What to Buy Cleaning The 6 Best Dish Drying Mats to Make Post-Dinner Cleanup Easier Keep kitchenware clean, dry, and organized with these top-rated pads. By Cindy Brzostowski Cindy Brzostowski Cindy Brzostowski is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. Along with her previous work experience in cookbook publishing, she is an avid home cook. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 19, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / David Hattan Whether or not you have the convenience of a dishwasher, dish drying mats are a must for every kitchen. Maybe you have a sink full of dirty dishes to work through, or perhaps there are pieces that require hand-washing, like wine glasses or a nonstick pan — either way, you’re going to need a clean, absorbent surface to let those items dry. As simple as a dish drying mat may seem, there are various options, including ones of different materials, styles, and sizes. After in-depth market research, we determined the best dish drying mats for every kitchen and budget. Below, we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of each of our favorite picks. Our Top Picks Best Overall: S&T INC. Dish Drying Mat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Norpro Dish Drying Mat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Dorai Dish Pad at Amazon Jump to Review Best Silicone: Oxo Silicone Drying Mat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Over-the-Sink: Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Rack at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Drying Rack/Mat Combo: Umbra Dish Drying Mat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall S&T INC. Absorbent Reversible Microfiber Dish Drying Mat Amazon View On Amazon Pros This cushioned dish drying mat is durable, extra absorbent, and comes in different patterns. Cons The mat itself can take a while to dry between uses. This dish drying mat checks all the boxes for one that functions well and looks good in the process. The mat is made from microfiber designed to absorb four times its weight in water and has an inner foam core, so you get the cushion you need to protect your kitchenware as well as your countertop. The mat’s construction is so durable that you can throw it in the washing machine and dryer, and it still looks as good as new. You may find that if you’re washing lots of dishes, the mat might take some time to dry before it’s ready for another round, but again, there’s always the option to tumble dry it if you need to speed things up. Aesthetics-wise, there’s no need to settle for a color you don’t love. This one comes in a whopping 31 different options, from solid colors like a neutral gray to patterns like bright yellow lemon slices. Since the mat is reversible, you can display the pattern one day and flip it to the side with the solid color the next. Price at time of publish: $11 Material: Microfiber with inner foam coreDimensions: 16 x 18 inchesCare: Machine washable Best Value Norpro 18 by 16-Inch Microfiber Dish Drying Mat Amazon View On Amazon Pros Absorbent and affordable, this dish drying mat offers good quality at a low price. Cons It doesn’t have the most exciting color options. If you’re looking for something inexpensive that will still get the job done right, we recommend this dish drying mat. Even with an under-$10 price tag, the mat features absorbent microfiber surrounding a thin layer of foam, so you can count on it to effectively soak up residual water. Not only does it make drying your dishes a simple process, but it’s also easy to clean itself since it’s machine washable. If you have a colorful kitchen and want your dish drying mat to match that vibe, this probably isn’t the one for you since it just comes in neutral shades. But if the minimalist style is your thing, it will blend right in. Price at time of publish: $9 Material: Microfiber Dimensions: 16 x 18 inchesCare: Machine washable Best Splurge Dorai Home Dish Pad Amazon View On Amazon View On Doraihome.com Pros Modern and versatile, this unique-looking dish pad dries almost instantly and prevents mildew. Cons You’ll have to put in a little bit of work to remove any stains. This product flips the idea of what a dish mat looks like on its head. It’s made of recycled paper, silicone webbing, and diatomaceous earth, which according to the site, is a naturally occurring mineral made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. This unique material dries quickly and prevents bacteria from growing, meaning it doesn’t remain damp or develop an unpleasant “wet” smell. Even though the dish pad is on the larger side and made with more solid materials, you can still store it easily thanks to the foldable tri-panel design. Looking at the price, you may wonder if it’s really worth it, but keep in mind that you can dry your produce on the dish pad too, giving it even more value. One thing to prepare yourself for though is that if stains appear, you’ll either have to do some sanding or use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get them out. Price at time of publish: $90 Material: Diatomaceous earth, recycled paper, and siliconeDimensions: 15.21 x 19.91 inchesCare: Dishwasher-safe silicone cover RELATED: The 16 Best Kitchen Cleaning Tools of 2023 Best Silicone Oxo Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Pros It prevents slippage, raises and aerates the dishes during drying, and can double as a trivet. Cons The drying mat is more utilitarian than other options. Constructed of durable silicone, this dish drying mat comes with lots of advantages. First, it’s nonslip, so you don’t have to worry about fragile wine glasses tipping over and creating an even bigger mess. In addition, it’s heat-resistant, so you can use it as a trivet to place hot dishes on. When you’re done using the mat, it’s flexible enough to roll up for fuss-free storage. The design isn’t so eye-catching, but it’s functional: You’ll notice that the mat’s surface has a ribbed construction, elevating your dishes from where the water drains. For quick cleaning, you can throw it in the dishwasher — easy as that. Price at time of publish: $17 Material: SiliconeDimensions: 6.5 x 13.2 inchesCare: Dishwasher-safe Best Over-the-Sink Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack 4.8 Food52 View On Wayfair View