Are you looking for the perfect tarot deck but can’t decide among all the amazing options out there?
Finding the right deck can feel overwhelming and take time.
That is why I have written this article to guide you through the process and reveal the most popular decks ranked by me and the reviews of thousands of tarot deck readers.
The best and most powerful tarot decks for beginners and professionals are The Rider Tarot cards, the Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck, The Wild Unknown deck, The Good Tarot, the Guardian of the Night Tarot, The Modern Witch Tarot Deck, The Forest of Enchantment Tarot and the Santa Muerte Tarot Deck.
All these decks and the 27 tarot decks are wonderful but allow your intuition to guide you to your dream deck. Open yourself up to all the following decks, sense their vibes and trust your gut feeling.
Right, let’s get started! Below, I have listed and ranked the 27 Best Tarot Card Decks of all time.
The 27 Best Tarot Cards of all time
1. The Rider Tarot Deck
By Arthur Edward Waite & Pamela Colman Smith
The accompanying guidebook contains a detailed explanation of the symbolism behind each card. Although the images on this deck are not as visually pleasing as the other decks on this list, it is a classic.
No tarot deck set is complete without the Rider Tarot Deck. However, it does take some time to familiarise yourself with this deck and its meanings. This deck is best suited for those that have previously used other tarot or oracle cards.
The Rider Tarot Deck dates back to 1910 and is the most popular deck in the world. It contains 78 cards which comprise of 22 major arcana and 56 lesser arcana. Each card was hand drawn and is rich in symbolism and meaning.
2. Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck
By Pamela Colman Smith
The smith-Waite deck is a commemoratory reproduction of the century-old classic Smith-Waite tarot deck. The 80-card deck features pictorial scenes in muted colors to honor Pamela Coleman Smith.
I love the combination of the slightly aged artwork and the vintage tones.
This deck is perfect for Smith-Waite tarot collectors and those looking for a professional-looking deck.
3. The Wild Unknown tarot deck and guide set
By Kim Krans
The Wild Unknown Tarot is a stunning deck of hand-drawn line-based artwork of powerful animal archetypes. This deck is divided according to the four elements, earth, water, fire, air, and includes spirit.
This deck is insightful and the messages behind the symbolism are thought-provoking.
The animals and insects act as our mirrors to better understand ourselves and our interactions with the external world. The guidebook thoroughly explores the symbolism and meaning of each card and addresses the energy of animals, the elements and the chakras.
The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit deck is powerful and is perfect for those wanting to connect with animal spirits and spiritually grow. This deck will not disappoint!
4. The Good Tarot
By Colette Baron-Reid
The good tarot deck is a visually pleasing and accurate deck, best suited for personal exploration. The deck looks into our present experience and the use of affirmations to help us reach positive outcomes.
As with all of Collette Baron-Reid, the images are divinely beautiful and will help you transform your life. The deck has a loving and divine feel to them. Don’t be surprised if you start to sense a healing energy when using this deck.
This deck thoroughly explores the positive aspects of ourselves and is ideal for those seeking encouragement and personal growth.
5. The guardian of the night Tarot cards
By MJ Cullinane (Author)
Absolutely beautiful! If you are an animal lover you will immediately feel a deep connection to this deck! The guardian of the night tarot cards aren’t just beautiful, they are full of wisdom and divine guidance. The images are thought-provoking and will lead the way during challenging times. This tarot deck is infused with unconditional love and instantly connects you to the animal archetypes.
I also love the detailed guidebook full of animal stories and messages from your animal friends.
Tip: These cards are better suited to large hands but are still worth the purchase. However, avoid the mass market version as the cards are far too big and more difficult to shuffle.
6. Modern Witch Tarot Deck
By Lisa Sterle
The Modern Witch Tarot Deck is a diverse and beautifully designed deck. It is an inclusive deck based on the traditional Rider deck but with a modern twist and infused with feminine energy.
I love that this deck communicates meaning using modern-day imagery that we can all relate to. For instance, the imagery of ‘the Ten of Swords’ portrays a woman with 10 swords protruding from her body, whilst on her mobile phone. A good pictures is really worth a thousand words.
