Do cheaper puzzles have worse image or piece quality?

Not necessarily. Several sub-$15 titles here carry 4.7-star averages across thousands of verified-purchase reviews, suggesting many budget puzzles satisfy buyers. That said, customer comments on lower-priced options more often mention cardboard dust or the occasional ill-fitting piece, while premium-positioned brands get fewer such complaints. Since this category lacks independent lab testing, price is an imperfect proxy for quality.