What is the best Rubik’s Cube for speed?

What is the best Rubik’s Cube in the world?

Well, the answer is a little more complex than you might think, and all depends on your goal. Are you looking for the fastest cube to solve? The most challenging feat? Or maybe a cube with some training wheels? Whatever you are looking for, we can help find the best Rubik’s Cube brand for your needs.
best rubik's cube for speedcubingWhat is the best speed cube?

Features of a good speedcube

Corner cutting: The best Rubik’s Cubes for speedsolving feature corner cutting, meaning the cube can continue to turn even once a layer is slightly misaligned, thus permitting extra room for error when turning, and increasing fluidity.
Speed: How quickly the cube can be manipulated. Please note – a cube that seems uncontrollable at first to a novice does not necessarily mean it is not a good cube. The speed of a well-made Rubik’s Cube can be influenced heavily by the weight of the lubricant added.
Popping and corner twists: This is an indication of whether the corners of the Rubik’s cube twist or if the cube violently explodes. This depends heavily on the tension of the cube. 
Feeling: This all boils down to personal preference, but can be one of the most important parts of selecting the best Rubik’s Cube for you. Cubes with different feelings are sometimes described using words like ‘bubbly’, ‘grindy’, ‘bumpy’, ‘blocky’, ‘smooth’, ‘tactile’ and ‘buttery’.

There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to selecting the best 3×3 speed cube brand. While there is a lot of personal preference involved in selecting the best Rubik’s Cube, the most important attributes of a speed cube are anti-pop features and easy corner-cutting; that will make your solve lighter, faster and stronger.

Top-range speed cube brands offer an array of benefits to the proficient cuber that has mastered some of the basic finger techniques. That is where these speedcubes outpace the original Rubik’s brand cubes.

Best Rubik’s Cube for Beginners

If you are just a casual Rubik’s Cube solver or looking for the best Rubik’s Cube to give as a gift to get a novice started, check out these starter Rubik’s Cubes. They all have a smooth turn, are easy enough not to frustrate or discourage a beginner, and are relatively inexpensive options. (Remember, Rubik’s Cubes make great stocking stuffers!)

If you’re looking to spend in the $5-10 range, you can still find a great Rubik’s cube with modern features and improvements, like sophisticated anti-corner twist designs and corner tracks. Your best options are:
Qiyi Sail
Yuxin Fire
Thunderclap V1
Shengshou Fangyuan
Qiyi beginner speed rubik's cube

Best intermediate Rubik’s Cube

If you’re a casual player looking for an upgrade to the next level, try out these medium range Rubik’s Cubes. They are a little more expensive than the entry-level models but are a great way to up your game.

If you want to upgrade to an even more robust cube in the $10-20 range, look into these extremely high-quality Rubik’s Cubes:
Moyu Weilong GTS
Guoguan Yuexiao
Valk 3
Speedcube Rubik's cube

Best Rubik’s Cube for Experts

If your goal is to have the fastest Rubik’s hand in town, you want to make sure you have the absolute best Rubik’s Cube for speedsolving (or “speedcubing”). Want to know what the Rubik’s speed solver world record holders are using? Believe it or not, there are actually Rubik’s Cube solving competitions; here are the cubes that the pros use.


The highest tier speedcubes start around $30 and go up from there, but you’re guaranteed not to be disappointed by the Gan’s patented, color-coded spring elasticity system (known as GES or Gans Elasticity System), which provides excellent speed and a lightweight yet stable feel. Cubes in this tier are superior in performance and will last much longer. All of the cubes are hand assembled for stability and have optional magnet upgrades for additional speedsolving.

Best Rubik’s Cube for Speed

Gan 356 Air Master

best rubik's cube for speedcubing

These best speedsolving Rubik’s Cube designs all have a few traits in common:
-a seamless, smooth turn, with or without lubrication, leading to less drag and friction,
-an appropriate weight to comfortably hold and rotate
All allowing the solver to finish the cube in the fastest possible time; and:
-clear, bright colors on the faces, reducing the risk of errors while solving and permitting the player to use their solving algorithm effectively.

