Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Colander Set

Last updated on November 9, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Colander Sets and dug through the reviews from 41 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Colander Sets.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Some of us have a favorite kitchen tool for everything. A go-to pot for boiling pasta, a failsafe steamer for rice, a pan that gets our veggies just right every time. But there’s one bit of kitchenware essential for all those dishes: The humble colander.

Simplemost Media

If you’ve somehow been straining the water out of your food with a strategically-placed plate up til now, you should know that a colander is a container that’s lined with small holes. They’re generally bowl-shaped and the size of the holes might vary from minuscule mesh to large and decorative, but the purpose of any colander is to allow water or other liquids to drain out of and away from your food.

This simple process of gravity and filtration doesn’t lend itself to a lot of innovation in the design of colanders, but there are definitely some features you’ll want to look for in this heavily-used tool. First of all, the shape. Most colanders are bowl-shaped, though you’ll find some “over-the-sink” models that are wider and might even be shaped like a pan. They have long handles on either side that are meant to let it suspend itself over your sink, straining your food into the drain while you take care of other prep. While this can be great for certain meals, they’re generally not as versatile or easy to pour from.

Simplemost Media

The classic bowl shape will generally come with “feet” or a raised base that can vary in height. This lets it sit above the liquid that drains out of it. In that sense, it does the work of draining just as easily as an over-the-sink colander — as long as you’ve got room in the sink.

Both sides can be constructed from a variety of materials. The most common is definitely stainless steel, for obvious reasons. The rust-proof properties of this go-to cookware alloy are invaluable when you’re in contact with lots of food and water. The size and spacing of the holes will vary a lot, but they’ll tend to be around an eighth to sixteenth of an inch. That makes them great for most types of pasta, meat and veggies, but maybe a bit too large for rice or other grains.

Mesh strainers, like the Cuisinart Fine Mesh Strainers, set of 3, are basically woven steel wire with a pinhole-sized space in between. They’re generally used for draining those smaller grains or berries, and mesh strainers will sometimes have longer handles that (along with their lighter weight) make them easier to maneuver around. In most cases, though, this construction doesn’t allow for the raised base that other colanders have. And depending on the construction, mesh colanders might be prone to dents or warping.

Simplemost Media

A growing amount of colanders are made of plastic or silicone. There’s a lot of benefits to this type of material, including feather-light weight. Some silicone colanders are even collapsible, making them much easier to store than other types. On the downside, they’re not generally as durable as steel, may melt in boiling water and they won’t drain as quickly since the material doesn’t lend itself to smaller holes with tiny spaces in between.

Some fancier “heirloom” colanders might be covered in enamel or porcelain, with steel or plastic underneath. These will hold heat fairly well, and there’s nothing quite like the look of decorated porcelain. Just make sure you handle them with care: Any chipping of the outer layer will ruin the look and possibly expose the steel underneath to rust.

Whatever type of colander you buy, it’s always worth paying a little more for durability. As we said, it’s one kitchenware tool you’re likely to use for multiple meals a week.

Our Picks For The Top Colander Sets

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

HÖLM Nesting BPA-Free Colander Set, 3-Piece

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

HÖLM

Nesting BPA-Free Colander Set, 3-Piece

Constructed using a strong stainless steel, this colander set will last for years. Each of the three pieces is designed to nestle inside the other to take up the least amount of storage space. Home cooks will appreciate the built-in side handles, as well as the sturdy base.

Overall Take

Most DurableThis colander set includes a 1, 2.5 and 4.5-quart strainer - all of which are dishwasher safe.

Pros
" Holm colander features holes of 2.3mm which provides a great balance between strength, food retention and water flow. The mesh is sturdy enough and does not bend when filled with large fruits."
Cons
"Not suitable for small grains"
 Runner Up

QiMH Silica Gel Foldable Colander Set, 3-Piece

QiMH

Silica Gel Foldable Colander Set, 3-Piece

Soft and flexible is the best way to describe this colander set. Each of the three strainers collapse flat, so you can easily store them in a drawer or on a shelf. The colanders come in green, blue and purple and feature an ergonomic design that is comfortable to use.

Overall Take

Colorful OptionWith this colander set, you'll quickly be able to strain pasta, rinse veggies or even sift flour.

