Hanayama Ripple Cast Metal Brain Teaser Puzzle, Level 5, Ages 12+

Why it's worth it

A Level 5 cast-metal brain teaser from Hanayama, rated on the brand's 1-to-6 difficulty scale. It's palm-sized, feels expensive in the hand, and can absorb an evening or a week depending on how stubborn your recipient is.

This is the gift for the puzzle lover who doesn't actually love jigsaws. Take-apart metal puzzles are a different skill — spatial and mechanical rather than visual — and the Hanayama Cast series is the benchmark. Puzzle Master's aggregated data shows the hardest levels averaging more than six hours for experienced solvers, with plenty of people reporting days of attempts.

The build quality is the reason these work as gifts. The finish is smooth and heavy, and owners tend to keep them on a desk as objects afterward. It reads as a considered present rather than a novelty, which is a lot to ask from something this small. It also disappears into a stocking or a gift bag without a fight.

From our review of 7 gifts for puzzle lovers

What we like

• +This is the gift for the puzzle lover who doesn't actually love jigsaws
• +The build quality is the reason these work as gifts
• +Level 5 is the right place to start most adults
• +It travels. This is the puzzle for the person who flies a lot, sits through long meetings, or needs something to do with their…

What to know

• –A few owners report units arriving so tightly wedged that nothing moves at first, which is discouraging enough that some go…
• –There's no image, no story, and no display piece at the end
• –Once it's solved, the challenge is over