The Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray is the best seed starting tray for most home gardeners: flexible silicone-bottom cells pop seedlings out without damaging roots, corner slots improve drainage, and the deep watering tray wicks moisture from below.
The short answer
- For most home gardeners, the Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray is the one: flexible pop-out cells and a bottom-watering tray.
- For durability, Bootstrap Farmer 1020 Trays are thick enough that owners say they hold a 30 pound brick.
- For the most cells for the money, the MIXC 10 Pack 120-Cell Kit includes humidity domes.
- Bottom watering trays need no holes; cell trays need holes.
Thin black nursery flats crack the second time you pick them up full of wet soil, usually over the carpet.
Seed starting trays have quietly improved: thick 1020 trays that last for years, flexible silicone cells that pop seedlings out root-ball intact, and dome kits that hold humidity for germination. Pick by what you grow and how many seasons you want them to last.
A seed starting setup usually has three parts: a cell insert, a solid 1020 tray underneath for bottom watering, and a clear dome. Thin disposable trays bend and crack; reusable ones save money after the first season.
We compared cell count and size, material thickness, domes, drainage, reuse and owner feedback for seed starting trays sold in the United States. We picked 6 seed starting trays.
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Our Top Picks
Best OverallBurpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting TrayFlexible pop-out cells, corner drainage slots and a deep bottom-watering tray.Jump to review
Most DurableBootstrap Farmer 10-Pack 1020 Trays No HolesHeavy-duty, food-safe BPA-free 1020 trays with no holes for bottom watering.Jump to review
Best Value KitMIXC 10 Pack Seed Starter Tray 120-Cell KitTen 12-cell trays with humidity domes and adjustable vents.Jump to review
Best Silicone CellsSondiko Seed Starter Tray Soft Silicone 80-Cell KitSilicone-bottom cells you press to release seedlings, in separable rows.Jump to review
Best Value 1020SOLIGT Extra Thick 10 Pack 1020 TraysThick 1020 trays with no holes that owners say do not bend or buckle.Jump to review
Best for ShelvesMr. Pen Seed Starter Trays 5 Pack17 by 10 by 2.4 inch trays that fit standard 18 inch deep shelves.Jump to reviewPicks Matched to Your USDA Zone
Your last frost date decides when trays come out. Find your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
| Your climate | USDA zones | Our pick | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short seasons, many starts | 3 to 5 | Bootstrap Farmer 10-Pack 1020 Trays No Holes | Durable trays for big seed-starting seasons. |
| Typical vegetable gardens | 5 to 7 | Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray | Large cells for tomatoes and peppers. |
| Flowers and herbs | Any | MIXC 10 Pack Seed Starter Tray 120-Cell Kit | Many small cells. |
| Long seasons, succession sowing | 7 to 9 | Sondiko Seed Starter Tray Soft Silicone 80-Cell Kit | Easy pop-out for repeated sowings. |
Large cells let tomatoes and peppers stay in trays longer before potting up.
Pick Cell Size by Crop
| Crop | Cell size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, herbs, flowers | 72 to 128 cells | Small roots, quick transplant |
| Brassicas, onions | 50 to 72 cells | Moderate roots |
| Tomatoes, peppers | 36 cells or pot up | Longer indoor time |
| Squash, cucumbers | 2 to 4 inch pots | Dislike root disturbance |
Seed Starting Trays: Our Picks in Detail
Best Overall
1. Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray
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What We Like
- Flexible pop-out cells
- Corner drainage slots
- Deep wicking tray
What We Don’t Like
- 36 cells only
- No dome included
Owners say the silicone bottoms pop seedlings out without damage and report success with tomatoes, peppers and marigolds.
Add a dome or plastic wrap for germination.
Skip it if: you start hundreds of seedlings.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Cells | 36 |
|---|---|
| Bottoms | Flexible |
| Watering | Wicking tray |
| Reuse | Yes |
| Dome | No |
| Brand | Burpee |
Most Durable
2. Bootstrap Farmer 10-Pack 1020 Trays No Holes
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What We Like
- Heavy duty, no cracking
- Food safe, BPA free
- Solid bottom for bottom watering
- Owners say they hold a 30 lb brick
What We Don’t Like
- Trays only, no cells
- Premium cost
Bootstrap Farmer trays are the buy-once option. Owners call them ten times better than standard trays.
