Washing up may not be your favourite household chore, but making sure you have the tools for the job can make it easier and more efficient. Whether you have a small space or large, finding the right dish rack for your most-used tableware, glasses and pots and pans can make all the difference.
There are many styles of dish drainer on offer, from over the sink plastic racks to two-tiered or foldable racks made from bamboo and stainless steel. We'll guide you through the features and provide you with a list of the best available from top quality brands like Simple Human, Joseph Joseph and OXO, all available online from Amazon, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Dish Racks
Simple Human
Coated Stainless Steel Design to Prevent Rust and Limescale
Ejoyous
Over Sink Draining Rack With Space for Utensils and Hooks
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If you’re tight on space, there are some great space-saving designs available to help you out. Extendable dish drainers can expand when you have more washing up and slide back into a more compact shape when you have less.
Over-the-sink dish racks, as their name suggests, fit right over your sink. Many of these hold an impressive amount and the water simply runs down the plughole. Bear in mind that these work best if your sink is in front of a wall rather than a window.
A final space-saving feature to look out for is a drainer with a tray or solid base, which can also be placed on surfaces other than a draining board, preventing water from pooling all over your worktop.
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Having a dish rack full of dishes can really make your kitchen look untidy. If you like a nice, sleek look, then a foldable dish drainer that you can tidy away into a cupboard is just the thing. If you only have limited counter space, they too can be stowed with ease. There are many great designs available in a variety of materials to suit every minimalist, just be sure to dry them before storing!
Each household is different, and while some might need lots of space to dry pots and pans or plates, others may find a dish drainer that offers more space for cups and special glass holders more useful.
Whatever your dining habits, consider what you use the most and look for a dish rack with sections that best fit these requirements – we've found several models that offer large cutlery holders or areas for glasses, while others have versatile designs that can accommodate several different types of washing up.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Joseph Joseph Extend Expandable Dish Rack | ![]() | Expandable Dish Rack That Drains Directly Into the Sink | |
2 | Simple Human Steel Frame Dish Rack|KT1154 | ![]() | Coated Stainless Steel Design to Prevent Rust and Limescale | |
3 | Oxo Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack | ![]() | Versatile Folding Dish Rack to Save Counter Space | |
4 | Ejoyous Over-Sink Stainless Steel Draining Rack | ![]() | Over Sink Draining Rack With Space for Utensils and Hooks | |
5 | Relaxdays 2-Tier Steel Drainer | ![]() | A Practical Design With External Cutlery Drainer | |
6 | Umbra UDry Over the Sink Dish Drying Rack | ![]() | Lightweight and Foldable Over the Sink Dish Rack | |
7 | Good Deals Bamboo 2-Tier Dish Drying Rack | ![]() | Eco-Friendly Bamboo Dish Rack | |
8 | Addis Dish Drainer | ![]() | Budget Drainer for Students and Shared Houses | |
9 | Beldray Collapsible Dish Draining Board|LA031051 | ![]() | Foldable Dish Draining Board for Small Kitchens | |
10 | Delfinware Dish Drainer | ![]() | A Simple Wire Design for Crockery and Cups |
Joseph Joseph is a sought after homewares brand known for its chic yet functional design, and this expandable dish rack is no exception to this rule. It boasts unique design points which combine to create a really well-thought-out piece of kit, that'll no doubt be an asset to your kitchen.
For one, there are raised ribs and sloping base channels to allow water to run off towards the draining spout to stop it pooling under your washing up. Plus, the removable draining tines are non-scratch to protect your dishes and glasses and the dish rack itself can extend to give you space for more items when needed.
This elegant stainless steel dish rack features a special coating that helps ensure the rack dries more quickly, reducing the build up of limescale. With a swivel spout to help direct water directly into the sink as well as an extendable drip tray, it’s expertly crafted to help make washing up a breeze.
It definitely caters to the wine connoisseurs amongst us and has a specially-designed wine glass rack to hang up to four extra large (the only size worth having!) wine glasses for efficient and safe drying. Simple Human have really thought of everything with this dish rack!
