Lanlan Void Cube

Lanlan Void Cube 3x3

Lanlan Void Cube is a 3x3 cube without centers. In place of each center there is a hole that goes all the way through, so you can see right through the cube. It also has no classic core like a regular 3x3 cube. The pieces hold together thanks to frames and moving parts hidden under the edges and corners. The Void Cube design comes from the Japanese puzzle designer Katsuhiko Okamoto. Lanlan released its own version of this design in two body colors: Black and White.

How to solve the Void Cube

You solve it with the same methods and algorithms as a regular 3x3 cube. The only thing missing is the centers, which normally define the color of each face. This means you have to work out the face colors yourself from the corners, for example by checking which colors are next to each other. On top of that there is parity, a situation that is impossible on a regular cube. On the last layer, two edges or two corners may end up swapped. All you need then is to learn one extra algorithm. It's a good next step for anyone who can already solve a regular 3x3 cube and wants something new.

Turning and feel

A coreless mechanism has its limitations, and there's no point hiding them. The layers turn reasonably well, but only when they are precisely aligned. Corner cutting is practically non-existent, and lockups happen easily when you turn faster. Straight out of the box, the cube can be stiff. This is a puzzle for relaxed solving and for your collection, not a speedcube. The Void Cube is also not a WCA event. According to user reviews, newer Void Cubes from other manufacturers, e.g. QiYi, turn more smoothly. The Lanlan is the classic, simple version of this puzzle.

Who is it for?

For those who can solve a 3x3 cube and want to try a variant that requires a different way of thinking, and for puzzle collectors. Its distinctive look with the holes also makes it a great shelf decoration or a gift for someone who loves cubes. For your first cube, it's better to choose a regular magnetic 3x3 and save the Void Cube for later.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 cube without centers (Void Cube)
• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Mechanism: coreless, with through-holes in place of the centers
• Size: 60.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 122 g
• Body color: Black or White