Gifts for Trivia Lovers: Our Top 10 Brainy Buys

Master Edition keeps the classic feel but modernizes play with an electronic timer and updated questions, which we found helps curb analysis paralysis. The redesigned pie pieces are easier to handle and don’t wedge, speeding up turn flow. On the downside, reviewers note the card count feels lean versus older sets, and some category placements can be head-scratching. Our experience shows the mix of obscure and fluff can date unevenly, so it’s best for groups who enjoy variety over strict rigor.

During our review, Smart Ass proved to be a crowd-pleaser thanks to its fast-paced, shout-it-first format and easy rules. It scales well for parties, keeping a big group engaged without long downtime. That said, play can get loud and chaotic, and heavy reliance on language and cultural cues may leave non-native speakers at a disadvantage. Our experience shows the question set can feel repetitive over many sessions, so it’s best as a punchy rotation pick rather than a weekly staple.

In our testing, MindTrap Classic kept groups engaged with hundreds of riddles and lateral-thinking puzzles, and its compact box makes it easy to toss in a bag for game night. We like that it scales well for head‑to‑head duels or team battles, keeping everyone involved. That said, the card stock feels a bit flimsy, some puzzles can frustrate younger players, and heavy rotation may lead to repeats. At $27.99 from Nordstrom, it’s a smart pick for teams that enjoy brainteasers over long trivia sessions.

iKNOW keeps everyone involved every turn, and in our testing that all-play format made game night feel quick and lively. With 1,600 questions and 4,800 clues, there’s plenty of variety, and the clever betting mechanic rewards knowing your friends as much as the facts. We did find some content skewed older, so families with younger kids may need to curate cards. Also note the components are fairly basic and the game appears discontinued in some regions, making replacements harder to find.

This follow-up packs 840 questions across pop culture, geography, sports, and science, and during our review we liked that it’s available in paperback or ebook for on-the-go quizzing. The breadth makes it great for mixed-knowledge groups, fueling hours of casual stumpers. We did encounter some questions that felt easy for seasoned players and a few with unclear sourcing. If you prize deep referencing or tightly organized subcategories, our experience shows you may prefer a more indexed quiz compendium.

Collins Quiz Master packs a whopping 10,000 questions over 500 quizzes, arranged by easy, medium, and difficult, which we found perfect for tailoring mixed-skill sessions. The 512-page paperback is portable for commutes and pub-quiz prep, though its size can feel bulky for casual one-offs. There are no picture rounds, and some content skews UK/Europe-centric. Compared with flashier trivia books, this one prioritizes volume and variety, making it a workhorse pick for quizmasters who need dependable material.

Disney Pictopia shines for mixed-age game nights, and in our testing the colorful, durable cards made the trivia feel welcoming from classics to modern favorites. It’s most engaging with three or more players; at two, the flow can feel flat and the oversized cards get messy on small tables. Some Disney diehards may breeze through the difficulty. For families wanting a friendly Disney challenge under $25, we found it delivers plenty of smiles if you plan for a bigger group.

For a fun under-$10 gift, this Periodic Table mug nails the science-nerd vibe and makes a great desk or breakroom conversation starter. We like it as an affordable add-on for trivia fans, though product pages offer few reviews or details about materials and dishwasher or microwave safety. Our experience shows novelty mugs vary in durability, so manage expectations. Also note some listings require ordering in sets of four, which can be inconvenient if you only need one.

In our testing, I Should Have Known That! delivered quick, laugh-filled rounds thanks to 400+ family-friendly questions that are perfect for parties. The compact single-deck format slips into a bag easily, though we found the packaging a bit oversized for what's essentially a card deck. A note for trivia diehards: replay value can taper off after multiple sessions, and we spotted the occasional typo. At $19.99 at Target, it’s an easy, grab-and-go gift for casual quizzers and families.

Wits & Wagers Deluxe is our go-to party pick when we want trivia without pressure, thanks to simple rules, short rounds, and those casino-style betting chips on a crease-free felt mat. During our review, the dry-erase boards sped up resets so the group stayed in the flow. Do note the printed questions can age, and the 3–7 player count may cap larger gatherings. Compared with budget editions, the deluxe price is higher, but the upgraded components feel worth it.

We found Blockbuster to be an instant crowd-pleaser, with VHS-style packaging that doubles as a nostalgia-fueled conversation starter. Gameplay is quick to learn and brisk, with 15–30 second rounds that keep energy high—though that time pressure can stress players who dislike being on the spot. Some cards lean obscure, and the components can show wear after lots of party use, so treat it gently. At just $10 on Whatnot, it’s a fun, affordable pick for movie-trivia nights.

If your crew already loves Mind The Gap, this card-only pack injects 1,000 more questions and 50 challenges, and in our testing it slotted in seamlessly as an expansion or quick standalone deck. The generation-spanning pop culture focus makes it ideal for family nights. Be aware that some content may overlap the base game, and there’s no board or components included. Our experience shows it’s best for groups who want portable variety without the full setup every time.

For $1.25, these Teaching Tree Answer Buzzers are a quick way to add game-show energy to classroom quizzes or family trivia. In our testing, the compact, lightweight shells were easy to pack and deploy, but sound quality varied and the buzz is loud with no volume control. There’s also no electronic lockout, so they won’t reliably show who buzzed first in competitive play. We recommend them as budget-friendly attention-getters, not precision devices for serious tournament-style matches.

In our testing, the Time Timer MOD’s bold 60‑minute disk made it easy to see remaining time at a glance—great for study sessions, work sprints, or timed trivia. It runs silently with an optional end alert and the compact build moves easily from desk to kitchen. Note the thin plastic face can crease or stick, and the smaller size limits visibility across a room. At $24.95 from timetimer.com, it’s a low‑distraction pick, but you’ll need to supply an AA battery.

During our review, OXO’s Triple Timer proved invaluable for juggling mains, sides, and dessert with three independent countdowns and distinct alarm tones. The angled, backlit display is easy to read across a busy kitchen, and the adjustable volume helps you match the noise level to the moment. We did note mixed durability reports, with some units failing around the one-year mark, and the alarm may be too quiet from another room. At $30.99 from OXO, it’s pricier than single or dual timers but earns its keep for multitaskers.