To help you find the best set of dominoes available today, we spent 12 hours testing and playing with 20 different options. While we played with each set of dominoes, we tested them first based on their overall playability and how they felt in our hands. We also measured the sets on their durability and quality of design. Finally, we measured sets based on the types of games and game pieces they include. If you are interested in other games, check out our list of the best board games.
With these considerations and features in mind, we chose the Regal Games Double 12 as our top pick for the best set of dominoes. With this set, you have plenty of dominoes to play either the classic game or more modern games like Mexican Train dominoes. The tiles in this set are heavyweight and durable, and it even includes a collectors tin for easier storage. Keep reading below to learn more about the Regal Games set and the other best sets of dominoes for purchase.
Top Best Set of Dominoes
#1 Regal Games Double 12 Set of Dominoes
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This dominoes set includes fun and well-painted pips that are easy to see, as well as all the pieces you need to play Mexican Train. You’ll also get a long life with durable tiles and a handy collectors tin for storage.
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- Durable and fun design
- Collectors tin for easier storage
- Includes Mexican Train game pieces
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- No score pads included
- Thinner tiles don’t stand as well
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The first thing you’ll notice about the Regal Games Double 12 set of dominoes is the superb quality in nearly every aspect of the tiles. For starters, the pips are colored based on the number of dots. The colors are bright and make the dominoes easier to read. They’re also built with durability in mind. While they’re not as thick as other options, you won’t experience as much chipping as you might with other options. Take a look at these options for your friends if you’re looking for top gifts for gamers.
Your purchase of this set will also include all of the pieces you need to play Mexican Train, one of the most popular games for double twelve sets of dominoes. You’ll get a wooden hub that allows for up to eight players, along with four metal trains. We do wish the set included enough trains for a full set of eight players, but it isn’t a deal-breaker. The Regal Games set also includes an attractive collectors tin that makes for easier storage that also keeps your dominoes in good shape for a longer amount of time. These features easily make this the best double 12 domino set available today. Speaking of best, if you are a fan of checkers, you should definitely check out our list of the best checkers sets.
#2 Hey! Play! Double Nine Set of Dominoes
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: With spinners and a heavyweight that feels good in the hands, this set of dominoes offers a traditional and premium experience. The set also features larger pips that are easy to read and a sturdy wooden box for storage.
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- Large, easy-to-read pips
- Premium wood storage case
- Heavy, durable build
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- Spinners sometimes snag
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The Hey! Play! Double Nine set of dominoes is simple and sturdy in its design, calling back to a more traditional approach to dominoes. The tiles also feature a center metal spinner for easier shuffling and spinning. Unfortunately, we occasionally experienced some snagging with the spinners, but it didn’t hamper our overall ability to play with the set. We were impressed at how easy these dominoes were to hold in our hands; the weight of the tiles was a big factor in that solid feeling.
One of the best features of this double nine set is the included wooden storage box. It’s a durable and stylish way to store your dominoes for longer periods of time. The case also makes it easier to carry the set around to parties or small gatherings with your family and friends. Alternatively, you could invest in some of the best toys & games, to avoid a boring afternoon with your family.
#3 Chh Double Six Set of Dominoes
Award: BEST CLASSIC DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple, traditional design is what sets these dominoes apart from other sets, along with a scratch-resistant build. The low-profile carrying case is also a really nice touch.
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- Slim, portable form factor
- Carrying case included
- Scratch-resistant surface
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- Some sets may have misaligned pip paint
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If you’re looking for a barebones, traditional set of dominoes, you can’t go wrong with the Chh Double Six professional dominoes set. This set offers a classic design that’s simply hard to beat. With a double six set, you get 28 total individual tiles, enough to play with the original ruleset. The pips are large and easy to read, but you may run into some quality control issues with pip paint. We encountered a couple of tiles with misaligned paint. However, according to our research, this is fairly rare and can be remedied by simply exchanging the set for a new one, if necessary.
Other than that, these Chh dominoes are built very well. They are one of the best board games for an afternoon of indoor fun. They’ve got a good weight to them, which not only feels good in your hands, but also allows the tiles to stand up with ease. We were also pleased with the included carrying case. It closes securely with a snap enclosure, and it’s slim enough to carry around with you with no problem. The case is impressively durable, as well, making this a good travel domino set to take with you on camping trips or picnics.
#4 Puremco Spinner Double Nine Set of Dominoes
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This high-quality dominoes set features colorful pips and large tiles that are easy to handle for both adult and kid hands. It also includes the rules and scorecards for a fun, unique game mode called Texas Wild Dominoes.
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- Colorful, sturdy tiles are easy to hold
- Fun, unique Texas Wild Domino game
- Includes scorecards and tin case
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- Storage tin isn’t as durable as others
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The Puremco Spinner Double Nine is a large domino set with 55 tiles, which is plenty for both new and classic game modes. However, this set also includes 11 special “spinner” tiles that don’t have pips. Instead, they’re marked with a spinner icon that’s unique to the Texas Wild Dominoes game. The set also includes the rules and scorecards to play this game. It’s a fun game for all ages that allows for players to come and go as they please, which is especially nice when playing with younger kids. The best robot toys for kids will also engage your little ones in fun learning experiences.
The tiles themselves are also designed extremely well. They’re thick and durable, which makes them perfect for playing traditional games of dominoes or stacking and knocking over. The pips are large and easy to read, and they are also colored for easier differentiation between tiles. You even get a handy tin for storage once you’re done playing, although it isn’t as durable as some other options you can buy today.
#5 Spin Master Games Double 12 Set of Dominoes
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: An easy-to-read design, with Mexican Train game pieces and a storage tin included. If you’re looking for an affordable game night, this is the perfect set for you.
