When you struggle to wash vegetables for salads or drain noodles to prepare a stir fry, you’ll know just how much you need a good colander.
This kitchen tool is usually overlooked, but it plays an important role in making many kitchen tasks easier. No one wants to see the spaghetti clogging and vegetables ponding in water.
Therefore, if you are really serious about cooking, you should carefully read this article. My reviews will provide some valuable information which helps you find a great one.
Colander Vs. Strainer Vs. Sieve
A colander is often a bowl with perforated holes all over the surface to drain the liquid while a strainer comes with a smaller bowl, fine mesh and a handle.
Colander has handles on either side or no handles. On the other hand, the strainer mostly has a handle.
Colander has larger holes in the body than the strainer.
Colander is used to wash vegetables, rice, while the strainer is used to separate seeds from lemon juice, cream from milk, etc.
Sieve is just another name of a strainer.
Colander Vs. Sifter
Sifter, or flour sifter, is a container designed especially for pastry, cake, and baking.
You can also sift sugar powder, cocoa powder, millet powder, etc., which are the size of flour particles.
In order to do that, the mesh need to be ultra-fine.
Which Are The Best Colanders To Buy?
Below is a list of the best colanders on the market which you could consult before making decision. Also, I have pointed out some unique characteristics of each product for you to look into.
- Best Overall – Bellemain Micro-Perforated Stainless Steel 5-Quart Colander
“Made with 18/10 stainless steel, 5 quarts capacity, anti-rust, durable, perforated surface, stable base, riveted handles support your grips when carrying it around.” - Best Budget – Chef Craft 5-Quart Deep White Colander
“Lightweight with large holes for easy draining, solid, and fits the budget.” - Best Stainless Steel – OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Colander
“Made from stainless steel for sturdiness and durability, also perforated for easy draining.” - Best With Handles – Yummy Kitchenware 9″ Kitchen Fine Mesh Colander
“Equipped with a thick metal handle which is strong enough not to bend and firmly attached to the strainer basket by anti-rust, high-quality rivets.” - Best Over-The-Sink – Cuisinart CTG-00-OSC Over-The-Sink Colander
“Stainless steel mesh design and large capacity, good way to keep the colander away from the bottom of the sink so you can easily drain the pasta or any content inside.” - Best Silicone Collapsible – OXO Good Grips 3.5-Quart Silicone Collapsible Colander
“Made of silicone, very flexible and can open and close easily for storage, also heat-resistant.” - Best for Pasta – Kukpo 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander
“Made of stainless steel with large capacity enough to strain a whole package of pasta or spaghetti at once, quickest draining colander with the perforated surface.” - Best for Rice – Inomata Japanese Rice Washing Bowl Colander
“Made of food-grade plastic, small perforated holes in the bottom of the colander as well as on the side for easy draining, saving time when cooking rice.” - Best for Ground Beef – Kitchen Gizmo Clip On Silicone Colander
“Drain the residual fat right on the pan, flexible enough to fit all types of cookware and sizes.” - Best for Spaghetti – OTOTO Spaghetti Monster Colander
“Bright and funny design, a large yellow bowl with small perforated holes at the bottom to drain the water out of the spaghetti easily.” - Best for Quinoa – OXO 11166900 Clear Colander
“Small square holes keep the contents inside, easily swish around quinoa or rice before draining completely, capacity of 2.5 quarts and comes with two handles for easy transport.” - Best for Berry – Chef’n Bramble Berry Basket and Colander
“Cute design, ventilated, small, practical and able to keep the berry fresh for a long time.” - Best Enamel – Reston Lloyd Calypso Basics Lemon Enameled Colander
“Powder coated finish with enamel on steel that creates a vintage look, capacity of 5 quarts, comes with chrome-plated handles, steel rim and base.” - Comfify Collapsible Colander Set
“Arrive with a set of two, raised bottom surface, comfy rubberize handles and can hold up to 5 quarts, can fold up less than 2 inches high.” - Joseph Joseph 40059 Black Square Colander
“Medium size with ergonomic design, made of silicone; durable, has a non-slip, vertical handle so that the colander can stand itself.”
