Best Mahjong Sets (Reviews)
Best High End
Yellow Mountain American Mahjong Set
Best Mid Range
American Mah Jongg Set
Best Inexpensive
Brand New American Mahjong Set
Last Updated: 8th Mar, 2023
Are you looking for the Best Mahjong set for the money? Something which is built durably yet sports an exquisite design. After testing, researching, and playing with over a dozen mahjong sets, we've rounded up the top 5. After all, the market is flooded with numerous sets, coming in at all sorts of price ranges. But the difference between a quality set and a dud one is like night and day! To save you the hassle, we have done the hard work for you!
We've also included a handy buyer's guide to help you understand how to identify a quality unit.
Don't feel like reading? After playing with over ten sets, we conclude that American Mah Jongg Set is the best for most users. It's well-made, aptly priced, and durable. You can't really go wrong with this.
Are you looking to spend more time away from screens in the coming year? You spend so much time attached to your phone or your computer that it's hard to spend time with loved ones. You want an activity that everyone can get involved with and enjoy.
These days there are lots of options for you if you want to get the family together. There are multiple card games and board games available, as the art of tabletop games is seeing a resurgence. With so many out there, it's hard to know which ones will only be enjoyable for a game or two, or which ones will stand the test of time.
Have you ever thought of buying a Mahjong set? This Chinese four-player game, developed during the Qing Dynasty, looks complicated but is simple to pick up. It melds skill and chance together in a game that anyone can master. Having been around for so long, it's a game that will be enjoyed time and time again. Buy the right set it it will last you and your family for years to come.
However, which set is the right one, when there are so many on the market? Here are the top five you should consider.
Our 5 Top Mahjong Set Picks
- Yellow Mountain Imports American Mahjong Set- Pro Pick
- American Mah Jongg Set - Editor's Pick [Best for Most]
- Brand New American Mahjong Set - Budget Pick
- New! - Linda Li8482; American Mahjong Set - Premium Design
- Mose Cafolo Chinese Mahjong - Bargain Pick
1. Yellow Mountain Imports American Mahjong Set
Specs
- No. of tiles: 166
- Tile Dimension: 1.2 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches (3 x 2 x 1 centimeters)
- Case dimension: 22 x 10 x 3.3 inches (56 x 25.5 x 8.5 centimeters)
- Material: Melamine
- Net weight: 12.35 lbs
- Warranty: 30-days money back
What's really striking about this set is the beautiful presentation. The whole set is encased in a redwood case, allowing you to easily transport it. The tiles are made to be reminiscent of 1930's style Bakelite tiles, perfect for anyone who loves the retro look. The racks and pushers are fitted with magnets, so you can more easily keep track of your tiles. The whole set comes complete with scoring coins, 3 dice, a wooden carved wind indicator, and English instructions so you can get started. Lots of users have commented on the compliments they get on this case when they take it out to play with it. Be aware that this set is an American Mahjong set rather than a Chinese one. If you want to learn to play Chinese Mahjong specifically, pick another set from our list.
Top Features:
- Beautiful carry case allowing you to transport your set easily
- Melamine Bakelite style tiles for a timeless look
- Magnets that help secure items in place during play
Conclusion: This is a set that's perfect for anyone looking to play professionally, or wants a set that looks amazing in their home. If aesthetics and playability are both important to you, this is the set you want to buy.
2. American Mah Jongg Set
Specs
- No. of tiles: 166
- Tile Dimension: 1-3/16" tall x 7/8" wide x 1/2" thick (30mm x 23mm x 13mm)
- Net weight: 9lbs
- Warranty: No information
We love this American Mahjong set as it is a brilliant pick for first-time buyers. Everything you need to learn how to play and enjoy Mahjong is included in this package. Firstly, you'll have the American style Mahjong primer so you can pick up the basics easily. There are 166 Mahjong tiles, which are all carved and hand-painted to give you a high quality playing set. As they're made from melamine, they're going to last through many hours of gameplay.
The whole set comes in an attractive blue canvas carry bag, which is resistant to tears and scuffs. It's lightweight too, so you'll find it easy to carry it around wherever you want to take it. Many owners of this set are delighted with the durability of this set, noting that the bag, in particular, has outlasted even their friends' more expensive sets.
Top Features:
- Durable canvas bag, for ease of travel
- Beautiful hard wearing tiles
- Full primer, perfect for those learning to play for the first time
Conclusion: If you've never played Mahjong before, this is a brilliant set for you. It includes everything you need to get started. Once you're confident in the game, you can carry it anywhere so you can play with anyone you want. As a beginner, this is the set you'll want to buy.
3. Brand New American Mahjong Set
Specs
- No. of tiles: 166
- Tile Dimension: 1 1/8" x 7/8" x 1/2"
- Net weight: 7.75 lbs
You may have checked out these sets so far and worried about the price of them. What if you buy one and you find that Mahjong is not for you? What if you're on a budget and don't want to spend so much? This set has you covered. It's a bargain pick, but that doesn't mean that it's less than ideal for you.
The set comes with everything you need to play Mahjong. Most importantly, there are 166 white tiles that easily match up to their more expensive counterparts. You'll also get all the accessories, such as pushers, tile racks, coins, and dice, as you would expect. There's also an instruction manual, so you'll be able to get started right away.
Finishing this off is the raspberry-colored carry bag that allows you to easily move your Mahjong set around whenever you want to.
Top Features:
- A fully kitted out set for a lower price
- A carry bag for easy transport
- Instructions so you can start to learn Mahjong as soon as you get your set
Conclusion: This kit is perfect if you're looking to spend less on a Mahjong set. It's bright and colorful, so kids, in particular, will love it. It's the best budget set out there. Dollar for dollar, this is the best value set you can buy!
