- Best overall: Broadman RemembranceWare 40-Cup Tray, food-grade stainless with smooth double-rounded edges.
- Best complete set: the Kingdom stainless set serving 160, tarnish-free and never needs polishing.
- Count before you buy: divide attendance by cups per tray (usually 33 to 40), then add one spare tray.
- Pick stainless: it outlasts aluminum and many sets are dishwasher safe.
- For visits: a hard-case portable kit keeps six servings secure in a bag.
The best communion trays do their work quietly: they pass smoothly down a pew, hold every cup upright, stack without rattling and come clean in minutes afterwards. The wrong tray tips cups, scratches easily or will not match the lids and bread plates you already own, which is how many churches end up with a closet of odd pieces.
Whether you are furnishing a church plant, replacing dented aluminum, or adding capacity for Easter crowds, this guide compares nine stainless trays, sets and accessories. We explain capacity, stacking systems, finishes and care, so communion stewards and church administrators can buy once and buy well.
Our picks
Broadman RemembranceWare 40-Cup Tray and Disk
RemembranceWare is one of the best-known communion lines in American churches, which makes it easy to add matching trays later. This tray is high-end, food-grade stainless steel, holds 40 standard cups and measures 12 1/4 in across and 2 1/4 in high. Double rounded edges feel smooth in the hand as the tray passes from person to person, and the disk insert keeps cups seated.
- Holds 40 standard cups
- Food-grade stainless steel
- Smooth double-rounded edges
- Lid and bread plate sold separately
Stainless Steel Communion Ware Set, Serves 160
A new church or a full replacement project needs everything at once, and this set covers a congregation of about 160. Trays and bases are 18/10 stainless steel with 18/8 covers, so the pieces are tarnish-free and never need polishing. The triangle design looks contemporary, and an elevated platform makes serving from a table easier.
- Serves about 160
- 18/10 stainless, no polishing
- Includes elevated platform
- Triangle styling may not suit traditional interiors
Mayur Mirror Stainless Communion Set, 2 Trays and 2 Plates
Two stacking cup trays, two bread plates and matching covers with raised cross knobs give a smaller church a coordinated set for roughly 80 cups. The food-safe stainless has a shiny mirror finish, the pieces are lightweight to carry and they are dishwasher safe. Two bread plates help when servers work both sides of the aisle.
- Two trays plus two bread plates
- Cross-knob covers
- Dishwasher safe
- Mirror finish shows fingerprints
Mayur Satin Stainless Communion Set, 2 Trays and Bread Plate
If a mirror shine feels too modern for your sanctuary, this satin matte version offers a softer, more traditional look. It includes two stacking cup trays, one bread plate and covers with cross knobs, all in food-safe, dishwasher-safe stainless steel. It is a good fit for chapels and fellowship halls.
- Understated matte look
- Stackable with covers
- Dishwasher safe
- Only one bread plate
VJR Stainless Communion Tray with Bread Plate and 33 Cups
VJR includes everything for a first service: a glossy stainless 33-cup tray with lid, a matching bread plate, and 33 reusable food-grade cups. The tray is part of a stacking system up to seven layers high, so you can add trays as the church grows. A dust-proof design keeps elements covered between preparation and serving, and a care manual comes in the box.
- Cups and bread plate included
- Stacks up to seven trays
- Dust-proof lid
- 33-cup capacity is smaller than 40-cup trays
Faithful Gifts Brass Tone Tray with Center Bread Plate
Churches with brass candlesticks and offering plates often want communionware to match. This stainless steel tray has a brass-tone finish, a center bread plate and a cover, and it measures about 16 in across. It stacks neatly for storage, and the tray and cover are dishwasher safe, unlike solid brass.
- Warm brass-tone finish
- Center bread plate
- Dishwasher safe
- Finish may differ from older solid brass
Steadfast Selections Silver 40-Cup Communion Tray
Steadfast Selections sells each piece separately: 40-cup tray, tray lid, stackable bread tray, bread lid and offering plates. That suits churches that need, say, eight cup trays but only two bread trays. The cup tray is 12.5 in across, holds 40 cups and is stainless steel.
- Buy only the pieces you need
- 40-cup capacity
- Matching lids and bread trays
- Every piece is a separate order
Miracle Meal Hard Case Portable Communion Set, 6 Cups
Pastors, deacons and care teams who bring communion to hospitals and homebound members need something compact and dignified. This hard case is 8.75 by 4.75 by 2.5 in with snug foam compartments for six cups and the elements, so nothing rattles in a bag. It also makes a thoughtful ordination or pastor appreciation gift.
