Author: puzzledude

  • Guide to Will Shortz Puzzle Books

    If you’re searching for Will Shortz puzzle books then you may already know who he is, or at least have an idea of his popularity (since you’re searching his name!). Will Shortz is an extremely popular master puzzler who is probably most well known for being the editor of New York Times crossword puzzle section since 1993.

    Jump straight to full reviews

    CrosswordSudokuLogic PuzzlesKenkenOther

    or

    Without further ado here are some of the top options:

    will-shortz-supersized-sunday-crossword

    New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Puzzles

    4-stars

    Lots of crossword puzzles for a great price. Best bulk option.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    will-shortz-favorite-sunday-crossword-puzzles-review

    New York Times Will Shortz’s Favorite Sunday Crossword Puzzles

    4-stars

    Will’s favorite 50 crossword puzzles. Quality over quantity for a reasonable price.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    will-shortz-black-diamond-sudoku

    Black Diamond Sudoku

    4-stars

    200 difficult sudoku puzzles at a low price. Top pick for sudoku.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    will-shortz-puzzlemaster-presents-logic-puzzles-review

    The Puzzlemaster Presents: 200 Mind-Bending Challenges

    4-point-5-stars

    A collection of 200 logic puzzles. Logic puzzles come at a higher price point but are a very mentally stimulating experience. Top choice for logic puzzles.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    will-shortz-ultimate-kenken-omnibus

    The Ultimate KenKen Omnibus

    4-point-5-stars

    500 easy to hard kenken puzzles. Useful for beginners or experts and anywhere in between. Top choice for Kenken puzzles.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    will-shortz-keep-calm-crossword-on

    The New York Times Keep Calm and Crossword On: 200 Easy Puzzles

    3-point-5-stars

    200 easy crossword puzzles. A modest collection of puzzles for a low price.


    Buy Now on Amazon

    He also covers Sudoku and other puzzle books which I’ll cover in this guide. I’m a really big fan of Will’s and if you’re into his books I’m sure you are too. I want to get into the book guide and reviews first but I’m attributing a section of this article to covering Will Shortz.

    Will has been the author or editor of over 1000 books so it would be very lengthy to include all of them in this post. I’ll do my best to list the best ones from each category below!

    Top 5 Best Will Shortz Crossword Books

    When purchasing any Will Shortz books you can expect high-quality puzzles in an accessible format – his crossword puzzle books are no exception.

    New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Puzzles (4/5)

    This book is really great and it ticks all of my boxes when it comes to what makes a good puzzle book. It’s no disservice to say that the demographic of pen and paper puzzlers is aging – this increases the appeal of puzzle books with supersized fonts and puzzles largely. This crossword puzzle book features 500 puzzles (a great amount) straight from the New York Times crossword section that are ready for you to solve.

    This is a great option to buy for yourself if you’re into crossword, or to purchase for the puzzler in your life. The puzzles in this book are of similar to the difficulty of those found in the NYT.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    New York Times Will Shortz’s Favorite Sunday Crossword Puzzles (4/5)

    Sunday must be a pretty popular day to do crosswords on since we’ve had two books tiled after it so far! This is another great option when it comes to crossword books by Will Shortz – what’s so special about this book is the fact that Will hand selected 50 of his favorite NYT crosswords and has included them in this great collection. Unfortunately it’s not supersized or packed with 500 puzzles but it’s unique and allows you to connect with the author which is important to me.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The New York Times Keep Calm and Crossword On: 200 Easy Puzzles (3.5/5)

    Now on the list I need to take a step back and include an easier solution book, and I have just the one for you. In this 200 puzzle collection from the NYT will breaks it down a bit for the beginner or leisurely solver – great as a gift or to add to your collection for guest puzzlers! You don’t want to be the one gifting puzzles that are too tricky, it’s a sad sight.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The New York Times Will Shortz’s Wittiest, Wackiest Crosswords (4/5)

    Up next, you guessed it! Hard hitting witty, wacky, challenging, the impossible – 225 hand picked tricky puzzles from Will Shortz himself. I wrote about not gifting a puzzle that’s too hard, but it’s also possible to gift one too easy. I recommend this Will Shortz crossword book to the seasoned expert who needs a serious mental workout (on Sunday of course).

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The New York Times Monday Through Friday Easy to Tough Crossword Puzzles (4/5)

    Closing off the 5 best crossword puzzle books by Will Shortz is 50 easy to tough puzzles from yep, you guessed it, the New York Times. If you’ve read any of my other articles you’ll know the best type of puzzle to give as a gift is a multi-difficulty option – like this one! With a range of difficulties there’s something for everyone so these are great for households with puzzlers of all skill, or as a gift to a puzzler with unknown skill. This would also be a great book to get for yourself if you’re getting into crosswords as you can stay with the same book as you improve.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    That wraps it up for the best Will Shortz crossword puzzle books, any continuation in the series listed here will also be excellent choices. You really can’t go wrong with a Will Shortz crossword book!

    Best Will Shortz Sudoku Books

    If you like his crossword books, and weren’t aware of his masterful Sudoku book creations, you’ll love them too. Here are some of my favorite Sudoku books by Will – while there are numerous I’m going to narrow it down to 5 again so wish me luck!

    The Little Black Book of Sudoku (3.5/5)

    Starting off with a high-volume favorite we have The Little Black Book coming in with 400 quality Sudoku puzzles. This book is an easy-to-hard difficulty range which is perfect for buying for yourself, or as a gift. Improve your Sudoku and grow together with this excellent book option.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Mind Melting Sudoku: 200 Hard Puzzles (3.5/5)

    It was only a matter of time before I got into the killer difficulties, this 200 puzzle “Mind Melting” Sudoku book is only suitable for those grizzled vets looking for a serious mental cardio session. I’m talking stair master level 10 for the neurons! Only pick up this book if you’re experienced with Sudoku – that’s my recommendation.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Wild Sudoku: 200 Medium Puzzles (3.5/5)

    Alright let’s tone it down a bit with this medium difficulty Sudoku book – Wild Sudoku features 200 medium difficulty puzzles for the beginner to intermediate puzzler. I personally think that the easy Sudoku puzzles are too easy to start on so I recommend at least medium difficulty to start out on, however starting on a hard difficulty isn’t unheard of if you’re a puzzle wiz!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The Little Orange Book of Harrowing Sudoku (4/5)

    Sudoku that gives you nightmares! 335 “Frighteningly Fierce Puzzles” comes in this edition of super hard Sudoku’s. I figured I would close out my Shortz Sudoku list with two killer puzzle books and this is the first of two – get ready for the next one!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Black Diamond Sudoku (4/5)

    Have you ever been out skiing or snowboarding and said “Oh Sh** I definitely shouldn’t have taken that double black diamond trail!” – well this book is kind of like that, except with Sudoku. The final Sudoku book on this list of the best Will Shortz Sudoku books is the Black Diamond book featuring 200 brand new puzzles that are extreme, to the max! I recommend this book for the black belts of Sudoku, ready to take on a “Black Diamond” trail of 200 more difficult than ever Sudoku’s.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Well that’s it for my top 5 best Sudoku puzzle books by Will Shortz, but guess what this massive guide to all books Will Shortz isn’t even over yet! If you weren’t aware, his grasp extends far beyond mere crosswords and Sudoku, Will is a master puzzler! In this next section let’s check out the best logic puzzle books by Will Shortz, and any other kind of puzzle books he’s mustered up over the years.

    Best Will Shortz Logic Puzzle Books

    There’s going to be a pretty wide range of puzzle book styles in this next section, and even the puzzles in each book may vary unless specified. This is my list of the top Will Shortz logic puzzle books, in no specific order! A logic puzzle is exactly what it sounds like, a puzzle that requires logic for you to solve. It could contain letters, numbers, a riddle, the alphabet, anything really!

