QiYi QiZheng 5x5x5

QiYi QiZheng 5x5x5

QiYi QiZheng 5x5x5 is an affordable, non-magnetic 5x5 cube that works well as your first 5x5 after the 3x3 and 4x4. It was released in 2018. The model is legal for official competitions and comes in two versions: black or white plastic with stickers.

Mechanism

The internals resemble YuXin's top 5x5 cubes from that time. The edge and corner bases have a dual-track design that keeps the pieces in place and improves stability. There are no unnecessary extra parts inside, so fewer things can go out of adjustment. Larger Florian holes, the cut-outs in the corners, improve corner cutting. You can set the tension with the adjustment screws: looser for faster turning or tighter for better control and fewer pops.

How it turns

The cube turns lightly and pleasantly. The feel is smooth and the cube is easy to control. A new cube is very dry, though, so it's worth lubing it and breaking it in for a while. The matte plastic also needs some time to wear in. For its price range, the QiZheng has good corner cutting. With fast, inaccurate turning, however, lockups do happen, more often than on newer magnetic 5x5 cubes. Some users also find that the outer layers turn noticeably better than the inner ones.

QiZheng, QiZheng S or S2?

There are three models in the series, so they're easy to mix up. The QiZheng described here is the stickered version on black or white plastic. The QiZheng S is the stickerless variant. The QiZheng S2 is the newer generation: it's noticeably lighter and has a new, sturdier mechanism. All three are budget non-magnetic cubes.

Who is it for?

The QiZheng is a good fit for a beginner who wants to learn to solve the 5x5 without spending a lot at the start. It's also a sensible gift for a child who has already mastered smaller cubes. A well-lubed and properly set-up cube is also good enough for timed practice. However, anyone seriously training 5x5 for competitions usually moves on quickly to a newer magnetic cube, which is more stable and has fewer lockups.

Specifications

• Type: 5x5x5 cube, non-magnetic
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: 62.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 158 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Colour versions: Black, White
• Release year: 2018
• Legal for official competitions: yes

In the box:

1. puzzle
2. solving instructions