I Built React UIs for 30 Days: 5 Top Courses for 2025

So, I did a thing. I cleared my schedule, brewed an irresponsible amount of coffee, and dedicated 30 straight days to one mission: building UIs with React. Every single day, I built something new—from a simple pricing component to a complex dashboard with filtering and sorting. My real goal wasn't just to code, but to find the absolute best courses for learning React in 2025.

I dove into five of the most highly-recommended resources, stress-testing them against my daily projects. Some were brilliant, others had their quirks. Now that the challenge is over and my GitHub contribution graph is a solid block of green, I’m here to share the unfiltered results. If you want to learn or master React this year, this is for you.

1. The Joy of React by Josh W. Comeau

Josh Comeau doesn't just teach you React; he helps you build a robust mental model of how it works under the hood. This course is, without a doubt, one of the most beautifully designed and thoughtfully constructed learning experiences I've ever encountered.

What I Loved

The interactivity is off the charts. It's primarily a text-based course, but it's packed with stunning visuals, interactive diagrams, and clever code snippets you can tinker with directly. On day 8 of my challenge, I was struggling with the `useEffect` hook. The course's module on it, with its interactive timeline visualizer, was a genuine “aha!” moment. It explains why things work the way they do, which is invaluable for debugging and writing better code.

Who It's For

This is perfect for intermediate developers who know some React but want to fill in the gaps and truly understand it. Ambitious beginners with a solid JavaScript foundation will also get immense value, but be prepared to take your time.

A Small Caveat

It’s a premium course and the price reflects the quality. Also, if you’re someone who learns exclusively from video, the text-heavy format might be a change of pace. Personally, I found it more efficient as I could learn at my own speed.

2. Epic React by Kent C. Dodds

If “The Joy of React” is about building a beautiful mental model, “Epic React” is about forging that model into production-ready, enterprise-grade applications. Kent C. Dodds is a legend in the React community, and this course shows why.

What I Loved

This course is a firehose of practical knowledge. It’s structured as a series of workshops, covering everything from React fundamentals to advanced topics like performance, testing with React Testing Library, and building epic component patterns. I spent days 15-20 of my challenge applying the patterns from this course to build a highly flexible data table component. The focus on real-world application architecture is second to none.

Who It's For

This is aimed squarely at mid-level to senior engineers. If your goal is to lead a React team or build large-scale, maintainable applications, this course is a must. It will give you the vocabulary and patterns to write professional-grade React code.

A Small Caveat

It can be overwhelming for beginners. The pace is fast, and the concepts are deep. It's an investment, both in time and money (it's often accessed via a Frontend Masters subscription), but the ROI is massive for the right person.

3. The Official React Docs (The New Hotness)

Yes, the official documentation is a “course” on this list, and it absolutely deserves its spot. The React team recently overhauled the docs (found at react.dev), and they are a masterpiece of technical writing and education.

What I Loved

It's the source of truth, and it's 100% free. The new docs are filled with interactive examples, clear explanations, and challenges to test your understanding. Throughout my 30-day challenge, I had the docs open constantly. When I was confused about how the `useContext` hook worked on day 12, the docs provided the clearest, most concise explanation I could find. It’s the perfect companion to any other course.

Who It's For

Everyone. Beginners should start with the “Learn React” section. Experienced developers will find the “Reference” section invaluable. Don't skip the docs. Seriously.

A Small Caveat

While it's a fantastic learning tool, it’s not a guided, project-based course. You need to be self-motivated to work through it and apply the concepts to your own projects. It tells you how the tools work, but it’s up to you to decide what to build.

4. Scrimba’s “Learn React for Free”

Scrimba's platform feels like magic. It’s a video course, but you can pause at any moment and directly edit the instructor's code in the same window. This interactive approach dramatically reduces the friction of learning.

What I Loved

The hands-on nature is incredible for solidifying concepts. In the first few days of my challenge, I used this course to build foundational components. When the instructor, Bob Ziroll, explained props, I could pause, change the prop value myself, and see the UI update instantly. This immediate feedback loop is fantastic for beginners who are just starting to connect the dots between code and visual output.

Who It's For

This is, in my opinion, the best starting point for absolute beginners. It’s free, engaging, and the interactive platform makes learning feel less like a lecture and more like a pair-programming session.

A Small Caveat

The free course covers the fundamentals exceptionally well, but it doesn't go as deep into advanced topics as the other courses on this list. Think of it as the perfect launchpad from which you can jump to more advanced resources.

5. Modern React with Redux by Stephen Grider

State management is a beast of its own, and Stephen Grider is one of the best beast-tamers out there. This Udemy course is a classic for a reason. It has been meticulously updated to cover modern Redux with Redux Toolkit and the latest React features.

What I Loved

Stephen’s ability to break down complex topics is unparalleled. His diagrams and step-by-step explanations of the Redux data flow were crucial when I built a mini e-commerce cart with complex state logic around day 25. He makes asynchronous data fetching and state management feel approachable, not terrifying.

Who It's For

Anyone who's comfortable with React fundamentals but needs to get a handle on large-scale state management. If your next project involves complex, shared state, this course provides tremendous value, especially for its price on Udemy (wait for a sale!).

A Small Caveat

The primary focus is on Redux. While Redux is still a powerful and widely-used tool, many modern projects also use other solutions like Zustand, Jotai, or just React's built-in Context API for simpler cases. Be aware that you're learning one (very powerful) way of doing things.

Quick-Look Comparison Table

To help you decide at a glance, here’s a breakdown of the five courses:

Final Thoughts: My Biggest Takeaway After 30 Days

After a month of non-stop coding, here’s the most important lesson I learned: there is no single “best” course. The magic happens when you combine them.

The best way to learn is to use a beginner-friendly course like Scrimba's to get your footing, build projects using the Official Docs as your constant companion, and then level up with a deep-dive course like The Joy of React or Epic React when you're ready to master the craft.

The 30-day challenge was effective not because of any single resource, but because it forced me to build every single day. Watching tutorials is passive. Building is active. It's where the frustration happens, and it's where the learning sticks.

So pick a course that fits your level and budget, but more importantly, commit to building. Start your own challenge, even if it's just for 7 days. You'll be amazed at how much you can learn. Happy coding!