The Best Dish Drying Racks For Every Kitchen Sink Space

This sturdy dish drainer can be used over the sink, in the sink, or on your countertop, and thanks to adjustable bars, it extends from nearly 16 to 22 inches long to accommodate sinks of various sizes. It’s made of 304 stainless steel, which means better resistance to corrosion, rust, and acid damage, and it features rubber arms and feet to prevent scratching your sink or counter. With room for up to 9 dishes at once and a separate holder for utensils, it’s great for keeping smaller spaces clutter-free or for smaller dish loads. As one reviewer pointed out, it “Adjusted perfectly to the size of my sink. Great when you don’t have a full load for the dishwasher.” Another noted, “Bought this little drying rack to fit inside my sink and am never looking back. The arms spread out and have grip on them to grab onto the sink and it feels pretty sturdy.” Small but mighty and under $20? That’ll do!

Get you a dish drying rack that gives you options. This one takes up a little more space than average but it’s also fully customizable. Made of durable, corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel, it comes with two drainboards, a microfiber mat, three separate cup holder attachments, a cutting board attachment, a wide utensil holder, and a knife holder attachment. The top shelf of this dish rack can be rearranged or completely removed, and the knife holder’s top can be taken off to store sponges or more utensils. (Like we said: options.) “It never ceases to amaze me how many dirty dishes just two people can accumulate,” wrote one reviewer, “I used to have two small dish racks in order to be able to dry all the dishes…This thing is awesome. Plenty of storage and very sturdy. I’m glad the accessories can be rearranged, so you can really make it work to fit in your space.” If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, or a great housewarming/engagement gift, add this pick to your short list.

Is this pricey pick worth the extra money? According to 92% of 3,500+ Amazon reviewers, it is. Simplehuman is known for products that are high quality and thoughtfully designed, and this steel frame dish rack is no exception. An integrated drip tray with a swivel spout allows for drainage directly into the sink and an anti-residue coating enables water to spread and dry more quickly (aka: less gunky residue buildup). It also features an extendable drip tray, an integrated wine glass rack, and a utensil holder. Be advised, this dish rack does take up a fair amount of counter space but with all its got to offer, consumers don’t seem to mind that much. As one put it, “I’ve owned this dish rack for over a year and can state unequivocally this is the best dish rack in the history of man. (How’s that for drama?) It is easy to set up. While it sits on the counter, there is a pan beneath the rack that drains all water into the sink; it is just wonderful. The only way it could be improved upon would be to make it more collapse-able for storage. You may pay a bit more, but you won’t be disappointed in any way. There is even a rack for hanging your wine glasses to dry. The folks at simplehuman really do have their fingers on the pulse of the market.”

Equal parts storage unit and dish drying rack, this two-tiered stainless steel option comes with, well, everything but the kitchen sink. It’s got room for more than 20 dishes, removable S-hooks (for hanging mugs, cooking utensils, or rags), cutlery and sponge/soap holders, as well as a cutting board rack. Just place it above your sink to allow for easy air-drying of dishes—minus the counter puddles—as well as easy access to any frequently-used supplies. The height and width of this rack are adjustable, as well, and users rave about how easy it is to assemble, among other things. “I absolutely ADORE this product,” wrote one reviewer, “It’s incredibly efficient and such a great tool to have (as someone without a dishwasher, unfortunately). Everything dries over the sink and I have SO much more room on the rest of my counters. I cannot recommend this enough, especially for small spaces or people going through a kitchen remodel…It has everything you need to dry everything you’ve got.” Like we said, everything but the kitchen sink.

If keeping your dish drying rack out in plain sight messes with your aesthetic, or you just simply don’t have the counter space, try a collapsible option you can hide away in a cabinet! This plastic over-the-sink dish rack and drainer can hold up to eight 10-inch plates, has extendable arms and a removable cutlery holder, and folds up to a third of its full size when not in use. Genius! Reviewers sing its praises, with raves including notes like “I have had soooooo many dish diners over the years but this is the best one I have ever had!” Since it’s for conserving space, users frequently mention how perfect this pick is for RVs and trailers (this year’s go-to travel trend). Per reviewers, this dish rack is also ideal for tropical climates. As one wrote, “Perfect solution to keep drainboard off the counter. I wanted 100% plastic because in FL everything gets corroded from the high mineral content in the water,” while another noted, “In Hawaii, anything made of metal rusts eventually so this is perfect.” No rust and no clutter? Seems like a no brainer.