Best Illusion of the Year Contest
Annual contest in which vision scientists compete to fool you, with every finalist since 2005 still watchable.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
Best Illusion of the Year Contest sits in Optical Illusions under Weird, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something brainy, mesmerising and clever.
About this category: Illusion collections and perception demos. The good ones keep working after you have been told exactly how they work.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Giving your brain a workout
- Watching something hypnotic for a while
- Being impressed by a clever idea
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
Best Illusion of the Year Contest: quick answers
Is Best Illusion of the Year Contest free?
Yes. Best Illusion of the Year Contest is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use Best Illusion of the Year Contest?
No. You can use Best Illusion of the Year Contest without signing up for anything.
Does Best Illusion of the Year Contest work on a phone?
Yes. Best Illusion of the Year Contest works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is Best Illusion of the Year Contest safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does Best Illusion of the Year Contest take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
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