There are a lot of different types of dice trays out there coming in a range of different materials, sizes, and prices. There are a few different factors you need to consider to find the best dice tray: materials, surface, size, and does it fit your aesthetic. When we were designing ours we looked for what was out there, what the best had in common and what they were missing. These questions should also help you when you’re looking to make a decision on which you want to use.
- What is the best surface to roll dice on?
- What is the best material for dice trays?
- What is the best base for dice trays?
- What is the best size for a dice tray?
- Where can I buy the best wooden dice trays?
What is the best surface to roll dice on?
Smooth leather and felt are the best surfaces to roll your dice on as they are both soft and durable, so they’ll stay healthy for a lot of rolling without being squishy enough affect your rolls. They also both have a good level of friction to allow dice to roll enough to be random while still resolving quickly. This means that you can keep your game moving and focus on what really matters. It’s no surprise that the two most popular liners for dice trays are leather and felt.
Of those two, leather is probably better than felt for dice rolling because it should last longer. Felt fibres will pick up dirt and grime over years of use and they can be really difficult to clean. After a while, this will lead your tray to look grubby and tired.
Leather, however, is easy to wipe down. It can be easier to scuff, but it can be treated with various oils or polishes to prevent and repair minor damage, meaning it should outlast felt. It also looks and feels like a more luxurious surface, and that can be important when you’re creating your perfect gaming set up. We use real, ethically-sourced leather as PU leather is made from plastics and lacks the quality feeling of real leather.
What is the best material for dice trays?
For the most high-end feel, premium hardwoods, like Oak, Ash, Cherry, and Walnut, are the best materials for dice trays. Wood is a timeless classic medium that, when treated well, will look amazing and last a long time. We use sustainably-sourced hardwoods to make our trays as they look outstanding and all have a very different feel.
Choosing different woods for your dice tray can help you develop your aesthetic for your gaming setup. It can also help represent your character in different ways, like with our Heritage choices. So it can be a really personal choice.
Folding trays made from pleather, cardboard, plastic, fabric or felt are available. However, their one benefit – price – does not outweigh their disadvantages in my opinion. They are usually a much cheaper construction (mostly they’re imported) and so they lose their structure. This means that the rolling surface becomes uneven and you’ll end up having to replace it. They also just look much cheaper, so if you’re after a professional feel you’ll be disappointed.
What is the best base for dice trays?
We make our dice tray bases with plywood covered in leather. This is rebated into the hardwood sides. Ply is great for bases as it’s a very stable medium meaning that it is resistant to warping and damage. And because ours are 5mm ply they’re also really light, which makes them easier to take with you when you’re heading to game night. Importantly though, we line ours with leather to protect your dice when they’re being rolled.
Rebating the ply base, i.e. fitting it into slots, means that we have a thin, smooth-sanded contact area with the table, which will help protect against scratches. Other brands that make premium wooden dice trays tend to use a much (much) thicker ply fitted together with butt joints – they’re held together by the glue and not the structure of the tray. They tend to need rubber feet underneath if they want that iconic dice rolling sound and are more weighty.
What is the best size for a dice tray?
To have a really useful dice tray, it should be big enough to let you roll your dice with passion, but small enough that you can take it with you when you’re travelling to games nights or events. We designed our square dice trays to be around 190 x 190mm (7.48 x 7.48 in), dependent on Heritage. This makes them the perfect size to fit next to your A4 notebook (or Player’s Handbook) when you’re on the go but still gives you plenty of room to roll your dice.
Where can I buy the best wooden dice tray?
Well, as you’ve probably guessed, we have a range of dice trays! And we’ve put a lot of thought into the construction to make them look great, be easy to transport, and last a long time. And with the right dice tray, you can really dial up your game’s immersion.
If you would like to know more about dice trays, we’ve answered some more common questions. You can also check out our guide on other accessories, and find out about dice rolling and dice towers.