A sink strainer is a cheap fix for an expensive problem. It catches rice, peels and onion skins before they reach the pipe, and in a busy kitchen that is the difference between a quick rinse and a call to the plumber. The confusing part is that the word covers two different things: a loose basket that drops into the drain, and a full metal fitting that bolts to the sink.
The best kitchen sink strainer for you depends on which of those you actually need. This guide covers eight, from drop-in baskets to full drain assemblies, and explains how to tell which one your sink calls for. If you are choosing the sink too, start with our guide to stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks.
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Quick verdict: which sink strainer to buy
Buy the OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer if your drain works and you only want a better basket. It flips inside out to empty, and a real user backs up the fit. If your old fitting is worn out, the Kohler Duostrainer replaces the whole thing. Own a colored BLANCO sink? Choose the matching BLANCO strainer.
Five sink strainers by drain type
| Strainer | Type | Drain fit | Stopper | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink StrainerBest overall
|
Drop-in | Not stated | No | View on Amazon |
Kohler Duostrainer Sink Strainer with TailpieceBest full replacement
|
Full fitting | 3-1/2 or 4 inch | Yes | View on Amazon |
Moen Kitchen Sink StrainerBest warranty
|
Strainer with plug | 3-5/8 inch outlet | Yes, drain plug | View on Amazon |
BLANCO SILGRANIT-Matched Basket StrainerBest color match
|
Basket strainer | 3.5 inch | Yes | View on Amazon |
Plumb Pak Kitchen Strainer BasketPlain basic pick
|
Drop-in | 4-1/2 inch rim | No | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best kitchen sink strainer
1. OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer – Flips Inside Out to Empty
The worst part of owning a sink strainer is emptying it, and OXO built this one around that chore. A soft silicone basket sits under a stainless steel top, and when it is full you push the basket through so it turns inside out and the scraps drop away. It is dishwasher safe, and OXO says the silicone basket will not scratch your sink the way a metal one can.
It has a real user behind it. Writing in Cool Tools, Robert Schlaff says he bought one after his old strainer and stopper broke. He reports that it sits flat on the drain, so food does not slip past, and that the scraps pop off when he inverts it. He uses it most of the time.
He also names the limits. Turn it inside out over the trash can with the basket facing down, or the food will fly. The pull looks like a stopper’s, which can confuse a first-time user, and it is not a stopper, so he keeps a separate one for soaking dishes. The listing does not give a drain size or say whether it suits a disposal, so measure before you buy.
Why we like it
- Basket inverts to empty
- Stainless steel top
- Dishwasher safe
- Will not scratch the sink, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 1308200 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drop-in basket |
| Material | Silicone and stainless steel |
| Drain fit | Not stated |
| Stopper | No |
| With a disposal | Not stated |
| Install | Drop in |
| Warranty | OXO return or replacement promise |
Why we recommend it
It suits most kitchens where the strainer sits in the drain all day and you just want it easy to empty. No tools, no plumbing work, and a real user’s report behind it.
Skip it if you need the sink to hold water, because this strainer lets it drain.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to empty and wash
- A user reports a flat fit
- No installation
Cons
- Does not hold water
- Scraps can pop off if you rush
- No stated drain size
2. Kohler Duostrainer Sink Strainer with Tailpiece – Solid Brass Full Replacement
If your old strainer body is worn or leaking, a new drop-in basket will not fix it. This Kohler is the whole fitting: a solid brass body, a removable basket with an open and close stopper, and a tailpiece, in polished chrome. It suits sinks with a standard 3-1/2-inch or 4-inch outlet, and it has a 1-1/2-inch connection with a 4-inch tailpiece, so check that against your plumbing.
Kohler says the stopper seals tightly and the body uses a quick-locking installation system. Having the basket and the stopper in one part means there is only one piece to keep track of. Kohler also sells the basket on its own in other finishes under the K-8803 number, but those need the K-8804 body, so read the title carefully if you are shopping for a matching finish.
Our search for reviews found store pages and short mentions, with no independent test of this model, so this pick rests on the listing. Going under the sink is the real cost here. If that is not for you, ask a plumber.
Why we like it
- Solid brass construction
- Basket has a built-in stopper
- Tailpiece included
- Fits 3-1/2 or 4 inch outlets
Key specifications
| Model | K-8801-CP |
|---|---|
| Type | Full strainer with tailpiece |
| Material | Solid brass |
| Drain fit | 3-1/2 or 4 inch outlet |
| Stopper | Yes, open and close |
| With a disposal | No, for a plain drain |
| Install | Under-sink work |
| Warranty | Limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a plain drain with no disposal, where the old fitting needs replacing and you want a metal body built to last.
