The Best Colanders Of 2023

A lousy colander can easily sabotage your efforts in the kitchen. Aside from splitting mid-action, some colanders come with overly big holes that can leave both your food and drained water in the sink. Other colanders come with tiny perforations that can make straining your pasta seem like a never-ending chore. Worse still, some colanders with poorly-designed stands may even let drained water wash back into your freshly-cooked food.

High-quality colanders can be game changers in the kitchen. Not only are they great for straining pasta or canned goods, but they are also ideal for rinsing fruit and veggies. Plus, they keep your food right where it belongs — in the colander — while disposing of unwanted water in the sink.

Usually made from stainless steel or plastic, colanders come in a huge range of designs. Aside from traditional bowl-style colanders with handles, there are also products that fit over the sink or collapse for easy storage. While less common, you can also find scoop colanders designed to transfer food directly from the pot to the plate, as well as colanders used specifically to rinse and store berries.

We've all been there — struggling to drain piping hot pasta using a plate or a pot lid only to have half of it end up in the sink. This is where a good colander can help. The unassuming kitchen tool not only drains your food but also ensures that it ends up on your plate rather than down your drain.

Colanders come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. As such, deciding what type of colander is the right fit for your kitchen can be a tall order. To make your shopping a little easier, we have spent time and energy picking the cream of the crop of the colander world. During our quest, we looked at both famous and not-so-famous cookware brands and carefully examined their offerings. We also read countless expert and community reviews to ensure that each product we recommend is worthy of our listing.

Ready to beef up your kitchen arsenal? Take a look at our list of the best colanders of 2023.

Made from stainless steel, the OXO Good Grips colander comes with non-slip plastic grip handles to minimize the risk of accidental spills. The round bowl-style gadget also features five built-in feet that keep it securely in place on the kitchen counter or in the sink. The 5-quart colander is designed to easily nest in the OXO 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl, which is sold separately. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

The OXO Good Grips colander has received 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 1,700 Amazon customers, indicating that it's a popular product. One reviewer calls the colander a workhorse, adding, "Not only is this stainless steel colander sturdy, it's gorgeous! The silicon rim with handles around the colander makes it extremely work friendly. You can't go wrong with this purchase!" Another buyer is a fan of the colander's size, saying, "It is deeper than some, but has a smaller diameter, which means that it doesn't take up as much space in my cupboard, and it easily nests with other items that I have in my cupboard."

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the OXO Good Grips colander from Amazon for $32.95.

With a price tag of just under $10, the Chef Craft white colander makes an effective and budget-friendly addition to your kitchen arsenal. Made from BPA-free plastic, the 5-quart colander comes with large perforations for easy drainage. It also features a balanced base to ensure stability on the kitchen counter or in the sink. The Chef Craft white colander is also dishwasher-friendly.

Considering its low price point, the Chef Craft white colander has received very solid consumer reviews. More specifically, the colander has been rated 8.4 out of 10 on both Don't Waste Your Money and Best Views Reviews. The utensil has also garnered 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 4,600 Amazon shoppers. One Amazon reviewer sums up the colander, saying "Simple, just what I wanted for a great price. Love that I can wash it in the dishwasher!" Another buyer agrees, saying, "Low price, gets job done. No frills. Not [the] thickest plastic, but good enough for what I need."

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Chef Craft white colander from Amazon for $8.75.

While the All-Clad stainless steel colander will set you back almost $80, you can rest assured knowing that the kitchen utensil is likely to serve you for many years to come. In fact, it might just be the last colander you'll ever have to buy. The stylish 5-quart gadget features a unique design with small openings at the bottom and large openings at the top to promote drainage. Plus it features a robust pedestal base and riveted handles and can be used as a steamer basket. And at the end of the day, the colander can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

The All-Clad stainless steel colander has received outstanding reviews on Amazon, with shoppers rating it 4.8 out of 5 stars. One buyer praises the product, saying "It's the best [colander] I have ever seen. High quality all the way. It will be around when I'm gone." On the other hand, it seems that a lot of buyers are under the impression that the colander is manufactured in America only to discover that it's actually made in China once the product arrives on their doorstep.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the All-Clad stainless steel colander from Amazon for $79.95.

It may look a little unusual, but the Kitchen Gizmo pot strainer is winning hearts across the nation, garnering 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 30,000 Amazon shoppers. Unlike traditional colanders, the BPA-free silicone gadget can be clipped onto the edges of pots, pans, and bowls to conveniently drain water from pasta, ravioli, or whatever else you're cooking. Plus, the handy kitchen accessory is much smaller than traditional colanders, making it a top choice for compact kitchens. The Kitchen Gizmo pot strainer is dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant up to 440 Fahrenheit.

Lesley Chen from SFGate calls the Kitchen Gizmo pot strainer a kitchen tool she never knew she needed. She praises the strainer's performance, though she also mentions that the gadget performs better on larger pots and pans due to the thickness of the plastic.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Kitchen Gizmo pot strainer from Amazon for $23.49.

Rather than draining water from your cookware, the Joseph Joseph Scoop colander is designed to scoop food out of pots and pans. Plus, the handy serving utensil comes with a convenient hook that lets you rest it on top of your pans. Crafted from toughened nylon, the scoop won't scratch your non-stick cookware. It's heat-resistant up to 392 Fahrenheit and it's dishwasher-friendly.

