8 Best Board Games Wirecutter Picks Reviewed for 2025
Check out the best board games Wirecutter fans love. We tested these hits with friends, snacks, and a lot of laughter.
Looking for the best board games wirecutter could ever recommend? You’re in the right place. We focus on games that bring everyone to the table, are easy to learn, and still offer loads of fun for both new and veteran players. Our picks include games that work well for parties or small groups, and even a few for the strategy lovers among us. After plenty of late nights, some questionable snacks, and way too much laughter, we’ve picked the 8 best board games wirecutter fans will love playing again and again.
On this list:
8 Codenames
We always start a party night with Codenames. It’s the game where you try not to say something dumb in front of your friends, and trust us, we fail a lot. With its clever word guessing and fast turns, it’s no wonder this shows up on every best board games wirecutter list. You don’t need to be a genius, just think fast and hope your team’s a mind reader. Everybody we tricked into playing wanted another round. It’s simple to teach, always sweaty-palm tense, and never gets old.
7 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is our go-to for a family game night that doesn’t end in tears. You collect train cards, claim routes, and stop Uncle Bob from blocking your tracks. It’s so easy to learn, and the train pieces are fun to play with (even if you’re a grown-up). We’ve played with grandparents, friends, and even that cousin who thinks Monopoly is top-tier, and everyone loves it. If you ask us, this is one that always gets mentioned on best board games wirecutter lists for a reason.
6 Azul
Azul is what happens when someone says, ‘Let’s make tiling a bathroom a game.’ Absurdly pretty, super chill, but it sneaks up on you with cutthroat choices. We always get competitive over those shiny tiles, and it never gets old seeing someone fill up on leftover pieces and lose big. Everyone we played with went from ‘that looks easy’ to ‘wait, how did I lose by so much?’ No wonder it keeps popping up among the best board games wirecutter suggestions out there.
5 Wingspan
Wingspan is bird-nerd heaven, but you don’t have to know a robin from a raptor to play. It’s about creating an awesome bird sanctuary and snatching up food, eggs, and bird cards before anyone else does. We love how it balances luck and strategy—you’ll mess up, but you’ll smile anyway. The eggs look like tiny candy, and you will want to eat them (don’t). Wingspan’s spot on best board games wirecutter lists is well earned, especially when you want to chill with some birds and friends.
4 Carcassonne
Every time we play Carcassonne, it turns into a peaceful city-building project that quickly devolves into friendly land disputes. It comes out quick, plays fast, and feels different every time. Dropping meeples on roads and cities is satisfying and just a bit chaotic. We’ve seen new players beat veterans with pure luck, and that’s part of the fun. This classic tile-layer hits the best board games wirecutter lists because it’s timeless, simple, and secretly as mean as your group wants it to be.
3 Sushi Go!
If you love food, fast games, and stealing that one perfect sushi roll from your friend, then Sushi Go! is for you. It’s a card drafting game that looks adorable and plays in about fifteen minutes, making it a perfect filler between heavier games. We’ve taught it to everyone and their grandma, and even picky eaters found it tasty. It always shows up on the best board games wirecutter lists because it’s easy to bring anywhere, quick to start, and fun every single time.
2 Pandemic
Pandemic is basically a team-building exercise disguised as a game. Work together, cure diseases, and save the world—while blaming your buddy for letting Asia fall into chaos. We’ve lost this game more times than we’ve won, but that just makes the rare victories sweeter. It creates those ‘let’s give it one more try’ moments. Pandemic lands on the best board games wirecutter lists because it’s one of the best ways to test friendships and your ability to cooperate under panic (pun intended).
1 7 Wonders
We saved the best for last: 7 Wonders. Why? It’s quick, endlessly replayable, works with big groups, and makes everyone feel clever (even if you aren’t). You draft cards, build an empire, and feel like a true civilization mastermind. We’ve seen wild comebacks and epic fails, and every round showcases a mix of luck, planning, and chaos. The art is great, the symbols are easy to learn, and the competition is fierce but friendly. 7 Wonders takes the top spot for best board games wirecutter because it never gets old, no matter who we play with or how many times we play.