Skip it if your sink has a disposal, because a disposal uses its own flange and not a strainer body.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Whole fitting in one box
- Strainer and stopper in one basket
- Solid brass body
Cons
- Needs under-sink work
- Not for a disposal drain
- Other finishes need other part numbers
3. Moen Kitchen Sink Strainer – Long Warranty for a Basic Part
Moen’s listing is short, but one line stands out: a limited lifetime warranty, the longest stated on this page. The strainer is sold as a genuine Moen part, comes with a lock nut for installation, and fits a standard 3-5/8-inch outlet. Its stainless finish is aimed at stainless steel sinks.
The listing title is vague, calling it sink accessories, so judge by the features. They describe a drain plug with sink strainer and a basket. It does not state the body material, whether it can be used with a disposal, or how the stopper works. If you need one of those answers, check Moen’s specification sheet first.
It makes sense if your sink or faucet is already Moen and you want a part from the same maker. Our guide to the best Moen kitchen faucet covers the matching tap. This pick rests on the listing.
Why we like it
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Lock nut included
- Stainless finish
- Genuine Moen part
Key specifications
| Model | 22036 |
|---|---|
| Type | Strainer with drain plug |
| Material | Not stated |
| Drain fit | 3-5/8 inch outlet |
| Stopper | Drain plug |
| With a disposal | Not stated |
| Install | Lock nut, under the sink |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
It suits a stainless sink where you want a plain fitting from a well-known plumbing maker with a long warranty behind it.
Skip it if you want detailed specifications, because this listing has few of them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest stated warranty here
- Well-known plumbing maker
- Lock nut in the box
Cons
- Thin listing details
- Body material not stated
- Needs under-sink work
4. BLANCO SILGRANIT-Matched Basket Strainer – Color Matched to the Sink
A chrome ring in the bottom of a white granite sink stands out. BLANCO solves that by making its 3.5-inch basket strainer in the same colors as its SILGRANIT sinks. This listing is the White 441091, and BLANCO also sells Biscuit and Truffle versions under their own numbers.
The strainer has an open and close design that BLANCO says makes a tight seal, and the basket lifts out for rinsing. The listing carries a limited one-year warranty.
It does not state the material, and its size field reads 3 inches while the title says 3.5 inches, so go by the title and check your drain. If your sink is not a BLANCO SILGRANIT sink, the color may not match as well as you hope. This pick rests on the listing.
Why we like it
- Made to match SILGRANIT sinks
- Open and close stopper
- Basket lifts out for rinsing
- Sold in several colors
Key specifications
| Model | 441091 |
|---|---|
| Type | Basket strainer |
| Material | Not stated |
| Drain fit | 3.5 inch, per the title |
| Stopper | Yes, open and close |
| With a disposal | Not stated |
| Install | Not stated |
| Warranty | Limited one year |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone with a colored BLANCO sink who wants the drain to disappear into the bowl.
Skip it if you have a stainless sink, because a metal strainer will suit it better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Blends with the sink
- Seals when closed, per BLANCO
- Easy to lift out and rinse
Cons
- Material not stated
- Size fields disagree
- Short warranty
5. KONE Sink Drain Assembly with Deep Basket – A Deep Basket, No Plumber
This is a full drain assembly with a deep removable basket and a separate sealing lid. The extra depth means more room for scraps between emptyings, which helps on a sink with no disposal. KONE says the parts are 304 stainless steel in a brushed nickel finish, with a plastic nut because a metal nut can corrode and bond to the strainer.
The listing gives more fit detail than most: it suits sink openings from 3.23 to 4.45 inches, and the drain stands 3.85 inches tall, so check the height against what is below your sink. KONE says no plumber or tools are needed and offers a two-year guarantee.
Real Homes included this strainer in its buying guide, noting the removable perforated basket and that it can go in without plumber’s putty, though its review reads as a description and it does not say the author used one. Both Real Homes and KONE say it does not work with a garbage disposal. We count KONE as an Amazon-first brand, so it is a less established name than the plumbing makers here.
Why we like it
- Deep removable basket
- 304 stainless steel, per KONE
- Fits 3.23 to 4.45 inch openings
- Two-year guarantee
Key specifications
| Model | VDTAZI012A |
|---|---|
| Type | Full drain assembly |
| Material | 304 stainless steel, plastic nut |
| Drain fit | 3.23 to 4.45 inch opening |
| Stopper | Separate sealing lid |
| With a disposal | No |
| Install | No tools, per KONE |
| Warranty | 2 years, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a plain drain with no disposal, in a kitchen that rinses a lot of food scraps and wants more capacity.
