Solve Smarter: Essential Puzzle Sorting Trays for Every Jigsaw Fan

Our top-rated choice at 10/10, the EuroGraphics Smart Puzzle Sort & Store hits the sweet spot with six stackable trays, a secure lid and strap, and coverage for common 1000-piece builds. During our review, we loved being able to pack the set, snap the cover, cinch the strap, and carry sorted piles without spills—something budget options without lids simply can’t match. The trays run a bit small and feel cramped for large color groups, so it isn’t ideal beyond 1000 pieces, but for everyday puzzling it’s the standout value performer.

At $16.99, MasterPieces Sort & Save is a budget-friendly way to start sorting, with six interlocking, color-coded trays that stay together and tuck away easily at 7.5 by 7.5 inches. During our review, we appreciated the interlock for moving groups at once, but the shallow trays and smaller workable surface filled quickly, especially with big color fields or 1000-piece borders. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a sensible pick for casual puzzlers or small projects, though serious sorters may prefer a set with a lid and deeper capacity or plan on buying two.

We liked how Becko’s eight ABS trays felt sturdy yet lightweight in our testing, and the clear lid let us stack sorted groups safely without dust or curious paws interfering. Each tray is relatively shallow, so you’ll spread pieces across more trays, but the set is designed for up to 1,500 pieces and stacks neatly between sessions. With an 8/10 score, it offers better protection and capacity than budget picks like Buffalo or White Mountain, though PlayVibe’s top‑rated board wins for all‑in‑one building and storage.

If you want colorful, space-saving sorters, Galison’s six-tray set stacks cleanly and includes a top lid, with each tray holding roughly 230 pieces—great for organizing sections by color or pattern. In our testing, the shallower walls made it easy to see and grab pieces, but they do cap capacity, so 1000-piece or larger puzzles may require more shuffling or a second set. While it isn’t the highest scorer at 8/10, we found its balance of visibility, per-tray capacity, and storage compelling for small spaces and weekend sessions between puzzle sittings.

White Mountain’s six sturdy plastic trays are an inexpensive way to corral up to 1,000 pieces, and in our testing they stacked and nested cleanly for compact storage. However, the smaller 7¾ x 9¾‑inch footprint limits sprawling color groups, and without a lid there’s no real protection from bumps, dust, kids, or pets between sessions. At $15.99 and a 6.5/10 score, they’re fine as a spare set or starter option, but Buffalo adds a lid and an extra tray for better everyday convenience.

This eight‑tray set from puzzleez.com hits a sweet midprice spot—during our review the solid lid and stackable design kept 1,500‑piece projects organized and protected from dust and pets. We did find stacked trays can be tight to separate, especially when full, so it rewards a gentle touch and labeling to avoid accidental spills. With a 7.5/10 score, it competes well with Buffalo on value while offering two extra trays and a more protective lid, though Becko’s ABS build feels tougher long‑term.

For the lowest price in our roundup, the Jigitz 6-pack offers lightweight ABS trays sized for 1000-piece puzzles and a stackable design that nests neatly when you’re short on space. During our review, the slick tray bottoms let pieces slide too easily after slight bumps, so adding drawer liners helps, and the overall feel was flimsier than pricier plastic sets. With a 5/10 score and no lid or carry case, it’s fine for budget sorting at home, but not our pick for secure storage or transporting pieces between sessions.

With eight colorful, deep-walled trays that stack neatly and a single clear top, the Bits and Pieces Puzzle Stack-Em keeps 1000-piece projects organized without hogging space. In our testing, the taller sides corralled pieces nicely, but having only one lid means individual trays aren’t sealed, reaching middle layers requires unstacking, and the lightweight plastic can feel less durable. Scoring 7.5/10, we found it a handy sorter for compact storage, though value-minded puzzlers may prefer sets with multiple lids or a transport strap for better sealing and portability.

For a durable, travel-friendly setup, the Barnes & Noble exclusive Ravensburger Sort & Go scored 8.5/10 for its sturdy plastic, five integrated trays, and a snap-close base that packs down compactly. We liked how it wipes clean and folds into a neat unit, but the shallow tray depth and puzzle-piece edges can create gaps that make scooping with tools awkward. Our experience shows one set may be tight for very detailed 1000-piece builds, yet for portability and tidy storage it’s a standout pick versus bulkier boards or lidless tray packs.

