Shengshou 8x8x8 v2

ShengShou 8x8x8 V2

This is the second generation of ShengShou's 8x8 cube, with an improved design compared to the first version. The ShengShou 8x8x8 V2 is a pillowed cube, which means its faces are slightly convex. It comes in stickerless bright colors, and the plastic has a matte (frosted) finish. The cube has no magnets, so how it turns depends only on the mechanism, the screw setting and the lube.

How it solves

The mechanism works similarly to ShengShou's Mr. M series 6x6 and 7x7 cubes. If you know those models, you will feel at home here quickly. Turning is smooth right out of the box. The outer layers turn lightly, which helps in the final stage, when you are solving the cube like a 3x3. Some users report that the middle layers are noticeably tighter than the outer ones. With a large cube without magnets, you should expect that some work on the setup will probably be needed: adjusting the screws and lubing.

Pillowed shape and size

The V2 is more compact than its predecessor. With 8 layers on each face, the edge length is approx. 82.5 mm, and the cube weighs approx. 327 g. Thanks to its convex shape, it sits better in your hands than a flat cube of this size. The matte plastic does not shine and feels pleasant to the touch.

Tension adjustment

Tension is set with adjustment screws. You can use them to loosen the cube a little to make it faster, or tighten it to make it more stable and less prone to popping.

Who is it for?

For those who have already tackled a 6x6 or 7x7 and want to try a bigger cube, as well as for collectors of large NxN cubes. It is not suitable as a first cube, because a full 8x8 solve takes a long time and requires a good knowledge of the reduction method. 8x8 is not a WCA event, so this cube is for practice, fun and collecting, not for official competitions.

Specifications

• Type: 8x8x8 cube, pillowed, non-magnetic
• Manufacturer: ShengShou
• Size: approx. 82.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 327 g
• Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
• Colors: stickerless bright, matte finish
• Release year: 2020
• Allowed in official WCA competitions: no
• In the box: cube