Looking for a Jumbo puzzle mat and want to know exactly which one to buy? Jumbo does have a wider selection of puzzle folders. If that's an option, check out the page 'Jumbo puzzle folders'. Jumbo has two real roll-up green felt puzzle mats:
On this page, I compare both models based on my own extensive testing on the following aspects: dimensions, material, ease of rolling up and down, bumps, closure straps, ease of use, and price-quality.
🏆Which Jumbo puzzle mat should you choose?
Would you like to learn more about which size puzzle mat is best for you and suits your puzzle preferences? Then check out the page 'Which size puzzle mat should I choose?'
| Number of Pieces Your Puzzle | Case 1 - You want ALL your puzzle pieces to fit on the puzzle mat. Which mat do I recommend? | Case 2 - You're okay with NOT all the puzzle pieces fitting on the puzzle mat. Which mat would you recommend? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Jumbo 1500 pieces en Jumbo 3000 pieces | Jumbo 1500 pieces | |
| 1000 | Jumbo 3000 pieces | Jumbo 1500 pieces | |
| 1500 | Jumbo 3000 pieces | Jumbo 1500 pieces | |
| 2000 | Choose a 5000 piece puzzle mat | Jumbo 3000 pieces | |
| 3000 | Choose a 6000 piece puzzle mat | Jumbo 3000 pieces | |
| 5000 | Choose a puzzle board | Choose a 5000 piece puzzle mat |
Short advice:
Are you primarily laying 1000 pieces and want to fit them all onto the puzzle mat? Choose the large 3000 piece version.
Do you mainly place 1000 pieces and are you okay if you can't fit all the pieces on your puzzle mat? Choose the 1500 version.
Would you like to learn more about which size puzzle mat is best for you and suits your puzzle preferences? Then check out the page 'Which size puzzle mat should I choose?'
In the video below, you'll see that a green felt puzzle mat for 1500 pieces can't fit all 1000 pieces – so when you roll up your puzzle mat, you have to put the pieces back in the puzzle box:
1. Jumbo Puzzle & Roll 500 | 1000 | 1500 pieces
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 118 x 66 cm |
| Weight | 700 gram |
| Role | 3-piece cardboard tube (self-assembly) |
| EAN | 8710126176900 |
Which puzzles is it suitable for?
| Number of Puzzle Pieces | Puzzle fits on puzzle mat? | Do all the puzzle pieces fit on the puzzle mat? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Pieces | Ja | Ja | |
| 1000 Pieces | Ja | No, not all, many | |
| 1500 Pieces | Ja | No, not all of them | |
| 2000 Pieces | No | Tip - buy a 5000 piece puzzle mat | |
| 3000 Pieces | No | Tip - buy a 6000 piece puzzle mat |
What's in the box?
- Green felt puzzle mat (118 x 66 cm)
- 3 cardboard tube parts
- 2 elastic fastening bands
My experience from the test
– The quality of the felt is excellent. Pieces slide easily, and the material feels solid.
– The downside is that the mat is folded in the box. This causes bumps. You can solve this (if it bothers you) by gently ironing the mat with a tea towel between the two.
– With a 1000- or 1500-piece puzzle, not all the loose pieces fit on the mat. So you have to store them in the box or containers. And you have to re-roll them every time you roll them up and down.
– When rolling up, be careful not to place pieces too close to the edge.
Want to read more and compare them with other puzzle mats? Read 'Best puzzle mat'
Pros
- Cheap (often €15–20)
- Suitable for 3 puzzle sizes
- Light weight
- Good price-quality ratio
Cons
- Bumps out of the box
- Not all 1000 pieces fit on it
- Felt attracts hair (pets!)
- You have to assemble the tube yourself, which can be difficult at times. It may be subject to wear and tear.
Grade in my test: 6,64 (read my entire test)
Best for: beginners, starting puzzler or occasional puzzler (1 to 2 times a month), small table
Not ideal for: regular puzzlers (more than 3 times a month) or households with pets
2. Jumbo Puzzle & Roll 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | 3000 pieces
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 152 x 100 cm |
| Weight | 1100 gram |
| Role | 3-piece cardboard tube (self-assembly) |
| EAN | 8710126176917 |
Which puzzles is it suitable for?
| Number of Puzzle Pieces | Puzzle fits on puzzle mat? | Do all the puzzle pieces fit on the puzzle mat? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Pieces | Ja | Ja | |
| 1000 Pieces | Ja | Ja | |
| 1500 Pieces | Ja | Ja | |
| 2000 Pieces | Ja | No, not all, many | |
| 3000 Pieces | Ja | No, not all of them |
What's in the box?
- Large felt puzzle mat (152 x 100 cm)
- 3 cardboard tube parts
- 3 elastic fastening bands
My experience from the test
The big advantage of this version: with 1000 pieces, ALL the pieces fit on the mat. So you can roll everything up without having to put loose pieces back in the box. That makes it much more convenient.
– Just like the smaller version, there are bumps in the puzzle mat due to the folded packaging. If this bothers you, ironing it can fix it.
– Rolling and unrolling works well, as long as you don’t place the pieces against the edge.
– A closing strap became somewhat frayed with prolonged use.
