The 5 Best Dish Racks

Measurements: 14"L x 11.9"W x 8"H | Rack Type: Countertop

The Simplehuman Compact Steel Frame dish rack proves to be a valuable asset in the kitchen. The stainless steel design is sleek and modern, and the ever-versatile swivel spout can move with you, making it easy to turn if needed. This model scored the highest overall in our review, with excellent ratings for its ease of use, drainage and drying capacity, and aesthetics. The Simplehuman is ready to use out of the box and is compact enough to use in smaller kitchens. The four-piece design makes it easy to clean when needed, and surfaces take seconds to wipe dry after use; it appears it will keep shining for a long while in your kitchen.

Aside from the steep price, we don't have much to complain about with the Simplehuman rack. Although, we do wish the compact model we tested offered more than two slats on the side to hold cups and glasses. For a large household, or those who cycle through many dishes, the design of this model may not suffice. The manufacturer offers a version of this model in a larger size, but it costs quite a bit more. Still, this compact model has an excellent organizational capacity. It easily holds full-size plates, a multitude of cookware, and silverware, and it dries dishes for a family of three without difficulty.

Measurements: 14.1"L x 12.3"W x 5.4"H | Rack Type: Countertop or In-Sink

During our side-by-side testing, the Neat-O Deluxe Chrome-plated showed us some impressive dish-handling and drying skills. During our stability testing, excellent sturdiness was seen; it held our cast iron skillet and fragile glassware with unwavering strength. It is also convenient to lift the full rack and place it in the sink to allow sufficient drying time while freeing up counter space, even with the two glasses on the outside slats. We also like the sleek contrast of black and chrome and found no issues with corrosion or material integrity during our testing.

The Neat-O Deluxe is a two-piece set, so it's not the ideal fit for those who want more frills. The one accessory it offers is the silverware caddy, which is removable; however, the 1/4" slats to divide the container tend not to keep the utensils vertical. It is common for the silverware to lean when loading the rack, which might be cumbersome. Overall, the Neat-O is useful for a compact kitchen and best for small loads of dishes, though it's sturdy enough to stack away.

Measurements: 16.5"L x 9.8"W x 15.7"H | Rack Type: Two-tier

The iSpecle 201 Stainless 2-Tier dish rack is quite handy in the kitchen. It is a versatile rack that can be placed parallel or perpendicular to the sink because the drainboard is removable and the width is under 10". It could handle our eight-pound cast iron skillet with excellent stability on the top or bottom rack. It holds plates, bowls, and other cook and dishware without worry. We are also pleased with the removable utensil holder, as the silverware holds vertically in place while drying. The removable cutting board holder is a bonus, customizing the drying rack to the tester's preference.

Despite its high scores on our metrics, the iSpecle still had some drawbacks. For example, assembly is required, and if using the two-inch included wrench is not your cup of tea, purchasing an assembled dish rack is recommended. However, if you want to work on basic assembly skills, it builds relatively fast and appears to be a steadfast partner by the sink. Another disadvantage is the silverware caddy does not have a drain rack, although it appears other models have one now. Overall, the iSpecle's compact yet sturdy build handles various dishware easily, making it an excellent choice for a smaller household.

Measurements: 15.3-23" L x 11.8"W x 5.2"H | Rack Type: Over the Sink Expandable, Large

The SANNO Large Expandable Drying Rack rack is a top performer in the sturdiness and reliability categories. During our side-by-side testing, we found it highly manageable to move the rack from the over-the-sink position to the countertop and back. The expandable handles are a sturdy feature and hold our 8 lb cast iron skillet without wavering. The stainless steel build did not yield any signs of corrosion or rust after more than a week of daily use. Overall, this rack is recommended for those who prefer an in-sink rack to clear up countertop space.

Despite its high-performance marks, we do miss having cup slats on our rack. The SANNO's large capacity still has plenty of room for dishware and cups alike; however, after a multi-course meal or a surplus of dishes, we find cup slats go a long way to free up extra drying space. All in all, the SANNO comes highly recommended for its sturdy design; we envision its use not only for daily dish duty at home but also on the go due to its expandable handle design, possibly holding supplies for a picnic.

Measurements: 18"L x 14"W (21" W with side drying racks) x 12"H | Rack Type: Countertop

The Premium Racks Professional Stainless has it all, and we put it to good use. The two-tiered setup is a breeze, with clear instructions and visuals to refer to when assembling. There was plenty of room for our set amount of dishes, our chef's knife dried nicely in the knife block, and our glasses and cutting board even had their own side drainage trays. If you are looking for a drip-free countertop experience while washing the dishes, Premium Racks is a nice choice, as it comes with two draining board types underneath and a microfiber mat for catching water to utilize as desired. The silverware caddy is large, holds a variety of utensils, and also easily detaches for cleaning when necessary.

Due to the accessories, the Premium Racks can start growing “wings” and take up counter space, as it expands out to 21" with the side drainage systems in place. We find the drainage system attachments a bit cumbersome at times and feel they are less practical for smaller households where fewer dishes are done at a time, or if you don't mind, a quick wipe of the countertop to get a few water drops while the dishes are drying. However, if you have a bigger household, the size and add-ons of the Premium Racks might be a perfect fit.

