[Help Thread] Puzzle Recommendations

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

How is it overhyped? It's one of the best, if not the best performing 4x4 on the market, for a reasonable price. There could be an argument made that it is underhyped, as people tend to think that other, more expensive 4x4's are better performing, and that is only the case for the WRM, if even. And the mini YJ has a size that most people can't use, so there is no reason for people to buy it over the MGC.

I think mgc 4 is made for huge hands, those who are willing to pay more than the yj mini 4x4 for a worse puzzle.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

Personally, I hate my MGC 4x4, but that is not because the cube sucks, but because I don't clean or lube it ever, and it's missing a bunch of internal pieces. I've tried MGC 4x4s of people who actually take care of it, and it's quite a nice cube. I think I would be instantly sub 40 on 4x4 with one of those. My 4BLD exec could also be a lot faster, since BLD exec is especially turning based (I suck at turning in general, my BLD times are entirely memo carried)

Mgc4 magnets are too strong for 4bld. I prefer the aosu gts2m or rs4m

 

[Garf]

I think mgc 4 is made for huge hands, those who are willing to pay more than the yj mini 4x4 for a worse puzzle.

Not true. Standard stock size of 4x4 is 60 millimeters, although it used to be bigger in the past, like 61 or 62 millimeters. Aosu is under 60 I think. My hands aren't that big, but I can use the MGC comfortably. You would need to have REALLY small hands in order to think that the MGC is made for cubers with big hands

 

[gsingh]

I think mgc 4 is made for huge hands, those who are willing to pay more than the yj mini 4x4 for a worse puzzle.

For the last time, it's not a worse puzzle

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

4x4:
Budget - YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14)
Great - YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14), MoYu AoSu WR M ($44), PiCube Premium Ball Core YJ MGC 4x4 ($36)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoSu WR M ($60)

4x4 part updated

Here is my list of recommendations for 4x4x4 speedcubes, I intend to make similar guides for other events:

What is the best 4x4 speedcube in 2023?

If you want to still get into 4x4x4 speedsolving then I hope to explain which is the best 4x4 on the market at the end of 2023 so you can buy the one that is going to get you the best times. Cube manufacturers do not release new 4x4s as frequently as 3x3s which means that this guide will remain...

speedcubing.org

I agree with most of the points except for Ambition being good for 4BLD. RS4M is way better for 4BLD with quick inner slices, just that to me it only works for 4BLD imo. My ball core RS4M is really nice for 4BLD

 

[cuberswoop]

I'm sorry but considering the fact that you aren't even sub 1:50 officially your opinion doesn't matter too much

Ohhhhhh right this is why I left the cubing community I remember now. I left for a less toxic environment like Geometry dash, Halo and Roblox. And then I came back because nothing like time-shaming a couple of 15 year olds on the internet for having an opinion every now and then.

 

[Bingus Ringus McDingus]

Ohhhhhh right this is why I left the cubing community I remember now. I left for a less toxic environment like Geometry dash, Halo and Roblox. And then I came back because nothing like time-shaming a couple of 15 year olds on the internet for having an opinion every now and then.

I would come up with a snarky retort to this but I can't argue with you being correct.

 

[cuberswoop]

I would come up with a snarky retort to this but I can't argue with you being correct.

I had a much snarkier, ruder, longer post but I didn't feel like being reported for cyberbullying today.

 

[Arcanist]

Ohhhhhh right this is why I left the cubing community I remember now. I left for a less toxic environment like Geometry dash, Halo and Roblox. And then I came back because nothing like time-shaming a couple of 15 year olds on the internet for having an opinion every now and then.

Roblox is less toxic? I don't mean to be disrespectful as I haven't played it but from what I've heard...

 

[cuberswoop]

Roblox is less toxic? I don't mean to be disrespectful as I haven't played it but from what I've heard...

Considering your sig says you spend too much time on Reddit I'm surprised that one went over your head.

