12x12x12 

12x12x12 cubes: from classic designs to magnetic models

A 12x12x12 cube has 144 stickers on each face and over 700 visible pieces in total. It is usually picked up by people who have already worked through smaller big cubes and want a longer challenge. A single solve can take more than an hour. The 12x12 is not an official WCA event, so you buy it for solving just for fun and for your collection, not for competition practice. In this category you will find models from MoYu, ShengShou (SengSo), YuXin and DianSheng.

Size and shape matter more here than in smaller cubes

With twelve layers, a difference of just a few millimeters is immediately noticeable in your hands. The smallest cube in the category is the MoYu MeiLong 12x12 V2, which measures about 75 mm, smaller than many 11x11 cubes. The original MeiLong 12x12 measures about 93 mm and was the first fully cubic (non-pillowed) 12x12. The YuXin HuangLong 12x12 and SengSo MoSheng 12x12 measure about 91 mm, and the DianSheng Galaxy 12x12 M about 87 mm. The classic ShengShou 12x12 is pillowed, meaning its faces are slightly convex, and it measures about 100 mm, so it is noticeably larger than the newer designs.

Magnetic or non-magnetic?

On a 12x12, the inner layers are very thin (about 6 mm in the original MeiLong). A single turn that is not fully completed is enough to cause a lockup on the next move. Magnets help the layers stop in alignment, which is why magnetic models such as the DianSheng Galaxy 12x12 M and the SengSo MoSheng 12x12 M are more forgiving of imprecise turning. The MoYu MeiLong 12x12 V2 M Core-Ball also has magnets in the core (Ball-Core system), which stabilize the center of the mechanism. Non-magnetic versions are lighter and usually cheaper, but they require more careful layer alignment.

How to choose a 12x12x12 cube?

• Your first cube this big: if you have solved nothing larger than a 7x7 so far, a magnetic version will make it easier to keep the layers aligned.
• Long sessions: the small, light MeiLong 12x12 V2 tires your hands less than larger models. Its tension can be adjusted with screws.
• Collection: the pillowed ShengShou 12x12 and the original, fully cubic MeiLong are two different approaches to the same puzzle.

Every 12x12 needs calmer turning than a small speed cube. It is a good idea to align the layers before each turn, because forcing a turn can result in a pop or a damaged piece.