GAN vs MoYu 2026: Which Speedcube Brand Is Actually Better?
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GAN and MoYu dominate competitive speedcubing. Between them, their cubes have been used to set the majority of world records in the past five years.
But they are built around completely different philosophies — and buying the wrong one for your solving style is a mistake that costs you both money and solve time.
But they are built around completely different philosophies — and buying the wrong one for your solving style is a mistake that costs you both money and solve time.
The Core Difference — Philosophy
- GAN: Premium engineering, MagLev systems, lighter cubes, precision-first. Higher price ($40–$85).
- MoYu: Volume + value. More models, broader price range ($10–$60). Forgiving for aggressive turning styles.
- Key insight from competitive community: forceful turners → MoYu. Light, accurate turners → GAN.
- MoYu: Volume + value. More models, broader price range ($10–$60). Forgiving for aggressive turning styles.
- Key insight from competitive community: forceful turners → MoYu. Light, accurate turners → GAN.
At Cubic School, the single most reliable predictor of which brand someone will prefer is turning style — GAN rewards precision, MoYu rewards speed.
Feel Comparison:
- GAN feel: airy, floaty, smooth. Layers glide rather than snap.
- MoYu feel: slightly stiffer, more structured magnetic snap. Better for solvers who want controlled feedback.
- DaYan (honourable mention): most stable of the three — neither floaty nor stiff.
- MoYu feel: slightly stiffer, more structured magnetic snap. Better for solvers who want controlled feedback.
- DaYan (honourable mention): most stable of the three — neither floaty nor stiff.
Comparison table:
| Feature | GAN 16 MagLev Max | MoYu WeiLong V11 | MoYu RS3M V5 UV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $84.99 | ~$45 | ~$22 |
| Feel | Airy / smooth | Controlled / snappy | Grippy / forgiving |
| Magnet system | MagLev 4.0 | Dual-adjust MagLev | Standard magnetic |
| Best for | Sub-12 competitors | Sub-20 competitors | All levels |
| Turning style | Light & accurate | Any | Any |
| Feature |
|---|
| Price |
| Feel |
| Magnet system |
| Best for |
| Turning style |
| GAN 16 MagLev Max |
|---|
| $84.99 |
| Airy / smooth |
| MagLev 4.0 |
| Sub-12 competitors |
| Light & accurate |
| MoYu WeiLong V11 |
|---|
| ~$45 |
| Controlled / snappy |
| Dual-adjust MagLev |
| Sub-20 competitors |
| Any |
| MoYu RS3M V5 UV |
|---|
| ~$22 |
| Grippy / forgiving |
| Standard magnetic |
| All levels |
| Any |
Price Comparison:
- GAN starts at ~$35 (GAN 11 M Pro); flagship at $84.99
- MoYu starts at ~$10 (Meilong); flagship at ~$55
For most buyers, MoYu offers 90% of the performance at 40–60% of the cost GAN's premium pays off specifically for solvers whose technique has reached the level where the cube is the actual limiting factor.
- MoYu starts at ~$10 (Meilong); flagship at ~$55
For most buyers, MoYu offers 90% of the performance at 40–60% of the cost GAN's premium pays off specifically for solvers whose technique has reached the level where the cube is the actual limiting factor.
The performance gap between GAN's flagship and MoYu's flagship is smaller than the price gap suggests — MoYu is the rational buy unless you're already sub-12.
Who Should Buy GAN?
✓ Averaging sub-15 solves and improving.
✓ Prefer a light, smooth turning style..
✓ Want the same cube used by world record holders..
✓ Budget extends to $50–$85.
✓ Prefer a light, smooth turning style..
✓ Want the same cube used by world record holders..
✓ Budget extends to $50–$85.
Who Should Buy MoYu?
✓ Any level — MoYu scales from absolute beginner to competitor.
✓ Prefer structured, snappy magnetic feedback.
✓ Budget is under $35.
✓ Aggressive or fast turning style.
✓ Prefer structured, snappy magnetic feedback.
✓ Budget is under $35.
✓ Aggressive or fast turning style.
Verdict:
- Best flagship: GAN 16 MagLev Max (performance edge for elite solvers).
- Best value: MoYu RS3M V5 UV (best sub-$25 cube on the market).
- Best all-rounder: MoYu WeiLong V11 (competitive performance, sane price).
- Best for beginners: MoYu RS3M V5 UV (forgiving, adjustable, affordable).
- Best value: MoYu RS3M V5 UV (best sub-$25 cube on the market).
- Best all-rounder: MoYu WeiLong V11 (competitive performance, sane price).
- Best for beginners: MoYu RS3M V5 UV (forgiving, adjustable, affordable).
FAQ
Q: Is GAN better than MoYu for beginners?
A: No — MoYu is the better beginner brand. The RS3M V5 UV costs ~$22, is forgiving of imprecise turning, and is one of the best-value cubes at any level.
Q: Why do world record holders use GAN cubes?
A: GAN's MagLev system and precision engineering offer a consistency advantage that elite solvers who turn lightly and accurately can feel. For casual or intermediate solvers, this advantage is not noticeable in practice.
Q: Is MoYu WeiLong V11 better than the GAN 16?
A: Depends on your turning style. The WeiLong V11 is more controlled and structured; the GAN 16 is smoother and lighter. Neither is objectively superior.
Ali KH — Founder, Cubic School
I started Cubic School because I couldn't find a single review site that took all three of my obsessions seriously: 3D printing, speedcubing, and building brick sets. I've been printing since the early FDM days, competed casually in speedcubing, and have built more LEGO Technic and CaDA sets than my shelves can reasonably hold. Every product featured on this site is one I've researched, handled, or run through its paces myself.
No manufacturer sends us free units in exchange for positive coverage — what you read here is what I actually think.
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