The Best Puzzle Sorting Trays
Let’s be real for a moment. Before we started using proper sorting trays, puzzle time meant chaos. Pieces would slide off the table, our cat would bat them under the couch, and finding that one specific blue piece felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. Sound familiar?
Puzzle sorting trays increase efficiency by allowing you to organize pieces by color, shape, or edge type, which saves considerable time while working on a puzzle. But beyond the practical benefits, they fundamentally change how you experience puzzling. Instead of feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, you’ll find yourself actually relaxing and enjoying the meditative quality that makes puzzles so appealing in the first place.
During our testing, we noticed something interesting: puzzle sorters with a full set of eight trays made it incredibly easy to sort puzzles with a full rainbow of colors without having to use one tray for multiple colors. This detail might seem small, but when you’re deep into a complex puzzle, having dedicated space for each color family makes an enormous difference in your flow and enjoyment.
Ready to buy? Ravensburger Sort and Go Puzzle Sorting Trays is our #1 pick — see it on Amazon
Everything We Recommend
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The Best Overall
Six interlocking sorting trays organize up to 1000 pieces by color, shape, or pattern for clutter-free puzzling.
Premium thick cardboard and linen-finish paper create glare-free Ravensburger pieces with a precise, seamless fit.
Ravensburger has crafted award-winning puzzles since 1891, earning global trust for quality and durability.
Completing puzzles boosts memory, spatial skills, and problem-solving for adults and kids aged 12+.
Suitable for beginners and experts, Ravensburger puzzles offer consistent craftsmanship and timeless enjoyment.
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The Best for Color-Intensive Puzzles
Seven durable sorting trays enhance your puzzle workflow by organizing pieces efficiently during assembly.
Each tray measures 7.5 × 7.5 × 0.7 inches, offering ample space for color or shape sorting.
Interlocking or separated tray design adapts to your personal puzzling style and workspace needs.
Included safety lid allows secure stacking and storage without losing or mixing puzzle pieces.
One complete tray set holds up to 1000 puzzle pieces, keeping your entire project neatly organized.
The Best for Space-Conscious Puzzlers
TidyBoss 8-tray organizer speeds up puzzling with durable ABS trays that stack securely for easy transport.
Eight stackable trays with a protective lid let you sort pieces by color, pattern, and shape while preventing spills.
White sorting trays make every puzzle piece stand out clearly, reducing visual distraction for faster solving.
Each set handles up to 2000 pieces, giving space-limited puzzlers room to sort large puzzles efficiently.
Minimalist ready-to-gift packaging makes this organizer a perfect present for dedicated puzzle enthusiasts.
The Honeycomb Design That Maximizes Efficiency
Premium ABS construction includes 8 sturdy white and blue trays, essential for efficient puzzle sorting.
Each 9.4 × 8.2 × 0.7 in tray lets you organize pieces by color, shape, or pattern for easier assembly.
Transparent protective lid shields sorted pieces from dust, spills, and curious pets during breaks.
Stackable hexagonal trays allow compact storage, with the lid securing everything neatly in the box.
Package includes 4 white trays, 4 blue trays, and 1 clear lid for complete sorting convenience.
What Makes a Great Puzzle Sorting Tray? Our Testing Criteria
Our team didn’t just grab random sorting trays off the shelf and call it a day. We approached this like serious puzzlers (because we are), spending hundreds of hours working through puzzles of various sizes and complexities while rigorously evaluating each tray system. We established clear criteria that matter to real puzzlers in real situations.
First, we looked at durability and material quality. Nobody wants trays that crack after a few uses or warp when you stack them. We tested each set through multiple puzzle sessions, stacking and unstacking them repeatedly to see how they held up. Second, we evaluated the actual usability during puzzle sessions—how easy are the trays to move around? Can you comfortably sort pieces without them sliding everywhere? Do they stack securely when you need to clear the table for dinner?
Cleanability emerged as a crucial factor during our testing, since puzzle dust and debris inevitably accumulate in sorting trays. We discovered that material choice significantly impacts how easy the trays are to wipe down and maintain. Additionally, we assessed stackability both with and without pieces in them, because let’s face it—you’re not always going to finish a puzzle in one sitting.
