Buying guide
The best Scrabble sets
The right set makes game night easier: a board that turns, tiles that stay put, a box that lasts. These are our picks. We chose them from the product listings and the pattern in buyer reviews; we haven't played on every one.
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Works with the Scrabble board game, played at the table. Tileside is an independent product, not affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Scrabble.
Quick picks
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Scrabble Deluxe Edition | Most homes |
| Scrabble Classic | The familiar game, simply |
| Deluxe Travel Edition | Trips and small tables |
| Giant Deluxe Edition | Big tiles for tired eyes |
| Scrabble in Spanish | Playing in Spanish |
| Rotating Wooden Cabinet | A set to leave out on the coffee table |
Our picks
Best overall
Scrabble Deluxe Edition (rotating board, folding case)
A turntable board with recessed squares that hold the tiles, in a fold-up case that stores everything.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- The board turns on rubber wheels, so everyone can read it from their seat
- Recessed squares keep tiles from sliding when the board is bumped
- Folds into a hard case with a handle and trays for every piece
Keep in mind
- Bulky to call a travel set
- A few buyers had trouble with the spin or with tiles staying put
Best classic
Scrabble Classic Board Game (wooden tiles)
The standard edition most families picture: a folding board, wooden tiles, wooden racks and a bag.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Wooden tiles and racks, not plastic
- A textured board that helps tiles stay put
- The rules booklet includes tips and other ways to play
Keep in mind
- Several buyers say the folding board warps or won't lie flat
- Some find the board thin
Best for travel
Scrabble Deluxe Travel Edition (wood case)
A folding solid-wood case with a magnetic latch and a raised grid, small enough for a backpack.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Folds to about 10 by 5 inches and weighs about a pound and a half
- The raised grid holds tiles in place on a train, plane or car trip
- Hidden storage for every piece
Keep in mind
- Small tiles that some players find hard to read and pick up
- Mixed reports on tiles staying put
Easiest to read
Scrabble Giant Deluxe Edition (rotating wood board)
An oversized turntable board with big wooden tiles, which the maker pitches as easier to read and hold for seniors and low-vision players.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Oversized wooden tiles, about 1¼ inches tall
- More than twice the playing area of a standard board, on a turntable
- A raised grid holds tiles as the board turns
Keep in mind
- Big and heavy (about 23½ inches square and over 8 pounds), so it needs a large table
- Buyers are split on whether it's worth the price
Best in Spanish
Scrabble Edición en Español
A real Spanish-language set, with Spanish tiles, Spanish point values and a board labeled in Spanish.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- 103 wooden tiles, including the Spanish tiles LL, RR and Ñ
- Letter values are set for Spanish
- Rules in Spanish and English
Keep in mind
- A flat board with no raised spaces to hold the tiles
- Fewer reviews than the English sets
Best splurge
Scrabble Deluxe Edition Rotating Wooden Cabinet
A furniture-style wood cabinet with a turntable, a raised grid and storage underneath.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Solid wood in a dark mahogany finish
- Turntable plus raised grid, so tiles stay put as the board turns
- Comes with a hardcover score book, a sand timer and wooden racks
Keep in mind
- Some owners say the board's sides came apart over time
- Many buyers call it overpriced for the materials
What to look for
What's in the box. Every standard English set has 100 tiles (98 letters and 2 blanks), four racks and a bag. Deluxe editions add a board that turns and a grid that holds the tiles.
A board that turns. With a turntable, everyone reads the board the right way up on their turn. It's the single biggest upgrade over the classic set.
A grid that holds tiles. Raised or recessed squares keep tiles from sliding when someone bumps the table. The classic board is flat with a textured surface.
Tile size. Travel sets shrink the tiles to save space, and small tiles are the most common complaint about them. If anyone at your table has trouble reading small print, a giant edition helps.
Who makes it. Hasbro makes Scrabble in the US. Many wooden and deluxe sets are made under license by other companies, such as WS Game Company and Winning Moves.
Questions
- How many tiles come in a Scrabble set?
- 100 in an English set: 98 letters and 2 blanks. The Spanish edition has 103, including the tiles LL, RR and Ñ.
- Is the deluxe edition worth it?
- For most homes, yes. A board that turns and squares that hold the tiles make every game smoother, especially with four players.
- Is there a large-print Scrabble set?
- We didn't find an official large-print edition. The giant deluxe edition, with tiles about 1¼ inches tall, is the easiest set to read that we found.
- How do we keep score?
- With pencil and paper, or free with Tileside: tap in the tiles each player plays and it adds up the score, bonus squares included.
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