After a family dinner of enchiladas, rice and beans, the sink fills fast: a stack of plates, the bean pot, the salsa bowls, a dozen glasses, the spoons and spatulas that went from pan to platter. A dish rack decides whether all of that dries upright in one place or ends up spread across every towel in the house.
This guide covers nine dish racks: full-size and compact counter racks, a two-tier rack, an over-the-sink rack, an in-sink rack and a roll-up rack. We used the makers’ specifications on the Amazon listings and America’s Test Kitchen’s review of dish racks. Where a maker says nothing about plate capacity or size, we say so.
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Quick verdict: which dish rack to buy
For most kitchens, buy the simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, Full-Size. It was America’s Test Kitchen’s best full-size rack, it held dishes for a household of four “with room left over,” and its swivel spout drains into the sink from either side. For a small counter, choose the simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, Compact. For a lower-cost full-size rack, the KitchenAid Full Size Dish Rack was ATK’s Best Buy. To dry more in the same footprint, the OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat 2-Tier Rack, and to keep the counter clear altogether, the OXO Good Grips Extendable Over-the-Sink Rack.
If you only need somewhere to set a few glasses and a pot, a mat may be enough; our guide to the best dish drying mat covers that lighter option.
Five dish racks side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen, with the type and drainage each maker states. All nine racks are reviewed in full below.
| Dish rack | Best for | Type | Drainage (as stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, Full-SizeBest overall
|
Dinner for four, every night | Full-size counter rack | Tray with 360° swivel spout | View on Amazon |
simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, CompactBest compact
|
Small counters, households of two | Compact counter rack | Tray with 360° swivel spout | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Full Size Dish RackBest value
|
Big loads, including pots | Full-size counter rack | Angled drainboard into the sink | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat 2-Tier RackBest two-tier
|
More drying space, then folds away | Two-tier, folds flat | Drainboard | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Extendable Over-the-Sink RackBest over the sink
|
Keeping the counter free for prep | Over-the-sink, extendable arms | Drains straight into the sink | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacity, drainage and rust claims are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best dish rack
These nine racks cover the main choices: full-size and compact counter racks with drain spouts, a two-tier rack, a rack that sits over the sink, one that sits in it and a roll-up rack for the smallest kitchens. Each pick says who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, Full-Size – Room for a Family’s Dishes
America’s Test Kitchen named this rack its best full-size dish rack. Testers found it let them “easily load in and dry dishware for a four-person household with room left over,” and that it “caught every drip of water and sent it down a steeply angled drainboard.” That is the job after a Sunday dinner: plates, bowls, glasses and the serving spoons all upright at once, and a dry counter afterwards.
The frame is stainless steel, which simplehuman describes as rust-proof and fingerprint-proof, and the plate dividers are silicone-tipped to hold dishes without scratching or chipping them, according to the maker. The tray has what simplehuman calls a moisture-control surface that spreads water thin so it evaporates, and an anti-residue coating meant to resist hard-water spots. A spout on the tray swivels 360 degrees, so the rack can sit on either side of the sink and still drain into it; the spout lifts off for cleaning.
There is a utensil holder and a holder for up to four wine glasses, which keeps stemware off the plate side. The listing gives the size as about 20 by 22.3 by 11.5 inches, so measure your counter first; it is a big rack. simplehuman lists a five-year warranty, and the same rack is sold in matte black and white as well as brushed steel.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best full-size rack; dishes for four with room left over
- Swivel spout drains into the sink from either side
- Silicone-tipped plate dividers, per simplehuman
- Five-year warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | KT1181 (brushed steel) |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-size counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Plate count not stated; ATK fit dishes for four |
| Material/finish | Stainless steel frame; rust-proof (maker) |
| Drainage | Tray with 360° swivel spout |
| Footprint | About 20 x 22.3 x 11.5 in (listing) |
| Utensil holder | Yes, plus wine glass holder |
| Warranty | 5 years (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you wash a full dinner’s worth of dishes by hand most nights and want them all to dry on one rack that sends the water back to the sink.
Skip it if your counter is short; this rack takes up roughly two feet of it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity in ATK’s review
- Drained cleanly in ATK’s review
- Holds stemware separately
Cons
- Large footprint
- Plate count not stated by the maker
- Costs more than most racks here
2. simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack, Compact – The Same Design for a Small Counter
The compact version shrinks the full-size rack to about 15 by 15.5 by 7.5 inches, according to the listing. America’s Test Kitchen named it the best compact dish rack: testers “were able to fit a full set of dishes for a household of two with room to spare,” and water “drained easily off the sleek surface and down through the drainage spout.”
