Bon Appétit named the Joseph Joseph Expandable Dish Rack its best overall pick after testing 18 racks in 2026. Its expandable footprint and removable parts make it a flexible choice, though its fixed outlet and grime-catching spout need attention. For a rack that folds away, Bon Appétit chose the OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat Dish Rack; for a storable drying surface rather than a slotted rack, it chose the Dorai Home Dish Pad. The right option depends on your counter or sink, typical dish load, and willingness to empty or clean the drainage area.
2026 picks at a glance
| Product | Best for | Dimensions and materials reported by Bon Appétit | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Joseph Expandable Dish Rack | Best overall, according to Bon Appétit | Closed: 14 × 6.5 × 12.25 inches; open: 14 × 6.5 × 20.25 inches. Stainless steel and plastic. | Expandable and removable parts help with changing counter needs and cleaning; its outlet snaps into place rather than swiveling, and the spout can collect grime. |
| OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat Dish Rack | Best folding rack, according to Bon Appétit | Unfolded: 16.4 × 14.6 × 9.5 inches. Aluminum and plastic; folds to about two inches high. | Stores flat and can work as a tray or raised rack, but its tray does not drain automatically and tall glasses can be awkward to fit. |
| Dorai Home Dish Pad | Best drying pad, according to Bon Appétit | Open: 25 × 17 inches; folded: 12.5 × 17 inches. Diatomaceous earth and silicone. | Folds away when not in use, but it is a pad rather than a slotted rack, can be fragile or stain, and may need sanding if oil buildup reduces absorbency. |
| SONGMICS Expandable Dish Rack | Lower-priced expandable alternative in Bon Appétit’s guide | Closed: 20 × 12.75 × 9 inches; open: 20 × 22 × 9 inches. Stainless steel and plastic. | Room for four place settings and cookware, but small-to-medium drops may remain on its plastic tray and the extended footprint nearly fills a standard counter’s 25-inch depth. |
These are Bon Appétit’s 2026 judgments, not independent test results for this article. Its guide says it tested 18 racks. Food Network reports testing 11 racks in 2025, and Reviewed says it tested over a dozen over several weeks in 2023; those publications’ counts and methods are not directly comparable.
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How to choose a rack for your kitchen
Start with the space it will occupy
A countertop rack uses counter depth; a sink-spanning rack or roll-up rack needs a sink that it can fit across and safely support. A folding model or pad can be put away between uses. Measure the counter, cabinet clearance, or sink before buying, and check whether a rack’s expanded dimensions still leave room for food preparation.
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Bon Appétit describes an over-the-sink rack as one option when counter space is unavailable, but does not name a best 2026 sink-spanning model. Food Network’s 2025 guide describes a Surpahs roll-up rack for a few glasses or mugs and a plate or two, and advises measuring the sink. Treat that as a compact-capacity category option, not a 2026 award winner or confirmation of current stock.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPACT VOLUME: Kitsure dish rack is suitable for kitchens with limited space. The bottom layer measures only 12''W x 15.5''L and the overall height is 5". The rack is capable of holding 10 plates and other bowls and glasses. With a Kitsure dish rack, you can perfectly save your countertop space.
- PREMIUM MATERIAL: Kitsure Kitchen dish drying rack has a plastic drainboard and premium rust-proof metal which can effectively prevent rust and deformation. And you can clean the rack easily by rinsing it under a running tap. Tips: Water may not drain smoothly if the sink edge is above the counter.
- EASY INSTALL & CLEAN: Kitsure dish drainer is easy to install with the attached installation manual. In addition, with the waterproof coating, the rack is also easy to clean. All you need to do is wipe the rack with a damp cloth or rinse it under a running tap after use. The water pipe can also be disassembled for cleaning.
- EASY TO USE: Kitsure drying rack for kitchen consists of a cutlery holder, a dish rack, and a drainboard set. With such a simple structure, it is easy to install as no tool is needed in the process. the dish rack stays firmly where it is.
- DETACHABLE CUTLERY HOLDER: The cutlery holder of this dish drying rack is divided into two spaces for cutlery and other small items. With this dish rack, you can always find the right place for various tableware!
Match capacity to the dishes you actually wash
Consider your usual load, not just the number of plate slots. Bon Appétit assessed its racks using four dinner plates, four drinking glasses, four flatware sets, a five-quart Dutch oven, and a ten-inch frying pan, adding bowls when possible. It found that the Joseph Joseph Expandable handled dishes, utensils, pots, and glassware from a dinner for four, including heavier cookware. Food Network’s 2025 guide notes that larger or tiered racks can suit people who hand-wash cookware or lack a dishwasher.
