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You’ve come to the right place if you’ve never bought a puzzle for yourself or someone else. If you love puzzles and want to keep your mind sharp or have kids who love discovering how different puzzles work, you’ll be happy to know hundreds of options are available. 

The world of puzzles is larger, and there’s always something new to try out, but having so many available options can also be a challenge. After all, when so many products are available, choosing the right one can prove difficult. 

Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll quickly discuss all the crucial factors you must consider regardless of who you’re buying the puzzle for. 

Understanding the different types of puzzles 

For most people, puzzles start and stop with jigsaw puzzles, but there are many other types available. You need to know them so you can pick the right option: 

• Jigsaw puzzles: Classic puzzles contain many smaller pieces that users must combine to create a full picture or scene. 
• 3D puzzles: 3D puzzles are upgraded jigsaw puzzles that bring in the third dimension and allow users to create more visually appealing structures. 
• Mechanical puzzles: Mechanical puzzles allow users to manipulate different mechanisms and objects to create and activate models.    
• Logic puzzles: These puzzles come in all sizes and shapes and are usually simple contraptions that require logic, critical thinking, and deductive capabilities to unlock or combine. 
• Physical puzzles: Many puzzles fit into this category. However, physical puzzles are different from Rubik’s Cube puzzles in that they require assembling something while solving various problems. 

These are just some of the general categories, and there are many types of puzzles available. 

Finding the suitable difficulty 

There are no one-size-fits-all criteria when it comes to determining the difficulty of a puzzle. However, whether you’re buying a puzzle online or in a store, you can quickly get information about its difficulty. 

Manufacturers always design different variations of their puzzles to ensure different level players can have fun with them. Take the time to assess your experience and knowledge before you can actually select the puzzle. Some general factors that affect the overall difficulty are the size of the puzzle, its complexity, and age.  

Consider the user’s age 

Even though some might think that puzzles are only for teenagers, they can be very complex. Yes, you can buy puzzles for people of all ages, excluding toddlers, unless they are specially made in large sizes so they can’t swallow them. The first thing to consider, of course, is the difficulty. 

You don’t want to get a puzzle for preschoolers if the person is over 20 years old. The next factor to consider is the number of parts. Take the time to learn about the complexity and recommended age. Ultimately, choose a puzzle that’s properly themed for the person’s age. 

Find the right theme

The theme is an important factor when considering someone’s age. However, getting someone a puzzle they’ll be really into is also important. For example, if you or the person you’re buying a puzzle for is into cyberpunk and mechanics, you should find a puzzle with this theme. 

Various puzzle themes include animals, movies, pop art, music, etc. Consider the hobbies and interests of the future owner. If you give someone a puzzle with the right one, they’ll be even more passionate about it. 

Is the puzzle unique and visually appealing? 

Puzzles have come a long way. There are many options to consider outside of the typical jigsaw puzzles. Brands compete in the market and try to deliver visually astonishing and unique puzzles that people and their friends will remember. 

There are different quality levels of puzzles, and you can expect a higher price when choosing options that look amazing, have intricate details, and offer durability. Various options with a personalized touch, custom art puzzles, and boutique puzzles make them even more unique and special. 

Does the puzzle have a collector’s value? 

Even though puzzles are meant to be played, many people cherish their value as unique objects with artistic value. If the person is a “one-time puzzler,” it’s better to go with something simple and less expensive. However, if the person is a collector, you should look for new, custom, unique, and rare puzzles. 

That’s why interlocking and mechanical puzzles are very valuable to collectors. They are made of unique quality materials and look fantastic as collector’s items when displayed properly. They can even impress people who don’t like puzzles. 

Think about special features 

Special features are anything a puzzle has that further improves its value and adds a unique twist. For example, when buying a puzzle, you should also look at the packaging. If the manufacturer has made an effort to make the packaging unique and appealing, you can expect a high-quality product. 

On the other hand, some puzzles can even move, shine, generate sounds, move in the digital world with AR, contain hidden images, etc. Look for that “wow” effect when evaluating your options because nobody wants to have a simple puzzle that won’t be remembered. 

Consider the price 

Price is paramount when you’re buying something. Consider your budget and how much it means to you to buy a specific puzzle. However, the puzzle should objectively justify its value. For example, if the puzzle is fun and engaging, its price will increase. 

On the other hand, if it’s made out of quality and expensive materials like metal, you can’t expect a really low price. The brand behind the puzzle, its size, and its design all affect the final price. Ultimately, the more popular a puzzle is, the higher its price. 

Conclusion 

Ultimately, picking the right puzzle for yourself or as a gift requires time and patience. Apart from these factors, you should also check the brand’s reputation behind the puzzle and see what delivery options and conditions you get.