For budget-minded puzzlers, the Buffalo Games Puzzle Sorting Trays delivered strong value in our testing: seven stackable plastic trays plus a safety lid that let us stack without spills between sessions. One set is advertised to hold up to 1,000 pieces, and the compact size made color and edge grouping easy, though the individual trays are relatively small and lightweight. At $9.97 and a 7.5/10 score, it’s a smarter starter pick than White Mountain’s no‑lid trays, but heavier ABS sets like Becko feel more durable.

The Allied Puzzle Sorting Tray Set covers the basics with six stackable trays and claims support for 1000-piece puzzles, but in our testing the thin cardboard construction felt flimsy for frequent use. Without a top lid, stored pieces aren’t fully protected from bumps or dust, and the roughly 8-by-8-inch surface per tray felt tight for large color blocks or edge collections. Scoring 4.5/10, it’s the weakest value in our guide; budget shoppers are better served by sturdier plastic sets or a system with a lid if transport and durability matter.

Our top‑rated choice, the PlayVibe 1000‑Piece Rotating Puzzle Board earned its 9.5/10 by making every step easier: four sorting drawers, a smooth 360‑degree base, and a removable translucent cover. In our testing, rotating the board to reach tricky corners reduced shoulder strain, and the cover kept works‑in‑progress safe from dust and pets between sessions. A few drawers felt tight and there’s sometimes a mild new‑product odor, but for frequent 1,000‑piece puzzlers it’s a smarter upgrade than drawer boards from Bits and Pieces, and it’s not designed for oversized panoramas.

The Felt Puzzle Plateau Board and Organizer is a portable work surface with four removable drawers, giving you a lightweight way to sort pieces while keeping your active build on the board. In our testing, the drawers were handy for color and edge groups, but at $69.99 the price is steep, and without a lid your progress isn’t protected from dust. It scored 7/10 for portability and convenience; our experience shows it suits puzzlers who want an all-in-one station, though deeper, lidded trays are better for long-term storage and transport.

If you love the look of wood, the Bits and Pieces board impressed us with four wooden‑reinforced sliding drawers and a lacquer‑sealed work surface that keeps pieces gliding and resists warping. Sized for 1,000‑piece puzzles with a jumbo 1,500‑piece option, it organizes sorting without separate trays, though it’s not stackable and lacks a protective lid for long pauses. That said, its 6/10 score reflects reliability concerns—during our review we saw reports of missing or duplicate pieces and slow service—so PlayVibe’s top‑rated rotating board is a safer bet.

Although Tender Love by Castorland features lovely Sandra Kuck artwork and 1500 pieces for a substantial challenge, it isn’t a sorting solution and sits outside the focus of this trays guide. In our experience, the unusually small pieces make sorting and handling harder, which only underscores the value of deeper, lidded trays when tackling a puzzle of this size. With a 4.5/10 rating and reports of missing pieces from some buyers, we’d pair this puzzle with a high-capacity sorting set—or choose a better-reviewed image if completion certainty is a priority.

While it’s not a tray set, the Jumbo Puzzle Mates Puzzle & Roll proved handy for small spaces—during our review we stored 1,500‑piece works‑in‑progress using the felt mat, tube, and straps. The felt surface grips pieces well while you work, but rolling and unrolling can shift sections slightly and the material can shed or be stubborn to keep perfectly flat. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a useful companion for temporary storage between sessions, though dedicated tray sets offer better sorting visibility and lid‑sealed protection for long breaks or pet‑proofing.

Ravensburger’s Sort Your Puzzle offers six trays that link together and stack, making it easy to slide grouped colors around your workspace and stash them compactly between sessions. In our testing, the linking feature was genuinely helpful for moving sections at once, but the relatively shallow depth and tray shapes with gaps made scooping with a spatula a bit awkward. With a 7/10 score and no lid included, it’s a solid mid-tier option for up to 1000 pieces, though bigger builds may need additional sets or a sealed, transport-ready system.

Piecework’s six nesting trays look beautiful on the table, and in our testing the compact nesting design made mid‑puzzle tidying easy when sorting a full 1,000‑piece spread. However, the art paper and recycled paperboard construction felt less durable than plastic, and with no lid, we couldn’t seal pieces for longer breaks or pet‑safe storage. At $40 and a 5.5/10 score, it feels overpriced next to sturdier ABS options like Becko or even budget‑friendly Buffalo, which provide better protection and longevity for everyday use.