I tested five toppers across themes and materials so you can pick the right finishing touch — from unicorns for kids to rhinestone keepsakes for milestone cakes.
I bring a selection of cake toppers I actually use when I want a quick, polished finish for a birthday, baby shower, or milestone celebration.
Over the last year I tried felt unicorn sets, reusable handmade toppers, rhinestone numbers, a dinosaur kit, and a boxed metal keepsake so I could compare durability, ease of use, and overall look.
Below I walk through what worked best in different situations and explain the simple tricks I use to keep toppers steady and reusable.
Across these picks I focused on materials, assembly, and how each topper behaves on cream vs. firm cakes so you can match the topper to your cake type and party vibe.
1. Zkptops Unicorn Cake Topper – Best for Little Magical Parties
A complete felt unicorn set with multiple eye styles and a food‑grade plastic stake — ideal for girls' birthday cakes up to 12 inches.
Why I picked it: I picked it for the full set (horn, ears, flowers, extra eyelashes) and safe food‑grade stake.
Best for: Kids' unicorn birthday cakes and reusable party props.
Affordable, good value for a full accessory set.
Pros
- Complete set of accessories
- Food‑grade plastic stake
- Multiple eyelash styles included
- Handmade, eye‑catching look
Cons
- Felt needs gentle handling
- Not suited for very large cakes
My take
This Zkptops unicorn topper is the one I reach for when I want an instant ‘wow’ without fuss. The set includes a gold felt horn, ears, seven matching flowers and four eyelash options so I can tweak the expression depending on the cake. I used a thin piece of cellophane between the topper and a three‑layer cake to keep it pristine and reusable afterwards.
The plastic stake is food‑grade and feels secure in the cake; on a 10‑inch three‑layer cake it held perfectly and didn’t lean. The handmade felt gives a soft, whimsical look that photographs well under party lights.
Handle the felt gently when assembling and store the extras with the topper — I’ve reused mine and the pieces have kept their shape when kept dry.
2. Handmade Reusable Unicorn Topper – Best for Bakers and Professionals
A sturdy, wipe‑clean unicorn topper with a clever base and extra eyelash styles — built to be stored and reused.
Why I picked it: Because its base design wipes clean and stores well for repeated use.
Best for: Home bakers and pros making small‑to‑medium celebration cakes.
Affordable option that holds up over multiple uses.
Pros
- Wipes clean for reuse
- Extra eye expressions
- Sturdy base design
- Handmade in smoke‑free environment
Cons
- Best for cakes up to 12 inches
- May need more décor on large cakes
My take
I used this topper for an 8‑inch round client cake and appreciated how easy it was to place and remove. The base is cleverly designed to sit flat and can be wiped clean after use, which saves time when I’m prepping multiple orders.
It comes with extra eyeball styles so I can alter the vibe — shy, smiling, or playful — and the materials feel sturdy rather than flimsy. Because it’s handmade in a smoke‑ and pet‑free environment, the finish has been consistently neat on every piece I’ve received.
For bigger cakes I add extra decoration around the base, but for single‑ or double‑tier cakes its size and finish are spot on.
3. Scotamalone Rhinestone Number Topper – Best Bling for Milestones
A substantial zinc‑alloy number topper studded with rhinestones that makes a striking focal point for birthdays and anniversaries.
Why I picked it: I chose it for its heavy, crystal‑studded construction that holds position on tiered cakes.
Best for: Milestone birthdays and anniversary centerpieces.
Midrange option with keepsake quality.
Pros
- Thick, sturdy metal construction
- Prominent size and height
- Crystal embellishments for sparkle
- Makes a clear focal point
Cons
- Heavier—press in deeply on soft cakes
- May tilt if not inserted firmly
My take
This rhinestone number topper is the 'finish' I use when I want a cake to read as a centerpiece. The zinc alloy is noticeably heavy and the crystals add real sparkle under event lighting.
Because it’s denser than acrylic toppers I make sure to push the prongs deep into a chilled or firm cake so it won’t lean. On denser buttercream or fondant cakes it stayed secure and looked elegant from across the room.
If you’re pairing it with other decorations, I recommend spacing it so the number remains the visual focal point — it’s the sort of topper that elevates a simple cake into an event piece.
