Speedcubing is becoming more and more popular and now there are more speed cubes available than ever, which is why I created this ultimate cube buying guide. I will help you choose the best speed cube for you, and understand what makes a good cube.
If you are a total beginner then I highly suggest you read the cube buying guide first and proceed to the actual cubes below.
Choosing a speed cube is very subjective since there is a lot of personal preference in it. However, there are some important characteristics all 3×3 speed cubes share that you need to be aware of to make your choice.
This is a cheap hobby since most of the quality speed cubes are below 20$ with some rare exceptions, considered by many to be the highest quality with prices going above 40$ like GAN 356 XS, which is still not that expensive. Keep this in mind and choose a quality 3×3 for yourself, not some random rip-off at a dollar store because it will ruin your cubing experience.
Table of Contents
Which is the Best Speed Cube for you? This is what to look for:
Everyone has their own preferences when choosing their speed cube, and each of them offers the mix of these characteristics below.
As you get more and more familiar with this hobby you will get multiple 3x3s to suit your needs. For example, you will have your main (that’s what we call the precious one), another one which is extra quiet and is used in school or other places where noise absence is needed and so on. Once you join the dark side there is no going back.
Main Characteristics of Speed Cubes:
Below are some of the most important characteristics of the speed cubes and they dictate the overall speed cube’s quality and the feel.
Are you ready to have your “cube eye” opened wide?
Turning
When it comes to turning speed and feel, cubes fall into one of these two categories:
Fast turning or Smooth turning.
Fast Turning Speed Cubes
Cubes optimized for speed have very little friction between layers, so there is minimal resistance. This makes the cube very fast and reduces the effort to turn its sides.
Another distinct thing about fast turning puzzles is their sound and their dry feeling.
Pros – This allows for ultra fast algorithm execution because of minimal resistance between the layers.
Cons – These cubes offer minimal control because there is no friction and the speeds are high. Some fast turning speed cubes may be uncontrollable at first for beginners.
Smooth Turning Speed Cubes
Smooth turning speed cubes have more friction between layers, providing a smooth, fluid feeling while also making precise layer turns. These have a bit more resistance when turning their layers, but will give you more control over your speed cube.
They are quiet and don’t give the dry-scratchy feeling the fast turning ones do.
Pros – Provides you with control and precision when executing algorithms due to their perfect layer gliding along with each other.
Cons – It will cost you some speed since friction and resistance are involved.
So which is better?
There is no better. Because it is up to you to decide which turning type you like and need.
Every cuber has their preferences for the turning characteristics of their speed cube. However, it is important to know how to tell if these two characteristics are poorly integrated when the puzzle was designed.
Fast turning cube is poorly made if it simply provides no control and this results in poor algorithm execution making its speed count for nothing anymore.
While quality fast turning cube will provide you with exceptional speed and give you enough control.
A smooth turning speed cube is poorly designed if it requires too much effort to turn the layers. Its control beats the purpose since it costs you too much speed and energy.
On the other hand, a quality smooth cube gives you optimal control with the least amount of speed reduction.
Corner cutting
What is corner cutting you ask?
It is the ability for a speed cube to make a turn even if the vertical face is not fully aligned because of over shooting while performing algorithms, which happens very often while speed cubing so this is an essential factor of the cube.
The video below demonstrates what is corner cutting:
This is where speedcubes outperform the Rubik’s brand cubes because most of the modern speed cubes allow for 45 degrees corner cutting. This means that cubes can realign when the top face is turned over 45 degrees forward.
This provides room for error and increases fluidity.
Okay, now you know what corner cutting is but Is every corner cutting good?
Short answer: NO.
Corner cutting is only good if you don’t feel it while cubing. Proper corner cutting is executed effortlessly.
Bad speed cubes with poor corner cutting have very rough corner cuts, which interrupts your algorithm execution. This will distract and slow you down, and speedcubing is about speed. Usually, budget cubes have this shortcoming, while world-class best speedcubes significantly excel in this domain.
Stability
Every cuber needs a stable speed cube. This determines if the cube flexes and if it deforms a lot. Less stable cubes tend to pop more often and warp, which is not something you want.
