A lot of people ask me where to buy a Rubik's Cube and which one to choose. The original works, but if you want it to turn fast without getting stuck, there are much better cubes (and they don't cost more): speed cubes.
The original Rubik's Cube
Rubik's is a registered trademark, so only cubes made by the Rubik's brand can be called Rubik's Cubes. It's the cube Ernő Rubik invented in 1974 and the one you'll find in any toy store: sturdy, with stickers and stiffer to turn than a speed cube.
- Rubik's brand Rubik's Cube 3x3 The cube Ernő Rubik invented. It turns stiffer than a speed cube, but it is the original.View on Amazon (Rubik's Cube 3x3)
Which 3x3 cube should I buy?
Besides Rubik's, many brands (GAN, MoYu, QiYi…) make 3x3 cubes designed to be solved fast: speed cubes. They turn more smoothly, have magnets that help align the layers, have no stickers to peel off and are the ones used to break the world records. Since they aren't made by Rubik's, they aren't Rubik's Cubes: they are 3x3 cubes or speed cubes, even though they are solved exactly the same way.
I recommend three, one in each price range:
- Budget MoYu RS3M V5 Magnetic and adjustable: the budget cube speedcubers recommend most.View on Amazon (MoYu RS3M V5)
- Mid-range GAN 356 M A GAN classic with thousands of reviews: fast, magnetic and very reliable.View on Amazon (GAN 356 M)
- High-end GAN V100 Maglev Competition cube: light, with magnetic levitation (Maglev) and a UV finish.View on Amazon (GAN V100 Maglev)
Frequently asked questions
Is a speed cube solved the same way as a Rubik's Cube?
Yes: it has the same pieces and moves the same way. With our step-by-step solution you can solve any 3x3 cube.
What is a magnetic cube?
It has small magnets inside the pieces that help each layer line up when you turn it. It turns more precisely and gets stuck less. Almost all current speed cubes are magnetic.
Which cube should I buy to learn?
Any of the three. The budget one is more than enough to learn to solve it and even to start lowering your times. With a cube that turns well, you learn faster.
Why don't you show prices?
Because on Amazon they change almost every day and depend on the country. When you click the button you'll see the current price on your country's Amazon.
Where can I buy them?
Toy stores usually only have Rubik's Cubes. Speed cubes are bought online: the buttons on this page take you to your country's Amazon.
Looking for a 2x2, a 4x4, a Megaminx or another puzzle? You'll find them all in Buy. And once you have your cube, learn to solve it with our step-by-step Rubik's Cube solution.