Best At-Home Escape Room Kits (Tested & Ranked)
At-home escape room kits have come a long way from flimsy printouts and confusing instructions. We tested over a dozen kits, from $20 boxed games to $35 premium printable experiences, and ranked the five that are worth your money. Each kit below was played by groups of 2-6 people and scored on puzzle quality, production value, and replay value.
Quick Comparison
| Kit | Price | Players | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Paper Scissors | $29-$35 | 2-8 | 60-90 min | Groups who want a real challenge |
| Society of Curiosities | $30-$35/chapter | 1-4 | 2-3 hrs | Couples and serialized storytelling |
| Escape Room in a Box | $20-$30 | 3-8 | 60-90 min | Families on a budget |
| The Escape Game Home Kits | $30-$40 | 2-8 | 60-90 min | Fans of in-person escape rooms |
| Hunt A Killer | $30/month | 1-5 | 2-3 hrs/box | True crime and mystery fans |
Why Try At-Home Kits?
At-home escape room kits work well when:
- You can't get a group to a venue (scheduling, location, mobility)
- You're looking for a budget-friendly game night option at a fraction of venue prices
- You want a gift for a puzzle lover (these make great birthday and holiday presents)
- You're hosting a remote team building session over video call
- You want to warm up before tackling harder rooms at venues in Austin or Los Angeles
Our Top 5 Picks
1. Lock Paper Scissors (Best Overall)
Lock Paper Scissors offers printable escape room kits you download and set up at home. The puzzle design is where these kits stand out: they're challenging without being frustrating, and the clues connect to each other in satisfying ways.
Price: $29-$35 per kit Players: 2-8 Duration: 60-90 minutes Setup time: 15-20 minutes (printing and cutting) Our take: The closest thing to a real escape room experience you'll find at home. Puzzles are layered and require teamwork, not just one person solving everything.
2. Society of Curiosities (Best for Couples)
These mystery subscription boxes combine physical props, online clues, and beautiful packaging into multi-session experiences. Each chapter takes 2-3 hours and ends on a cliffhanger, which makes them addictive.
Price: $30-$35 per chapter Players: 1-4 Duration: 2-3 hours per chapter Setup time: None (comes ready to play) Our take: The production quality is impressive. Letters feel old, maps look hand-drawn, and the online components add depth without feeling gimmicky.
3. Escape Room in a Box (Best Budget Option)
Available at most major retailers (Target, Amazon, Walmart), these boxed games are affordable and ready to play out of the box. They're not as polished as premium options, but the entertainment value per dollar is hard to beat.
Price: $20-$30 Players: 3-8 Duration: 60-90 minutes Setup time: 5 minutes Our take: Solid entry point if you've never tried an at-home kit. The puzzles are lighter, but the low price makes it easy to try without commitment.
4. The Escape Game's Home Kits (Best Brand)
The Escape Game, one of the largest escape room chains in the US, sells at-home versions of their most popular venue rooms. If you've played their rooms in person, these kits adapt the puzzles for home play.
Price: $30-$40 Players: 2-8 Duration: 60-90 minutes Setup time: 10 minutes Our take: High production quality and name recognition. The puzzles translate well from venue to home, though they lose some of the physical wow factor.
5. Hunt A Killer (Best for Mystery Fans)
Hunt A Killer is a subscription-based murder mystery that arrives monthly. Each box contains evidence, documents, and clues that build on the previous month's delivery. It's less "escape room" and more "cold case investigation," but the puzzle-solving overlap is significant.
Price: $30/month Players: 1-5 Duration: 2-3 hours per box Setup time: None Our take: Perfect for groups that meet regularly. The monthly format creates anticipation, and the ongoing narrative rewards attention to detail across sessions.
How to Choose the Right Kit
| If you want... | Pick this |
|---|---|
| Best puzzle quality | Lock Paper Scissors |
| Ongoing story over weeks | Society of Curiosities or Hunt A Killer |
| Cheap, low-commitment test | Escape Room in a Box |
| Something for 6+ people | Lock Paper Scissors or Escape Room in a Box |
| A gift for a puzzle lover | Society of Curiosities (premium unboxing feel) |
Tips for Hosting an At-Home Escape Room Night
- Set a visible timer for the same pressure you'd feel at a venue
- Play atmospheric music (search "escape room ambience" on YouTube or Spotify)
- Dim the lights to set the mood and reduce distractions
- Save snacks for after because you'll be too focused during the game
- Don't peek at the solution guide until you've committed to giving up on a puzzle
For more strategy that applies to both at-home and venue experiences, check out our 15 tips that actually help you win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are at-home escape room kits reusable?
Most at-home kits are single-use since solving the puzzles reveals the answers. You can pass many boxed kits to friends after playing. Printable kits like Lock Paper Scissors can be reprinted for a new group.
How do at-home escape room kits compare to real escape rooms?
At-home kits deliver similar puzzle-solving experiences but lack the physical sets, locks, and hidden compartments of venue rooms. They're roughly 70% of the experience at 20% of the cost, making them a good supplement to venue visits.
What's the best at-home escape room kit for beginners?
Escape Room in a Box is the best starting point. It's affordable ($20-$30), requires minimal setup, and the puzzles are approachable for first-timers. Once your group is comfortable, move up to Lock Paper Scissors for a greater challenge.
Can you play at-home escape room kits over Zoom?
Yes. Printable kits work well over video call since you can share documents on screen. One person handles the physical components while others help solve remotely. Lock Paper Scissors and The Escape Game both offer remote-friendly versions of their kits.
Want the real thing? Browse our city guides to find top-rated escape rooms near you.