 

[Bingus Ringus McDingus]

Ahem. Back on topic, here is my recommendation list, now stop. All of you.

2x2:

My main: YJ MGC 2x2, as the feel is just so nice

Super Budget: QiYi QiDi W ($4, but make sure you loosen it from the factory as it is crap OOTB)
Budget: QiYi MS 2x2 ($8), MoYu RS2 M Evolution ($10), YJ MGC ($10)
Great: YJ MGC ($10), MoYu WeiPo WRS ($13)
Expert: MoYu WeiPo WRS ($13), YJ MGC Elite ($19)
Baller: Angstrom YJ MGC Elite ($30), GAN 251 M Pro/Leap ($33/$40), Valk 2 M (good luck finding one)
Honorable Mentions: DaYan TengYun Plus 2x2 (very quiet, $19)
Avoid: Diansheng 2x2/Solar S2M. Don’t be fooled by any nice price drops or thinking of its potential competition against the RS2M, they are literal garbage.

3x3:

Note: I think most 3x3s are good. If you own something released in the last 5 years and you perform well on, you don’t need to upgrade.

My main: GAN 12 Leap, as it has an amazing feel

Super Budget: MoYu MeiLong 3C ($4)
Budget: MoYu RS3 M 2020 ($9, good with setup), QiYi MS ($10, good out of the box)
Great: DaYan GuHong M Pro ($16 for spring, $20 for maglev. I recommend 54 or 55 mm), Huameng YS3M Ball-Core ($26), X-Man Tornado V3 Standard ($24)
Expert: X-Man Tornado V3 Pioneer UV ($44, smooth), Huameng YS3M Ball-Core UV ($36, stable and clacky), MoYu Weilong V9 Ball-Core UV ($42, flexible), GAN 12 Leap ($46, crisp and stable)
Baller: Angstrom GAN 12 Maglev UV ($69)
Honorable Mentions: DaYan TengYun V1/V2 (really quiet, $24 and $29 respectively), DaYan GuHong V3 M ($14, good for small hands), MoreTry TianMa X3 Triple Magnetic ($30, stupid name, great crunchy and fast feel, like an older cube but better), all GAN cubes after 2019 like X and more ($30-$60, great by all means), YJ MGC Elite/Evo/Evo II ($19/$20/$22, all extremely unique), the Valk line (don’t go out of your way to get one but great if you own one.)
Avoid: GAN 13/14. I know it’s a controversial opinion, but they are so close to the 12 in feel and adjustability that it’s not worth it to spend another $20-30 on the 13/14 for some extra features that do barely anything with some catching issues, the QiYi M Pro because it has extreme stability issues.

4x4:

My main: YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M, as I have smaller hands

Super Budget: MoYu MeiLong 4x4 ($7)
Budget: YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14), MoYu Meilong 4x4 M ($13)
Great: YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14), YJ MGC ($20)
Expert: YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14), MoYu AoSu WRM ($40), Valk 4 ($40)
Baller: Angstrom MoYu AoSu WRM ($50)
Honorable Mentions: X-Man Ambition ($31, quiet, be careful to keep tighter tensions on it so it doesn’t pop).
Avoid: GAN 460 M. No matter what Amazon tells you, it’s absolute, utter, unadulterated garbage. I wouldn’t pay ten dollars for it, let alone fifty, and the Meilong is so much better.

5x5:

My main: MoYu MeiLong 5x5 M, as the smaller size suits my baby hands

Super Budget: MoYu MeiLong 5x5 ($8)
Budget: MoYu MeiLong 5x5 M ($13)
Great: YJ MGC 5x5 ($23)
Expert: DaYan NeZha M Strong ($38), MoYu AoChuang WR M ($41)
Baller: Angstrom MoYu AoChuang WR M ($51)
Honorable Mentions: YJ Zhilong Mini 5x5 M ($16, great for small hands), DaYan NeZha 5x5 ($39, fast and quiet), Valk 5 (if you can find one)

I have no real “avoid” puzzles because usually 5x5 is either pretty good or pretty bad.

