When you roll dice and a few fall off the table, it may not be the end of the world, but it can be a nuisance that halts momentum as someone bends down and fishes around to retrieve them.
The first time I played D&D at a board game cafe, the DM whipped out a few dice trays for everyone at the table. At first, I thought they were unnecessary; by the end of that session, I was a dice tray convert.
Sure, dice rolling trays are never essential. You can play without them and you'd be none the wiser. But they're nifty to have around, and you should definitely consider incorporating them into game nights!
Why Use Dice Rolling Trays?
Dice rolling trays offer several benefits that may not seem very important, but when you add them all up, it starts making sense.
- Dice rolling trays keep dice rolls contained. Never again will dice roll off the table, forcing players to retrieve them and re-roll them. Even the smallest disruption can derail the momentum or enthusiasm of a board game or tabletop RPG.
- Dice rolling trays dampen the clacking of dice. For some, the sound of dice clacking around on a table can only be described as grating. For others who don't mind, they still have to admit that dice rolls are often loud, which isn't conducive for night games.
- Dice rolling trays offer protection. If you're thinking of shelling out cash for high-end dice, you're going to want to protect that investment. Dice made from precious stones or expensive metals can still be chipped or scratched.
- Dice rolling trays look and feel good. It's nice to have a dedicated space for rolling dice, which helps keep your head in the game. And depending on how much you're willing to pay, dice rolling trays can impart a luxurious feel to your tabletop sessions.
Again, dice rolling trays are totally optional. But if you want to level up your tabletop gaming sessions, they're worthwhile!
Here are some of our favorite dice tray options, chosen across all price ranges and designs for your convenience. Feel free to go with whichever one best fits your tastes and budget.
Best Faux Dice Tray: Snap-Folding Leather Jewelry Catchall
This product technically isn't meant for tabletop gaming at all—it's a simple jewelry catchall that's meant to hold loose coins, car keys and house keys, watches, earrings, bracelets, etc.
But why not adapt it for game night? Out of the box, you can use this snap-folding jewelry catchall as a simple dice tray. Bust it out for game night, then neatly fold it away when you're done.
You won't find a better option for cheap dice trays. It's so cheap that you could stock up on half a dozen of them and give one to each player during game nights and tabletop RPG sessions!
Best Cheap Dice Tray: Forged Gaming Hexagon Snap Dice Tray
If you're willing to spend a smidge more than the jewelry catchall mentioned above, you should opt for this dice tray.
Not only is the hex shape more fitting for tabletop dice trays, but the inner felt material feels better for play than PU leather—and it's available in 10 different colors. (If you're going to stock up, pick one of different colors so players can be uniquely identifiable.)
It's truly one of the best cheap dice trays for D&D, especially if you're the DM. They're affordable enough that you can buy a handful to take with you to every session of your campaign.
Best Dice Rolling Mat: Forged Gaming Rolling Mat Dice Tray
If you want to level up your game nights, wooden dice trays are one way to do it. They feel more robust and much classier than cheaper dice trays, yet they're still relatively affordable.
Forged Gaming has one of the best value wooden dice trays in the form of a padded rolling mat.
At 14 inches by 8 inches, it's large enough to share between the whole table while staying portable. It has a double-sided, removable neoprene mat that's plain on one side and designed on the other.
This wooden dice tray is sleek and minimal yet still stylish, and the mat's graphic comes in six different color varieties.
Best Dice Tray With Case: GeekOn XL Dice Tray and Travel Storage Case
This dice storage travel case by GeekOn also serves as a rolling tray, and it's one of our favorite dice trays for DMs.
With a diameter of 11.5 inches, it's large enough to hold up to 300 individual dice in the case. The zippered case fits snugly within the dice tray, making it easy to transport both together.
The dice tray is lined with felt on the inside, which feels nice to the touch and dampens the noise of rolling dice. All in all, it passes as one of the best dice case + tray combinations on the market!
If this is too big for you, GeekOn also has a smaller variant dice case + tray that's less than 6 inches across and 3 inches high.
Both variants of the dice case + tray also attach to GeekOn's folding dice tower. For a cool game night setup, combine them all and show off to your game night buddies!
Best Premium Dice Tray: Wyrmwood Gaming Ebony Tabletop Dice Tray
Wyrmwood Gaming produces all kinds of world-class tabletop accessories, including premium dice, gaming tables, dice vaults, dice towers, and dice trays.
The tabletop dice tray by Wyrmwood Gaming is available in six wood styles: Eastern Elm, Cherry, Black Walnut, Padauk, Figured Maple, Bolivian Rosewood, Purpleheart, and Ebony.
It comes with an oiled leather rolling surface, which you'll need to condition with leather conditioner every so often. Want to spend top dollar on works of craftsmanship? Look no further than this.