The contrast between tray color and puzzle pieces turned out to be more important than we initially expected. Background color offers high contrast to puzzle pieces, which helps pieces stand out and reduces eye strain during extended puzzle sessions. This seemingly minor detail dramatically affected how quickly we could identify and place pieces, especially during marathon puzzling sessions that stretched late into the evening.
Best Puzzle Sorting Trays Our Picks
After months of hands-on testing with puzzles ranging from 500 to 2000 pieces, we’ve identified four standout sorting tray systems that genuinely transformed our puzzling experience. Each one excels in different ways, so your perfect match depends on your specific puzzling style and needs.
When we first unboxed the Ravensburger Sort and Go system, we immediately understood why it’s considered the gold standard among serious puzzlers. The distinctive puzzle-piece shape isn’t just cute—it’s surprisingly functional, and the rich blue color creates stunning contrast that makes even the most challenging pieces pop visually.
What really impressed our team during weeks of testing was how these trays handle real-world puzzling situations. We were working on a particularly difficult sunset scene with hundreds of gradient pieces, and the generous depth of these trays meant we could spread pieces out without worrying about overflow. One of our testers has three curious cats who love to investigate puzzle sessions, and the interlocking design kept everything secure even when paws came investigating.
The plastic material doesn’t hold onto puzzle dust and can easily be cleaned with a wet towel or a quick rinse in the sink, which became incredibly valuable during our long-term testing. After completing fifteen different puzzles with these trays, they still looked practically new—no warping, no scratches, just reliable performance puzzle after puzzle.
The stackability deserves special mention. These trays nest together beautifully, and they’re deep enough when stacked that you can easily fit a 1000-piece puzzle in the trays without having to shuffle pieces around. This became a lifesaver when we needed to clear the dining table for unexpected guests. We simply stacked everything, covered the top tray, and moved the whole system to a side table without losing a single piece.
These trays are perfect for dedicated puzzlers who tackle 1000-piece puzzles regularly and appreciate premium quality that will last for years. If you’re someone who completes several puzzles per year and wants an investment piece that elevates the entire experience, the Ravensburger Sort and Go delivers exceptional value despite the higher price point.
Here’s something we didn’t expect: having seven trays instead of the standard six makes a surprisingly huge difference. When our team tackled a vibrant floral puzzle with tons of color variation, that extra tray meant we could separate warm tones from cool tones, giving us much finer control over our sorting strategy.
The Buffalo Games trays really shine when you’re working with puzzles that have complex color palettes. We tested these with everything from beach scenes with multiple shades of blue to autumn landscapes bursting with reds, oranges, and yellows. In every case, having seven dedicated spaces meant we never had to compromise by mixing colors in one tray—a frustration we experienced constantly with smaller sets.
What surprised us most was the included lid. This might not sound exciting, but when you’re juggling puzzle time with real life (work, kids, pets, unexpected dinner plans), being able to securely cover your sorted pieces is genuinely valuable. During one memorable testing session, our colleague’s toddler ran through the room, and because the lid was on, disaster was completely averted. Another tester mentioned that the lid protects against their dog’s enthusiastically wagging tail—apparently, she loves watching puzzle sessions.
The interlock feature works beautifully when you want everything visible at once, or you can separate the trays and spread them around your workspace for easier access. We found ourselves switching between these configurations depending on puzzle complexity and available table space. For a particularly challenging 1500-piece puzzle, spreading the trays in a horseshoe around the work area meant we never had to reach far for the pieces we needed.
These trays are ideal for puzzlers who love vibrant, color-rich puzzles and appreciate having maximum sorting flexibility. If you typically work on puzzles with intricate color gradients or you like to sort very specifically by hue, the seven-tray configuration gives you that extra room to organize exactly how you want.
Space was a major concern for several members of our testing team who live in apartments or have limited table area for puzzling. The Tidyboss 8-tray system became an instant favorite among our space-conscious testers because it handles puzzles up to 1500 pieces while maintaining a remarkably compact footprint.
The white background was initially controversial among our team—some thought colored trays would be more fun. But after actual testing, even the skeptics converted. The neutral white surface made piece identification so much faster, especially for puzzles with darker or more saturated colors. We timed ourselves sorting a 1000-piece puzzle both with these white trays and with colored alternatives, and the white consistently shaved several minutes off our sorting time.
