The Top 6 Cubing Releases of 2026 – My Favourite New Puzzles
2026 has been another busy year for the speedcubing industry, with manufacturers releasing dozens of new puzzles. However, while there have been plenty of new 3×3 speedcubes and updated versions of existing WCA puzzles, I feel that genuinely innovative releases have been somewhat less common.
We've seen several new mirror cubes and plenty of improvements to competition hardware, but the more unusual non-WCA puzzles haven't received quite as much attention as I would have liked.
Nevertheless, there have been some excellent releases this year, ranging from high-performance competition puzzles to enormous magnetic cubes, unusual cuboids and puzzles that challenge our understanding of how twisty puzzles work.
For this list, I'm not necessarily choosing the six best-performing speedcubes. Instead, I'm ranking the releases that I personally found the most interesting, innovative or useful.
Here are my top six cubing releases of 2026, counting down to my favourite!
6. GAN Square-1 – A Long-Awaited New Competitor
The GAN Square-1 is one of the most significant new competition puzzle releases of 2026.
GAN has been one of the biggest names in speedcubing for many years, particularly in the 3×3 market, but it has taken a surprisingly long time for the company to release a Square-1.
The puzzle had been teased for a considerable period before its official release, generating plenty of anticipation among Square-1 enthusiasts.
Interestingly, several top Square-1 solvers were already using the puzzle in competitions well before it became widely available to the public.
This gave us an early indication that GAN had developed a genuinely competitive product rather than simply entering another market for the sake of it.
Square-1 is quite different from most other WCA puzzles. Unlike a conventional 3×3, it changes shape during the solve, and its unusual turning mechanism presents some very different engineering challenges.
Historically, Square-1 solvers have had a relatively limited selection of competitive hardware compared with 3×3 solvers. The arrival of GAN therefore introduces some welcome competition.
Personally, Square-1 isn't an event I practise very much, but I can certainly appreciate the significance of this release.
Why it makes my list: It's great to see a major manufacturer investing in an event that has traditionally received much less attention than 3×3.
5. MoYu MeiLong 12×12 and 13×13 – Magnetic Big Cubes Are Getting Better
As someone who particularly enjoys solving large cubes, these are two releases that I was very pleased to see.
For a long time, the biggest improvements in magnetic big cubes came from DianSheng, which introduced magnetic versions of puzzles that had previously been available only with conventional mechanisms.
I had assumed that DianSheng would remain the main manufacturer of magnetic cubes above 7×7 for quite some time.
However, MoYu has now demonstrated that it is serious about competing in this market.
The new MeiLong 12×12 and 13×13 are excellent examples of how much big-cube hardware has improved.
Large puzzles present some significant engineering challenges. As the number of layers increases, the mechanism becomes considerably more complicated, and maintaining stability while allowing smooth turning becomes increasingly difficult.
Magnets can make an enormous difference, helping the layers remain aligned and making the puzzle easier to control.
What makes these new MeiLong releases particularly impressive is that, in my experience, they actually outperform the comparable DianSheng options while also being available at a lower price.
This is a substantial improvement for anyone interested in solving very large cubes.
Historically, big-cube enthusiasts often had to pay a premium for puzzles that were considerably less pleasant to turn than smaller speedcubes. The new MeiLong models show how much that situation has changed.
Why they make my list: MoYu has managed to improve the performance of magnetic big cubes while making them more affordable. That's exactly the sort of development I want to see.
4. ZE Puzzles 1×5×5, 1×6×6 and 1×7×7 – Incredible Floppy Cuboids
Shop ZE Puzzles floppy cuboids
These are among the most unusual twisty puzzles I've seen released in 2026.
The ZE Puzzles 1×5×5, 1×6×6 and 1×7×7 are extremely thin cuboids, consisting of just a single layer in one dimension.
They are essentially much larger versions of the traditional floppy cube concept.
At first glance, you might wonder how such thin puzzles can even function as twisty puzzles.
Unlike ordinary cubes, where the mechanism has considerable depth to accommodate the internal pieces, these cuboids have to fit everything into an extremely thin structure.
The engineering required to make them turn is one of the main reasons I find them so interesting.
