In my best 7×7 cube reviews I’m going to cover the top options when it comes to this size of the Rubik’s cube. It’s logical as you collect and gain more experience as a puzzler to get more and more puzzles, and get larger and harder puzzles too. The 7×7 is the largest cube that has a category in speed solving competitions, so you could say this is the end of the road.

Best 7×7 Cube Reviews: The Table

7×7 Cubes	The Cube	Our Rating	PuzzleDude’s Review	Get it here
MoYu Aofu 7×7		(4.5 / 5)	Best 7×7 hands down	Check it out on Amazon here
V Cube 7×7		(2.5 / 5)	Cheap, locks up, hard to speedsolve.	Check it out on Amazon here
ShengShou 7×7		(3.5 / 5)	Best budget 7×7	Check it out on Amazon here

Best 7×7 Cube Individual Reviews

MoYu Aofu 7×7 Review (4.5/5)

The MoYu Aofu is my go-to from the 7×7 cubes available. It comes in two versions, square and pillowed. I really like the pillowed version as it catches less and is way more comfortable to handle with my hand size. Either way, the square version or the pillowed version are both in my opinion great 7×7 cubes and you should probably choose between them if you can. They aren’t super expensive at around $50 considering the amount of cube you’re getting.

• Available in square and pillowed
• Get white stickered, black stickered, or stickerless
• Minimal popping, pillowed has the least locking
• Very fast outter layers, inner layers move well too
• PuzzleDude’s rating (4.5 / 5) – best 7×7 cube for speed cubing

If you want to get into 7×7 cubing, get a MoYu Aofu – right now there are no other cubes that can compete with it.

V Cube 7×7 Review (2.5/5)

The V Cube 7×7 and other V Cube products continue to disappoint with their poor quality of the stickers, and mechanics that make solving this cube at any respectable speed a nightmare. Again, I recommend staying away from V Cubes especially when the Aofu is far superior at the same price, and the Shengshou at a lower price is even superior. I’ll review the ShengShou 7×7 next.

• Stickers come off easily
• Pops and locks frequently
• Hard to solve quickly
• MoYu has released a pillowed version which makes this cube 100% obsolete.
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (2.5 / 5) – worst 7×7 cube

ShengShou 7×7 Review (3.5/5)

Ah ShengShou, the gold standard of budget speed cubes that are actually really solid. ShengShou has that distinct ultra-fast and clacky feel that some people love, and anyone on a budget will love as well. Considering that you can get a ShengShou 7×7 cube for half of the price of the MoYu and it’s still a great cube that people use in competition to this date shows huge value.

• Well built 7×7
• Optional 69mm mini version
• Minimal popping, some locking
• Super fast outer layers, inner layers are not as smooth as the MoYu’s
• WORLD RECORD is current held by Feliks Zemdegs using a ShengShou mini 7×7
• PuzzleDude’s rating (3.5 / 5) – best budget 7×7 speed cube!

I recommend the ShengShou 7×7 for anyone wanting to get a 7×7 on a budget, or if you specifically like the feel of ShengShou puzzles then you’ll like this as well. ShengShou also released a smaller version 69mm 7×7 that can be used as an alternative to the pillowed version for easier handling. This is the only mini-sized 7×7 that I’m aware of at the date of publishing this article.

How to pick the best 7×7 for you

There are only really a few options when it comes to 7×7’s so I can’t go into too much detail here, but the main things you want to look for in a speed cube are:

• Popping – Minimal popping and locking is essential for a cube to be fast. If it locks on you, your solve times will suffer. However, some puzzler’s styles make them more prone to popping on certain cubes. Overall you can’t go wrong with the MoYu 7×7 pillowed version which I think is the smoothest cube on this list.
• Price – It’s always a concern to stay within your budget when buying these addictive puzzles. Considering budget, purchasing the ShengShou for half of the price of the MoYu could net you 2-3 additional puzzles in the money you save (depending on the size).
• Stickered or stickerless – With the new laws allowing stickerless puzzles in competition, the attractive stickerless puzzles are gaining traction. I personally like the look, feel, and long-lasting stickerless puzzles that never change in appearance and can easily be cleaned with solvents.
• Size – We all have different hands, so using a square vs pillowed 7×7 can make a world of difference. ShengShou also offers a mini 7×7 cube which could be a great purchase for those with smaller hands that have a hard time handlging the standard size 7×7.

Learning About the 7×7

I always like to end my cube review articles with some more information on the cube at hand. Lets go over the history of the 7×7, some good resources to learn how to solve the cube, and finally go over fun facts and the current world records!

7×7 Cube History

Like the 5×5, the V Cube 7 was previously patented by Verdes Innovations and until recently no other companies could produce cubes of this size. This was very upsetting to the speed cubing and puzzling communities as the V Cube was a poor performing cube and also very expensive. Now that other companies are able to make larger cubes like this 7×7, V Cube basically has no hold on the market as no one would choose theirs over a MoYu or ShengShou.

Solving the 7×7

The 7×7 is big, consisting of 218 cubies! The 7×7 is the only speed cubing competition category that allows the use of a pillowed cube – another strike against V Cube. With so many pieces and arrangements possible via the 7×7, there are 1.95×10^160 permutations possible – way too many to type the full number out here.

Solving the 7×7 involves grouping the centers into all thesame colors, and then grouping the edges. Finally with that in check, 3×3 algorithms can be used to solve the cube. Parity restrictions also come into play when solving the 7×7 which require special algorithms. Here are the resources that I used to solve my 7×7 – I’ve included a video resource and a text resource so you can choose one based on your learning style.

As a foreword, most of these tutorials assume you have some knowledge of 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, etc. cubes because the solutions build on each other. I think this is a fair assumption because those looking for a 7×7 usually own at least a 3×3 cube and usually all of the cubes leading up.

7×7 World Records

Time for the best section, the 7×7 world record review! Would you be surprised if I told you that Feliks Zemdegs held both the single and average of 3 solve world record? Good because he does! He holds the single at 2 minutes and 23.55 seconds, and the average of three at 2 minutes and 30.14 seconds. He set both of these records in 2015 at two different competitions.

