13 Best Board Games for Adults in 2026 Reviewed
Looking for the best board games for adults? We tried them all—expect strategy, laughs, and fun evenings with your friends.
Ready to level up your next game night? We’ve tried a mountain of board games and picked the 13 best for adults who want real fun. Our list is packed with the kind of games that spark laughs, keep everyone guessing, and sometimes just get a bit wild. We looked for these: games that need more than luck, give you lots to talk about, and are still easy to learn after a long day. Whether you want party chaos, clever strategy, or a bit of both, we’ve got something for every group of adults. Let’s get playing!
On this list:
13 Cards Against Humanity
This game set the gold standard for adult party games. We played it at a reunion, and, let’s just say, Aunt Margie learned more about us than she ever wanted. It’s simple, quick, and absolutely ridiculous. The jokes are very much for adults, and you’ll be left either clutching your stomach from laughter or rethinking your friendships. It’s perfect for groups that don’t mind a little shock value or raunchy humor. You might end up a bit embarrassed, but that’s all part of the fun!
12 Codenames: Deep Undercover
Codenames is great, but when you add naughty words and grown-up jokes, it goes to another level. This version is tailored for adults, and we couldn’t stop giggling over the clue-giving mishaps. If you enjoy social deduction with a little bit of blushing, this one’s for you. It’s the perfect icebreaker for adult parties—just don’t play with the boss unless you want some awkward meetings later.
11 Secret Hitler
This is a social deduction game, but with political intrigue and betrayal that ramps up the adult tension. We played with friends who get way too serious about lying, and things got heated—in a fun way. It’s dramatic, a little bit cynical, and never the same game twice. Adults love the themes of trust and deception, and it’s a hit if you like games that get people talking (and shouting).
10 Wavelength
This game tests how well you know your friends and their logic, which gets hilarious after a beer or two. Wavelength is wildly fun for adults because it rides the line between clever and chaotic. You’ll have deep debates over silly ideas, and it’s the most fun when answers are a bit, well, questionable. Our group never agrees on anything, so this game had us cracking up the whole night.
9 Scrawl
Think of this as the adult version of telephone, but with awful drawings and even worse guesses. Scrawl is made for adults with a sense of humor and a total lack of artistic skill. It’s perfect for those of us who draw stick figures and call it art. We ended up with some very questionable sketches during game night, and spent more time laughing than actually playing. It’s light-hearted, and the results are always shocking.
8 Monikers
It’s like Charades and Taboo had a wild night together, and the result was Monikers. This one’s great for adults who want a party game with a clever twist. It starts simple and gets more ridiculous with each round. Our group’s performance skills were truly something to behold, but the guessing was even better. You’ll see new sides of your friends—sometimes embarrassingly so.
7 Azul
While not raunchy, Azul earns its spot for adults with its thinky, relaxing gameplay and gorgeous design. It’s a tile-laying game that’s way more addictive than we expected. We found ourselves plotting against each other over beautiful plastic tiles—who knew ceramics could spark so many grudges? It’s beautiful, simple to learn, and a top pick for adults who don’t need every game to end in chaos.
6 Wingspan
Yes, it’s about birds, but don’t let that fool you—it’s for adults who love strategic, peaceful competition. We played it over brunch and got way too invested in our aviaries. The art is stunning and the gameplay is super satisfying. Adults appreciate that it feels clever without being cutthroat. It’s easy to teach, and even our non-gamer friends got hooked after one play.
5 The Resistance: Avalon
Nothing gets adults more riled up than a good old-fashioned betrayal. Avalon is all about bluffing, reading people, and (sometimes) accusing your spouse of treason. We played it at a cabin and now question every compliment. This one’s a social deduction classic with just enough complexity for adults who like to scheme and argue their innocence.
4 Decrypto
Decrypto brings out the spy in everyone, but it’s especially fun with adults who enjoy clever clues (and making fun of the ones that miss the mark). It’s all about communication—when we played, our clues started out smart and quickly fell apart. The pressure is real, and the laughs are even better. Adults love this one for the mental challenge and the chance to be witty.
3 Chronicles of Crime
Crime-solving with a bunch of adults? Count us in. Chronicles of Crime uses an app and real evidence cards, perfect for mystery buffs. We got way too into our detective roles, arguing over motives and chasing red herrings. It’s great for adults because it feels like starring in your own police drama. There’s some mature themes, so it’s best for grownups looking for something meatier.
2 Quacks of Quedlinburg
Adults love pushing their luck, and this game is all about that thrill. We brewed mysterious potions and sometimes exploded them—turns out, that’s just as fun as winning. Quacks is pure chaos in a box, and it keeps everyone laughing (and groaning) with every risky move. It’s easy to pick up, highly replayable, and the perfect mix of silly and smart for your adult game night.
1 Codenames
The best board game for adults goes to Codenames—simple, clever, and endlessly replayable. We have played it with every group: coworkers, in-laws, even strangers at a bar! It shines because it gets everyone involved, works with large groups, and always leads to hilarious miscommunication. It’s naughty if you want, clean if you prefer, and never boring. Adults keep coming back to this classic because it mixes challenge, laughter, and plenty of facepalm moments. That’s why Codenames stands at the top for us.
