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Updated: 2021’s list of best jigsaw puzzle is out.
Updated: List refreshed with November data resulting in ranks changing and seven new puzzles added to the best jigsaw puzzles list.
Curious what the best jigsaw puzzles of 2020 are? Well you’ve come to the right place. We went to the largest online community for jigsaw puzzle fans located on Reddit, r/jigsawpuzzles. There, members can submit their jigsaw puzzles and also vote for puzzle submissions. We analyzed all the puzzle submissions to discover which puzzles are the most popular in 2020 so far.
Puzzler’s Palette
Ravensburger, 1000 piecesSo meta! A puzzle of a puzzle. Fans like the picture and concept, but warn that it is a struggle and challenge to solve. It may seem like a gradient puzzle, but due to how the pieces are scattered, it is not.
Mandalorian: The Child
Buffalo Games, 500 piecesRiding on the popularity of Disney’s The Mandalorian show, this puzzle provides fan with satisfaction for the adorable baby Yoda. Fans state that puzzle is deceptively hard for a 500 piece puzzle.
Octopus
Liberty Puzzles, 495 piecesRated as an extremely difficult puzzle. This hand made wooden octopus shaped puzzle is itself a work of art with brilliant colors. Liberty puzzles are highly sought after by fans.
Musical Notes
Piatnik, 1000 piecesFans salute this puzzle as "complicated", "painful" and "fun." Having ability to read music will help, but not necessary. However, persistence is needed to finish.
Cinque Terre
Buffalo Games, 2000 piecesCinque Terre is a picturesque village in Italy with colorfully painted terrace homes located on Mediterranean coast. Fans mention that the sea, sky, and left bottom corner are the hardest. Cinque Terre is also available in 1000 pieces from Buffalo and other brands.
Beneath the Sea
Ravensburger, 5000 piecesFans praise the puzzle’s beauty, but caution that the "blue sea can drive you insane." Make sure you have a suitable working space for this very large puzzle that measures 60 x 40 inches (152 x 102 cm) when assembled.
You Were the Chosen One
Buffalo Games, 2000 piecesDo, or do not. There is no try. A cinematic feast for Star Wars fans that encompass the original and prequel trilogy. Fans report it is a "beast", but "rewarding." The top corners are the hardest parts.
The Grand Tour
New York Puzzle Company, 1000 piecesBased on NASA’s space tourism posters, Visions of the Future. Fans rave about the "super striking image" and that it is "super fun" and "satisfying." If you like this puzzle, you may also enjoy Mars.
Pixels
Cloudberries, 1000 piecesA gradient type puzzle that looks deceptively "mind numbingly difficult", but in reality "not too difficult." Fans laud the colors and how enjoyable the puzzle is.
Most Everyone Is Mad
Ravensburger, 1000 piecesFeatures a whimsical and groovy illustration of Alice in Wonderland. Fans believe the puzzle is "cool", "amazing" and "nice." Average difficulty rating.
The Great Wave
Clementoni, 1000 piecesArt masterpiece by Hokusai. Fans indicate the puzzle is "tough, but fun." Supposedly the sky is the most challenging part. Eurographics, Flame Tree, and Piatnik are other brands that offer this masterpiece.
The Bizarre Bookshop No. 2
Ravensburger, 1000 piecesIllustrated by Colin Thompson. Fans proclaim that puzzle is "cute" , "quirky" and "very detailed." Several fans enjoy the pun-tiful book titles, such as To Grill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Pies, etc.
Marauder’s Map
Aquarius, 1000 piecesHarry Potter fans will quickly notice what the Marauder’s Map is about. Most fans say the puzzle is "worth it" even though very challenging. The maroon edges are the most challenging and frustrating part.
Houseplant Jungle
Galison, 1000 piecesFans mention it is "gorgeous" and "total eye candy." Other fans note that it is hard to get started, but once in the grove, the puzzle becomes super satisfying. Includes an insert that names all the plants.
Jonathan Adler Lips
Galison, 750 piecesFans express that this puzzle is "super cool" and has a Great Gatsby feel, especially with the gold outlines. However, they advise that it is very difficult because of irregular shaped pieces.
Memorable Disney Moments
Ravensburger, 40,3200 piecesMassive! Measures 22.4 x 6.3 ft (6.8 x 1.92 m) when assembled. Consists of ten different 4,032 piece puzzles. Brave fans mix all ten bags together versus solving one bag at a time. Fans hail how "awesome" and "impressive" it is.
