Head to head
simplehuman Large vs OXO Foldaway (2026)
simplehuman large steel frame vs OXO foldaway: engineered drainage against fold-flat storage, compared honestly.
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey
Best for: Large households that wash up by hand daily and want one rack that handles plates, bowls, glasses, and stemware without a second drying mat.
#2 in our rankings · Best foldaway rack
OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack
Best for: Kitchens that want a full-size rack for washing up and a clear counter the rest of the time.
Our recommendation
Buy the simplehuman large dishrack if you want the best drainage, a wine glass holder, and a rack that stays out permanently. Buy the OXO foldaway if you want a full-size rack that disappears into a cabinet between wash-ups. Both dry dishes well; the choice is about a permanent premium setup against flexible storage.
Drainage design
Simplehuman uses a coated tray with a central channel and a 360-degree swivel spout, so water reaches the sink from any rack position. OXO uses fold-out legs and a spout that drains into the sink when the rack is open, which works well but is a simpler system with no residue-fighting coating.
Storage between uses
OXO folds flat to under 4 inches deep and stands in a cabinet, which is the clearest win in this comparison for a small kitchen. Simplehuman stays out: it is a piece of counter equipment, not a pack-away item, and it needs its full footprint all the time.
Glasses and capacity
Simplehuman hangs four extra-large wine glasses and holds a full family load in deep slots. OXO holds cups, mugs, and wine glasses on tines and drops its plate rack for large bowls, which is more flexible for bulky items but holds fewer dishes in one go.
Choose simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey if…
- You want the best drainage engineering
- You need a dedicated wine glass holder
- The rack stays out permanently
Choose OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack if…
- You want the counter clear between wash-ups
- You need a rack that stands in a cabinet
- You want bowl flexibility from a folding plate rack
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey | OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Size | 20.2 by 22.3 by 11.5 inches | - |
| Material | Plastic, stainless steel | BPA-free plastic and stainless steel |
| Wine glass holder | Hangs 4 extra-large glasses | - |
| Weight | 7 pounds | - |
| Warranty | 5 year warranty | - |
| Open size | - | 19.4 by 15.5 by 5.125 inches |
| Closed size | - | 19.4 by 12.5 by 3.875 inches |
| Plate rack | - | Folds down for large bowls and cookware |
| Utensil cups | - | Removable and dishwasher safe |
| Best for | Large households that wash up by hand daily and want one rack that handles plates, bowls, glasses, and stemware without a second drying mat. | Kitchens that want a full-size rack for washing up and a clear counter the rest of the time. |
| Skip if | You have a small counter, a tight budget, or you want a rack that folds away between uses. | You leave a rack out permanently, or you wash very large pots that need a deep, fixed frame. |
Strengths and limitations
simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey
Strengths
- The swivel spout pivots a full circle, so the rack drains into the sink whether it sits long ways or short ways against the sink, and it lifts out for cleaning.
- The tray coating spreads water thinly so it dries faster and leaves less residue, while a central channel carries excess water away instead of pooling.
- Silicone-capped wire holds plates tightly without scratching or chipping, and the integrated holder hangs four extra-large wine glasses safely.
Limitations
- The footprint is large, so it suits a generous stretch of counter beside the sink and crowds a small kitchen.
- The premium outlay buys drainage engineering and build quality, not extra capacity over a good mid-range steel rack.
- The tray and frame need wiping down, since hard water can still mark the plastic tray over time despite the coating.
OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack
Strengths
- The plate rack folds down to make room for large bowls and cookware, so one rack handles both everyday plates and bulky items.
- Legs, side walls, and spout all fold in, so the rack stands in a cabinet rather than sitting on the counter between uses.
- Divided utensil cups lift out for unloading and are dishwasher safe, which makes emptying the rack a quick job.
Limitations
- The folding mechanism takes a little getting used to at first, and the rack is at its best once the fold sequence becomes habit.
- Capacity is lower than a large fixed steel rack, so a very large wash-up may need a second drying surface.
- The main body is not dishwasher safe in the way the cups are, so the frame itself needs a wipe down by hand.
How they fit the wider field
- simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The Best Dish Racks. Read the full simplehuman Large Steel Frame Dishrack, Grey review.
- OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack: ranked #2 (Best foldaway rack) in The Best Dish Racks. Read the full OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack review.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Which rack dries dishes faster?
Both dry dishes at a similar rate, since drying speed depends on air flow and spacing more than on the rack brand. Simplehuman keeps the counter drier, which matters more than a small difference in dish drying time.
Which is better for a small kitchen?
OXO foldaway, since it leaves the counter free when it is not in use. The simplehuman large rack needs a generous permanent run and suits a larger kitchen.
Is simplehuman worth the premium over OXO?
Yes, if drainage, stemware, and a permanent premium setup matter most to you, and no, if storage and value matter most. Both are good racks; the premium buys drainage engineering, not a different kind of drying.