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Board Games

Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Board Games

Screen-free entertainment that brings people together. We compared board games from party classics to strategy epicsβ€”finding what keeps everyone engaged without needing a rules lawyer.

Last updated: January 28, 2026
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Best Overall Our top recommendation
Best Overall
Wingspan

Stonemaier

Wingspan

4.9 (23,456 reviews)

The gateway game that hooked millions.

Players

1-5

Pros

  • βœ“ Beautiful artwork
  • βœ“ Engine-building satisfying

Cons

  • βœ— Theme may not appeal

Head-to-Head Comparison

ProductRatingPrice Action
Wingspan
Wingspan Best
Stonemaier
4.9
$65 View
CATAN
CATAN Value
CATAN Studio
4.7
$44 View
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Cephalofair
4.8
$50 View
Codenames
Codenames
Czech Games
4.8
$20 View
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride
Days of Wonder
4.7
$40 View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall
Wingspan

Stonemaier

Wingspan

4.9 (23,456 reviews)

The gateway game that hooked millions.

Players

1-5

Pros

  • βœ“ Beautiful artwork
  • βœ“ Engine-building satisfying

Cons

  • βœ— Theme may not appeal
Best Value
CATAN

CATAN Studio

CATAN

4.7 (67,890 reviews)

Launched a million game nights.

Players

3-4

Pros

  • βœ“ Classic gateway
  • βœ“ Easy to teach

Cons

  • βœ— Luck of dice
Premium Pick
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Cephalofair

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

4.8 (15,678 reviews)

Epic tactical dungeon crawling.

Players

1-4

Pros

  • βœ“ Deep tactical combat
  • βœ“ Campaign progression

Cons

  • βœ— Long sessions
Codenames

Czech Games

Codenames

4.8 (45,678 reviews)

The party game that works.

Players

2-8+

Pros

  • βœ“ Party game perfection
  • βœ“ Any player count

Cons

  • βœ— Needs right crowd
Budget Pick
Ticket to Ride

Days of Wonder

Ticket to Ride

4.7 (34,567 reviews)

Family game night perfected.

Players

2-5

Pros

  • βœ“ Perfect family game
  • βœ“ Beautiful components

Cons

  • βœ— Can be mean

Buying Guide: How to Choose Board Games

Board Games

Party, Family, Strategy, or Campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions About Board Games

What game should I start with?

Ticket to Ride or Wingspan for families.

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