    The Puzzlemaster Presents: 200 Mind-Bending Challenges (4.5/5)

    Starting off the list is one of my favorites, the Puzzle Master Shortz presents 200 challenges that range from easy to difficult. This book has a lot of different styles of puzzles from simple word puzzles, more complex logic puzzles and beyond. That’s what makes it so appealing, the diversity that allows practically anyone to pick it up and have a puzzle to solve, and the possibility for you to grow and expand your mind as you solve more and more puzzles from the book. This is the logic puzzle book I recommend to anyone interested in them – it’s a great jumping off point.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Will Shortz’s Mind Games: 100 Alphabet Riddles (4/5)

    If you want something a bit more consistent, try out this alphabet riddle book that tests your brain power to come up with a two word phrase to match his clues. This book is really fun to use in a group, say on a road trip or while camping as it can be turned into a little competition to see who can blurt out the answer first! These puzzles are light, enjoyable, and easy for anyone to get into. I recommend this book to give to a beginner, someone interested in puzzles, or for yourself to use on trips and gatherings.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Will Shortz’s Puzzle Master Workout (3.5/5)

    What’s this? A workout plan devised by the puzzle master himself? This short, or long? 22 puzzle book is a combined effort between Shortz and Huang where they deliver a complex puzzle book. The puzzles have some introduction, and also a gauge as to your expertise level depending on how long it takes you to complete. I would recommend this book for the SERIOUS puzzler who wants to up their game and see what the best are practicing on. These puzzles are also great to work together on and solve as a team if you know someone who likes puzzling as much as you.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Best Will Shortz KenKen Books

    What’s KenKen you might ask? KenKen is sort of like Sudoku, but it has a few different rules. Chances are if you like Sudoku you’ll love KenKen as I think it adds a slightly more fun mechanic than Sudoku as it can change from puzzle to puzzle with the cages – pick one up and you’ll see what I mean. Here are what I think are the best Will Shortz KenKen books, again in no specific order:

    The Ultimate KenKen Omnibus (4/5)

    If there’s an omnibus (massive collection) Will Shortz book for a certain category of book he writes, it’s almost always my top pick. Why? Because they pack the most content and are often multi-difficulty like this one – featuring 500 easy to hard puzzles for anyone and everyone to conquer while they improve their mental fortitude. If you want to get into KenKen, or you’re a KenKen vet, this is really a great option for anyone.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    KenKen: 300 Easy to Hard Puzzles That Make You Smarter (3.5/5)

    KenKen is a relatively new game on the block (read: in the New York Times) as Will only got it approved in 2009. Which is why my top two recommended KenKen books are difficulty range books. Since it’s new, fresh, exciting, and maybe a little more challenging than most puzzle games I’d say go for two difficulty range books for your first two KenKen copies.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Diabolical KenKen (4/5)

    Getting into the nitty gritty, the tough and challenging “gimme some more” KenKen we launch into the review of our difficult book in this category. Diabolical KenKen is not for the beginner and I recommend quite a bit of experience before diving into the challenging books. Pick this one up if you’re a vet or for the experienced puzzler if you’re buying a gift. Enjoy!

    Note: Shortz writes/edits a ton of KenKen books so once you’ve nailed down the basics of a few difficulty range books, I would branch out to the specifically harder ones and go from there.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Other Will Shortz “Non-books and Oddities”

    I wanted to include this section before I cover some more details on Will Shortz because he has two more interesting products out there that I wanted to share:

    Puzzlemaster Deck: 75 Brain Twisters

    Available in a deck of cards is this collection of 75 brain twisters that are great for the vehicle, around the table, or on a camping trip. If anyone’s looking for a new family game to add to their collection I always recommend this deck of awesome-ness. Check it out!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    TriBond – The board game!

    Man this guy Will, he really does it all – he even made a board game! In the similar situation that I recommended the brain twister deck, I would recommend his board game TriBond. Look at the three items and answer the question “What do they have in common?”. This is a really great group game but beware some of them are reallllly hard and might leave you scratching your head through the night.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Now that we’ve gone through the categories of the best Will Shortz crossword puzzle books, Sudoku books, logic puzzle books, KenKen books, and even a few oddities it’s time to cover Will Shortz himself. Without him, this list and article wouldn’t be possible so let’s delve into what made this puzzle master so mysterious.

    About Will Shortz

    It seems like I could write forever about Will Shortz, but I know you don’t have all day so lets sum of this marvelous puzzle master as best as we can.

    He was interested in pursuing a career in puzzles at a oung age
    He is the only person to hold a degree in Enigmatology – a university program he designed himself
    He’s been involved in editing for magazines, puzzles, and books since he graduated in 1974
    He has been the New York Times crossword puzzle editor since 1993
    He has been the puzzle master on NPR’s Weekend Edition since 1987
    He founded the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in 1978
    He founded the World Puzzle Championship in 1992 and is the director of the US Puzzle Team
    Shortz is the author/editor of over 100 books and owns the largest known puzzle collection in the world (over 20,000)
    He’s the historian of the National Puzzler’s League
    The list goes on but I think you get the picture. I’m so happy to be writin this article in the hopes that his reat works will continue to reach more and more people. If you have the chance after reading this article to pick up a Will Shortz crossword puzzle book, Sudoku book, logic puzzle book, or Kenen puzzle – do it. Your mind will not regret it and neither will you.

    Happy puzzling – I hope you enjoy these Will Shortz puzzle books as much as I have.

  • Best Crossword Puzzle Books

    The answer to what the best crossword puzzle books are depends on a few factors. Lets take a quick glance at some of the top options first:

    Will Shortz Favorite Sunday Crossword Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars
    will-shortz-favorite-sunday-crossword-puzzles-review

    Quality over quantity, selected puzzles for a modest price

    NYT simply easy crossword puzzles

    4-point-5-stars
    nyt-simply-easy-crossword-puzzles-review

    Best option for a beginner or leisurely user.

    NYT Ultimate Crossword Omnibus: 1001 Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars
    nyt-ultimate-crossword-omnibus-review

    Quantity! Lots of puzzles for a good price.

    • Crossword experience (mainly vocabulary)
    • Difficulty
    • Amount of puzzles
    • Font size (sometimes important for our aging puzzlers)

    Ideally you want an appropriately difficult puzzle book that has the most amount of crossword puzzles possibles (max value!).

    Now, buying a crossword puzzle book for yourself versus buying one as a gift are two completely different things. When recommending puzzle books to purchase I always suggest buying ones that have a range of difficulties so that you can accommodate any puzzler’s skill. This way there will always be a puzzle for them to solve, whether they start at the bottom rung or somewhere in the middle they can always work their way up.

    Top Choices

    With the intro out of the way I’m going to share with you what I think are the top 5 best crossword puzzle books out there right now – with options for the beginner, intermediate, advanced crossword puzzler.

    NYT Ultimate Crossword Omnibus: 1001 Puzzles (4.5/5)

    Edited by no other than Will Shortz (A very famous puzzle writer) we start off with this high-volume crossword book extracted from New York Times crossword puzzles written by Will Shortz of course. From probably one of those popular news papers in the world comes this mass of puzzles with a wide variety of difficulties. The high amount of puzzles, the writer Will Shortz, and the popularity of the source makes this my top pick for the best crossword puzzle book.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords (4/5)

    Another Will Shortz New York Times crossword puzzle book is on this list for the same reasons as the last, alongside the fact that the puzzles are supersized. Sure we can go for the puzzle book that has as many puzzles crammed in as possible, but sometimes it’s just nice to work on a large puzzle – one per page. This is also an excellent option for anyone with any sort of vision impairments, you want them to have an easy time seeing what they’re doing when puzzling.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Mega Crossword Puzzle Book #15 (4/5)

    Simon & Schuster released the first EVER crossword puzzle book in 1924 – now released almost 90 years later is another 300 never before seen crossword puzzle book with crosswords constructed by expert puzzle constructor John Samson. This book isn’t anything special in any direction, you get 300 high-quality challenging puzzles for a good price – standard solid puzzle book.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Will Shortz Favorite Sunday Crossword Puzzles (4.5/5)

    WOW another Will Shortz book, he must be a pretty popular puzzler – I should write an entire article just for him! This puzzle book is sort of a middle ground between the previously two reviewed Will Shortz books. A collection of popular crosswords in a slightly larger format than normal. Not quite 1001 puzzles, not quite as large as the supersize book, but it offers a bit of both worlds in this great puzzle book option.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    USA Today Jumbo Puzzle Book #2 (3.5/5)

    From another renowned news outlet we have this 400 crossword puzzle jumbo sized book that’s another great option to get yourself, or get the puzzler in your life as a gift. These puzzles are similar quality/difficulty to those found in the New York Times and it’s supersized as well – another all around great option for a crossword puzzle book.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Hopefully this selection of some of the best crossword puzzle books out there helps you narrow in on a good book for yourself or as a gift for the puzzler in your life. Most of these books have several editions so if you complete them all just look for the #2, #3, #4 etc. in that specific series. Will Shortz has also released a ton of crossword puzzles books so anything by him is a great choice.