This deck is perfect for a complete beginner. The images speak for themselves and allow for more intuitive readings.
7. Forest of Enchantment Tarot
By Lunaea Weatherstone & Meraylah Allwood
The Forest of Enchantment Tarot deck magically brings to life all those adventures and old tales you adored as a child. It takes you back to the world of princesses, knights, faeries, wizards and other mythical creatures that lead you on a quest for success and fulfilment.
Each reading is a personalised fairy tale full of excitement, magic and mystery that will help you overcome any challenges.
I highly recommend this simple yet powerful deck to those seeking adventure within this forest tale. The Forest of Enchantment Tarot cards make a great gift and are suitable for complete beginners and advanced tarot readers alike.
8. Santa Muerte Tarot Deck: Book of the Dead
By Fabio Listrani
The Santa Muerte Tarot Deck is a stunning deck inspired by the Mexican tradition of the day of the dead. The imagery and the vibrant colors draw you into the cards which helps you intuit meaning. This powerful deck is loosely based on the Waite-Smith tarot but the artistic expression differs. Instead of people being depicted in the images, we find artistically portrayed skeletal beings.
The Santa Muerte Tarot Guidebook is available in 7 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese. However, the card meanings and interpretations could have gone into more detail. For this reason, I suggest you get a little creative and intuitively sense each card for meaning and symbolism.
9. The Antique Anatomy Tarot
By Clair Goodchild
The Antique Anatomy Tarot is a stunningly minimalistic Deck. It is the perfect balance of vintage anatomical drawings coupled with illustrations of plants and flowers.
Each Tarot archetype interpretation is infused with astrology, numerology, as well as elemental and color associations. This deck has a positive vibe but does not include reversal meanings.
This deck is perfect for those of you wishing to explore other modalities within tarot readings. Although it is not the best deck for complete beginners to intuit meaning, it does offer a comprehensive guidebook suitable for novice tarot readers.
10. Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot
By Matt Hughes
The Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot consist of 80 breath-taking cards designed in the art nouveau style. Each card has been hand-drawn and consists of a golden edge giving the deck a luxurious feel. Each character reveals many insights through their posture, their facial expressions and gives you a sense of their personal traits.
This deck is for those individuals looking for a quality deck that will give accurate readings. The downside of the golden-leaved design is that they are prone to wear and tear. Although the guidebook offers basic meanings and interpretations the cards are very detailed and allow for intuitive readings.
11. The Nightmare before Christmas Tarot
By Minerva Siegal and Abigail Larson
The Night before Christmas Deck is a fun and delightfully frightful deck based on the classic tarot iconography. The characters have been perfectly illustrated and positioned to help you understand their meaning.
I also love the creative twist of using potions, candles, presents and needles to represent the minor arcana. The cards are of good quality with a matt finish and the guidebook can support even complete beginners who give professional readings.
If you are a fan of the Night Before Christmas and just can’t get enough of Tim Burton, then this deck is for you!!!
12. Tarot of the Divine
By Yoshi Yoshitani
The Tarot of the Divine is gorgeous and evocative vibrant artwork. This deck is one of the most diverse and inclusive deck inspired by ancient legends, folklore, myths, fairy tales, spiritual wisdom and deities.
The artwork is quite detailed and allows for intuitive interpretation. And the guidebook is fairly comprehensive which makes these cards accessible to complete beginners and experienced tarot readers alike.
13. The muse Tarot
By Chris-Anne
The Muse Tarot is vibrant, powerful and full of symbolism. I love the harmony of this deck, and how the photography and mixed media collages are masterfully put together. Chris-Anne invites us to connect with our inner muse and sense the magic around us.
This deck differs from other traditional decks, as it has uses other names for each suit, Emotions (Cups), Inspiration (Wands), Voices (Swords) and materials (Pentacles). The detailed guidebook contains card meanings, word prompts, and poetry to get your intuitive juices flowing.
14. Mystic Mondays Tarot: A Deck for the Modern Mystic
By Grace Duong
The Mystic Mondays Tarot is minimalistic, colourful and a beautifully illustrated deck. Despite the minimalist look, each card is full of meaning and hidden symbolism. The messages are positive and uplifting, making them ideal for daily inspiration.
