Acrylic or Resin Dice—What’s the Difference, and Which Type Is Best for You?—Mackan Weighs In!

When you’re shopping for a new set of D&D, RPG, or TTRPG dice, you’ll often come across two common materials: acrylic and resin. Both materials are widely used in Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and other TTRPGs, but they differ in terms of design, feel, weight, and price. Here, we’ll go over the most important differences to help you choose the right set of dice.

Acrylic Dice – Affordable and Durable

Acrylic is a hard and durable plastic material used in many of the most common dice sets on the market. It is by far the most common material for dice. Manufacturing is typically fully automated using injection molding. After molding, the dice are tumbled in an abrasive to round off and smooth the edges. This manufacturing method makes production fast and cost-effective.

Advantages of Acrylic Dice

• Affordable: Acrylic dice are often the most economical option.
• Durable: The material withstands impacts and frequent use without cracking easily.
• Wide selection: Available in a variety of colors, patterns, and finishes.

Disadvantages

Due to the manufacturing process, design options are somewhat more limited. They often have a simpler design compared to more exclusive resin sets. However, there are many stylish variations, and there are even examples of acrylic dice with more advanced designs.

Acrylic Dice: Characteristics and Feel During Play

Acrylic dice are an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable set of dice without breaking the bank. Acrylic dice often weigh slightly less than their resin counterparts, but the difference is so small that you usually won’t notice it. They often have rounded corners, which makes them roll very easily; they provide a smooth and quiet roll.

Acrylic dice are by far the most common type of D&D and TTRPG dice on the market. They’re cost-effective, and as long as you choose high-quality dice, they’ll last for many years, retaining both their shape and appearance.

See our entire selection of acrylic dice here: Acrylic - Diceshop.se

Resin dice – detailed and unique

Resin dice are made by pouring liquid resin into molds and allowing it to cure, a process that involves entirely manual steps—especially for more detailed designs that can only be crafted by hand. This process takes significantly longer but offers much greater freedom in terms of design and detail.

It’s common for resin dice to contain:

• Glittering pigments
• Swirls of color
• Flowers or leaves
• Small figures or other decorative objects
• Transparent or semi-transparent designs

With hand-cast resin sets, each set is unique. Small variations in pigments, color play, and details mean that no two sets are exactly alike—that’s part of the craftsmanship.

Advantages of resin dice

• Wide range of design possibilities: Nearly unlimited combinations of colors and effects.
• Unique sets: Minor variations ensure that no two sets are exactly the same.

Disadvantages

Resin dice typically cost more than acrylic dice because they require more work to manufacture. They can also be slightly more sensitive to hard impacts against very hard surfaces, although high-quality resin is very durable under normal use.

Resin Dice: Characteristics and Feel During Play

Resin dice are available in both the most common shape with rounded corners and the “sharp edge” model. Dice with rounded corners roll very easily, quietly, and smoothly. Dice with sharp edges do not roll nearly as far; they come to a distinct and early stop. The result is often easier to read.

Resin dice are often slightly larger than acrylic dice because the manufacturing process allows for greater freedom in terms of design and detail.

Resin can feel heavier, but that also depends on:

• the size of the dice
• whether they’re solid
• the resin mixture used

Resin dice are often perceived as slightly heavier and more substantial than their acrylic counterparts, even though the actual difference in weight is usually quite small.

High-quality resin dice last for many years and retain both their color and shape with normal use.

See our entire selection of resin dice here: Resin - Diceshop.se

Conclusion: Which material should you choose?

The choice depends primarily on your priorities.

Acrylic dice:

• Good value
• Often lighter in weight with rounded corners, resulting in quiet, smooth rolls

Resin dice:

• Often feature unique, intricate designs
• Widely available in both rounded-corner and sharp-edge versions

Mackan recommends

No single material is objectively better than another—they simply cater to different needs. Acrylic dice offer high durability, a lower price, and great variety, while resin dice stand out for their exclusive feel and often impressive visual details.

No matter which material you choose, the most important thing is that you find a set of dice that enhances the experience. I think many RPG enthusiasts who’ve been playing for a few years (or many years) can relate to the fact that, in some way, they prefer one set of dice over another. You develop your favorites. Sometimes you can’t even put your finger on why—they just feel right! It’s that indescribable feeling that makes the difference—and enhances the experience at the table.

And when your favorite set lets you down (which undeniably happens), it ends up in the Dice Jail Brass - Diceshop.se)!

Mackan is playing today with Glander Black (Glander Black - Diceshop.se), a very high-quality resin sharp-edge set with a really stylish design.

When I’m the game master (SL, GM, Mother, or whatever you want to call it), I like to use several sets of Blue Steel (Blue Steel - Diceshop.se) and Purple Steel (Purple Steel - Diceshop.se), since they roll very smoothly and quietly. Perfect for hidden rolls.

The choice is yours :)

/Mackan

Frequently Asked Questions About Acrylic and Resin Dice

Are resin dice better than acrylic dice?

No. Resin dice offer greater design flexibility and often feature more intricate details, while acrylic dice are generally more affordable and highly durable.

What type of dice do most D&D players use?

Acrylic dice are still the most common type of Dungeons & Dragons dice thanks to their affordability, durability, and wide range of available designs.

Are sharp edge dice better than round edge dice?

It mostly comes down to personal preference. Sharp edge dice tend to stop rolling sooner and produce more defined rolls, while round edge dice roll more smoothly and often travel a bit farther before coming to a stop.