Wet lettuce ruins a taco. The water pools in the tortilla, thins the salsa and turns crisp shredded romaine limp before the plate reaches the table. A restaurant line washes and dries its lettuce, cilantro and radish greens long before service for exactly that reason, and at home the tool that does the drying is a salad spinner.
This guide explains how the three kinds of spinner work (pump, crank and pull cord), what to look for in the basket and bowl, and names seven spinners worth buying from OXO, KitchenAid, Zyliss, Progressive and Calphalon, from a small herb spinner to a 7-quart bowl.
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Quick verdict: which salad spinner to buy
For most kitchens the best salad spinner is the OXO Good Grips 6.22-quart Salad Spinner: a one-handed pump, a brake that stops the basket at a press, a non-slip base and a lid that comes apart for cleaning. America’s Test Kitchen names it its favorite, saying it dried greens better than any other model it tried. If you mostly dry cilantro and small batches, buy the OXO Little Salad & Herb Spinner instead.
Five salad spinners side by side
Our five standout spinners, one for each kind of kitchen. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Spinner | Best for | Mechanism | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips 6.22-Quart Salad SpinnerBest overall
|
Everyday lettuce and greens | One-handed pump, brake | 6.22 qt bowl | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb SpinnerBest for herbs
|
Cilantro, small households | One-handed pump, brake | Small (about half the full size) | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Universal Salad Spinner, 7.43-QuartBiggest bowl
|
Big batches, taco nights | One-handed pump, brake | 7.43 qt | View on Amazon |
Zyliss Easy Spin 2 Salad Spinner, LargeBest pull cord
|
Cooks who like a pull cord | Retracting pull cord, brake | 4 to 6 servings | View on Amazon |
Prepworks by Progressive 4-Quart Collapsible Salad SpinnerBest for small kitchens
|
Tight cabinets | Top handle (crank) | 4 qt, folds to 3 in high | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities are as each maker or listing states them; makers measure the bowl, not the basket, unless noted.
Our picks for the best salad spinner
The seven spinners below cover the three mechanisms, a range of sizes from a herb spinner to a 7-quart bowl, and plastic, glass and stainless steel bowls. Each review gives the maker’s or listing’s specifications, what the spinner suits in a kitchen that washes lettuce and herbs often, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. OXO Good Grips 6.22-Quart Salad Spinner – One Hand to Spin, One Press to Stop
OXO says it invented the one-touch pump spinner, and this is the model most other spinners are measured against. You press the large knob in the center of the lid, the basket spins, and you keep pressing to build speed. A separate brake button stops the basket at once, so you can check the leaves and spin again without waiting for it to wind down.
The bowl holds 6.22 quarts, and America’s Test Kitchen measured the basket at about 4.95 quarts, which is enough for a head of romaine shredded for tacos or two bunches of cilantro. A non-skid ring under the bowl keeps it from walking across the counter while you pump. When you are done, a storage lock holds the pump flush with the lid so the spinner stacks in a cabinet or the fridge.
The lid comes apart so water does not get trapped inside it, and OXO lists every part as dishwasher safe, top rack recommended. America’s Test Kitchen named it its favorite salad spinner and found it dried greens better than any other model it tried. Its one complaint was the central stem, which rises about 2 inches into the basket and takes up a little room.
Why we like it
- One-handed pump and a brake button, per OXO
- America’s Test Kitchen’s top-rated salad spinner
- Lid comes apart for cleaning; all parts top-rack dishwasher safe
- Storage lock keeps the pump flat for stacking
Key specifications
| Model | 32480 |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | One-handed pump |
| Capacity | 6.22 qt bowl (about 4.95 qt basket, per ATK) |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Plastic |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, per OXO |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, top rack |
Why we recommend it
It is the spinner to buy if you want one that dries well, works with one hand and lasts. It suits anyone who makes salad or prepares taco toppings a few times a week.
Skip it if counter and cabinet space are tight; the collapsible Prepworks takes far less room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Effective drying, per ATK
- Fast brake
- Non-skid base
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Central stem takes some basket space
- Bulky to store
- Plastic bowl, not glass or steel
2. OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner – The Right Size for Cilantro
Cilantro is the herb a Mexican kitchen washes most, and it hides sand in its stems. A full-size spinner is more bowl than a bunch or two of cilantro needs; this smaller OXO has the same pump, brake and storage lock in a compact bowl that is easier to wash and to fit in the fridge.
