For any serious cook, a colander is a must-have kitchen utensil. From washing fruits and vegetables to draining noodles, they simply make life easier. The problem is they can take up a lot of storage space.
That is where a collapsing colander comes in handy. They fold in on themselves and take up only a fraction of the space a regular colander requires.
Read on if you’re in the market for a new collapsing colander!
Below, we discuss our picks for the top 12 best options for collapsible colanders.
Quick Summary
Best 12 Collapsible Colanders
QiMH Over The Sink Collapsible Colander
This over-the-sink unit is our top pick due to its high-quality and eco-friendly design, as well as its large capacity. The colander has multiple functions, such as by hand and on-the-counter usage.
This unit weighs just 1.19lbs. It measures 15.5in, by 10.25in, by 4.75in and is available in green, blue, teal, orange, and red.
The colander comes with a satisfaction guarantee as well as being backed by customer service with a good reputation.
Pros
- 6-quart capacity
- Lightweight but sturdy
- Multi-use functions
- Environmentally friendly, non-toxic silicone
- Comfortable handles
- Good customer service reputation
Cons
- Isn’t part of a set
- It may not be the perfect size for you and your kitchen
Best for:
Families who eat noodles, beans, veggies, and fresh fruit on the regular.
Comfify Collapsible Kitchen Colander – Over the Sink Kitchen
The next unit on our list is this 6-quart colander from Comfify, a very similar choice to our number one pick. The Comfify unit is also multi-function, working over a basin, on the counter, and by hand.
The colander is heat-resistant silicone and comes in blue, green, and red options. The colanders have grey handles regardless of which color you pick, but it’s nice to have a choice.
The unit measures 17-in. wide but extends up to 26-in. if you have the space. That means it fits on sinks from small to large.
Pros
- Great for noodles, fruit, canned food, and more
- Versatile enough for a kitchen, RV, or hotel room
- Large capacity
- Adjustable design
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Isn’t part of a set
- It may not be the right size for your straining needs
Best for:
Families, as well as RVers, campers, and those who travel regularly.
Zulay Over The Sink Collapsible Colander Strainer
The third item on our list is this heavy-duty Zulay over-the-sink strainer. It breaks down quickly, is dishwasher-friendly, and is easy to tuck away when not in use.
The unit fits well to small, medium, and large sinks, as its handles extend from 15-in. wide to a maximum width of almost 24-in.
This Zulay unit is backed by the No Hassle Zulay Guarantee as well as Zulay customer service.
Pros
- Made from safe and durable silicone
- 6-quart capacity
- Convenient over-the-basin design
- Available in red, green, and teal
Cons
- Red units aren’t always in stock (they sell out fast)
- It isn’t part of a set
Best for:
Families, couples, RVers, campers, and those who regularly travel and stay in hotels.
Huanlemai 3-Packs Blue Silicone Kitchen Colander Set
The Huanlemai 3-Pack of silicone colander that collapses is one of the best deals on the market for those looking for the best collapsible colanders in a set.
This pack comes with three colanders; all of them are collapsible. There are two round strainers; one is 2-quarts, the other is 4-quarts. The large rectangular over-the-basin strainer has a 6-quart capacity.
The set collapses down small and thin enough to fit in most kitchen drawers. The colanders consist of food-safe silicone that is dishwasher-friendly as well.
Last but not least, these units are backed by a Quality Guarantee and well-rated customer service.
Pros
- 3-Pack (small, medium, and large)
- It consists of different shaped colanders
- High-end silicone
- Great customer service and guarantee
- Ranges from 2 quarts to 6 quarts
Cons
- Is part of a set (includes three colanders)
- Made by a brand, you may not be familiar with
Best for:
Families and couples who make a wide variety of dishes and different types of food and RVers looking for a full colander set.
Nanateer Silicone Collapsible Colander Set
The Nanateer Silicone Collapsible Colanders includes two units, both 8-in. diameter. One of the strainers features an over-the-sink design; the other sports a handle like a saucepan.
They fit easily in drawers, cabinets, and dishwashers. Which, by the way, they are made from dishwasher-safe, food-grade, and heat-resistant silicone.
The units can tolerate heats of up to 230°F. That means they are perfect for straining steamed veggies in addition to fruit, canned foods, and more.
Pros
- Pack of two
- Versatile over-the-basin and hand-held designs
- Easy to use, clean, and doesn’t take up much space
- hands-free design
- Made with safe food-grade silicone
- Work well for straining a diverse range of things
Cons
- It may not be the right size
- For a set of two, one colander could be a different size
Best for:
RVers, day-hikers, and campers looking for lightweight cooking gear. It is also suitable for families and couples who cook a lot.
