Go, a two-player strategy-based board game, is one of the oldest board games in the modern world. Today, there are around more than 20 million active players. Many players, from beginner to professional, will look for several Go boards in their lifetime. We’ve compiled a list of Go board and review each one. Hopefully, this will help you pick the right Go board set for you.
The standard game board size is 19*19. However, other variations are also available such as a 13*13 or a 9*9 board. If you are a beginner and learning to play the game, or just want to play a quick game of Go, then the 9*9 board is ideal for you.
If you want to try the Go game and are looking to buy the board, then you are at the right place. Here, you will find a complete guide on what you should be looking for when buying the board. Also, a shortlist of some of the best boards available on the market right now. We have done extensive researches to make sure you find reliable and valuable information here without having to go through the strain of going through and wasting hours researching everything yourself.
Things to look for while buying Go Board
There are certain features that you should always keep in mind before buying the Go Board.
Durability
The board should be made of good and high-quality material so that you can be sure of its durability and reliability. If you have lots of matches, you should buy the set which will be long-lasting.
Bamboo Boards are preferred as they are durable.
Price
Price is always one of the most important considerations whenever you want to buy anything, let alone board for a Go game. You will find boards of varying price ranges offering different features, so you should pay close attention to the price and features to see which board set offers the best value for the price.
Storage Box
If you have children playing with the board and stones, one feature to pay attention to is the storage box for stones/ pieces. Some board games come with attached drawers for storing the pieces, while some offer fancy bowls to keep the stones. Depending on the players’ age and the set’s usage, you should buy the one with the storage box that fits your needs.
Miscellaneous
Other Features that you can consider before buying the board include
- Instruction Manual.
- Eco-Friendly Stones.
- Portability.
So now that you know the things that you should look for before buying the board game, you should be able to decide on a good board on the market for your home. However, you can continue reading and see our shortlist for the best Boards available on the market, which ticks all the essential boxes while providing much more along with it.
Go Board Reviews
Brybelly Go Set With Reversible Bamboo Go Board Review
Quick Glance
- Eco-Friendly Material
- 19*19 Board at the top, 13*13 board at the bottom.
- Beautiful bamboo bowls for storing stones.
- Reasonable Price.
- Great Value for money.
This board is one of the best boards available in the market for playing Go game. This board has everything that you need in an ideal board. Its board is made of pressed, natural bamboo, whereas the stones are made of bakelite plastic. The bowls offer an aesthetic yet classic feel of the regions from where the game originated. To cap it off, the bowls are also made up of pressed, natural bamboo.
With a traditional 47*44 cm board and 361 stones ( 181 black, 180 white), you are going to have a great experience of playing Go. One of the best things that this board offers both 13*13 and 19*19 boards. Depending on whether you want a quick game or a standard game, you can choose the board accordingly.
The price of the board is also very reasonable when compared to the features it provides. So this makes it one of the top boards which give the highest value for money.
Amerous 11 Inches Magnetic Go Game Set Review
Quick Glance
- Portable, Lightweight, and Foldable.
- Board made with high-quality material.
- Magnetic Stones.
- Doesn’t have a separate board at the bottom.
- Very reasonable price.
- 365 Day Money Back Guarantee.
- Great value for money.
This Go board set is ideal for people who want to take this game on their traveling journeys. The board is portable, extremely lightweight, and foldable in half to enable people to easily take this game with them and enjoy it on their journeys.
The board again is made up of very high quality and durable material which is built to last. With sturdy hinges and a smooth surface, the board gives a seamless experience of playing the game of Go.
It comes with a 19*19 board and 361 stones (181 black and 180 white) and two storage bowls.
One of the best things about this board set is magnetic stones. The magnetic stones are a great help when you have kids playing the game. The stones stay firmly in their places with the magnetic effect and don’t displace from their place, giving the players a smooth experience.
The most important thing that may make this board set better than others is its price. The price is extremely reasonable for its features and provides excellent value for money.
Another excellent aspect of this board set is that it gives a 365-day money-back guarantee, which shows the manufacturers’ trust in their product.
Additionally, it comes with a manual and a rule book so that the people trying the game for the first time don’t have a hard time understanding this strategy game.
