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Not all cubes are made equally. Cubers require the best speed cube, whether they are practicing or playing competitively. We’re going to show you models that are designed for both. We have tested and reviewed 10 of the top performers to make your search easier.
We would also like to share a couple of our favorites with you. So before we get to the reviews, check out the following cubes.
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ShengShou’s Mr. M ranked the highest as the best overall. This well-priced cube feels great in the hand, and has excellent balance to it. Spins are tight and responsive, as well. It’s a solid buy for both practice and serious play.
For those looking to play competitively, GAN’s 356 XS is your best bet. It’s a little pricey, but it’s the most finely-crafted cube we tested. You’ll love this high-quality model. From its weight to its performance, this cube excels in every category.
Now that you’ve seen what’s in store, let’s move on to the main reviews. We’ll go into more detail on the above two, as well as 8 other excellent performers.
ShengShou’s Mr. M delivers a premium feel at an affordable price. The magnets provide responsive feedback that doesn’t disappoint.
At no time did we experience overturning our popped cubes. Everything works well, from spinning to corner cutting.
The build-quality is most excellent for such a well-priced cube. You may want to take the time to lube parts of it so that it responds more to your liking, but it passed our tests without us needing to do so.
We prefer our magnets to be strong, and the ShengShou Mr. M definitely delivers. The cube has a solid yet lightweight feel to it that earns it its high ranking.
One of the more responsive cubes, we found this model to be precise and accurate. You may want to lube the cube, however, as it may feel too tight to you.
If you require the best in quality for competitions, GAN’s 356 XS is just what you need. Every part of this cube features premium construction.
At around 9 ounces, we found this model to have excellent balance. The 356 XS feels really nice in the hands, and using it is a dream.
Each spin and turn is precise, providing you with the accuracy you’d expect out of a cube this costly. If you require perfection for competitive play, the 356 XS won’t let you down.
We like that you can adjust this cube to accommodate your preferences quite easily. It’s an all-around winner.
We were able to enjoy the 356 XS just the way it came. No tweaking was needed. It works fast and is very accurate.
DaYan has been around for quite some time. And with that longevity comes experience. With their TengYun M speed cube, you’re getting superior handling and performance.
The standout feature is its noiseless operation. It’s a great cube to get plenty of practice without disturbing those around you.
Thanks to its magnet construction, corner cutting is easy. Although we have to admit that they aren’t the strongest you’ll come across.
We like the smooth operation of this cube. It’s easy to use and feels really nice when holding it. The only potential downside is that turns can sometimes be too fast.
We found it easy to overturn because of this. With that said, it’s not at all difficult to get acclimated to this cube. Some steady practice should level things out.
Operation is fast and smooth, but the magnets can throw off spins on occasion. Thankfully, it’s easy to make adjustments to the cube’s tension so that you get the right balance.
If your budget doesn’t allow for an expensive cube, the QiYi Warrior W won’t disappoint. We are quite fond of the frosted surface on each cubie.
They provide the perfect amount of feedback and feel. Turns and spins feel incredibly responsive as a result. The grip is excellent, too.
Operation is smooth and quick, and each rotation feels really nice. So far, so good. By all accounts, this sounds like the perfect speed cube. So why doesn’t it rank higher?
On a couple of occasions, a plastic piece of a cubie would pop off. As we all know, pop-offs are a no-no. But let’s be honest. You’re probably not going to be using this cube in competitions.
It’s a budget-priced model that’s ideal for practicing. If a piece does come off, just pop it back into place. It’s easy and painless.
This cube offers some of the best rotation around. Each turn is smooth and responsive. Cubers will definitely benefit from this well-crafted model.
Puzgic’s Amazing Smart Cube is designed really well. We love the stellar craftsmanship that oozes from this cube.
You’re getting a magnet-free version, but we didn’t find that to be such a bad thing. Performance is just as responsive as you’d expect from a high-quality plastic cube.
This is a great option for beginners who are just learning the ropes. It doesn’t possess the speed as superior cubes, but that’s not so bad.
The price makes this an accessible cube for just about anyone wanting to get some quality practice in.
The 3-ounce weight is admittedly pretty light. But beginners should find it to be welcoming and easy to learn with.
This budget-friendly cube is fast in its operation. Each cubie is easy to turn, although you’ll want to break it in before it finds its sweet spot.
We appreciate that adjustments can be made to the Little Magic if you need to get it customized to your liking.
You won’t find any magnets on this model. But considering the low price, that’s to be expected. Thankfully, a magnet kit can remedy that little caveat.
If you’re into your cube being lightweight, you’ll appreciate the Little Magic’s 4-ounce construction. And thanks to a lack of stickers, you don’t have to worry about them getting in the way.
The big draw here is the quickness in which this cube spins and turns. Some cubers will want to outfit it with magnets for better performance, however.
CreativeLine’s SpeedRipper Cube delivers solid performance. We love the smoothness in each turn. If you’re wanting a cube that’s easy to work with, the SpeedRipper won’t let you down.
The cubies feel a little loose, but that’s going to be a benefit for certain cubers. We prefer a bit tighter feel to our cubes, but we still had a lot of fun with this model.
We’re not too keen on it having stickers, but so far they have not posed a problem. With time and lots of use, though, they may begin peeling off.
Keep this in mind if you are looking for a sticker-free cube. This is a great investment for practicing speed cubing, as it works well and feels good.
At nearly 3 ounces, it’s pretty lightweight. And the build-quality is top-notch, making this cube a smart buy for beginners and pros alike.
While it takes some getting used to, the SpeedRipper is a well-rounded cube. It’s quite responsive and smooth in its operation.
Roxenda’s Magic Cube Set is an excellent value. You not only get a traditional 3 x 3 x 3 cube, but a 2 x 2 x 2 and pyramid, as well.
Each item consists of classic colors that make up the original Rubik’s Cube. We were impressed by how well each one performed. While they don’t have the precision of magnetic builds, they are surprisingly accurate.
Spins and turns are smooth, and movement is fast. The build-quality is quite good considering the low price point. You’re getting a great bargain with everything that’s included.
The weight is really good, too, as each cube feels well-balanced. They have a nice feel to them when you’re holding and using each cube.
The only downside is that there are stickers on each piece. There’s the potential that they will come off and get in the way of performance.
We were very pleased with the performance of each piece. They are easy to operate, with smooth spinning and fast turns.
We’re big fans of this cube. It features a unique carbon fiber appearance that really adds a lot of character to it. Even better is the grip and feel it provides.
These are just stickers that give you this tactile feedback, but we had no trouble with them. Many cubers avoid stickers because they come off and disturb performance.
This was never an issue for us, though. Turning and spinning is smooth, making this a great unit for honing your skills.
It is, however, really lightweight. Not weighing much more than an ounce, some cubers will understandably require something heavier.
The lightweight construction will turn away some cubers, but we love the feel of this cube. It is well-designed, and the carbon fiber sets it apart from the norm.
It’s the one and only original Rubik’s Cube. Most people would expect this one to rate a lot higher. But there are more refined cubes today that easily top the Rubik’s in performance.
For the price, though, this cube makes a great novelty item or gift. That’s not to say it isn’t good for testing the mind and practicing.
There are just models out there that do it a lot better. Still, the Rubik’s Cube is reasonably-priced. It’s a solid investment for those who are picking up a cube for the first time.
Corner cutting is rather difficult. So those wanting to improve their speed should look elsewhere. We do like the weight of the Rubik’s, though. It is well-balanced and feels good in the hand.
The cubies that make up the Rubik’s Cube can be tough to spin and turn. The slower you operate it, the better it performs.