You won’t have to tediously pat greens dry with a paper towel — instead, you can just spin the greens to remove excess water, then transfer them right into your bowl. To help you find the best salad spinner for your kitchen, I used my experience making all sorts of salads to put together a list of the best options. Whether you’re meal prepping a big batch of salads for the week or just a single serving, these salad spinners will prove their worth in the kitchen.
My Top Picks
Reviews of The Best Salad Spinners
1. What’s in My Kitchen: OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
This salad spinner from OXO Good Grips is the gold standard when it comes to salad spinners and is the one I use in my own kitchen. It has a large 6.22-quart capacity that can accommodate multiple heads of chopped lettuce, and the pump mechanism on the lid makes it easy to spin your greens quickly. It can even be done one-handed, thanks to the bowl’s non-slip base. Plus, the spinner has a handy little “brake” button that you can push down to stop the inner basket. It’s easy to clean, too! The outer bowl, basket, and lid are all dishwasher-safe, and the lid comes apart for a more thorough cleaning. The spinner is fairly bulky to store, but the pump button can be locked in the down position for storage to save you a little room.
The Specs:
Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.5 x 6 inches Capacity: 6.22 quarts Material: BPA-free plastic Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The Pros:
Large capacity Easy to use Non-slip base Easy to clean Lid locks flat for storage
The Cons:
Bulky
What Others Are Saying: Buy the OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner:
2. Best Small Salad Spinner: Cuisinart Salad Spinner
If you’re only washing a single serving of greens, the Cuisinart Salad Spinner has a 3-quart capacity, and its smaller size is handy for washing herbs and even fruit, as well. This spinner has a handle on top that you crank to spin the inner basket, and the lid has a drainage hole that lets you pour out excess water. I like that it has non-slip feet, and because it’s more compact, it won’t take up as much space in your pantry. However, the pieces aren’t dishwasher-safe, so you’ll need to wash them by hand.
The Specs:
Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 7 inches Capacity: 3 quarts Material: Plastic Dishwasher-Safe: No
The Pros:
Inexpensive Compact size Drain hole in lid Non-skid base Lifetime warranty
The Cons:
Not dishwasher safe
What Others are Saying: Buy the Cuisinart Salad Spinner:
3. Best Collapsible Salad Spinner: Progressive International Collapsible Salad Spinner
One of the biggest issues people have with salad spinners is that they can be quite bulky and take up a lot of storage space. If you have a smaller kitchen, you might prefer the Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner. The middle section of this spinner is made from silicone, which allows it to be collapsed down to half its size for storage. It has a 3-quart capacity that’s ideal for one or two servings, and there’s a small handle on the lid that you crank to spin your greens. This spinner has a non-slip base for stability, and its pieces are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning when you’re done.
The Specs:
Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 4 inches Capacity: 3 quart Material: Plastic and silicone Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The Pros:
Inexpensive Non-skid base Easy to clean Collapses for storage
The Cons:
Small handle Not as sturdy
What Others are Saying: Buy the Progressive International Collapsible Salad Spinner:
4. Best Stainless Steel Salad Spinner: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner
If you want a salad spinner that can double as a serving bowl, this pick from OXO is an upgraded version of my top overall pick. Instead of plastic, it has a durable stainless steel bowl that can withstand frequent use and serve your greens. It also has a slightly larger capacity than the plastic version that I use, but it uses the same pump-style spinning mechanism and can be washed in the dishwasher.
The Specs:
Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.5 x 6.5 inches Capacity: 6.34 quarts Material: Stainless steel and plastic Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The Pros:
Durable Large capacity Easy to operate Easy to clean
The Cons:
Heavier than others Bulky to store
What Others are Saying: Buy the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner:
Other Salad Spinners to Consider
Salad Sling
Why You Can Trust Me
I’m the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste, which features hundreds of family-friendly healthy recipes, including a large collection of healthy and delicious salads. I love all types of salads, whether it’s a classic green salad, hearty pasta salad, or tasty grain salad, and the best part about these recipes is that they’re easy to tailor to your tastes by swapping in your favorite ingredients and dressings. To help you choose the best salad spinner for you, I relied on my experience using several different salad spinners and appliances from popular kitchen brands. I prioritized affordable, easy-to-use models that work quickly and are easy to clean. I also checked to see what salad spinners my favorite cooking publications and other product-testing experts recommend.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Salad Spinner
What to Consider Before Buying a Salad Spinner
As you compare the best salad spinners, several key factors will help you find the best option for your kitchen. Capacity: Salad spinners come in a wide range of sizes. Smaller 2- or 3-quart models can only spin one or two servings of greens at a time, while larger 6-quart spinners can often hold entire heads of chopped lettuce. Spinning Mechanism: Most salad spinners either have a pump or a crank that spins the inner bowl. Pumps can often be used one-handed and get the colander spinning quickly, while cranks require a little more effort and give you more control over the speed. Cleaning: Not all salad spinners can be put in the dishwasher, so it’s a good idea to double-check the cleaning instructions before you buy. Storage: Salad spinners often take up a lot of storage space—most 6-quart models are around the same size as a large saucepan. If you have limited space in your kitchen, you may want to look for a collapsible model.
How Do You Use a Salad Spinner?
To use a salad spinner, start by filling the inner colander with your greens. Fill the bowl with water and gently agitate the greens to clean them. Remove the colander and let it drain for a few seconds, then pour out the dirty water. To dry off your greens, put the colander back inside the outer bowl and put the lid into place. Use the pump or crank to spin the colander—you should see the water gather in the bottom of the bowl. You can repeat the spinning process a few times until your greens are as dry as you’d like.
What Can You Put in a Salad Spinner?
Salad spinners are mostly used for greens such as chopped lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula. They can also be used to wash and dry herbs and even berries or grapes. Additionally, the inner colander that comes with most salad spinners can serve as a regular colander to drain pasta, canned beans, and more.
How Do You Dry Lettuce Without a Salad Spinner?
No salad spinner? One of the easiest ways to dry lettuce and other greens is using paper towels. After washing, lay your greens out on a clean kitchen towel, then use a paper towel to pat them dry. Depending on how wet they are, you might need to use a second paper towel if the first one becomes saturated. This method is delicate enough that it won’t hurt your lettuce, and it’s highly effective but a bit time-consuming.
Is a Salad Spinner Worth It?
Salad spinners are often quite affordable, and if you make salads (or other dishes with greens) frequently, they can help streamline your prep. However, if you don’t often eat salads or have limited storage space in your kitchen, you can definitely live without a salad spinner—a few paper towels will do the trick to dry off your greens, instead.
The Best Salad Recipes
There are so many delicious salad recipes that you can prepare using a salad spinner. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch or a filling dinner that the whole family will love, these are several of my favorite salads to add to your weekly menu:
Autumn Kale Salad with Chicken Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad Salmon Caesar Salad Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Parmesan and Pecans Lemony Hearts of Palm Salad with Avocado Watermelon Arugula and Feta Salad
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
