Taco night in a small apartment ends the same way every time: a comal, a salsa bowl, a stack of plates, the molcajete and a handful of forks, all waiting next to a sink with about a foot of counter beside it. A full-size dish rack would swallow that counter whole. A small one, chosen for the space you actually have, lets the dishes dry while you still have somewhere to set down the leftovers.
This guide is the small-kitchen branch of our dish rack guide. That page covers racks for every size of kitchen. Here every pick is chosen for a short counter, a narrow sink, an RV or a kitchen where the rack has to disappear between meals: compact racks, a two-tier tower, fold-flat and pop-up designs, an over-the-sink rack and a mini drainer made for camper sinks. Sizes, materials and drainage come from each maker or listing.
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Quick verdict: which small dish rack to buy
For most small kitchens, the pick is the KitchenAid Compact Dish Rack: about 15 by 13 inches on the counter, with an angled drainboard that sends water into the sink and a removable flatware caddy, and KitchenAid gives it a lifetime limited warranty. If your counter is narrow but you have height to spare, the Yamazaki Tower Two-Tier Dish Rack stacks dishes on two levels in a 16-by-8.7-inch footprint. If the rack has to vanish after dinner, the OXO Good Grips Compact Drying Rack with Dish Rest folds down to a 1.35-inch-thick tray.
Below, five standouts side by side, then all nine small racks reviewed in full.
Five small dish racks compared
One pick for each kind of small kitchen, with the size and drainage each maker or listing states. All nine racks are reviewed below.
| Rack | Size (per listing) | Drainage | Stores | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
KitchenAid Compact Dish RackBest overall
|
15.04 x 13.23 x 5.43 in | Angled drainboard into the sink | Stays on the counter | View on Amazon |
Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Slim Expandable Dish RackBest expandable rack
|
12.21 x 6.3 x 7.48 in; tray extends | Three-position swivel spout | Stays on the counter | View on Amazon |
Yamazaki Tower Two-Tier Dish RackBest two-tier rack
|
16.14 x 8.66 x 12.99 in | Tray with adjustable spout | Stays on the counter | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Compact Drying Rack with Dish RestBest fold-flat rack
|
17.2 x 14 x 1.35 in folded | Silicone base acts as a drip tray | Arm folds flat | View on Amazon |
Camco RV Mini Dish Drainer and TrayBest for RVs
|
9.5 x 11.7 x 4.75 in | Sloped drain tray | Tray snaps on top for travel | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes are as stated by each maker or listing and may be given in a different order (width, depth, height); measure your counter and sink before you buy.
Our picks for the best dish rack small kitchens can fit
These nine racks were chosen for space first. Two brands overlap with our main dish rack page, OXO and Umbra, but with different, smaller models: OXO’s flat compact rack and pop-up foldaway rack, and Umbra’s Udry Mini. We left out the full-size racks and the simplehuman compact rack, which the main page already covers. Measure the counter beside the sink, from the sink edge to the wall or the next appliance, and the depth from the backsplash to the counter edge.
1. KitchenAid Compact Dish Rack – A Full Rack in About 15 by 13 Inches
KitchenAid’s compact rack is a scaled-down version of a regular dish rack rather than a gadget, which is why it is the easiest recommendation for most small kitchens. It has three parts: the wire rack, an angled drainboard under it and a flatware caddy that hooks on. The listing gives its size as 15.04 inches wide, 13.23 inches deep and 5.43 inches high, and KitchenAid says it is designed with smaller kitchens in mind while still holding plates, bowls, cups, flatware, cookware and tools.
The drainboard is angled to send water straight into the sink instead of pooling on the counter, and it lifts out for cleaning. KitchenAid describes the wires as heavy-duty, satin-coated and rust-resistant, with stainless steel panels; rust resistance is the maker’s claim. The flatware caddy has a handle and adjustable compartments and comes off the rack so you can carry it to the drawer.
The listing gives the weight as 4.1 pounds and a weight limit of 25 pounds, which covers a load of plates and a small skillet or comal. It assembles without tools, has soft non-slip feet, and is hand wash only, per the description. KitchenAid backs it with a lifetime limited warranty. The capacity in plates is not stated.
Why we like it
- Compact footprint of about 15 by 13 inches
- Angled drainboard empties into the sink
- Removable flatware caddy with a handle
- Lifetime limited warranty, per KitchenAid
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid KNS895BXGRA |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact countertop rack with drainboard |
| Size (listing) | 15.04 in wide x 13.23 in deep x 5.43 in high |
| Capacity | Not stated (weight limit 25 lb) |
| Material | Satin-coated steel wire, stainless steel panels |
| Drainage | Removable angled drainboard |
| Stores flat | No |
| Care and warranty | Hand wash; lifetime limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a one- or two-person household that washes by hand every day and wants a normal rack that simply takes less room. It does the everyday job without folding or extending.