This versatile offering incorporates a rack for dishes as well as tines to hold mugs, cups or glasses. With a spout to drain excess water directly into the sink as well as fold-out feet, this plastic dish rack will fold up neatly when not in use, saving you space in your kitchen.
It combines the best of both worlds, with a stainless steel frame and plastic body, making it long-lasting as well as stylish. Well-designed, like most of the Oxo Good Grips range, this drainer is protected by the Oxo guarantee, so you really can’t go wrong!
Made from high quality stainless steel, this sturdy over-sink drainer has good capacity and takes up very little counter space. With space for cups, bowls, glasses and plates, hooks for mugs and utensils, a cutlery holder, and space for your washing up liquid and sponge, this dish rack is really like the Tardis of the kitchen.
The design and quality of this dish rack is fantastic, allowing your washing up to drip straight into your sink without the need for a draining board. It’s a great pick for kitchens without much counter space or families who just want to save on space.
This practical, functional dish drainer boast two tiers, each of which has a drip tray to catch the run-off as your washing up dries. There's also a good-sized cutlery compartment, and even holders for your tea towels or cloths which is a nice touch.
It can handle a considerable amount of dishes, glasses, bowls and more, and is suitable even for larger households, particularly those with limited worktop space. Its smart, stainless steel is tough and rustproof as well as easy on the eye, too.
Despite the relatively small size of this dish rack, it can pack in a lot of washing up. Capable of holding up to 16 slots for plates as well as mugs and cutlery, it also has a dish drying rack for additional stacking. Alternatively, the removable rack with wire arms that extend to fit up to a 56cm sink can be positioned over the sink to save space.
Plus, it's also really easy to clean in the dishwasher or otherwise. The ideal combination of design and function, UDry's machine-washable microfiber mat absorbs water while protecting your counter-top from scratches and water buildup.
Marrying sensible design with a stylish-yet-rustic look, this bamboo dish rack offers heaps of drying space for a relatively small footprint. It's made from eco-friendly bamboo, which boasts a range of anti-microbial properties, making it durable and easy to care for without the risk of mould.
Built with a stable X-shaped structure and triangular support, the overall structure is guaranteed to be sturdy. The rack is foldable and features a two-tier design that allows you to stack bowls, places, cups, cutlery and more, so it's perfect for families smaller kitchens who want to save space.
This high-capacity plastic drainer is a great option for a larger household or families. It can hold up to nine plates as well as cutlery, mugs and glasses, despite the small overall footprint. In order to protect both your crockery and your sink area, it also features padded feet and an internal liner.
With a modern-looking design, this drainer would suit most kitchen styles and budgets, and is easy to maintain. Made entirely out of plastic, this is a great option for those who are on a budget.
If you’re pushed for space, this low-maintenance foldable dish draining board could be just the thing! Made of plastic and silicone, it offers cutlery holders as well as space for your dishes, bowls and cups, and has a solid base.
Once your dishes are dry and put away, this clever drainer will simply collapse flat, ready to be stowed. While it’s not got a huge capacity, nor is it the most attractive in our line up, it's great for camping or tiny kitchens and at an affordable price, it’s cheap and cheerful too.
This simply-designed rack has rubber feet to prevent slipping, and a heavy-duty metal frame to keep it from tipping over or moving around while in use. It features plastic coating on the metal to prevent rusting problems often found on metal racks.
There's a good amount of space for dishes, bowls and cups. A good basic dish rack, it is well-made, good value for money and available in a few different finishes. However, it isn’t dishwasher-safe, and you'll need to purchase a cutlery drainer separately.
Written and researched by Sonata Winchester
No. 1: Joseph Joseph|Extend Expandable Dish Rack
No. 2: Simple Human|Steel Frame Dish Rack|KT1154
No. 3: Oxo Good Grips|Foldaway Dish Rack
No. 4: Ejoyous|Over-Sink Stainless Steel Draining Rack
No. 5: Relaxdays|2-Tier Steel Drainer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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