America’s Test Kitchen tested it alongside the full-size model, called it the best small spinner, and said it performed on par with its larger sibling while holding about half as much (it measured the basket at roughly 2.4 quarts). That is enough for herbs, a bag of spinach or a salad for one or two people.
The basket lifts out and works as a colander for rinsing, the clear bowl doubles as a serving or storage bowl, and the lid comes apart for cleaning. OXO lists it as top-rack dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- Same pump and brake as the full-size OXO
- ATK’s pick for a small spinner
- Basket doubles as a colander
- Top-rack dishwasher safe, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 1045409 |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | One-handed pump |
| Capacity | Small; about 2.4 qt basket, per ATK |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Plastic |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, per OXO |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, top rack |
Why we recommend it
It suits small households and anyone who mostly washes herbs, green onions and small salads rather than whole heads of lettuce.
Skip it if you cook for four or more; you will be spinning in batches.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Strong pump for its size
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Too small for a full head of lettuce
- Not much cheaper than the full-size model
3. KitchenAid Universal Salad Spinner, 7.43-Quart – Room for a Taco-Night Batch
At 7.43 quarts, KitchenAid’s spinner has the largest bowl of the home spinners here, which helps when you are washing two heads of lettuce for a taco bar or a big batch of greens for the week. It uses the same pump-and-brake idea as OXO: a soft-touch pump spins the basket and a brake button stops it.
The listing describes a nonslip base that also protects the counter from scratches, a basket you can use on its own as a colander, and a bowl you can serve from. A lock holds the pump down in the lid, and the pieces nest for storage.
The Amazon listing does not say whether it is dishwasher safe, and other KitchenAid listings for this spinner say hand wash only, so plan to wash it by hand. We found no independent test of this model, so our view rests on the listing.
Why we like it
- Largest home bowl here at 7.43 quarts
- One-handed pump with a brake button
- Pump locks into the lid and the pieces nest
- Nonslip base
Key specifications
| Model | KQ308OSERA |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | One-handed pump |
| Capacity | 7.43 qt |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Plastic |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, per the listing |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated; other KitchenAid listings say hand wash |
Why we recommend it
It suits families and anyone who preps a lot of lettuce at once and wants a pump spinner bigger than the OXO.
Skip it if you want to put the whole spinner in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- One-handed use
- Nests for storage
Cons
- Hand wash, per other KitchenAid listings
- Takes up a lot of cabinet space
- No independent test found
4. OXO Good Grips Glass Salad Spinner, 6.22-Quart – Spin It, Then Serve in Glass
This is the OXO pump spinner with a borosilicate glass bowl in place of the plastic one. The point is the table: a clear glass bowl looks like a serving bowl, so you can spin a salad, lift out the basket and bring the bowl straight to dinner, or store washed greens in it in the fridge.
OXO says the weight of the glass keeps the spinner steady on the counter while you pump. The pump, brake, storage lock and lid that comes apart for cleaning are the same as on the plastic model, and OXO lists all parts as top-rack dishwasher safe.
America’s Test Kitchen tried OXO’s newer glass and stainless versions and still preferred the original plastic spinner, so buy this one for the bowl rather than for better drying. Glass is also heavier and can break if dropped.
Why we like it
- Borosilicate glass bowl for serving and storing
- Heavier base sits steady, per OXO
- Same pump and brake as the original
- All parts top-rack dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 11262700 |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | One-handed pump |
| Capacity | 6.22 qt |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Plastic (bowl is borosilicate glass) |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, top rack |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who would rather serve from glass than plastic and like to keep washed greens in the fridge in the same bowl.
Skip it if the spinner will live in a busy kitchen where a glass bowl could be knocked off the counter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Looks good on the table
- Stable while spinning
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Heavy
- Glass can break
- ATK still preferred the plastic original
5. Zyliss Easy Spin 2 Salad Spinner, Large – A Pull Cord with a Five-Year Guarantee
Some cooks prefer a pull cord to a pump: you pull a handle on the lid, the cord retracts and the basket spins. The Zyliss Easy Spin 2 is the best-known spinner of this type. Zyliss says it washes and dries four to six servings of greens, and its AquaVent basket is designed to let water escape.
A brake button stops the basket, and Zyliss suggests using it to fluff the leaves between spins. The basket works as a colander, the bowl as a serving bowl, and the listing gives a five-year guarantee.
Be aware of the trade-offs. America’s Test Kitchen placed it under “recommended with reservations”: the lid did not always fit securely and testers found it more tiring than a pump, and the reviewers note that pull-cord models often need a second hand to brace the bowl. Retailer listings say the bowl and basket go in the dishwasher but the lid should be washed by hand.
