The Top 5 3x3 Speedcubes

There are tons of 3x3 puzzles being released all the time and sometimes it's hard to choose which one will be the perfect 3x3 for you. While I might not be able to tell you which one will be perfect, I can give you a list of what I think are the best 3x3 speedcubes.

Every puzzle on this list can corner cut over 45 degrees and will not pop. With that said, let's jump into it.

5. GuoGuan YueXiao Pro M

This puzzle was a favourite for me as soon as I got it out of the box. It is the upgraded or "pro" version of the original YueXiao which was our best selling puzzle of 2016.

General Feel

The feel of this puzzle is actually what makes it a favourite for me. When turning this puzzle it feels like the internals are making a lot of contact with each other. While this does slow the cube down (not necessarily a bad thing), it creates a really crunchy feeling which can’t really be found in any other puzzle. With that high level of contact comes a trade-off in smoothness. This puzzle is by no means smooth but if you’re looking for some solid tactile feedback while solving, this puzzle is the way to go.

Mechanism

The most distinctive aspect of this puzzle’s mechanism is the absence of squared-off corners. Instead of squaring off the corner, they’ve chosen to pronounce the edges of the foot of the corner. This prevents the cube from corner twisting and could be the reason for the unique feel of the puzzle.

Package

Included in the box are 2 team MoYu cards, 2 MoYu tensioning tools, magnets, a clear cube stand, and a really handy screwdriver.

Overall

This puzzle was my main for quite some time and I definitely still use it daily. I would rank it higher on my list except for the fact that I know some people are not a fan of it’s sluggish nature.

Buy it here: https://cancube.ca/products/yuexiao-pro-m-3x3 

Maple version: https://cancube.ca/collections/maple/products/maple-yuexiao-pro-3x3

4. MoYu WeiLong GTS2M

This puzzle is a main for many, many cubers, and it’s obvious why. It is the newest puzzle in the iconic line of WeiLong puzzles which has produced main upon main.

General Feel

Right out of the box, this puzzle is so fast that it’s basically uncontrollable. The speed is actually pretty impressive as you can feel the potential of how easily it will execute algorithms. The GTS2M is not as smooth as a puzzle like the Valk but definitely smoother than the Valk. The cube doesn’t have a hollow feeling which is nice, as it lends itself to the more premium side. If I had to place it on a scale of controllability (after it’s set-up), I’d put it right between the Valk and the YueXiao Pro (the Pro being ultra controllable).

Mechanism

Taken from the original GTS, this puzzle features a unique design on it’s center piece. Each center has a protrusion that helps in guiding the edges and preventing pops. The magnets on this puzzle are not really strong but still provide a really nice level of stability.

Package

Included in the box are Team MoYu cards, an instruction manual and some spare magnets (make sure to look under the plastic).

Overall

While this cube has not been my main for a very extended period of time. I definitely respect the quality of design. Kind of like how I respect that you drink Taro bubble tea, but it will never be a go-to for me.  

Buy it here: https://cancube.ca/products/moyu-weilong-gts2m-3x3

Maple version: https://cancube.ca/collections/maple/products/maple-gts2-3x3

3. QiYi Valk 3

The Valk 3 is a pretty old puzzle now, yet it still holds against the test of times as one of the best 3x3’s on the market.

General Feel

Personally, I find the feel of the Valk 3 kind of boring. It’s like the iPhone 8, it gets the job done, but the iPhone X, that’s where it’s at. The Valk is so stable and so smooth and so fast, that it kind of takes the fun out of it. I would like to rank this cube lower because of that, but it’s just so good that I can’t bring myself to do it. This cube is more than capable of helping you get your PBs. My biggest gripe though, is the hollow feel of the puzzle, it makes it feel cheap and clacky.

Mechanism

The part of the mechanism that causes the hollow, cheap feel, is most likely the hollowed out corners. This puzzle uses a squared off corner design, but it does not feel these corners, making the cube sound loud and echoey.

Package

Included in the box is a pamphlet of Valk stickers and picture of Mats Valk.

Overall

This cube is a staple for any cuber looking to compete in competitions. You might not like the feel, but it will perform for you 100%.

Buy it here: https://cancube.ca/products/qiyi-valk-3x3

Maple version: https://cancube.ca/collections/maple/products/maple-valk-3x3

2. QiYi Valk Power M

This is the follow up to the original Valk and in my opinion, it fixes all the issues I had with the previous iteration.

General Feel

This puzzle has a pretty unique feel that is difficult to find elsewhere. It is incredibly soft and smooth. This causes the cube to have a very premium and solid feeling. My only gripe with this puzzle is it’s lockups and how crazy fast it comes out of the box. I find that when you’re on a flow, the cube turns like butter, but when the puzzle locks, it really locks. Besides that I like the feel of this puzzle too much to not use it and that’s why it ranks at number 2 on my list.

Mechanism

The reason that this puzzle is so soft and smooth is because of how the internals were designed. The Valk Power uses a capped design that puts primary plastic in the internal mechanism. Additionally, the corners are filled in, making the cube feel a lot less hollow.

Package

Included in the box are extra conical springs, a spare center cap (if it’s sitckerless), spare stickers (if it’s stickered), and some additional Valk pamphlets.

Overall

This puzzle is definitely debated amongst cubers over whether or not they like it, but I personally really love the feel and am confident that everyone can get really good times on it.

Buy it here:  https://cancube.ca/products/qiyi-valk-power-m-3x3

Maple version: https://cancube.ca/collections/maple/products/maple-valk-power-m

1. GAN Air SM

The GAN Air SM is by far the best selling 3x3 right now. It is the top tier puzzle and used by a lot of the best cubers.

General Feel

The feel of this puzzle is the thing that makes it so unique. You’ll hear plenty of people struggle to explain what it feels like, and now you get to hear me struggle too. The Air SM takes after it’s name with a very airy feeling puzzle that somehow does not feel cheap. Once you start turning this puzzle, it feels like there is little resistance. Yet somehow, the magnets are super strong and make the cube very stable when it’s stationary. This perfect balance between effortless turning and impressive stability is what makes this cubes the best 3x3 on the market.

Mechanism

As typical with all GAN cubes, this puzzle has a really unique design. The corners and edges feature honeycombed plastic, which aside from looking really cool, also feels really nice. On top of that, the cube use GES springs for tensioning which are a cool (and sometimes annoying) way to ensure that the puzzle has equal tensions all the way around.

Package

Included in the box is a GAN identification card, 6 sets of GES springs, and a clear acrylic case for the cube.

Overall

With its innovative design and its unique and premium feel, this cube definitely ranks in at first place for me. Despite its heft price, this cube is truly a complete package and I think that GAN did a phenomenal job with the SM.

Buy it here: https://cancube.ca/products/gan-air-sm-3x3

Maple version: https://cancube.ca/collections/maple/products/maple-gan-air-sm