If you are a beginner, you won’t be doing crazy moves at first like 5-10 moves per second. But, if you do it later on, it is best to get a stable speed cube for it. Just so you know a popped out piece during an official solving competition is an auto disqualification for that round.
Control
Speedcube’s control depends on multiple factors, but the most important of them all is its turning speed. Faster cubes have less control and they tend to overshoot while performing algorithms. However, the new trend of magnetizing cubes has contributed a lot in giving cubers more control.
You can magnetize some speedcubes yourself but it is not easy with all of them because of their inner design.
Today many speedcube manufacturers are selling already magnetized cubes which give you a lot more control when performing algorithms. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for absolute beginners because these 3×3’s feel different and it is good to learn cubing “naturally”. This is just my opinion and you can learn cubing on a magnetic cube but I wouldn’t do it.
Secondary Characteristics
Catching
Catching is when a layer of your speed cube catches on another layer. Most common catching occurs when a corner piece catches on a center piece and when an edge piece catches on another edge piece.
This can disrupt the execution of algorithms and distract you which will result in slower solve. Not to mention wrecking your nerves. Some speedcubes have minimal catching, thanks to proper design while others catch way too often, ruining your experience.
Catching is caused by bad corner cutting paired with fast turning cubes.
Lockups
Lockups are a thing of the past when it comes to 3×3 speed cubes because of how well modern speed cubes are designed. But older Rubik’s cubes will have a case of lockup now and then.
This is more likely to happen to 4×4, 5×5 and higher dimensions because they have more complex insides.
Lockups are directly related to the cube design and the more layers the cube has the more often it will lockup.
Additional things you should know
Now you are almost a master cuber! Or at least you are well on your way.. However, there are still more things a beginner needs to know.
Below are some additional things to think about when choosing your speed cube.
Tensions and lubrication
Ready to get your mind blown one more time?
You can change to a certain extent most of the characteristics discussed above on your speed cube!
This is why we (cubers) like to tweak and lubricate our speedcubes.
Tensions
Tensions are holding the cube together and by adjusting them you make layers come closer together or make more room between each other, removing or adding the friction between them.
Since cubes’ characteristics are a personal preference it is a real pleasure to fine-tune it. By adjusting its tension, you can make your speed cube tighter or looser, which affects pretty much all of its characteristics.
I love adjusting my speedcubes because it really feels good when you make rubik’s cube perfect for you!
Some of them come poorly adjusted out of the box, and even after they break in, you can notice that they have a side that is too loose or tight. Sometimes it happens that a speed cube out of the box has sides that corner cut 45 degrees while others don’t. If you are experiencing such a corner cutting problem with one side, the top side should be loosened.
How do I tension my speed cube?
If you need to adjust the tension of your 3×3 puzzle first you need to remove the caps of each center piece that needs to be adjusted. Note that you can’t do this with Rubik’s brand cubes because they don’t have adjustable screws.
Once the caps are removed, all you need to do is take a screwdriver and tighten or loosen the screws beneath the surfaces of the caps. It’s that simple.
Once you are done just place the caps back in their place and viola your 3×3 now works by your preferences!
But on a side note, not all cubes need adjusting. Sometimes you may like the cube just the way it is after it breaks in, especially if you are a beginner because you will start tinkering around your cube(s) only after you get hooked to the hobby. Still, it Is my job to let you in on all of the secrets!
Lubricants
Internal parts of every speed cube are rubbing against each other and this is why it is crucial for you to use lubes. Think of it as adding oil to your car engine. You wouldn’t want engine parts going dry one on another.
You should only use Silicon Type Lube for lubricating your speedcubes. This is pretty straightforward since there are silicon lubes made specifically for this purpose. But, you should know that there are various types of lubes, and again it comes down to personal preference depending on what you want to achieve.
Some lubes give you more speed, and others provide more control. This depends on the viscosity and thickness of the lube.
There is no secret formula for lubing your speed cube because it depends on the cube and what you want to achieve. You can even mix lubes to get specific results for your needs.
You should never lube a brand new speed cube because it will take more time for it to smooth out its pieces. Only after you have broken in your new 3×3 you should add lube to it.
