Soggy salad is almost always a drying problem, and a salad spinner solves it in seconds. By flinging water off washed greens, a spinner leaves lettuce crisp so dressing clings instead of sliding off. The same tool dries herbs and berries and even doubles as a colander and storage bowl. Here are five salad spinners that work beautifully, plus a guide to picking the right one.
| Rank | Product | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner | One-handed pump & brake | View on Amazon |
| 2 | OXO Steel Salad Spinner | Stainless bowl doubles as serving dish | View on Amazon |
| 3 | OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner | Small batches, herbs & berries | View on Amazon |
| 4 | OXO Softworks Salad Spinner | Value everyday pick | View on Amazon |
| 5 | OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner (Standard) | Family-size greens | View on Amazon |
Top Picks
1. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
OXO essentially defined the modern spinner with its one-handed pump and a brake button that stops the basket instantly. A non-slip base keeps it steady on the counter, and the clear bowl works for serving or storage. For most households, this is the spinner to get.
2. OXO Steel Salad Spinner
This premium version wraps the same pump mechanism in a brushed stainless steel bowl that looks at home on the table as a serving dish. It is sturdy, easy to clean, and a step up in style. A great pick if your spinner doubles as a serving bowl.
3. OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner
The compact version is perfect for drying a handful of herbs, a pint of berries, or salad for one or two. It stores easily in small kitchens and uses the same reliable pump and brake. Ideal for people who do not need a full-size bowl.
4. OXO Softworks Salad Spinner
The Softworks line keeps the core pump-and-brake design at a friendlier price. It dries greens efficiently and cleans up without fuss. If you want OXO performance on a budget, this is a smart, no-frills choice.
5. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner (Standard)
A dependable full-size spinner for households that go through a lot of greens. The roomy basket dries large batches in one go, and the familiar pump action is fast and comfortable. A reliable everyday workhorse.
Why a Salad Spinner Is Worth the Drawer Space
Washing greens is non-negotiable, but the water that clings afterward is what ruins salads: it dilutes dressing and makes leaves limp. Paper towels are wasteful and slow, and shaking a colander only goes so far. A spinner removes the bulk of that water in a few spins, so greens stay crisp and dressing actually coats them. Dry greens also store longer in the fridge, and the spinner bowl doubles as a washing basin and storage container, replacing several single-use items.
What to Look For in a Salad Spinner
Spin mechanism: Pump-style spinners are easiest for one-handed use; pull-cord and crank styles also work but can be less convenient. Brake: A brake button stops the basket instantly so you can refill quickly. Capacity: Choose a small spinner for one or two people and herbs, or a full-size bowl for families. Stability: A non-slip base keeps it from sliding while you pump. Cleanup and storage: Parts that separate and stack, and components that are dishwasher safe on the top rack, save time. Bowl use: A clear or steel bowl that doubles for serving or storage adds value.
How to Get the Crispest Greens
Wash greens in cold water to revive them, then load the basket no more than two-thirds full so water has room to fling off. Give it a few firm spins, pour off the collected water, and repeat once for very wet leaves. For extra-crisp salad, spin, then lay greens on a towel for a minute. Store leftover dry greens in the spinner bowl with the lid on, and they will stay fresh for days.
Reviving Limp Greens and Storing Them Longer
A salad spinner does more than dry; it is also the first step in rescuing tired produce. If your lettuce has gone slightly limp in the fridge, submerge it in a bowl of ice water for ten to fifteen minutes before spinning. The cold water rehydrates the cells and restores crispness, and the spinner then removes the excess moisture so the leaves do not rot. For storage, line the dry spinner bowl or a container with a paper towel, add the spun greens, and top with another towel before sealing. The towels wick away the small amount of remaining moisture that would otherwise speed up spoilage, often keeping washed greens fresh for a week or more. This simple routine means you can wash a whole head at once and have ready-to-eat salad on hand for days.
Beyond Lettuce: Other Uses for a Salad Spinner
Once you own a spinner, you will reach for it well beyond salad night. It is excellent for drying freshly washed herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil, which keep far longer when their leaves are not sitting in water. It rinses and dries berries gently without bruising them, and it spins the moisture out of washed and chopped leafy greens like kale and spinach before sauteing, so they sear instead of steam. Some cooks even use it to wring excess water from grated potatoes for crispier hash browns and latkes, or from blanched and shocked vegetables. The bowl alone serves as a roomy washing basin and a mixing or serving bowl, which is part of why a spinner repays its drawer space so quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a salad spinner really necessary?
If you eat salad often, yes. It dries greens far faster and more thoroughly than towels or shaking, which keeps lettuce crisp and helps dressing cling instead of sliding off.
What else can I use a salad spinner for?
Drying washed herbs and berries, rinsing and draining produce, and even removing excess moisture from grated potatoes. The bowl also works for washing, serving, and storing greens.
Pump, pull-cord, or crank: which is best?
Pump styles are the most convenient for one-handed use and are easy to operate with wet hands. Pull-cord and crank versions work well too; choose what feels comfortable to you.
How do I clean a salad spinner?
Separate the basket, bowl, and lid and rinse off debris. Most parts are top-rack dishwasher safe; check your model. Drying parts fully before storage prevents odors.
What size salad spinner should I buy?
For one or two people or for herbs, a small spinner is plenty and stores easily. For families or frequent salad makers, a full-size bowl handles big batches in one spin.
Related Reading
Round out your prep with our guides to the best vegetable peelers, top julienne peelers for veggie strips, and best herb stripping tools for fast prep. See also the best vegetable choppers and best spiralizers for veggie noodles. For small spaces, read how to organize a small kitchen with smart gadgets, and for gifts, the best kitchen tools and gadgets for gifts.
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