TableTopics vs. TableTopics To Go: Which Should You Choose?

Quick Answer

Choose the original TableTopics tabletop sets for home, dinner parties, and longer conversations with friends and family. Choose TableTopics To Go decks when you need something compact for travel, dates, or on-the-go icebreaking. The right pick depends on where you'll use them and how many questions you want.

When you're shopping for conversation starters, you'll likely notice two main lines: the classic TableTopics tabletop sets and the smaller TableTopics To Go decks. Both serve the same purpose—sparking interesting chats—but they differ in size, portability, and the situations they're designed for. Understanding those differences helps you pick the set that fits your lifestyle.

In this comparison, we'll look at the original TableTopics sets, like the Original Conversation Cards, and the To Go options, such as Dating To Go and Travel To Go. We'll break down what each offers, where they shine, and where they fall short, so you can decide which is worth your money.

Size and Portability: The Main Trade-off

The most obvious difference between TableTopics original and To Go is physical size. Original TableTopics sets, like the Original Conversation Cards, are designed to sit on a table. They come in a sturdy cube with 135 questions, making them a substantial presence at a dinner party or family gathering. The larger format makes it easy to pass around and read from across the table.

To Go decks, on the other hand, are compact card decks that fit in a pocket or purse. The Dating To Go and Travel To Go sets each contain 40 cards, making them much more portable. This smaller size is perfect for slipping into a bag for a date night, a road trip, or a vacation. The trade-off is fewer questions and a less substantial feel, but you gain the ability to take them anywhere.

• If you host gatherings at home, the larger tabletop sets offer more questions and a better visual presence.
• For travel or spontaneous outings, To Go decks are the practical choice.

Question Depth and Variety: Does Size Matter?

The original sets and To Go decks both feature thought-provoking questions, but the original sets offer more depth and variety simply because they have more questions. The Original Conversation Cards include 135 questions, covering a wide range of topics from happy places to hypothetical scenarios. This makes them ideal for long dinners or repeated use with the same group, as you won't run out of fresh prompts quickly.

To Go decks, with 40 cards each, are more focused. For example, Dating To Go includes questions like 'When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?' and 'What's your perfect Sunday?'—designed specifically for first dates. Travel To Go features travel-themed questions like 'What's the best place for a weekend getaway?' This focus can be a benefit: the questions are tailored to the occasion, ensuring relevance. However, if you're looking for a broad range of topics, a single To Go deck may feel limiting.

• Original sets are better for groups that meet regularly and want fresh questions each time.
• To Go decks are excellent for specific occasions like dates or trips, where targeted questions are more engaging.

Price and Value: Comparing Costs

Price is another factor that separates the two lines. The Original Conversation Cards are priced at USD 12.50, with a catalog comparison price of USD 25.00. That's about 9 cents per question. In contrast, the To Go decks, like Dating To Go and Travel To Go, cost USD 4.50 each, with a comparison price of USD 9.00. That's about 11 cents per question. So, per question, the original sets are slightly more economical.

However, if you're only interested in a specific theme or occasion, the To Go deck's lower upfront cost might be more appealing. You can buy one or two To Go decks for less than the price of one original set. Additionally, the Family Conversation Pack offers a boxed set of three To Go decks for USD 10.00, providing even more value if you want variety without the bulk.

• Consider the cost per question when deciding: original sets offer more questions per dollar.
• To Go decks are a budget-friendly way to try different themes without committing to a large set.

Trade-offs at a Glance

• Original Tabletop Sets: Larger, with 135 questions, designed for tabletop use at home. Priced at USD 12.50, offering more questions per dollar. Best for home gatherings and long conversations.
• To Go Decks: Compact, with 40 cards each, priced at USD 4.50. Focused themes for specific occasions like dating or travel. Best for portability and targeted use.
• Family Conversation Pack: A boxed set of three To Go decks for USD 10.00, offering a variety of topics in a portable format. A compromise between variety and portability.

Key Product Facts

• Original Conversation Cards: Ideal for friends, adults, new acquaintances, parents, in-laws, hosts, and coworkers. Includes 135 questions, with samples like 'Where is your happy place?' and 'Would you rather age forward or backward from this point?' This versatile set covers a wide range of topics, making it suitable for many social situations. The larger number of questions ensures you'll have plenty of conversation starters for repeated gatherings.
• Dating To Go Conversation Cards: Ideal for adults, new acquaintances, and new couples. Contains 40 cards with questions like 'When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?' and 'What’s your perfect Sunday?' Designed for first dates to break the ice. The compact size and date-specific questions make it a convenient tool for first dates, helping to ease tension and encourage meaningful conversation without being awkward.
• Travel To Go Conversation Cards: Ideal for adults, couples, and friends. Contains 40 cards with travel-themed questions like 'What’s the best place for a weekend getaway?' and 'What’s the most difficult part about travel?' This deck is perfect for vacations, road trips, or any travel situation. Its portability and themed questions keep conversations flowing during downtime, whether on a plane or at the beach.

Which Should You Choose?

Best for

• Home entertaining: original TableTopics sets like Original Conversation Cards for dinner parties and family gatherings.
• Travel and dates: To Go decks like Dating To Go and Travel To Go for on-the-go conversation starters.

Not for

• If you need a comprehensive set for frequent home use, To Go decks may feel limited with only 40 questions.
• If you're looking for a portable option with many questions, original sets are too bulky to carry around.

Ultimately, both TableTopics original and To Go decks have their place. If you love hosting and want a deep well of questions for your table, the original sets are a solid investment. If you're always on the move and want conversation starters for specific moments, the To Go decks are your best bet. Consider your typical scenarios and pick the one that matches your lifestyle.