Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Chessnut Air vs Millennium eONE (M841)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Electronic Chess Boards: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Chessnut Air combines full piece recognition with Chess.com and Lichess support in a portable board. The Millennium eONE costs less, lasts longer on a charge and adds offline engines, at the price of a much smaller board.
Chessnut Air
Buy itA portable board that knows which piece is on every square and plays on both Chess.com and Lichess.
- Chessnut states every piece is identified by type and colour on each square, without pressing the board.
- It connects to Chess.com and Lichess, with hidden LEDs that light up your opponent's moves.
- The maker's spec sheet lists a 330 x 330 x 18 mm board, 1.5 kg weight and 10 hours of battery life, charged over USB-C.
- Chessnut calls it travel size, and at 33 cm across it is smaller than a full tournament board.
- The product page contradicts itself on the pieces, describing beech wood in one section and listing 34 plastic pieces in the box.
- The base warranty term is not stated on the product page; an extended warranty is sold separately.
Millennium eONE (M841)
Buy itThe value board, with automatic move recognition, long battery life, offline engines and the longest guarantee here.
- Millennium lists fully automatic move recognition and 81 dimmable LEDs, four per square, for move indication.
- It works with Lichess, Chess.com and Tornelo, plus offline programs including HIARCS and Chess for Android.
- The built-in battery is rated for at least 24 hours of play, and the maker gives a 3-year guarantee.
- The board is 24 x 24 cm with a 5.5 cm king, small for players used to club sets.
- Chess.com play runs through the Chess.com Android app, per the maker's page, so iPhone owners should check before buying.
- No power supply is included, and the maker's store lists prices in euros.
Side by side
| Chessnut Air | Millennium eONE (M841) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Players who want one board for Chess.com and Lichess that is easy to carry and set up. | Budget buyers, travellers and anyone who wants offline engine practice as well as online play. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Chessnut Air - A portable board that knows which piece is on every square and plays on both Chess.com and Lichess. Choose the Millennium eONE (M841) instead if budget buyers, travellers and anyone who wants offline engine practice as well as online play.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Electronic Chess Boards: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).