Ravensburger 09515, Day at The Races 60 Piece Puzzle for Kids, Every Piece is Unique, Pieces Fit Together Perfectly
Refresh your browser window to try again. 5 4 3 2 1 Durable Would recommend Entertaining Excellent puzzle; age appropriate and great quality. Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Jigsaw Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Jigsaw Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like You know that feeling when you’re halfway through a puzzle, and suddenly, the pieces don’t fit right, or the image looks blurry? Ugh, it’s frustrating! For any puzzler, quality can make or break your experience. For me, puzzles are not only a pastime—they’re a way to unwind and spend quality time with family. But not all puzzles are created equal. If you’ve ever bought a puzzle only to regret it later because of flimsy pieces or poor designs, you know exactly what I’m talking about. This guide will help you identify the traits of a high-quality puzzle so you can enjoy every piece and every moment. Here’s the thing: puzzles are meant to last, especially if you’re spending good money on them. Cheap puzzles might seem like a steal, but they usually come with a host of problems—pieces that tear easily, images that peel, or worse, pieces that fit in more than one place. A high-quality puzzle (/puzzle-brands) not only gives you a smoother experience, but it’s also more durable. Have you ever tried to frame a poorly made puzzle? It’s almost impossible because the pieces warp or don’t align perfectly. High-quality puzzles, on the other hand, hold up over time, whether you’re framing them (/puzzles/how-to-frame-a-puzzle-with-or-without-glue) or breaking them down to redo later. Overall, to spot a high-quality puzzle you need to check 5 key features: The material is the backbone of any good puzzle. High-quality puzzles use sturdy, thick cardboard that feels satisfying to handle. If you’ve ever worked on a puzzle where the pieces bent just from picking them up, you’ll know why this matters. This also applies to other puzzle types, like those made from wood or metal. Wooden puzzles not only feel luxurious but also last for generations. Sure, they cost more, but a high-quality wooden puzzle is worth every penny. Most of the time you won't be able to test the quality of the pieces before you buy because the box is sealed. But if you have the opportunity, repeat the following: Nothing ruins a puzzle faster than blurry or poorly aligned images. High-quality puzzles have sharp, vibrant designs that look just as good in the box as they do assembled. I’ve made the mistake of buying a puzzle with a beautiful box image, only to find the actual pieces looked dull and washed out. Another thing to look for is the finish. Glossy puzzles might seem appealing, but they often cause glare under bright lights (/puzzles/how-do-you-reduce-glare-on-a-puzzle) . A matte finish is your best friend—it reduces reflections and makes it easier to work for hours without straining your eyes. Lower quality puzzles usually use stock photos or AI generated photos. There are great puzzles out there that use photos but not every photograph fits a puzzle. What I mean is - you can't simply pick any stock photo and turn it into a puzzle without some well-thought process. Numbers on the back. Although not always the case, lower-quality puzzles usually have numbers or letters on the back. I don't know why they use this “feature” but this is one indication of mass produced puzzles, especially from countries like China. You can tell a lot about a puzzle by how its pieces fit together. High-quality puzzles have pieces that lock firmly without forcing. You shouldn’t have to jam them in place or deal with that annoying feeling of a loose fit. Every time you buy a new puzzle brand ask yourself the following: If you answered YES to most of the questions above, there are higher chances you're facing a lower quality puzzle. Another indication of quality is puzzle dust. Great puzzles usually produce minimal dust. If you open the box and find a ton of cardboard crumbs, it’s usually a bad sign. Always check for variety in piece shapes. Cheap puzzles usually use regular “grid cut”, where all the pieces are too similar, or you have only 4 or 5 different shapes. In higher quality puzzles every piece is unique and fits in a single place. This makes the assembly process more engaging and less frustrating. Believe it or not, the box can tell you a lot about a puzzle’s quality. A sturdy, well-designed box protects the pieces and makes storage a breeze. Look for puzzles and resealable bags—they’re a lifesaver for keeping pieces organized. I’ve also learned to appreciate clear labeling . High-quality puzzles often include details like the artist’s name or a backstory about the image. It adds a nice personal touch and shows that the brand cares about its product. One red flag? Thin, flimsy boxes. They might look fine on the shelf, but they won’t last long—and that usually reflects the quality of the puzzle itself. Certain brands are synonymous with quality. Ravensburger (/puzzles/ravensburger-jigsaw-puzzles) , Gibsons (/puzzles/gibsons-puzzles-guide) , and Clementoni are a few that consistently deliver. These brands invest in materials, design, and precision, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth. Don’t underestimate the power of reviews , either. It doesn't matter if it's a well-known or a young puzzle brand, online reviews are a treasure trove of insights from fellow puzzlers. Look for mentions of piece fit, image quality, and overall satisfaction. And if the manufacturer has awards or certifications, even better—that’s a sure sign they take their craft seriously. Let’s be real: great puzzles aren’t cheap. But they’re worth it. Investing in a high-quality puzzle saves you from the headaches of flimsy pieces, blurry images, and wasted time. That said, you don’t have to break the bank. Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, or even secondhand options (/puzzles/where-can-i-donate-puzzles) . I’ve found some amazing deals at thrift stores. Another great idea is to swap puzzles (/puzzles/how-to-exchange-puzzles) with friends or at events. Puzzle competitions (/puzzles/what-is-competitive-puzzling) or a local puzzle community are great places to ask for brand recommendations and to check puzzle quality. Spotting a high-quality puzzle isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of know-how. From sturdy materials to designs and precision cuts, the details make all the difference. Next time you’re shopping, remember these tips—and don’t settle for less. Don’t forget to share this article with anyone who is looking for a new puzzle brand, or just searching for something different.