Best mahjong sets for home play

Top pick: the "Huntington" American Mahjong Set with Mineral Green Soft Case. It's the easiest way into American mahjong at home — a full set with racks, dice and a soft case that packs away neatly, and it's the best-rated of the sets here. If you're new to the game, start here.

Who the others suit:

• "Seabreeze" with Green Soft Case — a clean, simple American set for a household that just wants to play.
• "Sapphire" with Blue Soft Case — a step up in finish without going fancy.
• "Jade Horizon" — a middle-ground American set with a calmer look.
• "Koi Fish" with Wooden Case — for someone who wants the set to live on a shelf and look good doing it.
• "Chinoise II" with Floral Blue Soft Case — a well-liked American set with a decorative case.
• MCM Mahjong Tile Set — 160 tiles in a compact size; good for a smaller table or travel.
• Classic Mahjong Tile Set — larger blue melamine tiles, which are easier to read and pick up.
• Cypress Forest Tile Set — the most polished option here, for a set you'll keep for years.
• Origami and East Meets West Tile Sets — design-led acrylic sets for players who care how the table looks.

One thing to decide first: American mahjong sets include racks and a card-based ruleset, while Chinese-style tile sets are just tiles — pick according to the rules your group plays.