1Ravensburger Sort & Go puzzle sorting trays
Sorting edges, sky and colours into piles is half the fun of a big jigsaw, and these trays keep the piles tidy. There are six sturdy plastic trays, each big enough for every piece of a 1000-piece puzzle. They link together like puzzle pieces, stack up and close, so a half-sorted puzzle can be put away.
Pros
- Six trays that stack and close.
- Each holds a whole 1000-piece puzzle.
Cons
- Takes up table space when they're all laid out.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Ravensburger product page ↗
2Jumbo Portapuzzle Standard, up to 1000 pieces
A Portapuzzle lets them pack away an unfinished jigsaw without breaking it up. It holds a puzzle up to 1000 pieces and 68 by 49cm, folds shut and fastens with three nylon straps, so the dining table can go back to being a table.
Pros
- Holds a 1000-piece puzzle in progress.
- Folds and fastens for moving or storing.
Cons
- Made of cardboard.
- Too small for puzzles over 1000 pieces.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Jumbo product page ↗
3ThinkFun Rush Hour logic game
Rush Hour is a sliding logic puzzle. They set up the cars and trucks from a challenge card, then shuffle them around the grid to get the red car out of the jam. There are 40 challenges from beginner to expert, and the pieces store in a drawer in the grid.
Pros
- 40 challenges from beginner to expert.
- Pieces store in a drawer in the grid.
- Quick to play, about 10 minutes.
Cons
- Keen solvers may finish all 40 quickly.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
ThinkFun product page ↗
4SmartGames IQ Puzzler Pro
IQ Puzzler Pro has 120 challenges in a pocket-sized case. They fit 12 colourful pieces onto the board to match each challenge, and some go 3D on a separate pyramid grid. The travel case has a clear lid, so it's handy on a train or plane.
Pros
- 120 challenges, in 2D and 3D.
- Travel case with a clear lid.
Cons
- Small pieces are easy to lose.
- Starts easy, so it's best for casual solvers.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
SmartGames product page ↗
5Hanayama Cast Enigma puzzle
Hanayama's cast metal puzzles look like small sculptures, and the Enigma is one of the hardest. It's a level 6 Grand Master puzzle designed by Eldon Vaughn, where they have to twist the swirled pieces apart and then put them back together.
Pros
- Level 6, the top difficulty.
- Looks good on a desk once it's solved.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Hanayama product page ↗
6Rubik's Cube 3x3
The Rubik's Cube has been around since 1980, with over 43 quintillion ways to scramble it and only one solution. The current cube has plastic tiles instead of stickers, so the colours won't peel, and a smoother mechanism that turns more easily. A beginner's guide can be downloaded for anyone starting out.
Pros
- Tiles instead of stickers, so they won't peel.
- Smoother, faster mechanism.
Cons
- Speed cubers may already own a faster cube.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Rubik's product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves puzzles
Jigsaw pictures are personal, so kit and logic puzzles are easier to get right. The best gifts for puzzle lovers make jigsaws easier to sort and store, or give them a fresh challenge. Check whether they're into jigsaws, brain teasers or both. A sorting set suits anyone who does big jigsaws.
How we picked these gifts for puzzle lovers
We picked each product for what puzzle lovers enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
