Best Chinese Checkers Set
Best High End
Yellow Mountain Chinese Checkers Set
Best Mid Range
Yellow Mountain 13.6-Inch Checkers Set
Best Inexpensive
S&S Worldwide Chinese Checkers Set
Last Updated: 8th Mar, 2023
Chinese checkers is a fun and easy-to-play board game suitable for players of all ages. The rules of the game are quite simple and among the easiest in the tabletop board games category. But that said, the game requires a great deal of tactics and strategizing to master, making it ideal for kids, families and social gatherings. Up to 6 players can play at a time, and more often than not, the game results in a nail-biting contest.
But not all Chinese checkers boards are made the same. With several options available in the market, it's anything but easy to pick the right one. To save you the hassle, we've compiled the list of Best Chinese checkers sets available.
Did you know? Chinese checkers is as Chinese as NFL or Soccer (Pun intended!). Contrary to popular belief, Chinese checkers is neither related to Checkers, nor was it invented in China. The origin of the game can be traced back to 1892 in Germany, where it was known as "Halma". The game was later to re-named to "Chinese Checkers" in America to appeal to a wider audience.
Our Top Picks for The Best Chinese Checkers Set
- Yellow Mountain Imports Chinese Checkers- Pro Pick
- Yellow Mountain Imports 13.6-Inch Wooden Chinese Checkers Set - Best Overall
- S&S Worldwide Chinese Checkers - Budget Pick
- Chinese Checkers Square Wooden Game Set - Best Design
- Brybelly Wooden Chinese Checkers - Bargain Pick
1. Yellow Mountain Imports Chinese Checkers - Pro Pick
This is a gorgeous Chinese checkers set that will look amazing wherever you place it. The furniture-grade set oozes luxury left, right, and center. The cherry finish top looks exquisite that also doubles as a decor element, once you're finished playing. Leave it out on a table or shelf, and it will look perfect, so no worries if you don't have a lot of space for storage.
The set comes with the board and six sets of distinctive marbles. When the game is not in use, you can simply open up the hidden drawer on the board and put the marbles inside. It makes storage a breeze, and you'll never have to worry about lost marbles again.
If you've never played Chinese checkers before, then you're in luck. Often, a full game board set will have everything except the instructions for the game itself. However, this set has a full set of instructions, so even newcomers and kids can easily understand the game and play, too.
The board itself measures 12 x 10.4 x 1.4 inches, making it the perfect size without taking up a lot of space in your house.
Top Features:
- Stunning design including cherry wood finish
- Hidden storage drawer for marble playing pieces
- Instruction booklet for adults and kids
- Six sets of marbles in different colors
- A décor item as well as a playing board
Final Note:
If you're looking for a set which not only plays great but also looks excellent, you would be hard-pressed finding a better set than this.
2. Yellow Mountain Imports 13.6 Inch Wooden Chinese Checkers Set – Best Overall
Our next pick also happens to be from the brand Yellowstone. The only difference here is that it does not come with built-in storage, and as a result, it's also cheaper.
It's a beautifully designed set that will look at home wherever you keep it. The wood has been stained to give it a gorgeous finish, making it a real statement piece for your living room or games room. It's a classic that everyone needs.
The board itself features the pits needed to play, as well as six different starting positions. You'll also see that there's a groove that runs the whole way around the board. This isn't just for decorative use. Once you're done playing, you can store all your marbles in this groove. It looks good and keeps them all in place, too.
Speaking of the marbles, there are 60 glass marbles in total, in 6 different, vibrant colors. They'll look fantastic when they're in play, or when they're being stored. The traditional 'petal' style of the marbles makes them some of the best looking marbles around.
The board itself measures 13.58 x 11.81 x 0.79 inches, making it plenty big enough for a game, even with all six players in place.
Top Features:
- A full game of traditional Chinese Checkers, ready for any family to enjoy
- 60 petal style glass marbles in 6 different colors
- Stained wood for a stylish finish
- Groove around the edge of the board for marble storage
- Will look great wherever you use it
Final note:
This is our best overall pick, as it offers a fine balance of both build-quality and pricing. The board is of great quality, and it's easy to store the marbles once you're done playing.
3. S&S Worldwide Chinese Checkers – Budget Pick
Want to buy a game of Chinese checkers for your kids? You've seen the more elaborate pieces that use marbles as playing pieces, and you're unsure about those. They're not very secure, and can easily roll off the board if they're knocked. Plus, you don't want to spend a lot of money on a game for children. If that sounds like you, this is the set you need.
The main difference this board has is the playing pieces. Rather than marbles, it uses pegs. It's a small change, but it makes all the difference. If a player moves a peg, they're going to be much more secure on the board. They're not going to move or get knocked away, like marbles. It's also much easier to keep them in place. As such, you'll love this for your kids.