- Rigid protective case
- Foam-fitted compartments
- Compact for a bag or car
- Six servings only
Broadman Side-Spout Communion Cup Filler, 16 oz
If you fill your own cups, a filler bottle turns a tedious job into a quick one. This 16 oz squeeze bottle has a side spout and fills more than 80 standard cups per refill, enough for two 40-cup trays. Smaller churches may prefer the 8 oz button-release filler.
- Fills 80+ cups per refill
- Side spout for control
- Simple to clean
- Plastic, not metal
What to look for in the best communion trays
Material
Stainless steel is the practical standard: it resists dents and rust, does not tarnish like silver plate and is often dishwasher safe. Aluminum trays are lighter but scratch and dent more easily. Brass-tone stainless gives a traditional look without polishing.
Capacity
Most cup trays hold 33 to 40 standard cups. Check that your cups fit: standard disposable cups are about 1 1/4 in across the top and 1 3/8 in tall.
Stacking, lids and bread plates
A stacking system lets trays sit on top of each other with one lid on top, keeping cups covered on the communion table. Make sure lids, bread plates and trays come from the same line so they nest without wobbling.
Finish
Mirror finishes look bright under stage lights but show fingerprints. Satin finishes are understated and hide handling marks better.
How many communion trays does your church need?
Divide your typical communion attendance by the cups each tray holds, round up and add one spare. Then check how many servers you have: each server or pair of ushers usually carries one tray per aisle section.
- 80 people: 2 trays of 40, plus 1 bread plate.
- 160 people: 4 cup trays and 2 bread plates.
- 300 people: 8 cup trays, 3 to 4 bread plates and 2 lids.
Communion tray comparison
| Pick | Finish | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadman RemembranceWare | Stainless | 40 cups | Expanding a set |
| Kingdom Set (160) | 18/10 stainless | Serves 160 | New churches |
| Mayur Mirror Set | Mirror stainless | About 80 cups | Small churches |
| Mayur Satin Set | Satin stainless | 2 trays + plate | Traditional look |
| VJR Tray + 33 Cups | Glossy stainless | 33 cups | First service |
| Faithful Gifts Brass-Tone | Brass-tone stainless | Tray + bread plate | Brass interiors |
| Steadfast Selections | Stainless | 40 cups | Custom combinations |
| Miracle Meal Case | Hard case | 6 servings | Hospital visits |
| Broadman 16 oz Filler | Plastic | 80+ cups/fill | Filling trays |
How we chose
We compared every product in our communion trays and portable sets category using the makers' specifications: material, capacity, dimensions, finish, stacking and what comes in the box. We looked for sets that cover different church sizes and styles, favored food-grade stainless steel, and included one portable kit and one filler because they solve real weekly problems. We have not stress-tested these trays; durability notes come from the makers' materials.
Care tips and mistakes to avoid
- Rinse trays soon after the service so juice does not dry in the cup wells.
- Wash in the dishwasher only if the maker says so, otherwise use warm water and a soft cloth.
- Dry immediately to prevent water spots; some makers suggest cotton gloves for handling polished pieces.
- Avoid harsh detergents and abrasive pads, which dull mirror finishes.
- Store stacked with a lid on top and a soft cloth between brass-tone pieces.
- Mixing tray brands that do not stack together.
- Buying trays before confirming your cups fit the wells.
- Forgetting a spare tray for Easter and Christmas Eve.
For more on serving the Lord's Supper well, read our communion supplies guide, and see offering plates that match your trays.
Questions
What are the best communion trays for a small church?
For a small church, the best communion trays are a two-tray stainless set with a bread plate and covers, such as the Mayur mirror or satin set, which together hold about 80 cups.
How many cups does a communion tray hold?
Most standard trays hold 33 to 40 cups. RemembranceWare and Steadfast Selections trays hold 40, and the VJR tray holds 33.
Are stainless steel communion trays dishwasher safe?
Many are, including the Mayur, Faithful Gifts and Holy Exports trays, but always check the maker's care instructions first.
Do prefilled cups fit standard communion trays?
Most prefilled cups from Broadman, TrueVine and Kingdom are designed for standard trays. Test one row if your trays are older.
What is a portable communion set?
A portable set is a small case holding a few cups and the elements so a pastor or deacon can bring communion to the sick and homebound.
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