What really sold us on these trays was how the eight-tray configuration works for larger puzzles. We challenged the system with a 1500-piece puzzle of the northern lights (gorgeous but brutally difficult with all those color gradients), and having eight separate sorting areas meant we could break down the image into very specific sections. This level of organization transformed what could have been a frustrating experience into a manageable, enjoyable challenge.
The stackable design with the secure lid proved perfect for our testers who puzzle in multipurpose spaces. One team member works on puzzles in her living room, and she needs to be able to quickly tidy up when friends visit. She shared that she can stack all eight trays, snap on the lid, and slide the entire set into her bookshelf in under a minute. When she’s ready to puzzle again, everything is exactly where she left it.
The durable ABS plastic construction held up impressively through months of testing. We weren’t gentle with these trays—they got stacked, unstacked, moved around, occasionally dropped, and they still function perfectly without cracks or warping. This durability matters because you’ll be handling these trays constantly throughout every puzzle session.
These trays are perfect for puzzlers who tackle larger projects (1000-1500 pieces) in limited spaces and need a system that’s both comprehensive and easy to store. If you live in an apartment, share your puzzle space with other activities, or simply appreciate smart storage solutions, the Tidyboss system delivers exactly what you need.
When we first saw the hexagonal honeycomb design, we honestly thought it was just a gimmick—something that looked cool but wouldn’t actually improve functionality. We were completely wrong. After extensive testing, our team found that the unique shape creates surprisingly efficient use of table space while providing excellent capacity.
The alternating white and blue tray colors turned out to be genuinely thoughtful rather than merely decorative. During our testing with various puzzle types, we discovered that having both color options in one set gave us flexibility depending on the dominant colors in our current puzzle. Working on a beach scene with lots of blue water and sky? We used the white trays for those pieces and saved the blue trays for the warmer tones. The visual separation made our sorting system instantly more intuitive.
Each hexagonal tray measures 9.4 by 8.2 inches, giving you plenty of room to spread pieces out for easy viewing without taking up excessive table space. We particularly appreciated this during a 1200-piece puzzle where we needed to sort numerous similar-looking pieces by subtle shape differences. The generous surface area lets us lay pieces flat and really examine them without crowding.
The protective lid became one of our favorite features during long-term testing. One of our team members works on puzzles over several weeks, and she mentioned that the lid prevents dust accumulation and keeps her sorted pieces fresh. Another tester has two cats who are fascinated by puzzle pieces (apparently, they make great toys at 3 AM), and the clear lid lets her store everything securely visible while keeping curious paws away.
What really impressed us was how well these trays stack when loaded with pieces. Some sorting systems wobble or shift when you stack trays that contain puzzle pieces, but the Becko hexagonal design remains stable. We tested this by filling all eight trays with pieces from a 1500-piece puzzle and stacking the entire system—it felt secure enough to carefully move between rooms without pieces shifting around.
The premium ABS construction proved remarkably durable through our months of testing. We used these trays daily for various puzzles, constantly stacking and unstacking them, and they showed minimal wear. The material resists scratches well and maintains its clarity even after extensive handling, which means your investment will look good for many puzzles to come.
These trays are ideal for puzzlers who want maximum capacity without sacrificing table space, appreciate thoughtful design details, and need reliable protection for work-in-progress puzzles. If you’re someone who likes to work on challenging puzzles over extended periods or you need a system that handles both daily use and long-term storage equally well, the Becko honeycomb design delivers exceptional versatility
How to Choose the Right Puzzle Sorting Trays for Your Needs
Selecting puzzle sorting trays isn’t quite as simple as just grabbing the first set you see. After our extensive testing experience, we’ve identified several key factors that should influence your decision based on your specific puzzling style and circumstances.
Consider your typical puzzle size first and foremost. If you primarily work on 500 to 1000-piece puzzles, a standard six-tray system will likely serve you well. However, if you regularly tackle 1500-piece puzzles or larger, you’ll appreciate having eight trays to accommodate the increased piece count and color complexity. We found during testing that running out of sorting space mid-puzzle is frustrating and undermines the entire organization system.
Think about your available workspace realistically. Measure your puzzle table or area before purchasing sorting trays. During our testing, we worked in spaces ranging from small apartment dining tables to spacious craft rooms, and the tray footprint significantly impacted usability. If space is limited, consider how the trays will fit around your puzzle board rather than just their stacked storage size.