    History of Crosswords

    Crosswords appeared historically dating back to the 1700’s being ran in various news outlets, as they still are today. Eugene T. Maleska is often credited with the first crossword phrase in the New York Times in 1862.

    A crossword style puzzle appeared in an Italian magazine in 1890 designed by Giuseppe Airoldi and was titled in Italian “To pass the time”.

    In 1913 an English journalist published a crossword that has most of the features found in today’s popular puzzles. The author was Arthur Wynne and he’s often called the inventor of the crossword due to the critical features he implemented.

    As you can see the puzzle books have a varying history and appeared in many geographies before becoming mainstream.

    Crossword puzzles serve to pass time, enhance vocabulary, stimulate the mind, and most importantly to derive enjoyment from.

    The aim of creating this review of the best crossword puzzle books was to find the top books for my readers, and also inform you all a bit of the history of these amazingly fun puzzles that are enjoyed by millions across the world.

    Puzzle on!

  • Best Logic Puzzle Books – Train Your Mind

    This review of the best logic puzzle books will look at beginner to advanced difficulty levels, for children to adults, and at all price ranges and sizes. Includes logic grid puzzle variants and more.

    Jump to:

    How to choose a good logic puzzle book

    Monster Book of KenKen

    4-point-5-stars

    Lots of math-logic puzzles for a reasonable price

    best-logic-math-puzzles

    Puzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars

    200 grid logic puzzles with times to beat

    puzzle-baron-logic-puzzles-review

    Challenging Logic Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars

    Increasingly difficult variety puzzles with a near impossible one at the end

    challenging-logic-puzzles-review

    Of Course! Riddles & Brainteasers

    4-point-5-stars

    78 variety puzzles – contains some cool and unique ones

    of-course-logic-riddles-and-brainteasers-review

    My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars

    70 math puzzles that may prove difficult depending on your skill

    my-best-mathematical-logic-puzzles-review

    The Moscow Puzzles

    4-point-5-stars

    A wide variety of enjoyable puzzles – great price

    moscow-puzzles-review

    Full Reviews – Top 8 Best Logic Puzzle Books

    Alright I hope you’re ready for my breakdown of the 8 best logic puzzle books out there right now. Some are new, some are old, and they cover a whole whack of different topics.

    Monster Book of Ken Ken by Will Shortz

    The puzzles in this book use mathematical operations to solve Sudoku-style puzzles. This style of logic puzzle will appeal to the mathematics and they’re very fun to solve overall. If you like Sudoku, or basically a crossword puzzle with a math component you’ll like this book. If you’re not into math then don’t choose this option. The downside to this book is that all of the puzzles are the same math-logic style.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Puzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles

    The coolest thing about this book is that it includes statics on average solve time, record solve time, and other cool info for every single puzzle. Puzzle Baron’s book comes with 200 grid-based logic puzzles that are sure to keep you entertained as you try to compete with the listed stats. Record your own stats as well and compete against your friends and family to see who’s the master solver!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Challenging Logic Puzzles

    I really like this book as an overall great logic puzzle book option because of the variety of puzzles within it. It’s not often you find a logic puzzle book with a variety of puzzles that are all at the perfect difficulty level. This book also has a some-what sequential progression as the puzzles get more and more difficult as you work through it. Another great aspect is that all of the puzzles have their solutions inside of the book. This is a great all-around logic puzzle book option, great for all skill levels within the family, and you can try more challenging puzzles as you improve – awesome!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Of Course! The Greatest Collection of Riddles & Brain Teasers

    Riddles, brain teasers, and puzzles all in one – another great variety option when it comes to the best logic puzzle books out there. For someone’s first puzzle book, or when buying a gift for someone else I always recommend going with a variety book that has different difficulties and puzzle types to keep things fresh and account for puzzlers of all skills. One of the main reasons we enjoy solving puzzles and problems as humans if because of the rewarding “Ah ha” moment that comes with the solution. This puzzle book has a really wide-range of puzzles ranging from math, reasoning riddles, logic riddles, and all types of problem solving. Cross bridges, and escape prison cells in this wildly enjoyable book – a must have!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles

    Getting into more difficult books here, this is definitely not one I would recommend to a beginner. The author Martin Gardner has written math problems for many years of his life fine tuning his problem diversity and receiving feedback on alternate solutions. This book may not be packed with puzzles but these are 70 fine tuned puzzles that will give even the most experienced puzzlers a challenge. Pick up this book if you’re experienced and want to tune your skills.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreations

    This is an extremely popular Russian puzzle book that constitutes of a variety of puzzles styles. The book is so popular that it’s been translated to several languages and has over 8 editions. This book has been around since 1956 so it’s had plenty of time to disappoint and it just hasn’t yet. Martin Gardner, author of the previous book on this list has also edited and clarified this English version for better readability and solvability. With 359 puzzles and over 400 diagrams this simple puzzle book can keep you entertained for as long as it takes you to finish it. I would recommend this book to the math puzzler looking for a challenging book that will take some time to complete.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Total Brain Workout

    The Total Brain Workout written by Ph. D. author Marcel Danesi is a fun and exciting puzzle book that features logic reasoning, memory, and perception style puzzles. The unique part is that each puzzle presents information on the part of your brain that is being exercised during each puzzle. The idea behind this book is that with proper exercise of the brain you can improve mental function in several areas of your life. This book is constructed with the improvement of the human brain in mind so enjoy a targeted puzzle book that really wants to help you improve. Work through these 450 puzzles and reap the benefits!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specifically Designed to Keep Your Brain Young

    Another amazing 399 puzzles that are aimed at maintaining or even improving the mind is up next on the list. Science shows that middle-aged or older individuals who solve puzzles or brainteasers like the ones found in books on this list have a huge mental advantage of those who do not. Keeping your mind active may ward off mental illness, improve your quality of life, and allow you to think through problems and make optimal choices. All of the puzzles in this book are designed by a neuroscientist with the goal of stimulating neurons which restore and can even strengthen the brain. The puzzles are fun and exciting riddles, brainteasers, problems, and require different levels of decoding to solve each one. This book is a great one as a gift r for someone’s first puzzle book to develop their skills and wake up the brain again.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Brain Games #1: Lower Your Brain Age in Minutes a Day

    This combination book of logic, math, sequencing, visual logic, language, cryptograms, crosswords, anagrams, and more puzzles really pushes variety to the max. Most of the other puzzles on this list aren’t very interactive in terms of putting pencil to the paper but this one has plenty of them. Solve anagrams, visual logic puzzles, crosswords, and more traditional logic puzzles within the 5 difficulty sections designed to work your brain. The author-Ph. D. duo that put together this book are both well known within the neuroscience community for developing programs to develop and exercise the mind. I recommend this puzzle for anyone who wants a huge range of puzzles to keep their mind busy – keep this one in the bathroom!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    How to pick the best logic puzzle book for you

    What makes a good logic puzzle book?

    In my opinion, the following makes a good logic puzzle book:

    • Difficulty – The difficulty has to be close to perfect for the solver. If it’s too easy it will go by quickly, and if it’s impossible for the person to solve then they won’t derive any enjoyment at all. I find books with a range of difficulty levels the best because you can try harder or easier puzzles based on your experience.
    • Topic – There are a few different types of logic puzzles that we’ll cover in this post. If you enjoy mathematics and math logic puzzles then there are books of that style. There are word-logic puzzles, and all other sorts of types. If you don’t know which types you like or don’t like just yet – you’ll have to pick up a puzzle book and find out your preferences.
    • Variety – As mentioned in the above point there could be a topic, or there could be a variety of different types of puzzles. These are great to keep you guessing, develop different parts of your brain, or to give as gifts because the receiver will have different types and difficulties to go after.
    • Length – In general, the longer the better. If you have 1000 puzzles to solve the book may be more appealing than a 300 puzzle one. We want challenging puzzles but we also want value for our dollar so this certainly must be considered when choosing the best logic puzzle book for you.
    • Gift or for you? – If it’s as a gift, I always recommend getting multi-difficulty books so that there’s a range of puzzles for the gift receiver to solve. It’s easy to give a gift that’s too simple or too hard. When buying for yourself you’ll know what difficulty you can handle, or you can at least try a sample puzzle and read reviews (like this one!) before committing to any certain book.