Yellow Mountain Imports Bamboo Reversible Go Game Set Review – Premium Pick
Quick Glance
- Premium Pick.
- Board made from naturally pressed Bamboo.
- Double Convex Stones.
- 13*13 playing grid at the bottom with the 19*19 grid at the top.
- Two beautiful boxes as storage boxes for stones.
- Karl Baker’s Guide Book.
- Ideal for people who love the Go game.
This board set is our premium pick. If you are a fan of the Go game and want only the best boards and stones to enjoy the game, then this board is for you. The board is made of naturally pressed bamboo, which is durable and environmentally friendly and gives a nice feel to the game because of its smooth surface.
The board also provides two playing surfaces with a 19*19 playing grid at the top and a 13*13 playing grid at the bottom. So if you want a quick game or are learning the game, you can play at 13*13, or if you want a regular match, then the 19*19 board is always here for you. The board also comes with a protective felt sleeve.
The double convex stones, on the other hand, make playing the game all the more fun. The experienced Go game players will understand me when I say that the double convex stones are a real pleasure to hold, and playing with them is very satisfying.
Bamboo’s two beautiful bowls also come with a set as the storage boxes for the black and white stones.
The set also contains a highly informative Karl Baker’s “The Way to Go” guide book. Whether you are thinking of playing for the first time or are looking to learn new strategies, this book will have your back.
Goodplay Go Game Set Leather Board Review
Quick Glance
- Extremely Sturdy & Durable.
- 19*19 playing field with 361 stones.
- Lightweight.
- Slightly expensive.
Durability and reliability are some of the most important things to look for in a go game board set, and this board is made up of leather, making it extremely sturdy and durable. This board will last the test of time and gives a solid base to play the game on.
The board also comes along with 361 stones with 180 white and 181 black stones. The stones are stored/ placed in separate beautiful plastic bowls.
The board comes with a 19*19 playing field with a size of 48*49cm, which is slightly bigger than the standard size of the board.
Another good thing about this board is that it is lightweight and can easily be carried from one place to another. However, it is not foldable, so it may not be the best choice for travelers.
We Games Wood Go Set with Pull Out Drawers Review – Budget Pick
Quick Glance
- Pull-Out Drawers makes storing stones easy.
- Board made of very durable Veneer wood.
- 19*19 playing surface with 12-inch size making it ideal for travelers.
- Excellent value for money.
This board makes an entry in our list of best Go game board sets mainly because of its pull out drawers. The drawers on each side act as storage boxes for the 181 black and 180 white stone pieces. Such drawers are handy as they take the fancy storage bowls out of the equation while also making it easy for the board to be taken along with to different places.
Another impressive aspect of the board is that the wood used in making it is of very high quality (Veneer). The Veneer wood is considered very durable and reliable, although the board is susceptible to scratching as the veneer can get scratches more easily than the other type of woods.
The board offers a traditional 19*19 grid for gameplay, while the overall size of 12 inches makes it convenient to play the game on the go.
Overall, This is a very good pick if you are looking to buy a board for the game as it provides an excellent value for the money.
GrowUpSmart Go Board Game Set Review – Budget Pick
Quick Glance
- Budget Pick.
- 19*19 playing area with 360 stones.
- Board made of beautiful yet durable wood.
- Only one pouch for both black and white stones.
- Great value for money.
This is the budget pick in our list of best Go Game Board sets in the market. This set provides all the tools needed to play the Go game.
Like the rest of the sets, the
board comes with a 19*19 playing grid and 180 black and 180 white stones. The board is made up of beautifully finished yet highly durable wood. The makers claim that the set is nearly unbreakable and can take heavy falls. The stones, on the other hand, are made of premium quality plastic.
The only downside of this board set is that it comes with one pouch for the stones. There is no separate pouch or some other storage box for black and white, which means you have to sort the stones every time you play the game. But for this price, such minor flaws can be forgiven as the set provides great value for money.
Final thoughts on Go Board Review
These are our picks and reviews for some of the best board sets available for the Go game on the internet. They all belong to different price ranges and provide varying features. You can analyze which one fits your needs and budget best and then go for it without hesitation. Rest assured, all of these picks are well researched by our team and will provide great value for your hard-earned money.