Best Glass Chess Sets (Reviews & Buyer's Guide)

Chess is a game that’s existed for over a thousand years. Yet, if you’re young-at-heart or perhaps have a modern flair, you’ll be glad to know that there are some stylish chess glass chess sets with a sleek edge.

We had a look at some of the most detailed sets out there. We wanted a crystal clear understanding of whether these chess sets are really any good.

How can you tell whether a glass set is any good for you? Let’s find out.

Best Glass Chess Sets (Our Review)

The 13.75″ Glass Chess Set (Chess House)

Our first chess set, the 13.75″ Chess House glass set is a traditional-looking set, despite it being made of glass. It looks elegant, yet is modern enough to fit in any minimalistic room or hyper-modern office.

The two opposing armies are made of opaque black and clear glass. This makes it instantly distinguishable from your traditional set. 

The glass chess pieces are standard-sized. The king, our tallest piece, measures in at 2⅞ inches. This means it’s not challenging to move across the battlefield.

The glass board comes included in the set and measures 13¾ inches across. The squares are 1½ inches big, giving us ample space to keep our pieces centered. 

We love the simple, elegant nature of this board.

Since it’s made from glass, this entire chess set weighs 5½ pounds, making it a bit of a hassle to carry around room to room. You also want to take care that you don’t chip or scratch it, so it’s best suited for an office or study.

Pros

• Distinct army designs
• Modern and stylish
• Affordable

Cons

• Average size
• Heavy

13.75″ White and Black Mirror Chess Set (Chess House)

Our next chess set, the 13.75″ white and black set from Chess House takes the glass theme a step further into the hyper-modern realm. This set features a 13¾ -inch board with a polished mirror finish. 

Light-reflecting off this battlefield creates a dramatic and severe field over which players can move their glass pieces. It adds an element of depth, allowing you to view the stunning glass pieces from a new angle.

This set also has two distinct color schemes. The black pieces are opaque and polished, and the white army is made from frosted glass. 

The king stands at 2⅞ inches tall and fits quite comfortably on the 1½ inch squares. We find that the pieces have a nice hefty weight which prevents them from toppling over as you play.

Pros

• Great looking board
• Distinguishable pieces
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy
• Standard sized board

Glass Chest Set Buyer’s Guide

Glass chess sets are different from the ordinary wood, marble, and resin sets that most players use. If you plan to buy a glass set, you need to be aware of the differences. 

Of course, glass chess sets are shiny and come with a simple, elegant beauty that is unmatched. However, before you commit, be sure that you are aware of the following.

How will you use your chess set? 

Glass chess sets aren’t toys. They’re more fragile than other types of chess sets. 

Sadly, they’re also not appropriate for young children. The pieces can break with becomes hazardous for anyone nearby. Here are our best options for kids. 

If you are a top-level player that travels frequently, a glass chess set is also not the right choice. The pieces are far too fragile to withstand the rigors of travel. They tend to be heavier than other types of chess sets, which will only add to your hassles. We recommend checking out our best portable chess set options if you’re looking for something to take on your travels.  

You also need to take into consideration how often you want to play. These chess sets can wear down quickly and get faded in no time. Playing frequently will lower the lifetime of your board and pieces. 

If you want a glass chess set, we’d suggest making sure you have an inexpensive regular set to play on first.

A glass or crystal chess set is best used in one place, at home, or the office with light to regular use.

What style looks best?

Glass chess sets come in a variety of different styles and designs. This freedom gives players a lot of options when choosing a set to buy. 

We recommend that you narrow down what you’re looking for before you start shopping. If you’re buying for a loved one and you aren’t too sure, you can never go wrong with a more traditional-looking set, like the ones featured in our review. 

Glass chess sets are great, modern, and stylish-looking sets that will impress visitors and enthusiasts alike.