Tile Brands
Comparing the many, many mahjong brands out there is maybe an impossible feat considering the list is growing every day. However, at the Lucky Sparrow, we believe that one brand doesn’t have a corner on the market and all brands deserve consideration. Some may fit better to you for style, materials, shape/size, reviews, or price. To help bring everything together in one location, here is the ultimate resource for the different Mahjong tile brands (in alphabetical order)!
We will continue adding as more are identified; let us know if yours is missing by emailing emily@theluckysparrow.com.
Affiliate codes are provided as applicable. Use code TLS10 for 10-15% off of your order for most of these brands!
Amahj
Amahj is best known for its "Garden" line, which features lightweight acrylic tiles that are significantly easier to shuffle and transport than traditional heavy sets. Their sets often come in stylish, boutique-inspired packaging, like their signature quilted V-shaped bags, making them a favorite for beginners who want a complete, aesthetic starter kit. However, because many of their sets prioritize portability and a "light" feel, they can sometimes lack the heavy-duty organizational trays found in more expensive, traditional sets, and some travel-specific versions include only 160 tiles rather than a full expansion set.
Bam! Let’s Mahjong
This brand excels in the "Grandmillennial" and "Palm Royale" aesthetics, frequently featuring motifs like ginger jars, pagodas, and vibrant citrus colors. A major highlight is their "all-in-one" value; most tile sets come bundled with a matching neoprene mat and shufflers, providing a coordinated look instantly. On the flip side, because their tiles are hand-painted, there can be subtle variations between sets, and some customers have noted that "tangerine" or "yellow" hues can look different in person than they do in studio photography.
Charleston Mahjong Club
Charleston Mahjong Club captures a refined, "country club" vibe with elegant designs and high-quality accessories like reversible leather mats and velvet drawstring rack bags. Their aesthetic is timeless and less "trendy" than some competitors, appealing to players who want an elevated, classic look. A common challenge for buyers is that their tile sets are sometimes sold "a la carte," meaning a carrying bag might not be included in the base price of the tiles, requiring an additional investment to complete the set.
Let’s Mahj-on
Founded by artist Kaki Zell, this brand treats Mahjong tiles as pieces of modern art. Their highlights include bold, art-forward designs that reimagine traditional symbols through a contemporary lens, targeting a younger or more design-conscious demographic. Because they focus heavily on limited-run, "celebration-style" sets, the primary challenge is often availability; their most popular designs can sell out quickly, and the premium artistry often comes with a higher price point than mass-produced sets.
Mahjongg Maven
The Mahjongg Maven is a titan for traditionalists, offering a massive variety of classic sets, racks, and specialized accessories. They are highly regarded for sticking to "standard" layouts that are easy to read during fast-paced play, making them a "safe" choice for serious tournament players. However, they have faced occasional criticism for certain modern colorways—such as pastels or neon schemes—that can have low contrast, making them difficult to read for players with visual impairments or in low-light settings.
Mahj & Vine
Mahj & Vine (found on Etsy as MahjandVine) excels in the instructional accessory space, particularly with their "Watercolor Bloom" and Chinoiserie-style neoprene mats. A major highlight is their "rolled shipping" policy; unlike many retailers who fold mats (causing stubborn creases), they ship their mats in tubes so they lay perfectly flat immediately. They also offer popular "cheat sheet" bundles that are highly rated for beginners. Since they are a boutique Etsy shop focusing heavily on mats and digital guides, the challenge is that they do not currently offer a wide range of full-scale tile sets, making them a destination for "leveling up" your table rather than buying your first set of tiles.
Mahj House Rules
This brand is a favorite among instructors because it focuses on the "meta" of the game—the rules and the culture. Their standout product is the "Fake or Fact: House Rules Showdown" card game, which helps players navigate the complex world of American Mahjong etiquette and regional rule variations. Their "Mahj House Bundles" provide a solid middle-ground for quality and price. The challenge is that their focus is more on the educational and organizational side; while their tiles are high-quality, they don't offer the same "infinite variety" of custom art styles that some of the more design-heavy boutique retailers provide.
Mahj Mood
Mahj Mood is defined by its "modern mom" aesthetic, using a signature palette of bold teal and blue that feels fresh and unmistakably chic. Their highlight is the approachability of the brand; they actively market themselves as "gatekeeper-free," aiming to make the game less intimidating for new players. Their products, like the lightweight PVC tile bags, are designed for the "mahjong on the move" lifestyle. One challenge for collectors is that their inventory is often tightly curated around a single cohesive look, so players seeking a wide variety of drastically different art styles or traditional ivory-colored sets might find the selection limited.
Mahj Pit
Mahj Pit positions itself as the "engineering-first" mahjong brand, moving away from the "preppy" Palm Beach look toward a more sophisticated, heirloom-quality aesthetic. Their highlight is the travel set, which is optimized for durability and portability without feeling "cheap." They use high-quality materials designed to age well over decades rather than following five-year trends. Because they prioritize a minimalist and "designed-for-legacy" look, the challenge is for players who want those trendy, colorful patterns (like lemons or flowers); they may find the Mahj Pit aesthetic a bit too industrial or "serious" for a whimsical game night.
