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

What makes the best puzzle gift ideas?

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

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

My puzzle gift recommendations

The Rubik’s Cube ($5-15)

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

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

Puzzle Books ($1-10)

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

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

Disentanglement Puzzles ($5-15)

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

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

Jigsaw Puzzles ($5-???)

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

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

Puzzle Apps (<$5)

Send overseas, huge selection to choose from

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

A Kendama

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

Different types of puzzle recipients

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

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

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

Happy puzzling!

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

Top Choices

Dayan 2×2: 4/5

Great corner cutting, fast, and quiet cube.

MoYu Lingpo: 4.5/5

Best corner cutting, minimal catching, clicky.

ShengShou Aurora: 3.5/5

Best budget 2×2!

Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm: 4/5

Best 2×2 for big hands

Type C WitTwo: 4/5

A fast and crunchy cube

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

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

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

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

Best 2×2 Cube – Speed Cube Reviews

May 20, 2016 By Puzzle Dude Leave a Comment

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

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews: The Table

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

Finding the Best 2×2 Cube

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

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

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

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews

DaYan 2×2 (4/5)

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

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

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

MoYu Lingpo (4.5/5)

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

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

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

ShengShou Aurora (3.5/5)

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

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

Fangshi ShiShuang 55mm (4/5)

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

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

Type C WitTwo (4/5)

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

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

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

Picking the best 2×2 for you

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

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

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

Learn about the 2×2

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

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

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

Solving the 2×2 cube

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

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

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

2×2 World Records

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

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

Best 2×2 Cube Reviews Conclusion

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

Happy puzzling!

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