I’ve been very impressed with the quality of 8×8 cubes now available on the market. Even though 8×8 is not an official WCA event, that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from steadily improving their designs every few years — and the current generation is easily the best we’ve ever had.

MoYu recently released the MeiLong 8×8 V3 and the magnetic MeiLong 8×8 V3M, both of which are significant upgrades over the older versions. In my opinion, the MeiLong 8×8 V3 is the best non-magnetic 8×8 for most people. It strikes a great balance between size, stability, and smooth turning.

The QiYi 8×8 (Non-Magnetic) may still appeal to some speedcubers, particularly those who prefer a slightly larger cube in the hands. Meanwhile, the YuXin Little Magic 8×8 retains a small niche — it turns smoothly, but at 88 mm it is much larger than every other 8×8 mentioned here, which will be a deal-breaker for many.

Importantly, all of these non-magnetic options are priced at £24.95, so the choice really comes down to size preference and turning feel rather than cost.

When it comes to magnetic 8×8s, there are now several genuinely good options. The first magnetic 8×8 was the DianSheng 8×8 M, which is still a solid cube, but it’s both more expensive and slightly weaker in performance compared to newer designs. At £52.95, and with a larger overall size, it’s harder to recommend today unless you already know you like the DianSheng feel.

For me, the best 8×8 overall is the QiYi 8×8 M. This is not just a magnetic version of the non-magnetic QiYi — it uses a different internal design and is dramatically smaller at just 64.5 mm, making it even smaller than some 7×7 cubes. When I first tried it, I was genuinely surprised by how much it felt like solving a 7×7 rather than an 8×8, which makes longer solves far more comfortable.

The MeiLong 8×8 V3M is the newest magnetic option on the market. While I don’t think its raw performance quite matches the QiYi 8×8 M, it does feature a slightly improved anti-pop mechanism, which may make it more suitable for cubers trying an 8×8 for the first time — or for those with limited experience fixing popped pieces (although, if you can’t fix pops… why are you looking at an 8×8?). At just £39.95, it’s also an exceptionally good value magnetic 8×8.

8×8 Comparison Table