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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.
Scroll through gallery below to view the 30 best jigsaw puzzles of 2020:
30. Pokemon Challenge
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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Gotta catch 'em all! Highly sought after puzzle by Pokemon fans. Contains first generation Pokemons arranged in a colorful pattern. Fans state that puzzle is "cool", "lots of fun" and "not too difficult."
29.The Grand Tour
New York Puzzle Company | 1000 pieces
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Based 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 the Mars version.
28. The Bizarre Bookshop No.2
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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Illustrated 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.
27. Marauder's Map
Aquarius | 1000 pieces
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Harry Potter fans will quickly notice what the Marauder's Map is. Most fans say the puzzle is "worth it" even though very challenging. The maroon edges are the most challenging and frustrating part.
26. Magical Deer
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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Released in January 2020, this vertically oriented puzzle has quickly attracted fans that rave about its beauty and difficulty. Fans proclaim that puzzle is "majestic", "stunning" and "antlers are surprisingly tricky."
25. Pixels
Cloudberries | 1000 pieces
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A 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 .
24. Edward Gorey Untitled
Pomegranate | 1000 pieces
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Edward Gorey fans praise the illustration's "gorgeousness", while others thought it was "weird." Some puzzlers praised the quality, while others were disappointed by it. There was even mixed reaction on the difficulty. Most agree that puzzle is fun and the sky is challenging.
23. 101 Dalmations, Disney Collector's Edition
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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Fans mention the illustration is "cute", but warn that puzzle is "very challenging" due to the puppies. You'll be seeing "spots" at the end. Ravensburger offers Disney Collector's Edition puzzles for other characters, such as Aladdin, Cinderella, Frozen, The Lion King, etc.
22. Houseplant Jungle
Galison | 1000 pieces
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Fans mention it is "lush" 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.
21. Saguaro Forms and Cactus Flowers
Galison | 1000 pieces
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A "soothing" design withe gold foil that makes it very "eye catching". Most fans believe puzzle is a good challenge, not frustrating, and worth framing up.
20. Life
Educa | 24000 pieces
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Not a weekend project, this will take weeks to months to finish. Comes in four bags with 6,000 pieces each. Fans are "wow" by it. Make sure you have a suitable working space for this very large puzzle that measures 5ft (1.5m) tall x 14ft (4.3m) long when assembled.
19. Rainbow
Cobble Hill | 2000 pieces
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A cross between a gradient and "where is waldo" type puzzle. Fans exclaim puzzle as "lovely" and "beautiful." Sorting is supposedly fairly easy. Cobble Hill offers a 1000 piece version and a Rainbow Project, which consist of seven individuals 1000 piece puzzles with own color theme.
18. Sistine Chapel
Ravensburger | 5000 pieces
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Fans 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.
17. Most Everyone Is Mad
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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Features a whimsical and "groovy" illustration of Alice in Wonderland. Fans believe the puzzle is "cool", "amazing" and "nice." Average difficulty rating.
16. The Great Wave
Clementoni | 1000 pieces
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Art 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.
15. Lips
Galison | 750 pieces
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Fans express 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.
14. Naranjas
Galison | 1000 pieces
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Gorgeous 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."
13. Puzzler's Palette
Ravensburger | 1000 pieces
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So 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.
12. The Tower of Babel
Ravensburger | 5000 pieces
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To 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.
11. Gradient
Cloudberries | 1000 & 2000 pieces
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Fans 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.
10. Now House Vertigo
Galison | 1000 pieces
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Design 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.
9. Bombardment of Algiers
Ravensburger | 9000 pieces
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Monstrous 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.
8. One Dot at a Time
Ravensburger | 1500 pieces
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This puzzle combines beauty and difficulty into a single masterpiece that makes it a favorite puzzle of 2020. Fans applaud the puzzle's beauty as "absolutely stunning" and difficulty as "worth the challenge."
7. Rainbow Hand
Galison | 750 pieces
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Artwork by Jonathan Adler. Features an uniquely shaped rainbow spouting from a hand. Pieces have irregular cuts, which make puzzle harder to solve. Fans acclaim puzzle as "beautiful" and "brilliant". However, some warn that quality is subpar.
6. Blazing With Color
Various | 1000 pieces
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Spectacular round puzzle with "mesmerizing" color wheel pattern. Reportedly, super easy and fast to solve. Available from various unknown Asian brands.
5. Memorable Disney Moments
Ravensburger | 40,3200 pieces
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Super massive! 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", "impressive" and "frame worthy" it is.
4. The Lines
Bgraamiens | 1000 pieces
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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.
3. Color Challenge
Buffalo Games | 1000 pieces
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Favorite among many because of the rich, vibrant colors. Fans extol it as "fantastic" and "hair pulling". Orange and red are the most challenging as there are more of those pieces.
2. Krypt Series (Black, Silver, Gold)
Ravensburger | 736, 654 and 631 pieces
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Series consist of three different puzzles. Each puzzle has its own unique pattern and consist of only 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.
1. 5000 Colours
Clemens Habicht | 5000 pieces
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The 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