I don’t recommend the super-budgets for 6 & 7 unless you really, really want any 6x6/7x7.
6x6:

My main: YJ MGC 6x6, because it isn’t garbage like a lot of 6x6s

Super Budget: YuXin Little Magic 6x6 ($15)
Budget: YJ YuShi v2 M ($18)
Great: YJ MGC 6x6 ($26)
Expert: MoYu AoShi WR M ($44)
Baller: Mystic MoYu AoShi WR M ($55)
No honorable mentions.
Avoid: Everything other than the ones I listed up here. 6x6 hardware is so hard to get right.

7x7:

My main: YJ YuFu V2 M, because my MGC got stolen. F’s for it

Super Budget: YuXin Little Magic 7x7 ($17)
Budget: YJ YuFu v2 M ($21)
Great: YJ MGC 7x7 ($36)
Expert: MoYu AoFu WR M ($50)
Baller: Mystic MoYu AoFu WR M ($63)
Honorable Mentions: X-Man Spark and YuXin Hays (both around $50, feel solid, and have different feels than the MGC)
Avoid: Everything other than what I mentioned here. 7x7 hardware is pretty rough.

Megaminx:

My main: YJ Yuhu V2 M, as it is a great budget option and is used by many top cubers

Super Budget: QiYi QiHeng S ($8)
Budget: YJ YuHu v2 M ($14)
Great: YJ YuHu v2 M ($14)
Expert: DaYan Megaminx Pro M ($36)
Baller: Angstrom DaYan Megaminx Pro M (Probably $46 whenever it comes out)
Honorable mentions: X-Man Galaxy V1/V2 M ($30, good if you still have one but don’t go out of your way to upgrade).
Avoid: MFJS Meilong Megaminx/Megaminx M. Don’t be fooled by their competitive price, they are not good, and the stickered QiYi QiHeng, because it is stupid slow.

Skewb:

My main: MoYu RS Skewb M with stronger magnet mod, as it just feels great.

Super Budget: MoYu Meilong Skewb ($6)
Budget: MoYu RS Skewb M ($9)
Great: MoYu RS Skewb Maglev ($15)
Expert: X-Man Wingy Skewb V2 M ($20)
Baller: Angstrom GAN Skewb M Enhanced UV Coated ($47)
Honorable Mentions: MoYu WeiLong Skewb ($19, has a lot of features and is quiet, and VERY fast).
Avoid: The Shengshou Skewb. It’s good for modding, but not good for speedsolving.

Pyraminx:

My main: YJ MGC Evo Pyra, it has a nice light feeling I love. Not many people like it aside from me so I don't quite recommend it for everyone.

Super Budget: YuXin Black Kirin Pyraminx ($5)
Budget: MoYu RS Pyraminx ($9)
Great: MoYu WeiLong Pyraminx Standard ($15)
Expert: MoYu WeiLong Pyraminx Standard ($15), X-Man Bell v2 Pyraminx M ($18)
Baller: Steven’s WeiLong Pyraminx II ($45)
Honorable Mentions: QiYi MS Pyraminx ($8, feels really nice and solid)
Avoid: QiYi pyraminx. It’s just not great.

Clock:

My main: QiYi Magnetic Clock, because it isn’t utter crap

Super Budget: ShengShou Magnetic Clock ($11)
Budget: ShengShou Magnetic Clock ($11)
Great: QiYi Magnetic Clock ($33)
Expert: QiYi Magnetic Clock ($33)
No honorable mentions.
Avoid: LingAo. Literally garbage.

3x3 OH:

My main: DaYan GuHong V3 M, because it’s nice, I guess

Super Budget: MoYu MeiLong 3C ($3)
Budget: DaYan GuHong v3 M ($12)
Great: DaYan GuHong M Pro 54 mm ($16)
Expert: DaYan GuHong Pro Maglev 54 mm ($20)
Baller: GAN Mini M Pro UV Coated ($48)
Honorable Mentions: YJ ZhiLong Mini 3x3 M ($10, good if your hands are crazy small).
Avoid: Cubes with strong magnets or slow cubes. They don’t do you any good.

