Best cake stands for showcasing your bakes
Showcase your bakes with our pick of the best cake stands to uplift your creations, from colourful glass and melamine cake stands, to slate and impressive domes
Whether you're serving a triple-layer cake or miniature cupcakes, a cake stand makes even the most plain-looking creations shine. They give your bakes the height needed for a sense of grandness, and make any get-together feel like a special occasion.
Cake stands are usually a standard size of 25cm in diameter, to match a standard cake tin size (20cm). This leaves some room for easy slicing and neat presentation – you could even add fruit, such as cherries, or decorative flowers around this edge for a more professional look.
We've chosen the best cake stands, from a bold stand with a whimsical feel, to more minimalist designs that let your cake do the talking. Choose your favourite for an at-home afternoon tea, birthday celebrations or to bring to street parties or gatherings.
Check out our round-up of the best showstopping cakes for any occasion, or our layer cake recipes for big celebrations. Plus, we have our classic sponge cake recipes for a simple afternoon treat.
For more unbiased expert buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best stand mixers and best cake tins to the best cake storage tins, or even the best coronation afternoon teas to visit in London.
Best cake stands at a glance
- Best marble cake stand: Dunelm marble hexagonal cake stand, £42
- Best coloured glass cake stand: Anthropologie medium Ramona cake stand, £30
- Best patterned cake stand: Eleanor Bowmer palm fine china cake stand, £39.95
- Best wooden cake stand: H&M wooden cake stand, £19.99
- Best investment cake stand: The White Company glass cake stand, £60
- Best budget cake stand: Habitat x Kew ceramic cake stand, £18
- Best melamine cake stand: Berylune melamine cake stand, from £36.95
- Best metal cake stand: H&M metal cake stand, £22.99
- Best cake stand with dome: Wayfair Harshman cake stand, £39.30
- Best large cake stand: Nisbets pedestal cake stand, £35.86
- Best for cupcakes: Slate three-tier cupcake stand, £12.99
Best cake stands to buy 2023
Dunelm Kitchen Pantry marble hexagonal cake stand
- Available from Dunelm (£42)
Best marble cake stand
Make a chic statement with this marble cake stand. The unusual hexagonal shape leaves space for slicing cakes, and the flat edge makes it easy to slide bakes onto the stand. We love the contrast between the glossy marble and rustic wooden base (hand-wash only to protect the wood).
Available from:
Dunelm (£42)
Anthropologie medium Ramona cake stand
- Available from Anthropologie (£30)
Best coloured glass cake stand
This pretty, two-toned cake stand adds a subtle hint of colour to your table. There are three sizes to choose from, each in different glass colourways, and there are impressive matching glass domes you can buy separately to protect your bakes.
Available from:
Anthropologie (£30)
Eleanor Bowmer palm fine china cake stand
- Available from John Lewis & Partners (£39.95), Next (£40)
Best patterned cake stand
This bold cake stand has plenty going on: a colourful base, deep fluted edge and bold palm-print design. It's pretty enough to leave on a shelf when not in use, and is delivered in a gift box – a great housewarming gift for a keen baker.
Available from:
John Lewis & Partners (£39.95)
Next (£40)
H&M mango wood cake stand
- Available from H&M (£19.99)
Best wooden cake stand
This simple wooden cake stand is a generous 29cm, but we think it would also be great for serving cheese or fruit and crackers to accompany a cheeseboard.
Available from:
H&M (£19.99)
The White Company glass cake stand
- Available from The White Company (£60)
Best investment glass cake stand
This simple cake stand is one of our pricier picks, but it's also a timeless piece that won't go out of style if you are looking to invest. The glass is mouth-blown by artisans in Poland, and an impressive matching large glass cloche is also available to buy separately.
Available from:
The White Company (£60)
Habitat x Kew ceramic cake stand
- Available from Argos (£18)
Best budget cake stand
Head to Argos for this pretty collaboration between Habitat and Kew Gardens. The leafy illustrations on the stoneware stem are inspired by the Palm House in Kew Gardens, and provide a subtle pop of colour to the simply designed cake stand.
Available from:
Argos (£18)
Berylune melamine cake stand
- Available from Not on the High Street (from £36.95)
Best melamine cake stand
If delicate glass and china cake stands make you nervous, this melamine cake stand is the answer. Available in a range of pretty pastel colours, with or without a fluted edge, it's safe to use in the garden and around children without the fear of it smashing. Plus, the stem unscrews for compact storage, while the top is dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up afterwards.
Available from:
Not on the High Street (from £36.95)
H&M metal cake stand
- Available from H&M (£22.99)
Best metal cake stand
Make a shiny statement with this glossy gold metal cake stand. Perfect if you're looking for something more modern than many cake stand options – opt for the matching gold cake slice too to complete the look.
Available from:
H&M (£22.99)
Harshman cake stand
- Available from Wayfair (£39.30)
Best cake stand with dome
Fitted with a dome to keep your cakes fresh, this cake stand has a frilled edge creating a pretty boarder for a round cake. This porcelain stand would fit right into an afternoon tea spread with a white table cloth and colourful plates. It is also dishwasher-safe and not overly large for more petite bakes.
Pedestal cake stand
- Available from Nisbets (£35.86)
Best large cake stand
Bring your cake the attention it deserves with this large cream-coloured cake stand. It has a subtle shade to not distract from your creation and is made from a durable porcelain. It is also dishwasher-safe for when you want an easy end to festivities.
Available from:
Nisbets (£35.86)
Slate three-tier cupcake stand
- Available from Amazon (£14.99)
Best cupcake stand
Bring the tea salon home with this three-tier cupcake stand. This plain slate cupcake tier has a dark grey, sleek look that makes cupcakes and patisseries appear brighter and bolder, plus it is simple to assemble and disassemble for space-saving purposes.
Available from:
Amazon (£14.99)
Related reviews
25 essential pieces of baking equipment
The best spatulas for baking
The best handmixers for bakers
20 handy gadgets every baker needs to own
The best baking subscriptions and baking kits
Best outdoor tableware
Best jelly moulds
This review was last updated in April 2023. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
