9 Best Board Games Under $25 for 2025 Reviewed
Looking for board games under $25? We found fun choices that save you cash and keep your game nights exciting and lively.
Our wallets cried for mercy, so we set out on a quest for the best board games under $25. We wanted games that bring big fun in small packages, easy rules, and enough replay value to keep game night fresh—without making our bank accounts collapse. We picked games with high ratings and strong word-of-mouth, all tested by our own group of friends (who are both lovable and terrible winners). With these board games under $25, you won’t need to skip lunch just to buy your next tabletop hit. Get ready for bargains that pack a solid punch!
On this list:
9 Love Letter
Love Letter is a classic for board games under $25. We love it because it fits in your pocket but doesn’t skimp on cleverness. You try to outsmart each other by bluffing and guessing who holds which card. Our last session ended with someone accusing their own mom of being the Princess. Priceless. It’s fast, fun, and you can get plenty of games in one night. If you want something light that you can pull out anywhere—at the pub, coffee shop, or even during those boring family dinners—this is the one.
8 Sushi Go!
This little card game is all about grabbing the best sushi dish before the others can (without actually eating them, sadly). Board games under $25 rarely offer such cute art and easy gameplay. When we played, someone tried to collect all the puddings, only to end up hungry and last. It’s all about quick decisions and a bit of luck. Trust us, the more you play, the more you’ll catch on. It always hits the table when we want something fast and cheerful.
7 Kingdomino
Kingdomino brings the feeling of building your own kingdom, but with domino tiles instead of tons of tiny pieces. We love how quick it is, and you still get that sense of strategy. One time, we argued about who had the most majestic forest, only to realize none of us had any lakes. It’s easy to learn and yet you can really mess with your friends’ plans. You won’t believe such a solid game can join your collection for under $25.
6 For Sale
For Sale is a quick auction game involving buying houses and selling them for profit. The whole thing is over before you know it, but someone always manages to buy a shed and sell it as a mansion. Board games under $25 rarely make us laugh as much as this one. The rules are simple, and it’s easy for new players to join in. Plus, nothing feels quite as good as selling a ‘space station’ for big bucks while everyone else is stuck with a trailer.
5 No Thanks!
No Thanks! has one simple rule: do you take a card or put a chip on it and say ‘no thanks’? We’ve lost count of the number of times someone bravely took a terrifying card, only to win because of all those chips. This game packs a lot of tension into a small box and small price tag. Board games under $25 don’t get much more portable than this. It also triggers lots of table talk and groans—there’s always someone who regrets saying ‘no thanks’ one too many times.
4 The Mind
The Mind is weird, simple, and brilliant. You and your friends try to play cards in order, without talking or signaling. The first time we played, we just stared at each other, hoping someone would blink and play their card. Sometimes silent games are boring. Not this one. The laughter and tense moments are worth every cent. It’s one of the most unique board games under $25 and has a magical ability to make a room full of chatty people go quiet.
3 Hanabi
In Hanabi, you work together to put on a fireworks show. But there’s a twist: you hold your cards backwards and rely on clues from your friends. Our first attempt was a hilarious disaster of missed hints and accidental explosions. It’s a great challenge for people who like to communicate (or think they do). With Hanabi, board games under $25 can also mean working as a team and learning how to barely avoid disaster together. We can’t recommend this enough for family nights.
2 Skull
Skull is all about bluffing and calling people’s bluffs, and in our group, it got intense. It’s cheap, sturdy, and comes in a cool round box. We love how suspenseful it feels every round. Someone always flips their last coaster, hoping they weren’t just fooled for the third time in a row. It’s easy to teach and loads of fun for parties. Board games under $25 that create so much tension are rare—grab this if you love reading your friends (and calling their bluffs).
1 Cockroach Poker
Cockroach Poker is our pick for the best board game under $25. Why? Because every single play has ended with us laughing, yelling, and accusing each other of being the ‘roach king.’ It’s pure bluffing madness, but the rules are super easy. Anyone can join—your grandma, your little cousin, even that friend who hates games. You just pass a card and claim what’s on it (true or not). It’s pure, cheap, and hilarious fun. We come back to this one again and again.
