What is the best 2x2 speedcube in 2024?

The 2x2 is an easier version of the 3x3 and the top speedcubers can solve it very quickly indeed, there is now even talk about finding objectively optimal solutions to every single possible 2x2 scramble!

The 2x2 was originally invented and patented by Larry Nicholls four years before the 3x3 was invented, the original version was held together entirely by magnets with no internal mechanism. Modern 2x2s have magnets but they also have an internal mechanism. Most 2x2s function as 3x3s with hidden edge pieces but one piece is fixed in place and hooked by edge pieces which are moulded differently to lock the fixed corner in place while the other corners move around it.

Little has changed in 2x2 hardware in the past year and most of my recommendations remain the same.

Important things to note:

Due to the fixed piece mechanism, it is very important that you do not ever corner twist the fixed piece, since that particular piece is fixed in place, the surrounding edges are not able to flex around when you attempt to twist the corner so if you try to force a twist you can easily snap or deform the corner piece stalk.

Best 2x2 overall:

Gan 251 M Pro: £25

The Gan 251 M Pro is a nice and fast 2x2 featuring adjustable magnet strength and core magnets. It is 51mm in size which is probably the most common size now and has excellent corner cutting ability, being able to make just about any cut. It is stable enough that many top cubers have been able to achieve great results with it. A version with much stronger core magnets is also available, as well as a version with no core magnets at all.

Best 2x2 (£17 and under):

YJ MGC 2x2 Elite: £16

The YJ MGC 2x2 Elite is another great 2x2, it is also 51mm and is very smooth and stable but not quite as fast as the Gan 251 series, it has an unusual centre-edge magnet design which is not seen in any other 2x2 currently.

Best 2x2 (£10 and under):

QiYi M Pro ball core: £9

The QiYi M Pro is an updated version of the popular QiYi MS series which is no longer in production, the QiYi M Pro Ball core version is the cheapest 2x2 with a ball core and feels nice and smooth, it is not quite as soft as the original QiYi MS but the core magnets do help with the stability, there is also a slightly cheaper version which does not have a ball core

Best 2x2 (£5 and under):

Meilong 2x2: £4

The MeiLong 2x2 is a basic non-magnetic 2x2 that still turns quite fast. The design is quite simple and I would recommend having some lubricant ready to speed it up as it might be quite slow out of the box.

Highly commended:

DaYan TengYun V1: £16

The TengYun V1 is quite an old cube now but still impresses many cubers for its unusual quiet and hollow feeling, it is easily the quietest regular sized 2x2 on the market and still turns quite fast once you get used to the strange hollow feeling of it.

MoYu RS2M Evolution: £9

The MoYu RS2M Evolution is a budget magnetic 2x2 that is nice and smooth, it doesn’t have exciting features like adjustable magnets but can still be solved very fast. It is a cheaper version of the WeiPo WRS which is a great contender for the £10-£17 category.

Valk 2M (£?)

The Valk 2M is quite slow out of the box but with the right set-up can be excellent, it is still used by world record holder Zayn Khanani and many other top speedcubers. Unfortunately it is no longer in production and unlikely to ever be back in stock, if you can find one then you may really like it.