Whether you’re working toward your first sub‑minute solve or chasing faster averages, a new year is a great time to improve cubing speed by practicing smarter, not just solving more often. Modern speed cubes are smoother, more stable, and easier to control than older beginner cubes. Still, faster solves ultimately come from better habits and focused practice.
Speedcubing Tips For How to Get Faster at Cubing
To practice effectively, you need to understand how a standard solve is structured. Many speedcubers use a method called CFOP, which breaks the solve into four main stages:
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Cross: Make a cross on one side and then complete one full face of the cube.
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F2L (First Two Layers): Solve corner‑and‑edge pairs to complete the first two layers efficiently.
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OLL (Orient Last Layer): Orient the top pieces so that the face is one color.
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PLL (Permute Last Layer): Swap top edge and corner pieces until they're in their correct positions.
One of the most effective ways to get faster is to focus on one step of the solve per practice session, rather than trying to improve all these steps at once. For example, you might focus on perfecting your PLL. That way, when you reach this final stage of the solve, you can relax and let muscle memory take over.
Speed comes from recognizing a situation instantly and executing the solution without stopping to think. Try choosing one specific situation that can arise and practice solving only that case for 10–15 minutes. Solve your cube from that particular point, reset, and repeat, over and over, until the process is automatic.
If you still need to pause and think about the solution, that’s a sign you should keep practicing the same case instead of moving on. This focused approach works especially well for beginners and intermediate solvers learning how to get faster at cubing because it reduces mental overload and builds confidence step by step.
Improve Your Cubing Speed Without Learning Advanced Algorithms
Finger tricks are specific ways of moving the cube using your fingers instead of your whole hand. For example, using your index finger for top‑layer turns or your ring finger for bottom‑layer turns reduces wasted motion. Another key concept is minimizing regrips, moments when you fully reposition your hands on the cube.
Check out J Perm's video tutorial to teach your fingers new tricks, and be sure to set aside time to practice!
When to Practice 'Look Ahead'
Look Ahead means identifying what you'll solve next while you're still solving the current step, instead of finishing a step and then pausing to search for pieces. For example, during F2L, look ahead means finding your next edge before you finish inserting the current one, allowing your solve to flow smoothly without stops.
However, looking ahead should only be a focus once solving feels easy. If your brain is still busy figuring out how to solve a case, it doesn’t have enough capacity to plan the next step as well. That’s why experienced cubers recommend mastering recognition and execution first.
Building a Cubing Practice Routine You’ll Stick To
A consistent cubing practice routine is more effective than long, unfocused sessions. Aim for 20–30 minutes of focused practice every day. Decide in advance what the focus of your session is going to be.
Tracking averages with a cube timer helps you measure real progress instead of chasing single lucky solves. For additional structure, SpeedCubeShop’s cubing guides offer training assistance for cubers at every level.
When Speed Cube Upgrades Make a Real Difference
Speed cube upgrades matter most when your cube limits your execution. If your cube locks up often or feels unstable, upgrading can make an immediate difference.
If you’re still using a basic cube, exploring options in the speed cubes collection is a great place to start. Here are some features to look for:
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Magnets: Core magnets pull layers into alignment, helpful when learning finger tricks!
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Customizable tension: Find your perfect balance between fast turning and precise control.
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Lightweight: Reduce hand fatigue with a super-light cube.
It's also possible to make an older cube feel faster by adding lubricant to reduce friction and increase turning speed. Check out the Cosmic Lube collection, where different lubricants are rated for how they affect speed and control.
Finally, if it's been a while since you cleaned your cube, that's also likely to speed it up a little.
Progress Over Perfection
Improving cubing speed is easiest when you focus on one step at a time and build speed gradually. With these tips, you can look forward to smoother solves, shorter thinking pauses, and gradual improvements in your average times.
Stick with the process, and 2026 can be your smoothest, fastest cubing year yet!