1. 1,000 Colours ($100)
Australian artist Clemens Habicht has created "one of the most difficult puzzles out there," writes Kai Burkhardt at CNN. The 1,000 pieces shift colors constantly, depending on the angle, "which makes for a mind-boggling experience." Too easy? There's a 5,000-piece version, too. Buy it at MoMa.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Ravensburger Krypt Black ($21)
This spring, "everyone wants jigsaw puzzles." Even Ravensburger, the world's largest purveyor, is selling out of everything from "Dogs Galore" to this all-black headache, whose 1,000 pieces spiral toward the center. If that sounds fun, sign up for stock alerts. Buy it at Amazon.
3. Areaware Gradient Puzzle ($25)
Available in various sizes and colors, Areaware's popular gradient puzzles employ subtle shades that can be challenging—or soothing, if you're "a few-pieces-at-a-time type of person," writes Signe Brewster at The Wirecutter. This is one you'll leave out once it's done. Buy it at Amazon.
4. Bgraamiens' The Lines ($27)
"Don't wear glasses? You might after completing this behemoth," writes Gabrielle Hondorp at Popular Mechanics. Thankfully, there are letters on the back of each piece that help with sorting. Because the web of intersecting lines is an artistic print, some people frame the puzzle once they're done. Buy it at Amazon.
5. The Monet Bridge and Water Lilies Puzzle ($20)
If you'd rather pore over a classic work of art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art sells puzzles depicting some of its most famous paintings, including Claude Monet's 1899 impressionist masterpiece Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies. Buy it at Met Museum.
Editor's note: Every week The Week's editors survey product reviews and articles in websites, newspapers, and magazines, to find cool and useful new items we think you'll like. We're now making it easier to purchase these selections through affiliate partnerships with certain retailers. The Week may get a share of the revenue from these purchases.
-
The 5 best political thriller series of the 21st centuryThe Week Recommends Viewers can binge on most anything, including espionage and the formation of parliamentary coalitions
-
Sudan stands on the brink of another national schismThe Explainer With tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, one of Africa’s most severe outbreaks of sectarian violence is poised to take a dramatic turn for the worse
-
‘Not every social scourge is an act of war’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