They are also sturdy and easy to shuffle and have beautiful holographic card edges and a foil exterior.
These are A must-have for all! Why not start off your day the right way by picking a positive and inspirational card each morning.
15. The Modern Way Tarot
By J, Bindels & N. Fernando
Overly impressed! The Modern Way Tarot is a modern take on the traditional Rider-Waite tarot cards. The minimalistic vibrant artwork is full of meaning and symbolism and makes it easier to interpret meaning. This deck is made of high-quality cardstock that is sturdy and easy to shuffle.
This deck comes with a 194-page guidebook with an introduction to tarot cards, multiple tarot spreads and all 78 card meanings.
16. True Heart Intuitive Tarot
Created by Rachel True
Are you looking to tune into your client’s energy field and establish potential outcomes? Then the True Heart deck could be the deck you have been looking for your whole life. The deck is based on the standard Waite-Smith deck with a modern and multicultural aesthetic.
The artwork is beautiful, simple, yet thought-provoking. But don’t let its simplicity fool you! This deck is full of symbolism and meaning which even the most inexperienced tarot reader will enjoy.
17. The light seers Tarot
By Chris-Anne
The light seer tarot cards are a modern representation of the traditional tarot deck. These cards are absolutely beautiful and you will instantly be drawn to the symbolism of the images.
Interestingly enough the cards seem to have a life of their own and messages always unravel creatively.
If you have to pick between two tarot decks, I recommend indulging in these beauties. You will love connecting with the energy of the cards and exploring new, and creative meanings in your readings.
18. Everyday Witch Tarot
By Deborah Black and Elisabeth Alba
The Everyday Witch Tarot is a simple, captivating and fun tarot deck. The artwork is inspired by the Rider-Waite-smith and uses vibrant watercolours. This deck offers a fresh take on the meaning of the cards and more modern symbolism. For instance it uses the image of a motorcycle rather than a chariot. Which makes them more relatable to our everyday life.
It also has a 254-page guidebook which offers ample amounts of details about the meaning, interpretation and symbolisms of the cards.
The card stock is a little thinner than other decks but the quality is worth every cent.
19. The Sufi Tarot
By Ayeda Husain
An exquisite deck! The Sufi Tarot offers the classic tarot archetypes whilst interweaving Sufi wisdom and principles. The illustrations are luminous and rich in colour and each card has a powerful yet healing energy. The images encourage intuitive interpretation and will enhance your readings in powerful ways.
If you are on the path to self-discovery or looking for inner wisdom, then this deck is for you! It will help you explore your unconscious self and transform your life.
20. Everyday Tarot Deck
By Brigit Esselmont & Elanor Grosch
The Everyday Tarot is a simple yet intuitive deck, perfect for those looking for a portable-sized deck. It is based on the classic Rider-Waite deck and maintains most of the original symbolism in both card names and meanings.
While the art is minimalistic and limited to gold, purple and white tones, it captures the essence of the cards and allows for easy interpretation.
So, if you are looking for a pocket-sized tarot deck based on the Rider-Waite with a minimalistic feel, this deck is for you. Shuffling is very comfortable and ideal for those with small hands too.
21. Mystical Manga Tarot
By Barbara Moore & Rann
The Mystical Manga Tarot is an anime and manga-themed deck based on the Rider-Waite deck. The artwork is gorgeous and the vibrant colors seem to emanate from each card.
This deck is full of symbolism and the character’s posture and facial expressions reveal so much more than most other decks.
If you are looking for a Manga tarot deck inspired by Rider-Waite deck that is full of symbolism and meaning, purchase this one. It will get your psychic juices flowing.
22. The Star Tarot: Your path to Self-Discovery through cosmic Symbolism
By Cathy McClelland
Absolutely Magical! The Star Tarot reveals the mystery and magic of the stars to reconnect you with your soul’s purpose. Each card is unique and guides you on the quest to self-discovery.
Through the use of astrology, numerology and mystic symbolism you tap into the cosmic symbols. It reveals your hidden gifts and how to move forward on your spiritual path.
