The Oxo Good Grips Salad Spinner is our top choice because of its large capacity, patented brake, and easy-to-use patented plunger. Equally as impressive is the Oxo Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner, which comes in handy for smaller produce items. How We Tested For each test, we noted how operating the pump or knob felt and how much strength was required to start and continue spinning. After recording the responsiveness of each spinner and the level of stability the base provided, we saw how many pumps or spins it took to completely clean and dry the produce, noting any difficulty in stopping the spinner once it got going. It’s also important that the perforations aren’t too small which can lead to debris becoming lodged in the small holes which can make cleaning unnecessarily difficult.” When preparing salads for a larger crowd, like if you are hosting a summer garden party, having a larger salad spinner is ideal. The Norpro Deluxe Salad Spinner, gives chefs plenty of room to prep larger salads and vegetables. If you're a big fan of leafy greens and eat salads regularly, it may make more sense to opt for a salad spinner that's dishwasher safe and requires less effort to clean. If you don't have a dishwasher or don't plan on using your salad spinner often, the perk of hand washing means your salad spinner will probably resist warping and last longer.

Mueller Salad Spinner: An unusual “pulling bar” spin mechanism generated more force than a simple hand crank, but this still ranked toward the bottom of our drying tests. It was also unusually loud—enough to scare a (skittish) dog out of the room during testing. Operation is easy with the pump-action plunger and stopper. Across two tests—one featuring lettuce and the other berries—we noted the pump was easy to operate with minimal strength required. We also appreciated the non-slip base, which kept everything stable during spinning. Lettuce came out clean, just glistening with moisture, and berries were unbruised and ready to be eaten. If you host larger family meals, the Farberware Professional Pump will make salad, fruit, and vegetable prep stress-free. If you need something that won't break but can handle washing and drying smaller batches of lettuce, this 3-quart Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner with a silicone construction and collapsible design is a wonderful option. It's ideal for traveling and use in smaller kitchens or dorm rooms. In testing, we found it actually reduces to just 3 inches when fully collapsed, so storage could not be more convenient.Farberware Pump Spinner: This salad spinner performed solidly throughout testing. The pump mechanism was powerful and it dried lettuce well. However, it was hand-wash only and felt cheap. Oftentimes salad spinners can double as serving bowls. Much of this comes down to personal preference, but stainless steel bowls are generally considered more attractive for serving, while clear, plastic bowls are more convenient because they allow you to see the greens as they spin. Consider whether or not you want your spinner to double as a stylish serving bowl (that means less dishes!).

A salad spinner is not a necessity, but it does make meal prep a lot easier—and not just for greens. You can wash and dry a multitude of lettuces and other greens, like kale or collards, but you can also efficiently wash and dry fresh herbs, berries, and bulky vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes. You can even wash and dry your hand-wash-only laundry. It's an efficient way to complete the task, but you may want a separate spinner. Along with overall construction, size, and quality, we tested the bowl's versatility with other tasks—such as mixing pancake batter. Since we love multi-function kitchen tools, we also noticed how the bowls worked as serving vessels (for example, if they retained food temperature). The lever takes some force to push it down, but once the bowl gets spinning the lever is easier and easier to push, and it can be done with one hand. The brake stops the spinning immediately, which the company says will help "fluff" the greens. We did feel like the rapid momentum that the lever motion was able to achieve, coupled with the sudden braking, helped shake every bit of water off the leaves, making this a very effective salad spinner. And the flat design of the lid makes it ideal for storing the greens right in the spinner. Salad spinners are not only useful for washing and drying salad leaves but they can also be used for a variety of other tasks in the kitchen. For example, they can be used to wash and dry herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables.

There are three types of salad spinners to choose from. The one you select will depend on individual preferences.

