Mango Wood vs Teak Wood: Which Is Better?

Short answer: teak is the better wood if the piece has to last. Mango wood is just as hard as teak - both measure 1,070 lbf on the Janka scale - but teak is rated very durable against decay, while mango is rated moderately durable to perishable. Mango wood wins on price. Teak wins on lifespan and moisture resistance.

That is the whole comparison in three sentences. The detail below is for anyone about to spend real money on a table, a bed or a lamp.

Mango Wood vs Teak Wood at a Glance

Property	Mango wood	Teak wood
Botanical name	Mangifera indica	Tectona grandis
Hardness (Janka)	1,070 lbf	1,070 lbf
Density (dried)	675 kg/m³	655 kg/m³
Shrinkage (radial / tangential)	3.6% / 5.5%	2.6% / 5.3%
Decay resistance	Moderately durable to perishable	Very durable
Fungus and insects	Susceptible to both	Heartwood rated very durable
Colour and grain	Varied; often streaked or spalted, straight or interlocked grain	Golden to medium brown, darkening with age; mostly straight grain
Price	Lower	High
Best for	Dry indoor furniture on a budget	Pieces you want to keep for decades; humid homes

Figures are from The Wood Database entries for mango (Mangifera indica) and teak (Tectona grandis).

Is Mango Wood as Strong as Teak?

Yes, on hardness. Mango and teak have the same Janka hardness, 1,070 lbf, and almost the same density (675 kg/m³ against 655 kg/m³). A mango wood tabletop will resist dents and scratches about as well as a teak one. Calling mango a soft wood gets it wrong.

Strength on the day you buy it is not where the two woods differ. They differ in how they hold up over the years.

Which Lasts Longer, Mango Wood or Teak?

Teak lasts longer. Teak heartwood is rated very durable and is widely treated as the benchmark for decay resistance. Mango is rated anywhere from moderately durable to perishable, and it is susceptible to both fungal and insect attack.

In practice that means three things:

• Moisture: teak is naturally oily and handles humidity well. Mango depends on its finish, so a chipped or worn finish matters more.
• Movement: mango shrinks a little more across the grain (3.6% radial against 2.6% for teak), so it is slightly more likely to move as seasons change.
• Pests: mango is more open to insect and fungal attack than teak heartwood, which is one reason it needs to be kept dry.

Mango Wood vs Teak Wood Price

Mango wood is the cheaper of the two. Teak is one of the most expensive timbers on the market; on IndiaMART in October 2026 most teak timber was listed at roughly ₹1,000-3,000 per cubic foot, with origin and grade moving the price a great deal. Mango is generally sold for less, which is why it is common in budget furniture. These are indicative marketplace figures, not fixed rates.

The fair way to compare is cost per year of use. A teak piece kept for decades can work out cheaper than a mango piece that has to be replaced.

When Mango Wood Makes Sense

• Indoor furniture in a dry room, with a well-sealed finish.
• A tight budget, or a piece you expect to replace when you move or redecorate.
• You like its varied, streaky grain, which teak does not have.

When Teak Is Worth Paying For

• Humid cities and monsoon climates, where decay resistance is tested every year.
• Pieces you intend to keep for decades or hand down.
• Anything where you do not want to think about wood care at all.

Why NixWoods Uses Teak and Rosewood, Not Mango

We make lights to be kept, so most NixWoods lights are made from teak or rosewood, and none from mango wood. Both woods are rated durable to very durable against decay. You can see them in our wooden pendant lights, wooden wall lights and wooden floor lamps.

Choosing between the two woods we do use? Read rosewood vs teak wood, which covers price, hardness and which is better.

FAQs

Is mango wood better than teak?

Only on price. Mango wood is as hard as teak, but teak is far more resistant to decay and moisture, so it lasts longer.

Is mango wood a hardwood?

Yes. Mango (Mangifera indica) is a hardwood with a Janka hardness of 1,070 lbf, the same as teak.

Is mango wood waterproof?

No. Mango wood is rated moderately durable to perishable and is susceptible to fungal attack, so it should be kept dry and its finish kept intact. Teak handles moisture far better.

Which is heavier, mango wood or teak?

They are close. Dried mango wood averages 675 kg/m³ and teak 655 kg/m³, so mango is very slightly heavier.

Does mango wood furniture last?

It can last for years indoors if it stays dry and well finished, but it will not match teak. Its weak point is decay and insect resistance, not hardness.