Rainbow
Cobble Hill, 2000 piecesMassive! Measures 22.4 x 6.3 ft (6.8 x 1.92 m) when assembled. Consists of ten different 4,032 piece puzzles. Brave fans mix all ten bags together versus solving one bag at a time. Fans hail how "awesome" and "impressive" it is.
Sistine Chapel
Ravensburger, 5000 piecesFans feel "inspired" and "overwhelmed" by the puzzle. Most fans complete it in less than time than it took Michelangelo to finish the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. Recommendation is to sort and assemble the column and line pieces first.
Bombardment of Algiers
Ravensburger, 9000 piecesMonstrous puzzle that requires commitment, patience and focus. Fans exalt it as "daunting", "impressive", and "amazing." Comes in two pouches. Try mixing the two bags together for days of sorting. Measures 76 x 54 inches (193 x 137cm) assembled.
The Tower of Babel
Ravensburger, 5000 piecesTo complete this epic puzzle, one will need to reach out to the heavens for inspiration and persistence. Fans commend puzzle as "babelicious" and "tremendous." Ensure you have suitable working space before undertaking this puzzle. Measures 60 x 40 inches (152 x 102 cm) assembled.
Blazing With Color
Various, 1000 piecesSpectacular round puzzle with "mesmerizing" color wheel pattern. Reportedly, super easy and fast to solve. Available from various Asian brands.
Rainbow Hands
Galison, 750 piecesArtwork by Jonathan Adler. Features an uniquely shape rainbow spouting from a hand. Pieces’ irregular cut makes puzzle harder to solve. Fans acclaim puzzle as "beautiful" and "brilliant." However, some warn that quality is subpar.
Now House Vertigo
Galison, 1000 piecesDesign by Jonathan Adler. Fans "love" the bold colors and rave about the great gratifications they feel with this puzzle. Surprisingly, a relatively simple and quick puzzle to solve.
Naranjas
Galison, 1000 piecesGorgeous and beautiful to feast your eyes on. However, deceptively challenging due to oranges and wings looking similar to each other. Fans note puzzle has "great colors" and "mid-century vibe."
Gradient
Cloudberries, 1000 and 2000 piecesFans admire how puzzle is "insanely pretty", "therapeutic" and a "piece of art." Bright rainbow gradient that seems difficult, but in reality less difficult than expected. Also available in 2000 pieces for greater challenge.
One Dot at a Time
Ravensburger, 1500 piecesThis puzzle combines beauty and difficulty into a single masterpiece that makes it a top five puzzle of 2020. Fans applaud the puzzle’s beauty as "absolutely stunning" and difficulty as "worth the challenge."
Krypt (Black, Silver, Gold)
Ravensburger, 736, 654 and 631 piecesSeries consist of three different puzzles. Each puzzle has its own unique pattern and consist only of one color: black, silver, or gold. All three puzzles are very popular because of their difficulty. An answer sheet is provided, but foolhardy fans ignore it.
Color Challenge
Buffalo Games, 1000 piecesFavorite among many for the rich, vibrant colors. Fans extol it as "fantastic" and "hair pulling." Orange and red are the most challenging as there are lots of those pieces.
The Lines
Bgraamiens, 1000 piecesThis puzzle is the definition of insanity. Just thin straight black lines on a white field. Fans suggest it as "madness", "crazy", and "torture." Extremely challenging! However, clues are provided on the back of the pieces if help is needed.
5000 Colours
Clemens Habicht, 5000 piecesThe most popular jigsaw puzzle of 2020 so far. Probably, the largest gradient style puzzle, measuring 6.5 x 2.5 ft ( 2 x 0.8 m). Fans describe it as a "monster", "nightmare" and "incredible." Several fans mention that the dark/black gradient is the most difficult part.
Due to the pandemic, puzzles have become more popular. Therefore, new puzzles you want may be in short supply. An alternative is to check for used puzzles on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Lastly, exchanging puzzles on r/jigsawpuzzles subreddit or Nextdoor is another option.
Notably, key highlights of what we discovered in the analysis:
- Identified over 5000 different puzzles.
- More than 120 different puzzle brands.
- Most of the best puzzles have brilliant colors, amazing illustration, and high difficulty level.
- Some of the popular puzzles focused solely on extreme difficulty.
Methodology
Firstly, we mined all submissions posted on the subreddit r/jigsawpuzzles from start of January 1, 2020 to end of November 30, 2020 at GMT time . Secondly, we discarded duplicate submissions. Third, we only counted submissions with an identifiable brand, title, and number of pieces. In addition, each puzzle needs to have at least three submissions during the time frame to qualify. Rank is based on the aggregated vote total for all counted posts of qualified puzzles.
Last Updated: December 6, 2020
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