He set the record using a mini ShengShou 7×7 for reference.

Best 7×7 Cube Reviews Conclusion

I always have a fun time reviewing cubes, sharing their history, and reviewing the world records. I find that this article style is great as an intro to the cube and anyone interested in purchasing one. In conclusion, the MoYu 7×7’s are the best in my opinion. the ShengShou is a close second, and you could argue that the ShengShou is the best cube due to the world record being set with it – I can’t debate that too heavily.

The best 7×7 cube is the one that you can afford, and one that doesn’t limit your solve speed. Saying that, you’re choosing between MoYu or ShengShou with a few sub-options between them like the ShengShou mini, or pilowed MoYu.

Happy puzzling!

The best 5×5 cube depends on if you’re new to 5×5, or an experienced puzzler looking for a competitive speed cube. In these reviews of some of the top 5×5 cubes I’ll cover the basics of speed cube criteria, and give options for the beginner, speed cuber, and budget minded individual.

Best 5×5 Cubes Review Table

5×5 Cubes	The Cube	Our Review	PuzzleDude’s Rating	Get it Here
MoYu Huachuang 5×5		Best 5×5 overall	(4.5 / 5)	Get it Here
MoYu Aochuang 5×5		Great 5×5, looser feel than the Huachuang, comparable cube	(4 / 5)	Get it Here
Shengshou 5×5		Good budget 5×5	(3.5 / 5)	Get it Here
Cyclone Boys 5×5		Best budget 5×5, awesome cube for a great price	(4 / 5)	Get it Here
Yuxin 5×5		World record holding 5×5, takes some setting up but excellent cube	(4 / 5)	Get it Here

How to pick the best 5×5 cube

I always recommend starting off with the best 5×5 cube you can afford when first starting out so you don’t outgrow your cube. If you’ve ever used the Rubik’s brand 3×3 you know what I’m talking about. The cube can simply not handle fast inputs and locks up like a little bugger. The same thing happens when you buy cheap 4×4, and even 5×5 cubes. So buy the best cube you can – no cube is too “fast” or “good” for a beginner just starting out. The cuber simply needs to adjust to the cube. With that out of the way, let’s go over some criteria to consider when choosing a good 5×5:

• Budget and build quality – This was touched on in the previous paragraph, generally when it comes to cubing you get what you pay for. Every 5×5 on this list can be solved, but at what speed, corner cutting, and will it catch? Those are the features you’re paying for with more expensive cubes.
• Corner cutting – With more pieces to catch on, 5×5 cube builds are more complex than 4×4’s. Corner cutting is very important for solving this cube quickly so invest wisely and buy a good cube if you have any concern with speed cubing.
• Popping – Again, with so many pieces and popping being a concern – you want to buy a cube with minimal popping.
• Speed – Speed is important, especially in the outer edges.
• Feel – Do you want crisp, clicky, sandy, buttery, controllable, etc.? These are all descriptions of cubes that I’ll hope to use in this review to help you choose the best 5×5 speed cube for you
• Stickers – With the new rules legalizing stickerless in competition, if the cube comes in a stickerless version then it’s important to note.

Best 5×5 Cube Reviews

With some pre-article info out of the way, let’s get into the best 5×5 cube reviews including options for beginners, speed cubers, budget puzzlers, and everyone in between.

Moyu Huachuang Review (4.5/5)

MoYu’s recent release of the Huachuang may have overthrown the Aochuang as the best 5×5 cube on the market right now. It costs about $5 more than the Aochuang and has a few upgrades to reduce popping which can certainly be worth it. However, if you already own an Aochuang it’s probably not worth the upgrade. I’m adding this to the list first because I think it’s the best 5×5 cube for speed cubing and beginners as well – if you have the dough for this cube you should start with it.

• Very smooth and quick cube
• Feels light and controlled
• Improved corner cutting over the Aochuang
• Least lockups out of all the 5×5’s on this list
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4.5 / 5)  – best 5×5 cube on the market right now

MoYu Aochuang Review (4/5)

The previous king of the castle, the MoYu Aochuang is still a great 5×5 cube. Coming in slightly cheaper than the Huachuang is the Aochuang that is said to pop and lock up at a slightly higher frequency due to the over corner cutting. I personally have a very precise turning style so I don’t lock up with most 5×5’s so it’s hard for me to say if these upgrades and extra dollars are worth it. Overall, the Aochuang is the second best 5×5 on this list in my opinion and if you already have it, there’s really no need to upgrade to the Huachuang.

• Smooth and fast cube
• Loose/fast feel
• Can over turn on corner cuts
• Slightly more prone to popping than the Huachaung
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – really a great 5×5 cube, comparable to the Huachuang with a bit looser/faster feel

Some people will still prefer the feel of the Aochuang over the Huachuang especially if they’re already used to it. The Aochuang offers a really loose/fast feel that’s appealing to some of the fastest cubers in the world.

ShengShou 5×5 Review (3.5/5)

What kind of cube review page would this be without a budget ShengShou thrown into the mix? Here’s one of the best budget 5×5’s on the list with Shengshou. Shengshou cubes are fast, buttery, and a bit clicky. You can set them up different and they’re a great baseline for all cube styles and friendly on the wallet.

• Reliable ShengShou quality
• Fast and clicky
• Outsides are fast, interior pieces are a bit slower
• Some locking and popping
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (3.5 / 5) – good 5×5 cube on a budget!

I recommend this cube for anyone on a budget looking to get into solving 5×5 cubes. Solve it 1000 times and it’ll still work, and it’s about 1/3 of the price in comparison to the other options on this list.

Cyclone Boys 5×5 Review (4/5)

This cube kind of took me by surprise when I first used it. Normally on my review lists I stick with Shengshou for the budget cube but I can’t pass this one up. I actually recommend the Cyclone Boys 5×5 as the best 5×5 cube on a budget over the ShengShou because it turns smoother, and the inner layers turn wayyyy better. This thing is close to being on par with the MoYu cubes for less than half the price which is insane.

