2025’s Best Wirecutter Board Games: Top 5 Reviewed
Looking for wirecutter best board games? We tested top picks with friends, sharing laughs and competition to guide you with real tips.
The 5 Best ‘Wirecutter Best Board Games’ Picks for New Gamers
If you’re like us, searching for the wirecutter best board games can feel like picking a favorite snack at midnight—tricky, but very rewarding. We focus on games that are easy to learn, quick to set up, and actually fun with any group (yes, even your weird uncle). In our list, we picked the finest titles that sparked laughter, friendly competition, and the occasional dramatic sigh. Whether you want a clever word challenge, a colorful tile battle, or a game about birds (really!), these picks will get your next game night off to a flying start.
On this list:
5 Codenames
Codenames always pops up on wirecutter best board games lists, and for good reason. We played this one after dinner, and things got silly fast. Two teams shout silly clues and make wild guesses, all while the spymasters try not to explode from holding in laughter. It doesn’t drag on and people catch on quick, so even Aunt Linda joined—and she still calls it ‘Code-namers.’ It’s perfect for groups who want laughs, teamwork, and some light strategy. Trust us, this is a party hit every time, and there’s almost zero learning curve.
4 Ticket to Ride
This one comes up on every wirecutter best board games roundup, and we can see why. It’s trains, tracks, and blocking your cousin’s route just for laughs. Seriously, our group nearly came to blows over that Chicago-to-Miami line. Rules are simple enough that new players aren’t left behind, but seasoned players find ways to flex their inner train tycoon. It’s just the right mix of luck and skill. We love how every game is different—and those little plastic trains are great for fidgeters. If you want a classic, this is it.
3 Azul
Azul is the board game equivalent of a zen garden—until someone grabs your perfect tile and you turn into a tile-flipping maniac. Wirecutter best board games lists love it for the easy rules and pretty pieces. We played with friends who can’t agree on pizza toppings, but everyone agreed Azul was both relaxing and ruthless. You get to feel clever as you craft mosaics, and it scales well from two to four players. Plus, you can play with grandma and she’ll wipe the floor with you. Don’t ask how we know.
2 Wingspan
Okay, birdwatching sounds boring, right? Wrong. Wingspan proves wirecutter best board games can make birds cooler than ninjas. Our group played and suddenly cared about egg-laying strategies and food tokens. There’s a gentle learning curve and a huge variety of birds, so every game feels fresh. The art is gorgeous, and everyone gets excited to see what bird they draw next. It’s peaceful but sneaky—perfect for friendly folks who secretly want to win by a landslide. We’ve played with family, friends, even that one guy who hates birds. Everyone loves it.
1 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is our wirecutter best board games champion. We picked this as the best because it’s dead simple to teach, but deep enough to keep us coming back for years. We make cities, roads, and count our meeple army with pride (or shame, depending on our luck). It’s great for couples, but scales up for family nights too. There’s just something pure about snapping those tiles together and seeing the map come alive. No game ever plays the same way twice, so it never gets stale. If you’re buying just one to start your collection, make it Carcassonne.
