A charger is the large plate that sits under the dinner plate and never gets eaten off. It frames each place, protects the tablecloth and the table from heat and spills, and makes a dinner look like an occasion before a single dish arrives. In Mexican families, chargers come out for the big days: a quinceañera, a wedding, a posada dinner, Nochebuena, a Día de Muertos meal with marigolds on the table.
This guide covers chargers in the materials you are most likely to choose between: gold metal, gold-rimmed glass, rattan and other natural fibers, plastic and wood. It also covers what each maker says about food contact, because most chargers are made for decoration and are not meant to have food put on them.
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Quick verdict: which charger plates to buy
For most tables, the best charger plates are the Saro Lifestyle Hammered Metal Scallop-Edge Chargers in gold: 13-inch aluminum with a textured finish and a scalloped rim, lighter than iron or glass, and with clear care guidance from the maker. For gold glass at a quinceañera or wedding, choose the Simply Elegant Floral Rim chargers; for a casual or outdoor table, the Saro Lifestyle Handmade Rattan chargers.
Below are five standout sets side by side, then all nine reviewed in full.
Five charger plate sets compared
One pick for each kind of table, with the material, size and food-contact guidance each listing states. All nine sets are reviewed in full below.
| Charger plates | Best for | Material & size | Food contact (maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday and celebration tables | Aluminum, 13 in, set of 4 | Decorative only | View on Amazon | |
Simply Elegant Floral Rim Glass Chargers, Gold, Set of 4Best gold glass
|
Quinceañeras and weddings | Glass, gold rim, 13 in, set of 4 | Not for food use | View on Amazon |
| Casual and outdoor tables | Rattan, 13 in, set of 4 | Decorative only | View on Amazon | |
Fennco Styles Classic Rustic Chargers, Red, Set of 4Best for posadas
|
Posadas and Christmas | Plastic, 13 in, set of 4 | No direct food contact | View on Amazon |
Efavormart 13-inch Clear Glass Chargers with Gold Scalloped Edge, 8-PackBest for a long table
|
Long tables, 8 or more | Glass, 13 in, 8-pack | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Materials and food-contact guidance are as stated on each listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best charger plates
These nine picks cover gold metal and glass for celebrations, natural fibers for relaxed tables, light plastic for venues and children, and one wooden charger sold for serving. Each review gives the material, size and count the listing states, the maker’s guidance on food contact, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Saro Lifestyle Hammered Metal Scallop-Edge Chargers, Gold, Set of 4 – Gold Metal Without the Weight
Hammered gold metal chargers with a scalloped edge: dressy enough for a quinceañera table, plain enough for a family Christmas.
Saro Lifestyle lists these as 13-inch chargers made of 100 percent aluminum in a gold finish, sold in sets of four. The hammered surface catches candlelight and hides small scuffs better than a mirror-smooth finish, and the scalloped rim frames a standard dinner plate with a visible band of gold all round.
Saro is clear about what they are for. The listing says they are for decorative use only, not food safe, and not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe, and the care advice is to wipe clean with a soft dry cloth. In practice that means the charger sits under the dinner plate and the food goes on the plate, which is how chargers are meant to be used anyway.
Aluminum is lighter than iron or glass, so a stack of these is easier to carry and set than the heavier chargers on this list. The color of the finish can vary slightly from set to set, the maker notes, so buy all the sets you need at once.
Why we like it
- Hammered aluminum with a scalloped gold rim (listing)
- 13-inch size frames a standard dinner plate
- Lighter than iron or glass
- Clear maker guidance on use and care
Key specifications
| Model | CH975.GL13R |
|---|---|
| Set | Hammered Metal Charger with Scallop Edge |
| Material | 100% aluminum, gold finish |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Decorative use only; not food safe |
| Care | Wipe with a soft dry cloth; not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe |
| Best for | Holiday and celebration tables |
Why we recommend it
It is the gold charger that suits the most tables: metal rather than plastic, light enough to handle easily, and with a textured finish that looks rich without being fussy.
Skip it if you want a charger you can wash in the sink. Saro says to wipe these with a dry cloth only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real metal
- Light to carry and stack
- Textured gold finish
- Clear care guidance
Cons
- Not food safe (maker)
- Wipe clean only
- Finish may vary between sets
2. Simply Elegant Floral Rim Glass Chargers, Gold, Set of 4 – Gold Glass for Celebrations
Glass chargers with a gold floral rim, sold with weddings and quinceañeras in mind.
