Get your cognitive muscles moving with these brain games
Smartphones have changed our lives for the better. With the click of a button, we’re able to keep in contact with friends and family around the world, receive news and weather alerts, and check our bank balance. On the other hand, the endless temptation to spend hours scrolling through apps like Facebook or Twitter is doing nothing for our productivity or our brains. And while using your phone to relax is not a bad thing to do occasionally, you can also use technology more productively—to boost your brain and keep your mind sharp.
Thousands of brain-training apps and programs are available for smartphones (or online). These games have been designed to improve different cognitive functions, such as memory, focus, and problem-solving. Concentrate on finding a game you’ll enjoy playing, rather than on the product’s proclaimed brain benefits, says neurologist Thomas Wisniewski, M.D., director of the Pearl I. Barlow Center for Memory Evaluation and Treatment at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
But which game is the best for you? To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of five well-reviewed games that are available now. Search by name to find them in the App Store or Google Play store, or try them out on the provider’s website. Read independent reviews online before downloading any app.
Elevate
Elevate runs you through a series of training sessions designed to boost “productivity, earning power, and self-confidence.” The result, the company says, is improved communication and analytical skills. More than 40 games comprise five categories, including math, reading comprehension, and writing, and while the exercises may remind you of grammar school, the variety and speedy pace should keep you engaged.
Available for free on both Android and iOS; $39.99 yearly for the Pro version with more sessions and games.
NeuroNation
NeuroNation offers six different types of scientific and targeted brain training courses—including concentration, memory, and intelligence. Aimed towards helping people improve all different aspects of their cognitive strength, the courses vary in difficulty (from beginner to advanced) and duration. The company says that it's "being used successfully in Alzheimer's prevention as well as for stress and burnout prevention in corporate health management."
Available for free on both Android and iOS; $41.97-$41.99 for three months or $83.88-$$83.99 yearly for the Pro version for more personalization and additional features.
Lumosity
Lumosity says its 50-plus games are designed to improve “core cognitive abilities” like memory, problem solving, and pattern recognition. Start with a quick “Fit Test” to establish your baseline. Then, begin “training” with daily workouts of fast-paced puzzles. Lumosity adapts to your skill level, stores your stats, and ranks your scores against others in your age bracket.
Available for free on both Android and iOS; $11.99 monthly or $59.99 yearly subscription for Premium.
Peak
Peak greets you with Coach, “the personal trainer for your brain,” that guides you through a daily four-game dose of speed-driven challenges that feel more like video games than that of other “brain” apps. The company says its games “push you hard with short, intense workouts.” Peak tests core cognitive skills like focus, memory, and mental agility. There are also exercises designed to improve emotional wellness and even hand-eye coordination.
Available for free on both Android and iOS; $4.99 monthly or $35.04 yearly; advanced training modules individually priced.
Words With Friends 2
While this popular word game is not marketed as a “brain game,” Words With Friends 2 (an updated version of the original 2009 game) helps to engage your brain and keep your vocabulary sharp. As an added benefit, this Scrabble-like game can connect you with friends, family, and even players you haven’t met.
Available for free on both Android and iOS.
zynga.com/games/words-with-friends-2