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When we cook at home, we can't avoid dirtying the best cookware set or scrubbing down our best Dutch oven. However, you can skip dishwashing duties by using the best disposable plates, whether you're using them at home or putting out plates for a backyard barbecue. For less formal or outdoor parties, disposable plates are a great dinnerware swap. China Pulp Dinnerware
As with searching for disposable drinkware, the key to finding the best disposable plates for any occasion is to look at sturdy, leakproof designs. In assessing the best options, we looked at which plates are eco-friendly and compostable, differences in sizes and design, along with strength and price points. Many brands even have matching flatware, or you can pair neutral plates with your flatware at home.
Best overall: Dixie Ultra Heavy Duty Paper Plates - See at Amazon With Dixie Ultra Heavy Duty Paper Plates at your picnic, there are no dishes to wash and no messy spills.
Best for weddings: Occasions Wedding Party Pack - See at Amazon Available in 24 designs, Occasions Wedding Party Pack gives you the look of china without the cost or clean-up.
Best on a budget: Dixie Everyday Paper Plates - See at Amazon For after-school snacks, reheating pizza or a lunch sandwich, nothing beats Dixie Everyday Paper Plates.
Best bamboo: Bambu Organic Bamboo Plates - See at Amazon These sturdy plates are made from certified organic bamboo. They are compostable, come in multiple sizes, and are a great neutral color for any occasion
Best compostable: Stack Man Natural Plates - See at Amazon These unbleached plates are sturdy and hold up to hot and cold foods, making a great eco-friendly choice in bulk for any occasion
Pros: Sturdy paper plates with leak-proof coating, 11-cents per plate with coupons and sales offered frequently, compostable
Cons: Limited design options, cannot be recycled at home if contaminated with food products
After trying numerous brands, I have found that Dixie Ultra Heavy Duty Paper Plates offer the best disposable plate performance for the best price. The plates are just over 10 inches in diameter and will support up to two pounds of food. Thanks to a proprietary coating, they are soak-proof, cut resistant, and microwaveable. While they can't be recycled at home if contaminated with food, they are compostable in established facilities.
The downside of the plates is that design choices are limited. Dixie has several designs but they tend to run seasonally; so if you find a pattern you like, stock up. But at a cost of around $0.11, I can live with a design that might not be my favorite. Remember, they are going in the trash can right after the meal.
Pros: Sturdy recyclable plastic, 24 designs available, affordable
Cons: Pack options are fixed at 120 or 240-count
Unless you are holding the event in a full-service facility, renting china is expensive and borrowing enough plates for everyone is a hassle. Luckily, there are Occasions Wedding Party Packs. With 24 available patterns and two different pack sizes, these are the perfect plates for a more formal gathering.
The pack includes 10.5-inch dinner plates and smaller dessert or salad plates that are 7.5 inches. While sturdy enough to support a steak, the white plastic background is quite translucent like fine bone china and looks best on white or very light-colored linens. The plates can actually be hand washed and reused several times. I don't recommend using these in a microwave; however, the plastic is recyclable and BPA free.
My favorite thing about the packs is how many design options are offered. Some cost a bit more but you are still getting plates at a cost of $0.30 to $0.42 each. That's less than $1 per person for a dinner and dessert place setting.
Pros: Sturdy and soak-proof, budget-priced, microwavable
Cons: Design choices are limited
Dixie Everyday Paper Plates are more substantial and can hold up to one pound of food without collapsing. That's about four slices of pepperoni pizza (six on a plate is a family record) on a 10-inch plate. They are five-ply, have a soak-resistant coating, and are safe to use in the microwave. Complimentary bowls are also available.
Design choices are limited but at a cost of only nine cents per plate, I can live with that. Dixie products are often on sale and subscription services offer even better prices so you can probably save each time you shop. Plus, you'll get enough of these best disposable plates to get you through at least a few days with kids!
Pros: Strong and sturdy, compostable, multiple size options
Cons: High price point per plate, not microwaveable
These bamboo plates are great for everyday use, but they also look nice enough for special occasions. Because of their strength and sturdiness, and depending on what you serve, it's possible to extend their life even further and reuse these plates after a quick wash with a sponge. The color is neutral with a beautiful texture, so they can be used for holidays and even weddings, without worrying about them collapsing under the pressure of heavy, wet foods.
These plates are made from certified organic bamboo without chemicals or dyes, making them compostable and biodegradable. At $1.00 to $1.50 per plate, they are on the pricier side, but with multiple sizes including 7, 9, and 11-inch plates in packs of 8 or 25, you can choose the best size and number to suit your needs.
Pros: Multiple size options, strong and sturdy, microwaveable, grease resistant
Cons: Limited design, hot foods may cause condensation
Finding an eco-friendly choice is crucial for many paper plate users. This natural option from Stack Man fits the bill. You can choose from seven, nine, and 10-inch round plates, or opt for a nine-inch plate with three sections for those who hate when their foods touch.
These unbleached plates are made from sugarcane fiber, which means they are a sustainable, biodegradable option. They're strong and sturdy enough to hold up to barbecue feasts, along with being grease resistant to keep food from seeping through. Use them in the microwave or freezer and with hot or cold foods, but be aware that hot foods may cause a bit of condensation to form on the bottom.
They come in bulk in packs of 125 plates, so you'll have an eco-friendly, best disposable plate option at $0.13 to $0.22 each.
Size: Consider what you're serving. Cupcakes or dinner roles don't require 12-inch rounds, but a full barbecue dinner might. When in doubt, a standard dinner plate size is about 10 inches, so a pack of those will cover your bases.
Quantity: To ensure you don't run out, in general we recommend buying the best disposable plates in bulk if you have the space. Stick them in your pantry and you'll be ready for when you need a break from dish washing or you have unexpected guests.
Material: Though many material options exist, the best disposable plates are sturdy enough to hold sauce and meat without soaking through or becoming structurally weak. We prefer plates that are compostable and made with bio-degradable materials.
China Sugarcane Dinnerware You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@insider.com.