The Best Sink Strainer of 2024

Buyer's Guide: Sink Strainers

Everyone wants a clean kitchen, leading many to invest in the best dish-drying racks and dishcloths. But one area in the kitchen that’s often overlooked is the sink itself. We use the sink on a daily basis to keep our kitchenware clean, but it often leads to particle buildup and clogged kitchen drains. High-quality sink strainers are the solution to that! We understand that selecting the best sink strainer is not a simple task. So don’t worry; we’ve covered most of the factors to consider when purchasing sink strainers in this buying guide. In addition, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about these kitchen accessories.

Sink Strainers, Explained

A kitchen sink strainer is an apparatus that sits in the drain of a kitchen sink and prevents food particles and other types of debris from entering the plumbing system. It is usually made of metal or plastic, but it can also be made from other materials such as stainless steel, copper, or zinc. Kitchen sink strainers are typically inserted into a hole in the bottom of a sink drilled for this purpose.

Types of Sink Strainers

Sink strainers come in different forms, but they all serve the same function: screening out large particles and keeping your kitchen drainage system clear.

Back nut strainer

The back nut strainer, as the name implies, is attached to a back nut, making it simple to install and maintain. You can also easily turn it on both sides to get rid of any stuck debris.

Flange strainer

Because it is one of the most efficient sink filters available, the flange strainer is a premium strainer type. In addition to debris, this model can also stop water; simply press a nut that activates an undercover rubber rim. 

Stopper strainer

Like the flange strainer, the stopper strainer also features a rubber rim at the bottom for stopping water. It is also pretty easy to install and highly durable. 

Drain strainer

The drain strainer is highly selective for foreign objects that pass through it, as it features very tiny holes. So it is safe to say that this filter type is your best bet to avoid even the slightest clogging occurrence. 

Double cup strainer 

The double cup strainer offers the same level of anti-clogging as drain strainers. In addition, it features a back nut and two strainer cups that make it pretty difficult for any large debris to pass through. And thanks to its ergonomic design, this model is pretty easy to install, adjust, and clean. 

Level strainer

This is one of the simplest strainers you’ll come across. It uses no special mechanisms to keep debris out of kitchen drainage systems – all it uses is a simple rubber sieve. 

Buying Sink Strainers: Factors to Consider 

Sink strainers are similar to machine tools in that you need to get the right one for them to work properly. A few factors will influence your purchasing decisions, and we’ll go over a few of them below:

Material

Sink strainers made of stainless steel, silver, or plastic are typically the best. The most common are stainless steel, followed by plastic. You can choose either of these sink strain materials because they are anti-rust and simple to clean. Plastic sink filters are easier to clean than metal units and have no rusting potential. They are also less likely to cause damage to porcelain or metal sinks during installation or cleaning.

If you prefer stainless steel sink strainers but are concerned about sink damage, consider sink strainers with built-in sink protectors. This feature is usually made of silicone, and its main purpose is to keep stainless steel strainers from scratching sinks.

Size

Sink strainers and sinkholes come in a variety of sizes. So, before purchasing a basket strainer, measure the diameter of your sinkhole and select a sink strainer that complements it. It is critical to select appropriate sink strainers to prevent solid materials from leaking into your drainage system.

Mesh or porous strainer

Choosing between either of these strainer options boils down to individual preference. Mesh strainers feature large numbers of tiny holes, making them highly efficient in keeping food particles from clogging drainage pipes. However, you should know that this makes them very difficult to clean. 

On the other hand, Porous strainers feature larger holes that keep out relatively large chunks of food particles but are way easier to clean. 

Ease of cleaning

Nobody wants to sweat and waste time washing a basket sink strainer, which is why dishwasher-compatible models are available. However, even if you can’t afford such models, choose sink filters that are simple to clean.

The size of the holes on an easy-to-clean strainer makes it easy to identify. A general rule of thumb is that cleaning is more difficult when the holes are small, and cleaning is easier when the holes are large.

Stopper function

Most sink strainers allow water to flow through them, which is ideal for keeping the sink clean. Others, however, have stopper functions that prevent water from passing through. If you prefer to soak your dishes and utensils in the sink before washing, this feature will come in handy.

Ease of installation

Why choose sink strainers that require professional installation when there are models you could install with your eyes closed? If you want to save money on plumbing bills or install the strainer quickly, choose models with simple installation procedures.

Overflow attachments

You should probably get a strainer with overflow attachments if you have a double sink or a half-bowl. This feature prevents flooding by redirecting overflowing water back into the drainpipe and speeding up the draining process. Installing strainers with overflow attachments for double sinks or half bowls is preferable to adding the attachments later due to potential piping issues.

Availability of other components

Extra screws, baskets, strainer covers, strainer bodies, rubber washers, locknuts, and other accessories are frequently included with the best sink strainers. So make sure that your sink strainer package includes most of them before paying for it. Aside from the financial implications of purchasing these components separately, you may also have difficulty finding compatible ones.