Simply Elegant lists these as 13-inch glass charger plates with a gold, gloss-finish floral rim, sold as a set of four, and names quinceañeras, weddings and catered events among their uses. The clear center lets a patterned tablecloth show through, while the gold rim sets off the dinner plate. The listing describes the edge as a reef edge in one place and a floral rim in the title, so look at the photos to be sure the pattern is what you want.
The maker states that the chargers are not intended for food use and are for presentation only, and asks for hand washing rather than the dishwasher. That suits how a charger is used at a formal dinner: plates go on and come off, and the charger stays clean underneath.
Glass is heavier and more fragile than metal or plastic. Pack them carefully for a party at a hall, and count on a few extras if you are renting tables for a big event.
Why we like it
- Glass with a gold floral rim (listing)
- 13-inch size
- Marketed for quinceañeras and weddings
- Clear center shows the tablecloth
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Set | Floral Rim Glass Charger Plate |
| Material | Glass, gold gloss-finish rim |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Not intended for food use; presentation only |
| Care | Hand wash; no dishwasher |
| Best for | Quinceañeras, weddings, formal dinners |
Why we recommend it
For a quinceañera or a wedding table in gold, these give a formal, finished look, and the clear center works with almost any tablecloth color.
Skip it if the chargers will travel to a venue and back. Glass is heavy and can break; aluminum or plastic travels better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Gold rim with clear center
- Made for celebrations
- Hand-washable
- Works over colored linens
Cons
- Glass is heavy and breakable
- Not for food (maker)
- Rim described inconsistently on the listing
3. Efavormart 13-inch Clear Glass Chargers with Gold Scalloped Edge, 8-Pack – Eight at Once for a Long Table
Eight glass chargers in one box, for a long family or party table.
Efavormart lists these as 13-inch clear glass chargers with a metallic gold scalloped edge and a hammered glass texture, sold as an 8-pack, and says they are made of heavy-duty glass rather than plastic. Eight to a box matters when you are setting a long table for a posada dinner or a big birthday: two boxes cover sixteen places with no mismatched sets.
The listing says to hand wash them to preserve the metallic finish and not to put them in the microwave or dishwasher. It describes the chargers as framing dinnerware and protecting the tablecloth from heat and spills; it does not say whether the glass is suitable for direct food contact, so use them under a plate rather than as a plate.
Like any glass charger, they are heavy to carry in quantity, and a gold edge applied to glass can wear if scrubbed, which is why the maker asks for gentle hand washing.
Why we like it
- Eight chargers per pack
- Heavy-duty glass with a gold scalloped edge (listing)
- Hammered texture adds interest
- 13-inch size
Key specifications
| Model | CHRG_GLAS0008_GOLD |
|---|---|
| Set | Clear glass chargers, gold scalloped edge |
| Material | Glass, metallic gold edge |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 8 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Not stated; sold as an underplate |
| Care | Hand wash only; not microwave or dishwasher safe |
| Best for | Long party tables, 8 or more places |
Why we recommend it
For hosts who set a long table several times a year, buying in eights saves money and keeps every place matching.
Skip it if you only seat four. A set of four, like the Simply Elegant chargers, is a better fit for a small table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Eight per pack
- Real glass
- Gold scalloped edge
- Sold in eights for big tables
Cons
- Heavy in quantity
- Hand wash only
- Food-contact guidance not stated
4. Fennco Styles Dot Rim Metal Chargers, Gold, Set of 4 – Heavy Iron With a Vintage Rim
Iron chargers with a dotted gold rim and a vintage look, for a table that wants weight and texture.
Fennco Styles lists these as 100 percent iron with a gold dot-rim design, sold in sets of four, and says they resist denting and breakage and safely hold dinner, luncheon and dessert plates. The title calls them 13-inch, but the product details and description both say 14 inches, so measure your table spacing with the larger figure in mind.
Iron is the heaviest material on this list, which keeps the charger firmly in place when plates are set down and taken away. The rustic, vintage finish suits a table with wrought iron candleholders, clay dishes and warm linens, a look that fits naturally with a Mexican hacienda-style dinner.
The care advice is strict: wipe clean with a soft dry cloth, do not leave the chargers wet or immersed in water, and do not put them in the microwave or dishwasher. Bare iron left damp can rust. The listing does not say whether the surface is suitable for food, so keep food on the plate.
Why we like it
- 100% iron construction (listing)
- Resists denting and breakage, per the maker
- Dotted gold rim, vintage style
- Heavy enough to stay put
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Set | Dot Rim Metal Charger Plates |
| Material | 100% iron, gold finish |
| Diameter | 14 in per description (title says 13 in) |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Not stated; holds plates |
| Care | Wipe with a soft dry cloth; do not leave wet; not microwave or dishwasher safe |
| Best for | Rustic, vintage-style tables |
Why we recommend it
For a table with a rustic, old-world look, heavy iron chargers feel solid and add texture under plain white plates.
