MoYu Meilong 5x5x5

MoYu MeiLong 5x5x5

This is an affordable 5x5 cube from the MeiLong series. It was made by MoFangJiaoShi (Cubing Classroom), a brand owned by MoYu. The MoYu MeiLong 5x5x5 has no magnets and is legal for official competitions. When it came out, it was one of the lightest 5x5 cubes on the market. Today it is a popular choice for a first 5x5, once the 4x4 stops being a challenge.

Design

The mechanism is simple and clearly based on the brand's first 5x5, the MF5. The pieces are held on a single internal ring that sits a few millimetres below the centers. The corners have a wide, two-layer base that makes them more stable. To reduce weight, the edges and corners are cut away below the internal gripping point. This leaves a hollow sphere inside that contains only the core. The plastic is thinner than in typical MoYu cubes and earlier MoFangJiaoShi models.

How it turns

The MeiLong turns light and smooth, while still feeling noticeably firm and stable. Corner cutting is good for the price and not far behind much more expensive cubes. The low weight helps with fast turning and keeps your hands from getting tired during long solves. Without magnets, however, the layers do not align on their own. Some users report lockups and catching on the inner layers, especially with imprecise turns. Proper lubing and tension adjustment usually help.

Tension adjustment

You set the tension with screws fitted with springs. A tighter setting gives you more control, while a looser one makes the cube turn faster and corner cut better.

Non-magnetic version or MeiLong 5x5 M?

There is also a MeiLong 5x5 M version with factory-installed magnets. Magnets help align the layers, so your turns are more precise and you get fewer lockups. The non-magnetic version suits someone who is just learning the reduction method and wants to find out, at a low cost, whether they enjoy bigger cubes. It also makes a good gift for a child who can already solve a 3x3. If you practice for speed, you will probably get more out of the M version. If you like modding cubes, you can also magnetize this model yourself.

Specifications

• Type: 5x5x5 cube, non-magnetic
• Manufacturer: MoYu (MoFangJiaoShi)
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Weight: approx. 100 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws with springs
• Release year: 2019
• Legal for official competitions: yes
• Color versions: Black, Stickerless Bright, Bright/Black, Macaron

In the box you will find:

1. the puzzle
2. solving instructions