Pair with cell inserts.
Skip it if: you start only a few seeds.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Count | 10 |
|---|---|
| Holes | None |
| Material | PP5, BPA free |
| Color | Black |
| Use | Bottom watering |
| Brand | Bootstrap Farmer |
Best Value Kit
3. MIXC 10 Pack Seed Starter Tray 120-Cell Kit
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What We Like
- 120 cells
- Humidity domes
- Adjustable vents
What We Don’t Like
- Thin plastic
- Small cells
MIXC gives the most cells for the money. Owners say seeds sprout within 48 hours and transplanting is simple.
Handle gently to reuse a second year.
Skip it if: you want trays for many years.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Cells | 120 |
|---|---|
| Trays | 10 |
| Dome | Yes |
| Vents | Adjustable |
| Holes | Yes |
| Brand | MIXC |
Best Silicone Cells
4. Sondiko Seed Starter Tray Soft Silicone 80-Cell Kit
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What We Like
- Silicone-bottom cells
- Separable rows
- Beginner friendly
- Owners say germination in days
What We Don’t Like
- Some report corners cracking
- Smaller kit
Sondiko’s silicone cells release seedlings with a gentle push from below. Owners find it easy for beginners.
Store out of the sun between seasons.
Skip it if: you need trays only.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Cells | 80 |
|---|---|
| Bottoms | Silicone |
| Rows | Separable |
| Dome | Yes |
| Reuse | Yes |
| Brand | Sondiko |
Best Value 1020
5. SOLIGT Extra Thick 10 Pack 1020 Trays
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What We Like
- Extra thick
- No holes
- Owners say they do not bend
What We Don’t Like
- Opinions vary on thickness
- Trays only
SOLIGT is a value 1020 tray that owners say lasts for years and carries transplants easily.
Use under cell trays.
Skip it if: you want cells included.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Count | 10 |
|---|---|
| Holes | None |
| Size | 1020 |
| Reuse | Yes |
| Thickness | Extra thick |
| Brand | SOLIGT |
Best for Shelves
6. Mr. Pen Seed Starter Trays 5 Pack
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What We Like
- 17 by 10 by 2.4 inches
- Fits 18 inch shelves
- Reusable plastic
- Good value
What We Don’t Like
- Size opinions mixed
- Sturdiness mixed
If you start seeds on a wire shelf, these trays fit standard depths. Owners report healthier plants with tidy watering.
Measure your shelf first; the listing does not say whether the trays have drainage holes.
Skip it if: you need standard 1020 size.
Climate fit: All zones.
| Count | 5 |
|---|---|
| Size | 17 x 10 x 2.4 in |
| Reuse | Yes |
| Holes | Not listed |
| Use | Shelves |
| Brand | Mr. Pen |
Packs Needed for 24 to 150 Plants
Start with the plants you want, and count one seedling per cell. The packs are the Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray (36 cells), the Sondiko Seed Starter Tray Soft Silicone 80-Cell Kit (80 cells) and the MIXC 10 Pack Seed Starter Tray 120-Cell Kit (120 cells).
Each figure is plants divided by listed cells, rounded up, with the exact quotient in brackets.
| Plants wanted | Burpee 36-cell trays | Sondiko 80-cell kits | MIXC 120-cell kits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 plants | 1 (0.67) | 1 (0.30) | 1 (0.20) |
| 48 plants | 2 (1.33) | 1 (0.60) | 1 (0.40) |
| 100 plants | 3 (2.78) | 2 (1.25) | 1 (0.83) |
| 150 plants | 5 (4.17) | 2 (1.88) | 2 (1.25) |
The 36-cell Burpee tray needs another tray for every 36 plants, so it suits a small plot or a second pass of succession sowing. For 100 starts, the MIXC kit covers it in one pack. Cell size differs between the three, so check the crop before you count cells alone.
Specs at a Glance
| Model | Cells | Cell size | Lifespan | Dome | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burpee SuperSeed 36Best Overall | 36 | Large | Reusable | No dome | Watering tray |
| Bootstrap Farmer 1020Most Durable | Tray only | N/A | Years | No | 10 trays |
| MIXC 120-CellBest Value Kit | 120 | Small | Light reuse | Yes, vented | 10 trays |
| Sondiko 80-CellBest Silicone Cells | 80 | Medium | Reusable | Yes | Kit |
| SOLIGT 1020Best Value 1020 | Tray only | N/A | Years | No | 10 trays |
| Mr. Pen 5 PackBest for Shelves | Tray only | N/A | Reusable | No | 5 trays |
Which Should You Buy?