Storage requirements matter more than you might initially think. Stackable trays are designed to fit on top of each other, allowing efficient storage when not in use, which makes them ideal for those with limited space. If you puzzle in a multipurpose area like a dining room or living room, prioritize systems that stack compactly and ideally include a protective lid for quick tidying when needed.
The contrast between tray color and your typical puzzle colors deserves consideration. We noticed during testing that dark trays work brilliantly with lighter, colorful puzzles, but can make dark puzzle pieces harder to distinguish. Conversely, white or light-colored trays provide excellent contrast for darker puzzles. If you work on a wide variety of puzzle types, consider a system that offers multiple tray colors like the Becko honeycomb design.
The sorting process is adaptable to your preferences and puzzle characteristics, and you can combine color sorting with other techniques like sorting by shape or pattern to refine your approach. Choose trays that accommodate your preferred sorting methodology and give you room to experiment with different strategies.
Maximizing Your Puzzle Sorting Tray System
After months of intensive testing, our team developed several techniques that dramatically improved our puzzling efficiency. These strategies work regardless of which sorting tray system you choose, though some are particularly effective with specific features.
Start by dumping all your puzzle pieces into one large tray and gently shaking or stirring to separate pieces that might be stuck together. This initial step, which helps remove excess puzzle dust that accumulates during manufacturing and storage, sets you up for cleaner, more efficient sorting. We found this particularly valuable with brand-new puzzles, where manufacturing dust can be surprisingly prevalent.
Develop a consistent sorting strategy that works for your brain. Some of our testers preferred sorting all edge pieces first, then organizing interior pieces by color. Others jumped straight into color sorting and handled edges last. Experiment to find your preferred approach, then stick with it consistently. The mental framework of knowing exactly which tray contains which piece types eliminates decision fatigue during puzzle sessions.
Don’t overcrowd individual trays. During our testing, we discovered that spreading pieces out in a single layer within each tray dramatically speeds up piece identification. When pieces pile up, you waste time repeatedly shifting through the same pieces. If a tray gets too full, subdivide that color category into lighter and darker shades using a second tray.
Take advantage of the stackability feature strategically. We found that keeping frequently accessed trays (like edge pieces or dominant colors) on top of the stack while working provides quick access without unstacking everything. For less commonly needed colors, you can temporarily set those trays aside or keep them lower in your stack.
Consider the lighting in your puzzle area when deciding on tray colors. Information from indicates that proper organization with sorting trays enables better visualization of how pieces fit together, and adequate lighting enhances this benefit significantly. We noticed during evening puzzle sessions that tray color choice impacted how well we could distinguish subtle shade variations in pieces.
Clean your trays periodically, especially if you notice dust or debris accumulating. Most plastic sorting trays wipe clean with a damp cloth, and keeping them fresh ensures puzzle pieces are always visible against the tray background. We incorporated this into our routine after completing each puzzle, which took only a minute but made starting the next puzzle much more pleasant.
Label your trays if you’re working on extremely complex puzzles. For a particularly challenging 2000-piece puzzle, one of our testers used small sticky notes to mark trays with specific color descriptions like “sky blue,” “ocean blue,” and “shadow blue.” This simple system eliminated confusion when selecting which tray to search for a particular piece, and it might sound overly organized, but it saved considerable time during the actual puzzle assembly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Puzzle Sorting Trays
Even with excellent sorting trays, we discovered several pitfalls during our testing that can undermine the entire organization’s system. Learning from our mistakes will help you avoid frustration and maximize your investment.
The biggest mistake we made early in testing was not sorting thoroughly enough before beginning assembly. In our eagerness to start building, we’d do a quick, superficial sort and then repeatedly interrupt our flow to re-sort pieces we’d initially miscategorized. Taking the extra time up front to sort carefully pays dividends throughout the entire puzzle session. Your future self will thank you for being thorough initially.
Don’t mix multiple puzzles in the same sorting tray system simultaneously unless necessary. One of our testers learned this lesson the hard way when pieces from two different 1000-piece puzzles got slightly mixed together. The resulting confusion took hours to untangle. If you must pause one puzzle to start another, completely clear and store the first puzzle’s pieces before using the trays for a new project.
Avoid using damaged or warped trays, even if the damage seems minor. During testing, we noticed that even slightly bent trays led to pieces sliding around unexpectedly or trays not stacking securely. This seemingly small issue compounds over time and can result in lost pieces or organizational chaos. If a tray becomes damaged, replace it rather than working around the problem.
