Im a returning speed-cuber and I need help finding a good speed-cube (3x3). I stopped speed cubing around the time of last January or so. Some of my favorite cubes from around here were the Moyu Tanglong and the Gans 356 (V1). I've been looking around for only about 5 minutes and it appears that some of the more popular cubes now seem to be Moyu Weilong GTS and Valk 3. I have plenty to spend (up to 40 dollars) on a cube so please help me!
I think it depends on where you are,
Can't set up cubes: Cubicle Thunderclap. The original is a budget-like cube but has top-level performance when set up correctly. This way as a beginner cuber you don't have to worry about setting up to get a really good cube for the price of the average cube without being set up. The Valk3 is a great choice too even though out of the box it is really fast, because its stability really counteracts the speed
Can set up cubes: Aolong V2, Thunderclap (regular or cubicle your call), Yuexiao, Weilong GTS, The valk3
So obviously I left out the gans air, because I felt it was the only cube out of the others I listed with a major design flaw; it catches a whole lot (yes, Aolong can corner twist but not often; People complain about the yuexiao catching, but i haven't found that to be the case). Also it's expensive as hell, considering that the performances of cubes these days are so similar, its better to try out multiple ones with your budget and find your preferred cube. Maximize what you can do with your budget.
My opinion:
Thunderclap because I'm just biased towards it. I think its better than any cube I've used. If you get the regular one make sure you have weight 5 or traxxas 50k + lubicle silk (these two types of lube will work on ANY cube, so even though you're spending more, you have this lube for all other cubes you get) + sticker set. If you get the cubicle premium version then I suppose you don't need anything extra. At max your spending 33$. At minimum your spending 12$ (The thunderclap really needs a sticker set, the original stickers suck). Gucci.
or
Gans 356s V2 lite + sticker set because you said your favorite cubes were the V1 and tanglong, and this version is very similar to them at a more friendly cost (with stickers around 19$).
Actually, considering you're a returning cuber I'll assume you don't have lubicle silk. No matter what cube you buy get some silk; the hype is real.