Clearly impressed with the colander's versatility and compact size, Allrecipes says that the utensil can be used both as a handheld colander or a slotted spoon. The publication also highlights that the scoop is lightweight enough to be used by people with limited hand dexterity.

Amazon shoppers favor the utensil as well, giving it 4.7 out of 5 stars. One happy Amazon customer says "This is very convenient for boiling dumplings, poached eggs, and pasta. I have one and have been using it for 10 years." However, some Amazon reviewers point out that the scooper is larger than it appears in advertisements, which is certainly something to take into account before making your purchase.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Joseph Joseph Scoop colander from Amazon for $9.99.

Designed to sit on the rims of your kitchen sink, the Blue Gingko sink colander makes fast work of washing fruit and veggies or draining pasta. The rectangular, BPA-free plastic colander can also be used as a dish drying rack. Expandable from 14 to 19 inches, the colander fits most sinks without touching their base to ensure that no drained water comes in contact with your food, as highlighted by Melissa Epifano from CookingLight. The Blue Gingko sink colander is both dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant up to 212 Fahrenheit. Plus, it comes in a multitude of colors to fit your kitchen decor.

Sanah Faroke from Real Simple recommends the Blue Gingko for compact kitchens, saying that it's a great way to expand your countertop during meal prep. She also confirms that once folded, the basket is very easy to store. As such, it's little surprise that Best Views Reviews gives the colander a solid rating of 8.9 out of 10, praising it for its build quality, design, and ease of use. Amazon shoppers agree, giving the product 4.7 out of 5 stars across more than 12,000 reviews.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Blue Gingko over-the-sink colander from Amazon for $17.99.

No kitchen endeavor is too large or small for the Hölm stainless steel colander set. The 3-piece colander bundle consists of 1, 2.5, and 4.5-quart bowl-style strainers with handles. This set is both dishwasher-friendly and rust-resistant. Better still, each colander features a three-footed base for more efficient drainage and can be nested with its siblings for convenient storage. Plus, the set's 2.3-millimeter perforations ensure drainage without sacrificing food to the drain monster.

The Hölm stainless steel colander set has received top marks on various platforms, with Best Views Reviews rating it 9.1 out of 10 and Don't Waste Your Money 8.3 out of 10. The colander has also earned 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 6,000 Amazon shoppers. One buyer says that they love this set, elaborating, "For small pasta that falls through a regular colander, these are perfect! And the stainless steel won't rust like my old metal mesh strainer. Three very versatile sizes, too." On the other hand, some Amazon shoppers complain about flimsy handles and sharp holes that can damage cleaning sponges.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Hölm stainless steel colander set from Amazon for $19.99.

With the motto, "put the fun in fun-ctional," OTOTO aims to inject a little whimsy into daily cooking tasks with its playful kitchen gadgets. And the OTOTO Mamma Nessie colander spoon is just one of the studio's many offerings. Quirky yet functional, Mamma Nessie is bound to have amateur chefs in stitches every time they strain pasta or veggies. And this is precisely what makes the gadget such a perfect gift idea.

Made from BPA-free plastic, the turquoise colander spoon is more than just a strainer — the long-necked gadget is perfect for transferring food from the pot to serving plates. Plus, after all is said and done, you can simply toss it in the dishwasher for fuss-free cleaning.

Mamma Nessie has received generally positive reviews from Amazon shoppers, who have awarded it an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. One shopper who is clearly a fan of the utensil says, "When was the last time a kitchen utensil made you smile?" Another buyer echoes this sentiment, saying, "They're cute and functional and add some personality to the kitchen." On the other hand, some reviewers complain that Mamma Nessie is made out of flimsy plastic, making the colander tricky to use with heavier items.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the OTOTO Mamma Nessie colander spoon from Amazon for $19.95

The Chef'n bramble berry basket and colander is perfect for rinsing, storing, and serving berries. Composed of two containers — an internal colander and an external serving basket — the handy gadget keeps produce fresher for longer thanks to its ventilation slots. The basket and colander combo is made from BPA-free plastic and can be cleaned on the top rack of the dishwasher.

The Chef'n bramble berry basket and colander has garnered a very respectable 4.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers, with 73% of reviewers giving it 5 out of 5 stars. One customer says that they love the product, adding, "[It] allows you to rinse and drain and then cover and refrigerate! [Before I] always had to leave my berries out once I rinsed, as they continued to drain. [This is] the perfect solution!" Other buyers praise the utensil for keeping berries fresh with one shopper saying, "Somehow, these berry keepers prevent the mildew and soggy bottoms from ruining our blueberries and strawberries in the fridge — even after washing them."

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Chef'n bramble berry basket and colander from Amazon for $13.99.

Available in green, blue, and red, the Comfify collapsible colander folds flat for easy storage in your kitchen cupboard. However, when fully expanded from 17 to around 25.75 inches, the colander can accommodate up to 6 quarts of food, as explained by All Free Copycat Recipes. Plus, the over-the-sink style colander is ideal for draining pasta or washing veggies, all without worrying that they will come in contact with the germs at the bottom of your sink.

The Comfify collapsible colander has received an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 3,600 Amazon customers, with 78% of reviewers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. Perhaps one Amazon buyer sums up the colander best, saying, "I love how I can extend the sides so it will hang safely over my sink as I pour in my pasta to drain the water. Cleans up easy and folds away for easy storage." On the downside, some reviewers complain that the colander only has holes on the bottom, which means that it can take a while to drain.

At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Comfify collapsible colander from Amazon for $16.99.