Buying guide
Word games for Scrabble fans
Games that scratch the same itch as Scrabble, for a gift or a change of pace on game night. We chose them from the product listings and the pattern in buyer reviews; we haven't played 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 |
|---|---|
| Bananagrams | Quick games with no waiting |
| Upwords | Scrabble players who want something new |
| Boggle | A quick word race |
| Quiddler | Short words and a card-game feel |
| Scrabble Slam | A fast, noisy Scrabble cousin |
| Codenames | Parties and bigger groups |
| Letter Jam | Working together instead of against each other |
Our picks
Best fast game
Bananagrams
Everyone builds their own crossword grid at the same time, so nobody waits for a turn.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Easy to learn and moves quickly
- Packs into a small banana-shaped pouch
- Works for a wide range of ages
Keep in mind
- No board and no points, so it feels very different from Scrabble
- Small parts, so keep it away from toddlers
Best 3D twist
Upwords Stacking Word Game
Board play like Scrabble, except you can stack letters on top of a word to change it.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Buyers find it more challenging than Scrabble but just as easy to pick up
- The board turns, so everyone can reach it
- Up to four players, and it can be played solo
Keep in mind
- Mixed feedback on how well the newer version is made
Best classic
Boggle
Shake the letter cubes, start the timer, and find as many words in the grid as you can.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Small enough to take anywhere
- A classic that suits all ages
- Good practice at spotting words fast
Keep in mind
- Some buyers find the case hard to open
Best card game
Quiddler
Make words from the cards in your hand, with one more card each round, from three up to ten.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Easy to learn and quicker than Scrabble
- Letter-pair cards like TH and ER add a twist
- Wins over people who don't usually like word games
Keep in mind
- You keep score on paper, so bring a pencil
Best Scrabble spin-off
Scrabble Slam
A card game where everyone races to change one letter of a four-letter word: CAKE, BAKE, BIKE.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Fast and easy to learn
- Small enough for a purse or carry-on
- Good spelling practice for kids
Keep in mind
- Two to four players only
- All speed and no slow strategy
Best for groups
Codenames (2nd Edition)
A team party game: one clue word has to point your teammates to the right cards.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Easy to learn and very entertaining
- Works for small groups and big ones
- The new edition has revised words and a better box insert
Keep in mind
- It's about word meanings, not spelling or tiles
- Needs at least four players; the box says ages 14 and up
Best team game
Letter Jam
Everyone sees the other players' letters but not their own, and the table works together to spell clues.
Check on AmazonWhy it's here
- Cooperative, so everyone stays involved
- Anyone who can spell can play
- Buyers call it a real brain workout
Keep in mind
- Buyers disagree on how easy it is to learn
- Fewer reviews than the other picks
What to look for
The size of your group. Scrabble Slam is for two to four players and Upwords for one to four. Bananagrams and Quiddler take up to eight, and Codenames needs at least four and gets better with more.
Speed or planning. Bananagrams, Boggle and Scrabble Slam are races. Upwords and Quiddler are turn-based and reward planning, which feels closer to Scrabble.
Ages. Most of these say 7 or 8 and up on the box. Letter Jam says 10 and up, and the new Codenames says 14 and up.
Travel. Bananagrams, Quiddler, Scrabble Slam and Boggle pack small. Upwords and Codenames need a table.
Questions
- What's a good gift for someone who loves Scrabble?
- Bananagrams is the easy choice: small, fast and loved by word players. For someone who wants a new challenge on a board, try Upwords.
- What game is most like Scrabble?
- Upwords. It uses a board, letter tiles and a rack like Scrabble, but you can stack letters on top of words to change them.
- Is there a word game for bigger groups?
- Codenames and Bananagrams both handle bigger groups. Codenames plays in teams and needs at least four people.
Keeping score?
Tileside keeps score for Scrabble played at the table, checks words during a challenge and tracks the tiles left in the bag. Free, on any phone.
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