Back in the days of “The Great Gatsby,” gorgeous crystal ashtrays could be found in any glamorous 1920s home. Over time, smoking has become less popular, and vaping has overtaken it as a trend. Yet, there’s still something nostalgic about a beautiful ash receptacle, even if you don’t smoke. They remind us of an older time. At the end of the day, they are a piece of art, whether you use them to hold cigarette ash, decorative marbles or your rock collection.
Photo by Yohan Cho on Unsplash
Plainly put, it is a small bowl, traditionally used to catch the ash off a cigar or cigarette, to avoid it burning or muddying up the floor or a person’s clothes. It can also be a piece of decor that needs to look aesthetically appealing in a smoker’s home.
While ashtrays are still used to hold smoker’s ash and keep homes clean, they can also function as small bowls. Many people put collectibles or special items in them, and they can be an aesthetically beautiful way to display something important to the owner. They are also fantastic at holding soap, for those who want to dress up their bathrooms or other rooms in creative and unique ways.
As a cigar or cigarette burns down, dark, black ash collects at the end of the cigar or cigarette. Over time, it will fall to the ground. Smokers use ashtrays by tapping off the ash onto the side of the tray before it can ruin the floor or smoker’s clothes. In a social smoking setting, these useful items are generally placed in the middle of a circle of smokers, so they all can have access while remaining seated. When seated outdoors, it is helpful to have a covered product which ensures that wind will not blow ash back in the faces of smokers.
Ashtrays can be bought in home goods stores or on the internet. Amazon has a wide variety to select from; however, if you want a design that looks like art, you could also check out art fairs, Etsy or individual artist web pages. Because the variety on Amazon is so wide, searching there will allow you to get down to specifics and narrow to the choices that best suit your needs.
These useful items start at around $11 and can go up into the $100’s depending on the material you’re looking for, or the intricacy of the design. However, for most people, a $30 budget provides a multitude of choices, from artistic to affordable. We’ve collected a list of our favorites within the $11-30 range.
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty. The products were also reviewed based on artistic design, although we do understand that everyone has their own taste. To correct for this, we focused on parameters that are slightly easier to measure objectively such as quality of materials, ease of use and color.
You can find ashtrays for a couple of dollars at a thrift, convenience or cheesy gift store. Prices will skyrocket depending on the material elsewhere. If you want crystal, for example, you will have to pay for it. As with all things art, the price generally comes from the quality of the material, and the notability of the artist and brand perception. Price is not always an indicator of a better product, especially since our cigarette friends only have to meet very basic needs to be effective: they need to hold ash and not melt from cigarette and cigar heat.
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Scotte European Style Ceramic Cigar Ashtray Top Grade Luxury Item
- Hand Stamped Pattern Smoking Ashtray Fancy Gift for Men Women (Jade Green)
- Windproof with Lid for Cigarette Metal Portable Cigar Ashtray
- Xtra Large Glass Ashtray 7.5″ Round Cut Fancy New Vintage Style
- FUYU Pink Flamingo Creative Ceramic Cigarettes Ashtray
- Honoro Windproof Ashtray with Lid for Outdoor and Indoor Use
This ceramic piece is a lovely European style item that recalls an older time. This is the perfect gift for a horse lover or Anglophile. It is made out of high-quality porcelain and features a luxurious gold design. Its shape is highly functional, and the material is resistant to temperature change. This is one of our favorite options, especially if your house matches the vintage aesthetic of this item.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- High-end materials for a reasonable price
- Environmentally conscious, as it uses the top China clay available
- The glaze is a smooth texture and vibrant color
- Cleans very easily
- Comes in a high-end box, good for gifting
- This is a vintage design and would look best in a vintage-style home
- Appears larger in person than in images
K COOL Windproof Ashtray with Lid Metal Portable Cigarettes Ashtray for Outdoors Indoors Hand Stamped Pattern Smoking Ashtray Fancy Gift for Men Women(Navy Blue)
- Material: Brand New Zinc Alloy , filigree & enamel hand stamped perfect 3D pattern, amazing ashtray for your lover.
- Size: 10.7*10.5*13CM( 4.2*4.1*5.1inch), nice size and weight, sturdy classy portable ashtray for your table top household, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, eash carry and clean.
- Style: Vintage & Modern style,handmade cool gadgets ashtray,except holds butts and ashes at the same time can be as a jewelry jar, coin banker and so on. light up your place with quaint embossing pattern. A fancy special complients gift for Birthday, Anniversaries, Party,Christmas.
- Use method: flip lid cover ashtray, The lid stops ash go out and less smoke circulating, reduce proof for your space.
- After service:K COOL guarantee quality and service. Fully Refund if you are unsatisfied!
