Last Updated on November 1, 2022
Are you a newbie looking for a board game within your budget? Or an experienced gamer wanting to expand your collection?
Limit your expenses, not your fun! Find an affordable option from our top picks for the best board games under $50. From cooperative card games to storytelling and strategy games, this list gives you a variety to choose from. So go ahead and break out the board games — without breaking the bank.
🏆 Our Top Picks for Best Board Games Under $50
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
Best Cooperative
Best Deck-Building
Best Overall
#1. Pandemic
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 45 minutes
As many know, you can’t beat a pandemic without teamwork.
That is precisely the premise of this cooperative game. Each player has a special ability that can help fight disease. Band together to develop a cure and treat the infected. But it’ll take good communication skills to come up with the best tactics to tackle that virus. Eradicate all four deadly diseases before they take out humanity.
If you’re sick of this Pandemic, don’t worry! There are lots of expansions available to keep you fighting off boredom and those pesky infections.
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#2. Dominion (Second Edition)
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 30 minutes
You have inherited a small plot of land but you’ve always had a lot of ambition. Your goal is to expand your estate to create the most powerful dominion.
In this competitive deck-building card game, you must beat others to claim territories first. You’ll start small, collect resources, and take actions as you play. Use those actions to collect more resources, claim lands, and attack or defend your empire.
Dominion is a player’s favorite, and it’s easy to get hooked. If you already love it, continue building with one of the many Dominion expansions.
#3. Power Grid
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 90-120 minutes
In this economic strategy game, you must balance your supplies to generate electricity in towns.
Power Grid is all about creating power plants across a network of locations on the board. The game plays over a series of rounds. Start off by bidding to win power plants and collecting resources. Resources are required to power the plants — so use them wisely. You’ll eventually develop more and more connected cities across the map. You can choose to activate the cities’ power plant or wait and hold out for more resources.
It takes resources to generate electricity in a city. Still, a powered city also wins you more money to acquire resources.
It’s a game of trade-offs, just like the real world’s economy. Figure out the best strategy to gain an economic edge over your opponents.
#4. Ticket to Ride
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-60 minutes
All-aboard this board game favorite. Ticket to Ride is not only affordable but great for families and small groups.
The gameplay is simple and easy to learn. The board game is a map of the United States covered in railway routes. There are Train Cards with different types of trains or Destination Cards with designated routes. Collect the right trains to build paths around the board. Points are awarded for trains placed on the board. Get extra points by finishing a Destination Card or having the longest route.
While the rules are straightforward, the strategy is surprisingly not. There are many ways to get ahead. But don’t take too long collecting cards, or your opponents will beat you to those tracks.
This is a must-try in the world of board games. So if you haven’t already, grab your Ticket to Ride today!
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#5. Century: Spice Road
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-45 minutes
Go back in time to get spicy on Spice Road!
Century: Spice Road is part of a larger series based on trade routes in the 15th-17th centuries. It is a deck-building game based on resources and plays a bit like the board game Splendor.
Step into the role of a spice merchant in this era. But pack carefully on the journey — you only have the means to carry ten spices at a time. Each spice has a different value. The sought-after saffron may get you further than the traditional turmeric.
Every turn, you must do one action: buy a Point Card, take a Merchant Card, play a Merchant Card, or rest. The aim is to collect Resource and Merchant Cards and trade up as you go to increase your overall value.
Points are earned through Point Cards, coins, and the higher-end spices. The game ends when a player has 5-6 Point Cards. Ultimately, it is a point-based game, so it is crucial to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. Use timing and strategy to secure the winning spot on Spice Road.
#6. 7 Wonders
Players: 2-7
Playing time: 30 minutes
Explore the 7 Wonders of the world in around 30 minutes!
This quick-paced card game is suitable for both beginners and experienced gamers. It’s easy to learn with a bit of support, but each game is unique and complex enough to keep an advanced player engaged.
Each player will represent one of the 7 Wonders. Build your civilization according to specific strengths. Rome might have military power, but Greece may excel in more scientific pursuits.
Choose one card to play from your hand. You may build structures, complete a wonder stage, or gain Victory Points or resources. All players pass their deck to the left and choose from the new batch. So bear in mind what opportunities you’re giving to your opponents.
Points are awarded for Victory Points and all Structures, and the player with the most wins.
#7. Disney Villainous
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 50 minutes
Which Disney villain would you be?
Time to live out those dark Disney fantasies as one of 6 famous villains. Each villain gets an individual realm board, deck, and objective specific to your character. On your turn, Move around your villain’s board and take action by playing cards. If you can complete your objective first, you win the game.
Will you get far as Jafar? Or will the Queen of Hearts rule the game? While Disney followers will love the theme, Disney Villainous gameplay is fun even if you’re not an avid fan.
#8. Carcassonne
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-45 minutes
Head to the picturesque land of Carcassonne in the south of France. It’s the perfect region to create a community.
Your task is to build and populate the land one tile at a time. Take turns placing tiles of farmland, fortresses, roads, and cloisters to develop the region. You must connect corresponding types of land to one another. A road logically connects to a road, a city wall to another wall, and so forth. Decide whether to add meeples to your piece or hold out for better options.
Turn-taking is simple and quick, so you never get restless. However, this puzzle-building game requires more planning than one may think. Use those tile-placement and strategy skills to gain the most points in all of Carcasonne.
If you’ve already played a million games of Carcassonne and need a new challenge, check out our list of games like Carcassonne for something new to try!
#9. Above and Below
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 90 minutes
Your home has been destroyed and your family has set out to find greener pastures. But you’re in luck! You’ve found just the right valley to settle in and rebuild your life. Develop the land you stand above and keep the peace with the tunnel-dwellers below.
Gather villagers and choose which to complete missions. They might collect resources or build structures above ground. Or send them to the depths below, full of adventure and unexpected twists. If you encounter one of these situations, read from a narrative, and make a decision based on the story and characters involved.
Above and Below provides an interactive storyline and detailed artwork for a reasonable price. It combines the elements of strategy and storytelling to appeal to gamers of all kinds.
#10. Photosynthesis
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Tree-huggers and biology buffs will love playing this creatively-themed game.
Photosynthesis takes you through the life cycle of trees. Plant the seeds, water the soil, watch them grow, and repopulate the land as much as possible. The Earth’s rotations affect the sunlight your plants receive. So plan accordingly based on those environmental changes.
As peaceful as it all sounds, this is still a competition. Use your trees to shade other players’ foliage, sabotaging their growth.
Photosynthesis is an affordable, environmental game that lets your competitive and green sides shine!
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best board games under $50! Building your board game collection can be an expensive undertaking, but the rewards that come from this hobby are oh, so worth it. One board game can provide years of enjoyment and quality time with family and friends. With these games, you can have all the fun without breaking the bank.
Have you tried any of the games on this list? We’d love to hear about your favorites! Drop a comment below and let us know what you think. It’s always great to hear from you!
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