• Very stable feel
• Cuts corners easily
• Fast/scratchy turning
• On par with the MoYu cubes for a great price
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – best budget 5×5 cube, the value on this cube is insane!

In this one special case I would recommend this for a beginner cube over going with the MoYu options since you get such good value for the price. The MoYu cubes are almost twice as much and really not 2x better. This is a great beginner 5×5 cube.

Yuxin 5×5 Review (4/5)

This inclusion in the list is for preference. I know that a lot of cubers really like the Yuxin brand, and this cube is on par with the MoYu cubes once properly set up so I’ll include it, but I don’t think it’s as good out of the box.

• Very fast and controlled cube
• Quiet 5×5
• Good corner cutting, minimal popping
• Currently the world record is with this cube
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – great cube, but takes a bit of set up out of the box

The Yuxin is a very fast and controlled cube. Yuxin has made a great name for themselves, and if you have other Yuxin 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 cubes then you’ll probably like their 5×5.

How to pick the best 5×5 cube for you

With some previous information, and the top 5 cubes reviewed – let’s go over exactly who these cubes are for.

• For the speed cuber – Go with the Huachaung, it’s hands down the best 5×5 speed cube on this list. If you already have the Aochuang don’t worry about upgrading
• For the budget speed cuber – The cyclone boys 5×5 is on par with MoYu and Yuxin and comes in at an amazing price. It’s hard to beat this value for a competition ready cube
• For the budget beginner or general beginner – Cyclone boys again, the value is just unmatched and the Cyclone Boys 5×5 is way better than the ShengShou.

Learning about your 5×5

Now that we’ve covered the basis of picking a 5×5, let’s go over learning to solve your 5×5 and I want to share some cool facts as well.

5×5 Cube History “The Professor’s Cube”

The Professor’s Cube more commonly known as the 5×5 has similar qualities to the 3×3 and 4×4 and knowing those algorithms and basis can certainly help you solve it. There’s not a lot of information on who invented or released the 5×5 first, but it is a commonly solved cube and present in speed solving competitions.

Solving Your 5×5 Cube

Like I said, if you know the 3×3 and 4×4 drills then learning how to solve your 5×5 will be a breeze. If you have preferred websites or forums you use to learn algorithms and read guides on puzzles, check those out first. Here are the resources I used to learn how to solve my 5×5:

5×5 Fun Facts

Fun facts time! There are:

282 870 942 277 741 856 536 180 333 107 150 328 293 127 731 985 672 134 721 536 000 000 000 000 000

Possible permutations of the 5×5 cube. That’s a huge number! I had to make a line just to house it. Speed cubers use a method where they group similar edge pieces into solid strips and centers into one-colored blocks to basically turn the cube into a 3×3. From there, they can use the algorithm they know for 3×3 and the only remaining challenge is handling the cube without popping it.

5×5 Speed Cubing World Records

The moment you’ve all been waiting for, 5×5 world records! Guess who, none other than your favorite cuber Feliks Zemdegs holds the world record single at 44.83 seconds, AND the average of 5 world record at 50.15 seconds. Check it out below – FYI he’s using the Yuxin 5×5….!

Best 5×5 Cube Review Conclusion

That was a fun article, and a long one too. If you made it this far, thanks I appreciate you reading all the way through! The best 5×5 cube for a beginner is definitely the Cyclone Boys but at the top level for speed cubers it’s still up in the air. A lot of people love the MoYu cubes, but Feliks likes the Yuxin and has the world record with it, so it’s hard to argue with that. Anyways if you have any questions be sure to comment below, or let me know what 5×5 you’re using!

Happy puzzling :)!

The best 4×4 cube varies from person to person, and depending on whether you’re into puzzling, speed cubing, or a beginner, there’s a cube for you. What I’m trying to say is the best 4×4 cube for one may not be the same for another – in my 4×4 cube reviews I’ll break down the criteria to look at when selecting a cube and help you find one based on your needs.

The Top Choices in Table Format

Tables are super easy to digest so all of the information in this article is conveniently displayed in this table. For more information on 4×4’s and the individual reviews – keep scrolling!

4×4 Cubes	The Cube	Our Rating	PuzzleDude’s Review	Get it here
MoYu Aosu 4×4		(4.5 / 5)	Fast cube, best corner cutting, best 4×4	Check it out on Amazon here
Shengshou 4×4		(3.5 / 5)	Best budget 4×4, decent corner cutting	Check it out on Amazon here
Yuxin 4×4		(4 / 5)	Fast and light cube with great cornering	Check it out on Amazon here
YongJun Guansu		(4 / 5)	Budget 4×4 – solid cube	Check it out on Amazon here

How to pick the best 4×4 cube for you

There aren’t too many factors to consider when choosing a 4×4 but let’s go over them:

• Are you a competitive speed cuber? If so, then budget will likely not be of concern as you’ll want a fast cube, no corner catching, no popping, and a high-quality build that will last you well.
• Do you have a budget? If so, I’ll offer up a budget option for those wanting a 4×4 cube for cheap.
• Corner popping – this can be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing your cube. I’ll try to keep the list clear of any poppers but I’ll make a note if there are issues
• Corner cutting – Another important feature for a cube to have, I’ll let you know about the corner cutting for the 4×4’s reviewed here
• Speed – Some like blisteringly fast cubes, some like slower cubes – let’s break it down and find a good mix of 4×4’s.
• Clicky, sandy, smooth? – These are terms used to describe how a cube feels when it turns. Some cubers like clicky cubes that click and clack during solving, some like a sandy cube that feels a bit gritty, and some just like a smooth turn.
• Stickered vs stickerless – Now that stickleress cubes are competition legal, some prefer stickered vs stickerless 4×4’s so I’ll present options for both.

Now getting into the best 4×4 speed cube reviews, I’ll break them down into categories based on the criteria above to find a best overall cube, a best 4×4 for speedcubing, and a best budget cube at a minimum.

Best 4×4 Cube Reviews

Look, there are a ton of 4×4 cubes out there so I’ll try to narrow it down to the top brands, well known cubes, and throw in some great budget options. Let’s go!