You can check out this great tutorial for 3×3 lubrication:
Stickers
When it comes to stickers for your 3×3 puzzle there are basically three options:
- Speed cubes with stickers
- Speed cubes with plastic tiles instead of stickers – rarely used and seen anymore
- Stickerless speed cubes
None of these are “the best” and this is 100% a personal preference because it will determine what you see.
Stickers come in different shades ranging from half bright shades to full bright shades.
When I first started speedsolving I had headaches because I used a full bright stickered one and I was really upset because I couldn’t spam my cube for a long time before a headache would strike me. This is why I started looking into blind speed solving. But, once I bought a darker stickered cube my headaches were gone.
The best way to tell if you are going to experience something similar as I did, is to think if you experience headaches from very bright things like your computer monitor. This can manifest in speedcubing as well, because once you start spinning full bright colors in front of your eyes it could give you headaches but this will only happen once you start going fast like 3+ moves per second. This problem is easily solved by resticking your cube with darker shades.
Stickerless speed cubes have their plastic colored instead of having stickers. I personally love them because of their looks but that’s just me.
One good thing about stickerless rubiks cubes is that you don’t have to worry if their stickers will eventually wear off but on another hand, they have their colors and that’s it. Someone may say that it is possible to change their color but the effort needed beats the purpose.
They offer a slight advantage over stickered 3x3s because they don’t have borders between their “stickers.” So, it is easier to catch a color in the speed of the moment because the area with color is bigger. But this advantage is small and shouldn’t be a sole reason for opting for a stickerless option.
Size and weight of a Speed cube
Speedcube’s dimensions and its weight can significantly influence the speedcubing experience because of the way a cuber is speedsolving, depending on their hand’s size and their preferences.
The standard 3×3 puzzle size is 57x57x57mm (2 1⁄4 in) on each side but there are other sizes available and they range from bigger cubes like 57mm to smaller cubes like 55mm to 42mm. However, there are of course, some extremes that shouldn’t interest you at the moment. Like huge and extra small 3×3 puzzles.
The intuitive way of thinking will tell you that a lighter cube may be better but that is not always the case. Medium weighted cubes are the best speedcubes in most cases.
Top 7 Best Speed Cubes Reviews
List Updated 2024
The 3×3 speed cubes listed below are the best currently available in 2024. Any of these choices are excellent for beginners and professional cubers alike. I encourage you to choose the one which attracts you the most because personal preference is the most important.
If you are a beginner. I welcome you to the cubing world… Below are the tickets for a ride, pick yours and enjoy 🙂
Also, I would like to be transparent with you and let you know that I may earn a small commission if you purchase a speed cube through the affiliate links below. This helps me to keep the site running and it doesn’t in any way influence which cubes I recommend. These are the best speed cubes you can get today, in my opinion.
I recommend getting your cube at TheCubicle (cubes linked below). They are the biggest US-based puzzle shop led by real speedcubers. You will get the best possible experience. They are loved and trusted by the cubing community. You can get familiar with them by their short presentation video below.
1. GAN 11 M Pro – Top 3×3 Speed Cube
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gan is one of the best manufacturers there are for cubes. Synonym for quality in the cubing world.
This is the best speed cube you can get today.
Gan 11 M Pro is a new 3×3 cube from the GAN production. GAN loves to innovate, so they introduced this cube with its groundbreaking omnidirectional magnetic core.
This industry’s first inner core design provides you with a unique magnetic feel and an incredible speedcubing experience.
The secret is the special corner-core magnetic positioning system. The speed cube has 8 pairs of magnets in the core, and they react with the magnets in each corner piece. Additionally, just like the Gan 356XS, it has 48 magnets inside its pieces.
The turning feels absolutely effortless. This design lowers the intensity you need to move a layer while at the same time providing stability as the inner magnets align and help contain the layer in its place.
In other words, the Gan 11 M Pro is an extremely fast cube that has excellent control. The best combination on the market.
Its adjustability is fantastic. The most adjustable speed cubes today are this one and the GAN 356 XS. You get the dual adjustment system for compression and tension and you can adjust all magnet’s strength individually.
Considering the quality of this 3×3 and that it is an engineering sensation in the cubing world, I won’t waste your time with corner cutting and other talks. It has perfect corner cutting, no pops or twists or any similar problems.