It keeps the features of the larger rack: the stainless steel frame simplehuman calls rust-proof, silicone-capped plate dividers, the moisture-control tray, the anti-residue coating and a spout that swivels 360 degrees to drain into the sink. The listing does not mention a wine glass holder, so stemware shares space with everything else.
For a galley kitchen or an apartment where the counter is also where the tortillas get pressed and the salsa gets chopped, this is the rack that leaves room to work. simplehuman lists a five-year warranty.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best compact rack
- About 15 inches square, per the listing
- Same swivel spout as the full-size rack
- Five-year warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | KT1184DC |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Plate count not stated; ATK fit dishes for two |
| Material/finish | Stainless steel frame; rust-proof (maker) |
| Drainage | Tray with 360° swivel spout |
| Footprint | About 15 x 15.5 x 7.5 in (listing) |
| Utensil holder | Not stated in the listing |
| Warranty | 5 years (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for one or two and want a rack that drains well without taking over the counter.
Skip it if you host big dinners; ATK sized it for a household of two.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small footprint
- Drained easily in ATK’s review
- Long warranty
Cons
- Too small for a family’s dishes
- No wine glass holder listed
3. KitchenAid Full Size Dish Rack – Plenty of Room for Less
America’s Test Kitchen called this KitchenAid its Best Buy among full-size racks. Its “roomy design comfortably fit dishes, cookware, and stemmed wine glasses for a household of four,” and ATK described it as made of “rugged, rust-resistant steel and heavy-duty plastic.”
The wires are satin-coated steel that KitchenAid says resists rust, with the note that you should dry the rack and drainboard after use to keep it that way. The angled drainboard sends water into the sink, and the flatware caddy has adjustable compartments and a handle, so you can lift it out and carry it straight to the drawer. KitchenAid says there is room for pots and pans as well as plates, which matters when the bean pot and the rice pot need somewhere to dry.
ATK found two limits. A small amount of water “escaped onto our counters on occasion,” and the rack “could only be positioned lengthwise on either side of our sinks,” because the drainboard only works one way. ATK gave its size as about 15 by 20 by 6.25 inches.
Why we like it
- ATK’s Best Buy; dishes, cookware and stemware for four
- Room for pots and pans, per KitchenAid
- Removable flatware caddy with adjustable sections
- Angled drainboard into the sink
Key specifications
| Model | KNS896BXGRA |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-size counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Plate count not stated; ATK fit dishes for four |
| Material/finish | Satin-coated steel wire; rust resistant (maker) |
| Drainage | Angled drainboard |
| Footprint | About 15 x 20 x 6.25 in (ATK) |
| Utensil holder | Removable flatware caddy |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a full-size rack that holds pots as well as plates and costs less than the simplehuman.
Skip it if your sink layout means the rack has to sit sideways; the drainboard only drains lengthwise.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- Sturdy, per ATK
- Caddy unloads straight into the drawer
Cons
- Some water reached the counter in ATK’s review
- Only one drain direction
- Maker advises drying it to keep rust away
4. OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat 2-Tier Rack – Two Layers That Fold Away
A second tier doubles the drying space without widening the rack. OXO’s two-tier rack has a rustproof aluminum frame, plate slots on the upper tier, raised ridges that keep things out of standing water and a utensil cup that can go on either side, according to the listing. Set up, it measures about 16.4 by 14.4 by 9.5 inches, OXO says, and it folds flat when the dishes are put away.
America’s Test Kitchen rated it Recommended and noted that it “could fold fully flat to be stowed in a drawer or cabinet.” Plates “fit very securely in the slots on its upper tier.” The catch is the one every two-tier rack shares: water from the top tier drips onto the dishes below, so ATK found the lower tier “took them longer to dry.”
That makes it a good rack for plates on top and pots, bowls and the salsa molcajete’s tejolote below, where a few extra drips matter less. ATK saw only “very mild wear and tear on the plastic” after its durability tests. OXO backs it with its Better Guarantee, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Recommended by ATK
- Folds flat to store in a drawer or cabinet
- Plates held securely on the upper tier, per ATK
- Rustproof aluminum frame, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 13322800 |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-tier counter rack, folds flat |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Material/finish | Aluminum frame; rustproof (maker) |
| Drainage | Drainboard |
| Footprint | About 16.4 x 14.4 x 9.5 in set up (maker) |
| Utensil holder | Removable cup, either side |
| Warranty | OXO Better Guarantee (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you need more drying space on a narrow counter and want to fold the rack away between meals.