Measurements: 19.4"L x 15.5"W x 5.2"H open dimensions | Rack Type: Countertop Convertible Foldaway

The OXO Good Grips Convertible Foldaway receives one of the highest scores in design aesthetics, highlighting the ease of storing it after use. The construction is useful, unique, and sturdy; it simply folds up even with the utensil caddies in place and tucks away into a cupboard, leaving the countertops clean and open after use. The rack can efficiently hold pint glasses on its slats, which is something that not all racks can do. It holds various plates, dishes, and cookware without difficulty, as this was verified during our load testing.

Despite its convenience, the OXO has some drainage issues, as water tends to pool at the edge of the rack toward the drain spout. It needs a little effort on behalf of the user to give it a slightly higher slope to empty the remaining water (only a couple of teaspoons). The main rack construction of sturdy BPA-free plastic (with slightly raised lines) provides air circulation; a raised surface for dishware does not give as much air circulation as other models, such as a wire rack. However, this is why the OXO is durable and folds away with good resilience. Due to the solid design may be perfect for someone traveling in an RV or those who prefer to stow away after each use.

Measurements: 20.5" L x 13.1" W | Rack Type: Over the sink
The Surpahs Over The Sink Roll-Up is a delight in the kitchen; it is a useful tool as a drying rack and as an additional temporary work surface that is frequently needed in a pinch, especially in smaller kitchens. It held 84% of our set amount of dishes in the tester kitchen, which is impressive for not having a silverware caddy. We love its smooth surface and appreciate that it's a reliable partner in the kitchen.

We don't recommend the Surpahs to those searching for a primary rack for a two-person household or bigger. The total surface area is large and sturdy enough to stack dishes and cookware; however, if attempting to stack larger diameter plates, the rack may stretch, and silverware might slip through. We appreciate the multi-functional design and recognize that the Surpahs is an excellent addition to a kitchen of any size.

Measurements: 19"L x 12"W x 5"H | Rack Type: Countertop or In-Sink

The Sweet Home Collection 3-Piece brightens our test kitchen in a refreshing mint color. The 19"L rack is optimized on our countertop, holding the set amount without hassle. The mobile silverware caddy opening widths of approximately 2.5" hold utensils vertically with an excellent drying capacity. The matching color drainboard did the job with a wide-mouth spout facing the sink to unload excess water successfully, adding a sense of mid-century practicality. Additionally, the rack fit into our sink, freeing up countertop space and allowing the dish drain to be quickly dried or stowed away. The Sweethome is a beneficial addition to our kitchen.

We encountered some issues with the Sweet Home. For instance, the rack we received included five small chips in the mint vinyl coating. One of these chips was significant, while the others were only noticeable upon closer examination. Another problem is plates tend to lean when inserted into the rack holder. They might stand up briefly, but when placing other dishware, one of the plates might unexpectedly lean forward, hitting the others. Still, Sweet Home is a functional addition to our tester kitchen, serving a household of three.

Measurements: 16.1"L x 14.9"W x 6.7"H | Rack Type: Countertop or In-sink

The Rubbermaid Antimicrobial 4-Piece is user-friendly due to the included sponge holder and a kitchen brush. We put them to use right out of the box, alongside the dish rack and drainboard in our tester kitchen. The clear drainboard and chrome finish are appealing and kept our kitchen bright without overpowering, like other bold designs and larger racks are prone to do. It held 95% of our set amount of dishes with an excellent drying capacity. It also is quick to wipe clean and dry as part of regular maintenance.

The Rubbermaid has some disadvantages, such as the lack of cup holder slats, which reduces the total load capacity. This was a factor in not passing our stability test in which we loaded a cast iron skillet beside three fragile glasses. The dish rack held two out of three glasses safely, but unfortunately, there simply was not enough room for the other glass. Despite this issue, the Rubbermaid might be a perfect choice for a single or two-person household; it is also a great starter set.

Measurements: 14.4"L x 12.5"W x 3"-5.4"H| Rack Type: Collapsible Countertop

The Masirs Collapsible performed best in the drainage and drying category reliability category. Its unique design with universal pegs across the bottom of the rack held full-size dinner plates with good ability. It was easy to load our frequently used same-size bowls in a nesting position, too. Its collapsible design easily fits in a cabinet, and we recommend this rack to accommodate a small size household or those who prefer to take it on the road.

Despite its convenience, the Masirs rack does have limitations. Our load test did not accommodate all of the items; also, during stability testing, the cast iron skillet compressed the rack by 20%, thereby reducing its sturdiness. Yet, we find this rack's positive attributes to rise above any negative. Because of its capability to collapse and hold various dishware and an abundance of silverware and utensils, this rack may serve a kitchen with honorable performance, especially for those who desire to store it away after use.