 

[gsingh]

Ohhhhhh right this is why I left the cubing community I remember now. I left for a less toxic environment like Geometry dash, Halo and Roblox. And then I came back because nothing like time-shaming a couple of 15 year olds on the internet for having an opinion every now and then.

I wasn't time shaming him (at least, I didn't mean to), but I needed to point out that there was no reason for people to take his word over world class solvers

 

[UncleFrank]

WCA Puzzles Recommendation List (Nov 2023)


2x2:
Budget - MoYu RS2 M Evolution ($10)
Great - YJ MGC Elite 2x2 ($21)
Expert - GAN 251 M Leap UV Coated ($46)

3x3:
Budget - MoYu RS3 M 2020 ($9)
Great - X-Man Tornado V3 Flagship ($33), MoYu RS3 M V5 Ball Core Maglev UV Coated ($25)
Expert - MoYu WeiLong WRM V9 PiCube Limited Edition ($44), GAN12 M Maglev UV Coated ($59)

4x4:
Budget - YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14)
Great - YJ ZhiLong Mini 4x4 M ($14), MoYu AoSu WR M ($44), PiCube Premium Ball Core YJ MGC 4x4 ($36)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoSu WR M ($60)

5x5:
Budget - QiYi MS 5x5 ($17)
Great - YJ MGC 5x5 ($23)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoChuang WR M ($60)

6x6:
Budget - YJ MGC 6x6 ($26)
Great - MoYu AoShi WR M ($44)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoShi WR M ($72)

7x7:
Budget - YJ MGC 7x7 ($36)
Great - MoYu AoFu WR M ($50)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoFu WR M ($78)

Megaminx:
Budget - YJ YuHu V2 M ($14)
Great - DaYan Megaminx V2 M ($33)
Expert - DaYan Megaminx Pro M ($37)

Skewb:
Budget - MoYu RS Skewb M ($10)
Great - MoYu WeiLong Skewb M Maglev ($20)
Expert - GAN Skewb M Enhanced UV Coated ($38)

Pyraminx:
Budget - Yuxin Little Magic M Pyraminx ($9)
Great - MoYu WeiLong Pyraminx Magnetic ($15)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu WeiLong Pyraminx ($29)

Square-1:
Budget - YuXin Little Magic Square-1 M ($11)
Great - YJ MGC Square-1 ($21)
Expert - YJ MGC Square-1 ($21)

Clock:
Budget - ShengShou Magnetic Clock ($11)
Great - QiYi Magnetic Clock ($33)
Expert - PiCube Premium QiYi Magnetic Clock ($59)

3x3 OH:
Budget - DaYan GuHong V3 M ($12)
Great - DaYan GuHong Pro M 54mm Maglev ($20)
Expert - DaYan GuHong Pro M 54mm Maglev ($20)

3x3 BLD:
Budget - MoYu RS3 M 2020 ($9)
Great - Moretry TianMa X3 Snap ($28)
Expert - MoYu WeiLong GTS3 M ($36)

4x4 BLD:
Budget - MoYu RS4 M ($16)
Great - MoYu RS4 M ($16)
Expert - MoYu AoSu GTS2 M ($46)

5x5 BLD:
Budget - YJ MGC 5x5 ($23)
Great - MoYu AoChuang WR M ($40)
Expert - PiCube Premium Ball Core MoYu AoChuang WR M ($60)

What do you think of the Picube ball core versions of the - Weilong skewb, Yuhu V2 mega, and Dayan V2 mega?

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

What do you think of the Picube ball core versions of the - Weilong skewb, Yuhu V2 mega, and Dayan V2 mega?