Skip it if you have a disposal, because this fitting cannot connect to one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good fit details
- Holds more scraps
- Maker supports self-install
Cons
- Not for a disposal
- Height needs checking
- Amazon-first brand
6. SinkShroom Clog-Free Sink Strainer – Drains Even When Full
A flat strainer can block a sink once it is full of scraps. SinkShroom raises a hollow center in the basket, so water still has a path through the holes. It drops into a standard kitchen drain or disposal opening with no tools, and it is stainless steel.
Real Homes included SinkShroom in its guide for that design, saying water keeps flowing when the basket is full and suggesting it for homes with septic systems. That guide is from 2021 and it does not say the author used one. It described the product as a strainer only and said it suits narrower drains.
The current listing says this model also works as a stopper, so the design may have changed since that review. Treat the stopper claim as the maker’s, and check the fit on your drain. We count SinkShroom as the second Amazon-first brand on this page.
Why we like it
- Raised center keeps water moving
- Drops in with no tools
- Stainless steel
- Fits disposal openings, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | KSS2STS33 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drop-in basket |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Drain fit | Standard drain |
| Stopper | Yes, per the listing |
| With a disposal | Yes, per the listing |
| Install | Drop in |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen where the old strainer keeps blocking the sink with a full basket.
Skip it if you want an established plumbing maker, because SinkShroom is a smaller brand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Design aimed at clogging
- Works on a disposal opening, per the listing
- No installation
Cons
- Older review disagrees on the stopper
- Amazon-first brand
- Warranty not stated
7. Plumb Pak Kitchen Strainer Basket – Plain Steel Mesh
Sometimes you just need a basket in the drain. This Plumb Pak is a stainless steel strainer, 4-1/2 inches across at the rim, that sits in a standard sink strainer or disposal opening with no fitting at all. Plumb Pak says it catches food, soap, paper, glass and bottle caps, which also makes it handy over a disposal.
There is little to go wrong and little to set up. What you give up is the OXO’s soft basket that inverts for emptying. You scrape or tap this one out over the trash.
A rigid basket that rests on the rim does not seal, so it will not hold water. The listing has few details beyond the size and material, and this pick rests on it.
Why we like it
- 4-1/2 inch stainless rim
- Fits strainers and disposals, per the listing
- Nothing to install
- Catches small hard items
Key specifications
| Model | PP820-35 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drop-in basket |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Drain fit | 4-1/2 inch rim, standard drains |
| Stopper | No |
| With a disposal | Yes, per the listing |
| Install | Drop in |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a rental, a second sink or any kitchen that wants a plain basket and nothing more.
Skip it if you dislike scraping out a mesh basket, because the OXO is far easier to empty.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple and quick to fit
- Works over a disposal, per the listing
- Stainless steel
Cons
- Does not hold water
- Needs tapping out to empty
- Few listing details
8. Joie Ribbit Sink Strainer – A Frog in the Drain
Not every kitchen tool has to be serious. This one has a frog design, and it does the same job as a plain basket. It measures 4.5 inches across and fits standard kitchen drains, per Joie, as well as most utility sink drains and garbage disposals.
Joie builds it from stainless steel mesh and ABS plastic, and says it will not rust. Care is simple: tip the contents into the trash, wash it by hand with soap, and put it back. If frogs are not your style, Joie also sells a pig version.
Joie’s pitch is that a fun tool gets children to help with the dishes. That is fair enough, but it is a basket and not a stopper, so it will not hold water. This pick rests on the listing.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel mesh and ABS plastic
- Fits standard drains and disposals, per Joie
- Simple to empty
- Measures 4.5 inches
Key specifications
| Model | 10029 |
|---|---|
| Type | Drop-in basket |
| Material | Stainless steel and ABS plastic |
| Drain fit | 4.5 inch, standard drains |
| Stopper | No |
| With a disposal | Yes, per the listing |
| Install | Drop in |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family kitchen, or anyone who wants a small joke at the sink.
Skip it if you want a clean look, because a frog is hard to hide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cheerful look
- Fits disposal drains, per Joie
- Nothing to install
Cons
- Listing says to hand wash
- Does not hold water
- Decorative rim will not suit every sink
How to choose a sink strainer that fits
Start under the sink, not on the product page. A strainer is a fit problem first and a design choice second.
