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50 Of The Hardest Puzzles That Are So Entertaining To Start Yet So Difficult To Finish
What is it with humans that makes us love to take on a challenge at our own leisure? Like, instead of spending a rainy day lying on our back and looking at the ceiling, we choose to do something that terrorizes our brain a good deal? You know, like grabbing a carton of pieces from the world's hardest puzzle, pouring them all out, and submitting ourselves to the challenge. When you think of it, it does sound kinda weird, right? Well, weirdos or not, we share the passion for hardest puzzles, and this is our list naming some of the cool jigsaw puzzles you'll have a hard-yet-pleasurable time assembling.
As you're about to see, these jigsaws aren't just hard because of their weird-shaped pieces. They are hard because of the images they display, too. Take, for instance, the jigsaw puzzle depicting intersecting lines. Like a million of them! Or the brainteaser puzzle where you have to assemble a gorgeous image of very charming fried beans. Now that's truly something!
So, get ready and scroll on down below to check out our submissions to the title of the hardest puzzle ever! Have you assembled any of them? If so, do let us know in the comments! And hopefully, you'll still find some new and cool puzzles to torture your brain with.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Pixel Challenge
A B C the Third 3 years ago
Yeah... no. Absolutely not. I want to keep that bit of sanity I have left.
RELATED:
#2
1000-Piece Cmyk Color Gamut Jigsaw Puzzle By Designer Clemens Habicht
Disgruntled Panda 3 years ago
These puzzles are literally the easiest, you know in advance exactly where each piece has to go, no two are the same colour. I have this one and the 5000 piece one and they are super therapeutic
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 3 years ago
I have this puzzle, I didn't find it difficult at all. I can complete it in about 20 minutes now. I find it my most relaxing puzzle.
Disgruntled Panda 3 years ago
That's 5 pieces every 6 second!! It takes me that long to turn them all right side up 🙈
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#3
Twisted 3D Colorful Squares Puzzle
Scott Rackley 3 years ago
edges first, then center on the ridges to the corners, then the puzzles tells you to go fk yourself
#4
Infinite Galaxy Puzzle
Tobias Case 3 years ago
Hardest jigsaw puzzle, ever. Two-sided, and every piece is unique
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Mama Panda 3 years ago
I'm not crazy about the maze looking thing in the middle but I would love to get this one a try
Tamara Kroonen 3 years ago
Hidden rocket, astronaut and satellite according to Jade S below.
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#5
Moon Jigsaw Puzzle
Marianne Luginbuhl 3 years ago
I did this one. Ordered from Amazon. Gave it a terrible review cuz the pieces don't stay put.
#6
Natural Grass
#7
Krypt
Ivana Bašić 3 years ago
Single solid colour is actually easier than shades of the same colour or lots of tiny details, like waves.
Tiny Guy 3 years ago
Noooooooooooooooooooooo! the horror! Of an all-white color! All the pieces look the same! The whole worlds turning white now! *me over reacting*
Keller Worthen 3 years ago
It took my family of 6 people, 3 weeks to complete
Load More Replies... Pieter LeGrande 3 years ago
I used to have a 1000 piece jigsaw - circle, arithmetic spiral arrangement, plain red, and every piece the same basic shape except the central piece, the end piece and the edge pieces that had one smooth side. When I say 'same basic shape' I mean two knobs outwards and two holes inwards, and each piece having slightly curved sides to match the spiral pattern. You had to move a middle piece maybe a full spiral turn to get a visibly different shape. It was a b....y nightmare.
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 3 years ago
Yep tried this one in black and it is the only puzzle I ever gave up on.
BakedKahuna 3 years ago
The Ravensburger Krypt Gold was one of my puzzle enemies so far. It's half done and still on the table since Easter. Funny fact is, the Krypt Gradient has the same shape and I had no problems finishing it.
TuesdayDangerGirl 3 years ago
same, I have this in black. still only 1/2 done
Load More Replies... #8
Bookshelf Dam
NoDak Pirate 3 years ago
I imagine, a frog in a robe, with his feet up, smoking a pipe and read for hours, when I look at this.
Robin DJW 3 years ago
The apparent underlying meaning is ominous, though: Read (remove) more books and eventually you are killed by a dam breaking. Sorry. Don't like this one.