QiMH Collapsible Colander and Strainer
The next unit up on our list of picks for the best collapsing colanders currently available is another one from QiMH. The strainer holds 5 quarts, which is a 1.25-gallon capacity.
The unit is designed to fold down easily for storage in any kitchen drawer, rack, or cabinet. The colanders are compact and flexible, quickly collapsing from 5.1 inches to just over 1.5 inches.
These colanders are heavy-duty silicone and work well to drain noodles, fruit, veggies, beans, leafy greens, and more.
They are available in green, azure, red, red bean, and yellow!
Pros
- Large 5-quart/1.25-gallon capacity
- Heavy-duty collapsible design
- Round fold-down strainer
- Works well for straining nearly anything
- Non-slip base
- Made by a major kitchenware manufacturer
Cons
- It may be too large
- Isn’t part of a set
Best for:
Families and couples who like to fix steamed veggies, noodles, strain fruits, canned food, and more.
AGECASH A 2PC Space-Saver Silicone Strainer Colander Set
The Agecash A 2-piece space-saving strainers are made of food-grade and dishwasher-safe silicone. The colanders feature a round 2-quart saucepan-like design with a handle, they’re available in green or red.
The colanders are heat resistant to temperatures up to 212°F, so it is ideal for everything from straining pasta and noodles to steamed veggies and draining liquid from canned food.
These units are also just as great for camping and RVing as keeping in your kitchen drawer. Wherever you keep them, they don’t take up much storage space.
Pros
- Food-grade BPA-free silicone materials
- Easy to clean
- It fits practically anywhere you’d want to store it
- Available in two colors
- Resistant to heat, including the handles
Cons
- Both units in this set are the same size (2-quarts)
- It may not be large enough for your kitchen needs
Best for:
These colanders are perfect for backpackers, campers, hikers, and RVers, though they work just fine in the kitchen.
QiMH Collapsible Colander and Strainer Set of 3
The third product from QiMH to appear on our list, and our number 8 pick for one of the best collapsible colanders on the market, is this colander and strainer set of 3.
Each colander is a different size, ranging from 4-quarts to 0.5-gallon and 1-gallons.
The set is machine washable, heat resistant, and has ergonomic plastic handles. They work perfectly to drain noodles and other hot foods and wash fruit.
The set features a design that allows them to save space in your kitchen, RV, or backpack. Unlike a regular plastic colander or metal colander, this entire set of 3 colanders breaks down to a height/thickness of just a couple of inches.
Pros
- Made from durable easy to clean materials
- Strong and good quality ergonomic handles
- Perfect for rinsing and straining both hot food and cold food
- Foldable/collapsible design
- Non-slip base
- Higher-quality and safer than many old plastic colanders
- Includes 3 individual colanders, all different sizes
Cons
- It is an entire set of colanders (you may only want or need 1, or 2, not 3)
- Cost more than most single colanders
Best for:
Families, couples, and chefs fix a wide variety of noodles and other types of food, including rinsing lots of produce.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Collapsible Colander
This OXO colander with collapsing design is another great choice. It isn’t too big, and it isn’t too small. If you fix food for a couple, it’s perfect for most meals and food prep jobs.
The colander is grey and green, flexible, and made from heavy-duty silicone.
One of the unique features of this particular colander is its super-solid silicone grips, hence the name “Good Grips.” It’s also heat resistant to temperatures of approximately 200°F.
Pros
- 3.5-quart round ergonomic design
- Flexible and machine washable
- Comfortable handles
- Better grips than most colanders on the market
- Made from heavy-duty materials
- Allows hands-free use
- Affordable price for the quality of the product
Cons
- Isn’t part of a set
- It may not be quite large enough for your family-sized portions and straining needs.
Best for:
Families, couples, solo cooks, chefs, and RVers have a wide variety of cooking and straining needs.
PROGRESS INT – Collapsible Mini Colander – 4 Pack
This 4-pack of mini colanders are some of the heaviest-duty mini strainers on the market. They are also lightweight and colorful. The set includes a red, green, blue, and yellow colander.
These colanders are much smaller than standard strainers, having only a 3-cup capacity.
Each strainer measures 8-in. wide and 5.63-inches tall when fully opened. When the units are collapsed, they measure just 1-in. tall, saving loads of space in the cabinets. They’ll even fit in a kitchen drawer or an RV, let alone at home.
Pros
- Includes 4 individual miniature colanders
- Lightweight design
- 3-cup capacity, enough for a single person/serving
- Only 1-in. tall when stored away
- It comes in 4 bright colors
Cons
- Aren’t as heavy-duty as larger, more expensive strainers
- Smaller capacity than most small colanders
Best for:
These miniature collapsible colanders work well in the kitchen but are perfect for solo cooking, camping, hiking, and RVing.