Colander Comparison Table 2021
Comparison chart of 15 best colanders will guide you through some basic information about dimension, weight and material.
Putting these parameters side by side is the most intuitive way for you to identify the differences yourself.
Top 15 Best Colander Reviews in 2021
It’s time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of 15 best colander products that I have introduced.
1. Bellemain Micro-Perforated Stainless Steel 5-Quart Colander
(Best Overall)
I really enjoy using Bellemain Micro-perforated 5-quart colander. Its holes are small enough to rinse rice and drain pasta without clogging.
The colander is made with 18/10 stainless steel, so it’s anti-rust and durable through time.
The perforated surface allows the water comes through quickly without having to tilt the bowl. The stable base keeps the colander stand firmly while the riveted handles support your grips when carrying it around.
Due to its stainless steel material, the colander heats up when we pour boiling water over it, but the handles stay cool all the time for safety.
It has a capacity of 5 quarts, which means it can hold a lot of food at once, about 5 pounds of spaghetti. Especially, such large colander helps wash vegetables and drains them very conveniently.
Key Features:
- Capacity of 5 quarts
- Stainless steel perforated colander
- Comes with a ring base
- Convenient riveted handles
Pros
- Large, durable and sturdy
- Drain quickly without effort
- Easy to clean
- Rinse rice and pasta without any grain gets through
Cons
- The colander might get rusted after months of use. In my opinion, you should dry it after use and store it in a dry place to prevent rust
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 1.35 pounds |
| Dimension | 5.51 x 11.42 x 11.26 inches |
| Brand | Bellemain |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | Perforated colander with ring base and handles |
Watch this video for more product information:
2. Chef Craft 5-Quart Deep White Colander
(Best Budget)
This colander measures 11 x 5 inches in size with a 5 quarts capacity. It’s lightweight and is designed with large holes for easy draining.
Chef Craft Deep White Colander is made from safe BPA free plastic. Don’t let its material fool you, in fact, it’s very sturdy and durable.
If you worry greasy plastic is difficult to wash, rest assured that this colander can be put in a dishwasher for cleaning.
I first chose this colander for its affordable price, and later I was surprised at how good it appeared.
Although the holes are quite large, it’s great for washing fruits and vegetables.
Key Features:
- 5 quarts capacity
- 11 x 5 inches in size
- Lightweight
- Made from BPA free plastic
- Solid and sturdy colander
Pros
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Affordable price
- Large capacity
- Great for washing fruits and vegetables
Cons
- Holes are way too big for straining some kinds of noodle
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 4 ounces |
| Dimension | 11.25 x 11.75 x 20 inches |
| Brand | Chef Craft |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | BPA free plastic colander with plastic handles |
3. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Colander
(Best Stainless Steel)
OXO is, most of the time, my go-to brand for kitchen equipment. While other colanders often come with riveted or extended handles, the OXO product features a soft, non-slip, rubber rim for good grips.
This unique design makes it stand out from many options out there. Moreover, it has four non-skid rubber feet to support stability.
With a 5-quart capacity, it provides a good size for cooking preparation from washing beans to draining the pasta.
When it comes to quality, the OXO Good Grips Colander is made from stainless steel for sturdiness and durability. It’s also perforated for easy draining.
This product is dishwasher–friendly, or all you need to do is to rinse the bowl under running water to clean it thoroughly.
Key Features:
- Soft, non-slip, rubber rim for good grips
- Non-skid rubber feet
- Stainless steel
- Large and perforated colander
Pros
- Easy to clean under water or put in the dishwasher
- Beautiful design
- Good size for kitchen stuff
- Easy to drain water from vegetables or pasta
Cons
- It sometimes arrived dented
- Inconsistent quality
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 11.5 x 11.38 x 5 inches |
| Brand | OXO |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | Stainless steel colander with rubber rim and feet |
Something you might want to know about this OXO Good Grips here:
4. Yummy Kitchenware 9″ Kitchen Fine Mesh Colander
(Best With Handles)
The colander is equipped with a thick metal handle strong enough not to bend no matter how much you put in it. Moreover, the handle is firmly attached to the strainer basket by anti-rust, high-quality rivets.
