The OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner (6.22 quarts) is the best salad spinner for most kitchens: its pump mechanism works with one hand, the brake stops the basket quickly, and the non-slip base keeps it steady. If you want a metal bowl that doubles as a serving piece, the OXO Steel version is the upgrade, and a collapsible model like the Progressive Prepworks is best when cabinet space is tight.
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Quick Comparison of the Best Salad Spinners
| Pick | Best for | Capacity | Mechanism | Bowl material | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner | Best overall | 6.22 qt | Push pump with brake | Plastic | Budget to mid |
| OXO Steel Salad Spinner | Best stainless steel | 6.34 qt | Push pump with brake | Stainless steel bowl | Upper-mid |
| Zyliss Easy Spin 2 | Best pull-cord design | Large family size | Pull cord | Plastic | Mid |
| Farberware Pro | Best value | 6.6 qt | Handle-operated (check current listing) | Plastic | Budget |
| Progressive Prepworks Collapsible | Best for small kitchens | 4 qt | Crank | Collapsible silicone-plastic | Budget |
Capacities follow each maker’s published specs; models are revised often, so confirm details on the current product page and use Check price for today’s number. Bands are general market ranges.
Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
The OXO Good Grips spinner is the model most test kitchens return to. The pump handle spins the basket with a single hand, the brake button stops it in seconds, and the wide base keeps the unit from sliding while you pump. At 6.22 quarts it holds a large head of romaine or a big bag of mixed greens without crowding, which matters because crowded greens stay wet.
Who it suits: anyone who makes salad at least a couple of times a week. Main trade-off: some owners find the push-pump takes more effort on dense, heavy greens, and thinner plastic parts can crack if the unit is dropped or stored under heavy items.
Best Stainless Steel: OXO Steel Salad Spinner
This version swaps the plastic outer bowl for brushed stainless steel with a 6.34 quart capacity. The mechanism and brake are the same, but the bowl looks good on a table, does not stain from beets or tomatoes, and stays cold if you chill it. The basket and lid remain plastic.
Who it suits: hosts who want to serve straight from the bowl, and anyone avoiding plastic where they can. Main trade-off: it costs noticeably more and weighs more than the plastic version, and a heavy steel bowl will dent if dropped.
Best Pull-Cord Design: Zyliss Easy Spin 2
Zyliss uses a pull cord instead of a pump or crank. Pull the cord and the basket spins up quickly, with a brake that stops the basket. It is compact for its capacity and works smoothly for leafy greens and herbs.
Who it suits: cooks who like a quick pull-and-go action and want something less bulky than a pump model. Main trade-off: cords wear over years of use, so check whether replacement parts are available from the maker.
Best Value: Farberware Pro
The Farberware Pro offers 6.6 quarts at a budget price, with a locking lid. It has a larger capacity than most competitors in its price band, which suits families who wash greens in bulk.
Who it suits: families and meal preppers who want capacity without paying a premium. Main trade-off: build quality is more basic than OXO, and the lid or hinges may loosen sooner with heavy use.
Best for Small Kitchens: Progressive Prepworks Collapsible Salad Spinner
This 4-quart collapsible spinner folds flat for storage and expands for use. The silicone-style sides compress, so it stores in a drawer rather than taking a full cabinet shelf. It uses a crank handle and a basket that doubles as a colander.
Who it suits: apartment kitchens, camper or RV kitchens, and people who dislike bulky gadgets. Main trade-off: capacity is smaller, so large heads of lettuce need to be done in two batches, and the collapsible walls make it slightly less rigid than hard-shell models.
How to Choose a Salad Spinner
Match capacity to your meals
A 3 to 4 quart spinner serves one or two people. A 5 to 6.5 quart model is the right size for four people or for washing a full head of lettuce at once. Sizes larger than 6.5 quarts are rarely needed and take up more storage space.
Pump, crank or pull cord
Pump spinners spin up fast with one hand and are the easiest for most users. Crank spinners are simple and often cheaper, but you need two hands. Pull cords are compact and quick, though the cord is the part most likely to wear out. If you have limited hand strength, choose a pump with a brake.
Brake and base
A brake stops the basket in seconds instead of letting it wind down for 30 seconds or more. A non-slip base prevents the whole unit from moving across the counter while you spin.
Bowl material
Plastic is light and affordable. Stainless steel is durable and doubles as a serving bowl. Look for BPA-free plastic and, for either material, a bowl that is dishwasher-safe so cleaning is easy.
Basket design
A basket with fine holes drains better than one with large slots, and a basket that lifts out lets you use it as a colander for pasta and berries.
Worked Example: How Much Greens Will It Hold?
A typical bagged salad kit is around 5 ounces and a big clamshell of baby greens is around 16 ounces. Washed greens take up roughly 1 quart of basket volume per 2 to 3 ounces when loosely packed, so a 6-quart spinner has room for about 12 to 18 ounces of leaves, which is a family-size salad for four. A 4-quart model holds around 8 to 12 ounces. If you regularly wash more than that, buy the larger size or spin in two rounds, because overfilling the basket is the biggest cause of soggy leaves.
Decision Matrix
| Your situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| Salads several times a week, family of three to five | OXO Good Grips Large |
| Serve at the table, avoid plastic | OXO Steel |
| Want a compact pull-cord design | Zyliss Easy Spin 2 |
| Tight budget, big capacity | Farberware Pro |
| Small kitchen, RV, drawer storage | Progressive Prepworks Collapsible |
Using and Caring for a Salad Spinner
- Tear leaves into bite-size pieces and fill the basket no more than two-thirds full.
- Rinse the greens in the basket under cold water, then drain the bowl before spinning.
- Spin in short bursts, then pause to pour out water, and spin again until no droplets fly off.
- Line a container with a dry paper towel and store greens in the fridge for crisp leaves later in the week.
- Disassemble the lid and basket for cleaning; check the pump and brake for trapped food.
What wears first: plastic lids crack or warp in dishwashers on high heat, cords fray on pull-cord designs, and brakes can stick if food debris builds up. Hand washing the lid extends its life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a salad spinner worth it?
Yes, if you eat fresh greens regularly. It dries leaves far better than patting with towels, so dressing clings and greens stay crisp longer in the fridge. If you eat salad rarely, a clean kitchen towel works.
What size salad spinner should I buy?
A 4-quart model suits one or two people, and a 6-quart model suits a family of four. If you often wash herbs, berries or large heads of lettuce, go for the larger size.
Can I wash other foods in a salad spinner?
Yes. The basket works for berries, herbs and small vegetables. Avoid anything delicate that might bruise at high speed, and do not use it as a replacement for a pasta colander if the basket is not heat-rated.
Pump or crank: which is better?
Pump models are generally easier to use one-handed and spin quickly. Crank models are simple and sometimes more durable, but require two hands.
Are salad spinners dishwasher safe?
Most baskets and bowls are top-rack dishwasher safe, but lids with mechanisms often need hand washing. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions.
How do I keep greens fresh after spinning?
Store them in a container lined with a dry paper towel, with the lid slightly open or loosely closed, in the crisper drawer. Remove wet or wilted leaves before storing.
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