The Rider Tarot Deck with Instruction BookletBest overall- Cards
- 78
- Guide
- 56-page instruction booklet
- Artists
- Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith
- Publisher
- U.S. Games Systems
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Tarot Decks
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Picking your first tarot deck can feel tricky. The art needs to feel right in your hands, the meanings need to make sense to you, and the guidebook often decides how fast you start reading. Here is what's available right now, with card count, guidebook length, card stock and how each deck is set up for beginners.
Our top pick is The Rider Tarot Deck. It follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system that most tarot books are written around, so the meanings you read will match the cards in front of you. The other picks cover what it doesn't: a witchy digital style, meanings printed on each card, a classic upgrade, a bold Art Nouveau look and folklore-inspired art.
The rundown
1 The Rider Tarot Deck with Instruction Booklet | 2 Witches Tarot | 3 KLEDERY Tarot Cards for Beginners with Meanings | 4 The Original Tarot, Deck of 78 Cards | 5 Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot Deck | 6 Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best for witchy art | Best for meanings on the cards | Best classic upgrade | Best Art Nouveau look | Best for folklore fans |
| Cards | 78 | Not listed | 78 | 78 | 80, including 2 bonus Major Arcana | Not listed |
| Guide | 56-page instruction booklet | Not listed | Not listed | 86 pages | 140-page full-color guidebook | 78 pages |
| Publisher | U.S. Games Systems | Llewellyn | Not listed | Not listed | U.S. Games Systems | CROWN |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
The Rider Tarot Deck with Instruction BookletBest overall
Witches TarotBest for witchy art- Style
- Digital artwork
- Pages
- 312
- Author
- Ellen Dugan
- Artist
- Mark Evans
KLEDERY Tarot Cards for Beginners with MeaningsBest for meanings on the cards- Cards
- 78
- Card stock
- 350 GSM
- Card size
- 4.72 x 2.75 in
- Extras
- Guidebook and flocked storage bag
The Original Tarot, Deck of 78 CardsBest classic upgrade- Cards
- 78
- Guide
- 86 pages
- Card stock
- 350 GSM, linen finish
- Artwork
- Pamela Colman Smith, 1909
Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot DeckBest Art Nouveau look- Cards
- 80, including 2 bonus Major Arcana
- Guide
- 140-page full-color guidebook
- Style
- Art Nouveau, hand-drawn, gold foil
- Publisher
- U.S. Games Systems
Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and GuidebookBest for folklore fans- Theme
- Deities, folklore and fairy tales from around the world
- Guide
- 78 pages
- Publisher
- CROWN
1Best overall
The Rider Tarot Deck with Instruction Booklet
The standard Rider-Waite-Smith deck, and the system most tarot books and online meanings are written around.
- Cards
- 78
- Guide
- 56-page instruction booklet
- Artists
- Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith
- Publisher
- U.S. Games Systems
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why it wins
- Most tarot books and online meanings follow this card system
- Classic symbolism that is easy to cross-check against other decks
- A solid reference deck to own alongside a second, more personal deck
One catchThe booklet is short at 56 pages, so most readers will want a fuller guidebook alongside it.
Why it's our top pick
One expert review puts the case plainly: most tarot books and online resources are based on the Rider-Waite-Smith system, so a deck in that style means the guides you read later will match the cards you pull. The same review suggests owning at least one Rider-Waite-Smith deck so you can compare other decks against it card by card.
It's a practical first deck. It has the standard 78-card layout, and the included booklet gets you started. It suits readers who want a dependable reference rather than a showpiece, and it's a good base to build a collection around.
2Best for witchy art
Witches Tarot
Vibrant digital artwork for readers drawn to witchcraft and Paganism.
- Style
- Digital artwork
- Pages
- 312
- Author
- Ellen Dugan
- Artist
- Mark Evans
- Publisher
- Llewellyn
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Bright, easy-to-read digital art
- Created by a tarot reader and author
- Strong fit for witchy and Pagan themes
Cons
- The digital style divides people: some love it, others really don't
Read our full take
Why we like it
One expert review described it as easy to read and really vibrant, and noted that the digital art style is one people either love or dislike. It's a good match for readers who like the art and are drawn to witchcraft or Paganism.
The 312-page book gives you plenty of reading material alongside the cards. If the look appeals to you, it's an easy pick for a first deck. If it doesn't, choose a more traditional style.
3Best for meanings on the cards
KLEDERY Tarot Cards for Beginners with Meanings
A black-background beginner deck with upright and reversed meanings printed on each card.
- Cards
- 78
- Card stock
- 350 GSM
- Card size
- 4.72 x 2.75 in
- Extras
- Guidebook and flocked storage bag
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Upright and reversed meanings on every card
- Zodiac, element, numerology and yes/no/maybe reference on the cards
- Compact size that's easy to shuffle, with a storage bag included
Cons
- The minimalist design offers less visual detail than illustrated decks
Read our full take
Why we like it
Printed meanings let a beginner learn without flipping through a book during a reading. the maker says each card also carries zodiac, element, numerology and yes/no/maybe reference information, which makes it a useful study tool.
The plain black background keeps the focus on the symbols. It's a sensible choice when learning matters more than the art, and it comes with a guidebook and a storage bag.
