Something no one talks about is how many things you have to wash when you become a parent. Bottles, sippy cups, pump parts, and more all become part of your nightly routine, and you need a bottle drying rack to hold all these little things.
A bottle drying rack isn’t the same thing as a rack that you use for plates and pots. Instead, these racks hold bottles upside down, ensuring they’re completely dry and won’t roll around with water left inside.
These racks also hold other bottle parts, pump parts, and pacifiers. It’s meant to make your life a little easier and more organized.
I put together a list of the best options for drying racks that parents love the most. Bottle racks make great additions to your baby registry!
This post may contain affiliate links which I would receive a small commission should you make a purchase.
Do You Really Need a Bottle Drying Rack?
No, a bottle drying rack isn’t a necessity, but it makes your life easier and has a valuable function like other parenting products.
If you’re on a strict budget, don’t feel like you MUST have one. You can allow bottles to dry on your counter or dry them by hand.
However, the good thing is that these rarely cost more than $30, so if you have the extra cash in your budget, you’ll use a rack every day for at least a year.
The Benefits of a Drying Rack
Here are some of the reasons why you might want to buy a drying rack.
1. Better Organization
Staying organized makes life run smoother, and a drying rack keeps your bottles and accessories right where they need to be in your kitchen.
2. Decreases the Risk of Mold and Bacteria
Standing water is a problem, and if you try to dry bottles upright, mold and bacteria will develop inside the bottles.
Bottle racks ensure that they receive enough airflow to dry totally and cut down on any bacteria that might grow on them.
3. Less Clutter
If your baby’s bottles and accessories are all over the place, your kitchen ends up a mess with clutter everywhere. A rack keeps everything in one spot.
Easy peasy!
4. Everything Dries Faster
When your bottles have plenty of ventilation and airflow, they dry much faster!
The 10 Best Bottle Drying Rack Options
1. Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack – Best Overall Bottle Drying Rack
Perhaps one of the most well-known bottle drying racks is the Boon Lawn Countertop Rack. It’s your own patch of grass on your kitchen counter.
Boon showcases an example of baby gear that is adorable yet functional. The “blades of grass” are really flexible plastic that holds bottles and accessories in place, so you have endless combinations and ways to place everything.
No, it’s not REAL grass, but this modern and fun drying rack has topped the bestseller list for several reasons.
- The rack dries bottles and accessories upright, letting moisture drip into the tray below.
- It’s large enough to hold an entire day’s worth of bottles, pacifiers, and other accessories.
- Boon created their rack from BPA, phthalate, and PVC-free materials.
- Different sizes are available for purchase along with accessories.
The downsides?
It’s not dishwasher safe, and I don’t know about you, but I love anything dishwasher-friendly.
2. Munchkin Tidy Dry Sturdy Space Saving Rack – Best for Small Spaces
So, you live in an apartment or have a tiny kitchen? That doesn’t mean you can’t have a drying rack – the Munchkin Tidy Dry is what you need.
This rack is compact and holds all the things your baby needs without taking up much space on the counter. It fits under cabinets, tucking against the wall.
Here are some more reasons you might love the Munchkin Tidy Dry Rack.
- It’s dishwasher safe, so you can toss it in when it needs to be washed.
- The angle clips let bottles drip dry at the right angle, and the shelves have plenty of ventiliation for all the little parts.
- The size is perfect, and it still holds up to a day’s worth of bottles and accessories.
- A drip tray pulls out for more room if needed.
The downside is that it doesn’t hold as many bottles as the other racks, and some parents notice it tips over at times because of the design.
3. Boon Sprig – Best Budget Drying Rack
If you’re on a serious budget and need a bottle drying rack that costs less than $10, the Boon Sprig is hands-down the winner, plus it’s stylish and adorable.
It’s like the baby cousin of the bigger Boon Lawn with different sized “branches” and sprigs on that bottom that hold smaller items like bottle nipples. Everything is removable for easy storage.