    The best logic puzzle books out there are the ones that keep us wanting more puzzles, more challenges, and more enjoyment after solving each problem. Based on puzzle experience – there is a puzzle book for everyone.

    As I said earlier, the best logic puzzle books will vary from person to person. Books are great to keep in the car, around the house, on the coffee table, or give as gifts. For other alternatives to paper logic puzzles you could also check out apps and websites that regularly post logic puzzles of all sorts. This not only gives you access to unlimited puzzles every day, but they’re often free or very cheap and you don’t worry about using any paper or losing your books. Here are a few of my favorite sources:

    Well, it was fun to write this article but I’ll have to let you go for now. The listed books are some of my favorite logic, and books in general out there right now so you can’t go wrong picking up one of these for yourself or giving one as a gift. Use this list of the best logic puzzle books out there to develop your mind and the minds of your loved ones.

    Puzzle on!

  • Best Sudoku Books – Beginner to Advanced

    In this Sudoku book review post I’ll cover some really great options for puzzlers ranging from beginner to advanced, and also give you some tips and resources for solving your Sudoku’s.

    Here are our top choices:

    largest-sudoku-history-universe-review

    The Largest Sudoku Book in the History of the Universe

    5-stars

    Best value by far. 2000 puzzles ranging from novice to expert difficulty.

    huge-book-of-hard-sudoku-review

    The Huge Book of Hard Sudoku

    4-point-5-stars

    Reasonable price for 300 puzzles of hard difficulty+.

    beyond-black-belt-sudoku-review

    Beyond Black Belt Sudoku

    4-point-5-stars

    300 very difficult puzzles. Not for beginners.

    large-print-sudoku-review

    Large Print Sudoku

    4-stars

    250 puzzles that are in large print for easy viewing. Novice to intermediate difficulty

    different-types-of-sudoku-puzzles

    Sudoku Variants

    4-stars

    169 puzzles that are similar to sudoku but with unique twists.

    sudoku-puzzle-book-vol1-review

    The Sudoku Puzzle Book Vol. 1

    3-point-5-stars

    Great price for 200 puzzles of difficulty from beginner to expert.

    must-have-sudoku-book-review

    Must-Have 2016 Sudoku Puzzles

    4-stars

    Reasonable price for 366 puzzles of novice to deadly difficulty.

    What to look for in Sudoku books

    Depending on your skill level and experience, the best Sudoku books will be different for each puzzler. The perfect puzzle will be challenging but not too hard, and still take you a decent amount of time to get enjoyment out of it.

    So what makes a “good” Sudoku book? Let’s go over some characteristics:

    • Difficulty – As mentioned briefly above, the best Sudoku books will challenge you and take you a good amount of time but not be overly difficult or too easy. There’s no other way to gauge the difficulty and your experience other than trying out a few puzzles to see where you stand.
    • Length – In my opinion, the longer and more puzzles the book contains the better. Bonus points for if it has different difficulty puzzles in the same book so you get some variety and can change up how hard the puzzle you solve is. Also multi-difficulty books are great for books that are in shared households so that everyone has a Sudoku difficulty they can complete.
    • Size – Typically as we get older, our vision decays and some may already have vision issues. Some Sudoku puzzles are smaller than others and not very friendly to those with vision problems. If this is an issue for you or whoever you’re buying a Sudoku puzzle for, be kind and buy them a larger book or one that isn’t super-small.
    • Price – In a world so dominated by the dollar, how can we forget about price? We always want the best bang for our buck so the more puzzle per dollar the better.
    • Materials & Sustainability – Finally we look at the materials the book is made up of, and how those materials were sourced. If you’re concerned with environmental sustainability then you could opt for book options that are conscious of those issues.

    Best Sudoku Books Reviews

    Sudoku Puzzle Book Volume 1 (3.5/5)

    This is one of the standard Sudoku puzzle books that I recommend to anyone with a bit of experience looking to get into solving Sudoku regularly. It has 50 of each difficulty including beginner, novice, moderate, and advanced. My only complaint with this book is that it’s a little bit small and tight for writing anything additional around the puzzle, and reading the puzzles reflects that. Overall a great Sudoku book with 200 puzzles that are fairly difficult for a few bucks.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Huge Book of Hard Sudoku (4/5)

    Next up I have a slightly more difficult 300 puzzle book for you to check out. This is very similar in puzzle amount, and price to the Volume 1 above but the puzzles are a fair bit more difficult. If you feel you’re getting past the more tame puzzles commonly found in the news or simple books, then this would be a great option for you. All of the 300 puzzles in this book are rated “hard” and I found most of them quite enjoying as a novice-intermediate Sudoku solver. I would not recommend this for a fresh beginner.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Must Have 2016 Sudoku Puzzle Book (3/5)

    This option is included on the list for it’s daily challenge appeal. With 366 puzzles it gives you a challenging Sudoku for each day of the year. Will you stay on track of fall behind? This type of book is great for engaging your brain every single day and a great gift. Of course in the end it’s still a book of puzzles so if you don’t do it on the specific day it’s not a great deal. I like this book because of the 5 ranges of difficulty, easy/moderate/nasty/cruel/deadly and it’s larger size. The puzzles are very comfortable on your eyes, and there’s plenty of room for notes and side-work. I would recommend this book for those with experience solving Sudoku’s, or as a gift for the puzzler in your family or friend group.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    The Largest Sudoku Book in the History of the Universe (4/5)

    This book makes the list for pure value. With 5 difficulties ranging from beginner to expert, this 2000 puzzle book gives you insane value with more puzzles per dollar than any other book I’ve found. The difficulties are spread out evenly and a beginner, intermediate, or expert can pick this book up and have fun. I recommend this book for a family of Sudoku solvers, or as a long-lasting gift for a beginner. With plenty of puzzles ready to solve in each category you’ll be Sudoku-ing forever! The font used is a nice size, and this book has a lot of room for solving which is great.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Beyond Black Belt Sudoku (5/5)

    So you think you’re good at puzzles and Sudoku? Try this book and talk to me again. A lot of Sudoku books, including some on this list claim to be difficult but end up not being that hard in the end. The Beyond Black Belt Sudoku book delivers on this front, fantastically. I whole-heartedly agree that this is one of the most challenging Sudoku books ever printed and it definitely will not disappoint. The sizing is not great on this book but sacrifices must be made for top-tier difficulty puzzles, right?

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Large Print Sudoku (3.5/5)

    With a lot of complaints on the size of Sudoku books, numbers, and extra solution-space I’ve included this large print Sudoku book in my list. We also have to accept that as we age, eye-sight diminishes and so does our focus – this makes an excellent option for the older Sudoku-ist or anyone with vision problems. On each 8×10 page in this full-ring book there is just ONE Sudoku puzzle – amazing!!! The difficulty range of these puzzles would be great for someone with a bit of Sudoku experience, but they aren’t too hard to pick up and learn on the go as a beginner.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Sudoku Variants (3.5/5)

    This is my one fun inclusion on the list, Sudoku variants! So you’ve been doing the same format Sudoku puzzle and you’re looking for a fun new game that uses the similar principles. This book of Sudoku variants has different grid variations, funky shapes, and difficulties for every puzzler. Pick up this book for a fresh style of puzzle that will keep you guessing at every turn of the page. This book is an excellent gift for the un-expecting puzzler in your life who you know loves Sudoku or other paper puzzles.

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Sudoku Resources

    If you’re into Sudoku or know anyone who is, there certainly isn’t a shortage of Sudoku and number-based puzzle resources out there. Here are some of my favorites:

    Sudoku Wiki
    Resources for Sudoku designers – Great for anyone interested in designing their own puzzles or gaining game-design insights
    Daily online Sudoku – A really great option for solving a Sudoku each day online and having access to reviews, solutions, the whole shebang. You can even design and submit your own puzzles and share them with friends – awesome.
    Any who, Sudoku is a really great game and I hope that my reviews of the best Sudoku books will help you pick the right book for you or as a gift for a loved one if that’s your intent. Happy puzzling :)!

