The best soap dishes

The Passionier Ceramic Soap Dish has such a clever yet obvious design that I'm truly angry I didn't come up with it myself. It's an elegant ceramic soap dish with a metal strainer on top that solves messy bar soap-related problems.

When you place your wet bar on top of this dish after using it, the soapy water drains down into the basin below the strainer. That means less waste and a more pleasant cleansing experience, whether you're washing your hands or taking the soap into the shower.

Both pieces separate easily so you can empty the ceramic portion and rinse off the stainless steel grate. The modern combination of ceramic and metal fits with a variety of bathroom and kitchen decors. The minimalist design also makes it seem more luxurious than its low price tag.

Pros: Keeps soap drier than other dishes, comes apart for an easy clean, quality materials

Cons: Should dry thoroughly after cleaning to avoid rust

If you only use bar soap in the shower, you might be inclined to store it in there, but it's hard to do so without mucking up your surfaces with soap residue. The HASKO Vacuum Suction Cup Soap Dish avoids the pitfalls of traditional soap holders with its smart design.

It suctions to most standard bathroom tile and other materials (though it won't work on anything too porous or uneven, like wood).

The chrome-plated basket is corrosion- and rust-resistant, with big spaces to allow water to drain through. Thanks to HASKO's "super suction system," it holds up to 22 pounds without collapsing. There's even a knob that allows you to vacuum-seal the suction cup to the wall for extra security.

Pros: Easy to hang suction cup design, basket doesn't collect soap grime, sturdy vacuum seal

Cons: Won't work on surfaces that aren't completely flat

For those into a simple aesthetic or who want a more natural look, the Magift 2-Piece Bathroom Wooden Soap Holder is an excellent option. The slotted stand made of beechwood has a groove in the middle to securely hold bars in place — no more slipping off the dish when wet!

This dish is handmade out of non-toxic materials, so it's also a great choice if you're trying to avoid chemicals or plastics. The fact that it comes in a set of two adds to its value.

The main downside is that, unlike the two-piece strainer designs, this one doesn't come with a piece that collects the water after it drains, so it may require some counter clean-up.

Pros: Made of durable beechwood, beautiful design, drains water, groove keeps soap in place, natural materials

Cons: Doesn't have a dish or basin to collect water

The Alessi Birillo Soap Dish is similar in design to our top choice from Passionier. It comes in two pieces, with a slatted metal strainer that fits over a white basin to catch water and soap residue as your bar soap dries.

Whether you prefer this one is really more a question of aesthetics, and if you are willing to pay more for this design.

Alessi's version features longer, thinner strainer holes and a rounded shape that makes for an appealing, minimalist design. It comes in black and white, so you have two color options to choose from depending on your decor.

The brand suggests hand washing the pieces rather than popping them in the dishwasher, which seems easy enough to do whenever you empty the water from the bottom and shouldn't add too much maintenance time.

Pros: Elegant design, comes in two pieces to keep soap clean

Cons: Expensive for a soap dish

If you prefer hand soap to bar soap or like to keep both around, check out our top picks for the best hand soaps.

Whether you share a bathroom with roommates, are headed off to college, or just like to stay extra organized, a shower caddy is a great way to keep your toiletries all together and portable.

There's nothing quite like a soft, fluffy towel to dry your body when stepping out of the shower. Here are our top picks.