What Is the Best 6x6 Speedcube in 2026? 11 Cubes Compared!
6x6 speedcube hardware has improved significantly over the last few years, and 2026 is a particularly interesting time to compare the best options available.
In previous years, there was an enormous difference between budget 6x6s and flagship models. Cheaper puzzles were often difficult to turn quickly, suffered from frequent lockups and required considerable setup to become enjoyable to use. If you wanted a genuinely competitive 6x6, you generally needed to spend significantly more money.
That is no longer necessarily the case.
Modern budget 6x6s have become remarkably good, with smoother turning, better corner-cutting and increasingly advanced magnetic systems. Some now offer features that would have been almost unimaginable on a £13 puzzle just a few years ago.
Having missed my annual 6x6 comparison last year, I decided it was time to revisit the market and compare 11 different 6x6 speedcubes, ranging from £9.95 budget puzzles to MoYu's latest flagship.
So, what is the best 6x6 speedcube in 2026, and how much do you actually need to spend?
Best 6x6 Under £10: QiYi Warrior 6x6 vs MoYu MeiLong V2
At the very cheapest end of the market, we have two excellent options, both priced at just £9.95.
MoYu MeiLong 6x6 V2 — £9.95
The MoYu MeiLong 6x6 V2 is a significant improvement over the original MeiLong 6x6.
The original model was a fairly typical budget big cube, with relatively stiff turning and limited corner-cutting. The V2 feels considerably smoother, making it much more enjoyable to solve.
However, it does feel quite tight straight out of the box. Some adjustment to the tensions could potentially improve its performance, particularly for speedcubers who prefer a faster, more flexible puzzle.
Nevertheless, considering its £9.95 price, the MeiLong V2 is a very reasonable option for beginners or anyone wanting an inexpensive 6x6.
QiYi Warrior 6x6 — £9.95
My recommendation in this price range, however, is the QiYi Warrior 6x6.
This is a more recent release and represents a substantial improvement over QiYi's previous budget 6x6, the QiFan S2.
Compared with the MeiLong V2, the Warrior has slightly faster turning and marginally better corner-cutting. Neither difference is enormous, but they are noticeable when comparing the puzzles directly.
Both cubes are perfectly usable, and either would be suitable for learning to solve a 6x6. However, with both costing exactly the same amount, I think the Warrior is the better purchase.
Winner under £10: QiYi Warrior 6x6.
Best Budget Magnetic 6x6: QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV — £12.95
Moving into the £10–£15 price range, we have magnetic versions of the same two budget cubes.
The MoYu MeiLong 6x6 V2 M and QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV are both priced at £12.95.
Adding magnets to a 6x6 makes a considerable difference to the turning experience. Magnetic positioning helps layers align correctly, improving control and reducing accidental misalignment during fast solves.
However, QiYi has gone considerably further with the Warrior.
Despite costing only £12.95, the magnetic Warrior features a UV-coated exterior and an advanced magnetic system, including additional magnetic positioning around the inner layers.
The UV coating is particularly impressive at this price. Usually associated with more expensive speedcubes, it provides a glossy, grippy exterior that can make the puzzle more comfortable and secure to hold.
The Warrior M UV is also relatively compact at 60.5mm, which makes it particularly comfortable for a 6x6.
In terms of performance, I would argue that the Warrior is comfortably ahead of the MeiLong V2 M. The combination of its turning characteristics, magnetic positioning and UV-coated finish makes it exceptional value for money.
In fact, the Warrior M UV is good enough that many speedcubers may have little reason to consider a more expensive 6x6.
Best budget magnetic 6x6: QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV.
Best 6x6 Between £15 and £20: YJ MGC vs QiYi M Pro
Historically, this was one of the most important price categories for competitive 6x6s.
The YJ MGC was widely considered one of the best-value big cubes available, but newer releases have made the decision considerably more complicated.
YJ MGC 6x6 — £18.95
The YJ MGC 6x6 was released in 2019 and became an extremely popular choice among competitive speedcubers.
At the time, it offered an excellent combination of speed, smoothness and stability at a much lower price than many flagship alternatives.
It remains a perfectly viable puzzle today, particularly for anyone who already owns one and has it set up to their preferences.