MoYu Aosu 4×4 Review (4.5/5)

It’s no surprise to see a MoYu at the top of the best 4×4 cube list. The Aosu is overall the best 4×4 cube on the list and it doesn’t come in terribly expensive. There are other comparable options on this list but I like the Aosu the best and you probably will too.

• Minimal popping
• Best corner cutting on the list
• Speed is perfect – buttery and crisp feel
• Available in stickered and stickerless
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4.5 / 5) – best 4×4 cube for speed cubing!

If you’re looking for the best 4×4 out there right now, you could honestly get the Aosu and stop going through the list right now. There are other similar cubes but I think that the Aosu has topped them all in terms of limited popping and the best corner cutting out there – plus it’s as smooth as butter.

Shengshou 4×4 Review (3.5/5)

Here’s my budget 4×4 pick for the list. Shengshou is well known in the speed cubing community for making decent cubes but they often lack a bit of build quality, and therefore the corner cutting suffers and they pop more frequently than MoYu cubes. However not everyone has the same goals with cubing/puzzling or the same budget and I understand that. For almost half of the price of the Aosu you can have a fully functioning 4×4 cube to start practicing on which is hard to fault. I recommend this for anyone looking to get a 4×4 on a budget.

• Pops sometimes
• Decent corner cutting
• Has a nice clicky/sandy feel that some cubers like
• Available in stickered only
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (3.5 / 5) – best budget 4×4 cube!

If you want to get into solving 4×4 you can’t go wrong with a Shengshou and they come at a great price. Overall they’re a decent quality good, and perfect to learn on.

Yuxin 4×4 Review (4/5)

The Yuxin is the next cube on this list that will attempt to compete with the MoYu Aosu but I’m not personally sure that it can. The Yuxin is smooth, cuts corners well, doesn’t pop easily, but the inner blocks are not as smooth as the Aosu. This cube would be able to compete with the Aosu if the center was a bit smoother but it’s still a great cube and at a great price point for the quality you get – in the middle of the Shengshou and Aosu for price.

• Minmal popping
• Great corner cutting
• Great speed, fast and light
• Middle blocks are tight and sticky
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – great 4×4 cube for an average price

If you like Yuxin cubes and have used their 3×3’s or 2×2’s then you’ll probably like their 4×4. Some people DO like the Yusin over the Aosu but it’s not for me.

YongJun Guansu Review (4/5)

A similar case to the Yuxin vs Aosu here we have the YongJun Guansu. This is another top-tier 4×4 cube that falls just short of the Aosu. It’s even cheaper than the Yuxin so you could say that this is the best value for a viable 4×4 to use in speedcubing competitions.

• YongJun’s “semi-budget” 4×4
• Cuts corners well, not as good as the Aosu
• Great budget option giving you good value for a competition ready 4×4
• Blocky and smoooh feel
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – best performance to value 4×4

Again, cubes are pretty preferential but I haven’t heard anyone say they prefer the Guansu over the Aosu so purchase accordingly.

Picking the right 4×4

I think that since the price difference between the cubes really isn’t that much, it would be wisest to just save up for the Aosu as I think you’ll want one eventually. There’s a bit of debate within the speedcubing community on what kind of cube you should start with, and I’m on the side of always starting with the best cube possible. If you look at people’s cube collections they end up with tons of 3×3’s, 4×4’s and more – why not just pick up what’s secured as the best 4×4 cube and call it a day?

If you still need some help deciding between the 4×4 cubes available today, here’s some further guidance.

• The MoYu Aosu is the best 4×4 speed cube right now – get it if you can
• If budget is a concern, the Shengshou 4×4 is the cheapest one right now
• The Guansu and Yuxin are both great cubes priced between the best and cheapest cube, some people prefer them. Go for these cubes if you have a specific reason to want a Yuxin or the new Guansu.

Getting into 4×4 solving

History of the “Rubik’s Revenge”

If you’re new to speed cubing, and more specifically 4×4 then this section will serve to educate you a bit on the history of the “Rubik’s Revenge” and how to go about learning the puzzle.

The Rubik’s Revenge aka Master Cube – more commonly known as the 4×4 is a 4x4x4 version of the Rubik’s Cube released in 1981. It was invented by Péter Sebestény and was almost named the Sebestény Cube until they decided to call it the Rubik’s Revenge to target the already built fan base of the Rubik’s cube, which was probably a good move.

The 4×4 basics

Solving a 4×4 involves solving the centers, solving the outside edges, and then it can be solved using the same techniques as the 3×3 with some additional algorithms.

There are 8 corners, 24 edges, and 24 centres, and any permutation of the corners is possible. There are a total number of:

7401196841564901869874093974498574336000000000

Possible permutations. This number is 7401 septillion! That’s a lot.

Learning to solve your 4×4

I can solve my 4×4, but I’m not going to claim to be an expert at the algorithms and instructions, I’ll leave that to the pros. Here are some extremely credible resources that I’ve personally used to learn how to solve cubes of all sorts – here are their 4×4 sections.

If you need more info than this, YouTube will serve you well.

The world record single fastest time was set by Feliks Zemdegs at 21.54 seconds. The World record for an average of five solves is held by Sebastian Weyer with an average of 26.03 – he set that one in 2014. Someone even solved it in 2 minutes blindfolded in 2015!

Best 4×4 Cube Review Conclusion

The 4×4 is a really great puzzle and probably the most common second puzzle someone will get after solving the 3×3 (other than more 3×3 speed cubes!). Whether you get the best 4×4 cube or not, they’ll all work and be able to be solved which is the most important thing when it comes to getting a puzzle for the first time. However if you’re an experienced puzzler looking for the best 4×4 speed cube then look no further than the Aosu.

Happy puzzling!

If you have a puzzler, youngster, oldster, or anyone in your life who likes to solve a good puzzle or a challenge – then our reviews of the best puzzle gift ideas are just for you. In this list I’ll go over the criteria that I think satisfies a good puzzle gift, and give some suggestions for the different type of recipient you might encounter.

What makes the best puzzle gift ideas?