4. Dinosaur Cake Toppers Set – Best Dino Set for Kids
A 10‑piece kit with clay dinosaurs, felt trees and sun/cloud toppers — bright, reusable, and perfect for dino themes.
Why I picked it: Because the set gives everything I need to create a playful dinosaur scene and the pieces are reusable.
Best for: Kids' dinosaur parties and playful themed cakes.
Affordable, great value for a full kit.
Pros
- Complete themed set
- Bright, sturdy clay dinosaurs
- Felt accents add texture
- Easy two‑piece assembly
Cons
- Small parts can break off
- Felt is flammable near candles
My take
This dinosaur kit is the quickest way I’ve found to make a cake look custom without complex piping. The three dinosaur figures are thick and stable on a double‑layer cake, and the felt trees, sun, and clouds add whimsical texture.
A couple of safety notes I follow: the clay figures are fun to reuse as toys but small parts (like eyes or thin legs) can break, so I keep broken bits away from young children. I also place felt pieces away from candles because felt will singe if it gets too close to flame.
Assembly is child‑simple: insert the bamboo stick and you’re done. I’ve used the pieces across several parties and they still look fresh when stored dry.
5. 15 Silver Rhinestone Cake Topper – Best Keepsake for a Quinceañera
A boxed silver metal '15' topper with inset rhinestones, adjustable prong length, and protective packaging for keepsake use.
Why I picked it: I picked it for the protective box and durable metal construction that make it a true keepsake.
Best for: Quinceañera, 15th birthdays, and other milestone celebrations.
A more premium keepsake option.
Pros
- Comes in padded protective box
- Durable metal alloy construction
- Adjustable prongs for fit
- Sparkling rhinestones that don't shed
Cons
- Heavy—may need prong trimming
- Chill cream cakes before placing
My take
This silver '15' topper is the one I save for events where a keepsake matters. It arrives in protective packaging, which has kept the stones and finish pristine in my experience.
I trim the 4.5‑inch prongs to match my cake depth and recommend chilling cream cakes first so the topper sits cleanly on top. The metal construction is heavy and substantial; that weight translates into a stable look but means you should recess the prongs into the cake a little further than with lightweight toppers.
There’s a small 'C' imprint on the back to check authenticity — a detail I appreciate when I plan to keep the topper after the party.
How I Choose Cake Toppers
Materials and safety
I always check what the topper is made from and how it contacts the cake. Food‑grade plastic stakes and metal prongs are what I prefer for stability, while felt and clay add charm but need careful placement around candles.
- Pick food‑grade stakes for anything that inserts into the cake
- Keep felt pieces away from open flame — they are flammable
- Avoid tiny detachable parts for parties with toddlers
Sizing and cake type
Match the topper height and width to your cake: single‑tier cakes suit smaller toppers, and multi‑tier cakes take larger or heavier pieces. If a topper is heavy, I chill the cake to firm the surface before inserting it.
- Measure cake diameter and topper height before buying
- For soft or cream‑based cakes, chill first
- Press heavy toppers deeper into the cake for stability
Reusability and storage
If I want to reuse a topper, I protect the cake surface with a barrier (thin cellophane) and wipe off any residue before storing. Boxed metal toppers make keepsakes easier to store without damage.
- Wipe handmade toppers clean and store flat
- Use a thin barrier to keep toppers food‑safe for reuse
- Store crystal or metal toppers in their original box when possible
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse these toppers?
Yes — many of these toppers are reusable if you protect the cake surface and wipe them clean. Felt and clay need to be kept dry; metal and plastic pieces are easiest to reuse.
How do I stop a topper from tipping?
I press heavier toppers deeper into a chilled or firm cake and add a little support around the base with piped frosting or a fondant collar to stabilize it.
Are these safe around candles?
Felt and other fabric accents can be flammable, so I always place them well away from flames or remove them before lighting candles.
Final Take
A good cake topper should match the theme and the cake’s firmness — felt and clay for whimsical kid cakes, metal and rhinestones for milestone keepsakes.
I reach for the unicorn sets when I want instant charm, the dinosaur kit for playful scenes, and the metal toppers when I want something to keep. Following the simple safety and storage tips above keeps toppers looking great long after the party.
Pick the topper that fits your cake size and mood, and a little prep (chilling, barrier film, or trimming prongs) will make the final look flawless.
