Finding the best speed cubes, especially under a budget can be an overwhelming process. Here's our guide on choosing the best, cheap speed cubes on the market!
Price
The best place to start is by identifying your budget.
Very few people enjoy wasting time and money which is why we rarely recommend budget cubes (sub $10 EUR). However, there are some exceptions to this, with some speed cubes in the sub 10EUR range being exceptional performers - these are listed below.
Now don't get us wrong, cheap speed cubes have their purpose but we always refer to the old saying "You get what you pay for."
Budget cubes are able to be sold at a lower price because the manufacturer uses cheaper materials and often pumps out the production in mass-quantity which contributes to poorly placed stickers, uneven tensions, exterior scratches and defects, bent screws, squeaky springs, and an overall less advanced design.
The lifespan of budget cubes is also unpredictable. They can last for hours, days, weeks, months, or years -- it is a complete gamble. Modern speed cubes are certainly improving with the quality of plastic and materials used but there is no obvious guarantee.
Of course we stand behind our products with our awesome return policy but if your budget allows, stepping up to a cube in the $20 is going to save you a lot of potential headache and you get to enjoy a better speed cube!
Plastic color
If you aren't already familiar with the different plastic colors, read this article first.
Most speed cubes are available in either Stickerless or Black plastic but you can filter your search results by plastic color from our collection pages.
Remember, plastic color is completely a preference thing -- there is no right or wrong choice!
Magnets
We usually recommend magnetic speed cubes to any skill level because they are so much better than non-magnetic speed cubes.
A common situation that we see is a customer deciding whether to get a magnetic budget cube or a non-magnetic mid-grade or high-grade speed cube.
Our recommendation mostly depends on how quickly you want to upgrade to your next speed cube.
A magnetic budget cube will be great in the short-term but a mid or high-grade non-magnetic speed cube will handle rough turning better and usually still out-performs the magnetic budget cube.
Lubrication
Lubrication is quite important in bringing out the best performance possible, especially in budget speed cubes, as many do not come factory lubricated, leading to a dry feel when solving and have issues such as noisy springs - with MoYu and its subbrand MoFang JaoShi in particular. When purchasing budget speed cubes, purchasing a bottle of lubricant is highly recommended - read more about choosing the best speed cube lubricant here.
Lubrication is included in our premium versions which we offer for numerous budget speed cube models - see below for more details.
Version
If you have some extra room in your budget, consider upgrading to one of our Premium versions. To learn more, you can refer to the product page or read this article.
Brand
Nowadays, most brands and manufacturers create high quality products in all sorts of price ranges. Some of these brands are known for their budget-oriented lines, such as MoFang Jiaoshi, a sub-brand of MoYu that are known for producing high value for money products, whilst others are companies such as GAN create extreme high-end products that a number of world class speed cubers endorse - with a high-end pricetag to match.
If you are looking for the "best" brands, the most popular that we carry currently are GAN, MoYu, QiYi, and YJ.
Conclusion
Still unsure? Feel free to contact our fast and friendly support and we can help point you in the right direction!
Ready to give it a go? Shop our selection of speed cubes by clicking here
Popular Budget Picks
$18.99 MoYu RS3 M 2021 3x3 is an update of our best-selling 3x3 -- the RS3 M 2020. Tip: Improve stability and magnetic feel with our easy-to-install Magnet Upgrade Kit ($1.49) and Magnetic Core Conversion Kit ($9.95)! MagLev features Magnetic repulsion technology Core… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<MoYu RS3 M 2021 3x3 (MagLev)
$12.18 MoYu RS3 M 2020 3x3 is arguably the best bang for your buck and is no surprise that it is our best-selling speed cube. Tip: Improve stability and magnetic feel with our easy-to-install Magnet Upgrade Kit ($1.49) and Magnetic Core Conversion Kit… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<MoYu RS3 M 2020 3x3
$9.46 The MoFang JiaoShi MeiLong Magnetic 3x3 is a popular entry-level 3x3 that is now equipped with magnets from the factory! The addition of magnets builds upon the fast turning, stability, and control. This is a great option for beginner/intermediate solvers!… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<MoFang JiaoShi MeiLong Magnetic 3x3
Other Picks
$31.24 MoYu WeiLong WR M 2021 3x3 offers new updates over the 2020 version, for less! Tip: Improve stability and magnetic feel with our easy-to-install Magnetic Core Conversion Kit ($10.95)! Key features Adjustable magnet strength (5 settings) Dual-adjustment core Compact 55mm size… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<MoYu WeiLong WR M 2021 3x3 (Lite Version)
$74.79 GAN 11 M Pro 3x3 is GAN cube's 2020 flagship model and has continued to be the choice of many speedcubers since its release. The great thing about the GAN 11 M Pro is that it is great for any… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<GAN 11 M Pro 3x3
$33.96 X-Man Tornado V2 3x3 Magnetic is packed full of high-end features but at a fraction of the price. Key features Adjustable magnet strengths (5 settings) Dual-adjustment core Overview Easy-to-use customization system Smooth, controllable turning Accessories included Leather storage bag ($3 value)… >> SHOP PRODUCT <<X-Man Tornado V2 3x3 Magnetic