Why we like it
- Pull-cord action with a brake button
- Sized for four to six servings, per Zyliss
- Basket doubles as a colander
- Five-year guarantee, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | E940012 |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | Retracting pull cord |
| Capacity | 4 to 6 servings (quarts not stated) |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Plastic |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, per Zyliss |
| Dishwasher-safe | Bowl and basket; hand wash the lid, per retailers |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who find pressing a pump awkward and would rather pull a cord, and who value a long guarantee.
Skip it if you want the easiest one-handed spinner; the OXO pump is less work.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast spin from a short pull
- Brake for fluffing leaves
- Long guarantee
Cons
- Lid fit was inconsistent in ATK’s review
- More tiring than a pump
- Lid is hand wash
6. Prepworks by Progressive 4-Quart Collapsible Salad Spinner – Folds Down to Three Inches
A salad spinner is a bulky thing to keep for a job you do a few times a week. Progressive’s Prepworks spinner collapses to half its height for storage; the listing gives its folded size as 10.25 by 10.25 by 3 inches and its weight as 2.09 pounds, so it slides into a drawer or a narrow shelf.
It spins with a handle on top of the lid, which you turn, and holds 4 quarts. The basket drains on its own as a colander, the outer bowl can be used for serving, a low-profile lid snaps shut for storing washed greens, and a non-skid ring on the base holds it in place.
The listing does not mention a brake or say whether this model is dishwasher safe. America’s Test Kitchen found crank spinners in general harder to use than pumps because you often need a second hand to hold the bowl, so expect a little more effort.
Why we like it
- Collapses to about 3 inches high, per the listing
- 4-quart capacity
- Snap-shut lid for storing greens
- Non-skid ring on the base
Key specifications
| Model | CSS-3JADAGY |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | Top handle (crank) |
| Capacity | 4 qt |
| Brake | Not stated |
| Basket material | Plastic |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, per the listing |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits apartments, small kitchens and RVs, where a full-size spinner would not earn its shelf space.
Skip it if you want one-handed spinning and a brake; this one needs both hands.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stores flat
- Light
- Useful 4-quart size
Cons
- No brake mentioned
- Two-handed cranking
- Dishwasher guidance not stated
7. Calphalon Aero 6.3-Quart Stainless Steel Salad Spinner – A Steel Bowl That Will Not Stain
Plastic bowls cloud and scratch over the years and can pick up stains from beets or red cabbage. Calphalon’s spinner has a 6.3-quart stainless steel outer bowl, which the listing says resists stains, odors and flavor transfer, and which doubles as a mixing or serving bowl.
It spins with a one-handed push-button pump, and a brake button stops the basket without lifting the lid. The basket lifts out and works as a colander under the tap.
This is a newer listing, and Calphalon’s listing does not give the basket material or say whether the spinner is dishwasher safe. We found no independent test of it, so treat it as the pick for a steel bowl rather than a proven performer.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel bowl resists stains and odors, per the listing
- One-handed push pump
- Brake button
- 6.3-quart capacity
Key specifications
| Model | 151164.01 |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | One-handed push pump |
| Capacity | 6.3 qt |
| Brake | Yes, push button |
| Basket material | Not stated (bowl is stainless steel) |
| Bowl serves as serving bowl | Yes, steel bowl |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a steel bowl that will not stain or cloud, and who like a pump spinner.
Skip it if you want a spinner with a long track record; the OXO has been reviewed far more widely.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Durable steel bowl
- One-handed pump with a brake
- Bowl works for mixing
Cons
- New listing, no independent test found
- Care instructions not stated
- Cannot see the greens through the bowl
Pump, crank or pull cord: how spinners work
Every salad spinner does the same thing. A perforated basket sits inside a solid bowl; you spin the basket fast, and the water on the leaves flies off through the holes and collects in the bowl. What differs is how you make the basket spin.
Pump
You press a knob on top of the lid, and each press adds speed. Pumps work with one hand, so the other can steady the bowl, and they are what America’s Test Kitchen preferred. The OXO, KitchenAid and Calphalon spinners here use pumps.
Crank
You turn a handle on the lid. Cranks are simple and cheap, but you usually need one hand on the crank and one on the bowl, and ATK found some cranks wobbly. The collapsible Prepworks uses a top handle.
Pull cord
You pull a cord, it rewinds, and you pull again. A pull cord spins the basket quickly, but ATK found these models more tiring and harder to hold steady than pumps. The Zyliss Easy Spin 2 is the pull-cord pick.