It's also a good beginner's board, as it has lines connecting each space on the board, which shows where the player can move to. If you're new to the game and aren't sure where to go next, then this can be helpful to you.
Top Features:
- Excellent started board that's perfect for kids and adults
- Pegs rather than marbles, no chance of losing the playing pieces
- Markings showing how players can move next
- Measures 11.8. x 11.8 x 1.8 inches, perfect for travel
- Designed for ages 7 and up
Final Note:
This budget Chinese checkers board is priced affordably yet comes with all the features. It's user-friendly, safer and offers a lot of value for its low price point.
4. Chinese Checkers Square Wooden Game Set – Best Design
Ok, we're not joking when we say this Chinese checkers set is a piece of art! Everything about this set is designed to minute perfection. And the rich finish, symmetrical holes, and stunning marbles all add to the beauty. This set is nothing less than a collector's item.
Like some other boards, there are storage drawers embedded into the board, so you can put the marbles away when not in use. This makes the board a full self-contained piece, so you don't have to use another box to store it away once you're done with it. This alone makes it a great purchase, but you'll also see that the drawers are felt-lined. It's a very small difference, but you'll see that it reduces the noise of marbles rolling around the drawers quite considerably.
If you don't know when marbles roll around a wooden drawer, they can make quite a racket.
The set comes complete with the glass marbles needed to play in 6 different vibrant colors. They look great and ensure that the game can set up and ready to play right out of the box. Once you're done, simply put the marbles in the drawer and put the board on the shelf until next time.
Top Features:
- 11-inch wooden playing board
- Felt-lined drawers, no rattling marbles when the game isn't used
- Compact size makes it easy to move around and store
- Stained wood makes for an attractive board
- A good option for an everyday playing board
Final Note:
This Chinese Checkers set is probably the best-designed model out there. If the price isn't a constraint, then grab this set; you won't be disappointed.
5. BryBelly Wooden Chinese Checkers – Bargain Pick
This board is billed as 'unplugged fun', and it's not hard to see why. It's one of the cheapest sets on this list, but it still gives you everything you need in order to play.
The board itself measures 11 inches across and is circular. Due to the smaller size, you can play it almost anywhere. The size makes it easy to pack up and travel with, so you can have a game whenever you're on the go.
Despite its small size and bargain price, you'll still get all 121 holes drilled into the board. They're designed to hold the six colored wooden marbles separately. Despite the fact the marbles are just wood, they function in exactly the same way. This helps to keep prices down, and of course, makes them much harder than glass. Because of this, there's no worry about the marbles breaking.
The game is designed to appeal to kids, and you'll be sure to be happy giving them this set. It's got brightly colored playing pieces, which are safe for them to use. The set even comes with instructions on the box, so they can get started right away.
Top Features:
- All wooden construction looks great and works perfectly
- Wooden marble reduce the risk of breakages
- Perfect for kids
- Comes with instructions right on the box
- Small size is perfect for travel
Final Note:
This set is a bargain as it's low priced, but still gives you everything you need for a full game of Chinese checkers. The all-wooden construction makes it perfect for kids, too.
Chinese Checkers Set Buyer's Guide
There's a lot of choices when you're picking a Chinese Checkers game board for your home or office. While all the boards come with standard 121 holes, the real difference comes in the build quality and finishing.
Here are some tips to help you find the right one.
Key Considerations
<Simple Vs. Designed Boards>
There are two main types of boards that you can choose from. First, are simple wooden boards that are unadorned, but are functional. The other style is a more adorned board, having designs, stains, and other features that also make them a display piece.
If you want a board that just lets you play Chinese checkers, then a simple one will do. If you want a more elaborate board that you can display, then go for a deluxe option.
<Size Of The Board>
The size of the board is important, too. If you're just going to keep the board at home to play with your family, then you'll need a larger board that everyone can get around and play when you want to unplug for a while. On the other hand, you may want a smaller board that you can take with you when you're on the move. You can get smaller boards that are just right for this, so pick the right one for you.
<Kid-Friendly Features>
If you want your kids to play the game, think about features that will suit them better. Different playing pieces are usually best here. Wooden marbles, or pegs, will be safer, harder to break, and easier to keep in place during play. It's a good idea to find a board that comes with instructions too, so they can learn to play.
<Pricing>
Finally, decide what your budget is for the set. Checkers boards are never very pricey, but you'll find that there's a lot of variance in price. If you're on a tight budget, you can easily find a board for under $15. If you have more money to spend, you can splurge on something a bit more pricey. This is something that's very much up to you as the buyer.
Let's Wrap Things Up:
You've seen some of the best Chinese checkers boards on the market, and you've seen just why they're the best. If you need a board for travel, one your kids can play, or one that doubles as decoration, you'll be sure to find it here. Pick the right Chinese checkers set and get ready for a fun-filled family game night.
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