The Best Board Gaming Accessories

Good gear can make a huge difference in any hobby, and I'm a big believer in the idea that the right equipment can make activities more enjoyable. A good knife and pan collection makes cooking more efficient. An entry-level Trek bike is more fun to ride than a cheapie from Walmart. A crappy tent and sleeping bag can make for a miserable camping trip, while high-quality options make you fall in love with camping.

Why should it be any different for board gaming? Sure, you could get by as a board gamer with zero accessories and still have a lot of fun. But game nights can be much more enjoyable, more organized, more satisfying, and more fun with a handful of extras.

Here are the best board gaming accessories I've used over the years and consider worth adding to your collection, along with some I regret getting. Turns out, not all accessories are made equal!

The Keepers

Game Table

A dedicated board gaming table is essential. I used to play on the coffee table, dinner table, floor, etc. and all of that's fine when you have no other options. But nothing beats a designated space!

A simple card table that measures 3 feet by 3 feet is perfect for solo, couples, and small families. It's large enough to fit most games, doesn't take up too much room, and can be easily stowed away. This Amazon Basics 34-inch Folding Table is close to what I have, but it's even better because it folds in half for easier storage.

If you regularly play with 5+ players, you'll need a bigger table. It doesn't have to be fancy, though. The Cosco 72-inch Folding Table works well and is a staple for many. (I have one in my office for non-gaming purposes.) If you have cash to burn and do want something fancy, the Jasper Table by Allplay is an excellent value for the price.

Neoprene Playing Surface

I can't tell you how much I hate playing card games on a hard, flat surface like a plastic or wooden table. The cards are impossible to pick up! You have to use your nails, which invariably nicks their edges... or you have to keep sliding the cards off the table, which wears them down over time. Once you start playing on a neoprene surface, you'll never want to go back.

I use this 32-inch Plusvivo Mahjong Mat that perfectly fits my game table. (Mine is black, which Plusvivo doesn't seem to make anymore, but otherwise it's the same mat.) It's soft neoprene on one side, anti-slip rubber on the other. It's comfy to play on, it dampens the sounds of tiles and dice, and it comes with a carrying bag. Want to take it with you on your weekend getaway? Roll it up and it's good to go.

If you need to cover a larger table, check out the Feltectors Board Game Mat. It's similar to the Plusvivo mat except it comes in several sizes and shapes, including a 6 feet by 3 feet rectangle, a 4 feet by 4 feet circle, and 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet square. I haven't tried this particular one myself, but it's generally well-liked from what I've heard and it's reasonably priced.

Another option is GripMats on Etsy, where you can find all kinds of neoprene mats of varying designs and sizes. They range from solid colors to patterns to textures, and some even have game boards printed directly on the mat (e.g., Heat, Dune, Terraforming Mars). I haven't used a GripMat myself, but they're pretty well-liked on /r/boardgames and they have 4.9 stars on Etsy across 10,000+ ratings.

Folding Dice Trays

I used to scoff at the idea of a dice tray. It isn't that hard to roll dice without bumping into any game pieces—or so I thought. Turns out, some players just don't have that kind of control! But more than that, dice trays allow you to let loose without worrying about where the dice will end up, and the padded ones even dampen the sound of clacking dice. They're also great for passing a set of dice around between players. I love dice trays now.

One of my favorite board gaming accessories is this Siquk Folding Dice Tray (Set of 4). It has a faux leather exterior, a velvet-lined interior, and snapping buttons so it can lay flat when you're done. The diameter is large enough for comfortable chucking of dice, and it comes in different sets of 4 colors. These trays always come out when it's time to play a game with dice!

If your game group has more than 4 regular players, Siquk also sells a set of 6 dice trays and a set of 8 dice trays!

Folding Token Bowls

Stop me if you've heard this before: You're playing a board game with lots of token components and they're just piled into heaps around the table. As you play, those piles get messier—and someone might even accidentally swipe a pile to the floor at one point, spilling them everywhere. Unkempt token piles detract from the experience, and that's why I'm a wholehearted convert to token bowls. Plus, they make it easy to pass tokens around as needed!

Some people use mini glass bowls or other dollar store cheapies, but I'm partial to these Piecekeeper Folding Token Bowls (Set of 6). They're silicone with buttons, so you can pinch them into shape when it's game time, then unbutton when you're done. I love that they pack away flat, and I find six bowls to be more than enough.

Mini Poker Chips

I used to play a lot of poker in high school and college so I might be biased here, but there's something special about poker chips. Specifically, I'm talking about clay and clay composite poker chips. Not dinky plastic chips or tiddlywinks!

Real poker chips are satisfying to play with—far more than thin cardboard chits or paper money—and they're extremely functional. Use them in place of whatever currency is used in whatever game you're playing. Or use them as point trackers, especially in games like Take 5 or Scout or Quiddler where you accumulate points across multiple rounds.

The problem with normal poker chips? They're too big! They take up a lot of table space, so I prefer this 300pc Mini Poker Chip Set by Versa Games. These mini poker chips are perfect for board games and card games. They're small enough to stay out of your way, yet still tactile enough to feel good. The included aluminum case is a nice touch, too. It makes it really easy to take with me to game nights!

The Honorable Mentions

Deluxe Game Upgrades

Deluxe components can be hit or miss. I love the plastic token upgrades for Quacks of Quedlinburg (who doesn't?), the player aid playmat for Welcome To..., and the wooden tile upgrades for Illiterati. But deluxe pieces aren't always worth it, so be wary before dropping lots of cash on them.

I only get deluxe upgrades for games I've already played and know I'll continue to play for a long time. Even then, I only upgrade pieces for tactility—that means I only upgrade components that are physically handled often throughout play. In the case of playmats, I only get a deluxe playmat when it adds significant value to gameplay (such as establishing a play area that would otherwise be "imagined").

