Our Allstars No Longer Fear Post-Meal Cleanup Thanks to These Dish Drying Mats

Our Top Choice

This mat gets high praise for its absorbency, quick drying, and ample size—just ask Allstar Kim Shupe. "I've had my Norpro Dish Drying Mat for so many years, I can't even recall when I got it!" she shares. "It started as just a drying spot for dishes, but now I also place it under my dish drying rack to catch any water that might spill underneath. I appreciate how portable it is, doesn’t occupy much counter space, and is machine washable when it needs cleaning."

The Norpro mat boasts excellent absorbency with its three-layer construction, two of which are microfiber and a thin foam layer in the middle. Overall, it can absorb up to four times its weight in water. Additionally, it features a hang tab to speed up drying before the next use or between washes. "Sometimes I wish it weren’t quite so absorbent, as it takes a while to dry between uses," Shupe comments. This makes it important to let it air out completely to prevent mold or mildew buildup.

Specifications: Dimensions 16 x 18 inches; made of microfiber material

Top Silicone Option

If you're not fond of soggy dish mats, a silicone option might be the perfect solution. Consider this 2-pack of mats from To Encounter. With raised ridges, these mats help catch water and offer ventilation, so dishes dry faster. Plus, you can use one mat for drying and the other as a slip-resistant surface for cutting boards, mixing bowls, or small appliances.

Available in black, light gray, and dark gray, these silicone mats are dishwasher safe and can be rolled up into a compact cylinder for easy storage. They come in various sizes, so you can pick the perfect set for your kitchen. After use, be cautious when moving the mats as there may be residual water on top that needs to be wiped off.

Specifications: Measures 17 x 13 inches; made from silicone material

Top Microfiber Option

Allstar Aysegul Sanford has been using one of these drying mats for over two years. "I love how convenient it is to use and how I can wash it and put it away after drying my dishes, instead of leaving a rack on the counter all the time," she shares. Besides its absorbent microfiber, this mat adds a stylish touch to your kitchen, which several of our Allstars mentioned as a priority. The large mat comes in nearly 30 different patterns like trellis, triangles, gingham, lemons, whales, and even holiday designs, plus it's reversible if you want a solid color some days.

The only downside: It doesn't have a loop for air-drying, so you may need to tumble dry it or hang it over a rod to dry completely.

Specifications: Measures 16 x 18 inches; made of microfiber material

Top Choice for Glassware

For kitchens with limited counter space, this OXO silicone mat is a great choice. Measuring just 6 inches wide by 17 inches long, it fits perfectly on even the most crowded countertops. Its raised ribs enhance drainage and airflow, helping dishes dry quickly, and they also serve as an ideal resting place for a freshly baked batch of chocolate chip cookies.

If you're not washing it in the dishwasher after each use, be sure to wipe out the spaces between the ribs to prevent mold or mildew buildup.

Specifications: Measures 17 x 6 inches; made of silicone material

Top Rack/Mat Combo

If you prefer to lay some items on a drying mat but need a spot to stand or hang others, this mat and rack set from Umbra is the solution. The microfiber mat sits beneath a removable plastic dish rack, which includes 19 slots for standing dishes, a small cutlery caddy, and four stem holders for hanging wine glasses to dry. Bonus: The rack is top-rack dishwasher safe, and the mat is machine washable for easy cleaning.

While the rack provides options to stand dishes, the slots are quite narrow, which means not all plates and bowls will fit. The cutlery slots are also limited, fitting only a few forks or spoons at a time.

Specifications: Measures 18 x 24 inches; microfiber mat, plastic rack