Another appealing feature is that they look far more intimidating than they actually are to solve.
Despite their unusual appearance and large number of visible pieces, these puzzles aren't especially difficult once you understand how their turning mechanisms work.
They are therefore excellent additions to a collection, particularly for people who enjoy unusual shapes and mechanisms rather than simply looking for the hardest possible challenge.
I also think these puzzles demonstrate that there is still plenty of room for innovation in non-WCA twisty puzzles.
Manufacturers don't necessarily need to introduce completely new solving concepts to create something interesting. Sometimes, extending an existing idea into a much more extreme form can be equally impressive.
Why they make my list: The engineering is fascinating, and it's remarkable that such large, thin cuboids can function so well.
3. ZE Puzzles Tricky Pyraminx – Not What It Seems!
Shop the ZE Puzzles Tricky Pyraminx
This is probably one of the funniest and most deceptive twisty puzzle releases of 2026.
At first glance, the ZE Puzzles Tricky Pyraminx looks almost exactly like an ordinary Pyraminx.
If you saw one sitting on a table, you would probably assume it was just another standard Pyraminx with a slightly unusual design.
However, pick it up and attempt to turn it, and you'll quickly discover that something is very different!
Despite its familiar appearance, the Tricky Pyraminx has a completely different turning mechanism from a conventional Pyraminx.
This makes it a particularly entertaining puzzle to give to someone who already knows how to solve a Pyraminx.
They may initially assume that they can solve it using their usual method, only to discover that the puzzle doesn't behave as expected.
I particularly like puzzles that challenge our assumptions about how a twisty puzzle should work.
Many non-WCA puzzles are obviously unusual from their appearance alone, but the Tricky Pyraminx hides its unusual mechanism behind a very familiar shape.
That makes the surprise much more effective.
I won't reveal exactly how it works here, because I think discovering the mechanism is a large part of the fun.
Can you work out what the Tricky Pyraminx actually is before trying to turn one?
Why it makes my list: It's a clever and entertaining puzzle that demonstrates how appearances can be deceptive.
2. Ziina World Map 8×8 – One of the Hardest Puzzles I Sell
The Ziina World Map 8×8 is probably the most difficult puzzle currently available on Speedcubing.org, at least in terms of the solving knowledge required.
At first glance, it might look like an ordinary picture cube with a world map printed across its surface.
However, the fact that every piece has a specific location makes it substantially more challenging than a conventional 8×8.
Why Is It So Much Harder Than a Normal 8×8?
On an ordinary 8×8 speedcube, many centre pieces are interchangeable.
For example, each face has multiple centre pieces of the same colour. As long as all the centres of a particular colour end up on the correct face, it generally doesn't matter which identical piece occupies which position.
The World Map 8×8 is completely different.
Because the pieces form a continuous image, every individual piece needs to end up in its correct position and orientation.
Two centre pieces might both contain part of the same country or ocean, but they cannot simply be swapped without affecting the completed picture.
This introduces an entirely new level of difficulty.
Why Commutators Are So Important
To solve the World Map 8×8 efficiently, you need a good understanding of commutators.
Commutators are move sequences that allow you to cycle a small number of pieces while leaving most of the puzzle unchanged.
They are particularly important in advanced blindfolded solving, where cubers must manipulate specific pieces without disturbing those already solved.
On a conventional big cube, you can often complete the centres simply by grouping pieces of the same colour.
On the World Map 8×8, that isn't sufficient.
You need to position individual pieces precisely, which makes techniques associated with big blindfolded solving extremely useful.
This transforms what would otherwise be a fairly conventional 8×8 solve into a much more demanding challenge.
The puzzle is particularly interesting because the difficulty doesn't primarily come from an unusual mechanism.
Instead, it comes from the fact that all the pieces are distinguishable.
It's a good demonstration of how changing the stickers or printed design on a puzzle can completely transform the solving experience.
Why it makes my list: It's one of the most challenging puzzles I've encountered, and it rewards a much deeper understanding of piece manipulation and commutators than most conventional big cubes.