Skip it if you want everything dry quickly; the lower tier stays wet longer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two tiers in a modest footprint
- Folds flat
- Secure plate slots
Cons
- Upper tier drips onto the lower
- Capacity not stated
5. OXO Good Grips Extendable Over-the-Sink Rack – A Clear Counter for Prep
When counter space is the problem, the rack can go over the sink instead. This OXO rack has arms that extend to rest on the sink edges and retract for storage, and its aluminum frame drains straight into the basin, according to OXO. There is no drainboard to empty or wipe, because the water simply falls into the sink.
OXO says the plate holders keep dishes and bowls upright and the divided utensil cup lifts out for unloading. The frame is aluminum, which OXO calls rustproof. The listing does not give the rack’s size or the range of sink widths it covers, so measure the sink and check the product images before you buy.
The trade-off is that part of the sink is covered while the dishes dry. In a kitchen where you rinse beans or wash cilantro while the dinner plates are still drying, that can be awkward; in a kitchen where every inch of counter goes to rolling out masa, it is worth it.
Why we like it
- Drains directly into the sink, per OXO
- Arms extend to fit different sinks
- Rustproof aluminum, per OXO
- Removable divided utensil cup
Key specifications
| Model | 13314300 |
|---|---|
| Type | Over-the-sink, extendable arms |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Material/finish | Aluminum; rustproof (maker) |
| Drainage | Drains straight into the sink |
| Footprint | Not stated; sits over the sink |
| Utensil holder | Removable divided cup |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your counter is needed for cooking and your sink is wide enough to give up part of it while dishes dry.
Skip it if you have a single small basin you use all the time; the rack covers part of it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No counter space used
- No drip tray to empty
- Adjustable width
Cons
- Covers part of the sink
- Size range not stated in the listing
6. OXO Good Grips Rustproof Aluminum Dish Rack – One Tier, Turns Any Direction
This is OXO’s single-tier counter rack. The frame is aluminum, which OXO calls rust-proof, and the plate holders keep plates and bowls upright. Raised ridges on the base hold items above the water so they dry faster, according to OXO, and the drain tray adjusts so the rack can face any direction on the counter.
The divided utensil cup is tall enough for long-handled tools, OXO says, which matters in a kitchen where the cucharas, the slotted spatula and the long wooden spoon for the beans all need to dry together. It lifts out for unloading. Non-slip feet keep the rack in place on the counter.
America’s Test Kitchen did not review this model, and the listing does not give its dimensions or a plate count, only a size of “Large.” Check the product images and measure your counter before you order.
Why we like it
- Rust-proof aluminum frame, per OXO
- Drain tray adjusts to any direction
- Utensil cup fits long-handled tools
- Non-slip feet
Key specifications
| Model | 13229100 |
|---|---|
| Type | Single-tier counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Material/finish | Aluminum; rust-proof (maker) |
| Drainage | Adjustable drain tray |
| Footprint | Not stated (“Large”) |
| Utensil holder | Removable divided cup |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want an aluminum rack that will not rust and can drain to whichever side your sink is on.
Skip it if you want a rack with an independent review behind it; ATK did not include this one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Will not rust, per OXO
- Flexible drain direction
- Tall utensil cup
Cons
- Size not stated
- No independent review found
7. Polder Spring Dish Rack – Nine Plates and a Stand-Alone Utensil Bin
Polder is one of the few makers that gives a plate count: the Spring rack “holds up to 9 plates,” with room for glasses, bowls and pots, according to the listing. Nine plates is a family of four with seconds, or the dinner plates plus the salad plates for a small gathering.
The rack is rust-resistant stainless steel and plastic, Polder says, with an angled base and a built-in drain spout that sends water into the sink so it does not pool. A raised rib surface keeps items above the draining water. The utensil bin is removable and has a flat base, so it can stand on the counter by itself, which is useful when you want the spoons and the molinillo drying next to the stove instead of next to the sink.
Protective feet keep the rack from scuffing the counter. America’s Test Kitchen did not review this model (it tested a different Polder rack), and the listing does not give dimensions, so check them in the product images.
