Better gamenights start withthe right box.
Reviews and buying guides for strategy, party, family and two-player games. We tell you who each game suits, how long it takes, and where to get it for less.
Pick a game for your table
Start with who is playing, then match the length and weight of the game to the night you have planned.
Choose your next game
Learn whether a board game expansion needs a base game, which editions it fits, and what its extra rules and components add.
Compare reusable and game-specific board game inserts by box fit, editions, sleeved cards, expansions and whether components can serve as trays.
Choose a board game playmat by table fit, surface, thickness, edge treatment, backing and storage, with maker examples to compare.
- 04
Board Game Storage Ideas: Shelves, Inserts and Organizers
Accessories
- 05
Board Game Table Buying Guide: Measure the Play Area First
Game room setup
- 06
Board Game Transport Bag Buying Guide
Accessories
- 07
Board Games for Travel: Choose a Game That Fits the Trip
Game night on the go
- 08
Board Game Card Sleeve Sizes: How to Find the Right Fit
Accessories
- 09
Dice Trays vs Dice Towers for Board Games
Accessories
Board Game questions, answered
Does every board game expansion need the base game?
No. Many do, but some products include a standalone game or mode. Check the exact publisher description and rules for the one you are considering.
Read: Board Game Expansions →Is a universal board game insert compatible with every game?
No. Folded Space says FS-ONE is designed for games with a suitable box size; check the exact box dimensions and component layout before choosing it.
Read: Universal vs Game-Specific Board Game Inserts →What size playmat do I need for board games?
Measure the table's usable surface, then compare it with the mat dimensions and the space your game needs. Leave the edge border you want instead of assuming a standard mat will fit.
Read: Board Game Playmat Buying Guide →What shelf is best for board games?
Cube shelving with openings around 13 inches (33 cm) square is the most popular choice, because most standard game boxes fit inside. Check the inside dimensions before buying, as cube sizes vary.
Read: Board Game Storage Ideas →What size table do I need for board games?
Measure the largest board and player areas you actually use, then add space for cards, player boards and drinks. Compare those numbers with the stated play area, not only the table's outside dimensions.
Read: Board Game Table Buying Guide →How do I choose a board game bag size?
Measure the boxes you plan to carry and compare them with the bag's internal dimensions. Check the height as well as the footprint, and leave room for the way the boxes will sit.
Read: Board Game Transport Bag Buying Guide →Straight answers for game night
Every review starts with player count, play time and complexity, so you know whether a game fits your table before anything else.
Each review says who the game suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to know before you buy. No filler, no hedging.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product changes.
The board game index
- 01Strategy gamesDeeper games for groups that like to plan: euros, engine builders and campaign games.9 pages
- 02Party & familyGames that teach in minutes and work for mixed groups, kids and big parties.7 pages
- 03Two-player gamesThe best games for couples, friends and two-player nights.1 page
- 04AccessoriesCard sleeves, organizers, dice, playmats and game tables.7 pages