Many people think of a dishwasher as a must-have kitchen appliance. However, according to a 2020 survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly 34 million households in the United States don't have a dishwasher—and 17 percent of those who do have one use it less than once a week. That means that on most days, many of us are getting our hands sudsy and scrubbing away grease, grime, and crumbs.
If you don't have someone to assist with drying duties or enough dish towels to cover the counter for dripping tableware, you need something to hold clean dishes until they are dry and ready to return to the cupboard. Enter: dish drying mats. To find the best options for different home cooks, we polled our community of Allrecipes Allstars to discover what they look for in a quality drying mat. "It needs to be able to hold a host of dishes, absorb a lot of water, and not get too smelly too quickly," says Allstar dish-dryer Ashley Berger. We kept their responses in mind as we looked for the best dish-drying mats for your home.
Our Top Picks
Our Top Pick:
Best Silicone:
Best Microfiber:
Best for Glassware:
Best Drying Rack/Mat Combo:
Our Top Pick
Norpro Dish Drying Mat
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Why It's Great: Large size; hang loop for speedy drying; inexpensive
Grain of Salt: Takes a long time to dry
This mat earns top marks for absorbability, quick-drying, and size—just ask Allstar Kim Shupe. "I have had my Norpro Dish Drying Mat for so many years, I can't remember how long it's been!" she says. "I have used it just as a spot for drying dishes, but I also now put it beneath a dish drying rack to catch any water that may have spilled underneath it. I like that it's easy to move around, doesn't take up a lot of counter space, and I can simply throw it in the washing machine when it needs to be cleaned."
The Norpro mat is very absorbent thanks to three layers, two of which are microfiber sandwiching a thin layer of foam. All told, this mat can hold up to four times its weight in water, plus it has a hang tab you can use to help it dry quickly before the next use or between deeper cleans in the washing machine. "I do sometimes wish it wasn't quite so absorbent, as it can take a long time to dry in between uses," Shupe notes. This means it's crucial to completely air out to avoid any potential mold or mildew buildup.
The Details: Measures 16 x 18 inches; microfiber material
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Why It's Great: Can be wiped dry; doesn't slide on counters; includes two mats
Grain of Salt: Doesn't absorb water
If the idea of a soft, damp dish mat is unappealing, a silicone drying mat might be the right option for you. Consider this 2-pack of mats from To Encounter. The mats have raised ridges perfect for catching water and providing ventilation for dishes to dry quickly. Plus, if you only need one of them for drying, you can use the other as a nonslip surface beneath cutting boards, mixing bowls, or small appliances.
With black, light gray, and dark gray options available, the silicone mats can be cleaned in the dishwasher and rolled up into a tight cylinder for storage. These mats also come in different sizes, so you can choose a set that suits your needs. After using the mats, be careful moving them as there may be some standing water on top that needs to be wiped away.
The Details: Measures 17 x 13 inches; silicone material
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Why It's Great: Ultra-absorbent microfiber; easy to wash; available in a variety of patterns
Grain of Salt: No hang tab for drying
Allstar Aysegul Sanford has had one of these drying mats for over two years. "I love the ease of use and that I can wash it and put it away when I am done drying my dishes as opposed to having a rack on the counter at all times," she says. In addition to the absorbent microfiber, this mat will add some style and color to your kitchen, something a few of our Allstars noted as a priority. The large mat comes in nearly 30 different patterns, including trellis, triangles, gingham, lemons, whales, and even holiday prints, plus it's reversible if you would prefer a solid color on some days.
The only downside: There's no loop for air-drying the mat completely, so you may need to pop it in the dryer or lay it over a hanger.
The Details: Measures 16 x 18 inches; microfiber material
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Why It's Great: Will fit anywhere; doubles as a trivet; easy to store
Grain of Salt: Need to clean between ridges
For kitchens with narrow counters and limited free space, this OXO silicone mat is the perfect addition. At just 6 inches wide and 17 inches long, it will fit on even the most crowded countertops. The mat's raised ribs maximize drainage and airflow so that glasses and dishes dry quickly, plus they provide the perfect landing spot for a fresh-from-the-oven sheet of chocolate chip cookies.