Thanks to the double layer of finest mesh, no grain of rice or quinoa or noodle can fall through the colander. It keeps everything except for the liquid so you could easily and quickly have all the fresh ingredients ready for cooking.
The large hook on the other side of the bowl is to ensure the colander doesn’t slip but stays balanced when rinsing.
It’s designed thoughtfully with rounded rim not only for aesthetics but also for preventing food from being stuck between the mesh and the rim. Therefore, cleaning this colander is just a breeze.
Last but not least, it’s dishwasher safe.
Key Features:
- Thick metal handle for convenience
- Strongly riveted to the bowl
- Double layer of mesh for quick drain
- Wide hook
- Rounded rim
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Easy to drain the water
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Sometimes the mesh got separated from the rim after several uses
- It might too small in some cases
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 0.8 ounces |
| Dimension | 17 x 9 x 4 inches |
| Brand | Yummy Kitchenware |
| Type | Stainless steel mesh colander with rounded rim and a handle and a hook |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
5. Cuisinart CTG-00-OSC Over-The-Sink Colander
(Best Over-The-Sink)
Using Cuisinart CTG-00-OSC Over-The-Sink Colander is a good way to keep the colander away from the bottom of the sink so you can easily drain the pasta or any content inside. Just extend the handles and put the colander on the sink.
The company offers a lifetime warranty as a commitment to the quality of its products. So we will feel more confident when buying it.
Stainless steel mesh design and large capacity make it a perfect colander for rinsing fruits and vegetables or draining pasta.
The retractable handles allow you to save more space when storage.
All in all, I think it’s a wonderful tool for your kitchen.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel mesh colander
- Large capacity
- Retractable handles for convenience
- Over the sink design
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Effective draining
- Good for use in a sink
- Durable
Cons
- Sometimes the food gets stuck in the rim, and it’s quite difficult to clean
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 11.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 14.63 x 4.5 x 9.5 inches |
| Brand | Cuisinart |
| Capacity | 5.5 quarts |
| Type | Over the sink stainless steel mesh colander with extendable handles |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
6. OXO Good Grips 3.5-Quart Silicone Collapsible Colander
(Best Silicone Collapsible)
I think colander is essential in the kitchen, but there’s no denying that it occupies a lot of space in the cupboard, so when I hear about a colander that folds down like a plate, I’m very interested.
This Oxo colander is made of silicone. That’s why it’s very flexible and can open and close easily for storage. It’s also heat-resistant.
Due to small holes design, it tends to hold up a litte water when it comes to pasta. And you need to shake the colander to drain.
The non-slip handles allow you to carry it around when needed.
Key Features:
- Capacity of 3.5 quarts
- Flexible silicone colander
- Non-slip handles for easy transport
- Able to collapse for storage
- Heat-resistant
Pros
- Easy for storage
- Easy to clean
- Comes with good grips
- Well-made product
Cons
- It takes time to strain the water out completely because some holes in the bottom are too small
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 13.6 ounces |
| Dimension | 10 x 12.75 x 2 inches |
| Brand | OXO |
| Capacity | 3.5 quarts |
| Type | Silicone collapsible colander with silicone handle |
Amazing collapsible colander with silicone handle. Let’s find out:
7. Kukpo 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander
(Best for Pasta)
This Kukpo has the same capacity of 5 quarts as other colanders in the market but it has width greater than height. Therefore, it’s the quickest draining colander you have found.
Additionally, its perforated surface prevents food from spilling over the colander when rinsing.
The product is made of stainless steel with large capacity, which is enough to strain a whole package of pasta or spaghetti.
The rubber handles are ergonomically designed to avoid slipping from your hands when moving. Also, they’re heat-resistant for more safety.
It’s great for pasta, macaroni, noodles, orzo dishes, and vegetables.
