How to Choose a Puzzle Table or Jigsaw Puzzle Board
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A puzzle board gives your puzzle a home that is not the dining table. A flat board can slide under a sofa when company comes, and the pieces stay put. Here is how the main types differ and how to pick a size.
Four kinds, from simple to big
| Type | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Roll-up mat | Small homes, low cost | Rolling can shift pieces; no sorting space. |
| Portable board with drawers | Most puzzlers | Heavier to carry. Needs a table under it. |
| Spinning board | Reaching every side from one chair | Takes up a round space. |
| Table with legs | A dedicated puzzle spot | Biggest, and usually costs the most. |
A roll-up puzzle mat is the simple choice. A puzzle board with drawers is what many puzzlers move to next, because the drawers double as sorting trays. A rotating puzzle board turns, so you can reach the far side without standing up. A puzzle table with legs is for the household that always has a puzzle going.
Size it to your biggest puzzle
Boards are often sold by the largest puzzle they hold, such as 1000 or 1500 pieces. Check the finished size printed on your usual puzzle box and compare it with the board's working area, not its outside size. Leave room around the edges for loose pieces. If you mostly do large piece puzzles, remember that their finished size is bigger than the piece count suggests.
Comfort for older puzzlers
- Tilt. Some tables tilt toward you, so you lean over less.
- Height. A table with legs should sit at a height you can reach from your favorite chair.
- Light. Some tables have a built-in light. A good lamp beside a plain board works too.
- Weight. If you will carry the board, check its weight in the listing.
- Surface. Felt or a soft surface keeps pieces from sliding when the board moves.
Covers and sorting trays
A cover keeps cats, dust and small hands off a puzzle in progress. Some boards come with one. Separate puzzle sorting trays help you group edges and colors, and they stack when you are done.
What to skip
- A board sized exactly to your puzzle. You need spare room for loose pieces.
- Listings that give only the outside size. Ask for the working area.
- Thin boards with no stiffness if you plan to move the puzzle around.
Try a puzzle free first
Between boxes, try our free online jigsaw puzzles, from 9 to 100 pieces. And if you are choosing the puzzle too, our guide to jigsaw puzzles for seniors covers piece counts and pictures.
Quick checklist
- Pick a type: mat, board with drawers, spinner or table.
- Compare working area with your puzzle's finished size.
- Leave room for loose pieces.
- Drawers or trays for sorting.
- A cover if you have pets or kids.
- Check weight if you will carry it.
- Tilt and height for comfort.
Questions
What size puzzle board do I need for 1000 pieces?
Compare the board's working area with the finished size on your puzzle box, and leave extra room for loose pieces. A board one size up gives you that room.
Is a roll-up mat good enough?
For occasional puzzling, yes. Rolling can shift pieces, and there is no space for sorting, so a board suits regular puzzlers better.
Why get a spinning puzzle board?
It turns, so you can reach every side of the puzzle from one chair.