If you aren't going to run it through the dishwasher after every use, make sure you wipe out the areas between the ribs to prevent the buildup of mold or mildew.
The Details: Measures 17 x 6 inches; silicone material
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Why It's Great: Options to hang, stand, or lay dishes; folds for easy storage; can machine-clean both pieces
Grain of Salt: Slots and caddy on rack are small
If you like laying some things on a drying mat but wish you could stand or hang others, this mat and rack combo from Umbra is for you. A microfiber mat sits below a removable plastic dish rack, complete with 19 slots for standing dishes on their side, a small cutlery caddy, and four stem holders to hang wine glasses to dry. Another perk: The rack is top-drawer dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and the mat can be tossed in the washing machine.
While the rack does give you options to stand dishes, the slots are quite narrow and may not fit all your plates and bowls. The same goes for the cutlery slots, which may only fit a few forks or spoons at a time.
The Details: Measures 18 x 24 inches; microfiber mat, plastic rack
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Our Takeaway
The Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat earns the top spot on our list, thanks to its super absorbent material, functional size, and hang loop for effortless drying. If you think a dish drying mat will make your life easier, this one is sure to do the job.
How to Pick the Right Dish Drying Mat
Material
When it comes to drying mats, they will typically be one of two types: microfiber or silicone. Microfiber mats are the softer option of the two types. Depending on the brand and style, they may have multiple layers of absorbent microfiber and even a thin layer of foam in the middle. The biggest benefit of a microfiber mat is that all the water is absorbed and then evaporates—there isn't any water left standing beneath the dishes after you put them away.
Silicone mats, meanwhile, are the harder mats. Often flexible and easy to roll up and stow away in a drawer or cabinet, silicone mats do not absorb water like microfiber mats do. However, they often feature raised ridges that prevent condensation on the underside of overturned bowls, for example, which may help speed up the drying time. Silicone mats also have the added benefit of being able to be used as trivets to hold hot plates and pans.
Size and Shape
How big are your counter and sink? Drying mats can be incredibly convenient, but only if they fit comfortably in the space you have. Before purchasing one, you may want to measure the counter area on which you plan to put the mat to make sure it's not hanging over the edge or butting up against your appliances when you lay it out. Likewise, if you have a large double sink, but not much counter space, you may want to consider a rack or a mat that you can lay over the sink instead of on the counter.
Common Questions
Do dish drying mats work?
Some cooks may point to a dish drying rack as the most effective drying option since it allows for all-around airflow, but you need space to set them up and store them. Drying mats, on the other hand, can be easier to fit on a crowded counter, plus they either absorb the water or catch it (depending on the material). And yes, they do result in bone-dry dishes.
Are dish drying mats sanitary?
Dish drying mats are perfectly sanitary as long as you maintain them properly. That means making sure dishes are completely clean before placing them on the mat and cleaning the mat regularly and drying it completely before storing it. Skipping any of these steps could result in mold or mildew on your drying mat.
How do you wash a dish drying mat?
Even though it will be holding clean dishes, your drying mat or rack will need to be cleaned to prevent the buildup of mold or mildew. Depending on the material, your mat will be cleaned in one of two ways. Most microfiber mats can be tossed in the washing machine along with kitchen towels, oven mitts, and other like items, while most silicone mats can be cleaned in the dishwasher—though you may need to wipe them down between uses to get rid of any standing water before you put them away.
Can you put a dish drying mat in the dryer?
Microfiber mats that can be washed in the washing machine can also be dried in the dryer.
Why Take Our Word for It?
Alyssa Sybertz is an experienced home cook, recipe developer, and food writer who has covered cookware, cooking techniques, and all things kitchen for Allrecipes. For this piece, our team consulted with more than 10 home cooks who are part of the Allrecipes Allstar community to help determine product recommendations and factors to consider when shopping for dish drying mats.
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