Skip it if your table is narrow. At 14 inches across, these need more room per place than 13-inch chargers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid iron
- Resists dents (maker)
- Vintage look
- Stays in place
Cons
- Size stated inconsistently
- Must be kept dry
- Heavy to store and carry
5. Saro Lifestyle Handmade Rattan Chargers, Set of 4 – Natural Weave for Relaxed Tables
Handmade rattan chargers for a casual, natural table, indoors or out.
Saro Lifestyle lists these as 13 by 13 inches, made of 100 percent rattan, in a natural color, sold in sets of four. A woven charger adds texture and warmth under a plain or colorful plate, and it is the material that most suits an outdoor dinner, a brunch or a family meal under papel picado on the patio.
The maker states plainly that they are for decorative use only and not food safe, and not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe. Care is spot cleaning. That matters more with rattan than with metal or glass, because a woven surface traps crumbs and salsa: keep food on the plate and brush the chargers off after the meal.
Color can vary from set to set because of the natural dyeing process, Saro notes. Woven chargers do not give the formal shine of gold, so for a quinceañera or a wedding, metal or glass is the better choice.
Why we like it
- 100% rattan, handmade (listing)
- 13-inch size
- Natural texture for casual tables
- Light and easy to carry
Key specifications
| Model | CH714.N13R |
|---|---|
| Set | Handmade Rattan Charger Plates |
| Material | 100% rattan |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Decorative use only; not food safe |
| Care | Spot clean |
| Best for | Casual, outdoor and brunch tables |
Why we recommend it
For everyday or outdoor entertaining, rattan gives a relaxed, natural look that metal and glass cannot.
Skip it if your meals involve a lot of saucy dishes passed around the table. A woven surface is harder to clean than metal or glass.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Natural material
- Light
- Relaxed look
- Clear maker guidance
Cons
- Spot clean only
- Not food safe (maker)
- Not formal
6. Koyal Wholesale Water Hyacinth Woven Chargers, 13.5-inch, Set of 4 – Charger and Placemat in One
Round woven mats that work as a charger under the plate or as a placemat on their own.
Koyal Wholesale lists these as handwoven from 100 percent natural water hyacinth fiber, 13.5 inches in diameter, sold as a set of four. The listing describes them as round placemats that can also be used as charger plates, centerpiece bases or layered table accents. One line in the description mentions a 12-inch diameter, which conflicts with the 13.5 inches given in the title and elsewhere, so check the listing before you buy.
Because they are flatter and softer than a rigid rattan charger, they double easily as everyday placemats, which makes them a practical choice if you want one item that serves both purposes. The listing says to wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
The listing does not give guidance on direct food contact. Use them under a plate, as you would any charger.
Why we like it
- Handwoven water hyacinth (listing)
- Doubles as a placemat
- 13.5-inch size gives a wide border
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Set | Water Hyacinth Placemats / Woven Charger Plates |
| Material | 100% natural water hyacinth fiber |
| Diameter | 13.5 in (one line says 12 in) |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Not stated |
| Care | Wipe clean with a damp cloth |
| Best for | Everyday tables, charger or placemat |
Why we recommend it
If you want one set of woven rounds that works as a placemat every day and as a charger for guests, this is the most flexible pick.
Skip it if you want a rigid charger that holds its shape when you lift it. A woven mat is softer than a framed rattan charger.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two uses in one
- Natural fiber
- Wide size
- Easy wipe-clean care
Cons
- Softer than a rigid charger
- Size stated inconsistently
- Food-contact guidance not stated
7. Fennco Styles Classic Rustic Chargers, Red, Set of 4 – Holiday Red for Posadas
Red chargers for December: a posada dinner, Nochebuena or a Christmas tamalada.
Fennco Styles lists these as 13-inch round chargers made of plastic with a polyester fabric print, in a solid red with a rustic finish, sold as a set of four. They are lightweight and stackable for storage, the maker says. Red under a white plate is the simplest way to give a holiday table color, and it pairs naturally with poinsettias, green runners and white linens.
The listing is explicit: for decorative use only, not for direct contact with food, and not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe. Care is spot cleaning with a damp cloth. A fabric-printed surface will not stand up to scrubbing, so wipe spills promptly.