4Best classic upgrade
The Original Tarot, Deck of 78 Cards
Traditional Pamela Colman Smith artwork on linen-finish card stock, with an 86-page guide.
- Cards
- 78
- Guide
- 86 pages
- Card stock
- 350 GSM, linen finish
- Artwork
- Pamela Colman Smith, 1909
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Traditional artwork many readers already know
- The 86-page guide explains upright and reversed meanings
- Includes a 3-card spread for beginners to practice
Cons
- No storage bag is listed, unlike some of the box sets
Why we like it
This deck uses the classic artwork many readers recognise, printed on a heavier linen-finish card. The 86-page guide covers upright and reversed meanings and a 3-card spread, which helps a beginner start reading quickly.
Choose it if you like the traditional style and want a card with more texture than a basic deck.
5Best Art Nouveau look
Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot Deck
Hand-drawn Art Nouveau artwork with gold foil and two bonus Major Arcana cards.
- Cards
- 80, including 2 bonus Major Arcana
- Guide
- 140-page full-color guidebook
- Style
- Art Nouveau, hand-drawn, gold foil
- Publisher
- U.S. Games Systems
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Soft, hand-drawn Art Nouveau artwork
- Gold foil accents for a collector's feel
- Full-color 140-page guidebook
Cons
- The two extra cards mean it isn't a standard 78-card deck
Read our full take
Why we like it
This deck is for readers who choose by look. The artwork is hand drawn in a soft Art Nouveau style, and the gold foil adds a collector's touch. The listing also describes two bonus Major Arcana cards for additional insight.
It's a good pick for a beginner who wants a richer, more decorative deck and a full-color guide to go with it.
6Best for folklore fans
Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook
Cards inspired by deities, folklore and fairy tales from around the world.
- Theme
- Deities, folklore and fairy tales from around the world
- Guide
- 78 pages
- Publisher
- CROWN
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Art drawn from many world traditions
- Suits readers who enjoy myth and fairy tales
- Comes with its own guidebook
Cons
- Less traditional imagery than Rider-Waite-Smith decks, so standard book meanings may map less directly
Read our full take
Why we like it
Tarot of the Divine suits buyers who want a deck with a story behind it. The listing describes art inspired by deities, folklore and fairy tales from many cultures, so it's a strong choice when the theme matters more than classic symbolism.
Because its imagery differs from the standard system, it's best for readers who are happy to make their own connections between the cards and their meanings.
FAQ
Which deck suits you?
- Learning from scratch: The Rider Tarot Deck or KLEDERY, because the meanings are easy to find and check.
- Drawn to a look: Witches Tarot or Ethereal Visions, if you want the art to do the work.
- Interested in folklore: Tarot of the Divine, for readers who enjoy myth and fairy tales.
- Wanting a classic upgrade: The Original Tarot, for the traditional artwork on heavier stock.
What should you look for in a first deck?
Start with the art you actually like, because you'll spend hours with these cards. One expert review's most important advice is to resonate with the images, and it notes that any deck can be a beginner deck if it speaks to you.
Then check how you'll learn the meanings. A guidebook is the easiest way in, and most readers pair a deck with its companion guide to get the full system behind the cards. If you prefer to read meanings directly from the card, look for a keyword deck.
What should you skip?
- Decks with no guidebook, unless you already know the meanings you want.
- Decks that rely on a specific symbol system if you plan to follow mainstream tarot books, which mostly use Rider-Waite-Smith imagery.
- Limited or deluxe editions, unless the extra features are what you want. Check the edition before buying.
What is the best tarot deck for beginners with meanings?
The Rider Tarot Deck is a strong starting point, since most tarot books are written around the Rider-Waite-Smith system. If you want the meanings printed right on the cards, the KLEDERY deck is a practical choice, and it includes a guidebook and a storage bag.
Which tarot card is best to buy?
There isn't one correct deck. One expert review says the most important factor is whether you resonate with the images, so choose the style you're drawn to. Our top pick is a good default if you want a standard deck that matches most books.
What are the best tarot cards for love?
No deck is made only for love readings, and any 78-card deck can be used for them. If love is your focus, the Wyspell deck's guidebook lists love interpretations alongside career and finance, which helps you find the meanings you need.
What are the best tarot cards to pull?
The cards you pull depend on the deck you own and how you shuffle it, so there isn't a set of cards to aim for. Reviewers also note that you only need one tarot deck to be a successful reader, so pick one that works for you and use it consistently.
What are some popular brands of tarot cards?
The decks in this guide come from several publishers, including U.S. Games Systems, which publishes The Rider Tarot Deck and Ethereal Visions, and Llewellyn, which publishes Witches Tarot. Many independent creators also make popular decks, so check the listing for the publisher and card details.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 3 editorial reviews read
- 10 Amazon listings compared
- 6 decks in the picks
We compared 10 Amazon listings for beginner, classic and art-led tarot decks, checking card count, guidebook length, card stock and how each deck is set up for a first-time reader. Picks are weighed on what each deck includes, how well it suits a beginner, and whether expert reviews recommend it.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 17, 2026
Checking our work: 7 sources
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