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
- Comf