Which jigsaw puzzle is best?
Jigsaw puzzles are not only great fun but also a great way to improve your memory, concentration, attention to detail and ability to solve all kinds of problems. The best jigsaw puzzles are the ones that challenge hobbyists and are worth framing when they’re done.
Jigsaw puzzles should be fun, challenging and feature an image you like. Worthy of framing, the Ravensburger Pumpkin Cottage 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle features a charming autumn scene in the forest.
In this article: Ravensburger Pumpkin Cottage 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle, Buffalo Games Star Wars Fine Art Collection Yoda Jigsaw Puzzle and Mudpuppy Hot Dogs A-Z 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
What to know before you buy a jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzle types
The three basic ways to shop for jigsaw puzzles are by piece count, theme and artist.
Piece count: Jigsaw puzzles for small kids are the easiest to solve and often have 30-60 pieces. Puzzles with 500 or 750 pieces are quite common, and the biggest puzzles have up to 5,000 pieces.
Theme: Some people like to do puzzles with favorite themes, like animals, nature, landscapes, travel and illustrations. Some puzzles have licensed characters, like Peanuts, Star Wars and Peppa Pig.
Artist: Those with an appreciation of the fine arts often choose jigsaw puzzles of paintings or photographs by famous artists, like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel Ceiling,” Norman Rockwell’s “Saturday Evening Post” covers and many others.
What to look for in a quality jigsaw puzzle
Construction quality
Most jigsaw puzzles are made of cardboard, but some of the more expensive ones are made from hand-cut wood. If you want to solve the puzzle more than once, you will want your puzzle to stand up to repeated use. Look for pieces made of thick, high-quality backing materials with the images firmly fixed to the cardboard base.
Puzzle pieces with tabs should fit snugly together so you can move sections without pieces bending, breaking or falling apart. The cuts should be sharp, with no tears.
Design
Beginners should look for puzzles with bright colors and clear color separation. As puzzle solvers become more adept, they will look for puzzles with more subtle shadings of colors and shapes.
Degree of difficulty
Three factors figure into how difficult a jigsaw will be to solve: the number of pieces, the level of detail and the number of colors. Whichever level you start at, in time you will be seeking out more challenging puzzles that are harder to solve.
The number of pieces in the puzzle:
- Ages 2-6 should choose a jigsaw puzzle with 30-100 pieces.
- Ages 7-10 should choose a jigsaw puzzle with 100-200 pieces.
- Adults and kids over 10 will have more fun with puzzles that have 300 pieces or more.
How much detail there is in the image: Puzzles of photographs are easier to solve than puzzles of paintings because they have clearer distinctions between the objects in the image.
How many colors there are in the image: Contrary to what you might imagine, puzzles with fewer colors are harder to solve than those with many different colors.
How much you can expect to spend on a jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles with fewer pieces typically cost less than those with more. Good quality jigsaw puzzles with 100 or fewer pieces are $10 or less. Puzzles with up to 1,000 pieces cost $10-$20. Jigsaw puzzles with more than 1,000 pieces, licensed puzzles and specialty puzzles start at $20.
Jigsaw puzzle FAQ
What is the best way to start solving a jigsaw puzzle?
A. After organizing the puzzle pieces loosely by color, the best puzzle solvers start with the corners and the edges and work their way to the center.
How can I avoid losing pieces?
A. If your puzzle came in a sturdy box, use that. Otherwise, store your pieces in a plastic bag with a lockable zipper. Some companies offer replacement services for lost or damaged pieces.
What’s the best jigsaw puzzle to buy?
Top jigsaw puzzle
Ravensburger Pumpkin Cottage 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
What you need to know: This gorgeous 1,000-piece puzzle features a charming autumn scene and a decent level of challenge for adults.
What you’ll love: It’s made in Europe by Ravensburger, a brand well-known for making puzzles that last. The pieces have a sturdy, high-quality feel.
What you should consider: A poster of the image is not included, so you must rely on the image on the box.
Top jigsaw puzzle for the money
Buffalo Games Star Wars Fine Art Collection Yoda Jigsaw Puzzle
What you need to know: Buffalo Games jigsaw puzzles use a trademark “Perfect Snap” technology that ensures a tight interlocking fit between pieces.
What you’ll love: This 1,000 piece puzzle is 26 by 20 inches and comes with an accompanying poster. This affordable puzzle features premium cut, design and construction and is manufactured from 100% recycled cardboard.
What you should consider: Because this puzzle has fewer colors than most, it is a difficult puzzle to solve.
Worth checking out
Mudpuppy Hot Dogs A-Z 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
What you need to know: If you need a puzzle for a dog enthusiast, this adorable one provides a solid challenge.
What you’ll love: Adorable artwork features a dog for every letter of the alphabet. It includes 1,000 pieces and is a very colorful jigsaw puzzle. It’s challenging, and best for those aged 8 and up.
What you should consider: Some found this puzzle difficult to solve.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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