Fennco sells the same charger in several other colors, including copper, cobalt blue, teal, pink and eggplant, so you can match other holidays and parties with the same style.
Why we like it
- Solid red, rustic finish (listing)
- Lightweight and stackable
- Clear maker guidance on food contact
- Same style sold in several colors
Key specifications
| Model | CH0001 |
|---|---|
| Set | Classic Rustic Design Holiday Decorative Charger Plates |
| Material | Plastic with polyester fabric print |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Decorative use only; not for direct contact with food |
| Care | Spot clean with a damp cloth; not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe |
| Best for | Posadas and Christmas tables |
Why we recommend it
For a December table, a red charger does a lot of decorating for very little effort, and it stores flat for the rest of the year.
Skip it if you want chargers for year-round use. Solid red is strongly seasonal.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong holiday color
- Light and stackable
- Clear food-contact guidance
- Other colors available
Cons
- Plastic and fabric, not metal or glass
- Spot clean only
- Seasonal look
8. Saro Lifestyle 13-inch Plastic Chargers, Copper, Set of 4 – Light Metallic Look for Less Weight
A metallic copper look in sturdy plastic, for hosts who want chargers that are easy to handle and store.
Saro Lifestyle lists these as 13-inch round chargers made of sturdy plastic, sold as a set of four in copper, and describes them as a practical alternative to glass or metal for decor-focused table styling. Copper is a warm color that suits fall and Día de Muertos tables, alongside marigold orange and deep purple.
The maker is direct about use: they are designed for decorative layering under dinnerware, are not food safe and should not come into direct contact with food. Care is wiping with a dry cloth to protect the finish, and they are not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe.
Plastic is the lightest and least breakable material here, which suits families with children and hosts who set tables at a church hall or a rented venue. Saro offers the same charger in other colors, though some were out of stock when we checked.
Why we like it
- Sturdy plastic, light and hard to break (listing)
- Warm copper color
- 13-inch size
- Clear food-contact guidance
Key specifications
| Model | CH001.CO13R |
|---|---|
| Set | Decorative Charger Plates |
| Material | Plastic, copper finish |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 4 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Not food safe; no direct contact with food |
| Care | Wipe with a dry cloth; not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe |
| Best for | Fall tables, venues, homes with children |
Why we recommend it
For hosts who carry chargers to a venue, or who worry about breakage, plastic gives the metallic look with the least risk.
Skip it if you want the weight and feel of real metal or glass. Plastic is lighter and looks less substantial up close.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light and durable
- Warm metallic color
- Clear maker guidance
- Easy to store
Cons
- Plastic look up close
- Wipe clean only
- Not food safe (maker)
9. Alpha Living Home Wooden Chargers, 13-inch, Set of 2 – Sold for Serving as Well
Solid wood chargers that, unlike the others here, are sold for serving food as well as for decoration.
Alpha Living Home lists these as 13-inch round chargers carved from solid wood, sold as a set of two, and describes them as having “a smooth, food-safe finish.” The maker suggests using them to serve appetizers, salads, fruits or snacks, as well as under dinner plates. That makes them the one pick on this list that the maker presents for direct food use. The wood species and the finish used are not stated.
Two to a set is small for a dinner table, so they work best as a pair at the head of a table, as serving rounds for a botana spread of cheese, jícama and fruit, or as a set built up over time. The maker says they stack evenly for storage and notes natural variation in color and grain.
The listing gives no care instructions. As with any wood serving piece, hand washing and drying promptly is the safe approach; do not soak it or put it in the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Solid wood, handcrafted (listing)
- Maker states a food-safe finish
- Doubles as a serving round for botanas
- Stacks evenly for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 78035 |
|---|---|
| Set | Wooden Charger Plates |
| Material | Solid wood (species not stated) |
| Diameter | 13 in |
| Count | 2 |
| Food contact (maker’s guidance) | Maker states “a smooth, food-safe finish” |
| Care | Not stated |
| Best for | Rustic tables and serving botanas |
Why we recommend it
If you want a charger that can also carry food to the table, this is the one the maker describes that way, and it suits a rustic, natural setting.
Skip it if you need to set a full table. Two per set means buying several to seat a family.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Food-safe finish (maker)
- Serves double duty
- Natural wood grain
- Stacks neatly
Cons
- Only two per set
- Wood species and finish not stated
- No care instructions on the listing
How to choose charger plates
Charger plates are mostly about looks, but a few practical points decide whether a set works on your table.
