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Whether you eat a lot of salads or aspire to eat a lot of salads, there's one kitchen tool that can make your life a lot easier. We're talking about salad spinners! At first glance, these tools may seem complicated and bulky, but they're actually quite easy to use. They're much more efficient than drying lettuce with a paper towel and can even be used to store your greens in the fridge.
If you're new to the world of salad spinners, we've put together a list of the 10 best as well as a chef-reviewed buying guide to walk you through the different types. Our favorite is Mueller's Large Salad Spinner, which features a pull-bar mechanism that's easy to use and control. But if you're looking for something different, we have plenty more options below!
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Salad spinners come in a range of sizes and designs. In this buying guide, we'll walk you through the factors to consider when choosing a spinner, including capacity, design features, and care.
Salad spinner capacities range from two to six or more quarts. To avoid having to clean your greens in multiple batches, pick a spinner that can hold enough salad for the number of people you typically serve.
This will vary greatly depending on personal eating habits, but as a general guideline, a two to three-quart capacity is ideal for up to two people, while four to five quarts work well for three to five. Go for a capacity of five quarts or more if you’re feeding more than six. There are also extra-large and commercial sizes if you're preparing salad for a holiday or large gathering.
Note that the bowl and basket capacities differ and both aren’t always listed. The capacity of the basket will determine how much salad you can clean at once.
Salad spinners generally use one of three different turning mechanisms to spin the inner basket.
Push-button mechanisms use a pump to generate spin. They feature a large circular button on top of the lid that you push down on. Out of all of the turning mechanisms, they’re the easiest to use, especially for people with mobility issues. This is because the pump responds to pressure from one hand and a person doesn't need as much hand or arm strength.
While they don't allow as much control over the speed as cranks do, they're energy-efficient and can generate multiple spins with a single push. Push-button spinners should also have a stop button so you don’t have to wait for the basket to stop on its own.
Crank mechanisms feature a handle or knob that you turn to spin the basket. These can be more difficult to use since they require more effort and mobility. They don’t usually have stop buttons but will stop fairly quickly once you stop cranking them.
Compared to other mechanisms, cranks offer the most control over the speed of the spin. In addition, they can usually be spun in both directions.
Pull-cord mechanisms use friction to generate spin and require just a pulling motion. While they’re easy to use, some people don’t like that the cord can get dirty or break. However, pull-cords can generate a lot of momentum with minimal effort.
Salad spinners use centrifugal force to separate the water from the vegetables, which means that they’ll generate some momentum when in use. In order to keep your salad spinner from spinning right off your kitchen counter, look for one that’s sturdy and secure.
Generally, a wide base is better than a narrow one. Some even have nonslip feet on the bottom, which can be very useful. A tight-fitting lid is also a must. For extra security, some lids can be locked onto the bowl.
In addition, a turning mechanism that's closer to the center of the lid will be more stable. If the turning mechanism is on the side, you’ll be putting uneven pressure on the spinner as you use it, making it more likely to wobble or skip on the counter.
While salad spinners make washing your greens a lot easier, the spinners themselves can sometimes be a pain to clean. The bowls are usually made from plastic or stainless steel, while the inner baskets are plastic.
A stainless steel bowl will be heavier but is also more durable and dishwasher-safe. On the other hand, some plastic spinners say they’re top-rack dishwasher safe, but not all of them hold up well. It can be helpful to check reviews to see if any users experienced warping in the dishwasher.
When it comes to the basket, look for one with evenly-spaced holes and smooth surfaces, so you can easily wash off salad bits under the faucet.
Some people use a salad spinner to clean their greens right before eating, while others prefer to clean a bunch of salad at once and store it in the fridge to use throughout the week. If you plan to use your salad spinner for storage, there are specific features to look for.
First, check the dimensions of the spinner to make sure it’ll fit in your fridge! To save space, you can find push-button salad spinners that lock flat so other items to be stacked on top.
Also, look for a tight lid that creates a seal to avoid airflow. Air circulation will cause your greens to become sad and wilted more quickly.
At its most basic, a salad spinner consists of a bowl, a basket, and a turning mechanism. However, some brands go above and beyond and offer additional features to make your life easier.
A drainage hole in the lid or a pouring spout on the side can help you easily remove the leftover water, although some people find that it just ends up pouring dirty water back through their greens. Dishwasher-safe and ABS plastic can make salad spinners easier to clean and last longer.