Key Features:
- Capacity of 5 quarts
- Made of stainless steel
- Perforated design
- Can handle a whole package of pasta and spaghetti
- Non-slip rubber handles
- Lightweight
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- High-quality product
- Large capacity
- Quick to drain the water
Cons
- For some products, the handles went broke after several months
- Not suitable for straining ground beef
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 1.76 ounces |
| Dimension | 14 x 11.3 x 5 inches |
| Brand | Kukpo |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | Stainless steel perforated colander with rubber handles |
8. Inomata Japanese Rice Washing Bowl Colander
(Best for Rice)
This rice washing colander might look like a simple tool, but it has a great benefit. This washing bowl helps to save a lot of time for those who cook rice, quinoa and other kinds of small grain on a daily basis.
It has small perforated holes in the bottom of the colander as well as on the side for easy draining.
This product is made of food-grade plastic, which is safe for health. It appears sturdy and durable but you still need to handle it with care.
Although it’s dishwasher safe, you should wash by hand under the water for extended use.
Key Features:
- Product of Japan
- Made of food-grade plastic
- Perforated small holes in the bottom as well as on the side
- Sturdy
Pros
- Sturdiness and durability
- Dishwasher safe
- Great for all kind of small grains
- Large capacity
Cons
- It’s quite large compared to other colanders, so it takes more space for storage
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 10 x 11 x 5 inches |
| Brand | Inomata |
| Type | Stainless steel perforated colander with rubber handles |
How incredible and helpful this colander is:
9. Kitchen Gizmo Clip On Silicone Colander
(Best for Ground Beef)
Reducing the fat content of the ground beef has never been easier by using Kitchen Gizmo Clip On Silicone Colander. You can drain the residual fat right on the pan. What a convenient!
This silicone colander is flexible enough to fit all types of cookware and sizes, such as pan, pot, skillet, bowl. Besides elasticity, the silicone material brings durability to the colander without worrying about being torn, burnt or ripped.
The colander is attached to the pan by two easy-to-use clips, which are also made of silicone.
This product is about a quarter the size of another colander, so it’s very easy to store if you have a humble kitchen cabinet.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use clips
- Made of silicone
- Small and compact design
- Fits with many types of cookware and sizes
Pros
- Durable
- Simple to use
- Convenient tool for straining ground beef
- Easy for storage
Cons
- The colander appears too small to prepare food for whole family gatherings
- It could be a bit difficult to clip the strainer on the pot
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 5.4 ounces |
| Dimension | 9.2 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches |
| Brand | Kitchen Gizmo |
| Type | Silicone Clip On colander |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
More information about Kitchen Gizmo Silicone Clip On colander:
10. OTOTO Spaghetti Monster Colander
(Best for Spaghetti)
Looking for a surprising housewarming gift? Look no further than this Ototo Spaghetti Monster Colander.
Because of its bright and funny design, your kids might mistake it for a toy and some guests might think it’s a cute hat. Well, at the end of the day, it’s still a wonderful tool in the kitchen.
It features a large yellow bowl with small perforated holes at the bottom to drain the water out of the spaghetti easily.
The trio feet make it firmly stand while rinsing and keep the bottom of the bowl away from the sink for hygiene.
Last but not least, the product is made of 100% food safe and BPA free plastic and silicone for long-lasting use.
Key Features:
- Large yellow bowl
- Made of 100% food safe and BPA free plastic and silicone
- Trio feet
- Dishwasher proof
- Small perforated holes at the bottom
- Creative design
Pros
- Durable
- Beautiful and delight design
- Easy to clean
- Stand firmly while rinsing
Cons
- There should be more colors to choose from
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 5.3 ounces |
| Dimension | 15 x 7 x 9 inches |
| Brand | Ototo |
| Type | BPA free plastic and silicone colander with funny design |
11. OXO 11166900 Clear Colander
(Best for Quinoa)
Pursuing a healthy lifestyle with a grain-based diet such as quinoa, brown rice, and buckwheat might start with purchasing a good colander – a simple yet helpful kitchen tool.
The small square holes keep the contents inside while drain all the water out of the bowl in a moderate way. Usually, the water is kept awhile in the colander for you to easily swish around quinoa or rice before draining completely.