What matters the most is that your algorithm execution will be effortless, fast and with excellent control. Gan 11 M Pro is the cream of the crop. The most premium puzzle you can get.
Turning: Fast and light, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Excellent, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Perfect
2. MoYu Weilong WR M 2020
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cube is a successor of the widely popular MoYu WR M version. They may have similar names but the new version is quite different and from my point of view better overall.
MoYu is a brand that never fails to impress and this 3×3 is no exception. It has the popular dual adjustment system that MoYu introduced a while ago but the overall design of this cube makes it a fantastic puzzle that will be sitting among the best speed cubes for a long time.
The cube is unbelievably fast. Probably one of the fastest cubes I have ever had a chance to try. However, this doesn’t mean that it is uncontrollable. You get more speed for less control, but the ratio between the two feels just right, thanks to the strong magnets that really keep it all together.
Adding various lubes after you break in the cube will help you tailor the speed/control ratio to your preferences but the immense speed you get from this puzzle is definitely going to help you solve faster.
Corner cutting is fantastic, I never had it pop up, corner twists are really hard to happen thanks to its squared-off corners, and you can adjust it a lot to your preferences.
The cube has a very smooth feel with almost muffled like noise. It is the complete opposite of its predecessor MoYu WR M which had more high pitched clunky noise.
This puzzle is quite lightweight and of standard size sitting at 55mm in size and about 75grams. It is also a speed cube with the best value for money in this cube buying guide. Its a popular speed cube with the best combination of the most important features.
Turning: Fast and light, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Enough, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Perfect
3. GAN 356 XS 3×3 Cube
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cube is so undeniably good that it is easily considered one of the best 3×3 cubes today on the market. But it will depend on your preferences the Gan 11m Pro, MoYu above or the GAN 356 XS.
This is the most adjustable cube there is with up to 72 different configurations you can make considering that there is a dual adjustment system for tension and compression and a standalone adjustment of the magnet strength. That’s right you can modify the magnet strength easily and naturally.
It’s hard to talk about the cube characteristics considering how much you can tailor it to your will. However, I will say that the cube is incredibly fast and very stable. Its movement is precise, smooth with the buttery feel to it and it feels premium as Gan always does.
Corner cutting is of course incredible, it doesn’t pop, corner twists don’t happen and the cube performance is fantastic for speed cubing.
The GAN 356 XS speed cube was used by Felix Zemdegs to break the world record for the average 3×3 solve in Australia 2019 competition.
Turning: Fast and smooth, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Good, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Perfect
4. QiYi Valk 3 Elite M – Magnetic 3×3 Cube
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
First there was the Valk 3 cube, then Valk 3 Power and now we are blessed with the Valk 3 Elite M. The two previous models are still used today and are responsible for many world records. This is a testament to the relevancy of Valk 3 cubes.
The Valk 3 Elite M is an exceptional cube that is loved by the cubing community. It is very customizable and offers a unique center caps magnets feature. These provide additional magnetization between the center and edge pieces. Easily one of the best speed cubes on the market now.
You can also adjust the elasticity of the cube thanks to its changeable center nuts. This cube from QiYi is a puzzle that can be adjusted to your preferences and the feel of it will depend on your settings. Generally speaking, this cube feels smooth and precise but it also has a crunchy feel to it.
Turning: Fast and crunchy, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Very good, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Excellent
5. MoYu WeiLong GTS3 M
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
MoYu is one of the most recognizable names in the speedcubing world and for a good reason. They made some of the best speedcubes that ever hit the marketplace and are always there to innovate.
The WeiLong GTS model 3 is still fairly new and it brought a lot of new features. It is a successor to the well known and reviewed below MoYu WeiLong GTS2. The GTS3 is one of the best 3×3’s ever made and the only thing I think that some people will not like are the outer ridges on its edges. These ridges are there to improve the grip and they help when you are doing extremely fast executions.
This puzzle brought an adjustable spring system that is separated from adjusting the screws so that you have more customization options. This dual adjustment system is still used today on new MoYu cubes like WR M.
The GTS3 has excellent speed and now even more than before but this is not something that the beginners will fully enjoy. Luckily the cube comes in the magnetic version which I absolutely recommend and it can easily be adjusted to offer more controllability.
