A Bits & Pieces Puzzles Review – They Are Unforgettable
A classic brand offering vibrant, random-cut puzzles with high challenge and a distinct, charming style that lives up to their long-standing mail-order catalog legacy.
*Originally published on MyPuzzleDay.com — April 9, 2023*
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bits & Pieces is a long-standing name in the puzzling world, having operated a popular mail-order catalog since the early 1980s. A partner to the historic Spilsbury brand, the company is known for its diverse catalog, which includes both jigsaw puzzles and unique gifts. Bits & Pieces puzzles are defined by their random cut style, which offers an engaging and often unpredictable challenge for puzzlers.
Just The Deets!
• Company History: Mail-order catalog since the early 80’s; partner to Spilsbury.
• Piece Cut: Random Cut (Irregular and unpredictable shapes)
• Piece Fit: Snug
• False Fits: No
• Piece Gauge: 2.1 mm
• Puzzle Finish: Glossy
• Reference Poster: No
• Dust Level: High
• Puzzle Size 1000 Piece: 20″ × 27″
• Made in China
Image Quality & Themes
Bits & Pieces is praised for its bright, vivid colors and generally clear images with sharp contrasts, which aids in piece placement. While occasional resolution issues can pop up with the most intricate designs, the overall image quality is strong.
They offer a diverse range of themes, including a large selection of unique images:
Cartoons and Humor
Cities and Architecture
Collage and Mosaic Designs
Fantasy and Whimsical
Holiday and Seasonal
Nature and Landscapes
Nostalgic and Vintage Art
Shaped Puzzles
Still Life
✋ Hands On Experience
The most difficult part for me was my expectation of a piece fitting where I thought it would go only to find out that it didn’t... That isn’t something you can do with a random cut puzzle.
The defining feature of this brand is the random cut style. Since the pieces are irregular and unpredictable, this adds a significant level of challenge—especially toward the end when you might typically sort pieces by shape. This brand is a great choice if you’re looking for an extra bit of difficulty!
The pieces are sturdy at a 2.1 mm gauge and offer a snug fit with no false fits. However, one key drawback is the high level of puzzle dust found in the box. While a reference poster is not typically included, the image on the box is generally sufficient for assembly.
Bits & Pieces also offers a popular line of jigsaw puzzle accessories, such as the Spinning Wooden Puzzle Plateau and the Foldaway Puzzle Table. (A note on customer experience: While the brand offers a replacement guarantee, one reader noted the 60-day window can be restrictive for those who purchase in bulk or puzzle slowly.)
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros (The Experience & Quality)
Random Cut: Offers a high level of challenge and interesting piece shapes.
Image Quality: Known for bright, vivid colors and sharp contrasts.
Sturdy Pieces: Made from thick (2.1 mm) recycled cardboard with a snug fit.
Wide Variety: Large catalog of unique and themed images, including shaped puzzles.
Accessories: The company offers its own line of popular puzzle accessories.
❌ Cons (Minor Imperfections)
High Dust Level: Expect a significant amount of puzzle dust in the box.
No Reference Poster: Must rely on the box art for guidance.
Guarantee Window: The 60-day missing piece guarantee may be too short for some customers.
Resolution: Some fine details in intricate designs may not be perfectly crisp.
💡 Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Bits & Pieces is a classic, reliable brand perfect for the puzzler who loves the unpredictability of a random cut and enjoys tackling high-quality, vibrant images. Just be prepared to deal with the puzzle dust and perhaps use a separate device for a high-res reference image!
🧩 Ready for an unforgettable challenge?
Explore the wide selection of Bits & Pieces puzzles and accessories on Amazon by clicking below.