However, its biggest disadvantage compared with modern alternatives is its size.
At approximately 65mm, the MGC is noticeably larger than newer models such as the QiYi Warrior. For modern speedcubers accustomed to increasingly compact big cubes, the MGC can feel rather bulky.
This doesn't necessarily make it a bad cube, but it does make it harder to recommend as a new purchase in 2026.
QiYi M Pro 6x6 M UV — £18.95
The QiYi M Pro 6x6 M UV is another recent release, priced at £18.95.
It features a UV-coated exterior and magnetic positioning, including corner-core magnets.
Compared with the Warrior M UV, the M Pro has a slightly different turning feel. I would describe it as somewhat more bubbly, although the actual solving performance is remarkably similar.
The biggest difference is the size.
The M Pro measures approximately 63mm, making it around 2mm larger than the Warrior.
Some speedcubers may prefer this, particularly those with larger hands or those who are accustomed to older big cubes.
Considering that the Warrior M UV costs £6 less, I suspect most people would be better off buying the Warrior and saving the difference for another puzzle.
My recommendation: QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV remains the best value, even in this higher price range.
X-Man Shadow V3 M — Is It Worth £28.95?
The X-Man Shadow 6x6 V3 M is another interesting option, priced at £28.95.
The Shadow series has a long history in competitive big-cube solving, with earlier versions used by some of the world's fastest speedcubers.
The V3 continues that series with modern magnetic hardware and a design intended for competitive solving.
It is certainly a capable puzzle, and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with its performance.
However, having compared it with the considerably cheaper QiYi Warrior M UV and M Pro, I struggle to identify a significant performance advantage that would justify the additional expense for most people.
The turning feel is different, and personal preference will always play a role, but I don't think the Shadow V3 offers enough of an improvement to make it an obvious upgrade.
At £28.95, it sits in a slightly awkward position between the excellent budget models and MoYu's flagship AoShi range.
If you particularly like the Shadow's turning characteristics, it remains a viable choice. Otherwise, I would generally recommend saving some money with the Warrior or spending more for an AoShi V4.
MoYu AoShi WRM — Still Competitive in 2026?
The MoYu AoShi WRM is one of the most important older flagship 6x6s.
Priced at £33.95, it remains an excellent puzzle and is still capable of extremely fast solves.
The AoShi WRM represented a significant development in big-cube hardware, combining a relatively compact design with smooth turning and good stability.
In many respects, it feels surprisingly similar to the newer AoShi V4.
The main difference is that the V4 is approximately 2mm smaller, making it more comfortable to handle for many speedcubers. The newer model also offers additional magnetic systems depending on the version purchased.
However, there is another important consideration: the AoShi WRM is no longer in production.
Although it is still available from some cube stores, including Speedcubing.org, this is likely to change as remaining stock is sold.
Once existing supplies have been exhausted, finding a new AoShi WRM may become considerably more difficult.
If you already own one, there is no urgent need to replace it. It remains a highly competitive 6x6.
For someone purchasing a new flagship, however, I would generally recommend considering the AoShi V4 instead.
Best Overall 6x6 in 2026: MoYu AoShi V4
My overall recommendation for the best 6x6 speedcube in 2026 is the MoYu AoShi V4, particularly the Triple Track UV version.
The AoShi V4 builds upon the successful AoShi WRM with a more compact design, refined mechanism and several different magnetic configurations.
At approximately 61.5mm, it is significantly smaller than older flagship models such as the YJ MGC and slightly smaller than the previous AoShi WRM.
This compact size is one of its greatest advantages. Big cubes can be difficult to handle during long solves, particularly when performing fast inner-layer moves, and reducing the overall size can make a noticeable difference.
The AoShi V4 also offers excellent turning, stability and corner-cutting, making it particularly suitable for competitive speedsolving.
However, choosing an AoShi V4 is slightly more complicated because MoYu offers four different versions.
MoYu AoShi V4 Single Track — £34.95
The AoShi V4 Single Track is the most affordable version.
It features conventional corner-edge magnets without the additional magnetic tracks found in the more expensive models.
Despite this, it retains the fundamental design and compact dimensions of the AoShi V4.