Now and then, some tiny broken grains could get stuck in the holes but you can always empty the colander easily with some taps at the bottom. You can also use it for straining all types of noodles.
OXO 11166900 Good Grips Colander has a capacity of 2.5 quarts and comes with two comfortable handles for easy transport.
Key Features:
- Capacity of 2.5 quarts
- Comes with two convenient handles
- Perforated bottom and on the side
- Designed for moderate draining
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good size for storage
- Easy to clean
- Slow draining for thorough washing
Cons
- Sometimes you have to shake the colander hard to help the water drain and it takes a while to finish
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 5.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 9.74 x 10.4 x 4.4 inches |
| Brand | OXO |
| Capacity | 2.5 quarts |
| Type | BPA free plastic colander with handles |
12. Chef’n Bramble Berry Basket and Colander
(Best for Berry)
Do you want to wash, serve, and store summer berries in a colander like the old way? Chef’n Bramble Berry Basket and Colander might be your ideal option.
It’s small, practical and able to keep the berry fresh for a long time.
For me, I am attracted by its functionality and cute design. It comes with a colander for rinsing and an outer container for storage.
The colander part is designed for easily washing and draining water out of your berries. Once you put the basket in the container, fruits will be kept well-ventilated. Therefore, they maintain fresh for a longer time.
This berry colander is made from BPA free plastic which is safe for use. It has a capacity of 1 quart and quite convenient for keeping in the fridge.
Key Features:
- BPA free plastic
- Convenient for wash, serve and store berries
- Comes with a colander and an outer container
- Well-ventilated design
Pros
- Bright and cute design
- Easy to clean
- Small enough to store in fridge
- Keep the berries fresh for a long time
Cons
- The plastic container gets cracked easily if you don’t handle it with care
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 4.38 x 4.38 x 4 inches |
| Brand | Chef’n |
| Capacity | 1 quart |
| Type | BPA free plastic colander with container |
13. Comfify Collapsible Colander Set
Are you a productive person wanting to save extra time by cooking two or three dishes simultaneously? Let’s buy this Comfify Collapsible Colander Set now.
The product will arrive with a set of two, so you can drain freshly-boiled pasta in one colander and then quickly move to wash vegetables in the other. Thanks to raised bottom surface, you can let them continue to drain in the sink and free your hands to do another thing.
Although you have two colanders in the kitchen, you don’t have to worry about storage because they can fold up less than 2 inches high and easy to stack in your cabinet.
They both have comfy rubberize handles and can hold up to 5 quarts. Also, it’s perforated at the bottom and on the side for effective draining.
Key Features:
- Arrive with a set of two: 8 and 9.5 inches in diameter
- Collapsible
- Made of BPA free silicone
- Capacity of 5 quarts
- Raised surface for standing in the sink
- Perforated at the bottom and on the side
- Comfy rubberized handles
Pros
- Durable
- Save time when cooking
- Easy for storage
- Safe to use
Cons
- You may want the colanders with feet rather than just raised surface
- Some products arrived with a rip along the seam
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 6.7 ounces |
| Dimension | 11 x 9.5 x 5 inches |
| Brand | Comfify |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | BPA free silicone colander with rubberized handles |
Thorough reviews about this set. Watch below:
14. Reston Lloyd Calypso Basics Lemon Enameled Colander
(Best Enamel)
The Reston Lloyd Calypso colander features a powder-coated finish with enamel on steel that creates a vintage look which you will fall in love with.
This colander can be used to wash fruits, vegetables, noodle and can handle both hot and cold food. When not in use, you can have it as a fruit basket in the living room. Also, with a bright color and elegant design, it can be considered as a piece of decoration in your home.
It has a capacity of 5 quarts and measures 11 x 11 x 6.5 inches in size. Also, it comes with chrome-plated handles, steel rim and base.
Small holes on the side allow the water to go through easily and drain the content completely in no time.
