Score the Board › Scrabble guides · Updated
Luxury Scrabble sets: what you get for the extra money
Independent picks: nobody pays to be listed. Amazon links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For most UK buyers, the best luxury Scrabble set is the Prestige edition: a wooden box frame with a turntable, wooden tiles and racks, and a raised grid that holds the tiles still. The rules are the same as the standard game. What you pay for is how it looks, feels, and handles.
What makes a Scrabble set luxury?
A luxury set changes the materials and the handling, not the game. Typical upgrades are a rotating board, a raised grid that keeps tiles from sliding, wooden tiles and racks, and a box that looks good on a shelf.
The names Deluxe, Prestige, and Luxury are not a strict ladder, so read the listing for what is actually in the box. Our guide to which Scrabble set to buy covers the standard editions, and this page covers the top end.
Luxury and premium editions compared
Use the table to find the style you want, then read that section.
| Edition | What it adds | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige | Wooden box frame, turntable, wooden tiles and racks, raised grid | A gift, or a set to leave out on a coffee table |
| Retro tin | Tin box, chunky wooden tiles, 1950s styling | Anyone who likes a vintage look |
| 1950s replica | Wooden tiles and racks, linen-hinged board | Collectors and traditionalists |
| Super Scrabble | 200 tiles and a giant board | Long games with keen players |
| Turntable | Spins a board you already own | Upgrading a standard set cheaply |
| Handmade and bespoke | Made to order, with leather finishes | A one-off gift |
| Vintage | Older sets, bought second hand | Character, if you check the contents |
Prestige edition
The Prestige edition is the premium version of the standard game. It is housed in a wooden box frame with a turntable, so the board rotates between players. It has wooden tiles and racks, and a lined board in the style of the original 1950s sets.
The board also has a raised grid that keeps tiles in place. The Amazon listing gives the size as 40 by 40 cm and says it suits 2 to 4 players aged 10 and over. Masters Traditional Games, a UK retailer, says the board forms the lid of the wooden box and sits on a turning podium. Both descriptions point to a set designed to stay out on display.
If you want the rotating board without a new set, see the turntable section.
Retro tin
The Retro edition suits people who want a vintage look without hunting for an old box. It comes in a collector's tin with wooden racks and tiles. Masters Traditional Games describes chunky wooden tiles and a vintage-styled board in a box of about 27 by 27 by 6 cm.
It is smaller than a Prestige box and has no turntable, so it is a good shelf set rather than a coffee-table centrepiece.
1950s replica editions
Some UK retailers sell a replica of the original 1950s design. Masters Traditional Games lists one with 100 wooden tiles, wooden racks, and a linen-hinged board. We have no product card for it, so check the current listing before you plan a gift around it.
Replicas appeal to people who care about the history of the game more than the extras. They have no rotating board, so for regular play pair one with a turntable.
Giant Scrabble: Super Scrabble
The giant option in the standard range is Super Scrabble, which has twice as many tiles (200) and a larger board. Masters Traditional Games lists it as a giant-sized board with extra scoring spaces, and our Super Scrabble page explains the 21 by 21 grid and the quadruple squares.
It is a luxury of space and time rather than of materials. Games last longer, so it suits a group that already finishes a normal game and wants more.
The cheaper route: add a turntable
If your board is fine and you just want it to rotate, a wooden turntable does that without a new box. The Ideal turntable listed on Amazon holds standard Scrabble boards up to 36 by 36 cm.
One UK retailer says its turntable does not suit the extra large edition, so measure first if you own Super Scrabble. It is also worth a look if you are choosing between this and large print Scrabble, as turning the board helps anyone who struggles to read upside down.
Handmade and bespoke sets
At the very top, a few makers build sets to order. Geoffrey Parker, a luxury games maker, says its Scrabble boards are handmade to order in England, with leather finishes and a wide range of colour options. Its page lists English as the core board language and mentions other languages on request.
Sets like this are made to order, so you should contact the maker for materials, lead times, and cost. Overseas makers also sell cabinet-style sets: one US shop lists a wood cabinet with a rotating faux leather surface, metal tile racks, and a drawer. Check delivery and import costs to the UK before you fall for one.
Some specialist retailers also sell stone or onyx boards. One describes them as heavy, with natural veining, so no two are alike. We have not checked any of these and cannot say how well they play.
Buying a vintage set
Old sets can be good value, but check them before you pay. A complete standard set has 100 tiles: 98 letters and 2 blanks. Ask the seller to count them, and look at the board for warping and at the racks for cracks.
If a set turns up with tiles missing, you can fix it. Our guide to replacing lost Scrabble tiles explains how, and you can check letter counts on the tile values page. Our rules page is handy if the old rules leaflet has gone missing.
Is a luxury set worth it as a gift?
It is worth it if the person will play on it or display it. If they play often, a Prestige edition is a sensible upgrade because the turntable and raised grid help every game. If they own a set already and rarely play, a smaller gift may suit better.
For more ideas, see our gifts for Scrabble lovers. Whichever set you give, our score keeper and printable score sheet work with it.
Common questions
What is the best luxury Scrabble set in the UK?
For most buyers it is the Prestige edition. It has a wooden box frame with a turntable, wooden tiles and racks, and a raised grid, and it is sold in UK shops.
What is the difference between Scrabble Deluxe and Prestige?
Both add a rotating board and a raised grid. Prestige is the premium version, with a wooden box frame and wooden tiles and racks. Check each listing for the exact contents, as the names are not used the same way everywhere.
Is there a giant Scrabble set?
Super Scrabble is the large version, with 200 tiles and a bigger 21 by 21 board. See our Super Scrabble page for how it plays.
Can I add a rotating board to my own Scrabble set?
Yes, with a wooden turntable. One Amazon listing says it holds standard boards up to 36 by 36 cm, so measure your board first.
Are wooden Scrabble tiles worth paying for?
They feel better to handle and look better on the board, but the game is the same. If you only want that feel, the Mattel wood set in our set guide is a simpler way to get them in a standard box.
Can you get a handmade or personalised Scrabble set?
Yes. Makers such as Geoffrey Parker build sets to order in England. Ask them about materials, lead time, and cost, as these vary by order.
What should I check when buying a vintage Scrabble set?
Count the tiles: a full set has 100. Look for a warped board and cracked racks, and ask about stains or missing pieces.
Are luxury Scrabble sets good for children?
Usually not. Scrabble Junior is made for children, and a luxury set is better kept for adults and older players. See our Scrabble for kids guide.
Related: Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Gifts for Scrabble lovers · Travel Scrabble · Super Scrabble · Score keeper · Tile values