BoardGameGeek's GeekUp Bit Sets are generally well-received, and that's what I have for Quacks. They're pricey, though, and that's the main reason I hesitate when deluxifying. Otherwise, you can find all kinds of deluxe tokens, 3D-printed helpers, and playmats for your favorite games on Etsy. It's worth it for your favorite games!

Custom Inserts

Custom inserts (also called "board game organizers") are great for keeping game boxes organized, speeding up setup times, and making cleanup easier. If you're crafty, you can make custom inserts using foam boards and glue, like the one I made for Sushi Roll in the photo above. If you have a 3D printer, you can design and print your own custom inserts (or find templates online).

But if you aren't crafty and don't own a 3D printer? You can always buy them. There are lots of insert makers out there. Notable brands include Folded Space, TowerRex on Etsy, and The Dicetroyers.

Card Sleeves

I'm about 50/50 when it comes to card sleeves. While I've yet to actually buy card sleeves on their own, I've bought used games that were sleeved by their previous owners—and then repurposed those sleeves for my more frequently played card games, lol. Sleeves feel nice and they help protect the longevity of cards. Are they essential? Absolutely not. But if you have the disposable income, they can elevate the experience.

Note that you'll need specific sleeves for different card sizes, so use BoardGameGeek to find whatever game you want to sleeve, then click the "Sleeve It" button to see what sizes apply to that game's cards. BGG's tool also links to various sleeve brands you can buy. (I've heard good things about Gamegenic and Sleeve Kings.)

Laminator

My wife has a laminator kicking around for work, but I've used it for board gaming and the results are pretty nice! I first used it for Welcome To..., allowing me to play with dry erase marker. That's my favorite use for it: turning any pencil-and-paper game into a marker-and-eraser game. It's also great for laminating paper score pads as well as printed-out custom player aids from BGG.

You don't need a fancy laminator. I mean, the one we have is pretty basic and it gets the job done well. While that one isn't sold anymore, this Amazon Basics 12-inch Thermal Laminator is pretty similar. I like the versatility of the 12-inch size, but if you're tight on space or if you want to shave off a few bucks, the 9-inch model is good enough.

Board Game Bag

I got a GeekOn Ultimate Board Game Backpack several years ago and it's come in handy for carrying lots of board games to game nights, and also for when I'm traveling somewhere for a board game weekend. Sadly, this backpack isn't being sold anymore. But the good news? There are better options out there these days, and they're a lot more affordable.

If I lost my backpack and had to buy a replacement, I'd go for the Allplay Board Game Carrying Bag or the Allplay Board Game Backpack. If I were on a super-tight budget, I'd just get a Cajon Bag.

Bluetooth Speaker

Yup, I'm firmly in the "background music makes game night more enjoyable" camp. (But only if the music has zero lyrics!) For that, I use my Amazon Echo. Sure, I could just play the music straight off my phone, but the quality is much nicer out of the smart speaker. I also like that I can use Alexa voice commands to turn it on, change playlists, and even get answers for random questions that crop up during games.

These days, I'd probably opt for either an Echo Show or Echo Spot because I think a display would be nice. (My older Echo Plus doesn't have one.) If you don't care for a display, you can save a few bucks with the Echo Pop. And if you don't care for Alexa at all? Get a "dumb" portable Bluetooth speaker, like the Anker Soundcore 2.

The Rejects

Assorted Resealable Bags

In the past, I've suggested buying an assortment of plastic bags (like this one) as backup for when games don't come with enough baggies. Lately, what I've found is that games usually don't skimp on bags anymore; in fact, I often end up with more baggies than I need now. If you plan on buying a lot of games in the near future, you'll be fine just with all the extra baggies they come with.

Dice Towers

Dice towers are niche. I've used a few in my day and I admit they're fun, especially when you drop a heaping handful through. They're great as set pieces and conversation starters, and if you have cheaters in your group who fudge their rolls, they're great for leveling the playing field. But would I buy one? Nah. Too pricey and situational.

Card Holders

Card holders can come in clutch if you have accessibility issues or want to play while snacking on some food, but I've yet to find a card holder I actually like using. They're either too flimsy, prone to falling over, too loose so cards fall off, too tight and fiddly to maneuver, or have a weird viewing angle. I'd rather just hold cards in my hand.

Card Shuffler

Automatic card shufflers sound great in theory—especially if you hate shuffling—but I advise staying away. They're meant to be used with standard playing cards, so they don't work so well with board game cards. They can scratch, they can jam, they're noisy, they need batteries, and they're tacky. Not worth the hassle or damage risk.

Coin Capsules

For games where cardboard tokens are pulled out a bag, people often recommend encasing those tokens inside plastic coin capsules to protect against wear and improve tactility. It certainly works, but I think coin capsules feel cheap and look ugly. Plus, you need different size capsules for different size tokens, so you end up with a lot of wastage. I prefer to get proper deluxified components.

Lazy Susan Turntable

Instead of passing components around the table, wouldn't it be great if everything was on a turntable that players could spin and grab as needed? I thought so! But in reality, a turntable is either so large that it takes up too much table space or so small that it's pointless. And everyone has to be within arm's reach, so the idea falls apart further when you're playing on a large table with lots of players.

Digital Timers

I use a digital timer all the time when playing board games. It's more accurate and reliable than a sand timer, and you can easily change the time limit on the fly. Some people recommend getting a large display timer (like this one) so everyone around the table can see. I've tried it and it's fun, but I'd rather just use the timer on my phone.

I hope this was helpful. Let me know about your favorite accessories and biggest accessory regrets! I'd love to hear about 'em.