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- Includes instructions for 16 games
- Comes with Mexican Train game pieces
- Storage tin is sturdy and durable
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- Thinner than other options
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The Spin Master Games Double 12 set of dominoes is the most affordable option you can buy today without sacrificing too much in the way of quality or durability. The tiles here are designed with large, colored pips that are easy to read for all ages. They’re thinner than options, but that’s to be expected with a budget set, and it doesn’t affect playability.
This set of dominoes also includes all of the pieces you need to get started with a game of Mexican Train. You’ll get the central station along with four trains. The quality of these pieces isn’t anything special, which again is to be expected with a budget set, but they’ll last you for a long time and through many games.
#6 Chh Double 12 Set of Dominoes
Award: EASIEST TO READ
WHY WE LIKE IT: This domino set’s claim to fame lies in the large numbers on the tiles instead of pips. However, the set also includes everything you need for Mexican Train, along with a zipper carrying case that’s extremely portable.
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- Thick, high-quality tiles that stand up well
- Numbers instead of pips
- Includes eight trains for Mexican Train
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- Tiles don’t fit train hub
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The Chh Double 12 set of dominoes is one of the most unique sets of dominoes available today, mainly because of the fact that the tiles feature numbers instead of the traditional pips. These large numbers are incredibly easy to read, and they feature an underline below the six so you can differentiate between it and the nine.
This set also includes all of the pieces you need to play Mexican Train, including the hub and eight total trains, which is a nice addition when you consider most sets only include four trains. Unfortunately, the hub is built for standard-size dominoes and the tiles included in this set are smaller, so they don’t fit in the hub as well as you might expect. This doesn’t detract from actual gameplay, though, so it wasn’t too big of an issue. You’ll also enjoy the included carrying case, which is made from tough nylon and can zip closed for better portability.
#7 Kicko Double Six Set of Dominoes
Award: BEST PORTABLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: With a slim, lightweight carrying case and just 28 tiles, this classic double six set of dominoes is perfect to take with you on the go. The tiles are sturdy and durable, and they also feature spinners for that traditional look and feel.
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- Sturdy, classic design
- Durable wooden carrying case
- Includes game instructions
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- Tiles are a little slippery
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The Kicko Double Six set of dominoes brings tradition to the table with its classic design. It even includes the spinners in the middle of the tiles for even more authenticity. The spinners are integrated into the tiles well and they don’t snag on anything, based on our testing. Unfortunately, the tiles are a little on the slippery side, which can make it more difficult to hold a full hand of seven tiles, but you get used to it after a few games.
These dominoes are thinner than other options, but that also makes them much more portable overall. This portability is further increased by the included wooden carrying case. The case is built well, with a closing clasp and carrying handle. Plus, since it’s a double six set, you won’t have nearly as many tiles to carry around. We were also pleased to find that the Kicko set includes a set of game instructions so you won’t have to go hunting for games to play online.
How We Decided
When it comes to buying the best set of dominoes, there are a wide variety of factors to consider. When it came to our testing and rankings, we first made the choice not to rank options based on the number of dominoes included in the set. Each type of set – double six, double nine or double 12 – has its own set of rules and game modes, none of which are necessarily better than the other. The type of dominoes set you purchase will depend on your personal preference for the types of games you can play with it.
The main consideration we took into account when ranking sets of dominoes was their build quality. For the most part, tiles are made from plastic today. The days of the ivory domino set are long past, but fortunately, the plastic dominoes are much more long-lasting. We only included options above if they were of a high enough quality to last through plenty of vigorous games. We rated options better if they included options that were meant specifically to prolong the life of dominoes, including carrying cases or special construction materials like ceramic.
We also rated sets based on their pip designs and how easy the pips are to read. While larger options aren’t necessarily better, they do work well for families with little kids or people who have limited vision. We rated options higher if the pips were easy to read and painted well on the tile. We awarded bonus points to those that had colored pips since those are easier to read overall. Finally, we also preferred sets that included instructions and pieces for different game modes other than the traditional dominoes rules. These additional games make for more varied play and a more fun time all around for everyone.
Best Set of Dominoes Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Type of Domino Sets
Most domino sets come in one of three different types: double six, double nine or double 12. This refers to the number of pips on one side of the domino. Each type has a different purpose and a different number of total tiles. Double six sets usually include 28 total tiles. Double nine sets usually include 55 total tiles. Double 12 sets usually include 91 tiles. If you’re looking for simple gameplay, consider double six dominoes. If you want something for more complex games or larger groups of people, double nine and double 12 sets will work best. You can also buy a tournament dominoes set if you want to get into the competitive scene. These sets are double six sets with tiles that measure specifically in a size of 2 3/16 inches long, 1 ⅛ inches wide, and 7/16 inches thick. - Design/Aesthetic
Dominoes come in a variety of shapes and colors but mostly stick to the classic rectangular shape. The exact design and aesthetic you purchase will depend largely on your own personal preferences. However, there are a few design features you should consider more carefully before making a purchase. Most dominoes feature dots, but there are some sets that feature numbers instead, which make it easier for children to play and read. You should also consider the difference between dominoes with pips or dimples for the dots. Pips are often ball bearings that can scratch your tabletop but make for a really unique look and easier shuffling. - Spinner vs. No Spinner
The original dominoes were made from a piece of ebony and a piece of ivory held together with a metal pin. This metal pin, also called a pivot, is still often found in domino sets even though it’s not technically necessary anymore. More commonly, the pivot is referred to as a spinner today. You can find sets with both a spinner or with no spinner, and the choice between the two options is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Sets with spinners make for easier shuffling, but they may also scratch your table. Sets without spinners don’t have that problem.