If you want easy transplanting
Get the Burpee SuperSeed 36.
If you want trays that last
The Bootstrap Farmer 1020 or SOLIGT 1020.
If you want many cells
The MIXC 120-Cell.
If you grow on shelves
The Mr. Pen 5 Pack.
Bottom Watering in Four Steps
- Set cell trays in a solid 1020 tray.
- Pour water into the bottom tray, not over seedlings.
- Let the mix wick up water, then pour off extra.
- Water again when the cells feel light.
What to Look For in Seed Starting Trays
Cell size
Match the crop.
Thickness
Thick trays last for years.
Holes or no holes
Cells need holes; base trays should not.
Domes
Hold humidity for germination.
Pop-out cells
Protect roots at transplant.
How This Guide Was Made
We do not run a test garden. We compared cells, thickness, domes, drainage and patterns in owner feedback for seed trays sold in the United States, and followed university extension seed-starting guidance.
We picked 6 seed starting trays.
Why Trust Garden Guide US
We compare garden gear for American yards using manufacturer specifications, product manuals, warranty terms, cooperative extension guidance and patterns in owner feedback. We do not run a test garden, and every claim comes from a maker, a manual, an extension service or owner feedback. Every guide notes which USDA zones and conditions each pick suits. Read how we review.
Bottom Line
For most home gardeners, the Burpee SuperSeed 36-Cell Reusable Seed Starting Tray is the one to buy.
For a related pick, see the best indoor herb garden kits. Every guide in this category is listed on Seed Starting and Indoor Growing buying guides.
Add heavy 1020 trays underneath for bottom watering, and your setup will last for many springs.
Seed Starting Trays FAQs
What size seed tray is best?
A standard 1020 tray is the safest choice. It fits most domes and bottom-watering setups, and heavy-duty options like the Bootstrap Farmer 1020 or SOLIGT 1020 are built to that size. If you grow on wire shelves, measure first, since the Mr. Pen trays run 17 by 10 by 2.4 inches to fit 18 inch deep shelves.
Should seed trays have holes?
Cell trays need holes, but the base tray should not. Set the cell tray in a solid 1020 tray, then pour water into the bottom tray instead of over the seedlings. Let the mix wick up water and pour off the extra. The Bootstrap Farmer 10-pack has no holes for exactly this job.
How many cells do I need?
Plan on one cell for each plant you want. University of Maryland Extension notes that tomatoes and peppers are often started one seed per cell, while squash and cucumbers get two or three seeds per cell, keeping the strongest seedling. Then match cell size to the crop: lettuce, herbs and flowers suit 72 to 128 cells, while tomatoes and peppers want larger cells like the Burpee SuperSeed 36. For hundreds of starts, the MIXC 120-cell kit gives the most cells.
Can I reuse seed trays?
Yes, reuse them. Wash and sanitize each tray before the next sowing so nothing carries over. Thick 1020 trays like Bootstrap Farmer are the buy-once option and last for years, while thinner kits like MIXC need gentle handling if you want a second season out of them.
Do I need a humidity dome?
For germination, yes. A clear dome holds humidity while seeds sprout, and you should remove it once they do. The MIXC kit comes with domes and adjustable vents. The Burpee SuperSeed 36 has no dome, so add a dome or plastic wrap over it until the seedlings emerge.
Are silicone trays worth it?
Often yes, mainly for easier transplanting. Silicone-bottom cells flex, so you press from below and the seedling pops out with its root ball intact. The Burpee SuperSeed 36 and Sondiko 80-cell kit work this way. Some owners report Sondiko corners cracking, so store it out of the sun between seasons.
Sources and Further Reading
- Starting Seeds Indoors, University of Minnesota Extension
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA Agricultural Research Service
- Starting Seeds Indoors, University of Maryland Extension
- Bulletin #2751, Starting Seeds at Home, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Damping-off in Flower and Vegetable Seedlings, NC State Extension
