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Keep kitchenware clean, dry, and organized with these top-rated pads. Welcome Doormat
Cindy is a freelance writer and editor whose career began in cookbook publishing. An expert in bakeware, cookbooks, and kitchen organization for Food & Wine, she has reviewed over 25 vacuums, 23 steak knives, and dozens of baking tools, such as cookie sheets, silicone utensils, and proofing baskets.
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.
The good thing about dish drying mats is that they take up much less space than a traditional dish rack, so they're great for small kitchens or households where you only handwash occasionally. However, if you already have a dedicated dish rack, a drying mat can be a great addition to your setup to help absorb any moisture and keep your counter dry as your dishes drain.
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.
This cushioned dish drying mat is durable, extra absorbent, and comes in different patterns.
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.
Material: Microfiber with inner foam core | Dimensions: 16 x 18 inches | Care: Machine washable
Modern and versatile, this unique-looking dish pad dries almost instantly and prevents mildew.
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.
"I’m kind of convinced this thing was made using magic," says Food & Wine Writer Jason Horn. "It just soaks up and makes water disappear in seconds, so you never have dishes sitting on a gross, slimy mat. It’s wildly expensive but also the last dish mat you’ll ever need."
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. 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.
Material: Diatomaceous earth, recycled paper, and silicone | Dimensions: 15.21 x 19.91 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe silicone cover
It prevents slippage, raises and aerates the dishes during drying, and can double as a trivet.
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.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 6.5 x 13.2 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe
Absorbent and affordable, this dish drying mat includes a sewn-in hanging tab so you can hang it to dry.
It doesn’t have the most exciting color options.
If you’re looking for something simple 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 since it’s machine washable. You can even hang it up to dry quicker between uses, thanks to its sewn-in hanging tab.
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.
Material: Microfiber | Dimensions: 16 x 18 inches | Care: Machine washable
This quick-drying mat absorbs moisture in seconds, and is resistant to germs and bacteria.
It is rather small and won't fit a large quantity of dishes.
Stone dish drying mats are becoming more popular, and for good reason. Although it may seem counterintuitive, they absorb water much more efficiently than most regular mats and usually possess some antimicrobial properties. The thing is, they aren't made of the traditional stone materials you might be thinking of — like granite, marble, or even slate. This Drying Stone from Madesmart is made from a natural, mineral-based stone compound called diatomite and includes a removable plastic base.
It's naturally porous, so it accelerates drying time by absorbing the water and helping it evaporate faster. It's also naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, but if it does get a bit yucky, you can actually put the stone in the dishwasher (without the plastic base) and set it out in the sun to fully dry. You can also use the sun trick or bake it in the oven to make sure it's completely dry between uses. The only drawback is that it's a bit small, so you can't fit a full sink of dishes on it.
Material: Diatomite and plastic | Dimensions: 14.7 x 8.8 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe stone
Ideal for small spaces, this rack rolls over the sink for easy drainage and folds back up for simple storage.
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.
We tested this model firsthand to see if it's actually as good as it sounds, and we were incredibly pleased with its performance. Although it easily rolls up and stores away when not in use, we found it really convenient to leave out all the time. We used it to extend our counter space from time to time, while washing produce for instance, and the stainless steel bars handled a good amount of weight and heat: It effortlessly held a Dutch oven full of soup when it was fresh off the stove without bending or buckling.
And although it's small, this rack can still fit a good amount of dishes. We stacked it as full as we could with a few freshly washed frying pans, a Vitamix blender jar, and an entire block of knives, and it held up without a problem. All in all, it's an extremely versatile tool that can take on just about anything you throw at it. To clean it, simply place it in the dishwasher, and for easy storage, remove the caddy and roll it up in your drawer.
Material: Silicone and stainless steel | Dimensions: 20.5 x 12.25 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe
Food & Wine / Elle Wignall
Food & Wine / Elle Wignall
Food & Wine / Elle Wignall
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.
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.
Material: Plastic and microfiber | Dimensions: 18 x 24 x 10.75 inches | Care: Machine washable mat and dishwasher-safe rack
You don't have to worry about this one getting soggy as its sloped design lets it drain directly into the sink.
It may not work very well for sinks with a raised lip.
This Yamazaki drying mat eliminates the need to worry about a soggy or waterlogged drying surface — it has gently sloping ridges that allow any water to drain directly into the sink. It's made of heat-resistant silicone, so it can also double as a trivet, and it's great for small spaces as well because it can fold up to a width of four inches for easy storage. But it really doesn't take up that much space on the counter anyway because its thin profile fits right next to the sink for unobtrusive convenience.
It comes in either black or white, and we love its minimal design, which keeps it from being an eyesore like most bulky dish racks. Best of all, it's pretty simple to clean and doesn't collect water in weird crevices, so you shouldn't have to worry about mold or mildew. The only problem is its design can only work with sinks that don't have a lip, as any raised edges won't allow it to lay flat for effective drainage.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 9.84 x 15.94 inches | Care: Hand wash recommended
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.
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 it provides 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 stone or diatomaceous earth, like the Dorai Home Dish Pad, which helps evaporate moisture and prevent bacteria growth naturally.
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. If space is really tight, the good thing about dish mats is that most of them can roll or fold up for easy storage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Doormat Outdoor 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.