Some spinners have a handle to make them easier to hold onto. This can be especially useful for large salad spinners. On the flip side, some spinners have aesthetically pleasing bowls that can double as serving bowls. You might also consider brake buttons, which make it easier to bring salad spinners to a halt if needed.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mueller Large Salad Spinner | $29.97 Mid | Best for Larger, No-Fuss Households | ||
2 | Progressive International Prepworks Salad Spinner|SALL-6 | $17.99 Low Mid | Best for Small Salads and Households | ||
3 | Dynamic International Salad Spinner|SD92 | $141.70 High | Best Industrial Option for Commercial Use | ||
4 | OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner | $29.99 Mid | Best Convenient Salad Spinner | ||
5 | Lifetime Brands Farberware|Pro Pump Salad Spinner|5264312 | $21.96 Mid | Best for Avid Salad Eaters | ||
6 | Westmark Salad Spinner With Pouring Spout | $21.00 Mid | Best Crank Mechanism Salad Spinner | ||
7 | OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner | $24.99 Mid | Best for Fridge Storage | ||
8 | IKEA Tokig | $15.50 Low | Best Option With a Sturdy Design | ||
9 | OXO Steel Salad Spinner|1071497 | $64.95 High Mid | Best Stainless Steel Spinner | ||
10 | Progressive International Prepworks collapsible salad spinner|CSS-2 | $19.99 Low Mid | Best Budget Option for Compact Storage |
Pros:
Cons:
Mueller's large salad spinner is best for families or larger households that want something that's easy to use and clean. Some reviewers noted that the lid has to be on just right in order for the spinner to engage. Others said this spinner is a bit clunky.
However, the majority of reviewers liked how low effort the pull bar mechanism is. They said it's sturdy and well-made, with no wobble. And they were happy to report that it's a breeze to clean!
Pros:
Cons:
This little crank-powered salad spinner from Progressive is best for singles and small households. The main complaint reviewers had was that the nut that holds the lid together tends to come loose. However, not everyone experienced this issue and many were very happy with this product.
The overall sentiment was that it's easy to hold and gets the job done. Many appreciated the small size, which is great for a single serving.
Pros:
Dynamic International's salad spinner is best for those who need to prepare a lot of salad. It works for farmers, restaurant owners, and larger-than-average families. A handful of reviewers found the spinner difficult to use and experienced problems with stability while spinning vegetables.
However, most reviewers appreciated the spinner's larger size and that it saved them prep time in the kitchen. Some people even used it to clean small loads of laundry and liked how long the spinner lasted.
Pros:
Cons:
OXO's Good Grips Salad Spinner is best for those who want convenience and simplicity. The clear bowl stores easily and doubles as a serving bowl. Reviewers didn't love that the pump mechanism extends below the lid. Some also wished it spun faster.
Despite this, the large majority of reviewers said this spinner is easy to use and clean. They liked that they can use it to store their greens in the fridge and said it made them last longer.
Pros:
Cons:
Since Farberware's salad spinner is on the larger end of the spectrum, making it's best for families or avid salad eaters. A few reviewers said this salad spinner wobbles and needs to be held with two hands when using it. Others were disappointed that it requires hand washing.
But for the most part, reviewers found it to be easy to use and effective in drying their greens. They appreciated the large size. Some even used it to dry small laundry items!
Pros:
Cons:
This salad spinner is best for those who prefer a crank mechanism and need an ergonomic handle. Some reviewers found this spinner to be hard to use, saying that the lid can come off or that it's difficult to hold; you will need to use both hands when spinning.
Still, many reviewers said this spinner was effective at drying their greens and got the job done quickly. They appreciated the drain spout as well.
Pros:
Cons:
This salad spinner from OXO is best for storage in tight spaces or fridges. As with the larger OXO spinner, some reviewers didn't like that the pump mechanism takes up bowl space.
However, the majority of reviewers found that it holds the perfect amount of salad for two people. They also liked its small size, which can fit in the fridge, and said it was easy to take apart the lid for cleaning.
Pros:
Cons:
IKEA's Tokig is a compact salad spinner that is best for those who prefer sturdy designs. A few reviewers said the knob can be difficult to turn and sometimes catches during spinning.
However, most reviewers were happy with the functionality of this salad spinner, saying it was effective. They liked the size of it and said it's a great option if you want something that just does the job.
Pros:
Cons:
OXO's Steel Salad Spinner is best for those who want a durable design that pops. Rather than the typical clear plastic, the stainless steel bowl offers a different kind of aesthetic. Some reviewers said the spinning mechanism broke easily, although many others had no issue with this.
Overall, reviewers loved the stainless steel design, saying it was sturdy, durable, and easy to clean. They commented that it did a great job getting the excess water out of their salad.
Pros:
Cons:
This Progressive salad spinner is best if you're short on kitchen space, a collapsible salad spinner is a great option. The spinner can fold down to almost half of its full size. Some reviewers warned that this spinner warps in the dishwasher, while others said it can be tricky to get it to spin smoothly.
On the other hand, reviewers who needed a space-saving salad spinner loved this product. They liked how compact it is and said it's easy to store and effective.
There's nothing more refreshing for summer meals than a fresh salad, and there are so many great ways to enjoy one. Check out more of our favorite products to dress up your salad.
If you need more shopping ideas or want to see what other salad spinners are out there, check out Amazon's list of best sellers.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Mueller|Large Salad Spinner
No. 2: Progressive International|Prepworks Salad Spinner|SALL-6
No. 3: Dynamic International|Salad Spinner|SD92
No. 4: OXO|Good Grips Salad Spinner
No. 5: Lifetime Brands|Farberware|Pro Pump Salad Spinner|5264312
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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