This makes it an interesting option for speedcubers who want the latest AoShi mechanism without spending more than £40.
MoYu AoShi V4 Dual Track — £44.95
The AoShi V4 Dual Track adds corner-core magnets to the conventional corner-edge magnetic system.
These additional magnets help improve alignment and stability, particularly during faster turning.
For many speedcubers, the Dual Track could represent an excellent balance between price and performance.
It offers much of the advanced magnetic technology found in the flagship version without quite as high a price.
MoYu AoShi V4 Triple Track — £51.95
The AoShi V4 Triple Track introduces another layer of magnetic positioning.
Alongside corner-edge and corner-core magnets, it also features additional magnets in the edge feet.
This creates a more comprehensive magnetic positioning system, helping the puzzle remain aligned during fast and aggressive turning.
With 232 magnets, the Triple Track is an extremely advanced 6x6 and offers the same underlying magnetic configuration as the most expensive UV-coated version.
MoYu AoShi V4 Triple Track UV — £61.95
Finally, we have my overall favourite, the MoYu AoShi V4 Triple Track UV.
This features the same triple-track magnetic system as the standard Triple Track, but adds a glossy UV-coated exterior.
Personally, I find that the UV coating makes the puzzle feel smoother and more pleasant to use, while also improving grip.
Combined with the compact design and advanced magnetic system, this makes it my preferred 6x6 for competitive speedsolving.
Of course, £61.95 is a substantial amount to spend on a single puzzle, especially when the QiYi Warrior M UV costs just £12.95.
The AoShi V4 Triple Track UV is not five times better simply because it costs nearly five times as much.
However, for serious speedcubers looking for the best possible hardware, I think its additional refinement and stability justify recommending it as the best overall option.
What 6x6s Do the World's Fastest Speedcubers Use?
One of the strongest arguments for the AoShi series is its presence among elite big-cube solvers.
Tymon Kolasiński has been seen using an AoShi V4 in recent competition footage, although the exact magnetic version is difficult to identify.
Seung Hyuk Nahm has also been associated with customised AoShi V4 hardware, including a Triple Track version sold under his name.
Meanwhile, the older AoShi WRM has an impressive competitive history, including use by former world-record holder Max Park.
Timofei Tarasenko's remarkable 1:01.76 world-record mean in October 2026 demonstrates just how fast modern 6x6 solving has become. However, the exact model he used for that result has not been conclusively identified. It may be a customised puzzle, but that remains unconfirmed.
It is worth remembering that many top speedcubers modify their puzzles with different lubricants, tensions, springs or magnets. Consequently, even when a competitor uses a particular model, their cube may feel quite different from one purchased straight out of the box.
Nevertheless, the success of the AoShi series at the highest level provides further evidence of its competitive capabilities.
Final Verdict: Which 6x6 Should You Buy in 2026?
After comparing the different models, my recommendations are fairly straightforward.
| Category | Recommended cube | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best non-magnetic budget 6x6 | QiYi Warrior 6x6 | £9.95 |
| Best value magnetic 6x6 | QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV | £12.95 |
| Best larger budget alternative | QiYi M Pro 6x6 M UV | £18.95 |
| Best affordable flagship | MoYu AoShi V4 Single Track | £34.95 |
| Best overall | MoYu AoShi V4 Triple Track UV | £61.95 |
The most important conclusion from this comparison is just how much the gap between budget and flagship 6x6s has narrowed.
A few years ago, spending £10–£15 on a 6x6 meant accepting significant compromises in turning quality and stability.
Today, the QiYi Warrior 6x6 M UV offers a genuinely enjoyable and competitive solving experience for only £12.95.
For most people, particularly beginners and intermediate speedcubers, I think this is the most sensible purchase.
However, for serious competitors who want the most refined hardware available, the MoYu AoShi V4 Triple Track UV remains my overall recommendation.
The Single Track and Dual Track AoShi V4 models are also excellent alternatives if you want the same compact design without paying for every premium feature.
Ultimately, you don't need to spend £60 to enjoy solving a 6x6, and that is perhaps the most exciting development in 6x6 hardware over the last few years.
Browse all our 6x6 speedcubes at Speedcubing.org to compare the different models and find the best option for your budget.

