The Best Brain Teaser Puzzles

What To Look For

From math to grammar to puzzles, the brain teaser net is wide, and you’ll need to start narrowing it down to find the type of game you’ll enjoy. We suggest focusing on three qualities to determine which game would be best for you: replay value, difficulty level, and gameplay style. Personally, we feel Foldology is the best brain teaser puzzle on the market at the moment. This addictive origami-based game requires players to fold paper sheets into increasingly complex configurations. On the flip side, if you’re on the hunt for something classic, it’s hard to go wrong with Rubik’s. Not only does this offering contain the classic cube, but it also has Bluetooth compatibility, allowing you to record your scores and compete with friends and opponents online. Read on to find out what we love about the rest of these teasers.

Foldology

Fold up

This folding-based math game is jam-packed with puzzles with various difficulty settings, allowing you to acclimate to the increasingly complex challenges.

Best Overall

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If you’re a geometry whiz with a penchant for puzzles, this unique game should definitely pique your interest. Foldology is an origami-inspired brain teaser game that requires you to fold sheets of paper into all manner of interesting shapes and designs. With five difficulty levels, Foldology allows you to work your way up to the hard stuff after you’ve gotten your feet wet with some beginner-level puzzles. What’s more, this teaser includes 100 puzzles that amount to over 50 hours of playtime.

Pros:

• This teaser requires the employment of visual-spatial and critical-thinking skills
• No previous origami experience required
• Easy to travel with

Cons:

• Not a great choice for people who don’t enjoy math

Educational Insights Kanoodle

Packed with puzzles

This versatile teaser includes a huge variety of puzzles, some 2D and some 3D.

Runner Up

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Thanks to its viral word-of-mouth campaign on social media, Educational Insights’ Kanoodle has exploded in popularity. This intriguing puzzle-based game asks you to formulate various shapes and patterns using multi-colored bead threads. With 200 puzzles in both 2D and 3D, this is a brain teaser that can keep you busy for quite some time. We also love the compact size of this puzzle, making it easy to store in your pocket or bag to play with friends.

Pros:

• Illustrated puzzle book included
• Fun for ages seven and up
• Includes puzzles of various difficulty levels

Cons:

• Compact design is convenient for travel but can make it more difficult to play with multiple people

Shashibo

Unlock the mystery

With its geometric patterns and folds, this unique game takes some cues from origami and puzzle-based games.

Best Math-Based

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If you’ve been searching for a modern update on the classic Rubik’s cube, Shashibo might be the perfect brain teaser for you. This unique game utilizes 36 rare earth magnets inside a multi-paneled foldable box that you can manipulate to create over mind-boggling 70 shapes. One of our favorite features of this game is its interconnectivity, allowing you to fold multiple Shashibo boxes together to make even more complex shapes. What’s more, Shashibo is available in a wide variety of eye-catching color and design options.

Pros:

• Tactile and engaging to play with
• Each Shashibo box features four unique patterns
• A great option for STEM enthusiasts

Cons:

• Although this puzzle is fun and engaging, some children might find it frustrating due to its difficulty level

Rubik’s Connected

Color me impressed

This is a certified classic brain teaser with a decidedly modern twist.

Best Classic

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There are few brain teasers in history with as much staying power as the Rubik’s Cube. If you’ve enjoyed playing with these nifty puzzles in the past, Rubik’s Connected is bound to be a new favorite for you. This modern update on the classic cube allows you to connect the puzzle to a mobile app to play mini-games with others, record your scores, and even get pointers from the manufacturers. Rubik’s Connected includes a puzzle cube with Bluetooth compatibility, enabling you to connect the device to your phone.

Pros:

• The mobile app offers tips to solve your puzzle if you get stuck
• Can compare your scores against others on the global leaderboard
• Bluetooth compatible

Cons:

• This Bluetooth-enhanced update has a lot to offer, but it might have lost some of the smooth mobility of its predecessor

Rokr Wooden Puzzle

If you build it

With a little hard work and patience, you can turn these assorted pieces into a gorgeous decorative piece.

Best Three-Dimensional

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If you’re looking for a teaser that can double as an elegant decorative piece, consider your search ended with Rokr’s 3D wooden puzzle. This impressive puzzle includes 260 pieces that create an intricate, gear-based marble run when finished. Once you’ve completed the puzzle, you can place the steel beads in their designated positions and twist a lever to watch them roll throughout the finished piece. We also appreciate that Rokr provides detailed instructions via a written manual and several video components.

Pros:

• The marble run functionality ensures that the fun doesn’t have to stop once you’ve completed the puzzle
• Available in different sizes
• Made with non-treated eco-friendly wood

Cons:

• The pieces may become damaged if you put them into place too forcefully

Frequently Asked Questions

Do brain teasers actually improve cognitive function?

Although many game manufacturers claim that their puzzles can make you smarter, there isn’t any concrete evidence that supports these claims. But one thing is undebatable: Brain teasers are simply fun and engaging games to challenge yourself. They may or may not boost your IQ, but you’ll definitely have fun regardless.

Are brain teaser puzzles multi-player?

It depends on the game. Some puzzles, such as the Rubik’s Cube, are primarily considered single-player games. However, there are many others more conducive to collaborative play.

About the Author

There's no better feeling than walking out the door in well-made clothes that make you look and feel great. Nick’s goal is to help readers feel that way every day. A true New Yorker, Nick is always up to date on the latest trends fresh off the runway. When he’s not writing about fashion, you can find him writing and producing music.

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