1. Size: 13 inches is the usual choice
Most chargers are 13 inches across, which leaves a visible border around most dinner plates. Measure your dinner plates first; our guide to the best dinnerware sets lists plate sizes. Larger chargers, like the 14-inch Fennco iron set or the 13.5-inch Koyal mats, look generous but need more room per place on a narrow table.
2. Material
- Metal (aluminum, iron) is durable and looks rich. Aluminum is lighter; iron is heavier and must be kept dry.
- Glass with a gold rim is the most formal look and lets the tablecloth show through, but it is heavy and breakable.
- Rattan and water hyacinth are natural, light and casual, and need spot cleaning rather than washing.
- Plastic is the lightest and hardest to break, and many plastic chargers carry a printed or metallic finish.
- Wood is warm and rustic; only buy it for serving if the maker says the finish is food safe.
3. Food contact: read the maker’s guidance
Most chargers are decorative and are generally not meant for direct food contact, and many makers say so plainly. Saro Lifestyle and Fennco Styles describe several of their chargers as decorative use only and not food safe, and Simply Elegant says its glass chargers are not intended for food use. Painted, printed, gold-rimmed and glass chargers on this list carry no food-safety claim from their makers, so keep food on the plate. Of the nine picks, only the Alpha Living Home wooden charger is described by its maker as having a food-safe finish.
4. Care and storage
No charger on this list is listed as dishwasher safe. Metal and plastic are wiped with a dry cloth, natural fibers are spot cleaned, glass is hand washed. Plan where a stack of twelve chargers will live between parties: plastic, aluminum and rattan stack light; iron and glass are heavy.
5. Color for the occasion
Gold suits quinceañeras, weddings and Christmas; red suits posadas and Nochebuena; copper and natural fibers suit fall and Día de Muertos; rattan suits brunch and the patio. If you set a table only a few times a year, choose one color that covers your biggest occasion. Our guides to the best tablecloths, the best table runners and the best cloth napkins cover the layers that go with them, and a napkin ring finishes each place, as our guide to the best napkin rings explains.
How we chose these nine charger plate sets
We started from what a host needs from a charger: a size that frames a standard dinner plate, a material that suits the occasion and the effort you will put into care, and clear guidance from the maker on whether food can touch it. We searched charger plates sold on Amazon in the United States, kept those from identifiable brands with clear listings, and checked stock, material, size, count, care and food-contact guidance with the Amazon product data. Specifications and the food-contact wording come from each brand’s own Amazon listing; where a listing is silent or contradicts itself, the review says so. For how chargers are used at the table, we drew on etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. We left out bulk plastic chargers from sellers with no identifiable brand, listings whose details were mostly shipping notes, and sets that were nearly sold out. We have not used these chargers ourselves.
Charger plate questions, answered
Can you eat off a charger plate?
Generally, no. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman writes that a charger “is not meant to look like a serving platter or to have food eaten off of it,” and most makers on this list describe their chargers as decorative only or not for food use. The exception here is the Alpha Living Home wooden charger, which its maker says has a food-safe finish.
When do you remove charger plates?
Gottsman says the charger is set before guests arrive, can stay in place for the salad and soup, and is removed before the main course or cleared with the dinner plate at the end of the meal.
What are the best gold charger plates?
For a gold look in metal, the Saro Lifestyle Hammered Metal Scallop-Edge set is our top pick, with the heavier Fennco Styles Dot Rim iron set for a vintage style. For gold glass, choose the Simply Elegant Floral Rim chargers for four places or the Efavormart 8-pack for a long table.
What makes a good quality charger plate?
Solid construction in a material that suits your use, a size that leaves a border around your dinner plate, a finish that does not scratch or fade easily, and clear care and food-contact guidance from the maker. Metal and glass feel more substantial than plastic; plastic is lighter and harder to break.
Do charger plates protect the table?
Yes. Gottsman notes that a charger protects the table from heat and prevents rings and marks, and several makers on this list describe their chargers as protecting the table or the tablecloth from hot plates and spills.
Our final pick for charger plates
For most tables, the Saro Lifestyle Hammered Metal Scallop-Edge Chargers in gold are the set to buy: real metal, light enough to handle, and dressy enough for the biggest celebrations. Choose gold-rimmed glass for a formal quinceañera or wedding table, rattan for relaxed meals, and red for the posada season.
A charger frames the plate; the rest of the table does the work. Our guides to the best placemats, the best flatware sets and the best serving platters cover the other pieces, and a set of chargers is a good present for a host, as our best hostess gifts list suggests.
More for setting the table: melamine dinnerware, kids’ plates, salad bowls, serving utensils, napkin rings, buffet servers, bowl sets.
And if you would rather someone else set the table and did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.