Henry Myers 3 years ago
I mean, I see where you're coming from, but I disagree. First off, I don't know about you, but when I read a book, I put it back on the shelf, instead of leaving it on the ground. Second, the books are on a shelf. It isn't the books themselves that is holding back the water, but instead, the shelf. However, I see where you are coming from and I respect your opinion.
Load More Replies... #9
Mars
TheBreadKnight 3 years ago
I like space too! Also the deep ocean. Specifically the deep ocean, where light doesn’t reach.
Load More Replies... A B C the Third 3 years ago
Now tell me, is that really mars at all or just another chorizo sausage? :D
A B C the Third 3 years ago (edited)
https://www.vice.com/en/article/akeemk/chorizo-james-webb-space-telescope - that was my first time not being able to keep down the laughter while at work.
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Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
This is the exact same cut pattern as the Moon one. Would be fun to mix the two. Artist Tim Klein figured out that most puzzle companies have at most 3 or 4 patterns and they can be used to do wonderful mash-ups. Do an image search of his name to see many more like this one: montage-pu...95c2eb.jpg 
Scott Rackley 3 years ago
They are cut by something called a "steel rule die" which is basically a set of very sharp razor blades standing on edge (best way I know how to explain it). While cheap to build, they are a pain to sharpen and maintain. Hence why they invest in only so many patterns.
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Miguel justino C 3 years ago
I thought it was Earth after we destroyed it completely! Bad thoughts
#10
Starry Night Over The Rhone
FlamingoPanda 3 years ago
Friend has a similar one, we have been pecking away at it for months now
Kelly Aitken 3 years ago
I've done this one! It was most definitely one of the hardest so far, but the last supper was the worst!
#11
Natural Pool
Monique Reed 3 years ago
This whole list can just be titled "What not to give me for Christmas"
#12
Geometric Colorful Mandala
#13
The Lines
That Smart Frog 3 years ago
My aunt got me this as a gag gift. I think it gave me an aneurysm, but I managed to finish it.
My Full Name Is Way Too Long 3 years ago
If you did then you're definitely one very smart frog! :)
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My Full Name Is Way Too Long 3 years ago
It gives me one just looking at it.
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Elizabeth She/They or They/She 3 years ago
That might be some hair, just not from where u think…… 💬
#14
Rainbow Gradient
#15
Purple Succulents
#16
Beverly Micro Pure White Hell Jigsaw Puzzle
novasoup (she/her) 3 years ago
i mean, it looks pretty repetitive... seems like itd be more tedious than difficult
pink_panda 3 years ago
Especially since all the pieces are the same basic shape. Ugh. I know I waste a lot of time in my life... But I don't have time for this!
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Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano 3 years ago
It would be cool if there was a kit with a solved puzzle like this so you could paint it and give it as a gift!
Load More Replies... Heather Talma 3 years ago
You put it together, paint something on it, and take it apart again to make your own puzzle.
Sue Denham 3 years ago
The puzzle pieces all look the same shape so it wouldn't be that tricky.
RandomHumanBean 3 years ago
its probably really easy cuz the pieces are all the same except the edges. it just lookes tedious, not diffivult
#17
Nature In Nocturne
#18
In The Hive
Mattewis88 3 years ago
My trypophobia can't decide whether I find this unsettling ... just enough not to want to prolong my gaze.
Molly Block 3 years ago
This one should come with a jar of honey, as a bonus. Because you're going to need that extra boost of energy to finish this puzzle! Hmm, maybe I'm on to something here. Puzzles should come with some kind of a bonus item, as part of the gift.
#19
Nebula Galaxy
Alisa LaVine 3 years ago
Right? One exploding star does not make a galaxy. I wonder which nebula this is.
Load More Replies... #20
Gears
Rosemary Booth 3 years ago
I really love it from a visual perspective, but does it bother anyone else that none of the cog's teeth line up?
#21
Dalmatians
Ranger Kanootsen 3 years ago
What's the point in a double side?? You're not gonna see the reverse side anyway.
tweeve 3 years ago
I got this one for my dad, he loved puzzles. He did eventually complete it. But he did say it was the hardest puzzle he ever did and to never get him another one like that as it was just plain evil. Same picture on each side, as his original though was to do it upside down, but with the same picture it wouldn't work.