Here are some of the other reasons you should consider the Boon Sprig.
- The rack spins, so you have 360 degrees of access to the parts.
- It only takes up a small amount of countertop space.
- It holds up to six bottles at a time.
- Look at it! It’s adorable.
Unfortunately, like the Boon Lawn, the Sprig is not dishwasher safe, so you must wash the entire unit by hand. However, the two-piece design makes it easy to clean.
Also, make sure you don’t use the Sprig with heavy or glass bottles; it’s not strong enough to stay up with that weight.
4. Dr. Brown’s Universal Drying Rack – Best for Upright Bottle Rack
Most parents are familiar with the brand Dr. Brown’s; they make one of the most popular brands of bottles as well. If you use their upright bottles (or any style of upright bottles), you’ll love their Universal Drying Rack.
Here are some of the reasons why Dr. Brown’s scores are so high with parents.
- The pegs are different heights, so you can find all sizes of bottles and accessories. This rack holds up to 12 standard or eight wide-neck bottles.
- It has a sloped design that lets the water run off and allows for the bottles to dry faster.
- The rack is easily removed from the bottom tray for easy clean up.
- It’s dishwasher safe – yes!
- When not in use, you can fold down the pegs and hide the drying rack out of sight.
The downside?
Some parents say the pegs need to be wider, and the design limits airflow and the drying process compared to other racks.
5. The First Years Spinning Drying Rack – Best Spinning Rack
With over 5,000 positive ratings, the First Years Spinning Rack is a favorite amongst parents. The spinning style helps save space on your countertop, but there is enough space to hold up to 16 bottles and accessories.
What else makes this drying rack so popular?
- You can spin it to reach everything.
- The reversible dry tray lets the water drain right into the sink.
- Everything is dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
The biggest concern with this Spinning Rack is that the pegs don’t feel as sturdy as other brands. In addition, some reviews say they break or get weaker after repeated use, so it might not be the most durable choice.
6. OXO Tot On-The-Go Drying Rack – Best Portable Rack
If you’re headed on vacation or visiting grandma, you don’t need to leave your bottle parts on a dishtowel. The OXO Tot On-The-Go Rack is the solution for you.
This is one of the only – maybe THE only – drying rack meant for traveling. It measures only six inches wide when closed, so it easily fits into a diaper bag or a suitcase.
Here are some other reasons to grab the OXO Tot On-The-Go Rack.
- The kit includes a portable bottle brush that fits inside of the case.
- When opened it measures almost 11 inches wide and holds several bottles at once.
- The whole thing is dishwasher safe.
Since this is a portable drying rack, it has limited space. It holds a few bottles and accessories simultaneously, but it won’t hold the same number of bottles as a full-sized rack.
7. Munchkin Shine Stainless Steel Drying Rack – Best Stainless Steel
Plastic isn’t for everyone; if you want a stainless steel drying rack that will last for years and multiple kids, the Munchkin Shine Stainless Steel Rack is just the thing you need.
Here are a few of the features of the Munchkin Shine.
- The drying pegs are movable, so you can customize the rack for your needs.
- Under the pegs, a drip tray collects the water that comes out of the bottles as they dry.
- The pegs fold flat for easy stoage when not in use.
- It’s top-rack, dishwasher safe.
8. PopYum Space Saving Bamboo Drying Rack – Best Drying Rack for Glass Bottles
Are you looking for a sturdy drying rack that will hold glass bottles? The PopYum Bamboo Drying Rack is an awesome solution.
This rack is made of FSC-certified bamboo, and it’s sturdy enough to hold all bottles, even glass. Many drying racks can’t hold glass bottles because of their weight!
Here are a few reasons why PopYum might be for you.
- There are nine long prongs to hold bottles and a flat shelf for bottle accessories.
- When not in use, the bottle rack folds flat for easy storage.
- Silicone feet keep the rack off the counter and stops it from sliding around.
