The Bottom Line
The OXO Good Grips Compact Dish Rack delivers smart design for small spaces, with excellent water drainage and thoughtful features that make dish drying efficient and mess-free. While it won't handle large cookware, it's perfect for apartments, dorms, and compact kitchens.
Product Overview
The OXO Good Grips Compact Dish Rack proves that good things really do come in small packages. Measuring just 12.5 inches long by 10 inches wide, this thoughtfully designed drying rack tackles one of the biggest challenges in compact living: where to dry dishes without creating a countertop mess or taking up precious workspace.
Priced around $30-35, the rack includes a removable utensil cup, non-slip feet, and OXO's signature drainage system that channels water directly into your sink. It's available in white or stainless steel finishes and comes with OXO's satisfaction guarantee. The entire unit weighs just 2 pounds, making it easy to move or store when not in use.
What We Love
- Space-smart design: Fits perfectly in small kitchens, RVs, or dorm spaces without overwhelming your countertop - the compact footprint leaves room for meal prep
- Superior drainage: The sloped base automatically channels water into the sink, eliminating puddles and reducing cleanup to practically zero
- Faster drying: Raised ribs elevate dishes above the base, creating airflow underneath that cuts drying time significantly
- Flexible utensil storage: The removable cup can be positioned on either side or removed entirely, adapting to your specific layout needs
- Rock-solid stability: Non-slip feet grip even wet surfaces, preventing sliding during loading and unloading
Room for Improvement
- Limited large item capacity: Bigger pots, pans, or cutting boards won't fit, requiring separate drying space for these items
- Utensil cup drainage issue: Without drainage holes, water can pool in the bottom if you don't empty it regularly after washing
- Tall item stability: Wine glasses, travel mugs, and tall water bottles need careful positioning to prevent tipping over
Real-World Performance
After using this rack daily for several months, its smart engineering really shines through in everyday use. The sloped drainage system works exactly as advertised - I've never once had to wipe up water puddles around the rack, even after washing a full load of dishes. The raised rib design creates enough airflow that plates and bowls dry noticeably faster than on flat-bottom racks.
Standout Feature
The self-draining design is genuinely impressive. Water flows seamlessly from dishes to the sloped base and directly into the sink, eliminating the wet countertop mess that plagues most dish racks. It's one of those simple solutions that makes you wonder why all racks aren't designed this way.
The compact size handles a typical day's worth of dishes for 1-2 people perfectly. I can fit about 6-8 plates, several bowls, glasses, and a handful of utensils comfortably. The rack accommodates standard dinner plates up to 10.5 inches, and the vertical slots work well for everything from delicate wine glasses to sturdy ceramic mugs. However, anything larger than a medium saucepan requires alternative drying space.
User Experience & Setup
Setup couldn't be simpler - the rack arrives fully assembled and ready to use. Just position it near your sink edge so water drains properly, and you're done. The learning curve is practically nonexistent, though you'll quickly develop preferences for how to arrange different dish types for optimal drying.
"I was skeptical about how well such a small rack would work, but it's perfect for my studio apartment. The water drainage is amazing - no more soggy towels under my old rack. Setup took literally 30 seconds."
- Sarah from California
Daily use feels intuitive thanks to OXO's attention to user-friendly details. The non-slip feet really do prevent sliding, even when loading wet dishes with one hand. The removable utensil cup is surprisingly handy - I often move it to the left side when I have extra glasses to dry. Cleaning the rack itself takes just a quick rinse and wipe-down once a week.
Value Analysis
At around $30-35, this rack sits in the mid-range for compact dish racks, but the quality justifies the price. Cheaper alternatives often lack the effective drainage system or use flimsy materials that warp over time. The OXO's solid construction and thoughtful design details suggest it'll maintain its performance for years of daily use.
💡 Compared to Similar Products: The Simplehuman compact rack offers similar quality but costs nearly double. Budget options from generic brands save $15-20 but typically lack proper drainage and use lower-grade plastics that stain or crack.
Maintenance costs are essentially zero - the materials resist staining and bacterial buildup, and there are no moving parts to break or replace. The time saved from not having to constantly wipe up water puddles or deal with soggy countertops adds real value to your daily routine. For small-space living, the efficiency gains easily justify the investment.
Who Should Buy This?
This rack excels for anyone dealing with space constraints who still wants efficient, mess-free dish drying. It's particularly valuable if you're tired of constantly cleaning up water from traditional racks or if you need something that won't dominate your limited counter space.
Perfect For:
- Small apartment dwellers: Maximizes drying capacity while minimizing countertop footprint and eliminating water mess
- RV and boat owners: Compact size and non-slip design handle movement while providing secure dish storage
- College students: Fits perfectly in dorm kitchenettes and handles typical single-person dish loads efficiently
- Office break rooms: Professional appearance and easy maintenance make it ideal for shared spaces
Skip If:
- You regularly wash large cookware: The compact size won't accommodate big pots, pans, or baking sheets
- You have unlimited counter space: Larger racks offer more capacity if space isn't a constraint
- You frequently wash tall glassware: Wine glasses and tall bottles require extra care to prevent tipping
"Perfect for our RV kitchen! It stays put while driving and handles our daily dishes without taking over the tiny counter. The drainage works great even when parked on uneven ground."
- Mike from Texas
Final Verdict
The OXO Good Grips Compact Dish Rack delivers exactly what it promises: efficient, mess-free dish drying in a space-smart package. While it won't replace the need for alternative drying methods for large items, it excels at its intended purpose. The superior drainage system, quality construction, and thoughtful design details make it a standout choice for small kitchens.
Highly recommended for anyone prioritizing counter space efficiency and tired of dealing with water puddles from traditional dish racks. Just ensure your dish-washing habits align with its compact capacity before purchasing.
