The 5 best dish drying racks of 2021

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best disk rack
PremiumRacks
  • A quality dish drying rack effectively separates dishes, is designed for easy water run-off and drying, and is easy to clean.
  • PremiumRacksis our top pick because it's customizable and can hold more than just dishes.
  • Check out ourbest dish matsguide, too.

Even if you have a dishwasher, there are some kitchen items that aren't dishwasher safe. For instance, you should always wash yourknivesby hand. And, you will extend the life of yourcookwareby cleaning it with old-fashioned elbow grease.

Aside from bamboo knife blocks and silicone mats, the most popular dish rack materials are stainless steel and hard plastic, though both have their pluses and minuses. Some cheaper brands use stainless steel that may rust, while plastic dish racks are more likely to break. For the most part, you're unlikely to experience these problems with the dish racks we recommend below.

We rounded up dish racks that are foldable, roll-up, and are ideal for different counter spaces so you can simply wash and dry.

Here are the best dish drying racks of 2021

The best dish drying rack overall

best disk rack
PremiumRacks

ThePremiumRacks Professional Dish Rackcan hold twice as many dishes as other racks and can be configured in various ways.

Pros: Holds a lot of dishes, several different configuration options, rust-resistant, one-year warranty if ordered on company's website

Cons: Difficult to assemble

What sets thePremiumRacks Professional Dish Rackapart from other racks is its customizability. You can choose where to place the cutting board and three cup holder attachments, microfiber mat, knife and wide utensil holders, and the two drainboards. Also, the top shelf is removable and can be positioned either front to back or side to side. However, the customization can also make it tricky to assemble at first.

Because of the rack's material, it typically resists rust and other oxidative elements, a plus if you live in a coastal area. Though it can hold many dishes and does a solid job of keeping water off the counter, it may not be fit for smaller kitchens.

In addition, PremiumRacks offers aone-year warrantyon all of its dish racks if you order from the company site.

$59.99fromAmazon
Originally$69.99 Save 14%

The best roll-up dish drying rack

best over the sink dish rack
Surpahs

If you're working with limited counter space, consider using theSurpahs Over the Sink Roll-Up Dish Rackto turn your sink into a drainer.

Pros: Can be stored away when not in use, ideal for small spaces, heat-resistant, non-slip silicone design, lifetime warranty

Cons: Small capacity, may not be able to use the sink while dishes are drying

Let's face it — dish racks are essential for washing and drying dishes, but most take up more counter space than you'd like. TheSurpahs Over the Sink Roll-Up Dish Rackcombats this with its flexible design that rolls up for storage.

Surpahs' silicone construction keeps the unit slip-free and heat-resistant up to 400 degrees. It's also easy to clean and stays in place, though you may not be able to use the sink when it's set up atop your sink.

For extra protection, Surpahs backs its roll-up dish drying rack with a lifetime warranty when shopping onAmazonor from thecompany site.

The best foldable dish drying rack

best foldable dish rack
OXO

TheOXO Good Grips Convertible Foldaway Dish Rackis durable and well-designed to organize dishes, glasses, and flatware.

Pros: Folds up for easy storage, holders for several different kitchen items, rust-resistant; replacement or refund options with OXO Better Guarantee

Cons: The side drain spout makes it difficult to expel all water

The feature that sets theOXO Good Grips Convertible Foldaway Dish Rackapart from competitors is that the spout, legs, and side walls fold up for compact storage either vertically or horizontally. The rack has two utensil holders that are divided into three compartments each, which keeps flatware separated for easy organization. There are six slots for standing plates and cutting boards. Finally, there is also an array of tines for cups and glassware. Water drains directly into your sink thanks to its side drainage spout, though its location may make it difficult for all of the water to be expelled.

For people with limited kitchen space, this is a great, versatile option. Additionally, its various compartments fit most items in your kitchen and make it easier to put them away once they are dry.

OXO's Better Guaranteeoffers replacement or refund options if you're not happy with your purchase, too.

$28.03fromAmazon
Originally$39.99 Save 30%

The best dish drying rack for small countertops

best small dish rack
Chef'n

With its unique angled design and compact footprint, theChef'n DishGarden Dish Rackis ideal for smaller kitchens.

Pros: Angled design for easy draining, compact enough to fit in a sink

Cons: Water tends to drip on the counter, limited capacity

TheChef'n DishGarden Dish Rackhas a circular design and angled layout that's ideal for almost any nook and cranny in your kitchen. There are five legs: two front legs that are an inch high, two middle legs that are 1.5 inches, and a back leg that is two inches. This allows water to drain out of the spout, though the dish rack tends to leave water on your counter space.

The prongs are shorter in the back and longer in the front to give the illusion that the whole unit is flat. As a bonus, the rack is small enough to use in-sink, or you can opt to use it with adrying mat.

The best two-tier dish rack

iSPECLE slide image
Amazon

TheiSPECLE Stainless Steel Two-Tier Dish Rackis a foolproof organizer for holding more dishes without taking up extra space.

Pros: Space-saving design, rust-resistant, can hold up to 110 pounds, adjustable feet, comes with three water trays

Cons: May be too tall to fit under kitchen cabinets, no warranty

If you're looking to save space and maximize the amount of kitchenware you can dry at a time, theiSPECLE Stainless Steel Two-Tier Dish Rackis one of our most unique picks. It's able to hold 17 plates and pots on top and 18 bowls at the bottom.

The drying rack comes with three water trays (one underneath the top tray, one at the very bottom, and one underneath the utensil holder on the side) to ensure no water spills onto your countertops. The easy-to-assemble adjustable feet make it ideal for uneven surfaces, too.

Though it's a great space saver, it may not fit spaces where overhead cabinets hang lower than usual because of its height. And, though there's no warranty, it's durable and built to last.

$33.99fromAmazon
Originally$54.99 Save 38%

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