AL FORSAN Collapsible Colander – 2 Pack
The Al Forsan collapsible colanders come in a pack of 2, both with a 5-quart capacity. They are available in either pink and grey or sea blue and grey color schemes.
The strainers are made with safe food-safe silicone materials that are BPA-free and lightweight. They also feature easy-to-grip built-in ergonomic handles, making them extra-reliable.
The colanders are heat resistant with temperatures of up to approximately 180°F. If you have any issues, the customer service is available 24hrs day and night and has a good reputation.
Pros
- Large 5-quart design
- Includes 2 individual colanders
- Collapsible compact design
- Made from safe, durable material
- Ergonomic design
- Easy hands-free use
Cons
- It belongs to a set, but both colanders are the same size
- Fairly large if you prefer a smaller colander
Best for:
Families, couples, chefs, and RVers who prepare lots of pasta, beans, steamed veggies, and rinse a lot of produce.
BTpantum Collapsible Strainer Colander Over The Sink Strainer
The last item on our list of the best collapsible strainers is this over-the-basin colander from BTpantum. The unit has a 6-quart capacity and a durable design with easy-to-grip handles that are heavy-duty.
The colander is made with non-toxic silicone that is BPA-free. It’s also heat resistant up to 230°F. That means it’s perfect for straining pasta and hot food.
These colanders are available in blue and grey, green and grey, or red and grey. They are multi-purpose, for rinsing produce like fruits and mushrooms and steamed veggies, pasta, beans, and other foods.
Pros
- Large 6-quart design
- BPA-free food-grade silicone
- Heat resistant up to 230°F
- Comfortable handles
- Works for a wide variety of purposes
- Includes a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
- It may be a larger size colander than you need in your kitchen
- It does not come with more than one strainer
Best for:
Great for most kitchens(fits in small, medium, and large sinks), including in RVs.
What To Consider Before Buying a Collapsible Colander
Now that we’ve had a chance to discuss our picks for the top dozen collapsible colanders currently available on the market, it’s time to go over the most significant factors to consider before choosing the best collapsible colanders for your kitchen:
Materials
The type and quality of materials used in the construction of collapsible colanders are one of the first aspects you should look at while shopping for the right collapsible colanders for your kitchen.
Unlike traditional colanders made of stainless steel and aluminum, the best collapsible colanders are made out of silicone and various types of plastics.
Ease of Use and Space Saving Capabilities
The overall level of how easy or hard it is to use your collapsible colanders is a priority consideration. There is no use in investing in anything less than the best plastic colander for you.
That means it needs to fit all your needs, including being easy for you to use. It doesn’t do you any good to have a nice-sized colander if awkward for you to use it.
Handles
The handles of your collapsible colanders are another of the most important features. That’s because they need to provide you a firm grip while pouring steaming hot water and pasta or food.
Some collapsible colanders even come with handles that hold themselves on the basin.
In any case, you want to make sure that those handles are safe and sturdy(that way, you can avoid spills and accidental burns).
Size
The size of your colander is important, especially if you cook using different pot sizes.
If you make a lot of beans or steams veggies, there is a size for that; likewise, if you want enough pasta for a small army, there is a size for that.
Further, collapsible colanders are also available in miniature sizes for those small dishes or one-person servings of beans, veggies, or pasta.
Storage
Seeing as your new colander is going to be collapsible, it’s safe to say it won’t take up much storage space. But, some collapsing colanders are easier to store than others.
For example, some 2 and 3-piece collapsing colanders store one within another, making storage even more convenient.
Larger colanders, regardless of folding, may take up more space (even if it is less space than a standard colander).
Easy to Care For
Let’s be honest; if something is too difficult to care for, we are less likely to use it. A plastic colander or one that is made of silicone that requires hand washing or that tends to clog and hold food particles is a pain and will likely be consigned to the back of a cabinet or drawer somewhere.
Cost and Warranty
The cost and warranty of any kitchen equipment, including a plastic colander, is another crucial consideration before making a purchasing decision.
Depending on the quality and cost, the product should come with a money-back guarantee or replacement warranty.
A Final Word About the Best Collapsible Colander
Choosing the best colander that collapses and can be stored away easily doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. Hopefully, with all of the great choices shared above, you already have a better idea of what sort of collapsing colander is best for you and your kitchen!
Our pick for the best overall collapsing colander is the Qimh Over The Sink Collapsible Colander.
That said, for RVers and backpackers, the QiMH Collapsible Colander Set of 3 is a better choice.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
