The 5 best dish drying mats of 2021

Updated

2021-02-02T22:41:10Z

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West Elm
  • Here are the best dish drying mats of 2021
  • The best dish drying mat overall
  • The best dish drying mat and rack
  • The best reversible dish drying mat
  • The best over-the-sink dish drying mat
  • The best silicone dish drying mat
  • Check out our other dish guides and roundups
  • A good dish mat will dry quickly, be easy to clean, and ensure your dishes don't chip or crack.
  • The Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat is our kitchen favorite because of its cushiony material and fast absorption.
  • For more dish-drying options, check out our best dish racks guide.

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Dish drying mats are a great solution for small spaces, especially if you live alone and wash only a few dishes at a time. They tend to be smaller than dish racks, and more easily stored when not in use.

They're also a good alternative to a simple dish towel, especially as a practical, safe place for dishware to dry that's away from heavy pots and pans. Dish drying mats are all pretty similar, but the ones on this list have special touches that make them stand out from the rest.

Here are the best dish drying mats of 2021

  • The best dish drying mat overall: Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat
  • The best dish drying mat and rack: Umbra U Dry Microfiber Dish Mat with Rack
  • The best reversible dish drying mat: S&T Microfiber Dish Drying Mat
  • The best over-the-sink dish drying mat: Surpahs Ove the Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
  • The best silicone dish drying mat: OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat

The best dish drying mat overall

Norpro

The Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat is cushioned to keep your delicate dishware safe while drying, all while absorbing up to four times its weight in liquid.

Pros: Absorbent microfiber, dries quickly, machine washable, cushioned to protect delicate dishes

Cons: Needs to dry between uses

The Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat looks like a simple square of cushioned microfiber, but its ability to hold four times its weight in liquid is incomparable; its super speed even dries faster than what a quick swipe of a dish towel could do. The absorbent material means your dishes won't be stewing in their own dirty water as they dry, which is always a plus.

There's also a small tab on the side that allows you to hang the mat up when it's drying, and it folds up if you prefer to store it in a drawer. And, it's just as easy to clean as it is to store. Just throw it in a washing machine with cool water and liquid detergent, and you're good to go.

The best dish drying mat and rack

Umbra

Get the best of both worlds with the Umbra U Dry Microfiber Dish Mat with Rack : the perfect duo that will keep your dishes organized and dry.

Pros: Drying rack and mat all in one, the rack is removable, both pieces are easy to clean

Cons: Rack portion might be small depending on needs

The Umbra U Dry is a unique dish drying mat because it is actually a mash-up of a dish drying mat and a dish drying rack. I don't mean in the usual sense, where the mat simply rests under a full-sized rack. This is a true hybrid between the two concepts.

It's a full-size microfiber mat that comes with a detachable rack that fits along one side. You can fit plates, silverware, and other upright items into the slats while still leaving room to dry some pieces flat on the mat portion.

Both portions are easy to clean. The BPA-free plastic rack is dishwasher safe, and the mat can be tossed in the dryer. Like the NorPro microfiber mat, this one folds up for stress-free storage when empty. It's also pretty attractive, with a clean and modern look that fits in with most kitchen decor.

The best reversible dish drying mat

S & T

The S&T Microfiber Dish Drying Mat is the absorbent and reversible multi-tasker that comes in fun patterns to spruce up your cooking area.

Pros: Cushioned microfiber, cute patterns, reversible, machine washable

Cons: Takes a while to dry

If you're partial to patterns, the S&T Microfiber Dish Drying Mat comes in some super fun ones like gingham, trellis, and even adorable owls. But all the styles are also reversible, so if you're someone who gets tired of the same ol' decor easily, this is the next-to-the-sink product you've been missing.

Functionally, this mat is pretty similar to the NorPro mentioned earlier. It's made of cushiony microfiber that absorbs tons of water without soaking your countertops, foldable, and machine washable. We love that the patterns aren't chintzy and would go in a variety of different kitchens.

The best over-the-sink dish drying mat

Surpahs

The Surpahs Over the Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack is a genius solution for tiny kitchens because it lets you dry your dishes without taking up any counter space.

Pros: Saves counter space, easy to clean and durable, multi-use

Cons: Could block the sink from use

Though I currently have a human-sized kitchen, I've lived with my fair share of shoeboxes with zero counter space. I wish I'd known about the Surpahs Over the Sink Multipurpose Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack back then because it's a game-changer.

This is a dish-drying-mat-rack hybrid that unrolls so you can dry dishes above your sink, thus freeing up a ton of counter space. Genius. It's not a mat in the traditional sense, as it's made of silicone-coated steel tubes that allow water to drip down into the sink.

The rack is also multipurpose and can even be used as a vegetable colander or an over-the-sink prep station. We love a good multitasker around here.

The best silicone dish drying mat

OXO

The OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat is simple to wipe down and resistant to heat, making it a great option for a kid-friendly kitchen.

Pros: Made of food-grade silicone, easy to clean, has good ventilation

Cons: The ribbing may make it more difficult to clean

Microfiber is great, but silicone is another popular choice of material. The OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat has a ribbed pattern that allows water to drain while keeping dishes above the liquid and safe from bacteria.

The material is non-slip so it will adhere to your surfaces without putting your breakable dishes in harm's way. It's also a multi-use product: not only will your dishes be nice and dry but the non-slip base makes it just as effective for stemware and other delicates. And, if you prefer dish mats being a use-and-store option, it is easy to roll up in a drawer or hang on the inside of a cabinet door.

Erin Mayer

Freelance Writer

Erin Mayer is a freelance writer who covers beauty, culture, lifestyle, and her feelings for a variety of publications. In her spare time, you can find her watching true crime documentaries and having an existential crisis while doing a face mask. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

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