We Tested 3 Puzzle Subscriptions—This is the Best Puzzle of the Month Club
Updated: Aug. 14, 2024
We put together five puzzles from three different puzzle of the month club subscriptions. This is the service our resident hobbyists recommend.
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Subscription boxes come in a number of varieties that fit nearly every interest. These days, you can secure candle clubs, cookie of the month boxes and even wine subscriptions through dozens of different online services. There’s something to be said about receiving a monthly shipment that resonates with your interests. They also make excellent gifts for family and friends—especially food-based ones like our beloved Goldbelly subscription. But when it comes to subscription gifts, nothing quite excites me like a hobby-related pick. Enter: puzzle of the month clubs.
According to Jodi Jill, founder of National Puzzle Day and professional puzzle maker, a puzzle of the month club is a great way to explore the hobby without feeling overwhelmed. “Picking one jigsaw puzzle when at the store is sometimes hard, especially when you have a bunch you’d love to play,” she says. “Having a puzzle of the month club is a great way to budget your entertainment expenses (and reduce your temptations of buying too many jigsaw puzzles). A puzzle of the month club is also an awesome way to share your love of jigsaw puzzles with another puzzle enthusiast. I have given this gift in the past, and they call me every month to share their fun.”
With so many options available, our team of hobbyists tried three different options to see which puzzle of the month clubs are worth the splurge. While all were fun in their own right, one option completely blew us away: the Jiggy Puzzle Club.
What is a puzzle of the month club?
Puzzle of the month clubs, similar to gift of the month clubs, are essentially puzzle subscription boxes. Once you sign up for the service, a new puzzle automatically ships to you each month. Some puzzle subscriptions, like White Mountain, allow you to choose your own puzzles and deliver bi-monthly. Others, like Mary Maxim, offer two surprise puzzles each month.
When shopping for a puzzle of the month club, Jodi recommends keeping a few factors top of mind. “Art is the most important part of a puzzle,” she says. “If you think about it, when we solve a puzzle, it’s a relaxing emotional journey where you challenge yourself piece by piece. A great jigsaw puzzle starts with delightful art. When looking at options for a puzzle subscription, consider how the art feels to you. Do you like landscapes? Bright colors? Or subtle visions? The sky’s the limit as there are so many great puzzle companies that produce amazing images.”
What is Jiggy?
Jiggy is a puzzle company that rose to fame after appearing on Shark Tank in 2019. Growing substantially during the pivotal pandemic lockdown, Jiggy is now one of the biggest names in the world of jigsaw puzzles. This female-founded company specializes in artful, modern designs rather than classic works and compilations. Jiggy often partners with artists, collaborating on unique and gorgeous designs that are worthy of being framed and enjoyed throughout the years.
Jiggy’s art doesn’t just extend to artistic prints, either. Brands can collaborate with Jiggy to create their own jigsaw puzzles. Jiggy also offers a personalization option for those who prefer to turn their art or photos into jigsaw masterpieces.
VIA MERCHANT
Jiggy Puzzle Club
The Jiggy Puzzle Club is a fuss-free way to enjoy the newest trends in puzzle art, delivered right to your door!
Jiggy Puzzle Subscription Features
In addition to offering a la carte puzzles, Jiggy also offers the Jiggy Puzzle Club. Members get an exclusive 500-piece puzzle each month, plus VIP perks like early access to new products and opportunities to interact with Jiggy artists. Each puzzle also comes with a reusable drawstring bag.
Even better are the savings that come with being a subscriber. Members save up to 10% on puzzles by prepaying. A percentage of every sale also goes directly to the artist, meaning that it’s a great way to support creators. Additionally, you can skip or cancel your subscription easily at any time.
How We Tested It
We tested Jiggy’s puzzle club by—how else?—trying it ourselves! As a puzzle hobbyist who completes at least one puzzle per quarter, Jiggy’s 500-piece puzzle club appealed to me. When it arrived, I was stunned by how giftable the box was once it was outside the confines of its cardboard exterior. Each puzzle comes in a sleek branded box wrapped with a paper sleeve. The sleeve has the artwork for the puzzle printed on it—a cute preview of what’s inside.
Inside the box is a reusable pouch containing a sealed bag filled with pieces, plus a card with the puzzle art on one side and an in-depth description of the artist on the other. There’s also a handy QR code if you want to view the artist’s other pieces. My box contained artwork by Maggie Stephenson. I loved reading about her artwork and flipping through her digital profile to see what other pieces she created. It’s like receiving a little box of insight into an artist’s mind!
As for the puzzle itself, I found it an absolute joy to put together. While the experience differs depending on the artwork chosen, that’s the beauty of puzzle clubs. Given the bright colors and bold contrasts of Maggie’s work, I actually found this a bit less intimidating than other 500-piece puzzles I’ve put together. Each piece is accounted for, and by the end of the puzzle, I could definitely see why Jiggy prides itself on its frame-ready artwork. The final product is absolutely gorgeous!
