🧰 Types of Kitchen Sink Strainers (with Integrated Stopper)

1. Stainless‑steel basket strainers with pop‑up stoppers
   Common in hardware stores—e.g. KOHLER, Blanco, Kraus—these install into the drain flange and offer a lock‑in stopper plus deep basket to catch debris. Durable, polished finish, but can trap food in crevices. 

2. Silicone or flexible polymer strainers with drop‑in stopper
   Brands like OXO and Flex Strainer adopt flexible materials that sit flush in the drain and double as a strain & stop device. Soft, mold easily to the sink, and easier to clean.

3. Open mesh freestanding or clip‑on strainers
   Products like SinkShroom or kitchen clip‑on models are separate strainers without integrated stopper functionality. Useful for catching debris above the drain but no sealing feature. 

🏆 Major Competitors Offering a Strainer + Stopper Combo

KOHLER Duostrainer (stainless steel with open/close stopper)

Commonly around $50–60 retail, premium finishes and locking mechanism. 

Kraus or Glacier Bay stainless steel basket strainers

Typical price $11–23, basic stainless finish, functional basket + stopper. Mixed reviews on ease of cleaning and design. 

Blanco stainless basket strainers

Decorative, upscale finishes priced around $80–85. Often sold for high-end sinks. 

Seatery universal silicone + stainless combo kits

Amazon listing around $12.99 for silicone stopper + stainless perforated basket. Affordable but DIY design. 

OXO Good Grips 2‑in‑1 Silicone Sink Strainer with Stopper

Soft silicone make, built-in seal & strainer. Priced around $12 retail. Users praise ease of use over metal ones.

💡 Why Customers Prefer the Flex Strainer

Made in USA, flexible plastic design

Flex Strainer 2‑in‑1 Sink Strainer & Stopper

$10.99

FLI Products

Trusted brand; silicone combo strainer‑stopper

OXO Good Grips 2‑in‑1 Silicone Sink Strainer with Stopper

$11.99

★★

4.2

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• Flex Strainer 2‑in‑1 Sink Strainer & Stopper
  Price: ~$10–11 — affordable and highly rated (around 4.9/5 from small sample). Made in USA, BPA‑free thermoplastic, fits standard 3.5″ drains. Dishwasher‑safe, scratch‑safe and flexible—clever material avoids food catching in crevices. 

• OXO Good Grips 2‑in‑1 Silicone Sink Strainer with Stopper
  Price: ~$12 — well-known brand, highly dependable and softer than metal. Users appreciate its reliability and design.

📊 Quick Comparison

🔍 Customer Insights & Reviews

• Flex Strainer:

  • Bob Antunes: “Works just as advertised... functions so much better than the common metal strainers.”

  • Chris G.: “Excellent quality... holds water as advertised! Much better than the prior metal strainer.”

  • Overall: 90% 5‑star on manufacturer site; praised for ease of cleaning, low profile fit and scratch safety. Stainless steel baskets:
    Some users criticize flat bottoms trapping debris, hard to clean, and potential sink scratching. The Home Depot

🏅 Why Flex Strainer Wins Hearts

• Exceptional value — usually under $12; far less than premium stainless/brass options.

• Dual-purpose design — strainer + stopper in one lightweight piece.

• Gentle on sinks — flexible, with no metal that scratches.

• Simple maintenance — no small crevices; dishwasher safe.

• Made in USA — appealing for many buyers as a quality + domestic product. LinkedIn

✅ Final Thoughts

Kitchen sink users broadly choose between traditional metal basket/stoppers and flexible polymer designs. While stainless steel versions (e.g. KOHLER, Kraus, Blanco) offer durability and aesthetics, they carry higher prices and cleaning hassle. Alternatives like Flex Strainer provide unbeatable simplicity and low cost.

Flex Strainer stands out with its material innovation, effective sealing, easy cleaning, and domestic manufacturing. That’s why many users confidently vote for it as their favorite strainer + stopper combo.

Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any particular brand or performance testing!