1. Decide between a basket and a full fitting
If your drain does not leak and the metal ring in the sink is sound, you only need a drop-in basket. The OXO, SinkShroom, Plumb Pak and Joie all work that way. Look under the sink too. If the fitting drips, or the ring is loose, a new basket will not help, and you need a full assembly like the Kohler or KONE. Check what came with the sink as well. Many new sinks include strainers, as several in our undermount sink guide do.
2. Measure the opening
Most kitchen sinks in the United States use a drain opening of about 3-1/2 inches, and the fittings on this page say so in their listings. Rims differ, though. The Plumb Pak and Joie measure about 4-1/2 inches across. The KONE gives a range of 3.23 to 4.45 inches for the sink opening. Measure yours with a tape before you order, and note that a full fitting has to match your tailpiece too.
3. Check for a garbage disposal
This question decides which part you can use. A disposal has its own flange, so a full strainer fitting does not belong on that drain. The Kohler, KONE and similar fittings are for plain drains, and KONE says so in plain words. The Plumb Pak, SinkShroom and Joie all say they fit a disposal opening. If your disposal is running, take the basket out unless the maker says otherwise.
4. Decide if you need a stopper
Do you fill the sink to soak pans or wash by hand? If so, you want a stopper, either built into the basket as on the Kohler, or as a separate plug. Cool Tools reviewer Robert Schlaff uses the OXO most of the time and keeps a separate stopper for soaking, and that is a sensible way to work. Strainers that are not stoppers will not hold water at all.
5. Think about emptying and finish
A strainer you dislike emptying is a strainer that gets ignored. Silicone inverts, mesh needs a tap over the trash, and a deep basket holds more before it needs emptying. Then consider the finish. Chrome, brushed nickel and colored composite will all look different against your sink and faucet, so look at the finish last, and see our guide to the best kitchen faucet if you are changing that too.
How we picked these eight sink strainers
We read each maker’s listing, the Real Homes buying guide on sink strainers and a Cool Tools user review of the OXO. One search for reviews brought up mostly store pages and generated lists, and two more reviews we wanted to read were blocked, so we did not use them. The Real Homes guide does not say its author used the products, and we say so where we cite it. The Kohler, Moen, BLANCO, Plumb Pak and Joie picks rest on listing details.
We kept to identifiable makers, with no more than two Amazon-first brands, KONE and SinkShroom. We kept to products that were plainly in stock when we wrote this, which ruled out several BLANCO, Franke, Elkay and Kraus strainers. We left out colanders and dish racks, since this page is about the drain. We also searched the saferproducts.gov recall database for each brand and found no recall of a sink strainer. Our kitchen has not used these strainers, so this is a guide to specifications and published sources.
Sink strainer questions, answered
What size is a standard kitchen sink strainer?
Most kitchen drains have an opening of about 3-1/2 inches, and a drop-in basket usually has a rim of about 4-1/2 inches that rests on the ring around the drain. Moen lists 3-5/8 inches for its outlet, so small differences are normal. Measure yours rather than assuming.
Can you use a sink strainer with a garbage disposal?
Yes, a drop-in basket that says it fits a disposal opening will sit in the flange and catch scraps. Take it out before you run the disposal unless the maker says otherwise. A full strainer fitting is a different part and does not go on a disposal drain.
Why does my sink drain slowly with a strainer in?
A full basket can block the flow, and fine mesh clogs sooner than larger holes. Empty it first. If that does not fix it, the trouble is probably further down the pipe. The SinkShroom is designed to keep water moving when the basket is full.
Is a silicone or stainless steel strainer better?
Silicone is easier to empty and will not scratch your sink, per OXO. Stainless steel mesh is stiffer, and you need to tap or scrape it out. The OXO uses both: a silicone basket and a stainless steel top.
How do you keep a sink strainer clean?
Empty it after each meal, then rinse it. Check the maker’s care note, since the OXO is dishwasher safe and Joie says to wash its strainer by hand. Keep a sink caddy nearby for the brush and soap, so the job takes only a minute.
Our last word on sink strainers
If your drain is sound, buy the OXO and enjoy not touching wet scraps. If you want a stopper in one part, or your fitting is failing, the Kohler is the strong, plain answer on a drain with no disposal. The Moen brings the longest stated warranty, the BLANCO matches a colored sink, and the Plumb Pak does the basic job.
Related guide: Best garbage disposal.
Related guide: Best garbage disposal strainer.
Related guide: Best sink stopper.
Any strainer works better in a sink that drains well, so see our guides to the undermount stainless sinks and the best 33 inch kitchen sink. Short on storage below the bowl? We also cover the best under sink organizer.