The MoYu GTS3 has an amazing corner and reverse corner cutting. This cube will not let you down and the solving is effortless.
Turning: Fast and light, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Enough, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Excellent
6. MoYu WeiLong GTS V2 M (WCA World Record Edition)
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
MoYu is one of the biggest speedcubes brands today and the GTS V2 is still known as their prime model. It is used by many world class cubers and was used for a few world breaking results.
MoYu WeiLong GTS V2 M has excellent turning speed and it goes to the point of being too fast out of the box for beginner cubers because of the lack of the stability but with the proper lube, you can get more control out of it. Magnets on this WCA version help a lot too. Cubers who love speed can appreciate the WeiLong GTS V2 M WCA.
GTS V2 M has excellent corner cutting which in most cases you won’t even feel and the effortless turning will have you solving without getting your hands tired.
The cubes size is 55.5mm making it more compact and making it a good choice if you have smaller hands.
This cube was used by SeungBeom Cho to break the world record for a single solve of 4.59 seconds. And later it was used by YuSheng Du to set a world record of 3.47 seconds single solve. The GTS M2 combines its speed with magnets so it is no wonder it was used to get the best single solve.
Turning: Fast and light, Corner cutting: Unnoticeable, Control: Enough, Catching: Very Rare, SpeedSolving: Excellent
7. QiYi MS 3×3 Budget Magnetic 3×3 Cube
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love this cube from QiYi because of its affordability and good value for its price. This is one of the best budget cubes.
This may be the best speedcube for a beginner if he is not looking into spending more. However, generally cubes are not expensive and you shouldn’t pick this one solely because it’s a great budget cube If you don’t like its features.
QiYi MS doesn’t feel cheap and it has a beautiful stickered version color wise, it also comes in stickerless.
The turning of this cube is smooth enough to give you controllability over it, but it is also quite fast, making it a great budget cube for speedsolving. This puzzle is controllable but it is also quite loud and clicky. Magnets are on the strong side, which helps with the precision of the algorithm execution.
Overall for a budget cube, the QiYi MS does more than what you pay, making it the best cube for the money. This is great for beginners and even some professionals that love it.
Turning: Fast with smoothness, Corner cutting: Somewhat Noticeable, Control: Great, Catching: Sometimes, SpeedSolving: Very Good
Which cubes do the world record cubers use?
| Single fastest 3×3 solve (single solve) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Result | At the event | Cube used |
| 1 | Yusheng Du | 3.47 | Wuhu Open 2018 | MoYu Weilong GTS2M |
| 2 | Feliks Zemdegs | 4.16 | Auckland Summer Open 2020 | Gan 356 XS |
| 3 | Patrick Ponce | 4.24 | Northeast Championship 2019 | Angstrom Valk M |
| 4 | Nicolás Sánchez | 4.38 | GA Cubers Feet Fest 2019 | Valk M |
| 8 | SeungBeom Cho | 4.59 | ChicaGhosts 2017 | MoYu WeiLong GTS2M |
| Fastest average 3×3 solve (3 out of 5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Result | At the event | Cube used |
| 1 | Feliks Zemdegs | 5.53 | Odd Day in Sydney 2019 | GAN 356 XS |
| 2 | Max Park | 5.95 | Houston Winter 2020 | GAN 356 X |
| 3 | Sean Patrick Villanueva | 5.98 | Marikina City Open II 2019 | Angstrom Valk M |
Information for records used from www.worldcubeassociation.org
Conclusion
After reading this speed cube buying guide, you are well on your way to having a positive speed cubing experience.
It is very important to note that what is the best speed cube for one person doesn’t have to be the same for you. However, the fact that the speedcubing community and successful cubers are opting for certain cubes over others is helping you scout through the huge array of options.
You should choose the cube whose features you like the most because that will determine the first few months of this beautiful hobby if you are a beginner. I did my best to present the best speed cubes for various cuber types and budgets.
Keep in mind that you can change the cube’s features up to a certain extent, so if the cube you liked offered very fast turning with a touch of smoothness, you should know that you can give it more smoothness using lubes and etc. Cubes are not stuck to their manufactured state.
Wishing you awesome cubing!