Pros
- Gorgeous, frameable prints
- Exclusive puzzles
- Purchase supports artists
- Comes with a drawstring bag
- Early access to new products
Cons
- A bit pricey, but worth it
- No customization options
Why You Should Trust Me
I am an avid home cook and budding baker who has reviewed everything from baking subscription boxes to coffee machines. As Taste of Home’s resident food and drink review expert, I have ample experience researching for gift guides, comparing product features and breaking down mountains of data into easily digestible reviews. However, I’m not just all about that foodie lifestyle. I’m also a big-time board gamer and puzzle fanatic who has spent years perfecting my jigsaw game. I’ve written gift guides for the best horror board games and previously had a YouTube channel where I highlighted my favorite tabletop picks.
I also spoke to Jodi Jill, a professional puzzle maker. Jodi Jill is the founder of National Puzzle Day. Her goal of sharing her joy of puzzles on this special day (and beyond) has spanned 30 years. Her accomplishments include a weekly syndicated column called Brain Baffler, which has been seen in newspapers nationwide for over 20 years.
FAQ
What happened to Jiggy Puzzles after Shark Tank?
After its appearance on Shark Tank, Jiggy became something of a lockdown darling for those seeking a fun, indoor-focused hobby. To date, they’re still around and collaborating with brands like Anthropologie to create gorgeous, bespoke jigsaw puzzles.
Are Jiggy Puzzles worth it?
Those who enjoy framing their finished products will find Jiggy well worth the price. These modern art prints offer a quality that you can’t find anywhere else. Each puzzle comes with its own reusable drawstring bag, making it super easy to keep your pieces together throughout the process.
Are puzzle subscriptions worth it?
According to Jodi, puzzle subscriptions are a great investment for folks who enjoy the relaxing nature of the hobby. “A puzzle of the month club is a great way to remind yourself you need some self-care,” she says.”If you love jigsaw puzzles and your life is busy, knowing you have a jigsaw puzzle coming to your door means you need to schedule YOU time!”
Other Puzzle Subscriptions We Tested
In addition to Jiggy’s puzzle club, we also tried Mary Maxim‘s puzzle subscription and White Mountain‘s monthly puzzle subscription box. Of these options, Jiggy falls into the mid-price range, ringing up at around $35 per month next to White Mountain’s $40 per month subscription and Mary Maxim’s $17 per month option.
White Mountain
While we enjoyed the White Mountain puzzle subscription for its wide variety of options, we felt the price was steep. Additionally, this service sends two puzzles bimonthly rather than one or two puzzles per month, which may not work for everyone.
This is also a service where you choose your own puzzles from a preset pool of options rather than offering a surprise puzzle each month. There are no additional savings or any benefits included, either. Because of this, we felt that it differed very little from simply purchasing two puzzles each month.
Mary Maxim
Mary Maxim’s puzzle subscription is an amazing deal at around $17 monthly. Each month, members receive two surprise puzzles in their choice of 300-piece, 500-piece or 1000-piece options. Puzzles come from various brands, meaning that no two months are the same. We love the ability to customize each option based on skill level, and each subscription is the same price across the board.
For my one-month subscription, I received a train puzzle and a “love shack” beach puzzle, both of which are 500-piece puzzles. Personally, I enjoy the surprise aspect—it feels like receiving a gift each month. While the art styles aren’t what I’d usually go for (and they’re not bespoke like Jiggy’s), it was fun putting together puzzles that fell a little outside of my comfort zone. For folks who go through a lot of puzzles, this is a great opportunity to save some money while enjoying your relaxing hobby. The ability to customize it to your skill level is a bonus!
Final Verdict
For those who enjoy traditional jigsaw puzzles with classic art, Jiggy may not be for you. But if you appreciate more modern prints and want to frame your puzzles after completion, Jiggy’s puzzle of the month club is an amazing deal. Each piece of art is gorgeous, colorful and a total joy to put together. The bonuses that come with the puzzle subscription are well worth the price, especially given that a percentage of each purchase goes directly to the artist. If you’re a hobbyist or want to find the perfect gift for the puzzle lover in your life, you can’t go wrong with a prepaid Jiggy puzzle subscription.
How to Sign Up for Jiggy Puzzle of the Month Club
EMILY WAY/ TASTE OF HOME
Jiggy Puzzle Club
The Jiggy Puzzle Club is a fuss-free way to enjoy the newest trends in puzzle art, delivered right to your door!
Signing up for the Jiggy Puzzle Club is simple. Just head over to their puzzle subscription page, then add it to your cart and check out as normal. From there, your card will automatically be charged monthly, and a new puzzle will arrive right at your door—no difficult choices or pricing out puzzles required.
Originally Published: August 14, 2024