The OXO fold-flat rack was a tighter fit for a family load that included cookware, and tall glasses—especially stemware—were difficult to fit upright. Choose a more spacious rack if cookware and a full meal’s dishes routinely dry together.
Rank #2
- Space-Saving Design: The dish drying rack (15.2” L x 11.2” W x 5.7” H) fits perfectly in the kitchen with limited space. It holds up to 10 plates, bowls, and cups while keeping your counter dry and organized. Say goodbye to clutter in your small kitchen or apartment!
- Rapid-Drain System: This dish drainer features an angled drip tray and a draining spout that channels water directly into the sink. No more puddles or soggy counters—enjoy faster drying and a cleaner workspace. Easy to store, small in size. Tips: Water may not drain smoothly if the sink edge is above the counter.
- Rust-Resistant Material: Made from high-quality, rust-proof, sturdy and stable metal, this dish rack resists rust, corrosion, and wear. Easy to rinse and maintain, the sturdy construction effortlessly holds all your dishes and cups.
- Assembly without Tools: Easy to setup, with such a simple structure, you can easily assemble the dish rack drainer together. Just following the help of the installation manual, no tools included!
- Removable Utensil Holder: Features a removable utensil holder with 3 separate compartments to keep your cutlery neatly sorted and right at your fingertips. No more cluttered utensils—everything has its place. Suitable for various occasions.
Understand what “drains” means
A rack may send larger amounts of water toward an outlet while leaving small drips to evaporate on the tray. Tray slope, ridges, outlet direction, and whether the tray is removable all affect what happens. The OXO’s tray does not drain automatically; Bon Appétit found its ridges work against water flow. The SONGMICS tray can retain small-to-medium drops. A drying pad, by contrast, can be designed to absorb or hold water rather than route it through a spout.
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Plan for cleaning and storage
Water-contact areas need regular cleaning, including channels, spouts, and crevices—not just the visible tray. Removable parts can make that work easier. Bon Appétit says the Joseph Joseph’s spout can collect grime, but is removable for cleaning. The rack folds or expands only if its mechanism and attachments remain easy to manage; consider whether unused accessories add storage bulk or make washing harder.
Rank #3
- COMPACT DESIGN: Measuring only 15.6"*12.0"*4.9", Sakugi dish rack features a compact design. Meanwhile, it's capable of holding 6 plates and other bowls and glasses. Sakugi drying rack makes full use of your kitchen space.
- PREMIUM STAINLESS STEEL: Made of premium stainless steel, Sakugi kitchen dish drying rack is free of rust and deformation. It's ideal for long-term use. Meanwhile, you can clean it effortlessly by rinsing it with running water and letting it air dry.
- EFFICIENT WATER DRAINAGE: This large dish drying rack is equipped with a swivel water outlet which can be adjusted freely in three directions. Thus the dishes can be drained easily and the excess water can be led to the sink. No more worry about water on the countertop!
- EASY INSTALLATION: Sakugi drying rack for kitchen counter is easy to install with its simple structure. No tool is needed in the installation process. Meanwhile, the four anti-slip silicone leg covers make the rack stays firmly in place.
- CONVENIENT CUTLERY HOLDER: The cutlery holder of this dish drying rack with drainboard is separated into two spaces. You can set your spoons, knives, forks, and other small kitchenware in two categories. With this drying rack, you can have your various tableware well-organized!
Look beyond the material label
Bon Appétit and Food Network discuss rust resistance and construction, but a material name alone does not establish long-term durability. Bon Appétit praised rust-resistant features while cautioning that one tested rack’s materials did not feel particularly strong. Look at connections and stability as well as the listed materials, especially if you plan to load heavy pots or cookware.
What the 2026 picks are like to use
Joseph Joseph Expandable: best overall
Bon Appétit’s pick expands from 14 × 6.5 × 12.25 inches closed to 14 × 6.5 × 20.25 inches open. The review says it accommodated a dinner-for-four load, including a Dutch oven, and values its removable parts and adjustable footprint. The drainage outlet snaps into place rather than swiveling, and the spout can collect grime; remove it for cleaning as needed.
Rank #4
- Detachable 2 Tier Dish Rack: This drying rack for kitchen counter take a detachable 2-tier design. Together with a utensil holder, a cup rack, providing a large space for storing tableware such as dishes, plates, bowls, mugs, kitchen pots and frying pans.
- Auto-draining Drainboard: The dish drying rack includes central drainage holes and a swivel spout, making sure the water flows directly into the sink, not onto the countertop.The swivel spout is 360° rotatable so you can put the rack next to the sink in the best position for your needs, and have it work.
- Rustproof and Sturdy: The escurridor de platos is made of premium metal. Corrosion Resistant and Rust Resistant are ideal for kitchen applications. the sturdy construction will provide a strong load-bearing to storing all your kitchenware easily.