Skip it if you need the counter back between meals; it does not fold away.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Familiar wire-rack layout
- No tools to assemble
- Non-slip feet
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Plate capacity not stated
2. Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Slim Expandable Dish Rack – Small Most Days, Bigger on Taco Night
The trouble with a small rack is the one night a week you cook for six. Joseph Joseph’s Extend Steel Slim answers that with a two-part sliding tray: most of the time it stays compact, and when the plates, the salsa bowls and the tortilla warmer all need drying, you pull the tray out for extra room. Joseph Joseph pitches it at smaller kitchens, apartments and RVs.
The prongs are steel and hold plates and bowls upright. Ribs on the base stop water pooling under upturned cups and glasses, and a swivel spout set to one of three positions sends water into the sink whichever side of it the rack sits on. A separate cutlery pot comes off the rack and has its own slot for a knife, which keeps a sharp blade out of the jumble of forks.
The listing gives the size as 12.21 by 6.3 by 7.48 inches and does not state the extended length, so check the listing photos against your counter before you rely on the extra room. Care is by hand: the listing says to wash and dry by hand, that the rack comes apart for cleaning, and to avoid abrasive cloths and strong chemical cleaners on the stainless steel parts.
Why we like it
- Sliding tray extends for bigger loads
- Three-position swivel draining spout
- Removable cutlery pot with a knife slot
- Ribbed base so cups do not sit in water
Key specifications
| Model | Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Slim, 6500035 |
|---|---|
| Type | Expandable countertop rack |
| Size (listing) | 12.21 x 6.3 x 7.48 in; extended size not stated |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Steel prongs, plastic tray |
| Drainage | Swivel spout, three positions |
| Stores flat | No (comes apart for cleaning) |
| Care and warranty | Hand wash; warranty not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen that sometimes feeds a crowd. You get a compact rack on weeknights and more room when you need it.
Skip it if you want a rack you can fold away; this one stays on the counter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grows with the load
- Spout works on either side of the sink
- Separate knife slot
Cons
- Extended size not stated
- Hand wash only
3. Yamazaki Tower Two-Tier Dish Rack – Builds Up, Not Out
When a counter is short but the wall above it is clear, a two-tier rack doubles the drying space without taking more of the counter. Yamazaki’s Tower rack is a powder-coated steel frame that the listing gives as 16.14 inches wide, 8.66 inches deep and 12.99 inches tall. At under 9 inches deep, it fits a shallow counter that a standard rack would overhang.
The clever part is the tray. Yamazaki says the drainer tray can be inserted at two levels: low, as a second drying level, or high, which opens up space underneath. The description says the tray is self-draining with an adjustable water spout. A utensil holder clips anywhere on the frame, and three adjustable hooks hold awkward things like a ladle, a whisk or a small strainer. Four cushioning pads protect the counter.
The frame is steel and the tray and utensil holder are ABS plastic, per the listing. It weighs 5.51 pounds, so it stays put when loaded. Yamazaki is a Japanese brand built around small-space living, and the Tower line comes in black or white. The listing states no warranty.
Why we like it
- Two levels in an 8.66-inch-deep footprint
- Tray fits at two heights
- Three hooks for utensils
- Powder-coated steel frame
Key specifications
| Model | Yamazaki Tower 4386 (listing model 4386-P) |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-tier countertop rack |
| Size (listing) | 16.14 in wide x 8.66 in deep x 12.99 in high |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Powder-coated steel; ABS tray and utensil holder |
| Drainage | Self-draining tray with adjustable spout |
| Stores flat | No |
| Care and warranty | Wipe clean; listing states no warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits narrow, shallow counters with open space above, such as a galley kitchen or a counter under a window.
Skip it if the rack has to sit under a low cabinet; at about 13 inches tall it needs head room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Shallow footprint
- Flexible tray position
- Hooks add hanging space
Cons
- No warranty stated
- Tall for under-cabinet spots
4. OXO Good Grips Compact Drying Rack with Dish Rest – A Mat That Stands Plates Up
OXO’s compact drying rack sits halfway between a drying mat and a rack. The base is a silicone tray with raised ridges, which OXO says promote airflow, and above it is an aluminum dish rest that props plates, pans and cutting boards upright. Underneath the arm stays open for knives, utensils and small, delicate pieces, so a whole taco-night load can dry in one place.