  • 20 Best Science Books for All Ages

    The best science books are a combination of educational, intriguing, and down right fun to read – bonus if it has pictures. This top 20 list will cover some of the best science books ever written for a range of ages – there’s something for everyone when it comes to science literature!

    “Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.” – Carl Sagan

    Legendary scientist Carl Sagan arguably did more than anybody to popularize science during his career. As a best-selling science writer he understood how important it was to rekindle a passion in the subject to a population he felt had lost interest because of the current educational system.

    The Pulitzer Prize winning author co-wrote and narrated an award-winning television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which is the most widely watched series in the history of American television. More than 500 million viewers across 60 countries.

    Twenty years after Sagan’s death, science books are now more popular than ever before. The choice is endless. So what makes a really good science book? The genre is saturated with classics that have stood the test of time and new titles full of interesting and engaging content, but a few characteristics stand out for the best choices.

    Just like your favorite novel, the narrative of the story should keep you engaged until the very end. Science is an ongoing mystery, and while we don’t expect to find out all the answers, the reader should feel satisfied to have been involved in the journey.

    Another point is that “a picture is worth a thousand words” was never more true than in a science book. With modern high-definition photography a reader truly feels as close to the action as is possible.

    But what about actual subject matter? Firstly, it depends on whether the reader is an adult or child. The reader’s current knowledge level is also important. Perhaps a potential reader wants to consider a title which is heavy going, or maybe something a little lighter to relax with on a beach. There are no hard and fast rules, so long as you understand what your choice is all about.

    It’s fun to browse reviews as well. You never know when you might pick up a new interest. Just delve right in for a look around.

    Our Choices for the Best Science Books

    We’ve put together a list of 20 great titles we can’t recommend highly enough. Each choice stands out amongst tens of thousands of possibilities, either as an old classic or a modern day masterpiece. Guaranteed not to disappoint.

    The Origin of Species
    By Charles Darwin

    For Ages: 16+

    Probably the most famous science book still in print. This often controversial best seller is now more than 150-years old, and is still going strong. The seminal work on the theory of evolution is considered to be one of the most important contributions to science ever written.

    Telling the tale of Charles Darwin’s five-year voyage to the Southern Hemisphere between 1831 and 1836 and the conclusions he came to in order to produce a theory about evolution and natural selection. Upon his return he lived in London and spent almost 15-years conducting research, finally publishing this book in 1859 on learning that another naturalist had reached the same conclusions. You could argue this is one of the best science books of all time.

    A Brief History of Time
    By Stephen Hawking

    For Ages: 14+

    Stephen Hawkings is the most famous living physicist today. Writing this modern classic in 1998 he attempted to help a non-professional audience understand questions such as “Where did the universe come from?” and “How did it begin and will it come to an end?”

    This is a seriously deep, heavy going book, but ultimately satisfying if you can stick with it to understand the subject. Hawkings has an extraordinary ability to explain the complexities of physics to the layman.

    If you are prepared to expend some mental effort, you will be greatly rewarded as you join Hawkings on his journey to unlock the secrets of the universe.

    Physics of the Impossible
    By Michio Kaku

    For Ages: 14+

    Media star Michio Kaku has produced a modern take on physics concepts many of us have come across via the likes of television series such as Star Trek. The world we live in today is developing at an unprecedented rate, with new discoveries arriving almost daily. Much of what we see was only recently considered fanciful, but science continues to prove us wrong.

    Kaku has put together an interesting investigation into ideas such as phasers, force fields, teleportation, and even time travel. Science fiction buffs will love this work. Often seen on television, Kaku is a fantastic communicator, with a gift for explaining the almost unexplainable.

    Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution
    By Neil deGrasse Tyson and Donald Goldsmith

    For Ages: 14+

    This informative work on the story of cosmic evolution continues Carl Sagan’s popularizing efforts to bring the subject into the mainstream. Tyson and Goldsmith tackle the difficult task of showing us the story of cosmic history as currently understood, while going into detail about what science can prove, and what it cannot.

    Laced with humour, the text offers clear explanations on subject matter most readers may be familiar with to some degree, even if they aren’t up to speed on the real details. The authors offer up to date material on new research topics such as dark matter and dark energy, with further discussion on the exciting subject of planets outside our solar system.

    The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe without Design
    By Richard Dawkins

    For Ages: 16+

    This modern classic by the Oxford University professor follows on from Charles Darwin’s work on the theory of evolution. The famous atheist tackles the subject matter in his typically British style.

    The title refers to the Reverend William Paley’s 1802 book, Natural theology, in which he argues that if you find a watch then the only conclusion is that a watchmaker must exist. Dawkins responds to this idea by arguing that it is the blind forces of physics which act as the watchmaker in nature, and nothing more.

    This defence of Darwinism is an awe-inspiring riposte to those who think they understand what evolution is, but clearly do not.

    Cosmos
    By Carl Sagan

    For Ages: 8+

    One of the best-selling science books of all time. Another history of the cosmos, but also offering the story of how it interlinks with religion and cultures long gone from today’s world.

    Written in a simple way that makes the book accessible to children, and people with no science background at all, Sagan enthusiastically presents his ideas through fantastic illustrations. He explains clearly how cosmology has directed past cultures to improving their understanding of the nature of the universe.

    The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
    By Brian Greene

    For Ages: 16+

    This title is a fantastic attempt to bring the most complex areas of physics into a readily understandable form. Greene’s target audience is people who have absolutely no idea about the workings of topics such as string theory, general relativity, and quantum physics.

    Although the reader will likely have to accept mastery of these subjects is all but impossible, the material is engaging enough to keep the reader plugging away through the drier chapters necessary to complete the explanations. Greene has produced a script which is easy to follow at a conceptual level without needing high-level mathematics.

    Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
    By Theodore Gray

    For Ages: 8+

    The most beautiful book on the list. Gray takes us on a journey through the periodic table with incredible photos from start to finish. Full of trivia and interesting information, this is a most entertaining tour of the sub-atomic world.

    Full of witty anecdotes, this perfect blend of science and art is a great choice for both children and adults. An eye-catching choice for your coffee table.

    Evolution: A Coloring Book
    By Annu Kilpelainen

    For Ages: 7-13

    This is a coloring book with a difference. Let’s say the concept has “evolved” a little.

    Designed to be interactive, this creative and well written book is a great way to introduce an interesting part of science to children. The text clearly explains the ideas of Charles Darwin, and follows through by using the illustrations with elements like flaps, die cuts, and stencils to engage the child.

    Natural History (Smithsonian)
    By DK Publishing

    For Ages: 6+

    The world-famous Smithsonian Institute has overseen this amazing reference work detailing the Earth’s natural history. From bacteria to wildlife, from minerals to rocks, this book details thousands of specimens using remarkable photography.

    The reader journeys through everything which makes up our natural landscape. At almost 700 pages in length DK has set the standard for such guides.

    Another choice which is perfect for any age group, this excellent reference tool will bring joy to anybody so much as browsing a few pages.

    Science: The Definitive Visual Guide
    By Robert Dinwiddie, Giles Sparrow, Marcus Weeks, Carole Stott, Jack Challoner, David Hughes, David Burnie, Adam Hart-Davis

    For Ages: 11+

    Another great production from DK Publishing. This title tells the story of the history of science from all the way back to the ancient Greeks, up to cutting edge work such as quantum physics.

    Yet again DK has produced some of the most stunning photographs imaginable to create a fantastic visual guide. It is not detailed in the sense of being able to act as a reference work, but provides a clear summary for the novice to be able get a feel of how science has developed through the ages.

    The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works – By National Geographic

    For Ages: 8+

    National Geographic has undertaken an ambitious attempt to compile all the major areas of science into a single volume. The Science Book makes fascinating reading, taking the reader to the extremes of the cosmos, and right down into the realm of microscopic life. Whether you’re interested in nuclear power, or organic chemistry, there is something for everyone inside.

    Brilliantly illustrated, the book can function as an introduction for school children, or a more basic overview for educated adults. It doesn’t matter if not all of the chapters are of interest, everyone will find something inside which captures their interest.

    Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks
    By Ben Goldacre

    For Ages: 16+

    Ben Goldacre has written a brilliant expose of pseudo-science. Explaining to averages readers who don’t have a post-graduate university education, just how they can cut through all the rubbish which pollutes the information we are bombarded with every day.

    He teaches the reader how to evaluate using sample sizes, helping them to recognise bad science as soon as they see it. Targeting so called experts, who have no right to be referred to as such, he takes them to task using humour in his characteristically blunt style.

    Life’s Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code
    By Matthew Cobb

    For Ages: 15+

    A fantastic account of the story of how DNA was discovered. Detailing how James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin cracked the genetic code responsible for all life on Earth.

    One of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the twentieth century, the discovery of DNA revolutionised biology, and gave rise to an entirely new branch of science.

    Cobb tells how the best and brightest from many different branches of science contributed to the end goal, often coming up against a wall when new answers often posed new questions as complex as the initial project.

    The Drunken Botanist
    By Amy Stewart

    For Ages: 18+

    A light hearted science book that gives an account of the origin of alcoholic spirits. Stewart produced a New York Times bestseller which explores the story of how humanity has used a plethora of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi in an attempt to produce alcohol through the ages.

    History, biology, and chemistry; it’s all in here. Learn how mankind’s obsession with getting drunk became a part of our accepted traditions.

    At the end, Stewart gives the reader more than 50 drink recipes to try for themselves.

    The God Delusion
    By Richard Dawkins

    For Ages: 16+

    The most famous atheist on the planet goes on the attack, with religion as his target. Another highly controversial book, which has fired up emotions across the world for years.

    Dawkins has written with intolerance and scorn, protesting the manner in which organised religion has turned people away from science. Accusing religious leaders of perpetuating a system which psychologically abuses young children, damaging them for the rest of their lives.

    The most scientific parts are where he attempts to construct an argument against intelligent design. Not for everybody, but a fascinating piece of work.

    Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World
    By Mark Miodownik

    For Ages: 12+

    Professor Miodownik has produced a masterpiece by taking us deep inside eleven materials which most of us see every day. This fun and well-illustrated introduction to material science takes us from chocolate to steel, showing the reader that the world we live in is much more than what our eyes show us.

    Telling the history of how many materials we take for granted were discovered, Miodownik inter-weaves humour with clear explanations leaving the reader wanting more.

    A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing
    By Lawrence M Krauss

    For Ages: 16+

    “Where did the universe come from? What was there before it? What will the future bring? And finally, why is there something rather than nothing?”

    These are the questions Krauss sets out to answer in an understandable way. He takes us through mind-bending theories to explain just how something can arise from nothing, and why it will always do so.

    A seriously thought provoking book.

    The Hubble Cosmos: 25 Years of New Vistas in Space
    By David H Devorkin, Robert W Smith, Robert P Kirshner

    For Ages: 8+

    The Hubble Cosmos will fill you with wonder at the beauty of what exists out in the universe. Learn the story of how the Hubble Space Telescope came to be, and what it has become over the last 26 years.

    Responsible for many new breakthroughs in science, such as accurately measuring the rate of expansion of the universe, Hubble has transformed our understanding of the cosmos.

    Full of amazing high definitions photographs, with informative chapters, this will blow your mind.

    Asap Science: Answers to the World’s Weirdest Questions, Most Persistent Rumors, and Unexplained Phenomena
    By Mitchell Moffit, Greg Brown

    For Ages: 12+

    Best Science Books: Our Recommendation

    Natural History (Smithsonian) is a book which is impossible to dislike. It probably doesn’t even matter if you’re interested in science because once you open the pages you will be astounded to see exactly what you share this planet with.

    It would make a perfect Christmas present for anybody. A welcome addition to any coffee table, and a title which you will never tire of, nor want to put down once you start reading.

    Hopefully our top 20 list of the best science books helps you find what you’re looking for. If you have any other books you’ve enjoyed please leave a comment below and we might consider adding it to the list :)! If you like science related books you might also be interested in:

    Our articles on crossword bookslogic puzzle booksSudoku books, and Will Shortz specific books.

  • What is the Best Pyraminx? Speed Cube Reviews

    If you want to know what is the best Pyraminx on the market right now then look at our list of the best ones available today. The top model on the market, and the best budget and beginner options of this fun and exciting twisty puzzle.

    Best Pyraminx Reviews: Table Format

    PyraminxThe CubePuzzleDude’s ReviewGet it here
    GAN Magnetic Pyraminx4-point-5-starsGAN-magnetic-pyraminx-reviewBest quality magnetic pyraminx. Good price.Check it out on Amazon here
    Cuberspeed Magnetic MoYu Pyraminx4-point-5-starscuberspeed-moyu-magnetic-pyraminx-reviewHigh quality magnetic pyraminx. Great price. Check it out on Amazon here
    Tanch Qiyi Pyraminx4-starsbest-pyraminx-reviews-for-speed-cubingBest budget option, good quality and great price Check it out on Amazon here

    How to choose the best pyraminx

    History of the pyraminx

    GAN Magnetic Pyraminx Review ( 4.8 / 5 )

    In my opinion, the GAN magnetic pyraminx is number 1. While the price tag is slightly higher than other options it’s one of, if not the best quality pyraminx. The MoYu has superior corner cutting, world-record performance, and it’s really smooth to use and solve no matter what your pace.

    • 78mm x 83mm x 95mm
    • Red, green, blue, and yellow sides
    • Great quality cube with smooth turning and superior corner cutting
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating 4.8 / 5 – best Pyraminx speed cube!

     Check it out on Amazon here

    Cuberspeed MoYu Pyraminx ( 4.4 / 5 )

    MoYu is a house-hold standard when it comes to speed cubing. This cube is available in stickerless which I know appeals to a lot of cubers and regular puzzlers, as it does to me as well. This cube is of excellent quality, and is sold at a great price making it possibly the best overall pyraminx in this review. It has an appealing color scheme and stickerless option. The only reason I would get the Moyu over the GAN is if you’re looking for a better price, are partial to the brand, or just like the colors.

    • No stickers makes it extra durable
    • Ultra fast cube, world record capable
    • Great corner cutting
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating 4.4 / 5
    •  Check it out on Amazon here

    Tanch Qiyi Pyraminx ( 4 / 5 )

    This is by no means a low quality option; it’s a consistently made and good quality pyraminx, but they’re definitely the budget option as the price dictates. These puzzles could even be used to set world records so they don’t lack performance but also coming in at just a fraction of the cost of other Pyraminx brands. With similar dimensions as the other puzzles, the The Tanch Qiyi Pyraminx handles well and is very speedy. It has a more clacky feel in comparison to the other options so that may appeal to you.

    • Standard Qiyi quality
    • Easy to handle, fast speeds, good corner cutting
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating 4 /5 –
    • Best budget pyraminx speed cube

     Check it out on Amazon here

    Pyraminx Lore

    The Pyraminx is a tetrahedron puzzle similar to the standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube. It was patented by the same guy who brought you the Megaminx, and Skewb, Uwe Mèffert in 1981.

    He first thought of the idea in 1970 and didn’t capitalize on the unique puzzle until 1981 when it entered production in Hong Kong. Uwe credits Erno’s Rubik’s invention for the birth of his Pyraminx. You’re here to find out what the best Pyraminx is, so let’s get into the reviews. Instead of listing every single Pyraminx available I’ve narrowed it down to a few great options that should suit a wide variety of puzzler’s needs.

    How to pick the best Pyraminx for you!

    So you’ve read my descriptions and comments on what I think are the four best Pyraminx puzzles on the market, but maybe you’re not sure which one is for you. You could also be buying one as a gift for someone else and require a bit more guidance than has been revealed so far so here we go.

    • If you’re new to Pyraminx, puzzling, or speed cubing and want to try the Pyraminx I would try the ShengShou. Overall it’s a great and fast cube and it will barely sting your wallet just costing a few bucks. Once you break in the puzzle and set it how you like it – it’s an awesome Pyraminx.
    • If you’re an experienced cuber looking to get a top-tier Pyraminx then I would go with the MoYu. If you specifically like the Dayan brand then they’re closer enough that they can both be top tier cubes – the cube doesn’t make the cuber!
    • If you have a Pyraminx or a lot of other cubes already and want to try out a “superior” Pyraminx with a unique design, then I would try the QiYi Pyraminx. Otherwise unless you specifically like the color scheme of the QiYi then I would go with a MoYu or Dayan.

