The 10 Best Sponge Holders

Editor's Notes

December 09, 2020:

Selecting the right sponge holder will depend a great deal on your kitchen's layout. If you have the space, your best bet is probably a model that can sit beside or behind the sink and well away from any standing water. Our favorite is the Apsan Kitchen Sink Caddy, which has a relatively slim profile but still holds a fair amount of stuff, with three elevated crossbars for hanging towels up to dry. It also has a mostly-open base which offers great drainage, and a large removable reservoir to collect drips. The ODesign Kitchen Caddy is even bigger, and those whose kitchen can accommodate it will find that it holds a robust arsenal of cleaning supplies. However, its rack is too short to hold full-sized dish towels; it's better suited to smaller rags or microfiber cleaning cloths.

If you don't have much room to spare on your countertop, then you may need something that can hang right inside your sink, like the Simplehuman KT1116, which has a dedicated pocket for long-handled pot scrubbers, and two sponge compartments that are elevated for drainage. The Unikon FRSBL is another great choice, thanks to a minimalist design with no crannies where moisture could build up. There's also the Gecko-Loc SHB-001, which can only hold one sponge but features an extra-strength suction cup, or the unobtrusive and modular Nexcurio NEXR-ASH.

We removed several items due to concerns about their tendency to retain water and grow mold. The mDesign Modern Farmhouse was sturdy and compact, but had a solid base with no drainage at all. We also felt the Umbra Double was redundant with the Eunion Plastic Saddle - the same basic style, with smaller perforations and less storage space. And we replaced the Good to Good Kitchen Organizer with the Niuhom 100, since the latter had a handy series of angled channels to let moisture run off into the sink.

We've reviewed a number of other useful tools for keeping your kitchen dry and tidy, such as dish racks and drying mats. Or, if you're looking for something to organize your bathroom, take a look at these shower caddies and soap dishes.

September 25, 2019:

It may not seem like a big deal, but having a dedicated spot to keep your dishwashing supplies can make kitchen cleanup much less of a hassle. A sponge holder helps to keep your sink area organized, and many offer drainage holes and ventilation so that sponges dry faster.

If you're just looking for something simple, the Oxo Good Grips definitely fits the bill. It holds two sponges, scrubbers, or steel wool pads, and its open sides and drainage holes help them to dry quickly. Plus, at just over four inches wide, it won't take up much counter space. The Good to Good Kitchen Organizer is a 10-inch-long silicone tray that can accommodate soaps, brushes, and other accessories. Its tall sides keep your countertops dry, but they also hold in a lot of water, which means soap scum builds up quickly. The Eunion Plastic Saddle and Umbra Double both hang over sink dividers, allowing you to always keep two sponges or scrubbers close at hand. While they are inexpensive, these "saddle" style holders tend to have issues draining properly due to their rounded bottoms, so you'll need to clean them often to prevent mold from growing.

In addition to sponges, the Simplehuman Brushed Steel can accommodate long-handled cleaning brushes, thanks to its pop-out silicone bottom. Its interior is specifically designed to increase airflow and reduce drying time to keep mold and bacteria away. The ODesign Kitchen Caddy has an extra-large capacity, with a built-in basket for brushes, an area for soaps and sponges, plus a drying rack for a washcloth. It has a drip tray underneath to catch excess water, which can be removed for easy cleaning.