 Also Great

Learja Compact Easy Store Colander Set, 6-Quart

Learja

Compact Easy Store Colander Set, 6-Quart

The folding features of this colander set make it the perfect accessory for those with limited kitchen space. The raised bottom makes it equally effective in the sink or on the countertop. For those straining beans or small pasta, never fear: The holes are small enough to prevent slip-through.

Overall Take

Compact SetThis colander set is perfect for space-saving cooks.

Priority Chef Traditional Mesh Colander Set, 3-Quart

Priority Chef

Traditional Mesh Colander Set, 3-Quart

Overall Take

Pros
" The handles making rinsing and straining even easier and mean that you can utilize the hands free draining system when the colander is placed over you sink or on top of a large pot."
Cons
"We advise you not to order this product with any other product as it will be shipped in one box and the other products might cause damage to it."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the colander sets available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

41

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Food Shark Marfa, Wiki EZ Vid, New York Mag, Kitchenistic, Kitchen Gear Zone.

18,257

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Colander Sets and also dug through the reviews from 41 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Colander Sets.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

HÖLM Nesting BPA-Free Colander Set, 3-Piece


Our Expert Score

7.8
3 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.2
298 user reviews

Our Take

Constructed using a strong stainless steel, this colander set will last for years. Each of the three pieces is designed to nestle inside the other to take up the least amount of storage space. Home cooks will appreciate the built-in side handles, as well as the sturdy base.

What other experts liked

Holm colander features holes of 2.3mm which provides a great balance between strength, food retention and water flow. The mesh is sturdy enough and does not bend when filled with large fruits.
- Food Shark Marfa
Each boasts holes sized just right to facilitate good water flow without allowing food to escape, and the handles are easy to grip, even when using potholders.
- Wiki EZ Vid
Great size for every job, easy to clean, stackable, and easy to store.
- New York Mag

What other experts didn't like

The handle is quite weak
- Food Shark Marfa
Not suitable for small grains
- Wiki EZ Vid

What to Look For

  • Whether you’re going with stainless steel, mesh, plastic or some combination of the above, size matters. If you’re only getting one colander, make sure it’s roughly the size of the largest pot you own. Many options can handle up to five quarts, perfect to pair with your biggest pot. That way, you’re covered no matter what dish you make.
  • Of course, big colanders open up a whole storage problem. Collapsible colanders are just perfect for campouts or filling out the smaller kitchen cabinets of mobile homes. Some colanders come in sets of more than one, which is ideal for a kitchen tool that you’ll use as much as this one. In those cases, look for colander sets of multiple sizes that nest inside one another, so you don’t give yourself additional storage problems. If those colanders come with a variety of different hole sizes, so much the better.
  • Going with plastic colanders? Take a look at the type of plastic, and whether it’s able to consistently stand up to the heat of boiling water (212° Fahrenheit). Even if it will, you’ll want to also make sure they’re BPA-free. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical used in the construction of polycarbonate plastics, although it’s less common. Which is a good thing, since it can leach into foods that are heated, contributing to a host of health concerns.

Colander Set Rankings

1. HÖLM Nesting BPA-Free Colander Set, 3-Piece

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 6

2. QiMH Silica Gel Foldable Colander Set, 3-Piece

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

3. Learja Compact Easy Store Colander Set, 6-Quart

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

4. Priority Chef Traditional Mesh Colander Set, 3-Quart

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 7

5. Vremi Stackable Mixing Bowl & Colander Set, 13-Piece

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 8

8. Comfify Space Saving Foldable Colander Set, 2-Piece

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 11

9. Homwe Large Collapsible Kitchen Colander, set of 3

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 2

More to Explore

Like most simple tools, the colander has more applications than one. When you’re done using your colander to drain your pasta and veggies, you can also use it to:

  • Store your berries. Keeping a colander full of rinsed berries in the fridge helps them stay aerated, reducing the chance of mold.
  • Keep the flies away. Don’t want to share with the wildlife while you’re eating outside? Simply plop a colander upside-down over your dish.
  • Grow a garden. Put some moss into an old colander, fill it with dirt, and voila: You’ve got a great medium for houseplants or herbs to grow in.