Whether you’re pulling fresh greens out of the garden or packing them home from the store, a salad spinner is a must-have tool for anyone who frequently uses lettuce, greens, and herbs in the kitchen.
Not only do these nifty devices cut drying time for wet greens and berries in half, but they are a far more eco-friendly option than traditional drying via paper towels or with your washer’s spin cycle (yes, apparently this was a thing!).
Salad spinners also allow you to save money at the grocery store. Stock up on lettuce and other leafy greens when on sale. Then wash and spin them in the salad spinner and you can store them in canning jars in the fridge for up to 10 days.
But there are some downsides to these handy kitchen tools as well.
For one, they tend to be made mostly or entirely of plastic, one of the least earth-friendly materials. They can be equally as un-small-kitchen-friendly too, given how much space they require to store.
When it comes to picking your new salad spinner, it is good to keep these pitfalls in mind. Choosing a well-made, durable plastic spinner, or better yet, one that incorporates glass or stainless steel parts will assure less plastic waste ends up in the landfill. And considering the overall size and storability of your spinner before you purchase it will help assure the two of you will be compatible for the long haul.
If you’re in the market for a new salad spinner, we’ve reviewed some of our favorites below. And we made sure to include a wide range of sizes and styles to help you find exactly what you need.
Table of Contents
Our Favorite Salad Spinners
1. OXO Steel Salad Spinner
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There are so many reasons to love the OXO steel salad spinner, but the reason we’ve selected it as our top pick is the winning combination of an earth-friendly and antimicrobial stainless steel bowl and an easy to use, no hassle push-action spinner.
Unlike most spinners that require you to rotate a knob or spin a handle, all you have to do to get this spinner rotating is press down on the center pump. And once your lettuce is dried, simply press the patented stop bottom and pull off the lid.
This spinner is dishwasher friendly and holds just over 6 quarts of greens in the serving bowl or about 5 quarts in the drying basket.
2. GEFU Speed Wing Salad Spinner
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Another spinner we love for their use of a stainless steel bowl is GEFU’s Speed Wing spinner. Like our number one choice, this salad spinner includes a beautiful steel bowl that can double as a serving dish for salads and produce. It also utilizes a no-effort spinning mechanism in the form of a pull cord to activate rotation.
Best of all, the rotation speed increases with each pull of the cord. This ultra-fast spinner is a must if you soak your greens before drying them. The GEFU spinner has a similar capacity to the OXO steel spinner and is dishwasher safe.
3. MUELLER Large 5L Salad Spinner Vegetable Washer with Bowl
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If your main concern when shopping for a salad spinner is storability then look no further than this compact MUELLER model. The unique square outer bowl and pull-out handle design mean it takes up less space without sacrificing capacity. The clear bowl and festive red basket also make this spinner easy on the eyes, allowing for the simple option of storing it straight on the counter.
The square base also adds exceptional stability. This spinner won’t topple on you like so many others with a rounded or circular shape. To get this bowl moving, simply pull on the handle. Motion can be stopped just as quickly with one press of the stop bottom.
This spinner has a nice 5-quart capacity and is dishwasher safe.
4. OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner
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If you like our first choice salad spinner but arent big on the look or price tag of a stainless steel bowl, the OXO Good Grips Little spinner is the perfect option for you. Like our other OXO pick, this one features the easy pump-action spinner and patented stop button, but comes with a beautiful clear bowl and is about half the price.
This spinner is also much smaller than others on our list, making it a great choice for those with very little space to spare. The small capacity also makes this a great choice for drying herbs and preparing single-serving salads.
All parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. The bowl holds 3 quarts while the basket capacity is closer to 2.5 quarts.
5. Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner
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If you are serious about saving space or just like the idea of a salad spinner that is easily transportable, Prepworks by Progressive’s collapsible spinner has your name written all over it.
This spinner is made from a combination of stiff and malleable plastics that allows both the outer bowl and inner basket to collapse down to about half their normal height for storage. The lid utilizes a knob-style spinner that works both clockwise and counterclockwise.
You can find this ingenious collapsible bowl in a 3-quart and 4-quart capacity to fit your needs. All parts are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
6. Large Salad Spinner by Geedel
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So many spinners utilize small handles that are hard to grip. Even those with larger handles tend to be hard to get moving and can cause hand cramps. This is not the case with this well-designed salad spinner from Geedel.
This spinner utilizes a crank action handle with a large grip knob for comfort. The extended handle means you only have to apply minimal pressure and rotation to get the bowl up to full speed.
The rubber ringed bottom keeps the bowl in place while you spin and the large capacity bowl holds about 5 quarts of produce. The entire setup is dishwasher safe and comes in red or white.
7. ZYLISS Easy Spin Salad Spinner
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The Zyliss Easy Spin is the perfect salad spinner at a modest price for anyone looking for a better alternative to knob and handle spinners. The pull cord activated rotation is simple to use and won’t tire out your arm. And the handy break button means you can quickly stop the basket from spinning without sending lettuce all over your kitchen.
The clear outer bowl and the option of green or white accents allows this spinner to fit in easily with the decor of most kitchens.
This spinner comes in two sizes. The large size accommodates about 4 to 6 servings of salad while the smaller model can hold about half that. Both models are completely dishwasher safe and a snap to clean.
