The Best Salad Spinners for the Crispest and Cleanest Greens

Final Verdict

The OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner is my top pick because it's spacious, it's sturdy, and it's quick to clean a head of lettuce. If your kitchen is low on storage space, the Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner works well, though it will take a few extra moments to clean salad greens.

What Are the Other Options?

Niitawh Salad Spinner: We considered this model as an option for our best budget pick. It's certainly cute and the handle makes it easy to hold, but, during testing, the handle did break off pretty easily (it was able to be popped back on). When it came time to dry lettuce, it was too small for a full head of romaine and the spinning mechanism was uncomfortable. Between these issues and that it can't be washed in a dishwasher leads us to not recommend it.

How We Tested

Our tester and writer Lizzy Briskin sifted through dozens of highly-rated salad spinner options, closely looking at consumer reviews and available manufacturer information, to choose her top picks. We then purchased these products for Lizzy so she could put them to the test in her home kitchen. She assessed the design and checked the specifications. To test them, she used each to dry one head of romaine lettuce and one bunch of cilantro or parsley. Then, she washed and dried each one to see if any of the finish easily came off or if it warped in the dishwasher.

After testing, Lizzy submitted feedback about what she liked and didn’t like about each product and rated each one on the following features: Performance, Ease of Use, Stability, and Overall Value. Learn more about how we test products.

What to Look for When Buying a Salad Spinner

Design

The most important design feature to consider with a new salad spinner is the spinning mechanism. You’ll find plunger-style spinners, those with pull cords, and others with handles that you manually spin. And now, there are even fully electric options! I’ve found that plunger-style spinners last the longest, as string can fray and break and the manual handles can come apart. 

Capacity

The size of the best salad spinner comes down to your personal needs. If you’re a salad aficionado who feeds a family of leaf-eaters, you’ll want a larger option. "I prefer a larger salad spinner because I often use it for voluminous greens, like curly kale," says Lexi Harrison, creator of the Crowded Kitchen. "I also find that the more space there is, the easier it is to thoroughly dry your lettuce.  Plus, if you don’t have a ton of storage space, you can always store some smaller, stackable mixing bowls inside."

And even if you’re only feeding two or three people, a bigger spinner gives your lettuce more space, which can make drying faster. On the other hand, if storage space is at a premium, a smaller or collapsible spinner is a great option to get the job done without dominating cabinet space.  

Maintenance

If you’re using your salad spinner to clean herbs and greens, most of the time you can simply empty out the bowl, give it a rinse, and let it air dry. Then, every few uses, it’s a good idea to do a more thorough clean, especially the outer bowl, which can collect dirt and residue. Fortunately, many salad spinners are dishwasher-safe. If not, use warm, soapy water and let the pieces dry fully. If there is still some condensation in the lid or bowl, use a towel to wipe it away before storage. 

FAQs

Do salad spinners help keep lettuce fresh?

Moisture is the enemy of crispiness when it comes to lettuce (and most things). So as long as you remove as much moisture from the lettuce as possible and your spinner has a lid, it can help keep your greens fresher for longer. 

"Here are my favorite tips for keeping lettuce fresh: If you purchase lettuce or greens in a plastic box, open the box, place 1-2 sheets of paper towel on top, close it, and store the box upside down," says Harrison. "The paper towel collects any excess moisture, keeping the lettuce fresh for longer. The same goes for loose lettuce or lettuce heads—you can wrap them in paper towel to help collect moisture, which causes soft, mushy leaves."

Can you store lettuce in a salad spinner?

For the freshest, crispest lettuce, it’s best to wait until just before eating to wash the greens. However, if you’re prepping your veggies ahead of time and have the space in your fridge, you certainly can keep dry lettuce in the spinner for two to three days. 

What can you dry in salad spinners? 

To maximize the use of your spinner, use it for more than just greens. Rinse all kinds of produce in the inner colander. If things are very dirty, fill the bowl with water to soak fruits and veggies before draining and spinning dry. 

"I like to use my salad spinner to salt eggplant or zucchini before cooking. The spinner makes clean-up easier because all of the moisture collects in the bowl," says Harrison. "Then, you can give the vegetables a spin before cooking to remove extra moisture for better searing. It’s also great for washing vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Give them a quick spin after washing so they crisp up nicely in the oven."

Why Trust Simply Recipes?

We thoroughly research the top products on the market to identify the best tools, appliances, and gadgets for home cooks. From tried-and-true brands to up-and-coming newcomers worth paying attention to, we stay in the loop about all things kitchen-related so you never miss a bite. 

All of the products in this article were tested and reviewed by Lizzy Briskin, a chef, food writer, and recipe developer who is a daily salad for lunch girl.

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