    Pyraminx Resources

    After we get our Pyraminx of course we want to solve it, here are the resources I used to learn algorithms and how to solve my Pyraminx. It’s not a super difficult twisty puzzle if you have some experience, and if not you can definitely figure it out with a bit of time.

    • Kewbz Learn to Solve Your Pyraminx Guide – very easy to follow along and solve
    • Nerd Paradise guide – step by step visual guide to solving the Pyraminx
    • Ruwix Pyraminx simulator – useful after you’re solving the cube and want to train

    Pyraminx Cool Facts

    We can’t finish off this article without some cool facts on the Pyraminx now can we?

    • The first official Pyraminx competition was organized in 2003 – American Andy Bellenir won by solving it in 14.09 seconds.
    • The max number of twists required to solve the Pyraminx is 11
    • There are 933,120 different positions that the puzzle can be in – this makes it very computer solvable!
    • The current world record single solve of the Pyraminx is 1.36 seconds set by Drew Brads in 2015. The best average is also held by the same guy at 2.52 seconds.
    • Higher order variations of the puzzle are the Professor Pyraminx, and the Tetraminx which is basically a Pyraminx without tips.

    Wrap up

    If you got this far, thanks for reading! I put together this list of the best Pyraminx puzzles available because I saw that there was a lack of reviews. Within these four Pyraminx listed here I’m sure you can find the right puzzle for you, from budget to top-tier speed cube options there’s something for everyone.

    Puzzle on!

  • 2026 Best Megaminx – Speed Cube Reviews

    Check this list of the best megaminx speed cubes including the highest quality megaminx, best budget megaminx, and more information about megaminxes like how to choose a good megaminx.

    Best Megaminx Reviews

    MegaminxThe CubePuzzleDude’s ReviewGet it here
    Cuberspeed QY Toys Megaminx4-point-5-starscuberspeed-qy-toys-megaminx-reviewBest budget Megaminx, amazing price for the quality Check it out on Amazon here
    GAN Megaminx Maglev Magnetic Speed Cube4-point-5-starsbest-quality-megaminx-reviewTop quality megaminx. High price tag. Check it out on Amazon here
    D-FantiX Cyclone Boys Megaminx4-starsbest-budget-megaminx-reviewA high quality megaminx for a reasonable price. Check it out on Amazon here

    Jump to:

    Full reviews

    Cool megaminx facts

    The Megaminx is a twisty puzzle similar to a Rubik’s cube that has 12 different faces and 50 movable pieces (known as a dodecahedron), so prepare for a challenge as it can take quite a bit longer to solve.

    This puzzle is also known as the Magic Dodecahedron, the Hungarian Supernova, or can be called a Megaminx cube.

    What is the best Megaminx?

    If you’re an experienced speed cuber, or just looking for a new puzzle to test your mind with then the Megaminx is an excellent option. There’s widespread information available online to help you solve it, and it’s a longer lasting solve than a regular Rubik’s or smaller so it can keep you entertained for longer. So what is the best Megaminx?

    This isn’t a super straightforward question as there are a few things to consider when picking the right Megaminx for you. Here’s what you should consider when picking one:

    • Budget – Not all Megaminx are made equally, choosing one based on your budget is valid and there are options for both ends of the spectrum.
    • Speed! – Just like not every Megaminx is made equally, not every cuber is equal either. Some cubers are faster than others, and some may take their time solving the Megaminx. Some puzzles turn faster than others so this is another important option to consider.
    • Stickered or stickerless – A common question when it comes to any type of twisty puzzle… to sticker or not to sticker? That is the question. Some like the look of stickered puzzles and also the puzzles offer a white or black background which can have a cool style. Others like the stickerless appeal because you never have to resticker or worry about it getting dirty or damaged.
    • Brand – Hello brand loyalty! If you’re a cuber with brand preferences already, this may outright answer your question for you. You’ll probably see some familiar brands in this list so you know what to expect if you’ve tried out their other cubes.

    So now that we have a good idea of some of the options to be aware of when looking at a Megaminx, let’s check out some of the more popular ones!

    Cuberspeed QY Toys Megaminx Review ( 4.6 / 5 )

    The Cuberspeed QY Toys Megaminx is the most budget friendly option on the list, but that doesn’t make it a bad cube. They’re solid to use after they’re broken in and properly set up. And the price tag attached to this good quality cube is just such a great value.

    • Solid option for speed cubing/solving
    • Has good forward corner cutting and back cutting
    • Doesn’t pop or lock
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating ( 4.5 / 5 ) – Best budget Megaminx

     Check it out on Amazon here

    GAN Megaminx Maglev Magnetic Speed Cube Review ( 4.5 / 5 )

    When you buy GAN, you know what you’re getting and this cube is no exception. This is a top rated megaminx and you are getting the quality that you pay for. It has auto-aligning and strategically placed magnets for smooth turns as well as an ergonomic grip. Comes at a hefty price tag but it is well worth it if you want the best quality megaminx.

    • Great corner cutting
    • Doesn’t pop or lock
    • Auto-aligning magnetic
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating (4.5 / 5) – Top Quality Megaminx

     Check it out on Amazon here

    D-FantiX Cyclone Boys Megaminx ( 4.3 / 5 )

    This right here is the best overall megaminx on the list, and in my opinion the best Megaminx for the average speed cuber out there. It has the great corner cutting, fast spinning, and it’s the easiest to break in and set up. I also think that it has the most appealing color scheme out of them all if that’s your thing.

    • Great corner cutting, and speed out of the box
    • Never locks or pops
    • Puzzle Dude’s rating ( 4.3 / 5 ) – Best overall megaminx speed cube

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    Other Megaminx Options

    There are other Megaminx out there, but I don’t like to list them off for no apparent reason. I believe that you can find the best Megaminx for you within this list of three with all of their various options. Really it boils down to:

    • Are you on a budget? Get the Cuberspeed.
    • If you’re not on a budget, are you a speed cuber? If so you can choose between the D-FantiX or the GAN, I think that the GAN is the highest quality cube but the D-FantiX could be good enough quality for a much better price.
    • If you’re a beginner and not on a budget, I would get the D-FantiX as it offers high quality and you won’t out-solve the speed for a while (if ever).

    How to Solve a Megaminx

    If you’ve never touched a Megaminx before it’s a good idea to move it around on your own for awhile without looking up any algorithms. This gives your mind a chance to grasp the Megaminx solution on its own — it is difficult but possible to solve without looking up how to do it!

    But if you’ve already exhausted yourself trying to figure it out and are ready for some help, here are some youtube guides on how to solve a Megaminx depending on your current skill level:

    • What is a Megaminx?
    • This youtube video will go step by step through solving a megaminx with the algorithms to take you from the first to last layer.
    • If you’re already familiar with the solve and would like to learn more about how to speed solve a megaminx you can check out this video.
    • Megaminx tutorial with algorithms and videos – Great resource for recognizing the Megaminx patterns

    Cool Megaminx Facts

    You’ve made it this far! Here are some cool Megaminx facts you might not know, I certainly didn’t know them before researching.

    • It was designed by Uwe Mèffert. He also designed the Skewb.
    • There are two options of the Megaminx, 6 color or 12 color. The 12 color is preferred due to less chance for a parity in the solution (otherwise identical pieces in the wrong spot).
    • The number of combinations of this puzzle is…

    100 669 616 553 523 347 122 516 032 313 645 505 168 688 116 411 019 768 627 200 000 000 000

    • Roughly 101 unvigintillion, whatever that means.
    • The current Megaminx world record solve is in 29.93 seconds by Juan Pablo Huanqui of Peru in the LatAm Tour – Santiago 2017 competition.
    • The world record for 5 average solve is 35.15s set by Juan Pablo Huanqui in the same competition as well.

    Megaminx Variations

    Just like the Rubik’s cube (3x3x3) has variations like the 4x4x4, 5x5x5, 6x6x6 etc. there are Megaminx variations. The Megaminx is the base size with additional layers, here are the others:

    • Kilominx (2 different layers)
    • Master Kilominx (4)
    • Gigaminx (5)
    • Teraminx (7)
    • Petaminx (9)
    • Zetaminx (13)
    • Yottaminx (15) – this thing costs like $4000!