When you are done, the arm folds flat against the tray, and the rack becomes a low drain board. The listing gives it as 17.2 by 14 inches and only 1.35 inches high in that position, so it slides into a cabinet or stands behind the toaster. With the arm down it also works as a plain drip tray for bowls and glasses.
Rubber non-slip feet keep it steady on the counter or, per OXO, inside the sink, which matters in a kitchen where the sink is the only open space. The aluminum is rustproof according to OXO, and the tray wipes clean. It weighs 668 grams, per the listing. Capacity is not stated; it holds fewer upright plates than a wire rack.
Why we like it
- Folds to 1.35 inches high
- Aluminum arm holds plates and pans upright
- Works on the counter or in the sink
- Ridged silicone base for airflow
Key specifications
| Model | OXO Good Grips 13426200 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drying mat with folding dish rest |
| Size (listing) | 17.2 in x 14 in x 1.35 in (folded) |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Aluminum arm, silicone base |
| Drainage | Silicone base acts as a drip tray |
| Stores flat | Yes |
| Care and warranty | Wipe clean; warranty not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen with almost no counter, where the rack has to go back in the cupboard after every meal.
Skip it if you dry a lot of plates at once; a wire rack holds more upright.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very low profile when folded
- Usable in the sink
- Rustproof aluminum, per OXO
Cons
- No spout; water stays on the tray
- Fewer upright slots than a rack
5. OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack – Pops Up for Dinner, Folds Into a Cabinet
OXO’s Foldaway rack is a real tub-style rack that collapses. It is longer than the other picks here, 19 by 15.5 inches when open according to OXO, so it is for the small kitchen that has a little counter at dinner time but none to spare the rest of the day. After use, the side walls, legs and spout fold in, and OXO says it stands upright in a cabinet at 19 by 12.5 by 3.75 inches.
Inside, a pop-up plate rack holds plates and bowls upright and, per OXO, is safe for fine china. Fold it down and the tub takes large bowls and cookware instead, which suits a molcajete or a pot of beans. Tines hold cups, mugs and wine glasses so they drip inside the rack, not on the counter. Fold-out legs lift the rack so water runs out through a spout into the sink.
The divided utensil holders are large, lift out for unloading and are dishwasher safe, according to OXO. Warranty is not stated on the listing, and neither is the material of the tub.
Why we like it
- Walls, legs and spout fold for storage
- Pop-up plate rack folds down for cookware
- Tines keep glasses dripping inside the rack
- Dishwasher-safe utensil holders
Key specifications
| Model | OXO Good Grips Foldaway, 1473480 |
|---|---|
| Type | Collapsible tub rack |
| Size (listing) | 19 x 15.5 x 6.5 in open; 19 x 12.5 x 3.75 in closed |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Not stated |
| Drainage | Fold-out legs and spout into the sink |
| Stores flat | Yes, stands upright in a cabinet |
| Care and warranty | Utensil cups dishwasher safe; warranty not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a full rack at dinner and an empty counter the rest of the day.
Skip it if your counter is shorter than 19 inches next to the sink.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Folds down to 3.75 inches
- Handles plates or cookware
- Drains through a spout
Cons
- Longest footprint here when open
- Material not stated on the listing
6. Umbra Udry Mini Dish Drying Rack – Rack and Microfiber Mat in One
Umbra’s Udry combines a plastic dish rack with an absorbent microfiber mat underneath, so water from the dishes soaks into the mat instead of spreading across the counter. Our drying-mat guide reviews the full-size Udry; this is the Mini, which the listing gives as 20 by 13 inches, for counters that cannot take the larger one.
The BPA-free plastic rack clips to the middle or the side of the mat, so you can leave half the mat open for a pot or a cutting board. Umbra says the rack slides in and out easily and is dishwasher safe on the top rack, and the microfiber mat is machine washable. When dinner is done, the whole thing folds flat for storage in a drawer or cupboard.
There is no spout: the mat holds the water, so it needs a wash and a full dry between heavy loads. Umbra makes it with recycled plastics and gives a one-year limited warranty, per the listing. Capacity is not stated.
Why we like it
- Microfiber mat absorbs drips
- Rack clips to the middle or the side
- Folds flat for a drawer
- Machine-washable mat, dishwasher-safe rack
Key specifications
| Model | Umbra Udry Mini, 1004301-149 |
|---|---|
| Type | Folding rack on a microfiber mat |
| Size (listing) | 20 x 13 in |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | BPA-free plastic rack, microfiber mat |
| Drainage | Mat absorbs water; no spout |
| Stores flat | Yes |
| Care and warranty | Mat machine washable, rack top-rack dishwasher safe; 1-year limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a counter that is not next to the sink, where a spout would have nowhere to drain.