4. Linda Li8482 American Mahjong Set
Specs
- No. of tiles: 166
- Tile Dimension: 1-3/16" tall x 7/8" wide x 1/2" thick (30mm x 23mm x13mm)
- Net weight: 8.8 lbs
- Warranty: No information
Looking for a Mahjong set that is as good looking as it is practical? Then this is the set for you. It includes all the features that you would expect, such as a full tile set, racks, pushers, and more. The real benefit of this set is the gorgeous quilted carry case this set comes in. It's super stylish, as well as offering superior protection to your set. There are also quilted sleeves for your tiles and accessories, so everything is kept together neatly and safely.
Of course, you're getting everything you need to play Mahjong in this set too. That includes all the tile, tile racks, pushers, and more. Recent buyers have praised this set for having gorgeous rich colors and a sturdy case that helps keep their set safe.
Top Features:
- Serious style that sets this Mahjong set apart from others on sale
- A quilted carry case that keeps everything in place and safe
- Matching sleeves that hold tiles and accessories together
Conclusion: If you're looking for a set that looks as good as it plays, then this is the one for you. It's functional and stylish, so you'll get everything you need.
5. Mose Cafolo Chinese Mahjong
Specs
- No. of tiles: 166
- Tile Dimension: 1 5/12" x 1 1/8" x 7/8" (3.7cm x 2.8cm x 2.2cm)
- Case dimension: 14 3/4" x 10 4/5" x 2" (37.5cm x 7.5cm x 5cm)
- Net weight: 10.65 lbs
- Warranty: No information
For the average player, you'll be looking at buying a set that's both practical and good looking. You want something that's easy to play with and attractive, too. Then, of course, you want to get value for money. The Mahjong set needs to be durable so you can use it again and again.
If you want a well balanced, bargain set, then this set will cover all your needs. It comes with everything that you would expect from a full set of tiles to a carry case that keeps everything together when you're not using it. It's excellent for beginners thanks to its lower price point, but it's still attractive and sturdy.
One of the highlights of this set is the gold shimmer backing on the large tiles. It's beautiful and really does set the kit apart from every other one out there.
This set is a Chinese Mahjong set, so if you want to learn Chinese rather than American Mahjong, this is the one for you.
Top Features Of This Set:
- Large tiles, perfect if you need larger symbols or just want a larger set
- Gold backing for an attractive finishing
- Stylish carry case allows you to take this set anywhere
Conclusion: This set is a true bargain. For the lower price, you get excellent quality tiles and a full carry case, so you can take that set anywhere. It's another option for those who are beginners to the game.
Mahjong Set Buyer's Guide
Ok, so you've seen what's out there, so which Mahjong set should you buy? There's a lot of choices, so it's hard to know where to start. There are a few ways you can find the set that's best for you as a purchaser.
Key Considerations
Accessories And Extras
There are lots of different sets that offer different kinds of accessories. In the top 5 picks above, we selected sets that come with everything you should need. Consider if you want an all in one set. These would come with wind indicators, dice, racks, and more. If you don't need this or don't consider them essential, you won't have to worry about looking for these when considering different sets.
American Or Chinese Set?
As you've seen, there are two different styles of Mahjong: American and Chinese. Both are fun to play and offer an authentic Mahjong experience. If you're not sure which one to buy, take a look around to see how they differ. For example, you can watch YouTube videos to see the difference. Remember, this decision is very much your own. You can buy whichever set looks more fun to play to you, so don't be swayed by some people online who may think one set is 'better' than another.
A standard American set comes with 152 tiles, while most Chinese sets use 144 tiles. In the American variant, you can find jokers and Charleston, which isn't used in the Chinese version.
American Mah Jongg is considered more difficult mainly because the winning hand is determined by the rules card, which changes every year. The National Mah Jongg League publishes the card every year, which must be separately purchased.
Western Indices
On a Western set, you may well want Western indices rather than Chinese characters. You don't have to have them, as you can learn the Chinese characters quite easily. However, if you want the set just for casual play, then Western indices will make life a lot easier for you as a player.
Correct Number Of Tiles
The number of tiles in a set is important, depending on the version of the game you want to play. For example, American Mahjong can be played with as little as 152 tiles, but you can buy sets with 136, 144, and more tiles. The mix of the tiles is important, too. With an American set, you'll need 8 Jokers. In Chinese sets, you need four flowers and four seasons. For Japanese Mahjong, you'll need four red fives. Knowing what kind of set you want is essential to ensure you get the right tiles in your set.
Materials
The last option you have with Mahjong sets is what materials they're made of. You have two main options here: Bone and bamboo, or regular plastic tiles. There are advantages to both. Bone and bamboo are the traditional materials used, and there's no denying that they look fantastic but are costlier.
Plastic, on the other hand, is a lot more flexible. It's often cheaper to buy a plastic set, and they look just as good as the real thing. Plus, the plastic sets are easy to wash if they start looking a little grubby. If you're looking for a budget unit, plastic sets are what you should look for. The choice is very much up to you.
Let's Wrap Things Up:
There's no denying that Mahjong is a game that has stood the test of time. People all over the world have been enjoying it for years, and countries like the USA have created their own versions for you to play. With lots of different variants out there, you'd think that it's hard to pick a set that works for you. However, that isn't the case. You can easily find a version that works for you and your family.
This guide will help you pick out a Mahjong set that works best for you. That could be a deluxe, luxurious looking set. It could be a set that's at a lower price point, perfect for beginners. Maybe you want something between the two that looks good but is affordable.
Whatever you want, you'll find it in the guide. Pick up the right set for you and start spending quality time with your family.
Check out some of the other fun yet challenging board games:
