The most cost-effective cubes of 2024
Welcome to our 2024 guide to the most cost-effective cubes and puzzle accessories! As the world of speedcubing continues to evolve, we’ve taken a deep dive into the market to bring you the best budget-friendly options available. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start your cubing journey or an experienced solver seeking great value, this list has something for everyone.
3×3
We start with 3×3, where MoYu has taken the top spot. With the 8.99 € MoYu RS3M V5, you get a fantastic price to performance ratio. The cube comes in four variants, but the it’s the “Dual Adjustment Magnetic” version for that wins. With very good base performance combined with installed magnets, adjustable spring tension and flexibility, you get an unbeatable cube for the price.
2×2
For 2×2, the bestseller MoYu RS2M 2×2 is a clear top candidate. You get built-in magnets, dual adjustment, and a nice turning feel for just 7.99 €.
Pyraminx
Moving on to Pyraminx! MoYu RS Pyraminx M takes first place over Yuxin Little Magic Pyraminx. Both the cube and the packaging give a more luxurious impression, with better material choices hand feeling. This pyraminx has a dual adjustment system for spring tension and flexibility, and generally better performance – for the same low 7.99 € price.
4×4
This year’s most cost-effective 4×4 cube is the QiYi M Pro 4×4. On paper, there’s not much that distinguishes it from the Meilong 4×4 M – both are magnetic, adjustable, and have a low price. What sets the QiYi M Pro apart is that it’s a bit smaller, making it easier to control, and it has a more luxurious turning feel.
Skewb
MoYu RS Skewb wins the skewb category this year. A robust skewb with good performance for 8.99 € is simply hard to beat.
Smart Cube
Smart cubes are cubes that you can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Previously, they were very expensive and didn’t really deserve to be called “cost-effective,” but with QiYi’s new 3×3 smart cube for 22.99 €, you get a lot for your money. Besides the cube itself being magnetic and performing well, the app is also very good. It may be a bit subjective, but we think the app is the most user-friendly of all smart cube apps.
Megaminx
Megaminx has gotten a significant upgrade – ShengShou wins with its Yufeng Megaminx with “Ball Core” – a ball with built-in magnets in the core that gives a smooth and delightful turning experience. It also has a convenient adjustment system that helps you get exactly the right settings for you.
Clock
ShengShou Magnetic Clock takes first place for clock this year. Sure, QiYi Magnetic Clock is much better, but it’s also three times more expensive. If you compete in clock, it’s probably worth paying for top performance, but if you just want to try clock and learn to solve it, ShengShou Magnetic Clock is a cost-effective alternative.
Square-1
Qifa Square-1 takes first place over Yuxin Little Magic Square-1. The reason is the very low price – 6.99 € for a reasonably good square-1 is great for beginners who just want to try the puzzle without investing too much in it.
5×5
Meilong 5×5 M remains in first place for the most cost-effective 5×5 cube. It’s good, but not fantastic. What makes it win is the low price – 11.99 €. YJ MGC 5×5 is admittedly better, but then you have to pay an additional 8 €.
Timer & Mat
If you want to time your solves as they do in official cube competitions, you should have a timer, and preferably also a mat to protect the table and cube. There are several options, but none are as cost-effective as the QiYi Timer and QiYi mats. You can also get them at a package price and save even more.
Lubricant
To get the best possible performance out of your puzzles, you should lubricate them. You can choose to have us lubricate the cube when you buy it, but to get the most value, you should get your own lubricant and lubricate the cubes yourself. Here, our bestseller Luboss Drive is hard to beat. You only need a few drops in your cube to get a good boost in the cube’s smoothness, so a bottle lasts a long time.
6×6 & 7×7
We’re killing two birds with one stone: This year’s most cost-effective 6×6 and 7×7 are both from Meilong. V2 of these cubes got faster, softer, and lighter. But the big difference is that they now come in magnetic variants, which makes them very cost-effective compared to other magnetic 6×6 and 7×7 cubes.
Summary
Those were our choices for this year’s most cost-effective cubes and accessories! In summary, we’ve gotten several new good budget options that make it easier than ever to get really good equipment for a small price. Do you have opinions on the list, or maybe a question? Feel free to write a comment!