1. The Cubing Bible – 3×3 Edition
Shop The Cubing Bible – 3×3 Edition
My favourite cubing release of 2026 isn't actually a speedcube at all.
It's a book!
While new speedcubes can certainly improve your solving performance, I think the importance of hardware is sometimes exaggerated.
Manufacturers regularly release new flagship cubes with more magnets, increasingly complicated adjustment systems and slightly different turning characteristics.
These improvements can be useful, particularly at the highest levels of competition.
However, for the vast majority of cubers, the biggest improvements won't come from buying another expensive cube.
They'll come from understanding how to solve more efficiently and knowing what to practise.
Improving Your Cube Is Not the Same as Improving Your Solving
Imagine two cubers using exactly the same speedcube.
One understands efficient F2L solutions, has good lookahead and knows a large number of last-layer algorithms.
The other has less efficient solutions, pauses frequently and relies on a limited set of algorithms.
Even with identical hardware, their solving times could be dramatically different.
This is why I think having access to good learning resources is so important.
A better speedcube might save you a small amount of time, but improving your solving techniques can make a much bigger difference.
What Makes The Cubing Bible Interesting?
The Cubing Bible – 3×3 Edition is designed to help cubers develop their solving knowledge and improve their performance.
Rather than focusing on the latest hardware, it focuses on the techniques and understanding needed to become a faster solver.
Learning algorithms is certainly important, but effective speedcubing involves much more than simply memorising move sequences.
You also need to understand when to use different techniques, how to recognise cases efficiently and how to practise in a way that actually produces improvements.
One of the biggest challenges for improving cubers is knowing what to work on next.
It's easy to spend hours solving without making much progress, particularly if you're repeatedly practising the same habits.
Having a structured resource can help identify areas for improvement and provide a clearer direction for your training.
Why I've Ranked It Number One
I've been speedcubing for many years, and one thing I've learned is that improving your technique is generally far more important than constantly upgrading your hardware.
Of course, I sell speedcubes, and I certainly appreciate the engineering that goes into modern flagship puzzles!
However, I would much rather see someone make a substantial improvement in their solving times than spend money on a new cube that makes almost no difference to their performance.
The Cubing Bible is therefore my favourite release of 2026 because it focuses on what I consider the most important part of speedcubing: learning and improving.
With the right resources, consistent practice and a willingness to improve your techniques, there's no reason why you can't eventually become much faster than me!
Why it takes first place: Good hardware is useful, but knowledge, technique and effective practice are what ultimately make you a faster cuber.
Final Thoughts – Was 2026 a Good Year for Cubing?
Overall, I think 2026 has been an interesting year for cubing, even if the number of genuinely unusual non-WCA releases has been somewhat disappointing.
We've seen continued improvements in competition hardware, particularly with the GAN Square-1 and MoYu's new magnetic big cubes.
We've also seen some fascinating non-WCA puzzles, including the ZE Puzzles floppy cuboids and Tricky Pyraminx.
The Ziina World Map 8×8 demonstrates how a familiar puzzle can become dramatically more difficult simply by requiring every piece to occupy a specific position.
And finally, The Cubing Bible reminds us that improving at speedcubing isn't just about owning the latest hardware.
My Top 6 Cubing Releases of 2026
| Rank | Release | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | GAN Square-1 | A long-awaited premium Square-1 |
| 5 | MoYu MeiLong 12×12 and 13×13 | Better and more affordable magnetic big cubes |
| 4 | ZE Puzzles 1×5×5, 1×6×6 and 1×7×7 | Remarkable thin cuboid mechanisms |
| 3 | ZE Puzzles Tricky Pyraminx | A deceptively familiar-looking puzzle |
| 2 | Ziina World Map 8×8 | An exceptionally challenging picture cube |
| 1 | The Cubing Bible – 3×3 Edition | A resource for genuinely improving your speedcubing skills |
Of course, these are simply my personal favourites. There have been many other interesting releases this year, and different cubers will have very different preferences.
Which cubing release has been your favourite in 2026?
Was it a new flagship 3×3, an unusual non-WCA puzzle or something completely different?
Let me know in the comments!
You can explore these puzzles and many more at Speedcubing.org.
