We’re here today to talk not about cards, but about a very useful device that will add some professionalism to your game nights – card shufflers. Whether you have a regular card night at your home or run card schools at a pub, club or other venues, these devices will make life a lot easier than card shuffling by hand.
They work by randomly shuffling the cards – some can handle more than a single deck of cards – so you have a neatly shuffled set every game. Usually powered by batteries, they are easy to use, convenient and not expensive. Does that sound like a good idea to you? Great, let’s have a look at the top 10 best card shufflers that we have found. Some are automatic card shufflers while others are manually operated
Table of Contents
The Top 10 Best Card Shufflers
1. Funtime Card Shuffler
Our first example is an ideal starting place as it is a very simple, basic and straightforward automatic card shuffler. It’s also very cheap – we’ve found it for less than a tenner – so if you just want a card shuffler for fun games at home or at parties this could be a good choice. It takes two decks of cards so is usable for most card games, takes just a few seconds to shuffle all the cards, and is powered by 4 x AA batteries, which as is often the case are not included in the price.
2. GreatGadgets 2128 Six Deck
This playing automatic card shuffler can handle six decks of cards at once. We can’t think of a game that requires that many cards offhand, but there’s still the advantage of having six neatly and randomly shuffled decks ready to play. Like the above, this card shuffler looks to be made from plastic – but it’s a decent price for a fun item that will make your card games go more smoothly, and eliminate the possibility of sleight of hand!
It’s a one-button automatic card shuffler and you can choose to stop the shuffle should you wish. It has a pull out tray into which the shuffled pack is deposited, and it’s very simple to use. You need to buy 4 x C batteries to get it to go. Many people have bought this and give it very good reviews, but the rest are notably varied. The main complaint is that its too large.
3. Hand Cranked Card Shuffler
Ok, I know most on here are battery powered but that doesn’t mean we can’t include a good old fashioned hand operated card shuffler as an automatic card shuffler is not for everyone. The good thing about this is that there are fewer things that can go wrong with it! It does not need any batteries, is quieter and you don’t have to spend money on batteries for it every few months.
When doing our research for this card shuffler looked at a wide range of reviews. We found most preferred it over electric ones and said the kids loved using it.
4. Relaxdays Card Shuffler
This automatic card shuffler actually looks like it might be worth the money, as it is finished in a wood-look veneer that at least looks better than the plastic that we have seen so far. It’s a two decks of cards shuffling machine that does the usual thing – a pack either side shuffled into a central tray for collection – and is operated by a one-button system so is easy to use. It needs 4 x AA batteries – again, not included – and is a decent price in line with the others on the list so far.
5. Gibsons Games Piatnik Card Shuffler
There is something of a retro design theme to this card shuffler that we think is meant to make us think of casinos – it’s in the curved styling of the top and the unusual leather-look finish. It’s a standard two decks automatic card shuffler that takes a tray either side and deposits in a central pull-out drawer, and it operates by one button – so all as usual so far. It needs 4 x AA batteries that you have to buy, and it claims to be very effective.
6. Bicycle Card Shuffler
For those who are unaware, Bicycle is a big name in the playing card world and manufactures millions of packs for sale across the world. We expected, then, an automatic card shuffler that was perhaps a cut above the rest, and in some ways it is the best. It’s a little bit better built than those we’ve seen so far – and branded too – and shuffles the usual two decks of cards in the same way, and it is also a decent price among the others here so no points lost there. Plus, it comes with an English instruction manual!
7. Piatnik 2802 2 in 1
This automatic card shuffler model operates in a different way to the others we have seen so far; whereas all of those listed have trays side by side, and a central tray in the middle, this compact and neat design takes two packs in one end, shuffles them, and spits them out the other end. You can also use it for dealing if you wish, as the cards slip out when flicked. It does need batteries supplied, and it is plastic and cheaply made, but does it work?
There are very few customer reports to go on with this card shuffler, but it’s interesting that most of those say it does a good job.
8. DeLuxe Electrical Card Mixing Machine
This is another take on what we have come to see as the standard design for an automatic card shuffler – a tray either side and one in the middle that acts as a drawer for the shuffled (or not) cards to fall into – and its been given its own decorative look with pictures of playing cards and a vaguely fairground-type look. However, it still looks cheap and very much like a toy – as most of these do – which is not what we expected when we started to investigate what card shufflers are all about.
9. Dire Wolves Professional Shuffler and Dealer
This card shuffler may actually be one of the best card shufflers! It’s what we know as a ‘shoe’ type of card shuffler, which shuffles and deals at the same time. A clever automatic card shuffler machine that comes finished in a leather-look coating, to make you think you’re in the casino for real! It can be powered by 4 x AA batteries (not supplied) or you can plug it into the mains with the cable and plug provided. It handles one or two decks of cards and is suitable for all types of playing cards.
Many products include the word ‘professional’ to make you think they are quality when often they’re not. We believe that this card shuffler is a professional card shuffler of the sort that would be used by your casino dealer or croupier, and the price shows it: you have to pay somewhere close to £70 for this, which is perhaps why there are no reviews from buyers. However, a bit of digging around found some favourable comments about this card shuffler, so we recommend it if you want a proper card shuffling machine and dealing device.
10. Amigo 5000 Card Shuffler
Our final example of a card shuffler is different again, being a manual card shuffling machine and not electric – so there are no batteries to buy! It works by placing a pack in the centre then turning a handle which moves some form of the inner contraption, which in turn shuffles the cards. Or that is the intention. It looks good, is available in a few colours and can be used for all card games but – as usual – the jury is split as to whether it does the job.
Important Factors to Consider When Buying A Card Shuffler
Of all the items we have looked at for our buying guides, these card shuffler UK models are all quite similar in one way or another but we still want to go through some of the options that will help you with the shuffling process.
Electric of Manual Card Shuffling System
There are only 2 types of card shufflers available and those are an automatic card shuffler and a manual. To really look the part for your poker night it would make sense to get an electronic one as they will work slightly better and save someone the manual effort of using a hand held shuffler. The only issue is that automatic card shufflers are noisier and will cost you more. There was one on our list that you could plug in which saves you money on batteries but was a lot more expensive at first.
Reliability Of Card Shufflers
The whole purpose of an automatic card shuffler is that there can be no dispute as to the veracity of the deal. If you want a truly reliable card shuffler then go for the manual option. It will last longer and not need any batteries which will end up saving you money in the long run.
Number of Decks
Each machine on our list varies as to the number of decks of cards that it can manage. Most machines can handle up to two decks in 1 go and we feel this is enough for people who like the odd casual game of poker. However, if you are playing a lot and have a more professional crowd then you might want to look at machines with a higher deck capacity that can handle up to 6 decks of cards.
What types of cards are you using?
There are many types of decks of cards out there that are different colours, materials or waterproof. There’s a good chance that if you use anything fancy like this that they just won’t work properly with any of the machines on our list. They are likely to jam up the machine and just leave you frustrated.
Size and Construction
Some of the machines are on our list are a bit chunky. If you are popping round to your mates and want to take the machine with you then you want to make sure the card shuffler is not a chore to pack up or carry there. As well as the size, you want to make sure it’s not a heavy piece of kit as well.
Let’s not hang around, it’s time to wrap up this article on card shufflers!
Our Choice
There is absolutely no question that we recommend the Dire Wolves Professional Shuffler and Dealer as the best card shuffler machine on our list as it is by far the most professional one and would be similar to what you see in a casino. However, it is very expensive so I guess it just depends how often you would be using it.
That’s us done then, so get yourself the card shuffler of your choice, and have fun!
