Author: puzzledude

Best 4×4 Cube Reviews

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

The Top Choices in Table Format

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

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

How to pick the best 4×4 cube for you

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

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

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

Best 4×4 Cube Reviews

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

MoYu Aosu 4×4 Review (4.5/5)

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

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

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

Shengshou 4×4 Review (3.5/5)

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

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

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

Yuxin 4×4 Review (4/5)

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

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

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

YongJun Guansu Review (4/5)

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

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

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

Picking the right 4×4

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

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

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

Getting into 4×4 solving

History of the “Rubik’s Revenge”

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

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

The 4×4 basics

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

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

7401196841564901869874093974498574336000000000

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

Learning to solve your 4×4

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

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

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

Best 4×4 Cube Review Conclusion

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

Happy puzzling!

August 19, 2026

6 Best Puzzle Gift Ideas 2017
If you have a puzzler, youngster, oldster, or anyone in your life who likes to solve a good puzzle or a challenge – then our reviews of the best puzzle gift ideas are just for you. In this list I’ll go over the criteria that I think satisfies a good puzzle gift, and give some suggestions for the different type of recipient you might encounter.

What makes the best puzzle gift ideas?

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

The Rubik’s Cube ($5-15)

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

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

Puzzle Books ($1-10)

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

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

Disentanglement Puzzles ($5-15)

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

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

Jigsaw Puzzles ($5-???)

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

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

Puzzle Apps (<$5)

Send overseas, huge selection to choose from

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

A Kendama

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

Different types of puzzle recipients

In this final segment I’ll go over a few types of recipients that you might have on your list, and recommend puzzles for them.
- The youngster – For the young developing mind I would recommend a 3×3 Rubik’s cube 100%. The amount of solves, enjoyment, and mental development available from solving the Rubik’s cube is unparalleled by anything on this list. If they’re already familiar with cubes, get them another variation like a 2×2, 4×4, or Pyramind style cube to expand their collection, and more important their mind.
- The speedcuber – If your recipient is into Rubik’s (or speedcubing) then a gift of a cube they don’t have, a new cube that just came out, or a unique-geometry cube would be perfect.
- The puzzle solver – If you know who you’re gifting to likes Sudoku, crosswords, logic puzzles, or anything of that sort then why not get them what they enjoy? They’re making it easy for you so follow suit!
- Old or young and inexperienced – Here the important aspect will be getting something simple – provide them with stimulation and the enjoyment of the puzzles but don’t make it impossible for them! Most products have age ranges which are fairly accurate.
- Family gifts – Here I always recommend the jigsaw puzzle that a group can solve. I also recommend the Rubik’s cube again as the whole family can try to learn it, solve it, and compete with each other while they unknowingly (or knowingly?) super-charge their brains.
Hopefully my recommendations along with my top 5 best puzzle gift ideas will be useful for you in choosing the right gifts for your loved ones, friends, and family.

Happy puzzling!
August 19, 2026

Best 2×2 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

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

Here’s a quick glance at some good options:

Top Choices

GAN 251 M Air 2×2

Top Choice for Magnetic

Light magnets, smooth turns, moderate price, reliable quality

Check on Amazon

#ad

Qidi Speed Cube 2×2

Top Choice for non-magnetic

Light and fast, great price, decent quality

Check on Amazon

#ad

GAN 251 Speed Cube 2×2

Backup choice for non-magnetic

Light and fast, moderate price, decent quality

Check on Amazon

#ad

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

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

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

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

Best 2×2 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

Many of the cubes below are not available anymore.
Click here to see the updated list at the top of this page.

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews: The Table

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

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

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

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews

DaYan 2×2 (4/5)

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

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

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

MoYu Lingpo (4.5/5)

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

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

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

ShengShou Aurora (3.5/5)

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

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

Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm (4/5)

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

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

Type C WitTwo (4/5)

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

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

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

Picking the best 2×2 for you

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

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

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

Learn about the 2×2

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

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

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

Solving the 2×2 cube

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

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

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

2×2 World Records

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

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

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews Conclusion

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

Happy puzzling!

August 19, 2026

Best Hanayama Puzzles to Train Your Mind

Full Hanayama Puzzle descriptions and more info

These puzzles are visually appealing and relatively quick puzzles to showcase around your home or other space. Take a look at some of the top picks at a glance:

Hanayama Labyrinth

Level 5

Buy on Amazon

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Hanayama Equa

Level 5

Buy on Amazon

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Hanayama Coaster

Level 4

Buy on Amazon

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Hanayama Nutcase

Level 6

Buy on Amazon

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Hanayama Vortex

Level 5

Buy on Amazon

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Hanayama Elk

Level 6

Buy on Amazon

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

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

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

Best Hanayama Puzzles Reviews

The Quartet (Level 6)

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

Buy Now on Amazon #ad

Equa (Level 5)

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

Buy Now on Amazon #ad

Cylinder (Level 4)

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

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Enigma (Level 6)

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

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Vortex (level 5)

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

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Elk (Level 6)

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

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Nutcase (Level 6)

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

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Labyrinth (Level 5)

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

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Radix (Level 4)

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

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Coaster (Level 4)

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

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H&H (Level 5)

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

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Starfish (Level 2)

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

Starfish is currently unavailable

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Wrap up

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

August 18, 2026