Mahjong Studios
Mahjong Studios is the go-to for players who want high-end design at a more accessible price point than the ultra-luxury brands. Their highlight is the "Rose Dragon" and "Studio Tiles" series, which feature enlarged faces for improved legibility—a huge win for long sessions or players with vision considerations. They offer "All-In-One" bundles that are exceptionally well-priced for the quality provided. The primary challenge is that because they are so popular as a "value-luxury" option, their most coveted colorways (like the Blush & Bamboo) frequently go to "Pre-Order" status, meaning you might have to wait several weeks for your set to arrive.
Miss Mahjong
Miss Mahjong is a leader in the luxury, hand-crafted space, specifically with their three-layer acrylic tiles (like the Jade and Malachite series) that feature intricate, hand-drawn illustrations. They also offer unique regional products, such as Texas-themed Mahjong playing cards. The main challenge here is the cost and the wait; the labor-intensive hand-gluing and polishing process makes these sets some of the most expensive on the market, and they are often sold via a pre-order model that requires patience.
Miss Mahjong developed a sister company, The Mahjong Press, to provide a revised card for players starting in 2026. There are Large, Standard, Accommodated (colorblind), and Beginner cards. This has been a welcome option as it is the most similar to the traditional NMJL card but with a calendar-year cycle, polished feel, challenging hands, and easier to read layout.
Mod Mahj
Mod Mahj stands out for its deep storytelling, particularly the "Desert Bloom" series designed by artist Shela Yu, which replaces traditional symbols with Southwest imagery like scorpions and rattlesnakes. The highlight is the unique cultural fusion and the inclusion of high-end extras like vegan leather pouches. Because the designs are so radical (e.g., using scorpions for "Craks"), there is a steeper learning curve for traditional players who are used to standard Chinese characters and symbols.
My Fair Mahjong
This brand is celebrated for its "Crystal Prism" collections and "Scandinavian Folk Art" designs, which offer a whimsical, colorful alternative to traditional sets. They also cater to international players by offering add-on tiles for Riichi and Singaporean styles. A frequent point of feedback from users is that their racks can be slightly too short for certain tile sizes, making it difficult to fit a full "long" hand of tiles comfortably without them hanging off the edges.
Oh My Mahjong
Oh My Mahjong has rapidly become a favorite for its "elevated" yet approachable brand identity, offering beautifully curated starter kits and a massive library of tutorials. A major highlight is their "Certified Instructor" program (including The Lucky Sparrow!), which helps build a local ecosystem of teachers, and their commitment to donating a portion of proceeds to Alzheimer’s research. Their tiles often feature vibrant, trendy colorways that appeal to younger players. The primary challenge reported by customers is inventory management; popular designs frequently sell out and restock in "trickles," which can lead to frustration for buyers trying to complete a specific set. Some users have also noted occasional paint chipping on their hand-painted series with heavy use.
Peace Love Mahjong
Peace Love Mahjong leans into a minimalist, "clean" aesthetic with their "OG" tiles and Jewish-inspired "Menschie" sets. Their highlights include very competitive pricing and a modern brand identity that emphasizes community connection. However, some experienced players find their "thin and tall" tile dimensions a bit jarring at first, as they lack the "chunky" feel of traditional American tiles, which can affect the tactile experience of "building the wall."
The Mahjong House
Founded by professional instructor Stacey White, The Mahjong House focuses on "luxe" products that are specifically vetted for ease of play and teaching. Their highlights are the professional-grade quality and the "teacher-approved" layouts that ensure new players aren't confused by overly abstract art. Because the brand positions itself as a luxury boutique, the main challenge is the price, as they generally target the high-end gift and resort market.
The Mahjong Line
The Mahjong Line is a luxury heavyweight in the industry, famous for its custom, artist-designed tiles that feature a slightly larger face for better legibility and a "color explosion" aesthetic. Their sets—like the "Cheeky" or "Botanical" lines—reimagine traditional symbols with modern icons like lightning bolts and flour jars, targeting a high-end, style-forward audience. However, the brand faced significant public scrutiny in 2021 regarding cultural appropriation and the "whitewashing" of the game’s Chinese heritage. While they have since issued apologies and updated their branding to be more respectful of the game's origins, they remain one of the most expensive options on the market, priced between $300 and $495.
In 2026, they launched a new mahjong card to help provide a more challenging, data-based game for players, called The Big Card. This has been a hit across the American mahjong community! It is a larger card than the Large-size NMJL card, however the layout, colors, and explanations have made it worth it.
Tigre de Tartan
Tigre de Tartan is more of a "lifestyle" Mahjong brand than a pure tile retailer, famous for its "painterly" mats and high-fashion accessories like slouchy totes and towels. Their highlight is the sheer beauty of their textiles, which have been featured in luxury magazines like Sheridan Road. The challenge for a dedicated player is that they don't always carry a wide inventory of actual tile sets; their focus is more on the "decor" and "lifestyle" side of the game rather than the technical equipment.
That Mahjong Moment
An Etsy powerhouse with "Star Seller" status, That Mahjong Moment is celebrated for its highly thematic and whimsical tile designs, such as the "Secret Garden," "Mystical Menagerie," and "Maritime" sets. Their highlight is the sheer artistry and "unboxing experience," with many customers praising the clear, bright colors and high-quality packaging. They also offer unique acrylic racks with scalloped pushers that add a decorative flair to the table. The primary challenge is that their tiles tend to be "taller" than standard sets, which means they may not fit into generic racks or travel cases—often requiring you to purchase their specific 20-inch racks for a perfect fit.