A drain clog in your plumbing can lead to a very uncomfortable experience when getting ready in the morning, but it doesn’t have to happen if you take the proper precautions. Prevent clogs from developing easily with a mesh drain strainer.
In this PlumbingNav review, we cover:
How do mesh drain strainers work?
What are the different types of mesh drain strainers?
What do you look for in the best mesh drain strainer?
This stainless steel strainer with 32 holes fits most sinks in size and is made to fit into a rectangular fitting. You get to choose from five colors so that you can match your current design. Using the strainer is easy, and you don’t have to worry about the metal knob breaking off.
A drain strainer fits into the desired drain, and it collects items too big to fit through its tiny mesh holes so that they don’t clog your drain while still letting the water flow through. When the strainer becomes full, you empty the contents in the garbage can before replacing it.
Mesh drains work best in the kitchen sink to collect food particles and in the bathroom sink to collect hair. HIgh-quality mesh strainers last a substantial amount of time, but if you do notice rust or damage, you can replace the strainer relatively simply yourself.
What Are The Different Types Of Mesh Drain Strainers?
Kitchen Sink Drain Strainer
People who spend a lot of time in the kitchen rely on a strainer to prevent food scraps from getting down the drain or garbage disposal. While the strainer can catch large items that are still safe to go down the drain, you want to avoid putting certain items down your garbage disposal and potentially damage it.
Items not to put down your kitchen sink or garbage disposal include:
Fibrous vegetables (ex. celery)
Peels
Coffee grounds
Grease
Bathroom Sink Drain Strainer
The bathroom sink drain strainer will collect excess toothpaste and hair before it falls down the drain.
To reduce the likelihood of a bathroom sink clog, minimize the amount of toothpaste you use when you brush your teeth and trim long hair before shaving.
Bathroom sinks tend to be smaller and less intricate than kitchen sinks, making bathroom strainers more versatile.
Shower Drain Strainer
A shower drain strainer prevents you from standing in ankle-deep water while you get ready in the morning. These strainers look slightly different than a traditional drain strainer since they usually don’t have a basket.
What Do You Look For In The Best Mesh Drain Strainers?
High-Quality Material
It’s important to have a strainer made out of material that will last through heavy usage. Instead of plastic or mesh, most people opt for stainless steel. Stainless steel is highly durable, and it doesn’t corrode as quickly as other metals, which comes in handy thanks to how much water it comes into contact with.
Correct Fitting
The strainer needs to fit into the drain perfectly, and kitchen drains come with four different types of fittings, with rectangular and circular being the most popular.
Best Mesh Drain Strainers Reviewed
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
This stainless steel strainer with 32 holes fits most sinks in size and is made to fit into a rectangular fitting. You get to choose from five colors so that you can match your current design. Using the strainer is easy, and you don’t have to worry about the metal knob breaking off.
This simple yet effective strainer works well for the bathroom sink or any sink in the laundry room or utility room. However, you won’t get the best use out of it in the kitchen. Simply place it in the sink of your choice and remove to clean when it gets dirty. The stainless steel can handle daily use in high traffic sinks.
Create a perfectly tight seal with this basket strainer that fits any 3.5” or 4” kitchen drain without any concern about the shape of the holes. Kohler makes this strainer out of brass to increase the strength and reliability of the product.
When you need something that can work in multiple sinks around your home, these stainless steel strainers should do the job with their uniform size. The 1” basket catches everything that falls into the drain while the 1/16” holes ensure water continues to flow.
This set also comes with plugs that fit perfectly, so you know the water won’t drain.
Put this flat strainer in your shower drain in the floor to catch hair before it goes down the shower drain. The design allows water to flow through the strainer effortlessly until you need to clean the strainer.
Lekeye stands behind their stainless steel product so much that they offer a one-year warranty in case you notice a defect.
Pros
It fits all shower drains
Easy to clean
One-year warranty
Cons
Doesn’t work with kitchen or bathroom sinks
May slip
Some hair still goes down
Final Thoughts On Mesh Drain Strainers
A mesh strainer is an easy way to prevent a clogged drain by catching material before it falls down the drain. To pick the best product for the job, consider where you need it the most. A kitchen drain or tub drain may require something more specialized than standard items you can use for the bathroom drain and other sinks around your home.
The best strainer for a bathroom sink drain is one that will catch toothpaste and hair. It should fit, but can have larger holes vs. a kitchen strainer. We like this one: Hilltop Products Stainless Steel Bathroom Sink Strainer
What are the kitchen sink strainer types?
KItchen sink strainers have different fittings that must fit the hole in the sink, which may be rectangular or circular.
What is the best kitchen sink strainer?
Kitchen sink strainers should fit tightly and have smaller holes than strainers used in places like the bathroom or shower. This copper one by KONE is our fav: KONE Copper Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
