Puzzle-making is a simple pleasure, and working on one of the best jigsaw puzzles will be both aesthetically and mentally rewarding.
The act of choosing your next puzzle, however, is sometimes less enjoyable. The calming pastime is ever-popular, meaning there’s a wide range of choices available. To help you pick, we’ve narrowed down our top choices for both the US and the UK based on quality, vibrancy, and the level of entertainment offered – as well as customer reviews if we haven't had hands-on experience.
At the bottom of the page, you'll find some top tips for choosing a brilliant jigsaw puzzle. Alternatively, if you're looking for more entertainment to enjoy at home, make sure you also check out our guide to the best board games.
The best jigsaw puzzles: US
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The best jigsaw puzzle for adults
Pieces: 2,000
Size: 38.25 x 26.63 inches
Brand: EuroGraphics
This large and beautifully produced rendering of one of Monet's most famous paintings is both inspiring and educational. The soft, diffused impressionist painting style makes it challenging yet satisfying to complete.
Made in the US with high-quality recycled board and printed with vegetable-based ink, it’s an eco-friendly option too.
The best 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1,000
Size: 19.25-inch x 26.625-inch
Brand: New York Puzzle Company
This iconic 1997 magazine cover by Bruce McCall is a vibrant, whimsical depiction of a restaurant with a twist. The puzzle is high-quality and is in equal parts challenging and rewarding and between its sumptuous colour palette, and linen finish, this jigsaw could easily be framed and hung when completed.
Another brilliant 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1000
Size: 19.25 x 26.5 inches
Brand: Eurographics
Another great jigsaw based on a famous piece of art, The Kiss is Austrian painter Gustav Klimt's best-known work, and it's an inspired choice for a jigsaw puzzle design. Klimt's work is exotic, and the many hues of lush gold make this puzzle an entertaining challenge even for experienced puzzlers.
The best 500-piece jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 500
Size: 20 x 20 inches
Brand: Galison
Andy Warhol's pop art hit the sweet spot between high art and populism, and his Flowers series was no exception. This puzzle is full of colourful details making it fun and challenging, and the pieces are thick and sturdy. Both the included print and the box are quite small, however.
The best illustration jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1000
Size: 25.4 x 5.08 cm
Brand: Flame Tree Studios
With whimsical illustrations from Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson's book series, The Moomins, this puzzle was a delight to complete. When we tested it, we found it had the right balance of challenging and satisfying. This is definitely one to frame, and it's a bargain price, too.
The best jigsaw puzzle for kids
Pieces: 100
Size: 12 x 12 inches
Brand: Mudpuppy
The cute, cheekily named Frida Catlo is inspired by 20th-century Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, and makes for the perfect jigsaw mascot for kids (ages siz and above). The puzzle pieces come nicely presented in a paint can storage tin, and are printed with no glare and child-safe non-toxic inks.
The best wooden jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 108
Size: 8 x 8 inches
Brand: Unidragon
Unidragon's gorgeous, colourful wooden puzzle is petite and only has 108 pieces, but it’s very pretty and well-constructed, making for a great gift. The shape of each individual piece is inspired by marine life, adding interest to the building process, and the colours are super-vibrant.
The best jigsaw puzzles: UK
The best jigsaw puzzle for adults
Pieces: 750
Size: 54 x 68cm
Brand: Galison
Based on an evocative piece by famed designer Jonathan Adler, this is a beautifully made jigsaw with pieces that fit together easily. The surreal design and repeating colours make it a challenge, even for experienced puzzlers. High-quality packaging make this an excellent gift for a jigsaw or art fan.
The best 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1,000
Size: 19.25 x 26.5 inches
Brand: EuroGraphics
Another one for art fans, this striking, colourful puzzle features an iconic work of art by American pop artist Keith Haring. The pieces are well cut and have a glossy finish that brings the artwork to life, and the chaotic nature of Haring's work makes the puzzle quite a challenge.
The best Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1,000
Size: 69.9 x 49.7cm
Brand: Ravensburger
We love this Mario-themed challenge puzzle, which is beautifully retro; but it's not for the faint-hearted – each Mario is actually different, but all that red makes it tricky to see how. Ravensburger's puzzles are known for their extra-thick cardboard and fine, linen-structured paper, so this jigsaw is premium quality too.
The best 500-piece jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 500
Size: 24 x 18 inches
Brand: Galison
Why settle for one Monet painting when you can enjoy two with this double-sided puzzle? Featuring a pair of Monet’s classic Waterlilies paintings, one side is glossy and the other matte, which makes differentiating the pieces straightforward. At 24 x 18 inches, this puzzle is challenging, but glorious when complete.
The best jigsaw puzzle for kids
Pieces: 70
Size: 70 x 50cm
Brand: Larsen
Space-loving kids will be right at home with this puzzle. It's beautifully illustrated and scattered with scientific facts, making this jigsaw educational as well as fun to complete. As well as the main planets, it also includes five dwarf planets: Eris, Makemake, Haumea, Ceres, and Pluto.
The best Disney jigsaw puzzle
Pieces: 1,000
Size: 37.47 x 27.31 x 5.72 cm
Brand: Ravensburger
This Disney puzzle showcases a wealth of Disney history, with a host of vintage posters and the dates of the films featured within the design. It's not the most challenging puzzle, but the results are worth it. There are many Disney puzzles out there, but this is one of the best.
The best wooden puzzle
Pieces: 100, 3, 5, 8 depending on model
Size: 19.7 x 15.6 x 4.2 cm
Brand: Prima Cumce
Prima Cumce's small but perfectly formed wooden puzzles are beautifully crafted. There's a range of gorgeous animal puzzles available, in addition to the wolf pictured above, including owls, dragons, eagles, elephants, foxes, and more. A lovely added touch is that the puzzle pieces themselves are shaped like animals and plants.
FAQs
How do I choose a good jigsaw puzzle?
Firstly, you'll want to choose a jigsaw puzzle that has an image you like. Otherwise, you won't be as motivated to finish it, and it won't give you as much pleasure.
You need a puzzle that's made out of high-quality material so it won't bend and break as you put it together. Quality cardboard is the most common but wood is the most robust material.
The image should be in sharp focus, not grainy, and should be well-attached to the piece so it doesn't peel off.
Who makes the highest quality jigsaw puzzle?
There is a broad range of jigsaw puzzles around, of varying quality. But the major players in the jigsaw world are Ravensburger, Springbok, New York Puzzle Company, and Buffalo Games. Choose a puzzle from one of these companies and you won't be disappointed.
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