How to choose a salad spinner for your kitchen
Capacity. Makers usually quote the size of the outer bowl. For a household of three or four, a 5- to 6-quart bowl handles a head of lettuce at once. A small herb spinner suits one or two people. Overfilling a basket packs the leaves together and they dry poorly, so it is better to spin two half-loads than one crammed load.
A brake. A brake button stops the basket so you can check the leaves, shake them loose and spin again. It saves time when you dry greens in batches.
A steady base. A non-skid ring or a heavy bowl keeps the spinner from walking across the counter, which matters most with cranks and pull cords.
The bowl. Clear plastic is light and shows you how much water has collected. Glass and stainless steel look better on the table and resist stains, but glass is heavy and steel hides the leaves.
Cleaning. Lids trap water and grit. A lid that comes apart, like the OXO’s, is easier to keep clean; check whether the maker lists the lid as dishwasher safe, because several do not.
Storage. A spinner is bulky. A pump that locks flat lets you stack things on the lid, and a collapsible spinner folds to a few inches high.
Drying greens for tacos, salsa and salads
The reason to dry lettuce is simple: water left on the leaves dilutes dressing and salsa and makes everything soggy. In a taco, wet shredded lettuce sends water into the tortilla. For cilantro, drying matters even more because damp leaves turn dark and slimy in the fridge within a day or two. Spin the leaves after washing, then chop.
For the best results, wash the greens in a large bowl of cold water rather than under the tap, so sand and grit sink to the bottom; lift the leaves out into the basket, spin, pour off the water and spin again. If you are storing the greens, leave them in the basket with the lid on in the fridge, or wrap them loosely in a towel. Our guide to Mexican herbs explains how cilantro, epazote and Mexican oregano are used, and a good pair of herb scissors makes quick work of the cilantro once it is dry.
How we chose these seven spinners
We looked at pump, crank and pull-cord spinners from OXO, KitchenAid, Zyliss, Progressive, Calphalon, Cuisinart, Farberware and others, and kept only models showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. We chose a mix of mechanisms, sizes and bowl materials rather than seven versions of the same plastic pump spinner. Specifications come from the Amazon listings and maker information; we used retailer listings where the maker’s own page was not available.
We read America’s Test Kitchen’s salad spinner review and cite it where it covers a model we list. We did not read or rely on Serious Eats, Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping or the New York Times for this guide. We left out commercial spinners: the Dynamic manual spinners made for restaurants were showing limited stock, and the other large models we found came from sellers we could not identify. We have not used these spinners for this guide.
Salad spinner questions, answered
What is the best brand of salad spinner?
OXO is the most consistent choice: its full-size and little spinners are both well reviewed, and America’s Test Kitchen rates the full-size model above every other spinner it tried. Zyliss and KitchenAid make good alternatives if you want a pull cord or a bigger bowl.
Which salad spinner does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
The OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner is its favorite, and the OXO Little Salad & Herb Spinner is its pick for a small spinner. It placed the Zyliss Easy Spin 2 under recommended with reservations.
What kind of salad spinner is best: pump, crank or pull cord?
A pump. It works with one hand, so the other can hold the bowl steady, and ATK found pumps easier to use than cranks or pull cords. Cranks and pull cords suit cooks who find pressing a pump awkward.
Which salad spinner is the most durable?
Look for a sturdy pump, a lid that comes apart for cleaning and a maker’s guarantee. Zyliss gives a five-year guarantee on the Easy Spin 2, and OXO backs its spinners with its own guarantee. A glass or steel bowl will not cloud or stain the way plastic can.
Is there an eco-friendly salad spinner?
The most practical choice is one that lasts and can be repaired or replaced under guarantee, so it stays out of the trash. A stainless steel or glass bowl outlasts a plastic one, and drying greens properly helps them keep longer in the fridge.
Can I dry cilantro in a salad spinner?
Yes, and it is the best way. Wash the bunch in cold water, spin it in a small spinner, and store it in the basket or wrapped in a dry towel.
The salad spinner to start with
Buy the OXO Good Grips 6.22-quart spinner if you want one that will dry lettuce for tacos and salads for years, or the OXO Little Salad & Herb Spinner if you mainly wash cilantro. Choose the KitchenAid for big batches and the Prepworks if storage space is the deciding factor.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value salad spinners.
Related guide: Best salad dressing shaker.
Related guide: Salad spinner alternative.
A spinner sits with the other prep tools in our guide to Mexican cooking tools, and our taco bar supplies guide covers what else you need for taco night. If you would rather leave the washing and chopping to our kitchen, see the menu or call to order.