Rubik’s Cube is a 3-dimensional geometry puzzle game you can play and solve the puzzle by turning it faces. Solving a Speed cube might be frustrating at the beginning, but once you get used to it, you find the whole process enjoyable.
Speedcubing today has become quite a popular sport. There are many varieties of speedcubes in the market, which can make anyone feel overwhelmed. If you want to treat yourself with some great speedcubes, then head over to Cubelelo. In this guide, we help you understand what makes a good cube so that you can make a wise purchase decision.
Choosing your speed cube is, to some extent, subjective as there is a lot of personal preference involved. Therefore, we discuss a few important characteristics which all 3×3 puzzles share that you need to keep in mind while making a choice.
10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Speed Cube
1. Turning Speed Cube
Speedcubes is designed for agility and have very little friction between their layers. Therefore, there is minimal resistance between the layers. This makes the cube really fast, light, and requires little effort when turning.
Smooth turning cubes have more friction between their layers and provide precise layer turns. These have a little more resistance when turning them but will give you more control over your cube.
If the cube does not give you control, it has been poorly made. Because not having control will end in poor algorithm implementations and slowing you down.
2. Corner cutting
This is the ability for a cube to make a turn if the vertical face is not fully aligned because of overshooting while performing algorithms. This happens quite often while speedcubing and therefore is an essential factor of the cube. But not all corner cuttings are good. Proper cutting is executed effortlessly, which means that you don’t really feel it while cubing.
Cubes with poor corner-cutting will feel very rough and will interrupt your algorithm execution. This will distract you and slow you down.
3. Stability
As a speedcuber, you should look for a stable speed cube. If the cube is not stable, it will pop more often, and this is something you don’t want. If you are a novice, you should still consider getting a stable cube so that it smoothes your learning process. In a speed-solving competition, a popped-out piece leads to disqualification for that round. So, if you are serious about speedcubing, you should look for a stable speed cube.
4. Control Over a Speed Cube
The control of a speed cube depends mostly on the turning speed. Faster cubes have less control and may tend to overshoot while performing algorithms. However, a magnetized cube will help give you more control. In fact, you can try to magnetize cubes yourself. However, if you are a beginner, then you should avoid getting a magnetized cube as you need to first understand the basics of solving the cube.
5. Catching
When one layer of your cube catches on another layer, that is a case of catching. Most commonly, catch occurs when a corner piece catches on a centerpiece and when an edge piece catches on another edge piece. This can ruin the execution of algorithms and distract you, which will result in slower solve.
6. Speed Cube 3×3 Lockups
A great 3×3 speed cube will not have any lockups. However, if you are looking to purchase higher variants like the 4×4, 5×5, and higher, then those are most likely to have lockups because they have more complex mechanisms. The more layers a cube has, the more often it will lock up.
7. Tensions
You can easily adjust the tensions of your speed cube by making the layers come closer or make more room between them by adding or removing the friction. But making such an adjustment, you can tighten or loosen the cube, which affects all of its characteristics. Usually, you might need to adjust your cube straight out of the box or even after it breaks. Adjusting the tension enables you to customize the cube to your preference.
8. Lubricants
When you perform an algorithm, the internal parts of the speed cube rub against each other. This is why you need good lubricants for your cube. There are many types of lubes for your cubes, but it depends on the preference of what you want to achieve. If you are new to lubes, then you should consider only using the Silicon Type Lube.
There is no specific way of lubing your speed cube as it will depend on the thickness of your cube and what you want to achieve. You can even mix lubes to get specific results to your needs.
9. Stickers & stickerless
When it comes to buying cubes, you can opt from three options – speedcubes with stickers, speedcubes with plastic tiles, and stickerless speedcubes. There are no best cubes, and this is a completely personal preference because it will determine what you see. Stickerless cubes, on the other hand, have plastic colors instead of having stickers. However, choosing the kind of cube depends on your preference and will not really impact your performance.
10. Size and weight
The dimensions and weight of a speed cube can influence the way you solve it, depending on your hand size. The standard 3×3 puzzle is 57x57x57mm in each size, but they also range from 57mm and 55mm to 42mm. Though you might feel like light cubes are better, in speedcubing, medium-weighted cubes are most preferred.
Conclusion
Once you remember all the basic algorithms and the triggers, you can then move on to all the other complicated ones. You need to focus on the hand moves and even try to remember the pattern.
If you know how to move the hands, try to do it blindfolded. This is the best way to learn Rubik’s cube algorithms! So, put your skills to the test and see if you can speed solve your Rubik’s cube blindfolded.
Now that you are almost a master cuber or are well on your way, you need to remember all the important elements of a speed cube discussed above before you make a purchase. What works for some may not necessarily be the best for you. Therefore, understand your needs, goals, and preference before purchasing a speed cube! Happy Cubing!
About the Author: Sharan Phillora
Writer at cubelelo.com. Her specialties include business research and content strategy. When she’s not working, she enjoys travel adventures and reading literary masterpieces.
