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Best Plastic Colander: BPA-Free Strainer Picks for 2026

Plastic colanders are evaluated by BPA-free certification, hole size, stability and price.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Cuisinart 5-Quart Colander at $14 is the best plastic colander for most home cooks: the BPA-free polypropylene construction is dishwasher-safe, the 5-quart capacity drains a full pound of pasta without overflow and the flat base keeps the colander stable on the counter or in the sink.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Plastic colanders are evaluated by BPA-free certification, hole size, capacity, stability and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best budget plastic colander
Progressive International Progressive International Plastic Colander

Progressive International Plastic Colander

Brand: Progressive International

Best for

Home cooks that want a basic plastic colander at the lowest price for occasional pasta draining, where Progressive International provides a BPA-free plastic colander at a price point that makes it a no-regret purchase for light use.

Skip if

Long-term durability under daily use is needed. Progressive at $12 uses thinner plastic construction that may crack or warp under heavy frequent use. For a more durable plastic colander, KitchenAid at $18 or Cuisinart at $14 use thicker-wall construction.

Check price on Amazon

Progressive International BPA-free plastic colander. 5-quart capacity with handles. Top-rack dishwasher safe. Budget option for occasional pasta and vegetable draining.

Progressive International is a US kitchenware brand.

At $12, Progressive International is the best value budget plastic colander in this guide.

What buyers say

Home cooks that want a basic plastic colander at the lowest price for occasional pasta draining say Progressive International Plastic Colander does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where long-term durability under daily use is needed say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Progressive International Plastic Colander
MaterialBPA-free plastic
Capacity5 quart
Dishwasher-safeYes (top rack)
HandlesYes
Price$12

Specs from Progressive International plastic colander BPA-free 5 quart handles kitchen home pasta Amazon search

02
Best mid-range plastic colander
Cuisinart Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander

Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander

Brand: Cuisinart

Best for

Home cooks that want a plastic colander with thicker construction than budget models for regular daily use, where Cuisinart's colander uses heavier polypropylene and a more stable flat base that does not wobble in the sink during draining.

Skip if

Stainless construction that resists odor absorption is needed. Cuisinart plastic at $14 will absorb garlic and onion odors over time from repeated use. For a colander that stays odor-free, RSVP stainless at $22 provides metal construction.

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Cuisinart 5-quart plastic colander in BPA-free polypropylene. Flat stable base. Dishwasher safe. Heavier construction than budget plastic options.

Cuisinart is a US kitchen appliance and cookware brand.

At $14, Cuisinart is the best value mid-range plastic colander in this guide.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of home cooks that want a plastic colander with thicker construction than budget models for regular daily use report Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when stainless construction that resists odor absorption is needed.

Specifications

Specifications for Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander
MaterialBPA-free polypropylene
Capacity5 quart
Dishwasher-safeYes
BaseStable flat bottom
Price$14

Specs from Cuisinart 5 quart plastic colander BPA-free handles flat base kitchen home pasta Amazon search

03
Best durable plastic colander
KitchenAid KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander

KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander

Brand: KitchenAid

Best for

Home cooks that want the most durable plastic colander construction from an established kitchen brand, where KitchenAid uses thick-wall plastic that resists cracking under frequent use and comes from a brand with widespread replacement availability.

Skip if

Budget is under $15. KitchenAid at $18 costs $4 more than Cuisinart for thicker plastic construction. For capable plastic draining at lower cost, Cuisinart at $14 provides similar capacity and stability.

Check price on Amazon

KitchenAid Classic plastic colander in BPA-free plastic. 5-quart capacity. Thick-wall construction. Dishwasher safe. KitchenAid brand warranty.

KitchenAid is a US kitchen appliance and cookware brand.

At $18, KitchenAid is the best value durable plastic colander in this guide.

What buyers say

Buyers say KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is home cooks that want the most durable plastic colander construction from an established kitchen brand, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when budget is under $15.

Specifications

Specifications for KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander
MaterialBPA-free plastic
Capacity5 quart
Dishwasher-safeYes
Brand backingKitchenAid warranty
Price$18

Specs from KitchenAid classic plastic colander 5 quart BPA-free handles kitchen home pasta drain Amazon search

04
Best OXO plastic colander
OXO OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander

OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander

Brand: OXO

Best for

Home cooks that want a plastic colander with OXO's ergonomic soft-grip handles for comfortable carrying of a full hot colander, where OXO Good Grips provides the same soft-grip handle design as their stainless version in a lighter, lower-cost plastic body.