The drip tray is sold separately, so if you want something to collect the water, you have to make sure you buy it or put a towel under the drying rack.
9. Philips Avent Drying Rack – Best Minimalist Rack
Sometimes, all you need is simple, and the Philips Avent Drying Rack gives that to you. This sleek, modern-looking rack is perfect for a minimalist family.
This drying rack has a unique design that looks more like little trees than a typical rack. Here are a few reasons why parents love it so much.
- The design holds up to eight bottles total with room for accessories.
- The tree-like bottle holders allow for maximum airflow and fast-drying.
- Underneath the racks, a removable dry tray catches all the water, and it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
- All of the “branches” are removable to make space for larger items and easy storage when not in use.
The downside?
Some parents say that this rack tips over easier than others if you place the bottles incorrectly.
10. Prince Lionheart Deluxe Drying Station – Best for Multiples
When you have twins, you need a bottle drying rack with plenty of space and organization – that’s exactly what the Prince Lionheart Deluxe Station offers you.
Parents love the organizational layout with specific locations for bottles and all the needed accessories. It also holds sippy cups and snack containers well.
What else makes the Prince Lionheart Drying Rack awesome?
- The rack has eight large hooks, ten small hooks, and three top grate holes for straws and other accessories.
- It’s easy to stay organized with the different hooks and holes.
- A bottom tray collects any excess water that drains away from the bottles and cups.
- Prince Lionheart created this rack without BPA, phthalate, PVC, latex, and lead.
The downsides?
This rack isn’t dishwasher safer, and since it has a lot of nooks and crannies, you’ll need to spend time making sure it gets well-cleaned.
How to Pick a Bottle Drying Rack
Are you wondering how I picked these bottle racks? After three kids, I know a thing or two about what parents want and need from their products.
Here are the criteria I used!
Ease of Cleaning
Standing water is NEVER a good thing, whether it’s water in a bottle or inside the tray of a drying rack. It creates an environment that bacteria and mold love to grow.
Mold and bacteria should never be near bottles that feed your baby.
So, when you pick a drying rack, it needs to have an open, breathable design that lets everything dry quickly. Also, while hand washing is often better for plastic, I know I’m busy and prefer dishwasher-safe products.
I made sure to note whether or not all of these are dishwasher safe and how they need to be cleaned.
Size: Its Footprint
Some people have large kitchens, so devoting countertop space to a drying rack is no big deal, but not everyone is that lucky.
That’s when you have to look at the footprint and decide if it will work for your sized kitchen. Some are meant for small spaces like upright racks or spinning racks.
Consider how much space you’re okay giving to a drying rack.
Capacity
Ideally, the bottle rack should have enough space to hold all of the bottles your baby needs for 24 hours, plus any pumping parts and other feeding accessories.
Consider the capacity that you want for your drying rack. Some hold more than others!
Durability
Is the bottle rack going to last through more than one child? This is one of those baby gear items that I think should be a one-time purchase.
If this is your first baby, invest in a rack that will last for several years.
FAQs about Bottle Drying Racks
How Do I Know Which Bottle Drying Rack to Buy?
Not every family needs the same type of drying rack, so you have to ask yourself some questions to figure out which one is for you.
- Do you have one baby or multiples?
- How much counter top space do you have?
- Are you using it for only bottles or accessories as well?
- Do you want a tray for excess water collection?
How Do You Clean a Bottle Drying Rack?
It’s best to clean a drying rack every day or every other day to prevent mold build-up.
Here is what you need to do.
- Dump out any excess water that collects in the tray underneath of the rack if one is included.
- Put any dishwasher-safe items in there to get cleaned.
- If the pieces aren’t safe for the dishwasher, use hot water and dish soap to scrub them.
- Allow everything to air dry completely before using again.
Every family needs to have a bottle drying rack to make sure everything dries well and stays organized. If you feel like you can’t get your baby bottles or pump parts dry enough, grab one today.