There are a few things that make a puzzle suitable for a gift, let’s go over them:

• Difficulty – I think age and experience are the main factors for determining what difficulty to get here. Obviously if your recipient is young or new to puzzles then you want to buy a suitable difficulty puzzle. On the opposite end of the spectrum if the puzzler is a bit older or more experienced with puzzles then you’ll want to get an appropriately difficult puzzle for them – which is probably the most challenging aspect of gifting puzzles.
• Repeatability – Some puzzles can be solved more than once, provide challenges more than once, and some puzzles are basically one-and-done after the first solve. Whenever I buy a puzzle for someone as a gift I always consider this aspect and like to buy the ultimate-repeatable puzzles like the Rubik’s cube.
• Price – This is always a consideration. Often times when setting gift-buying budgets you want to set a certain amount aside for the gift so this is important to consider.

My puzzle gift recommendations

The Rubik’s Cube ($5-15)

My top recommended puzzle gift – unique solutions every time and great repeatability

I’m a speedcuber at heart so my first recommendation is a 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube, or any variation of it as a twisty puzzle like the Megaminx, Pyraminx, 2×2 cube, or 4×4 cube. This puzzle is the ultimate repeatable option that can be scrambled to provide a unique solve every time. Every solve of the cube you do will improve your time, mind, and enhance your puzzling skill which is why I think it’s the perfect gift. There are often solutions that come with the puzzle so you go through a few phases of figuring out the first solution, and getting faster and faster while learning new ways to solve it as you play with it more.

Puzzle Books ($1-10)

Great budget gift, tons of different puzzles to solve but not much repeatability

In this category there are the likes of crosswords, Sudoku, logic puzzle books, and everything in between. This comes as another one of my options for the best puzzle gifts because of the price, and amount of puzzling value you get. Books and paperbacks in general are cheap and you could be handing over hours on end of solving and hundreds of puzzles for just a few bucks. These are also great specific gifts if you have someone on your list that likes Sudoku or crosswords as they’ll appreciate the bulk of puzzles.

Disentanglement Puzzles ($5-15)

Limited solvability, but cool gift that also serves as a decoration in some cases

Disentanglement puzzles like the Hanayama cast puzzles are really great to gift to someone who’s not really a big puzzler. These are awesome to figure out for the first time and then show off to friends and family as you watch while they struggle with it. It would also be a really great option for a puzzle collector as these are really uniquely designed and have a decorative aspect for the coffee table, office desk, or kitchen table.

Jigsaw Puzzles ($5-???)

Family puzzle gifts, make a custom one to be extra thoughtful

Here we reach the first option where you can really rack up the bill. Jigsaw puzzles are great as they get the whole family involved, take a while to solve, and you can do them as many times as you want and it’ll still provide enjoyment. Do it with your family, and then enjoy it again with friends who haven’t done it before. Jigsaw puzzles can get pretty expensive for the massive piece-amount puzzles (which are obviously the best!). Another cool option is to use a puzzle-making service to make a custom puzzle with a picture of your choice like a family picture, family pet picture, or landscape you have a connection with.

Puzzle Apps (<$5)

Send overseas, huge selection to choose from

Since we’re in the digital age how can I not include the option of puzzle apps for smartphones and tablets? This gift would be in the form of Google Play credit, App Store credit, or some other form of app credit so your recipient can purchase the app of their liking to use on their phone or tablet. Android and iPhone have a huge selection of logic puzzle apps, Sudoku, Rubik’s solving apps, and way more than I’ve listed here to keep the tech-puzzler busy. Make sure you buy the right gift card for your recipient before sending this one off! Another added bonus is that you can email gift cards so if you can’t be in physical contact with the recipient then this is a great option.

A Kendama

Kendama is a really sweet Japanese skill toy, similar to Yo-Yo. It’s an intense game where you have a ball attached to a wooden handle by a string in which you fling the ball into the air and land it on various platforms on the wooden handle. I got one last year and it’s an absolute blast to practice and improve at. Great for any nerd, puzzle lover, yo-yo lover, or anyone really who you need to get a gift for. We did an extensive review of popular Kendamas here.

Different types of puzzle recipients

In this final segment I’ll go over a few types of recipients that you might have on your list, and recommend puzzles for them.

• The youngster – For the young developing mind I would recommend a 3×3 Rubik’s cube 100%. The amount of solves, enjoyment, and mental development available from solving the Rubik’s cube is unparalleled by anything on this list. If they’re already familiar with cubes, get them another variation like a 2×2, 4×4, or Pyramind style cube to expand their collection, and more important their mind.
• The speedcuber – If your recipient is into Rubik’s (or speedcubing) then a gift of a cube they don’t have, a new cube that just came out, or a unique-geometry cube would be perfect.
• The puzzle solver – If you know who you’re gifting to likes Sudoku, crosswords, logic puzzles, or anything of that sort then why not get them what they enjoy? They’re making it easy for you so follow suit!
• Old or young and inexperienced – Here the important aspect will be getting something simple – provide them with stimulation and the enjoyment of the puzzles but don’t make it impossible for them! Most products have age ranges which are fairly accurate.
• Family gifts – Here I always recommend the jigsaw puzzle that a group can solve. I also recommend the Rubik’s cube again as the whole family can try to learn it, solve it, and compete with each other while they unknowingly (or knowingly?) super-charge their brains.

Hopefully my recommendations along with my top 5 best puzzle gift ideas will be useful for you in choosing the right gifts for your loved ones, friends, and family.

Happy puzzling!

Whether you’re a speed cuber looking for the best 2×2 cube, or a beginner whose just finished with a 3×3 speed cube I’m here to help you find the best 2×2 cube for your needs. First we’ll break down what exactly makes a good 2×2 cube, and I’ll share several cubes that should cover the best 2×2 speed cube, the best budget 2×2, and more.

Top Choices

Dayan 2×2: 4/5

Great corner cutting, fast, and quiet cube.

MoYu Lingpo: 4.5/5

Best corner cutting, minimal catching, clicky.

ShengShou Aurora: 3.5/5

Best budget 2×2!

Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm: 4/5

Best 2×2 for big hands

Type C WitTwo: 4/5

A fast and crunchy cube

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

The best 2×2 cube is one that lets you solve the puzzle as fast as you physically can. So for a beginner, if the puzzle turns and has no errors that should be sufficient. However, as humans we learn quickly so you’ll be wanting a faster cube sooner than later. This is why I almost always recommend getting the best/fastest cube on the market at the time so you’re never limited by your cube.

When it comes to 2×2’s there’s not much popping or locking so all of the cubes are pretty similar except some minor differences in build quality, speed, feel, AND SIZE. Let’s go over the criteria when it comes to picking the best 2×2:

• Build quality – This is pretty well dictated by price, you get what you pay for in most cases but I will highlight some 2×2 cubes that give you excellent performance for the value
• Speed – This is going to be mainly preferential, there are insanely fast 2×2’s and also slower ones. I don’t think that speed is a limiting factor but more of a preference.
• Popping – There’s no popping in 2×2’s that should worry you.
• Feel – This is another important one, do you want smooth, clicky, sandy, or what? I’ll try to describe the options as best as I can.
• Size – This is key when it comes to choosing the right 2×2. Depending on your hand/finger size you might want a larger or smaller 2×2. Since it’s basically the smallest cube option out there when looking at the 3×3 or 4×4 it actually matters and there are specific options to offer larger 2×2’s.
• Price – You can never discount price, some cubes are plainly more expensive than others and that can certainly weigh in on my analysis
• Beginner or speed cuber – Like I said earlier, I think it’s almost always the right idea to purchase the best cube available so you can grow and get better with the cube rather than having to buy another one later – make your own choice.
• Stickers or not – Since

Best 2×2 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

May 20, 2016 By Puzzle Dude Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a speed cuber looking for the best 2×2 cube, or a beginner whose just finished with a 3×3 speed cube I’m here to help you find the best 2×2 cube for your needs. First we’ll break down what exactly makes a good 2×2 cube, and I’ll share several cubes that should cover the best 2×2 speed cube, the best budget 2×2, and more.

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews: The Table

2×2 Cubes	The Cube	PuzzleDude’s Rating	Quick Review	Get it here
Dayan 2×2		(4 / 5)	Great corner cutting, fast, and quiet cube.	Check it out on Amazon here
MoYu Lingpo		(4.5 / 5)	Best corner cutting, minimal catching, clicky.	Check it out on Amazon here
ShengShou Aurora		(3.5 / 5)	Best budget 2×2!	Check it out on Amazon here
Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm		(4 / 5)	Best 2×2 for big hands	Check it out on Amazon here
Type C WitTwo		(4 / 5)	A fast and crunchy cube	Check it out on Amazon here

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

The best 2×2 cube is one that lets you solve the puzzle as fast as you physically can. So for a beginner, if the puzzle turns and has no errors that should be sufficient. However, as humans we learn quickly so you’ll be wanting a faster cube sooner than later. This is why I almost always recommend getting the best/fastest cube on the market at the time so you’re never limited by your cube.

When it comes to 2×2’s there’s not much popping or locking so all of the cubes are pretty similar except some minor differences in build quality, speed, feel, AND SIZE. Let’s go over the criteria when it comes to picking the best 2×2:

• Build quality – This is pretty well dictated by price, you get what you pay for in most cases but I will highlight some 2×2 cubes that give you excellent performance for the value
• Speed – This is going to be mainly preferential, there are insanely fast 2×2’s and also slower ones. I don’t think that speed is a limiting factor but more of a preference.
• Popping – There’s no popping in 2×2’s that should worry you.
• Feel – This is another important one, do you want smooth, clicky, sandy, or what? I’ll try to describe the options as best as I can.
• Size – This is key when it comes to choosing the right 2×2. Depending on your hand/finger size you might want a larger or smaller 2×2. Since it’s basically the smallest cube option out there when looking at the 3×3 or 4×4 it actually matters and there are specific options to offer larger 2×2’s.
• Price – You can never discount price, some cubes are plainly more expensive than others and that can certainly weigh in on my analysis
• Beginner or speed cuber – Like I said earlier, I think it’s almost always the right idea to purchase the best cube available so you can grow and get better with the cube rather than having to buy another one later – make your own choice.
• Stickers or not – Since

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews

DaYan 2×2 (4/5)

For a long time the DaYan 2×2 was the most popular option for the 2×2 crowd. In a poll on the speed cubing sub0reddit it was voted one of the most commonly owned cubes and that still holds true to this day. If you’ve ever used a DaYan 3×3 you know that they’re very smooth and solid cubes. Due to the design of the cube it has the best forward and reverse corner cutting out of all of the 2×2’s on thist list.

• No popping
• Fast and stable cube
• Very popular 2×2 for competition speed cubing
• Available in stickered or stickleress
• Best corner cutting on the list
• One of the quietest cubes
• Get it in stickered or stickerless!
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4 / 5) – considered the best 2×2 cube by a lot of speed cubers

The DaYan 2×2 is often referred to as the best option for speed cubing by many cubers. If you like a fast, smooth cube with great corner cutting then this is a great option for you. I believe that the DaYan can be the best 2×2 but it requires some breaking in, proper tensioning, and lubing. Some even go as far as replacing the springs and hardware with MoYu pieces but leaving the DaYan plastic parts.

MoYu Lingpo (4.5/5)

The MoYu Lingpo is my favorite 2×2 due to the clicky and fast feel it has. It’s comparable t the DaYan in quality but offers a different feel. Many people prefer the Lingpo over the DaYan because they love MoYu’s clicky and clacky feel. Depending on your style, the MoYu could be for you if you want a little bet less stable but faster cube. It’s also a lot louder than the DaYan.

• Minimal catching
• Fast and loose cube
• Another really popular 2×2
• Great corner cutting
• Clicky feel
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (4.5 / 5) – great 2×2 option, fast and clicky

The Lingpo is ready out of the box which is why I gave it a better rating than the DaYan. I think that the DaYan has a bit more potential with modifications but comparing the products alone, the Lingpo pulls ahead.