On Target View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Ideal for small spaces, this rack rolls over the sink for easy drainage and folds back up for simple storage. Cons If you want one that can absorb water, this isn't the mat for you. Are you working with minimal counter space? Look no further than this dish drying mat that sits on top of your sink instead. It features silicone-coated stainless steel slots that you can place items on and in between, supporting up to 50 pounds. There’s also a convenient utensil caddy with draining holes where you can dry flatware. In addition to its primary purpose, this clever mat works as a trivet for hot cookware (heat-safe up to 550°F), a produce-drying mat, and a cooling rack for baked goods. To clean it, simply place it in the dishwasher, and for easy storage, remove the caddy and roll it up in your drawer. Price at time of publish: $45 Material: Silicone and stainless steelDimensions: 20.5 x 12.25 inchesCare: Dishwasher-safe RELATED: The Best Paper Towel Holders of 2023 Best Drying Rack/Mat Combo Umbra Udry Rack and Microfiber Dish Drying Mat Amazon View On Amazon Pros You have lots of drying options with this product’s all-in-one mat, dish rack, utensil caddy, and stemware holder, and it folds up neatly for storage. Cons The design isn’t compatible with every kind of dish and piece of cookware. Featuring a dish drying mat and rack, this option offers the best of both worlds yet doesn’t take up more counter space. You can place bigger items like pots on the absorbent, microfiber mat while lining up your plates in the rack, plus there’s even a designated caddy for utensils with a holder in the back for stemware. That being said, drying bigger items like large skillets and heavy, thick plates can be tricky given the allotted space on the mat side and the narrow rack slots. The product’s design allows you to detach its vertical parts, fold the mat in half, and secure it all together with the elastic strap. Another design plus is that it comes in six different colors, ranging from a creamy linen color to a bright red. With each, the rack color matches the mat for a cohesive look. Price at time of publish: $22 Material: Plastic and microfiberDimensions: 18 x 24 x 10.75 inchesCare: Machine washable mat and dishwasher-safe rack Our Favorite The S&T INC. Dish Drying Mat is our top pick because it absorbs well, is convenient to use and clean, and comes in many attractive designs. If you prefer silicone, we like the OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat for how well it separates the dishes from the drippage and its extra trivet function. Factors to Consider Material Dish drying mats are most commonly made from either microfiber or silicone. Microfiber drying mats work by absorbing the water, while silicone drying mats work by elevating the dishes from the water residue. Some prefer microfiber because they provide a protective cushion (not just for your dishes but also your countertop) and can be cleaned in the washing machine. Others like silicone because there’s less concern with bacteria growth and unpleasant odors. You can also find dish drying mats made with diatomaceous earth, like the Dorai Home Dish Pad, which helps evaporate moisture and prevent bacteria growth. Size A well-sized dish drying mat strikes the balance between fitting enough dishes without taking up a ton of space. We think the sweet spot is around 16 inches by 18 inches, but you may look for a bigger option if you’re cooking for a big family or a smaller size, depending on your counter space. Design If you plan on leaving the drying mat on your countertop, you’ll want it to look good or at least match the rest of your kitchen. You can find dish drying mats in various colors and patterns, from neutral shades for minimalist-style homes to vibrant prints for retro-inspired spaces. Aside from color preferences, you should take note of any other design additions that help with function. For example, a loop for hang-drying; the capacity to fold, roll, or break it down for storage; certain ridges or slopes that separate or drain water; and extra components, like an attached rack, could all be pluses depending on your needs. Frequently Asked Questions Is a drying mat better than a dish rack? There’s no clear answer here: It really depends on what you want to use the product for. If you’re mostly hand-washing large items like pots and pans, then a drying mat, which lays flat and has lots of open room, is most likely your best option. However, if you’re cleaning more plates and utensils, you may find the organization of a dish rack easier to use.Another factor to consider is that unless it’s one that’s built to fold down in some way, a dish rack will likely require more storage space than a drying mat, which can usually be folded or rolled up. Are dish drying mats sanitary? Whether or not your dish drying mat is sanitary is determined by how well you take care of it. Think about it like this: Even though you’re using a towel when you’re freshly cleaned out of the shower, it still needs to be washed eventually. So, even though you’re putting clean dishes on a drying mat, there’s still water there that can develop into mold or mildew unless you’re cleaning the mat regularly and thoroughly drying it afterward.For a general rule of thumb, let your mat dry completely between uses (and definitely before storing away somewhere), and clean it at least once a week. How do you wash your dish drying mat? Dish drying mats can be washed in different ways, depending on their material. If it’s made from microfiber, you can most likely throw it in the washing machine and the dryer for easy cleaning. For silicone mats, they may be dishwasher-safe, or you can just handwash them with a sponge and soap. However, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s instructions for washing your specific dish drying mat. Our Expertise Cindy Brzostowski is a freelance writer and avid home cook who has previous experience in cookbook publishing. Her writing has been featured in Allrecipes, Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell among other publications. For this article, she used her own expertise and market research to determine the best dish drying mats on the market. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit