Topple Tray FAQs: Your TikTok Questions Answered
Our Topple Tray videos on TikTok have brought in hundreds of comments, and many of you are asking the same great questions. So here they are in one place, answered properly. If yours isn't here, email info@singlehandedproducts.com and I'll reply personally.
Would the Topple Tray work if you have mild shakes?
This is the question we get most, and it's exactly the kind of situation the Topple Tray was designed for. With a normal tray, you hold it from underneath, so every small shake in your hand goes straight into your drinks. The Topple Tray works the other way round. You hold it from the handle above and the tray hangs beneath your hand on a pivot. Because the tray is free to swing, small movements in your hand are not passed directly to the cups, so the drinks stay much calmer.
Everyone's hands are different, so we can't promise it will suit every tremor, but many people with shaky hands find a hanging tray far easier than a flat one. We've written more about this in Living With a Tremor? How a No-Spill Tray Can Help.
Would it help my husband, who has Parkinson's?
It may well help, especially with carrying drinks from the kitchen to a chair, or up the stairs while holding the bannister. The tray keeps one hand completely free for balance, a walking stick or a door, which matters when Parkinson's affects steadiness as well as the hands.
Parkinson's is different for everyone, so it's worth talking to his Parkinson's nurse or an occupational therapist about which daily living aids suit him best. Parkinson's UK also lists helpful equipment for eating and drinking, such as lidded cups, non-slip mats and kettle tippers. And if it doesn't suit him, every order is covered by our 30-day returns policy.
Can you put multiple drinks on it?
Yes. The Topple Tray carries up to four drinks at once, around 1.5 kg in total. That could be four glasses, a couple of mugs and a plate of biscuits, or a teapot with a cup and a milk jug. For the best balance, place drinks around the centre. Our new sage botanical mat has a spiral printed in the middle to show you exactly where that is.
Can anyone explain the physics?
Happily! It's the same clever idea behind the traditional Turkish tea tray and the Greek waiter's tray. Liquid only spills when the tray tilts relative to the forces acting on the drink. On a flat tray you hold from below, your hand decides the angle of the tray, and every wobble tips the surface of the drink towards the rim.
On the Topple Tray, the tray hangs from a pivot below your hand, like a pendulum. When you walk, speed up, slow down or turn, the tray swings slightly so its surface always stays at right angles to the combined pull of gravity and your movement. The drink feels that same combined pull, so its surface stays parallel to the tray and the liquid stays put. You can read the full explanation in The Greek Waiter's Tray Explained, and the history in From Turkish Tepsi to Topple Tray.
Wouldn't a ring like the original design feel more anchored?
Thank you for this suggestion, we love seeing people who know the history. The open hook on the Topple Tray is a deliberate choice. It's quick to pick up and let go of, you don't need to thread your fingers through anything, which helps anyone with stiff or weak hands, and it keeps the stainless steel handle slim enough to fold flat for storage and shipping.
Can it go in the dishwasher?
Yes. The stainless steel Topple Tray is dishwasher safe, and the removable neoprene mats are machine washable.
When can I buy the Topple Tray?
You can pre-order the Topple Tray right now on our website, and we aim to ship pre-orders in February to March 2027. Pre-ordering secures your tray from the first batch, and we'll email you at every stage.
I live in Canada. Do you ship here, and how can I order?
Yes, we deliver worldwide, including to Canada, the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. All duties are paid, so there's nothing extra to pay when your tray arrives. Delivery to Canada is CA$29.95, and free on orders over CA$140.
To order, go to the Topple Tray page on singlehandedproducts.co.uk, add it to your basket and check out. Prices are converted into your local currency automatically, so you'll see the cost in Canadian dollars.
More questions you've asked
How much does it cost?
The first 200 Topple Trays are available at an early bird price of £39.95. After that the price rises to £45 for the next 200, and the Topple Tray will be £50 from launch in March 2027.
How heavy is it?
Just 750 grams, which is 55% lighter than our original Tipsi Tray.
Does it take practice to use?
No. It's very intuitive. Pick it up by the handle and go.
Can I use it on the stairs?
Yes, that's one of the main reasons it exists. You carry the tray in one hand and keep the other on the bannister. See our tips on carrying drinks up the stairs safely with one hand.
What comes in the box?
A 12 inch stainless steel tray with a folding handle, plus two removable neoprene mats: the sage botanical mat with its centre spiral, and the navy Sapphire mat.
How is it different from the SpillNot?
The SpillNot is a clever single-cup carrier. The Topple Tray is a full stainless steel tray that carries up to four drinks. Read our Topple Tray vs SpillNot comparison.
Can I give it as a Christmas present?
Yes. Trays ship in the new year, so tick the gift option when you pre-order and you'll receive a free Christmas gift e-voucher to forward or print for Christmas Day.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. Every Topple Tray comes with a 2-year limited warranty, and you can return your order within 30 days of receiving it.
Got a question we haven't answered? Leave it in the TikTok comments or check our full FAQ page. Ready to order? Pre-order the Topple Tray here.
Source for Parkinson's equipment ideas: Parkinson's UK, eating and drinking equipment. This article is general information, not medical advice.