Why we like it
- Holds up to 9 plates, per Polder
- Integrated drain spout
- Utensil bin stands alone on the counter
- Rust-resistant stainless steel, per Polder
Key specifications
| Model | KTH-660-86 |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-size counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Up to 9 plates, plus glasses, bowls and pots |
| Material/finish | Stainless steel and plastic; rust resistant (maker) |
| Drainage | Angled base with integrated spout |
| Footprint | Not stated in the listing |
| Utensil holder | Removable, stand-alone bin |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want to know how many plates a rack holds before you buy it, and like a utensil bin that works on its own.
Skip it if you need exact dimensions to fit a tight counter; the listing does not give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear plate capacity
- Drains into the sink
- Versatile utensil bin
Cons
- Dimensions not listed
- No independent review of this model
8. Umbra Sinkin Dish Rack – Dries in the Sink or on the Counter
Umbra’s Sinkin is a small, low rack meant to sit inside the sink basin, so it drips straight down the drain, or on the counter if you prefer. It measures 14 by 11 inches, according to Umbra, which says to measure the bottom of your sink to make sure it fits; Umbra says it works with drop-in, undermount, apron and corner sinks.
The rack is coated steel and plastic that Umbra says will not rust, with rubber feet that keep it in place and protect the sink. The cutlery holder has drainage holes and can be moved or removed. In a double-basin sink, one side can hold the Sinkin with a few plates and glasses while the other stays free for washing the comal and the cazuela.
It is a small rack, so think of it as the place for a handful of plates and cups rather than a whole dinner’s worth. Umbra gives a one-year limited warranty, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Sits in the sink, so water goes down the drain
- Fits several sink styles, per Umbra
- Rubber feet protect the sink
- Movable cutlery holder with drainage holes
Key specifications
| Model | 330065-744 (black/nickel) |
|---|---|
| Type | In-sink or counter rack |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Material/finish | Coated steel and plastic; won’t rust (maker) |
| Drainage | None needed in the sink; no tray |
| Footprint | 14 x 11 in (maker) |
| Utensil holder | Removable, repositionable |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have a double sink and want a small rack that drips straight down the drain.
Skip it if you need to dry a full dinner’s dishes at once; it holds far less than the counter racks.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No tray to empty in the sink
- Low profile
- Works on the counter too
Cons
- Small capacity
- No drain tray for counter use
- Takes a basin out of use
9. Seropy Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack – Rolls Away When Dinner Is Done
A roll-up rack is a row of steel tubes joined with silicone that lies across the sink and rolls up into a drawer afterward. This Seropy rack is 304 stainless steel with food-grade silicone, according to the listing, and measures 17.5 by 11.8 inches; Seropy says it fits sinks no wider than 16.5 inches and sells four other sizes.
The maker says it supports up to 33 pounds, is heat resistant to 400°F and is dishwasher safe, so it can also act as a trivet for a hot pot of pozole or a colander for rinsing chiles and tomatillos over the sink. That flexibility is the reason to buy one.
Be clear about the limit: a flat roll-up rack does not hold plates upright. America’s Test Kitchen tested a similar over-the-sink roll-up rack from another brand and found it “only held a few dishes and couldn’t support plates standing upright in its slats.” Use this for glasses, cups, a few bowls and produce, alongside a main rack or a mat, not instead of one.
Why we like it
- Rolls up and stores in a drawer
- 304 stainless steel with silicone, per the listing
- Doubles as a trivet to 400°F, per the maker
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | A (17.5 x 11.8 in size) |
|---|---|
| Type | Roll-up, over the sink |
| Capacity (as stated) | Supports up to 33 lb; plate count not stated |
| Material/finish | 304 stainless steel, silicone coated; rust resistant (maker) |
| Drainage | Drips straight into the sink |
| Footprint | 17.5 x 11.8 in; sinks up to 16.5 in wide |
| Utensil holder | No |
| Warranty | Satisfaction guarantee (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have a tiny kitchen and want something for cups, bowls and rinsed produce that disappears into a drawer.
Skip it if plates are most of what you wash; they will not stand up on it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stores flat
- Also a trivet and colander
- Several sizes available
Cons
- Plates cannot stand upright
- Covers the sink while in use
- No utensil holder
How to choose a dish rack for a busy kitchen
Start with how many dishes you wash at once
America’s Test Kitchen sized its picks by household: the full-size simplehuman held dishes for four with room left over, and the compact one held a set for two. Count what comes off the table after your biggest regular meal, including the serving bowls and the pot the beans were cooked in, and buy for that, not for an average Tuesday.