Measurements: 17.25"L x 12"W x 13"H | Rack Type: Two-tier

The Simple Houseware 2-Tier effectively holds a variety of dishware, and the mug holders are quite useful, adding a charming and functional appeal. We enjoy the sense of lightness it brings to the kitchen due to its shiny chrome, underlined with a translucent drainboard.

As much as we liked the design, there were issues right from the start. The drainboard arrived with a one-inch hole and cracked end, therefore, it failed several of our tests. We found other online users also had quality issues with drainboards. The problem was modified using a towel to stop the leakage during use, as we prefer the translucent drainboard with the chrome finish. Overall, the rack held our set amount of dishes without difficulty; it may be an appealing rack for a budget-minded shopper.

Why Trust GearLab

Our testing process is an extensive one, starting with researching the best available products on the market. Next, the thoughtfully chosen dish racks were purchased and brought to the test kitchen, where we put them to work for over 50 hours of dish drying duty. Each one was used for over eight hours in our detailed comparative testing process and put through specific testing methods to measure and rate a defined set of metrics to help you find a reliable product.

The lead tester for this review is Kate Irvin, who is the main dishwasher in her house and has been for several years. She enjoys finding kitchen products that help keep her household happy and healthy, especially ones that facilitate a viable work/life balance. She finds a sense of satisfaction in a clean kitchen and was eager to jump on board to find a highly effective product. She is detail-oriented, and analyzing comes naturally to her, so having the opportunity to be the head tester was a welcomed challenge.

Analysis and Test Results

To hone in on the specifics of each rack, we utilized five metrics — sturdiness, ease of use, reliability for drying and drainage, durability, and design aesthetics — to break down and describe our hands-on experience with each model.

Sturdiness

This metric is of particular importance because to effectively hold a typical dish load with various plates, cookware, and glassware, the rack must be trustworthy and strong. We completed a load test for each rack, using a set amount of dishes. The set amount contained 19 pieces and reflected the number of dishes, cookware, and utensils used for three people for a meal.

Our top performer is the Premium Racks Professional for its undeniable and unwavering sturdiness; it easily handles the heaviest and most fragile. Another top contender is the Polder, as it stacks up various dishes with a high degree of steadiness. The SANNO also scored high in this category; the expandable arms held a variety of dishware and cookware with good resilience.

Part of our stability testing was subjecting each rack to simultaneously holding an eight-pound cast iron skillet and three fragile glasses. The goal here was to rate security and safety while holding these opposing objects. Many dish racks did well with the stability test; however, we were most impressed by the Neat-O Deluxe's performance in this metric.

Ease of Use

When scrutinizing ease of use, we looked at the rack's organization, cleanability, rack type with potential use in multiple capacities, and finally, consideration of assembly required.

The Surpahs Over the Sink Roll-Up was a top scorer in this category. It is handy, easy to wipe clean and dry, and its use is multi-faceted.

An essential part of having an organized rack is its silverware caddy, specifically ones that hold silverware and utensils vertically with good stability.

We appreciate the Simplehuman and OXO Good Grips removable silverware caddies as they hold all sorts of silverware and utensils with vigor and style.

The Premium Racks Professional has you covered for all of your organizational needs, including cutlery requisites with its nine knife capacity block, removable large utensil bin, and detachable cup holders.

Reliability for Drying and Drainage

We found all racks could achieve dry dishes at the two-hour mark, aside from a few drops here and there. We analyzed whether the rack had direct drainage to the sink and the type of spout when looking at drainage. We took scrupulous notes of whether any drainboard had the capacity for pooling and if this impacted air circulation that could potentially leave moisture on any dishes, glasses, or silverware.

The iSpecle 201 does a great job of drying the dishes due to its stainless steel build and plentiful air circulation. Its build is a top performer with a removable drainage pan that can easily pour out and dry after each use.

The Sweet Home also boasts impressive qualities that assist in stout drying and drainage capabilities. Our steadfast rack, the Simplehuman, is a star here too. The original design of the swivel spout proves to be efficient for drainage, and its drying capacity is excellent.

Durability

We looked at any evidence of rust, corrosion, or other rack malfunctions that came up during our hands-on testing to test durability. We also tested by pouring cups of water through the rack to watch for pooling during its drainage process, how the materials handle water immersion and a vigorous clean per the manufacturer's recommendations.

The OXO Good Grips is a highly functional and durable build of a rack and is one of our top performers in this section along with the Simplehuman, iSpecle, and the Premium Racks Professional.

Design/Aesthetics

When rating the design/aesthetics metric, we took into consideration the rack's level of appeal.

Does the design have a particular style? Can it blend in with numerous amount of kitchen types due to its low-profile design? We answered these questions and also considered rack materials and storage capacity.

The Surpahs design is commended along with the OXO and Simplehuman. The collapsible design of the Masirs is also recommended.

Conclusion

We've conducted an in-depth expert comparison of the best dish racks, detailing our rigorous side-by-side testing outcomes. Each metric has been thoroughly assessed, and we report our findings. We hope you have gained valuable insight into what rack type is best suited for you and your kitchen. Lucky enough to have a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher? See our picks for dishwasher pods in our dedicated review.