    Anywho fellow Puzzlers, I hope you enjoyed reading this guide to getting the best Megaminx for you as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Megaminx really is a great puzzle that you can get for not much more than a regular 3×3 cube so snatch it up and have some fun!

    Share your favorite Megaminx below 🙂

  • Best 6×6 Cube Reviews

    The 6×6 Rubik’s cube is essentially an expansion of the original 3×3 speed cube making a more difficult to solve cube. But don’t worry! There are a ton of great resources out there to help you solve your cube, and I’m here to help you find the best 6×6 cube with my reviews of the top options.

    In this review article I’ll show you the best 6×6 speed cubes, give you some history on the 6×6 Rubik’s cube, share resources on how to solve this puzzle, and show you the world record holder! Let’s start off with a review table including all of the 6×6 cubes in this review!

    Best 6×6 Cubes Review Table

    6×6 CubesThe CubeOur RatingPuzzleDude’s ReviewGet it here
    MoYu Aoshi 6×6best 6x6 cube (4.5 / 5)Smooth and fast cube – great 6×6 Check it out on Amazon here #ad
    ShengShou 6×6best 6x6 rubik's cube reviews (3.5 / 5)Best budget 6×6 Check it out on Amazon here #ad
    V-Cube 6×6best 6x6 speed cube reviews (2.5 / 5)Overrated 6×6 cube Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    MoYu Aoshi 6×6 Review (4.5/5)

    This is going to be another one fo those reviews where we can end it right here – another MoYu cube taking the top spot is no surprise to me. This 6×6 Aoshi is not terribly expensive at around $20-30 and it’s the best 6×6 speed cube out there right now. You can get it in white and black stickered, and sticklerless as well. The outside edges turn quickly, there’s minimal popping, and it has that fast and buttery MoYu feel. Hard to go wrong with this one – the 6×6 world record was attained using this exact cube.

    • Great corner cutting, easy to adjust
    • Smooth and fast/controlled cube
    • PuzzleDude’s rating  (4.5 / 5) – best 6×6 cube hands down

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    ShengShou 6×6 Review (3.5/5)

    ShengShou is my standard budget speed cube to resort to when money is a concern. You can have a fully functioning 6×6 cube from ShengShou for $10-15 which is around half the price of the king Aoshi. ShengShou does have an appealing feel, the outside edges are really fast, but the middle will catch more frequently than say the MoYu Aoshi.

    • Solid 6×6, decent corner cutting
    • Very fast, not as easy to control
    • Clicky feel
    • PuzzleDude’s rating (3.5 / 5) – best budget 6×6 speed cube!

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    V-Cube 6×6 Review (2.5/5)

    For a long time the V-Cube 6×6 was the only commercially available 6×6 due to copyright laws, and to be honest it was really sad to see because this is an awful cube out of the box. With some modifications people were able to get it to be a workable cube but I think that’s unacceptable from a cubing manufacturer that’s producing puzzles to be solved out of the mix. The V-Cube does have some appeal with the tapered pillow design but other than that at a higher price than the Aoshi there’s absolutely no reason to get it.

    • Poor speed and handling
    • Bad corner cutting
    • Overpriced for what you get
    • Patented for a long time and was the only 6×6 in production (sadly)
    • PuzzleDude’s rating (2.5 / 5)

     Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    How to pick the best 6×6 for you

    Since we only have a few options when it comes to 6×6 speed cubes there’s not too much to say. Since they are larger cubes and have more pieces to get caught on, the larger the cube the more popping/catching there will be. The ShengShou catches sometimes, and the Aoshi catches as well but not as much.

    If you have no budget or are buying this 6×6 as a gift for someone, go with the MoYu Aoshi hands down. If you have any budget requirements or just want to get into solving 6×6 for fun without speed cubing then the ShengShou is a suitable cube.

    Ideally when picking a speed cube you want to look for the following characteristics:

    • Corner cutting – You want at least 45 degree corner cutting, any more can be harder to control but it is desirable to some speed cubers.
    • Speed – You want a cube that doesn’t slow you down, but also isn’t too fast for your hand movements.
    • Stickered or stickerless – With stickerless cubes now being legal, you can have your choice between stickers or no stickers – tough choice!
    • Ready out of the box? Sometimes I review cubes that require some lubing, proper tension, and set up out of the box. If you’re new to cubing or need a competition ready cube quickly then you might want to do some research beforehand.
    • Feel – Cubes can be smooth and quiet, clicky, easy to control, hard to control (because of speed), and even feel a bit sandy. This sort of tactile response is important to some cubers who prefer a certain style and feel of cube.
    • Build quality – Generally when buying cubes, if it’s more expensive you’re paying for high-quality plastics, and a good product that’s been tested and may even hold world records.

    Let’s continue this 6×6 speed cube mega guide with some history and fun facts, and finally ending with the current 6×6 world records and how to solve your new cube!

    6×6 Speed Cube History

    The V-Cube or 6×6 is a 6x6x6 version of the Rubik’s cube that has no fixed faces. IT was invented by Panagiotis Verdes and was patented to only be produced by the Greek company Verdes Innovations for a long time. This was a sad case as the V-Cube really isn’t that great of a cube in comparison to the now available MoYu Aoshi.

    The 6×6 consists of 152 cube faces to be solved from 1.57X10^115 possible permutations. A common way to solve this type of cube is to group the center pieces, and edge pieces together so that the cube resembles a 3×3 and similar solutions can be used to complete the cube.

    With a cube like this, certain “parity errors” may occur which require different algorithms to solve (these errors can’t occur on a 3×3). For example two edges could be inverted which makes the solution incorrect.

    6×6 World Records

    As of 2016 the world record for a single 6×6 solve is held by Kevin Hays from the US using the MoYu Aoshi reviewed in this article. The record for best average of three solves is held by, yep you guessed it, Feliks Zemdegs who averaged 1m43.83s in Melbourne last year. Talk about fast! He also hit his world record with the Aoshi (hint the MoYu Aoshi is the best 6×6 cube…). #ad

    Learning to Solve Your 6×6

    In this final section I’m going to share how to solve your 6×6 the way I learned to solve mine.

    First off, I checked out this forum thread with video guides on how to solve the 6×6. I also used this supporting guide which is text/image based to help me learn a bit more. Pick whichever style of either images/text or video learning is applicable to you.

    Best 6×6 Cube Reviews Conclusion

    Well that was another fun cubing review article – I hope you liked it. It wasn’t quite as long as the others because not as many people are into 6×6, and 7×7 as they are the smaller options like 2×23×34×4, and 5×5. I think past 5×5 is when there aren’t as many cube manufacturers competing either. Anyways, hopefully my reviews of the best 6×6 cube options was helpful!

    Happy puzzling!

  • Best 7×7 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

    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 CubesThe CubeOur RatingPuzzleDude’s ReviewGet it here
    MoYu Aofu 7×7best 7x7 cube (4.5 / 5)Best 7×7 hands down Check it out on Amazon here #ad
    V Cube 7×77x7 cube reviews (2.5 / 5)Cheap, locks up, hard to speedsolve. Check it out on Amazon here #ad
    ShengShou 7×7best 7x7 speed cube (3.5 / 5)Best budget 7×7 Check it out on Amazon here #ad

    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 #ad
    • 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 3×34×45×5, 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  #ad 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!

  • Best 5×5 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

    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 CubesThe CubeOur ReviewPuzzleDude’s RatingGet it Here
    MoYu Huachuang 5×5best 5x5 cubeBest 5×5 overall (4.5 / 5)Get it Here #ad
    MoYu Aochuang 5×5best 5x5 speed cubeGreat 5×5, looser feel than the Huachuang, comparable cube (4 / 5)Get it Here #ad
    Shengshou 5×5best 5x5 for speed cubingGood budget 5×5 (3.5 / 5)Get it Here #ad
    Cyclone Boys 5×5cheapest 5x5 cubeBest budget 5×5, awesome cube for a great price (4 / 5)Get it Here #ad
    Yuxin 5×5top 5x5 cube 2017World record holding 5×5, takes some setting up but excellent cube (4 / 5)Get it Here #ad

    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 #ad, 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 #ad 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….! #ad

    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 :)!