Lady Goldberry 3 years ago
I got my ex a double sided puzzle of a cross word. Different clues for each side, so you completed the puzzle before doing the crosswords.
Karen Tape 3 years ago
Had a friend do this. He was a puzzle wizard but this one pissed him off. He did complete it though
#22
Forest In Black And White
#23
Optical Illusion
#24
Astrophotography
#25
Sun
Molly Block 3 years ago
This one looks like that slice of churizo that guy was trying to pass off as a photo of a new planet!!
Marianne Luginbuhl 3 years ago
I did this one. 30 dollar puzzles should have quality pieces that stay together. This one did not.
Alisa LaVine 3 years ago
I doesn't even look like the sun. The sun never has that many cool spots at once. It's just weird.
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#27
Astrology
Argle Bargle 3 years ago
Ok, has anybody else just added a whole pile of new puzzles to their shopping lists, and then can't decide which is the best one to actually get, and has just defcided to buy them all? Just me then.
Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
I'm with ya, though right now I don't have the table space to do puzzles. Soon, I hope
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#28
Earth
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
Mars, Moon, Gears, Earth are all the same. Look at the center piece and they're identical.
#30
The Universe
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago (edited)
Fifth one with the same cut pattern as several other round ones. Edit: Not all the round ones, just the Moon, Mars, Earth, and Gears.
#31
Feather Fractal Artistic Design
#33
Zentangle Dragonfly
#34
Aurora
#35
Panorama
Karen Tape 3 years ago
#1 I don't have a mirror cone #2 it kinda hurts my eyes. I would never get through this one! Very clever though.
Argle Bargle 3 years ago
Ooh, is this one where you put a mirrored cone in the middle and it shows the true picture?
#36
Almond Blossom
#37
Flowing Rainbow Lines
That Smart Frog 3 years ago
I have this one and it's actually pretty easy; there are letters on the back of the pieces so you can split them into sections. Sorting the pieces is more exhausting than actually doing the puzzle lol
#38
Map Of The Universe
#39
Gradient Jigsaw Puzzle
Ann Mohrmann 3 years ago
These are actually fairly easy, I've done a few. Relaxing.
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#40
Candy Balls
#41
Where's Waldo?
Katy McMouse 3 years ago
Am I the only nimrod who sat for twenty minutes trying to find Waldo? I'm coming back once I find my glasses.
Ranger Kanootsen 3 years ago
I found him! He's on the far left of the box, staring into my soul.
#42
Natural Forest
#43
Penguins
#44
Colored Cubes
#45
Pencil Collage
#47
Lovely Dots
#49
Metropuzzle Chicago
Tammy Wait 3 years ago
Why is the 3-D puzzle not included? I have done a castle and a farm house. Now they are a challenge.
#50
It's Nutz
#52
Mickey Mouse And Friends
#53
Blooming Color
#55
Historical Map Of The World
Katy McMouse 3 years ago (edited)
I have one similar to this but way busier and it took me most of lockdown to finally admit defeat.
#58
Sistine Chapel
#59
Pirate's Map
Shyla Clay 3 years ago
Ahoy there, Matey. Aaaaargh, that piece doesn't go there'. Walk the plank (after you put it together)!
#62
I11usion
#67
Black White Striped Lines
#72
‘Impossible’ Transparent Puzzle
Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
That’s a hard nope from me! 🤣 (And I’m a puzzle geek! But I’d be hurting someone by the time I finished…)
#75
Retro Lace Mandala
Helen Waight 3 years ago
I’ve embroidered a lot of things that are similar to this and it can really mess with your eyes when you look away after an hour!
#76
Butterfly Kisses
spiritual ninja 3 years ago
i have one of these, it is one of few puzzles that i like redoing every few years
Bamamom2boys 3 years ago
I have one of these also. It's a Christmas theme. I loved putting it together. I've done it several times now
#79
Natural Sand
#86
Colour Boom Collage
#87
Retro Art Squares
#88
Butterfly Migration
#89
Houseplant Jungle
Monique Reed 3 years ago
Start with the leaves there is one of--maidenhair fern, pink begonia, Dizygotheca...