Best Rubik's Cube

ModelPriceLevelLink
Qiyi Sail$BeginnerLearn more
Yuxin Fire$BeginnerLearn more
Thunderclap V1$BeginnerLearn more
Shengshou Fangyuan$BeginnerLearn more
Moyu Weilong GTS$$IntermediateLearn more
Guoguan Yuexiao$$IntermediateLearn more
Valk 3$$IntermediateLearn more
Gan 356 Air Master$$$ExpertLearn more

P.S; if competition solving speed is your goal, it’s probably also a good idea to invest in a Rubik’s Cube Timer. A good cube solving timer will be easy to operate, so as not to distract the hands from working until the last possible moment. It should also exactly track the time down to the millisecond.


Best Rubik’s Cube Timer
This Professional grade Rubik’s Cube Speedsolving and Training Timer feature accuracy to 0.001 seconds, and a data port to connect to an external display if desired.

Alternatively, you could use a browser-based Rubik’s Cube timer like this one or a Rubik’s Cube timer for iPad like this one.


Just want to try the best Rubik’s Cube app?
Most Rubik’s Cube solvers enjoy the feel and weight of a physical cube in their hands; however, this is not always possible. Luckily, there are plenty of great Rubik’s Cube apps out there that can help you get your puzzle fix when you’re on the go. To make this list, the app must be easy to use, responsive to actions, and adequately simulate the real Rubik’s Cube.
Rubik’s Cube iPhone app
Rubik’s Cube Android app


History of the Rubik’s Cube
About the Rubik’s cube origin: Everyone’s favorite color-matching puzzle is now a classic game, but where did it come from? The Rubik’s Cube origin story, like the puzzle itself, is full of twists and turns. The first cube was developed by the Hungarian design teacher (and master puzzler) Erno Rubik in 1974. It was first pitched by an agent to the Ideal Toy & Novelty Company, hit stores in 1980, and had already sold over one hundred million units by 1982. Shortly thereafter, hundreds of Rubik’s Cube spin-offs hit the market. By 2009, over 350 million cubes had been sold worldwide, officially labeling Rubik’s as the world’s top-selling puzzle game.


Competition facts
The World Rubik’s Cube Record for the best time for solving the cube in an official championship is held by Feliks Zemdegs of Australia, for fully restoring the cube in 4.73 seconds during the POPS Open in Melbourne, 2016. All Rubik’s Cube records are governed by the World Cube Association.


A Different Kind of Rubik’s Cube World Record?
Did you know, Rubik’s Cube (originally called the Magic Cube) is one of the best-selling toys of all time? In fact, it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2014.


Here at Smart-Toys, we are a big fan of the Rubik’s Cube and puzzles like the Rubik’s Cube because they encourage systematic, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and – let’s face it – persistence. It’s an amazing brain teaser that’s difficult enough to challenge the mind, but logical enough to figure out without too much undue frustration. Kids who work with brain teasers and puzzles have a greater likelihood of success in mathematics, particularly geometry, logic, and algorithms, and demonstrate enhanced problem-solving abilities in other areas. They are also exquisite fidget toys for kids, which have been demonstrated to increase focus and improve concentration.


We recommend that all kids have a Rubik’s Cube on their desk or nightstand!


Read more:
Rubik’s Cube without stickers?
Rubik’s Cube for the blind
Rubik’s Cube for dummies

Thanks for reading this review of the best Rubik’s Cube for speed solving! No aggregators or algorithms – all of the unique brain teasers on this page are hand-picked! Affiliate links support this site at no cost to you. This means we may receive a commission for a purchase you make using our links. Your purchase price does not increase. For more information on how Smart-Toys works, click here. Thanks for reading about the best Rubik’s Cubes in the world!

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