- Assembly Without Tools: No screws and tools are needed, you can easily assemble the dish rack drainer together. Just following the help of the installation manual, no tools included! It Only Takes 1 min to install a perfect dish drying rack with drainboard.
- Multifunctional Rack: Besides drain board, this kitchen dish drying rack comes with a cup rack and a utensil holder, the side cutlery rack can hold various utensils, meet your needs for storing kitchenware.
OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat: best folding rack
Bon Appétit’s unfolded measurements are 16.4 × 14.6 × 9.5 inches; the rack folds to about two inches high. It can be used as a tray or raised rack and has a movable silverware basket. Its main limitation is drainage: the tray does not empty on its own, and its ridges impede flow. Tall glasses, particularly stemware, are hard to place upright, while cookware makes a family load a tight fit.
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Bon Appétit favors this foldable surface for kitchens without room for a full rack or for people who want to store their drying area away. It measures 25 × 17 inches open and 12.5 × 17 inches folded, and is made of diatomaceous earth and silicone. It has no plate slots. The review warns that it can be fragile and stain; oil buildup can reduce absorbency, and sanding may restore some absorbency.
Best Value
- SPACIOUS DESIGN FOR LARGE LOADS: This full size dish rack offers ample space for plates, mugs, glasses, bowls, utensils, and even larger items like pots and pans. Please refer to product dimensions to ensure an ideal fit for your countertop.
- NON SLIP, STABLE BASE: Equipped with soft, anti slip feet, this dish rack stays securely in place, protecting surfaces and providing stability even on smooth countertops.
- RUST RESISTANT, DURABLE COATING: Constructed with heavy duty satin coated steel wires, this dish rack is designed to resist rusting and stand up to daily kitchen use. To maintain optimal rust resistance, dry the rack and drainboard after use.
- IMPROVED ANGLED DRAINAGE SYSTEM: The angled drainboard directs water straight into the sink, preventing pooling and keeping countertops dry. The board and rack are precisely aligned for smooth water flow and easy cleaning.
- REMOVABLE FLATWARE CADDY WITH ADJUSTABLE COMPARTMENTS: The flatware caddy features adjustable sections to keep utensils organized. Its built in handle makes it easy to remove and unload directly into drawers or cabinets.
SONGMICS Expandable: larger expandable alternative
Bon Appétit lists the SONGMICS at 20 × 12.75 × 9 inches closed and 20 × 22 × 9 inches open. It describes room for four place settings and cookware, an adjustable spout, and multiple orientations. Small-to-medium drops may linger on the plastic tray, and the attachments are less secure than the review would prefer. At full extension, the rack uses nearly all of a standard counter’s 25-inch depth. Bon Appétit listed a sale price when its guide was published; check current retailer listings for price and availability.
Joseph Joseph Extend: compact option in older testing
Reviewed’s 2023 guide described the Joseph Joseph Extend as suitable for small kitchens and said it can expand to nearly twice its smaller footprint. It also noted wobbly plastic tines and a little water that may pool instead of flowing through the spout. Bon Appétit’s 2026 guide covers a model called the Joseph Joseph Expandable; do not assume the two names refer to the same product without checking current model details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the review guides tested racks
Bon Appétit writer and tester Adam Campbell-Schmitt describes pouring water onto racks and around drainage areas, then loading four dinner plates, four drinking glasses, four flatware sets, a five-quart Dutch oven, and a ten-inch frying pan, with bowls where possible. The review also assessed cleaning, materials and connections, orientation options, stability, and appearance. This is the publication’s test method, not a standardized certification. Campbell-Schmitt writes, “We were most interested in a dish rack’s ability to function under a wide variety of space constraints.”
Reviewed says it tested each rack over several weeks with two place settings, a four-person dinner-party load, and oddly shaped cookware and bakeware, checking drying after two hours. Food Network reports testing 11 racks for capacity, drainage, countertop space, and cleaning. The publications’ sample counts describe their own reviews and do not show that they tested the same products under the same conditions. Campbell-Schmitt also notes, “You should expect that a dish rack is something you clean on a fairly regular basis, so the easier it is to do that, the better.”
Quick Recap
Check fit and current listings before ordering
- Measure the available counter depth and width, or the sink span and support points for an over-sink option.
- Compare the expanded as well as closed dimensions when a rack adjusts or folds.
- Think through a representative load, including cookware, glasses, and bowls—not only plates and cutlery.
- Check how water exits or is retained, and whether the tray, spout, and other wet parts can be removed for cleaning.
- Confirm the current product name, dimensions, price, and availability with the retailer; guide prices and listings can change.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
