I have a question for the #speedcubing community here - if there is one.

Whilst I'm not necessarily interested in getting to the point of being able to solve a #RubiksCube within mere seconds, I would like a smoother experience than the official Rubik's Cube. I find they're clunky and nowhere near anything as smooth as people online show their cubes to be on YouTube.

I had a look at some alternative brands, but there are so many brands / models.

Would anyone be able to recommend any please?

@Howard

@babe weren't you engaged in this pursuit for at least a little bit?

@eigen @Howard I've recently got some GAN Maglev speed cubes, which are about as good as they get, though have a price to match.

My understanding is the vast majority of magnetic speed cubes are pretty decent now. The magnets do make a very big difference to the experience. I got a swiftblock a while ago and that was a hell of a step up from the more basic ones, and for only about 15 quid

@Howard My son struggled with the mechanics too so I impulse-bought the cheapest light plastic knock-off at a local grocery store (for ~2 EUR IIRC?), and he loves it. It looks like the one on the picture (note the curved tiles), but I think the photo is of an actual professional one.

@buherator Ahh thanks. Yes, those are the kinds that I see on YouTube videos. I have a couple of Rubik's only because of they are novelty editions, like Disney and a thermal one which is all black until you touch it and the heat from your fingers start to make the colours appear.

@babe @eigen Thanks a lot for getting back on this Tiddy. And thanks Matt for linking me up with Tiddy!

Just wondering - is there a lot of difference between the Gan magnetic cubes vs MoYu magnetic cubes apart from the price?

@Howard @eigen GAN is just one of the leading brands for speed. It's my understanding it's not really going to make too much of a difference to the experience until you start getting into doing the faster algorithms and try to quicken those up.

I found the GAN 354 and Maglev both felt way, way faster and more responsive than I had any need for really. The lower range magnetic cubes are just as good speed wise for someone like me still using the beginner method

@Howard @eigen If you ever get into doing the megaminx though, VERY worth the money

@Howard I was in the same boat. I ended up ordering an MFJS cube https://www.thecubicle.com/products/mfjs-meilong-3m-v2?f=versions&variant=41655588520019 as well as their order 2, 4, and 5 cubes. They're vastly better than Rubik's, they turn easily and don't jam and there are no stickers to peel away. Same site has lots of other brands and I'm sure some are as good or better but I'm happy with MFJS. The magnetic ones cost a little more but that's a real improvement and they're still cheaper than Rubik's.