Key Features:
- Powder-coated finish with enamel on steel
- Vintage look
- Capacity of 5 quarts
- Chromed-plated handles, steel rim and base
- Perforated design for easy draining
Pros
- Well-known brand in making enamel on steel products
- Beautiful color
- Can use as a fruit basket or a piece of decoration
- Large colander for kitchen prep
Cons
- It’s not an anti-rust colander
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 2.15 ounces |
| Dimension | 11 x 11 x 6.5 inches |
| Brand | Reston Lloyd |
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Type | Powder-coated finish with enamel on steel colander with chrome-plated handles, steel rim |
15. Joseph Joseph 40059 Black Square Colander
A medium-size colander with ergonomic design will satisfy even the most demanding customers and become your favorite tool in the kitchen.
It’s made of silicone; therefore, it’s durable and can handle the heat from freshly-boiled pasta.
Joseph Joseph 40059’s unique feature is that it has a non-slip, vertical handle so that the colander can stand itself. Additionally, you can hold the colander firmly with just one hand while the other hand is free to swish and tap.
The large holes allow the water to drain fast and completely while the easy pour corners make it easier to empty the colander.
Last but not least, with a unique square design, it helps to save a lot of storage space.
Key Features:
- Medium size and square design for storage
- Made of silicone
- Non-slip, vertical handle
- Large holes all over the surface of the colander
Pros
- Easy for storage and cleaning
- Can stand firmly itself
- Single-handed operation
- Smart and good looking design
Cons
- You should read the product measurements before buying to make sure this colander fit your sinks
Product Specifications:
| Weight | 10.2 ounces |
| Dimension | 8.27 x 8.28 x 4.55 inches |
| Brand | Joseph Joseph |
| Type | Silicone colander with non-slip vertical handle |
Buying Guide
Some buying guides are essential to come up with the best colanders for yourself.
Size Of The Colander
If you are going to buy one colander instead of a set of different sizes, then I recommend buying a colander with a capacity of 5 quarts. This colander can strain a whole pack of spaghetti or pasta or vegetables enough for a family’s dinner. The 5-quart colander is ideal to use and also helps wash faster and cleaner due to extra space.
If you are all by yourself or rarely used, you can choose colander’s size the same with the pot you usually cook noodles. It’s a way to estimate the size that you need.
If your kitchen cabinet is small and lacks of storage space, you can consider a collapsible colander, which is made of silicone and able to fold to save space.
Material
Mesh colanders are great for rinsing rice, quinoa, buckwheat and other small-grained foods. This colander is also good for straining soup stocks or sauces. But it’s a bit difficult to clean.
Plastic colanders are affordable and lightweight. Although they are made of plastic, they are very durable and do not require careful use. However, their disadvantages are that they cannot withstand high temperatures. Therefore, you shouldn’t let them stay near cooking areas or expose to heat.
Enamel finish steel colanders are both decorative and useful. They often come with a lot of colors for you to choose from. Remember to buy the bowl with many holes, especially near the bottom for quick and easy draining.
Stainless steel colanders are the most commonly used because of its durability and functionality. They can handle heat and weight very well. Although they’re quite heavy and expensive, they can last long in your kitchen.
Handles And Feet
I’m always looking for a colander with feet because I want it to stand itself in the sink when rinsing. The feet support the bottom and push it away from the sink for easy washing and draining. Moreover, the handles are essential to avoid harming your hands when you pour hot stuff into the bowl.
Otherwise, you might want to buy an over-the-sink colander for the same purpose.
Size And Number Of Holes
While mesh design colanders are for draining small foods, the larger perforated holes are good for pasta, vegetables, berries. Also, the more holes they have, the quicker the liquid is drained. It’s up to you to purchase the right kind of bowl for your needs.
FAQs
Let’s find the answer to your questions which you have in your mind about best colanders.
My Top Pick
My reviews has covered 15 best colander products in the market. I hope you find it helpful to find your favorite kitchen tool for your cooking projects.
And my go-to product is Bellemain Micro-perforated Stainless Steel 5-quart Colander for its large size, durability and functionality.
Don’t hesitate to share your opinions below to let me know what you think about best colanders.