The guidebook provides insights on astrological, elemental and seasonal aspects and numerological explanations. This deck has a positive vibe to it and even the ‘challenging’ cards carry a lesson and a message of hope.
23. Crow Tarot
By MJ Cullinane
What a powerfully honest deck! The Crow deck art style is a digital collage that includes images of crows and ravens. The color palate has a dark vibe to it, but the imagery feels positive. It is full of mystical energy that instantly elevates your awareness and ignites your intuition. The symbolism of the cards is on par with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck but from a crow and ravens perspective.
The card stock quality is excellent and easy to shuffle. These cards have a thin border that nicely blends with the artwork.
This deck comes with an 88-page guidebook which includes custom spreads and upright and reverse meanings.
I highly recommend this deck for beginner tarot card readers that are drawn to darker artwork. It is for those wanting to connect with the essence of the crows and ravens and receive hidden insights and wisdom.
24. Spirit Song Tarot
By Paulina Cassidy
The Spirit Song Tarot deck is infused with shamanic and Native American wisdom in the form of animal spirit guides. Every beautifully crafted image gently nudges you in the right direction and instils a sense of calm. Each animal spirit guide reveals an aspect within ourselves and opens up a portal of great knowledge, power and divine guidance.
This deck also contains a 108-page guidebook to help you decipher abstract ideas to further interpret its symbolism.
I love the positive vibe and would recommend it to anyone over the age of 13. The messages will guide you through challenges but still teach you how to fully embrace the animal essence to spiritually grow.
25. Disney Villains Tarot Deck
By Minerva Siegel & Ellie Goldwine
Another great deck! The Disney Villains Tarot Deck is beautiful, vibrant and fun. The artwork is brilliant, the images are colourful, and each card is full of symbolism. Each villain has been chosen and selected based on their character to help interpret meaning.
Some people complain about the cardstock being too thin, but I still like them and the cards snap back. This deck also comes with a detailed guidebook containing details of different spreads, meanings and symbolism.
26. Affirmators! Tarot Deck
By Suzi Barrett & Vikki Chu
What a treat! The Affirmators Tarot Deck opens up direct communication with the spirit realm. Each card will motivate and encourage you to move beyond your limitations and explore your inner self. Don’t let the beautifully innocent-looking images fool you! This deck is your mirror and reveals the spiritual wisdom you are ready to hear.
This deck is uplifting and another must have for all. I love pulling a card daily and reading positive and inspirational messages.
It is suitable for complete beginners and experienced tarot readers looking for a fun but daring deck to reveal a dose of age-old wisdom.
27. Deviant Moon Tarot
By Patrick Valenza
The deviant Moon Tarot imagery is absolutely stunning and was inspired by Patrick’s childhood dreams. The characters find themselves in moonlit dreamscapes and each card has a story to tell.
The artwork is second to none, full of rich colors, symbolism and meaning. Although this isn’t a deck I would normally choose, it is one I couldn’t resist. It can be used for general readings, but I recommend using this deck for shadow work to uncover the hidden parts of ourselves.
This deck is best suited to more experienced tarot readers that enjoy the imagery or those that want to explore the shadow self.
27 Best Tarot Cards Listed and Ranked (2023)
- The Rider Tarot Deck
- Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck
- The Wild Unknown Tarot deck & Guide Set
- The Good Tarot
- The Guardian of the Night Tarot Deck
- Modern Witch Tarot Deck
- Forest of Enchantment Tarot
- Santa Muerte Tarot Deck
- The Antique Anatomy Tarot
- Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot
- The Nightmare before Christmas Tarot
- Tarot of the Divine
- The Must Tarot
- Mystic Mondays Tarot
- The Modern Way Tarot
- True Heart Intuitive Tarot
- The Light Seers Tarot
- Everyday Witch Tarot
- The Sufi Tarot
- Everyday Tarot Deck
- Mystical Manga Tarot
- The Star Tarot
- Crow Tarot
- Spirit Song Tarot
- Disney Villains Tarot
- Affirmators Tarot Deck
- Deviant Moon Tarot
What is your favourite tarot deck and why? Leave a commend in the description box below.
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