Skip it if you wash big loads daily; the mat needs time to dry out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Protects the counter
- Everything is washable
- Stores flat
Cons
- Mat stays damp after big loads
- Plastic rack only
7. Yamazaki Tower Collapsible Over-the-Sink Dish Rack – Dries Over the Basin, Not the Counter
If there is no counter at all beside the sink, the sink itself is the drying space. Yamazaki’s collapsible rack is a slim steel frame that sits across the sink, with a movable stand bar that lifts to hold plates, cutting boards, bottles and jugs upright. Water drips straight into the basin.
The listing gives it as 21.7 inches long and 9.6 inches wide, 1.2 inches high when folded and 5.7 inches high when open, and 2.65 pounds. That length is the number to check: it has to span your sink from rim to rim. A removable, washable silicone tray holds the small things that fall through wire racks, like chopsticks, forks, water bottle lids and the little cups from a salsa bar.
When you are done, the stand bar folds down and the rack stores under the sink or upright in a cabinet, per Yamazaki. It is lighter and simpler than the extendable over-sink racks, with no arms to adjust. Warranty is not stated.
Why we like it
- Uses the sink, not the counter
- Folds to 1.2 inches high
- Silicone tray for small items
- Stand bar holds boards and plates upright
Key specifications
| Model | Yamazaki Tower 10581 |
|---|---|
| Type | Collapsible over-the-sink rack |
| Size (listing) | 21.7 x 9.6 x 1.2 in folded; 5.7 in high open |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Steel frame, silicone tray |
| Drainage | Drips into the sink |
| Stores flat | Yes |
| Care and warranty | Washable silicone tray; warranty not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits apartment kitchens with a sink set right into a short run of counter, and anyone who wants the rack gone between meals.
Skip it if your sink is wider than about 21 inches across where the rack would sit; it is not adjustable.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No counter space used
- Light and slim
- Holds cutting boards well
Cons
- Fixed length
- Blocks part of the sink while drying
8. Joseph Joseph Flip-Up Drain Board – Six Plates, Then Flat Again
For a kitchen that mostly runs the dishwasher and only hand-washes a few things, a full rack is overkill. Joseph Joseph’s Flip-Up is a plastic drain board with a pop-up plate rack that, according to Joseph Joseph, holds up to six dinner plates, plus cups, glasses and bowls on the board around it.
The base slopes toward an integrated spout so water runs into the sink, and a ribbed surface keeps water from being trapped in the mouths of cups and jars. Non-slip feet hold it in place. When the dishes are put away, the plate rack folds down and the whole board is flat again; the listing gives it as 15.75 inches wide and 12.56 inches deep, and under an inch thick.
It weighs half a kilogram, per the listing, so it is easy to lift into a cabinet or hang on its side. Joseph Joseph gives a one-year guarantee against manufacturing defects. It is not built for pots or a heavy comal; use it for plates, glasses and the odd mixing bowl.
Why we like it
- Pop-up rack holds up to six plates
- Sloped base and spout drain to the sink
- Folds flat to under an inch
- Light enough to store anywhere
Key specifications
| Model | Joseph Joseph Flip-Up, 85139 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drain board with pop-up plate rack |
| Size (listing) | 15.75 in wide x 12.56 in deep x 0.94 in (folded) |
| Capacity | Up to 6 dinner plates |
| Material | Plastic |
| Drainage | Sloped base with integrated spout |
| Stores flat | Yes |
| Care and warranty | 1-year guarantee against manufacturing defects |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that hand-washes a few plates a day and wants nothing on the counter afterward.
Skip it if you hand-wash pots and pans; there is no room for them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Thinnest storage here
- Drains to the sink
- Stated plate capacity
Cons
- Small capacity
- No cutlery holder
9. Camco RV Mini Dish Drainer and Tray – Sized for a Camper Sink
RV and boat kitchens have sinks smaller than most apartment ones, and Camco, an RV-supply brand, makes a drainer for exactly that. The Mini Dish Drainer and Tray is a plastic rack on a sloped drain tray, and the listing gives the set as 9.5 inches long, 11.7 inches wide and 4.75 inches high, small enough, Camco says, to fit snugly in tight sinks and on small counters.
The sloped tray channels water away from the dishes so the counter stays dry, and for travel the drain tray snaps on top of the rack, according to Camco, so the two pieces stay together in a cabinet while the rig is moving. The listing describes it as heavy-duty and built for life on the road, and suggests it for plates, cups and utensils.
