
Over the past few years plenty of “brain games” have cropped up and claimed to help improve memory, attention span, and problem solving skills. These games come in all forms, including phone apps, websites, and even gadgets. Many promise some amazing benefits, so it’s easy to see why so many people are trying them out.
Here’s a quick rundown of a few of the most popular ones.
Elevate
This free brain-training app is an Apple App Store Editors’ Choice. It aims to improve your processing, memory, brevity, and more, through simple but mentally stimulating games. You get to choose between 3, 5 or 7 training sessions a week, tailored to your goals. Each training session is a different fun game, and the test automatically adjust in difficulty to keep you on your toes.
BrainHQ
BrainHQ is another free option that offers training exercises that work on your eye for detail, your ability to process visual scenes, and even helps you remember names of people you’ve just met. While the games don’t have as much flash as some of the other apps, this might be preferable to some people because it feels more like actual training.
Lumosity
One of the more well-known programs is Lumosity, a phone app which leads you through different games every day which test your math, memory, and other cognitive skills. Lumosity personalizes your training program based on how you’re performing, and gives you a daily routine of games to complete. It has over 35 million registered users, making it one of the more popular choices.
Fit Brains
Like Lumosity, Fit Brains aims to improve your mental performance by giving you a sequence of games to complete to help you in areas that you’re weaker in. However, Fit Brains has more of a video game feel, which could be a factor that helps keep you engaged and willing to keep coming back. As you play Fit Brains games they become more difficult, so you’re constantly being mentally challenged.