OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack Review (2026)
The OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack is designed for people who want the capacity of a conventional countertop drainer without permanently surrendering that counter space. Model 1473480 combines a fold-down plate section, dedicated cup supports, removable utensil holders, folding legs and a drain spout. The clever part is that most of those components collapse inward when the washing-up is finished. Research across OXO’s specifications and multiple hands-on dish-rack tests shows a genuinely versatile design, although its hinges, molded corners and folding mechanisms make cleaning less effortless than on simpler racks.
+Biggest Strength: A 19.4-inch rack folds to only 3.875 inches deep for storage.
−Biggest Weakness: Folding joints and molded recesses create more areas to clean.
Quick Overview and Specifications
| Specification | OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack |
|---|---|
| Model | 1473480 |
| Open dimensions | 19.4 × 15.5 × 5.125 inches |
| Closed dimensions | 19.4 × 12.5 × 3.875 inches |
| Materials | Stainless steel with molded plastic components |
| Drainage | Fold-out legs plus opening drain spout |
| Dish organization | Folding plate rack, cup supports and divided utensil holders |
| Best use | Everyday countertop drying with occasional compact storage |
The open measurements put the OXO within the normal medium/full-size countertop category. Before ordering, it is worth following a proper dish rack dimensions guide, because the full 15.5-inch depth matters while the rack is operating even though it becomes considerably slimmer when folded.
First Impressions
This does not behave like a flimsy collapsible rack. The base feels substantial, while the tall center dividers are intended to stabilize plates and bowls. Independent testers have successfully loaded heavier dinnerware and platters without the dividers simply giving way. When you need room for a mixing bowl, saucepan or larger cookware, that center plate section folds flat instead of forcing every item into predetermined slots.
The side cup area keeps mugs and glasses inside the rack’s footprint so drips stay over the base. Removable divided utensil containers are another thoughtful detail, particularly when unloading clean flatware. These are exactly the kinds of functional details covered in this guide to what makes a good dish rack.
Performance and Feel
The OXO’s strongest everyday feature is configurability. With the plate supports upright, dinner plates and bowls remain separated for airflow. Fold them down and the center becomes a broad platform for pans, mixing bowls and awkward pieces that do not cooperate with narrow wire slots.
Food Network has highlighted this model for smaller households because it provides many of the functions of a large rack on a more manageable scale. Apartment Therapy has also repeatedly singled it out as a collapsible option. The limitation is capacity: people regularly hand-washing several pans plus a full family dinner service may find a permanently large rack more convenient.
Drainage and Drying Efficiency
Drainage is more important here than cosmetic design. The rear legs fold out to raise the rack, while the spout opens toward the sink so runoff does not simply sit underneath the dishes. Cups remain inside the rack rather than hanging beyond its edge, reducing countertop drips.
The system is clever but not flawless. Some independent testing has found simpler or swiveling drainage systems more efficient, and any rack still needs correct positioning so water actually travels toward the sink. Keeping the base free of residue matters too; this guide explains how to keep a dish drying rack sanitary when it lives beside a wet sink every day.
Durability
Durability results are encouraging but slightly mixed. TechGearLab rated the OXO foldaway construction highly during hands-on durability testing, while Bob Vila praised its sturdy build and stability with heavier dishes. However, a food editor cited by Epicurious reported that folding hinges on a previously used unit did not hold up well under demanding test-kitchen use.
Bon Appétit’s more recent testing also criticized the rigid plastic folding components and the number of crevices that need cleaning. That does not make the design fragile, but it suggests the moving parts deserve more care than a basic fixed wire rack.
Value for Money
OXO currently positions this model around the low-$50 range through its own store, making it significantly more expensive than a basic wire drainer but below many premium steel-frame systems. The extra money pays primarily for the folding architecture, configurable center section, dedicated cup area and direct drainage.
If you never intend to fold the rack, a cheaper fixed model could offer better value. If reclaiming the counter after washing matters every day, the storage mechanism becomes much easier to justify. Our broader guide to the best kitchen dish rack styles explains how compact, premium and high-capacity layouts differ.
OXO vs Similar Dish Racks
| Model | Key Difference | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Foldaway | 19.4 × 15.5 inches open; folding plate rack and compact 3.875-inch closed depth | Buyers wanting storage flexibility |
| KitchenAid Compact | About 16 × 12.6 × 6.2 inches; rated for up to 9 plates and 5 cups; fixed design | Smaller permanent countertop setup |
| simplehuman Steel Frame | Larger premium steel design with 360-degree swivel drainage and anti-residue tray | Heavy use and buyers prioritizing drainage |
The KitchenAid occupies less operating space but cannot disappear in the same way. Simplehuman offers a more sophisticated drainage system and greater premium feel, but it occupies more room and typically costs considerably more. OXO’s niche is the middle ground: useful full-size organization that can still be folded away.
Pros and Cons
- Folds to only 3.875 inches deep
- Plate rack converts into cookware space
- Direct-to-sink drainage spout
- Dedicated cup and utensil areas
- Stable support for plates and bowls
- More crevices than simple wire racks
- Folding mechanisms require occasional attention
- Not ideal for very large family loads
- Costs more than basic fixed drainers
Who Should Buy This?
Choose the OXO if you hand-wash a moderate daily load but want the countertop back afterward. It is particularly logical for apartments, smaller kitchens and households that alternate between plates and bulky cookware. Skip it if maximum capacity is more important than storage, or if you want a rack with the fewest possible seams and moving parts to scrub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the OXO Foldaway Dish Rack actually fold flat?
It becomes substantially flatter rather than completely flat. OXO lists a closed depth of 3.875 inches versus 15.5 inches when fully open.
Can it hold pots and pans?
Yes. The center plate support folds down specifically to create space for larger bowls, pots and cookware.
Does it drain directly into the sink?
Yes. Folding out the legs raises the rack and allows the opening spout to direct runoff toward the sink when positioned correctly.
Is it suitable for wine glasses?
The side supports are designed for cups, mugs and glasses, including delicate glassware, while keeping dripping water within the rack.
Is the OXO Foldaway Dish Rack easy to clean?
The removable utensil holders simplify part of the job, but independent reviewers have noted that hinges and molded recesses take more effort to clean than simpler open-wire designs.
Is it good for a small kitchen?
Yes, especially when storage matters. Its operating footprint is still medium-sized, so measure first, but the ability to reduce the depth to 3.875 inches is its major small-kitchen advantage.
Final Verdict
The OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack succeeds because its folding feature does not eliminate the organization expected from a traditional drainer. You still get stable plate support, space for glasses and utensils, cookware flexibility and direct sink drainage. Its main compromise is maintenance: more hinges, molded sections and moving pieces mean more cleaning than with a basic fixed rack.
For a small or medium household that genuinely plans to fold and store its rack, the design earns its premium. For large-volume washing or buyers who leave a rack permanently beside the sink, a larger fixed steel model may make more sense. Overall, the OXO earns 8.4/10 for combining practical everyday capacity with unusually useful storage flexibility.
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