ShengShou Aurora (3.5/5)

Here’s our budget option for the best 2×2 cube. ShengShou makes a reliable, fast turning, smooth, and quiet product but they’re not on the level of the DaYan or Lingpo 2×2 simply becaues of corner cutting, and catching issues. If you’re just getting into solving 2×2 cubes or you’re on a budget the ShengShou would work just fine for you.

• Some catching
• Fast, smooth cube
• Solid construction and stickering
• Very quiet
• PuzzleDude’s rating  (3.5 / 5) – best budget 2×2 cube!

Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm (4/5)

As discussed previously, size can play a very important role when selecting the right 2×2. The Fangshi ShiShuang is that solution – this 55mm cube is the saving grace for cubers wanting to compete in 2×2 with larger hands. I have a ton of friends who are into 2×2 and all of the larger hand cubers resort to this one no matter what. They’ve tried the DaYan, Lingpo, and more and they always resort to the Fangshi 55mm because of the size.

• Good speed, awesome cutting
• Great for larger hands
• Requires some set up
• PuzzleDude’s rating (4 / 5) – best 2×2 for big hands!

Type C WitTwo (4/5)

The WitTwo is one of the first 2×2’s to see consistent use in speed cubing competitions. This cube is still used by many cubers today who find its unique crunchy feeling and demonic speed very appealing. I’d recommend this cube for someone who knows they like crunchy cubes and can handle a fast 2×2.

• Specific crunchy feeling
• Very fast 2×2
• Historically a very popular cube
• Trusted by many top 2×2 solvers – almost impossible to pop
• PuzzleDude’s rating (4 / 5)

I feel like this cube is almost on its own in terms of the feel .For me to recommend this cube to you, you’ll need a specific desire for a very crunchy cube that I know the WitTwo can satisfy.

Picking the best 2×2 for you

Now that we’ve gone over what to look for in a 2×2, and some of the more popular ones, let’s break it down a bit further.

• DaYan 2×2 – Great all around 2×2 that almost anyone will like. Smotoh and reliable
• MoYu Lingpo – Faster 2×2 with perfect cutting and a buttery Moyu feel
• ShengShou 2×2 – Best budget 2×2 cube around half the price of the rest
• Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm – Best 2×2 cube for big hands – loved by the big-handed cubers
• Type C WitTwo – Super crunchy 2×2 that some cubers swear by, I peersonally don’t like it.

Basically if you know your preferences you should be able to find a suitable 2×2. Overall I think the DaYan 2×2 is the best with the Lingpo being a close second. If budget is ever a concern, just go with the ShengShou.

Learn about the 2×2

So if you’re looking this page up, you’re either a beginner to 2×2’s, or a speed cuber looking for their next cube. In either case, I wanted to add this section to educate my readers on the history of the 2×2 and share some fun facts.

The 2x2x2 Rubik’s cube, known as the 2×2 or Pocket Cube was actually patented two years before the invention of the Rubik’s cube by a Canadian named Larry Nichols. The fact that the corners are fixed reduces the amount of permutations largely, giving only 3,674,160 possible positions.

Interestingly, the maximum number of turns required to solve the cube is 11 including half or quarter turns. Due to the number of solves being highly based on the scramble you get, the world record for the 2×2 is heavily dependent on the variance of the scramble.

Solving the 2×2 cube

If you understand how to solve a 3×3, solving a 2×2 should be like second nature. It uses the same idea of positioning the corners once you’ve finished the first layer. Most cubes come with basic instructions and you could get a solve done within moments of opening the package. Here are some of my favorite resources for 2×2 solving and algorithms.

• Rubik’s Place guide
• Kewbz 2×2 solutions – nice images and cases here

If you need more than that to solve your cube, you might be doomed (just kidding). Try googling some other guides that fit your style, or checking our YouTube videos.

2×2 World Records

Since the number of moves to solve is very specific depending on the scramble, 2×2 World Records for individual are sort of fickle in the speed cubing community. In this category you definitely want to be looking at an average of 5 to determine a fair best 2×2 solver.

The world record was just broken this year by Maciej Czapiewski who solved it on under half a second (0.49 to be exact). The truly impressive average of 5 world record holder is Lucas Etter, he averaged 1.51 seconds in 2015.

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews Conclusion

Whether you’re a speed cuber, or a beginner – hopefully this guide has helped you pick the best 2×2 cube. Reading reviews, watching videos, and talking to other cubers is a great way to find out what cubes are good. Another great idea is to ask to try out other people’s cubes to get a feel for what you want in a 2×2 and other cubes.

Happy puzzling!

Hanayama is a Japanese toy company that was founded in 1972 – they’re famous for their zinc cast disentanglement-style puzzles that come in a range of difficulty levels from 1 to 6.

The best Hanayama puzzles for one person may not be the best puzzles for another, and for that reason I’ve tried to include a variety of difficulty levels in this list of Hanayama puzzles. Keep in mind, while they have chosen the ratings assigned to the puzzles, they don’t always correlate perfectly. Some level 2-4 puzzles are more difficult than a level 6 that will leave you saying “huh that wasn’t that hard”.

Whether you’re a puzzler, or looking to get a Hanayama puzzle for someone as a gift, I’ve put together these reviews of the best Hanayama puzzles to help you save time. Time is money, so check it out!

Best Hanayama Puzzles Reviews

The Quartet (Level 6)  (4.5 / 5)

Starting off the list is one of my favorite Hanayama puzzles – The Quartet. This is a four piece metal cast disentanglement puzzle that is fairly difficult to take apart, and the true challenge is putting it back together. I was able to solve it in a day and eventually get it back together, but I’ve heard reports of it taking several weeks to a month to solve and even longer to put together. One of my friends who also has this puzzle had to resort to YouTube to find a solution on how to put it back together. Overall this is a high-quality Hanayama puzzle that you can challenge yourself with regularly, and it will certainly give your friends a good challenge.