Their mega are great, just too expensive. Just that the dayan mega pro m is now released, I can’t recommend those picube bc mega over it. I’ve already switched to the dayan mega pro m lately even though I have a picube bc dayan v2.

Bc weilong skewb, I mean it works but the gan skewb is just too good. The ballcore really helps as the weilong is originally very flexible, but I still like the gan more. I would say it’s pretty close and it comes down to personal preferences, but the gan being cheaper and more grippy with the UV coating, I don’t think you can go wrong with it. And, out of all the picube bc puzzles, I would recommend the 6x6 most. Try one and you will know what I mean. It’s just Godly.

 

[erictom333]

Here are my updated picks for non-WCA puzzles. Bold indicates puzzles I have, anything else is guesswork on my part and should be taken with a large amount of salt; if anyone disagrees with my rankings, let me know.

Mirror Cube
Starter: Qiyi Mirror Blocks ($7) or MFJS Mirror Cube ($7) or Yuxin Black Kirin Mirror Cube ($6) or Shengshou Mirror Blocks ($9)
Midrange: GAN Mirror Cube M ($25)

Master Pyraminx
Starter: Yuxin Master Pyraminx ($13)

Redi Cube
Starter: Moyu Redi Cube ($14)
Midrange: Yuxin 8 Petals Cube ($13)

FTO
Starter: LanLan FTO ($14)
Midrange: You'll need to do some heavy modding to get something that is speedsolvable.

Curvy Copter
Starter: LanLan Curvy Copter ($15)

Kilominx
Starter: Qiyi Kilominx ($10) or Shengshou Kilominx ($12)
Note: Do not get the stickerless Qiyi Kilominx, as it has colored center caps which must be removed in order for the puzzle to be competition legal.

Gigaminx
Starter: Yuxin Gigaminx ($40)
Midrange: Diansheng Galaxy Gigaminx M ($60)

15 puzzle
Midrange: Qiyi 15 Puzzle Lite ($12)

 

[LBr]

Alright. I’m thinking of getting a new 3x3 which would my first new cube in over a year, and my intention is to stick with a moyu as that’s the brand I currently main. Price shouldn’t be too much of an issue, as I will be buying from ziicube, but I think their latest cube is a super expensive flagship cube so likely not that. Ok my wrm 2021 I have it on the strongest magnet setting and have the elasticity on I think 4 clicks from the fastest one. I want a cube that corner cuts well, as my turning can be quite rough and I sometimes struggle when I use my friends tornado v3, although I think he probably hasn’t maintained it so maybe it’s gone a bit off, cos I know it’s a very good cube. But anyway whatever you recommend will help me as they have released so many 3x3s and if you have any questions I’ll answer them

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

Alright. I’m thinking of getting a new 3x3 which would my first new cube in over a year, and my intention is to stick with a moyu as that’s the brand I currently main. Price shouldn’t be too much of an issue, as I will be buying from ziicube, but I think their latest cube is a super expensive flagship cube so likely not that. Ok my wrm 2021 I have it on the strongest magnet setting and have the elasticity on I think 4 clicks from the fastest one. I want a cube that corner cuts well, as my turning can be quite rough and I sometimes struggle when I use my friends tornado v3, although I think he probably hasn’t maintained it so maybe it’s gone a bit off, cos I know it’s a very good cube. But anyway whatever you recommend will help me as they have released so many 3x3s and if you have any questions I’ll answer the

RS3M V5.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

I'm sorry but considering the fact that you aren't even sub 1:50 officially your opinion doesn't matter too much

Are you Chinese? How can someone here be this rude to a random Japanese cuber…

 

[JDAW6]

Are you Chinese? How can someone here be this rude to a random Japanese cuber…

No he is American (I think his name says otherwise) also he is right someone that doesn’t even avg low 1 on 4x4 doesn’t have enough experience to know what cubes are good and bad

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

No he is American (I think his name says otherwise) also he is right someone that doesn’t even avg low 1 on 4x4 doesn’t have enough experience to know what cubes are good and bad

I’m sub 1.