Want to read more and compare them with other puzzle mats? Read 'Best puzzle mat'
Pros
- Large puzzle mat with plenty of space to put all your puzzle pieces on, and also provides an overview
- All 1000 puzzle pieces fit on it
- Good price (often €25–35)
- Excellent price-quality
Cons
- Often comes out of packaging with small bumps because it is folded in the packaging
- No clear manual
- Felt attracts hair
Grade in my test: 6,55 (read my entire test)
Best for: regular puzzlers (1000–2000 pieces)
Best Jumbo choice overall
Jumbo felt versus a rubber/neoprene puzzle mat
In the video below you can clearly see the difference between the green felt puzzle mat and a black rubber neoprene puzzle mat:
| Characteristic | Jumbo (Felt) | Rubber/Neoprene | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Cheaper | More expensive | |
| Weight | Lighting | Heavier | |
| To shove | Stroever | Smoother | |
| Cleaning | A bit more difficult | Easier | |
| Flatness | Can wrinkle | Stays flat | |
| Price | € 15 - € 35 | € 30 - € 60 |
My advice:
- A green felt Jumbo puzzle mat It's an excellent first puzzle mat or budget-friendly choice. It's a classic puzzle mat. And popular.
– Do you puzzle regularly (several times a month) or do you have pets (or problems with dust)? Then a rubber/neoprene puzzle mat clearly more pleasant.
Frequently asked questions about Jumbo puzzle mats
What is the best Jumbo puzzle mat?
The best Jumbo puzzle mat depends heavily on how many pieces you usually puzzle and how much workspace you prefer. Do you mainly do 1000-piece puzzles and want to be able to leave all the loose pieces on the mat? Then the Jumbo Puzzle & Roll 1000–3000 pieces Clearly the best choice. You'll have plenty of room to sort and can roll everything up at once without having to put pieces back in the box. Do you puzzle occasionally and are you primarily looking for a budget-friendly solution? Then the 500–1500 version is a good entry-level model. Comfort versus price is the trade-off here.
Which Jumbo puzzle mat should I choose for 1000 pieces?
For a 1000-piece puzzle, you can technically use either Jumbo puzzle mat. The 500–1500 version is large enough to assemble the puzzle yourself, but not large enough to fit all the loose pieces on the mat. This means you'll have to store loose pieces in the box or containers when rolling them up. The 1000–3000 version, on the other hand, offers enough space to leave all the puzzle pieces on the mat. This provides a better overview, less cleanup, and more puzzle comfort. Do you regularly puzzle 1000 pieces? Then the larger version is clearly more comfortable.
Why are there bumps in a Jumbo puzzle mat?
Jumbo puzzle mats are packaged folded. This creates creases and slight bumps in the felt material. While puzzling, you'll usually only notice this, but with thinner puzzle pieces, it can feel a little less comfortable. The bumps often diminish with use. If you want to flatten the mat immediately, you can gently iron it with a tea towel between it. Be careful not to use too high a temperature. This is not a manufacturing defect, but a consequence of the packaging.
Can I roll up all the puzzle pieces in a Jumbo puzzle mat?
That depends on the size you choose. With the 500–1500 puzzle mat, a 1000-piece puzzle usually won't fit all the individual pieces on the mat. You'll then have to separate the pieces before rolling them up. With the 1000–3000 version, all the pieces of a 1000- or 1500-piece puzzle usually fit on the mat. This means you can roll up the entire puzzle, including the individual pieces, at once. For many puzzlers, this is a major advantage, as it saves you time re-sorting the puzzle for the next puzzle session.
Are Jumbo puzzle mats suitable if you have pets?
Jumbo puzzle mats are made of green felt. This material feels pleasant to the touch while puzzling, but has the disadvantage of attracting dust and hair. If you have cats or dogs at home, you'll notice that hair sticks to the mat relatively easily. You can remove most of this with a slightly damp cloth or a roller, but it does require some extra maintenance. If you often puzzle and have pets, a rubber or neoprene puzzle mat is often more practical, as hair doesn't get stuck there as easily and the surface is easier to clean.
How long does a Jumbo puzzle mat last?
With normal use, a Jumbo puzzle mat can last for years. The felt surface itself is fairly durable, and puzzle pieces slide across it comfortably. The components most susceptible to wear are the cardboard tubes and the elastic closure bands. Especially if you frequently roll up and down the mat, the closure bands can stretch or fray over time. The cardboard tube can become slightly damaged when folded. If you use the mat a few times a month, its durability is generally excellent for the price.
Is a Jumbo puzzle mat better than a rubber or neoprene puzzle mat?
That depends on your expectations. A Jumbo felt puzzle mat is affordable, lightweight, and does what it's supposed to: you can roll up your puzzle and continue later. A rubber or neoprene puzzle mat, however, lies flatter, often has a non-slip backing, and is easier to clean. Furthermore, neoprene mats are less prone to wrinkling after use. If you puzzle occasionally or are looking for a budget-friendly solution, Jumbo is a great choice. If you puzzle weekly and want maximum comfort and durability, neoprene is usually the better investment.
Can I put a Jumbo puzzle mat in the washing machine?
It is not recommended to machine wash a Jumbo puzzle mat. The felt material and finish are not specifically designed for this. Furthermore, the mat may become misshapen or the edges may be damaged. For normal maintenance, gently clean the mat with a slightly damp cloth. For hair, you can use a lint roller. If necessary, you can gently smooth out any wrinkles or bumps with a cloth. With these simple maintenance steps, the mat will generally remain in good condition.
 About the author – Gerben van WijngaardenGerben van Wijngaarden is the founder of Puzzle-1000-Pieces.nl and has been puzzling intensively since 2013. He has more than 200+ Jan van Haasteren puzzles extensively reviewed, maintains a database with 8000+ puzzles and test puzzle mats and accessories in practice. ✔ Experience & Expertise
🔬 How I test
His work and analyses are followed by an active puzzle community and discussed within the Jan van Haasteren collecting world. Read his full background here |