8. Cuisinart CTG-00-SAS Salad Spinner
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If you’re hunting for a bargain spinner that won’t let you down, you’ve found it in this simple but effective salad spinner from Cuisinart.
Like all Cuisinart products, you can trust this spinner to last. It is made of durable plastic and utilizes an extended knob spinner that’s easier on the hands than most. Another nice feature is the locking lid, which assures greens won’t go flying if you crank this thing up to max speed. At a price point lower than most of the items on this list, it is the perfect tool for those on a budget.
This spinner has a large 5-quart capacity and is dishwasher safe.
9. Rosle Stainless Steel Salad-Spinner
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The Rosle salad spinner is not for the recreational salad maker. Instead, this super-large capacity spinner is made for those who take their greens prep seriously.
With an elegant stainless steel bowl and plastic-lined glass lid, this spinner is easily the greenest choice on our list. It utilizes a knob-style spin action that is powerful enough to move the large capacity basket with ease. And it all comes with a lifetime guarantee from Rosle.
This large capacity spinner can hold just under 6 quarts. All pieces are dishwasher safe and the beautifully finished steel bowl makes a great serving dish for any salad.
10. Large Salad Spinner Lettuce Dryer By Fullstar
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Last but not least is another great salad spinner for those most interested in a durable piece of equipment that won’t break the bank.
Like the Cuisinart spinner, this salad spinner from Fullstar is dependable and well-made for the price, but it has a larger capacity bowl and a more ergonomic handle for ease of use. The simple but elegant clear plastic design makes this the perfect addition to any kitchen. The inner basket features oblong openings that may be too big for use with herbs and other small greens but also makes it more durable than traditional slotted baskets.
This spinner has just under a 6-quart capacity and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Salad Spinner Buyer’s Guide
Still considering what features might make for the best salad spinner for use in your kitchen? Here is our handy buyer’s guide to help answer some of your salad spinner questions and get you pointed in the right direction.
Type of Spin Action
Our list of recommended salad spinners featured an array of different spinner types, many of them utilizing different methods for rotation. Each of these methods has some benefits and some drawbacks.
- Knob-style spinners – These types of salad spinners feature a small knob or extended grip piece that sits on top of a gear disc. As you spin the knob in circles, the inner basket begins to spin faster and faster. These are generally the least expensive spinner types and are typically durable, but they are the least comfortable to operate.
- Handle-style spinners – Handle spinners feature an extended handle attached to gears that you must manually spin in circles much like a knob spinner. They tend to be equally durable, though a tad more expensive. They are, however, much easier on the hand to operate.
- Pull-cord spinners – These salad spinners work in much the same way a lawn mower fires up with a quick pull of the cord setting the basket in motion. While these take much less work to operate, they are the most likely to break out of all the spin-action types.
- Pump spinners – Out of all the options, pump spinners are the only ones that can be operated one-handed. The spinning action is facilitated by compressing a pump in the center of the bowl. A well-made pump spinner should last as long as the less advanced systems but tend to be the most expensive.
Function and Appearance of the Bowl
One more thing to consider before you purchase your salad spinner is the look and functionality of the outer bowl.
For the cheapest types of spinners, the outer bowl is usually a flow-through type, meaning that it will have holes in the bottom to allow the water to drain out as you spin. While this can help get your lettuce dryer faster since the water does not collect in the bowl itself, it also means you have to use your spinner in the sink.
More commonly, the outer bowl will be solid, requiring you to stop and dump the water as needed. Some salad spinners have drainage holes in the lid so you can easily and quickly dump water between spins. The downside to these types is that you can’t use the spinner to store lettuce because the extra airflow will lead to wilting.
The other aspect of the outer bowl to consider is whether or not you want it to double as a serving dish. Many of our choices above featured spinners with stainless steel bowls. These types tend to cost more, but they come with an elegant serving bowl built-in. Even many of the plastic bowl types are attractive enough for serving salads at the dinner table.
If, on the other hand, you already own a beautiful salad dish that you prefer to use, why not save some money and opt for a spinner with a more utilitarian bowl style?
What Size Salad Spinners Are Best?
Which size salad spinner will work best for you depends largely on your needs and the size of the meals you are preparing.
The largest products hold about 6 quarts of salad. This is more than enough for the average family. The smallest spinners typically hold about 2.5 quarts, perfect for individuals.
In addition to use, you also need to consider your storage capabilities.
Salad spinners do take up some space in the cupboard. This is doubly true for the large capacity products. If space is an issue, a smaller, more compact unit may be ideal, even if it means drying your produce in batches.
Are Salad Spinners Worth It?
Given the space considerations and the cost of some products, many people often wonder are salad spinners worth it?
This, of course, all depends on the individual. But if you tend to eat a lot of greens, salads, and other fine produce, a salad spinner can save you a lot of time.
Without a salad spinner, you must hand dry lettuce and greens by laying each leaf flat on a rag and dabbing them with paper towels. This process can add a lot of time to your meal preparation. And, often, the greens do not come out as dry as they would using a spinner.
Whatever salad spinner you choose, it’s unlikely you’ll regret the purchase, as even the least expensive varieties are likely to save you loads of time and effort the next time you serve up a healthy plate of greens for the family.
