriorating. It’s also low maintenance and maintains its beautiful hue so you don’t have to worry about discolouration. Aside from the material, the two-tier design allows for 15 plates to be dried on top, while cups and bowls dry on the bottom. The rack measures 43x29.5x23.2cm when fully expanded and folds up for easy storage.
One user compared it to their previous bamboo dish rack, saying “This actually is lasting far better than the bamboo I had previously which turned back with mould in two weeks, two months with this and no mould. All I’m looking for really, oh and it’s super pretty!”
WHAT’S THE BEST DISH RACK?
There is a myriad of dish racks on the market but when it comes to finding the perfect one for you, founders of professional organisational company TIDEE, Emma Rosham and Michelle Rubin, advise you to keep a few things in mind: “Choose something that is functional and beautiful and of course, fits your space.”
Space: How much space do you have on your kitchen countertop? If you’re low on storage, an over-the-sink or in-sink rack may be a more appropriate solution.
Storage: Do you intend to keep your dish rack set up at all times? Or, do you need one that can be folded or rolled away and stowed in a compact space when not in use?
Drainage: “Ideally, you want a dish rack that sits over the sink for easy drainage or one that sits next to the sink with a draining system,” Rosham and Rubin explain. Look for ones designed with drainage spouts as this will ensure a mess-free system with every use.
Material: Do you prefer stainless steel, silicone or wood? There are pros and cons to each so make sure to do your research before adding to cart.
Functionality: How many plates, bowls, glasses and cups do you use at a time? How big are these items? Do you intend to also dry pots and pans on your dish rack? How many people are you washing up for?
IS PLASTIC OR METAL BETTER FOR A DISH RACK?
As mentioned above, the material of your preferred dish rack will depend on your unique needs. Rosham and Rubin favour “a high-quality plastic dish rack as these are easy to wash.”
For others, stainless steel is a great long-lasting option that’s easy to clean, rust-resistant and aesthetically pleasing.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR DISH RACK?
According to Rosham and Rubin, your dish rack needs to be regularly cleaned in order to prolong its longevity.
“Dish racks should be cleaned frequently – at least once a week – as they can get a build-up of washing detergent if items aren’t properly rinsed.”
Check the washing instructions of your dish rack to see if it’s dishwasher-safe. If it’s not, you can simply handwash it in the sink. For stainless steel dish racks, submerge the entire appliance in a sink filled with hot water and vinegar. Let it sit for a few hours then drain and let it dry.
For more kitchenware you’ll love, make sure to check out our roundup of the top-rated coffee machines that deliver a caffeine hit with minimal fuss plus, the best pressure cookers that take the lengthy time and guesswork out of the most complex meals.
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