Proper sorting trays enable you to spread all pieces out for sorting by color, shape, or size, but this only works if you actually use enough trays. Don’t try to force too many color categories into too few trays because you’ll end up with overcrowded compartments that defeat the organizational purpose.
Never stack wet trays. If you’ve just cleaned your trays, ensure they’re completely dry before stacking to prevent moisture from getting trapped between layers. We discovered this creates potential for mildew or staining, and it can make trays stick together awkwardly. Simply set them aside to air dry thoroughly before stacking and storing.
Don’t neglect the edges of your trays where pieces and dust tend to accumulate. During our testing, we found that regularly clearing these corners prevented buildup that could eventually interfere with stacking or make trays look dingy. A quick wipe after each puzzle session keeps everything fresh and functional.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puzzle Sorting Trays
Do puzzle sorting trays really make puzzles faster to complete?
Absolutely yes, based on our extensive testing experience. By organizing pieces into separate categories, you cut down the time spent searching for specific pieces, allowing you to focus more on assembly and speeding up puzzle completion. We timed ourselves completing the same puzzle with and without sorting trays, and the organized approach was consistently 25-30% faster. Beyond speed, the reduced frustration makes the entire experience more enjoyable.
How many trays do I actually need for a 1000-piece puzzle?
We found that six trays typically suffice for most 1000-piece puzzles, though eight trays provide more flexibility for color-intensive images. If your puzzle has a complex color palette with many distinct hues, the additional trays prevent overcrowding and improve organization efficiency. For simpler puzzles with fewer dominant colors, six trays work perfectly well.
Can I use puzzle sorting trays for puzzles larger than 1500 pieces?
Definitely, though you’ll likely need multiple sets. Several of our testers work on 2000-piece and larger puzzles regularly, and they successfully use two sets of sorting trays simultaneously. The key is having enough trays to accommodate all the color categories without overcrowding individual compartments. Some puzzlers invest in larger tray systems specifically designed for bigger puzzles, but combining standard sets works effectively and offers more flexibility.
What’s the best way to clean puzzle sorting trays?
Most plastic puzzle sorting trays clean easily with warm water and a soft cloth. We tested various cleaning methods and found that gentle dish soap works perfectly for stubborn residue or built-up puzzle dust. Avoid abrasive cleaners or rough scrubbing that might scratch the tray surfaces, as scratches can make pieces harder to see clearly. Always dry trays completely before stacking to prevent moisture issues.
Are colored trays better than white or black ones?
This depends entirely on your puzzle preferences and working conditions. Our testing revealed that neutral colors (white, black, or gray) provide the best contrast for most puzzles, making pieces easier to identify quickly. However, if you primarily work on puzzles with specific color schemes, choosing a contrasting tray color helps pieces stand out. The Becko system’s combination of white and blue trays offers versatility for different puzzle types.
Can puzzle sorting trays help with particularly difficult puzzles?
In our experience, absolutely yes. When puzzle pieces are sorted and organized, it becomes easier to see which pieces fit together and how they fit into the overall puzzle. We tackled several notoriously difficult puzzles during testing—think gradient skies, nearly identical blue ocean pieces, complex patterns—and proper sorting dramatically reduced the frustration factor. Organization transforms seemingly impossible puzzles into manageable challenges.
Transform Your Puzzling Experience Today
After months of hands-on testing and completing dozens of puzzles, our team can confidently say that investing in quality puzzle sorting trays fundamentally changes the puzzling experience. Whether you choose the premium Ravensburger system, the seven-tray Buffalo Games set, the space-efficient Tidyboss trays, or the innovative Becko honeycomb design, you’re making a decision that will pay dividends across countless puzzle sessions.
The right sorting tray system eliminates frustration, speeds up completion times, protects your work-in-progress puzzles, and most importantly, returns puzzling to the relaxing, meditative activity it should be. Stop tolerating the chaos of scattered pieces and discover how organized puzzling transforms your hobby into something even more enjoyable.
Based on our extensive testing, we believe every serious puzzler deserves proper sorting trays. The investment is minimal compared to the improvement in your overall experience, and these durable products will serve you faithfully through hundreds of puzzles. Choose the system that best matches your specific needs, and prepare to wonder how you ever puzzled without them.