This jade green item is sure to make an impression on anyone who uses it or lays eyes on it, really. It certainly does not have your average appearance. However, its globe shape is not just a gimmick designed to surprise. It is hand stamped, comes in a beautiful jade color and has a uniquely engineered shape that allows it to be wind resistant in a way that most other products cannot boast. Because it is such a unique shape, non-smokers can easily enjoy this product and use it to hold whatever they like in their household.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- Wind-resistant door
- Simultaneously vintage and modern
- Easy to use
- Unique design that will start up a conversation
- Full refund available if you are not satisfied
- Many people may not realize they can use it for its primary purpose
- It is one directional, so not good for large groups of people
This option is very similar to our last selection. The shape has the same incredible unique look, however, this option differs in color. It is a subtle pink color and is slightly more feminine in look, which would make it a fantastic place to keep jewelry if you are not a smoker.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- Wind-resistant door
- Simultaneously vintage and modern
- Cigarette easily opens the door
- The design is a conversation starter
- Refund available if you are not satisfied
- Less expensive than similar looking products
- Many people may not realize they can use it as a tray for ashes
- It is one directional, so not good for large groups of people
This item is the exact solution if you’ve been lusting after that “The Great Gatsby” crystal look we keep mentioning, but don’t want to drop the money. This product is crafted from quality glass but still has that classic, elegant, cocktail party look. It has a nice weight to it, which makes it feel higher quality than it is. Additionally, because it features such a classic look, this beauty will look nice in most homes and has great versatility. There’s really no way to go wrong with this product.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- Classic design
- Heavy, nice materials
- Has an elegant look
- Functional shape
- Great for multiple users
- Big sized
- Does not come with a refund if you’re not satisfied
- Some people may be able to tell it is glass and not crystal
- Not a particularly unique design; common appearance
Sale 
FUYU Pink Flamingo Creative Ceramic Cigarettes Ashtray Women’s Smoking Ashtray Fancy Gift Decor Home Office
- Size: (L*W*H)20*12*15cm/7.8*4.7*5.9in
- Mateial: Ceramic
- Multi-purpose: The ashtray is a great gift for any smokers or non-smokers. Elegant shape make you enjoy life. It looks very modern and stylish fit seamlessly in with any decor. Perfect suit for home, office, cafe, hotel, restaurant, party, buffet, etc.
- Glaze is smooth and easy to clean.
- Perfect Gift Ideas: A nice gift for both smokers and non-smokers. Not only an ashtray but also a home decoration. Have it for yourself, your friends, families and lovers as gift for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and so on.
This item comes with a side of humor and would make a great gift, especially for a smoker who enjoys the beach. This would also be a great option for a poolside tray, as it is thematic, durable and not expensive enough to worry about it getting ruined. While this may not be for everyday use for most people, there are certain occasions and locations that suit this style perfectly. We’d love to see the Pink Flamingo at a poolside birthday party somewhere.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- Makes a great gift
- Beautiful pink color
- Funny and useful
- Functional for non-smokers too
- A smooth glaze that is an easy-to-clean surface
- The ceramic material may break if dropped on a hard, pool area
- One directional, cannot be used easily by a large group of people
- Slightly expensive for a gag gift
Honoro Windproof Ashtray with Lid for Outdoor and Indoor Use,Metal Portable Cigarette Ashtray with Gift Box,Ball Ashtray,Red Rose,Bronze
- ELEGANT ROSE PATTERN DESIGN,A wonderfull vintage windproof ashtray to brighten everyone’s eyes and light up your room with quaint rose embossing pattern
- LARGE CAPACITY:Can hold about 2 packets of cigarette butts/Size:10x10x9cm
- DURABLE ZINC ALLOY MATERIAL:Long-lasting,durable,anti-oxidize and anti-shock
- SEMI-CLOSED LID:Unique windproof semi-closed lid design,keep ashes from blowing out by the wind
- PERFECT GIFT:Ideal retro tabletop ornament for office,patio,balcony,cafes,hotel/Ashtray with gift box-a special gift for Birthday,Anniversaries,Christmas/Particularly designed for smokers and antique decor enthusiasts
This globe-like design is another great windproof option, featuring a semi-close lid. It is extra large and can hold up to two packets of cigarettes, which means you won’t have to clean it too regularly. It has a loud rose pattern that is sure to excite many buyers who are looking for a vintage pop in their homes. This item is crafted from a zinc alloy material; it is durable and will not oxidize. Overall, this is the top option if you dislike cleaning your product too frequently after parties!
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
- Extra large size is great for people who dislike cleaning too often
- The material is anti-shock and will not oxidize
- Windproof, which makes it great for indoors or outdoors
- Great for antique decor enthusiasts
- Many people may not like this print
- There are similar options with a fully closing door
- This is not a good multi-directional design
All of these ashtrays have unique styles and would be perfect in different homes. Our first option, which features horses, is also one of our favorites. It would be a lovely indoor option for a cottage style home, especially if you’re a horse lover. The flamingo is perfect for a beach house or for smoking poolside. It is also our first choice for a gift. It’s a fun design that is sure to get a laugh, all while being not too expensive.
Photo by silviu bocan on Unsplash
For outdoor smoking, the globe options are extremely functional because ash does not blow away in the wind. However, they are not great for multiple users and are have a bit of a love it or hate it design. Overall, the Xtra Large Glass 7.5″ Round Cut Fancy New Vintage Style comes out on top for the best product here. Its classic design will be loved by all users and has a pretty reasonable price point. Glass is always a fantastic material choice for any product, and this ashtray’s large size and design are extremely functional, even when many smokers are using it simultaneously. While it may not be crystal, it has a great weight to it, which exudes high-quality. This product is a no-brainer, as it mixes design and function perfectly plus it looks really elegant.