6 Best Speed Cubes For Competitive Cubers That Top Pros Actually Use

Your child solved their first Rubik’s Cube, and you were thrilled. Now, that initial interest has blossomed into a full-blown passion, and the clicking and clacking from their room is constant. They’re talking about "corner-cutting," "magnets," and "MagLev," and you’re wondering if their basic cube is holding them back.

Why Pro-Level Cubes Matter for Young Cubers

You’ve seen it happen. The cube they learned on starts to "pop," with a piece flying out during a fast turn, or it "locks up," jamming when they try a new finger trick. This is a critical moment. It’s the point where a simple toy can’t keep up with developing skill, and frustration can set in.

Upgrading to a "pro-level" speed cube isn’t about giving them a status symbol; it’s about removing a physical barrier to their progress. Think of it like a young artist moving from waxy school crayons to a set of blendable colored pencils. The right tool allows them to execute their vision without fighting the medium. A quality speed cube lets your child focus on learning algorithms and improving muscle memory, not wrestling with a clunky mechanism.

This transition is key for any child who is genuinely committed. For the 8-10 year old just joining a school club, a solid budget-friendly upgrade makes sense. For the 11-14 year old who practices daily and watches tutorials on YouTube, investing in a cube with adjustable settings empowers them to take ownership of their progress. It transforms the activity from a simple pastime into a true skill-based hobby.

GAN 12 MagLev: The Established Pro Standard

If your child follows the competitive cubing scene, you’ve likely heard them mention the brand GAN. For years, GAN has been a benchmark for innovation and performance, and the GAN 12 MagLev is a modern classic that many top professionals still rely on. It’s a cube that represents a serious commitment to the hobby.

What makes it special is the "MagLev" technology, which replaces traditional springs with opposing magnets. In simple terms, this reduces friction, making the cube incredibly fast and smooth right out of the box. It gives a light, airy feel that allows for effortless turning. This cube is a precision instrument designed for one thing: speed.

This is a fantastic choice for the dedicated young cuber who has proven their commitment over time. It’s the equivalent of buying a quality wooden bat for a child who made the travel baseball team. While it comes at a premium price, its performance is undeniable, and it’s a tool that will match their ambition as they push into advanced competitive levels.

MoYu WeiLong WRM V9: A Top Contender for Speed

Perhaps your child is less interested in the "luxury" feel and more focused on raw, unadulterated speed. They want a cube that feels fast, sounds fast, and helps them crush their personal bests. This is where MoYu, another giant in the cubing world, comes in with its legendary WeiLong series.

The WeiLong WRM V9 is a powerhouse and a direct competitor to the top GAN models, often at a more accessible price. It’s known for its crisp, "clacky" sound and incredibly quick turning. Many cubers prefer this audible feedback, as it helps them regulate their turning rhythm. It’s a stable, reliable cube that can handle aggressive turning styles without popping or locking up.

For the intermediate or advanced cuber, the WRM V9 is an exceptional choice. It provides elite-level performance that can carry them through major competitions. If the GAN is the refined grand tourer, the MoYu is the track-ready race car—both are incredibly capable, but they offer a different feel and experience.

QiYi X-Man Tornado V3 M: Unmatched Customization

Is your child a tinkerer? The kind who loves to understand exactly how things work and fine-tune them to perfection? If so, the QiYi X-Man Tornado V3 M isn’t just a great speed cube; it’s a fantastic educational tool.

The Tornado V3’s superpower is its vast range of customization. It comes with a small tool that allows your child to easily adjust the magnet strength, spring tension, and axis distance. This means they can make the cube feel stable and controllable when they’re learning, then adjust it to be faster and looser as their skills improve. It’s a cube that truly grows with them.

This adaptability makes it one of the best choices for a young cuber’s first serious upgrade. It teaches them about cause and effect, problem-solving, and the mechanics of their equipment. Instead of just using a tool, they learn to master it, a valuable lesson that extends far beyond cubing. It’s a smart, versatile investment for a developing enthusiast.

GAN 13 MagLev UV: The Latest Flagship Cube

You may hear your child talking about the "newest GAN," the one all the top YouTubers are unboxing. That would be the GAN 13 MagLev. This cube takes the technology of the GAN 12 and adds another layer of mind-boggling customization, including adjustable magnets in the corner and edge pieces.

This is the absolute cutting edge of cube technology, designed for elite competitors who can detect the most subtle differences in performance. The "UV" coating adds a glossy, grippy finish that helps with control during high-speed solves. It is, without a doubt, a remarkable piece of engineering.

However, it’s crucial to see this cube for what it is: a tool for the most advanced users. This is not the right cube for a first upgrade. The sheer number of settings can be overwhelming and even counterproductive for a cuber who hasn’t yet mastered the fundamentals. Think of it as giving a 16-year-old with a new driver’s license the keys to a Formula 1 car. It’s best reserved for the truly dedicated cuber who has already pushed other top-tier cubes to their limits.

Dayan TengYun V3 M: Quiet and Smooth Turning

You love that your child has a hobby that builds focus and dexterity, but if you have to hear that clack-clack-clack during your conference call one more time, you might lose your mind. Dayan, a classic brand in the cubing world, has the perfect solution: the TengYun V3 M.

This cube is famous for its whisper-quiet operation. It trades the loud, clacky feedback of other speed cubes for a soft, "buttery" smooth feel. The performance is still top-notch—many competitive cubers love its unique feel—but it’s significantly less disruptive to the household.

The TengYun V3 M is a brilliant choice for any cuber, but it’s a lifesaver for families. It’s perfect for the child who practices in the living room, on long car rides, or in a shared bedroom. It proves that high performance doesn’t have to be noisy, making it a fantastic main cube that keeps both the cuber and the parents happy.

GuHong Pro M: Great Performance on a Budget

Your child is clearly dedicated, and you want to support them with a real upgrade, but the flagship prices feel like a bit much for a puzzle. You’re looking for that sweet spot: a cube that offers genuine competitive performance without the premium price tag. The GuHong Pro M is exactly that.

This cube delivers modern features—adjustable magnet strength and a simple tensioning system—at a fraction of the cost of the big names. It’s fast, stable, and feels like a significant step up from any non-specialty cube. It gives a young cuber the tools they need to get faster without requiring a major financial investment from you.

Frankly, this is one of the smartest buys for a young cuber’s first "real" speed cube. It provides 90% of the performance of an elite cube for a third of the price. It’s a low-risk way to invest in their hobby, and even if they eventually upgrade, it makes a fantastic backup cube for their backpack.

Cube Lube and Tensioning for Peak Performance

After a few weeks with their new cube, your child might mention it feels "scratchy" or "slow." This is a normal part of the hobby and a great learning opportunity. Just like a bike needs its chain oiled, a speed cube requires simple maintenance to perform at its best.

This is where cube lubricant, or "lube," comes in. These are specially designed silicone liquids that are applied to the internal pieces to reduce friction. Different lubes have different properties; some make the cube faster ("speedy" lubes), while others make it feel more controllable and smooth ("control" lubes). A small starter set of lubes is an inexpensive and highly effective purchase.

Learning to lube and tension their own cube is a rite of passage for a serious cuber. It teaches them responsibility and gives them a deeper understanding of their equipment. This small, hands-on activity empowers them to fine-tune their cube to their exact preferences, taking ownership of their performance in a new and exciting way.

Ultimately, choosing the right cube is about matching the tool to your child’s current level of passion and skill. You’re not just buying a plastic puzzle; you’re investing in their focus, their problem-solving abilities, and their dedication to mastering a complex skill. Trust your gut, listen to what they’re excited about, and enjoy watching them get faster one solve at a time.