#95
Space Explorers
#102
Harry Potter
#108
The World Of Sherlock Holmes
#110
Buncha Masks
#111
The World Of Cats
Shyla Clay 3 years ago
Bouche liked this one. Of course, he just wants to bat the pieces across the floor....
#112
Chekered Pattern
#121
Evolution Of Military Aircraft
Monique Reed 3 years ago
I swear my aircraft nut husband and his aircraft nut buddies could do this without the cover. "Oh, look! It's the nose of a P-38"
Lene 3 years ago
I would LOVE to see a bunch of guys solving this puzzle like that. I just adore it when ppl are so extremely interested in a very specific topic.
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#142
Donut Shop
Monique Reed 3 years ago
When you lick the pieces, they warp and don't fit together so well...
Add New Image
What do you think ?
SOPHIA BARTLETT 3 years ago
I CAN FINALLY SHARE! a year or so ago i bought a set of three 1000 piece puzzles. the pieces together made three funky shaped pieces of the total puzzle. when you finished, there was a bonus packet where you had to shift the three giant pieces to make a space in the middle which is where you put together the bonus puzzle, which made a new picture! i had so much fun. i know one of the puzzles was called the happy isles and one was the happy(or sunny?) city
BakedKahuna 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing! That's definitely on my list now
Load More Replies... Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
I’ve done a few of these, and loved them! The solid color ones are a hard pass, however. I’m not THAT masochistic! 🤣
Monique Reed 3 years ago
My mother is a puzzle fiend. We tried everything we could think of to come up with a puzzle that would take her more than a day. The one that was just silver rainbow-holograph mylar slowed her a bit. One year I mixed three puzzles together (after taking out all but four corner pieces) so she had to do three at once. But the one she cursed us most for was a photo taken in rustic cider cellar--gold sunlight with dust motes, golden brown wood, golden apples, etc. Basically all shades of the same color. She could only work on it for about an hour a day when the natural daylight was *just so.*
Mila Preradović 3 years ago
I bought this beautiful 1500 puzzle, Mykonos at sunset, as a therapy when the second earthquake that year hit my country. Took me and my 6-yo about two weeks to finish. When it was done there was one extra piece, a double one. I couldn't stop thinking about some poor soul, sometimes, somewhere, who could never finish their puzzle becsuse I had their last piece🙈
Ns Slavgorodskaya 3 years ago
Some of the puzzles are a real challenge, some are not difficult at all. Gradients are easier, than everyone thinks. ps. It would be great not to include knockoff/unlicensed puzzle into a legit list. We shouldn't support such business.
SOPHIA BARTLETT 3 years ago
I CAN FINALLY SHARE! a year or so ago i bought a set of three 1000 piece puzzles. the pieces together made three funky shaped pieces of the total puzzle. when you finished, there was a bonus packet where you had to shift the three giant pieces to make a space in the middle which is where you put together the bonus puzzle, which made a new picture! i had so much fun. i know one of the puzzles was called the happy isles and one was the happy(or sunny?) city
BakedKahuna 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing! That's definitely on my list now
Load More Replies... Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
I’ve done a few of these, and loved them! The solid color ones are a hard pass, however. I’m not THAT masochistic! 🤣
Monique Reed 3 years ago
My mother is a puzzle fiend. We tried everything we could think of to come up with a puzzle that would take her more than a day. The one that was just silver rainbow-holograph mylar slowed her a bit. One year I mixed three puzzles together (after taking out all but four corner pieces) so she had to do three at once. But the one she cursed us most for was a photo taken in rustic cider cellar--gold sunlight with dust motes, golden brown wood, golden apples, etc. Basically all shades of the same color. She could only work on it for about an hour a day when the natural daylight was *just so.*
Mila Preradović 3 years ago
I bought this beautiful 1500 puzzle, Mykonos at sunset, as a therapy when the second earthquake that year hit my country. Took me and my 6-yo about two weeks to finish. When it was done there was one extra piece, a double one. I couldn't stop thinking about some poor soul, sometimes, somewhere, who could never finish their puzzle becsuse I had their last piece🙈
Ns Slavgorodskaya 3 years ago
Some of the puzzles are a real challenge, some are not difficult at all. Gradients are easier, than everyone thinks. ps. It would be great not to include knockoff/unlicensed puzzle into a legit list. We shouldn't support such business.
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