It is also a fair choice for a dorm or a studio with a bar sink. It is light, at 50 grams per the listing, and carries a limited one-year warranty. Capacity is not stated; think a day’s dishes for two people rather than a party’s.
Why we like it
- Under 12 inches in every direction
- Sloped drain tray
- Tray snaps on top for travel
- Limited one-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | Camco 43511 |
|---|---|
| Type | Mini rack with drain tray |
| Size (listing) | 9.5 in long x 11.7 in wide x 4.75 in high |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Plastic |
| Drainage | Sloped drain tray |
| Stores flat | No; tray snaps on top |
| Care and warranty | Limited 1-year warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits RVs, campers, boats and the smallest sinks, where even a compact rack is too big.
Skip it if you cook for more than two; it fills up quickly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smallest footprint here
- Travels as one piece
- Made by an RV-supply brand
Cons
- Small capacity
- Plastic only
How to choose a dish rack for a small kitchen
Measure the spot, then subtract. Measure the counter from the edge of the sink to the wall or the next appliance, and from the backsplash to the front edge. A rack that overhangs the front gets knocked; one that sits on the sink lip lets the spout drain. For an over-the-sink rack, measure the sink from rim to rim where the rack would sit.
Go up if you cannot go out. A two-tier rack like the Yamazaki Tower doubles drying space in the same footprint, as long as there is no cabinet just above it.
Decide whether it stays out. If the rack lives on the counter, a compact rack with a drainboard (KitchenAid, Joseph Joseph) is simplest. If it must disappear, choose one that folds: the OXO dish-rest rack, the OXO Foldaway, the Umbra Udry Mini, the Yamazaki over-sink rack or the Joseph Joseph Flip-Up.
Know where the water goes. A spout or angled drainboard sends water into the sink, which is ideal right next to it. A mat or flat tray holds the water, which is better when the rack sits away from the sink but needs emptying or washing.
Match it to your dishes. If you hand-wash a cast iron comal or a heavy pot, you need a rack with a weight limit or a flat area that can take it, like the KitchenAid’s 25-pound rating or the OXO dish rest. If it is mostly plates and glasses, a drain board with a plate rack is enough.
How we chose these nine small racks
We started from what a small kitchen asks of a dish rack after a big meal: enough room for plates, bowls and cutlery, water that ends up in the sink, and as little counter used as possible, before and after. We then looked at racks sold on Amazon in the United States by identifiable makers, focused on compact, two-tier, folding, over-the-sink and RV designs, checked that each was in stock when we wrote this, and took every size, material and warranty detail from the maker’s listing, writing “not stated” where a maker gives no figure. We left out the full-size racks covered on our main dish rack page, chose different models where a brand already appears there, and passed over unbranded racks sold under several names. We have not used these products ourselves.
Small dish rack questions, answered
What is the best dish rack for a small kitchen?
For most, the KitchenAid Compact Dish Rack: about 15 by 13 inches, with a drainboard that empties into the sink and a removable flatware caddy. If the rack has to be put away after every meal, choose a fold-flat design like the OXO Good Grips Compact Drying Rack with Dish Rest.
What size is a small dish rack?
The compact countertop racks here run from about 12 to 17 inches on the long side. The KitchenAid is 15.04 by 13.23 inches, the Yamazaki two-tier rack is 16.14 by 8.66 inches, and the Camco RV drainer is 9.5 by 11.7 inches, according to their listings.
Is an over-the-sink rack good for a small kitchen?
It is a good fit when there is no counter beside the sink at all, because it dries dishes over the basin. The trade-off is that it blocks part of the sink while dishes dry. Measure the sink from rim to rim first; the Yamazaki rack here is a fixed 21.7 inches long.
What dish rack works in an RV?
A small rack that travels well. The Camco RV Mini Dish Drainer is made for RV sinks and its tray snaps on top for travel; the Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Slim and the fold-flat OXO and Umbra racks are also listed for small spaces and store easily.
How do I keep a small dish rack from getting moldy?
Follow the maker’s care instructions and let every part dry. The drainboards and trays on these racks lift out or wipe clean, and the Umbra mat is machine washable, according to the makers. Emptying the tray after each load, rather than letting water sit, keeps it cleaner.
The small rack we would start with
Start with the KitchenAid Compact if the rack can stay out, the Yamazaki Tower if you have height but no width, or the OXO dish-rest rack if it has to be put away. For full-size racks and more choices, see our best dish rack guide; to dry without a rack at all, see our dish drying mats; and to keep sponges and brushes off a small counter, see our sink caddy picks. Planning the meal that makes the dishes? Our taco bar supplies guide covers what to put out.
When you would rather someone else did the dishes, see our menu and call to order.