Score the Board › Scrabble guides · Updated
Which Scrabble set should you buy?
Independent picks: nobody pays to be listed. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For most families in the US and Canada, the best Scrabble set is the Classic from Hasbro, or the Deluxe if you want a board that turns. Every edition plays the same game, so what you are choosing is the board, the tiles, the size, and the extras.
What is the same in every set
A standard English set has a 15 by 15 board, 100 tiles, four racks, and a bag. The tiles are 98 letters and 2 blanks, and the rules do not change from one edition to the next. Super Scrabble and Junior are the exceptions, and they are covered below.
Hasbro owns the Scrabble brand in the US and Canada, so the main sets here are Hasbro's. Some travel and collector editions are made under license by other companies, and we name the maker where it matters. You can check the letter counts on our tile values page and the full rules on our rules page.
Scrabble editions compared
Pick the row that matches how you will play, then read that section for detail.
| Set | Best for | What is different |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | A first family set | The standard board, tiles, and racks |
| Deluxe | Families who play often | Rotating board, wooden tiles, carrying case |
| Travel | Road trips, flights, and cabins | Compact format for 2 to 4 players |
| Retro 1949 | A shelf or a gift | Vintage styling, wooden tiles and racks |
| Large print | Easier reading | Half-inch letters on the tiles |
| Super Scrabble | Long games for serious players | 200 tiles and a 21 by 21 board |
| Junior | Children from age 5 | Made for children, two-sided board |
| Turntable | Anyone who already owns a set | Spins the board, so nobody reads upside down |
Classic
The Classic set is the standard family box from Hasbro: board, 100 tiles, and four racks, for ages 8 and up. Choose it if you want the usual game and nothing extra. It is the simplest place to start.
Deluxe
The Deluxe Edition is the same game in a nicer box. Its listing describes a gameboard that rotates on six soft rubber wheels, 100 wooden letter tiles, four curved racks, and a folding carrying case with two slide-and-store trays. The rules do not change. You pay for comfort, and for a set that looks good on the table.
If a Deluxe set is missing its tiles, see our guide to replacement Scrabble tiles before you buy a new one.
Travel sets
Scrabble to Go is a compact set for 2 to 4 players. Its listing says the board folds and zips shut, the tiles snap into a plastic grid, and the board measures 7.4 by 8.93 inches with tiles half an inch square. That makes it good for a car, a plane, or a cabin weekend, but small hands and eyes may find the tiles awkward to handle. Tile Lock Scrabble is another option with a board that holds the tiles in place.
For regular players there is also the Deluxe Travel Edition. It is made by WS Game Company under a Hasbro license, with 100 solid wood tiles, four wooden racks, a raised grid, and a folding wood case.
Retro 1949 Edition
Hasbro's Retro Series Edition is styled after the 1949 version of the game. The listing says it has 100 wooden tiles, four wooden racks, a full-size board, and a velvet drawstring pouch. It suits someone who wants a set for the shelf, or a gift for a long-time player.
Large print
We did not find a complete large print Scrabble set from Hasbro on Amazon. The usual route in the US is an accessible edition from a vendor such as MaxiAids. It has a rotating board and tiles with bold black half-inch letters on white. If you already own a board, you can swap in low vision tiles instead, so check that they fit your board. Our large print guide covers both routes, plus lighting and other ways to make play easier.
Super Scrabble
Super Scrabble has a 21 by 21 board and 200 tiles, twice the standard number. It suits groups who finish a normal game and want another. When we checked, Amazon listed it only through a third-party seller, so check the seller and the edition before you order. For a first set, a standard board is the better fit. See our Super Scrabble page for how it works.
Junior
Scrabble Junior is made for ages 5 and up. It has a two-sided board, so children start by matching letters and move on to making their own words on the other side. It is a way to bring them into word games before they take on the full game.
Should you upgrade a set you already own?
Often a turntable is enough. A wooden lazy susan lets you rotate the board, so nobody has to read letters upside down or lean across the table. This one is 18 inches wide. Measure your board first, since sizes differ between editions.
If your old box is missing tiles, see how to replace lost Scrabble tiles before you buy a whole new set.
Do you need a dictionary too?
A dictionary is worth having, because the sets above do not settle word disputes. For family games, the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary from Merriam-Webster is the usual reference. Clubs and tournaments in the US and Canada use the NASPA Word List 2023 (NWL2023). The eighth edition of the dictionary is the newest, and our gift guide covers the editions.
How to choose
Start from who is playing: a Classic or Deluxe set for a family, travel for trips, a low vision edition for easier reading, Junior for children, and Super Scrabble for long evenings. For a gift to display, look at the Retro 1949 Edition or the Deluxe Travel Edition.
Whichever set you pick, our score keeper works with it. If you want a different kind of word game, try our guide to games like Scrabble.
Common questions
Which Scrabble set is best for families?
For most families, the Hasbro Classic is the simplest place to start. If you play often, the Deluxe Edition adds a rotating board and wooden tiles. Either has a board, 100 tiles, and four racks.
What is the difference between Scrabble Deluxe and Classic?
The Deluxe Edition adds a board that rotates on rubber wheels, wooden tiles, curved racks, and a carrying case. The rules are the same as the Classic game. If you only want the rotating board, a turntable adds it to a set you own.
What comes in a standard Scrabble set?
A standard English set has a board, 100 tiles, four racks, and a bag. The tiles are 98 letters and 2 blanks. See our tile values for the full list.
What is the best Scrabble set for traveling?
Scrabble to Go is a compact set for 2 to 4 players with a folding board that zips shut. The Deluxe Travel Edition has wooden tiles and racks in a folding wood case, and suits regular players.
Which Scrabble set is easiest to read?
An accessible edition with half-inch black letters on white tiles is the easiest to read, and you can also buy low vision tiles for a board you own. A lazy susan helps too, as nobody has to read upside down.
What age is Scrabble Junior for?
Scrabble Junior is made for ages 5 and up. It has a two-sided board, with a harder side for children who are ready to make their own words.
Does a Scrabble turntable fit every board?
Not always. Boards differ in size between editions, so measure yours and compare it with the size on the product page before you buy.
What if my old set is missing tiles?
See lost a Scrabble tile before buying a whole new set. Our score keeper works with any set, so it will keep working with the one you have.
Related: Gifts for Scrabble lovers · Large print Scrabble · Score keeper · Rules · Tile values · Super Scrabble