This stainless steel bowl features a non-slip base and provides 5.3 quarts of space for lettuce. The lid and basket are both made of durable plastic, and the clear material allows you to watch the lettuce being cleaned. Pump-Operated Spinners: To activate the spinning function on pump-operated spinners, you simply push down on a button or lever. The more you pump, the faster it spins. These are relatively easy to use and don't require quite as much effort as a manual/crank spinner.While searching for the perfect salad spinner, it's important to consider the ease of use and type of spin action required. For example, someone with mobility restrictions in their hands or wrists will likely benefit from a model with a push button or pump rather than a pull cord or knob. Salad spinners can range in capacity from less than three quarts to over six quarts, with most falling somewhere in the middle. Consider the amount of storage space you have to spare relative to the number of people you have to feed. For a family, or the entertainer who is always hosting dinner parties, the larger the option the better. Some spinners even have a collapsible design to help you save on storage space without sacrificing capacity. The humble salad spinner may seem like an unnecessary kitchen tool, but we beg to differ: It's revolutionary when it comes to yielding crispy, fresh greens. The centrifugal force created by spinning pulls out dirt particles hidden in the ribs and crevices of your lettuce, spinach, arugula, and more while drawing out any excess liquid. Warding off that lingering moisture helps keep your salad from getting soggy or moldy, but also maintains the consistency and flavor of your salad dressing. Apart from helping to achieve the perfect salad, these handy gadgets are also useful in washing large batches of herbs, cleaning cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or brussel sprouts, and washing berries. Keep in mind that this salad spinner uses a pull bar system as its spinning method. Instead of a button or crank, you have to continuously pull a mechanism on the top of the lid to spin the device. It should also be noted that while the bowl is dishwasher safe, the other components are hand wash only. This is to ensure there is no damage to the stainless steel components so the spinner can provide you with many years of tasty salads. Salad spinners come in a variety of different material options, the most popular being glass or plastic. Sommerall says he prefers clear salad spinners, such as glass or plastic, for a variety of reasons.

Kristy Mucci, author of Salad Party, also likes its versatility: "I like the strong grip of the non-slip base, and it's good for more than just salad spinning. I dress my salads in it, and I reach for it whenever I need an extra prep bowl or a lidded container for refrigerator storage. I also think it's nicer looking than any plastic salad spinner, plus it'll stay nicer looking longer because stainless steel doesn't get sad with age the way plastic does." For those who prefer a stainless steel design, the Berthan Salad Spinner is the best salad spinner for you. Stainless steel adds more insurance as far as durability, ensuring that with proper care your salad spinner will last for years, making it worth the investment. There is no worry about dropping the bowl or breaking the bowl since the steel can last through most accidents. For those looking for a more attractive spinner, Sommerall says there are other materials that fit the bill. “Some salad spinners feature outer bowls made from stainless steel or plastic with aesthetically-pleasing designs allowing them to double as a presentable salad bowl,” he says. If you're looking for a salad spinner that's efficient but also modern and attractive, the Oxo Steel model is a great choice. It has the elements expected from Oxo's trusted brand, plus a sleek design that looks as good on the table serving your freshly spun salad as it does on the counter as a tool. Handle-style spinners: Easier on the hand than the knob variety, a handle-style salad spinner is also difficult to store because of the awkward shape. The extended handle is attached to the gears, and as you manually spin the handle, the basket spins.The Oxo Good Grips Salad Spinner is our choice for the best salad spinner because of its efficiency, design, and ease of care. We also love that the bowl can double as a serving bowl, and the salad spinner is available at a fairly affordable price point. What to Know About Salad Spinners Before Shopping Material Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner: We had high hopes for the space-saving promise of this collapsible salad spinner. Unfortunately, this model underperformed in the drying tests and wasn’t able to accommodate 10 ounces of lettuce. Expanding and collapsing the bowl and basket took a considerable amount of muscle, too. Sometimes, you can find an outer bowl with a flow-through design with holes in the bottom to drain the water as you spin. The advantage is that the lettuce dries faster, but this has to be done over a sink to avoid messy spillage. Many types of salad spinners have an outer bowl that doesn't feature holes in the bottom, though. The upside is that you can do your spinning on the counter, but you must dump your bowl periodically to drain the water. There are some models, like the Westmark, that have pour spouts that allow for a more convenient draining experience. Two sturdy clamps keep the lid in place for storage and while you're pouring water out. The spinning action is initiated by a knob that you turn, which is comfortable to hold and can be turned in either direction — nice for lefties. Given that most salad spinners are made out of various types of plastic, I’d recommend always using soapy warm water and a sponge to clean your spinner regardless of whether or not they’re marketed as dishwasher safe,” he suggests. “If small leaves or debris do become lodged, I recommend using a skewer, cake tester, or soft brush to clear each hole.”