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A hard-working and affordable dish brush is an essential addition to the kitchen. If you don’t have a regular or portable dishwasher or just need to wash pots and pans by hand, the best dish brush can help you get the job done—without hurting your dishes or your hands. Dish brushes come in a variety of styles and sizes, and the most suitable one for your kitchen depends on your preference and the types of dishes used.
When washing dishes, it’s important to have a dish brush that allows you to comfortably clean off food, oil, and burnt bits without damaging your dishes. The most effective options often contain a built-in scraper for stuck-on messes. The best dish brushes have sturdy and ergonomic handles, with some featuring a silicone or rubber element for an extra solid grip. Consider whether you would prefer a wood, plastic, or metal handle.
Having high-quality bristles is essential, but they shouldn’t be so tough that they scratch your favorite straws or water bottles. There are effective and eco-friendly options for bristles, such as ones containing coconut fiber, bamboo, or recycled plastic. The most durable options are plastic, nylon, or polyester bristles. Some dish brushes are designed with a combination of gentle and soft bristles for versatility.
Cleanliness is another factor to keep in mind. Dish brushes and sponges can accumulate bacteria and mold, so they should be left to air dry. Many dish brushes come with a hanging loop for this purpose. For the most convenient cleaning option, opt for a dishwasher-safe brush.
Our Top Picks
With those shopping considerations in mind, the following picks are among the best dish brushes available in their respective categories.
Best Overall
OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Brush
Enjoy the efficiency of soap dispensing, cleaning, and scrubbing using only one tool. This 3-in-1 OXO brush dispenses dish soap at the touch of a button. The button and soft handle are nonslip, so you won’t have any trouble using this brush even when your hands are wet. Sturdy nylon bristles and a built-in scraper are useful for tougher cleaning jobs. Both the bristles and scraper are safe to use on nonstick pots and pans.
The handle easily unscrews to refill the soap container. Once you’re done with the OXO brush, hang it to dry with the handle loop. For added convenience, the head is replaceable, meaning you won’t have to replace the whole brush when just the head wears out. Given its versatile and user-friendly design, this OXO tool is a winner.
Best Bang for the Buck
Carlisle Ergonomic Angled Dish/Sink Brush
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and durable dish brush, this ergonomic model is hard to beat. It contains rigid polyester bristles and a built-in scraper to remove food. The bristles are angled for better access to the corners of dishes, and a comfortable, slip-resistant handle makes cleaning even easier. The narrow head and long handle are ideal for cleaning dishes that would be tricky to clean with a bulky brush.
The bristles on this dish brush will retain their shape over time while resisting damage from acidic or oily foods. With a slotted handle, you can easily hang this brush to dry when not in use. Despite its low price, this dish brush compares to more expensive models in terms of durability and ergonomic design. It’s available as a single brush and in packs of two, three, or four.
Best Multi-Pack
Casabella Loop 3-Piece Dish Brush Set
This affordable 3-pack of Casabella brushes provides the tools for cleaning many types of dishes. The set includes a long-handle bottle brush, a long-handle dish brush, and a compact scrubber brush for hard to reach spots. Clean glasses, cups, plates, bowls, bottles, pots, pans, and more with this multipurpose brush set.
These brushes feature rigid plastic bodies and large ergonomic handles that double as hanging loops. Each brush contains tough nylon bristles in various lengths and angles. The dish brush has a built-in scraper for stuck-on food. In addition to function, the multi-colored Casabella set can add brightness to your kitchen.
Best Eco-Friendly
Full Circle Be Good Kitchen Dish Brush
This well-built Full Circle dish brush features BPA-free recycled plastic bristles, a built-in scraper, and a bamboo handle for the eco-conscious consumer. The thick bamboo handle provides a comfortable grip, with a clear nontoxic coat for enhanced strength and a smooth feel. While the sturdy plastic bristles can remove stuck-on food, they aren’t so rough that they will scratch or damage dishes, such as nonstick pans.
This eco-friendly dish brush gets the job done. Although bamboo is not as durable compared to synthetic materials, this high quality brush should still last a long time. It’s available in three colors—purple, white, and green—so you can select the one that best matches your kitchen style. The Be Good Kitchen Dish Brush is available on its own or with Full Circle’s specialized Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush.
Best for Pots and Pans
MR. SIGA Pot and Pan Cleaning Brush
The MR. SIGA dish brushes have a design that is particularly useful for cleaning pots and pans. These two brushes are conveniently small for maneuvering within cookware. The non-scratch bristles contain durable nylon and the built-in scrapers are more prominent than ones featured on other models; both add up to a highly effective scrubbing solution for tough baked-on food.
The shorter handles make these MR. SIGA brushes easier to store using the hanging slots. The ergonomic form and nonslip grip add comfort and a secure hold. Scrubbing is also less taxing on your wrist compared to longer handles. These brushes are dishwasher safe and come in two color schemes. For a 2-pack, this set is another reasonably priced option.
Best for Bottles
OXO Good Grips Bottle Brush
Cleaning out reusable bottles can be a real hassle. When you have the right dish brush, the cleaning process is much simpler. OXO’s Good Grips Bottle Brush is up to the task, with a rounded head that fits inside narrow openings, and a semi-flexible neck that reaches would-be challenging spots. The dual-function head is designed for both gentle cleaning and serious scrubbing; featuring gentler bristles on the sides and firmer, angled bristles on the bottom. Both sets of bristles are non-scratch for handling delicate items.
This multi-functional tool is suitable for pots and pans, dishes, wine glasses, crystal glasses, baby bottles, water bottles, and more. Its soft, slip-resistant handle offers a secure and comfortable grip, even when wet. The handle includes a slot for hanging the brush, which can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Best Mini
Full Circle Bubble Up Soap Dispenser u0026 Dish Brush
When you need a dish brush with a small footprint, Full Circle’s Bubble Up Bamboo Dish Brush delivers. This eco-friendly brush features recycled plastic and stainless steel along with bamboo. The hearty bristles have great scrubbing power, and the bamboo handle reinforced with stainless steel is especially sturdy.
This small but mighty dish brush has an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hand. Its compact size is particularly useful for smaller dishes or if you’re low on kitchen space. It comes with a ceramic base, which acts as both a storage container and a soap dispenser when washing dishes. The base contains a spring-loaded piece to create extra suds. This bamboo brush and ceramic dispenser adds functional style to your kitchen sink, without taking up much room.