Equa (Level 5)  (4 / 5)

I really enjoy the Equa, it’s one of the less traditionally designed Hanayama puzzles getting away from the hook/entangled design with its 3 pieces, one of which being a spherical housing that holds the two other pieces entwined in the center. This puzzle sat on my table for quite some time before I was able to rattle it loose, and one of my friends actually solved it before I got to it – blasted! I had to make him figure out how to put it back together without me watching to save myself from knowing the solution. Overall this is a really great addition to any puzzlers collection and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I still solve it regularly.

Cylinder (Level 4)  (4.5 / 5)

This elegant cylinder puzzle doesn’t even appear to be a puzzle at first sight. It’s design is very beautiful and once you realize it’s a puzzle you start to wonder how it could even come apart. Solving this 4-piece cylinder puzzle is more challenging than the level 4 rating depicts but it’s not overly difficult for a somewhat experienced puzzler. A novice puzzler would be able to figure it out after a few sessions of fiddling with it. The great thing about this puzzle is its size – you can transport it easily and its eloquent solution makes it a great one to show your friends and family. Leave it on the table as a unique center-piece and bust it out for some brain teasing when company comes over.

Enigma (Level 6)  (5 / 5)

In terms of difficulty this is by far one of the best Hanayama puzzles out there. The Enigma puzzle is a 3-piece disentanglement puzzle and each of the three pieces are different. It’s a large puzzle with a lot of play between the pieces so the solution and moves are not very clear unlike a lot of other Hanayama puzzles. A few of my other friends who have the puzzle said this thing has driven them insane so that’s another achievement and bonus to the rating. When I first solved the puzzle I didn’t even know how I did it, that’s how lost and entranced I was in this puzzle’s design. It’s definitely not unbeatable but it certainly is a fun puzzle. If you’re looking for a repeatable challenge you can share with your friends, keep Enigma on your list.

Vortex (level 5)  (3.5 / 5)

Three near-identical metal cast swirls to together to form “Vortex” – a spherical formed disentanglement puzzle that will deliver a satisying “ah-ha” moment when you finally solve it. The solution to this puzzle is very clever and once you figure it out you’ll be excited to show off to your friends and watch them struggle with the solution. Like I said earlier, the “ah-ha” factor is so satisfying that the Vortex puzzle will definitely be added to your rotation of regularly solved puzzles, enjoy!

Elk (Level 6)  (4 / 5)

This is one of the first Hanayama puzzles I ever set my hands on and let me tell you it’s a great puzzle. I like to think of it as a two piece-Enigma as it has a lot of play between the two elk-horn pieces that makes the solution quite difficult. There are a few stages to this puzzle so you’ll have to experiment with the movements and placements before you get the hang of it. Once you solve it once you’ll easily be able to solve it again after putting it back together. Overall it’s a great multi-stage puzzle that gets you thinking and the elk-horn design is really really cool.

Nutcase (Level 6)  (4 / 5)

Nutcase – what you’ll be after fiddling with this puzzle for a while. This is a really cool puzzle that’s actually made up of two bolts, two nuts, and one smaller fifth piece. The appearance of this Hanayama puzzle is awesome, when it’s sitting on your table or desk it’ll definitely attract others as it did you to solve it and release them self as the Nutcase they are. Since this is a more mechanically based puzzle (nuts and ahem, bolts) you may have an easier or more difficult time solving it depending on your perception. Either way, it’s a really neat piece and definite must add to any puzzlers collection. Don’t go NUTS solving it 😉

Labyrinth (Level 5)  (3.5 / 5)

Puzzle, or maze? Either way, Labyrinth is an awesome puzzle that’s more than just a few stages – it’s an entire maze that you have to guide one ring through to separate this two-piece ring puzzle. I really like it because it doesn’t lose it’s touch after you’ve solved it a few times and picking it up once a week or every few days would still provide challenge. It’s doable for kids, adults, puzzlers, and non-puzzlers alike. Everyone who enjoys a good old maze challenge will like the Labyrinth Hanayama puzzle!

Radix (Level 4)  (4 / 5)

Radix is a really cool three piece puzzle where you have to disentangle two vines attached through a third piece. It’s rated level 4 by Hanayama but I think it’s closer to a 5 or 6 hence its inclusion on this list. For a beginner puzzler, Radix is a really tricky solve and as an experienced puzzler or solid-thinker it’ll provide you with that excellent “ah-ha” moment discussed in this article. I also think it’s one of the more intriguing items to keep on your desk or table around the house!

Coaster (Level 4)  (3.5 / 5)

Looking at this “Coaster” puzzle you would never guess it only has three pieces that don’t even come untangled completely once it’s solved. Once you solve this puzzle you’ll want to show it off and have all of your friends and family try to solve it because the way it comes apart and goes back together is really really neat. The reason why this lower difficulty made it onto this list is because of the unique solution, the appearance of the puzzle, and the fact that it’s only truly a one piece puzzle that folds and unfolds from the solution to beginning phase which is super cool.

H&H (Level 5)  (4 / 5)

It gets the name H&H from the two pieces that it’s made up of being H shaped, of course. This puzzle is so solid that when you pick it up you’d never guess it even comes apart. This makes it a really tricky one to figure out, and most people who pick it up initially, me included, think you need some sort of super-human force to solve it. Hint: you don’t – you just need the perfection combination of pressure and puzzle-solution-know-how to solve this one and show it off to your friends and family. This is a really cool puzzle with a fairly simple solution for a level 5 but I really like the design and how solid it is in the beginning phase.

Starfish (Level 2)  (3.5 / 5)

The Starfish is the first ever Hanayama puzzle I put my hands on and I always remembered it. It’s the lowest difficulty rating Hanayama on this list but it has a really cool intuitive solution to figure out. I’d say the difficulty is more like a 3, and this is the puzzle I always recommend to my friends/family when they want to get into Hanayama or disentanglement puzzles. The puzzle itself is a ring entwined with a starfish shape that you need to separate. It’s pretty cool and unique, so try it out. Especially if it’s for your first disentanglement puzzle!

Wrap up

I hope you liked my review of the 12 best Hanayama puzzles I’ve found to date. If you have any more that you really liked, please comment below and let me know which ones! Check out the site for more great information on puzzles of all sorts 🙂 and here are some additional resources on the Hanayama cast puzzles:

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