Skip if

Budget is under $18. OXO plastic at $22 costs $4 to $10 more than other plastic colanders for the ergonomic handles. For plastic colander drainage at lower cost without ergonomic handles, KitchenAid at $18 or Cuisinart at $14 provide comparable capacity.

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OXO Good Grips plastic colander in BPA-free plastic with soft-grip handles. 5-quart capacity. Most comfortable handle grip of any plastic colander in this guide.

OXO is a US kitchen tools brand.

At $22, OXO Good Grips is the best value ergonomic plastic colander in this guide.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when budget is under $18, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For home cooks that want a plastic colander with OXO's ergonomic soft-grip handles for comfortable carrying of a full hot colander, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander
MaterialBPA-free plastic
Capacity5 quart
HandlesOXO soft-grip
Dishwasher-safeYes
Price$22

Specs from OXO Good Grips plastic colander 5 quart soft grip handles BPA-free kitchen home Amazon search

Plastic colander comparison

Product Material Capacity Price
Progressive International BPA-free plastic 5 qt $12
Cuisinart BPA-free polypropylene 5 qt $14
KitchenAid BPA-free plastic 5 qt $18
OXO Good Grips BPA-free plastic 5 qt $22

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Progressive International Progressive International Plastic Colander
Progressive International Plastic Colander
Cuisinart Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander
Cuisinart 5-Quart Plastic Colander
KitchenAid KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander
KitchenAid Classic Plastic Colander
OXO OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander
OXO Good Grips Plastic Colander
Our verdictBest budget plastic colanderBest mid-range plastic colanderBest durable plastic colanderBest OXO plastic colander
MaterialBPA-free plasticBPA-free polypropyleneBPA-free plasticBPA-free plastic
Capacity5 quart5 quart5 quart5 quart
Dishwasher-safeYes (top rack)YesYesYes
HandlesYesNot listedNot listedOXO soft-grip
Price$12$14$18$22
BaseNot listedStable flat bottomNot listedNot listed
Brand backingNot listedNot listedKitchenAid warrantyNot listed
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Are plastic colanders safe for hot water and pasta?

BPA-free plastic colanders are designed for contact with boiling water and hot cooked pasta. The polypropylene and nylon used in quality plastic colanders (like those from KitchenAid, OXO and Cuisinart) have heat ratings of 120°C to 140°C (248°F to 284°F), well above boiling water at 100°C (212°F). Pouring boiling pasta water through a BPA-free plastic colander is safe: the plastic does not melt, deform or leach chemicals at boiling water temperatures. The risk with plastic colanders is from oven use and direct flame contact: most plastic colanders cannot be used inside an oven or on a stovetop burner. For oven use, a stainless steel colander is necessary. The BPA-free designation is important: older plastic colanders made before BPA (bisphenol A) was identified as a health concern used it as a hardener. Current colanders from major kitchen brands specify BPA-free; check the product listing before purchasing any plastic colander.

Do plastic colanders stain?

Plastic colanders stain more readily than stainless steel, particularly from tomato sauce, turmeric, curry and berries. The porous microstructure of plastic allows pigment molecules to penetrate the surface and bond to the material permanently. Regular dish soap and water washing removes fresh staining (less than 24 hours old), but dried or baked-on staining from tomato sauce or curry can be permanent on white or light-colored plastic. To minimize staining: rinse immediately after use, especially after tomato-based pasta sauces. For existing staining: a paste of baking soda and water left on the stained area for 30 minutes, then scrubbed with a soft brush, can reduce but not fully remove deep staining. Soaking in a solution of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per cup of water for 30 minutes also helps with tomato and berry stains. For a colander used frequently with tomato-based dishes, stainless steel is a better choice because it does not stain.

Can a plastic colander go in the dishwasher?

Most BPA-free plastic colanders from major brands (KitchenAid, OXO, Cuisinart) are dishwasher-safe on the top rack. The top rack is specified because the bottom rack in most dishwashers is closer to the heating element, which produces temperatures above 70°C (158°F) during the drying cycle. This temperature is below the heat rating of quality plastic colanders, but sustained high heat exposure accelerates plastic degradation over time. Top rack placement keeps the plastic further from the heating element and extends the colander's lifespan. Some budget plastic colanders (especially thin-walled models) are marked hand wash only: check the product description before putting any plastic colander in the dishwasher. Signs that a plastic colander is not dishwasher-safe: visible warping, cloudiness or brittleness after dishwasher use. Once a plastic colander shows these signs, replace it.

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