Measure the counter and the cabinets above it
ATK’s advice is simple: “If you plan to keep your dish rack under your cabinets, measure your space first.” Full-size racks run about 20 inches long and up to nearly a foot tall. If the counter is also where you press tortillas and chop onions, a compact, two-tier or over-the-sink rack gives that space back.
Drainage: spout, drainboard or none
A rack with a spout or angled drainboard sends water into the sink; one with a plain tray has to be emptied. ATK found that a steep angle made the difference, and that some drainboards only work in one direction. Check which side of the sink the rack will sit on before choosing a model with a fixed drainboard. Over-the-sink, in-sink and roll-up racks drip straight into the basin.
Rust and material
Stainless steel and aluminum frames are sold as rust-proof by their makers; coated-steel wire racks are usually described as rust resistant, and KitchenAid itself advises drying its rack and drainboard after use to keep it that way. Coatings can wear where plates rub, so a rack that stays dry between uses lasts longer.
Room for the pots, not just the plates
The dishes that take longest to dry in a Mexican kitchen are often the big ones: the olla for beans, the pozole pot, the cazuela. A rack with a low side or an open end, like the KitchenAid, makes room for them. Some things should not go in the rack at all; a cast iron comal is better dried right away, and our guide to the best comal for tortillas covers its care.
A utensil holder that fits your tools
Look for a cup that is tall and divided enough for long spoons and spatulas, and that lifts out so you can carry everything to the drawer in one trip. Racks with a separate stand-alone bin, like the Polder, let the utensils dry near the stove instead.
How we chose these nine racks
We started with America’s Test Kitchen’s current review of dish racks, which named the simplehuman full-size and compact Steel Frame racks its winners, the KitchenAid full-size rack its Best Buy and the OXO Fold Flat two-tier rack Recommended. We added OXO’s single-tier and over-the-sink racks, Polder, Umbra and Seropy to cover a stated plate count, an over-sink rack, an in-sink rack and a roll-up rack. Specifications come from each Amazon listing and maker; we wrote “Not stated” where they were silent. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked.
We left out the Joseph Joseph Extend expandable rack, which ATK rated Recommended with Reservations because extending it revealed a low-sided section that “allowed small trickles of water to overflow,” and racks ATK did not recommend for flimsy baskets or trays that bent under cookware. Brightroom racks are sold by Target rather than on Amazon, so they are not here. We have not used these racks ourselves, and we did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Consumer Reports or The New York Times for this guide, so we do not quote them.
Dish rack questions, answered
What is the best dish rack brand?
In America’s Test Kitchen’s review, simplehuman won both the full-size and the compact category, and KitchenAid and OXO also earned recommendations. Polder, Umbra and Seropy cover styles ATK’s winners do not, such as a stated nine-plate capacity, an in-sink rack and a roll-up rack.
Which dish rack does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s best full-size rack is the simplehuman Standard Steel Frame Dishrack, its best compact rack is the simplehuman Compact Steel Frame Dishrack, and its Best Buy is the KitchenAid Large Capacity Full Size Rust Resistant Dish Rack.
Is there a good black or white dish rack?
The full-size simplehuman Steel Frame rack is sold in matte black and in white as well as brushed stainless steel on Amazon, and the Umbra Sinkin comes in black or white with nickel. Finish does not change how the rack drains, so choose the one that suits your kitchen.
Should I use a dish rack or a drying mat?
A rack keeps plates upright and dries a full load; a mat is flatter, cheaper and fine for a few glasses and pots. Many kitchens use both: a rack for dinner dishes and a mat beside it for the big pots. Our guide to the best dish towels covers what to dry the rest with.
How do I keep a dish rack clean?
Empty and wipe the tray or drainboard often so water does not sit in it, and wash the utensil cup, where water collects. Follow the maker’s care notes: simplehuman’s spout lifts off for cleaning, and KitchenAid recommends drying its rack and drainboard after use.
The rack we’d put by the sink
Buy the full-size simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack if you wash dinner for a family by hand, or its compact sibling for one or two people. The KitchenAid is the full-size rack to buy for less, the OXO two-tier rack adds space on a narrow counter, and the OXO over-the-sink rack frees the counter entirely.
More for the sink and counter: sink caddies, soap dispensers, paper towel holders, utensil holders, trash cans, compost bins, Swedish dishcloths.
Tight on space? See the best dish racks for small kitchens.
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Related guide: Dish rack alternative.
Once the dishes are dry, the tools go back by the stove; our guide to the best kitchen utensil set covers the spoons and spatulas that end up in the rack every night. If you would rather leave the dishes to us, see our menu or call to order.